Practice Report 8/7

I had both kids with me, and with a bad storm brewing on the horizon, I could only stay at the open practice for about 55 minutes, and most of that was spent watching the offense.  But thanks to my awesome wife (whose idea it was to go to practice, eat it Pierce!) wrangling the kiddos, I was able to jot down a few notes on specific players that I observed.  I wasn't able to catch a look at everyone I wanted to see (missed Dominique Terrell and Tim Smith, grrrrrrr), but I did watch a few.  Emptying the moleskin in the order of jersey numbers...

#1 Tra Nicholson -- Only saw him in action for a quick second.  He's small but looks ripped.  And he's fast.  He's running with the 1st team already, and seems to be legit.  Our corners should be a strength of the team this season.

#1 Thomas Wheet -- I was fairly impressed with this freshman walk-on receiver.  Big body (6-2, 190), fairly athletic, seems tough.  Reminded me of Matt Snyder.

#5 David Watford -- I'll go ahead and say it.  None of the QBs impressed me.  Watford would be my pick for QB1 right now, but only because he has wheels and has four full seasons to be the starter and develop.  But by and large, the QB position went from a concern to scaring the crap out of me as we head toward the start of the season.  Watford is the lesser of four evils, and only because he can run.

#6 Darius Jennings -- Go ahead and start getting excited about this guy.  We haven't had an explosive athlete like this at wide receiver since... hell, I can't think of anyone.  Pete Allen, I guess?  He's just blur-quick, makes unbelieveable cuts, makes it all look effortless.  Seriously, the closest thing I've seen to DeSean Jackson at UVa.

#7 Kyle McCartin -- Moved to QB.  Lanky and awkward-looking.  Didn't have a red jersey, not sure why.

#10 Clifton Richardson -- I watched a few different drills with the RBs and FBs.  I was disappointed in Richardson.  I expected him to be bigger-looking, quicker, and more decisive with his cuts than what I saw.  I think he might be coming off of a minor injury, so I'm willing to give a free pass.  Still, I think a redshirt is probably in order.

#14 Matt Snyder -- Clearly not right after his offseason injury.  He's working , though.  I'll never count this guy out.

#15 Ross Metheny -- I really don't like his wind-up and delivery.  Maybe it's just because he's a lefty, but the mechanics look wonky to me.  Not fluid at all.  He was trying to be very rah-rah during the practice, but to me it seemed a bit put on.  I don't think I'm a fan, and the fact that he very likely could be our starting QB against William & Mary deeply concerns me.

#16 Mike Rocco -- A natural thrower.  Of the two lead dogs, he's definitely my favorite.  Praying he ends up being the starter over Metheny.  That being said, Rocco wasn't overly impressive.  He just seemed like "a guy" out there.  Like the way you'd expect the #3 QB to look during practice.

#17 Miles Gooch -- He's built like Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba.  I don't mean this as any sort of insult whatsoever.  He's just got a really weird-looking body.  Thick torso, arms that seem like they're eight feet long each.  During the passing drills, I found my eyes glued to his #17.  He doesn't seem to be fast or possessing much wiggle, but I'm betting he ends up being a great possession receiver for us somewhere down the line.  Too raw to make a big impact this season, though.

#19 Michael Strauss -- Seemed very relaxed, but his throws were pretty wild.  Smooth throwing motion, obviously has a strong arm.  I think he might be missing the "urgency" of the quarterback position.  He just seems like a laid-back surfer dude, and I don't mean that in a good way.  Maybe he's just resigned to being a backup this year, as it didn't seem to me like he was out there fighting for the starting job.

#25 Kevin Parks -- I loved the way this guy ran.  Hard cuts, took it north-south with authority.  He's short, but seems really stout and powerful.  He actually reminded me a lot of Duce Staley, which is totally a compliment to KP.  A bowling ball.  I bet he'll carry a big part of the load along with Perry Jones.

#32 Ryan Cobb -- One of the drills I watched was the fullback lead blocking a big blocking pad while the running back took it wide.  Cobb was OBLITERATING that poor blocking pad.  I found myself loving this guy.  He's violent.  Can't wait to watch him light up a few Terp and Hokie linebackers.

#33 Perry Jones -- He has his haters, people who think he dances a little too much.  I'm not one of those people.  I think he's going to give us a BIG season this year.  Nobody on that field was tougher, more determined, or more fired up.

#34 Terence Fells-Danzer -- I'm glad he's back.  He looks like a very good lead blocker.  Not explosive like Cobb, but very good.

#36 Max Milien -- It seems like the coaches are moving him away from the traditional fullback role, and into more of the big back role.  I think he'll get a bunch of carries this season.  Not sold on his ability as a between-the-tackles grinder, however.  I do like his receiving chops.

#38 Khalek Shepherd -- I thought this guy was great during the Spring Game, but he just looked like "a guy" yesterday.  Not overly quick, not big, not particularly aggressive.  It might have just been a bad day, because I've seen him deliver a little electricity in the past.

#54 Justin Renfrow -- HOLY CRAP, HE'S HUGE!  We needed some beef at defensive tackle, and this guy is delivering the load.  I hope he can play at 6-6, 300+ pounds.

#60 John Pond -- This recruited walk-on is stocky.  Almost has a humorous build.  He's very short and very, very thick.  Looks like a giant traffic barrel.  Didn't see him blocking, but he was fun to watch during warm-ups.  Mini-monster.

#63 Austin Pasztor -- Stud.  Ready for a BIG senior season blowing open holes for the running game.

#70 Luke Bowanko -- After I met his parents at the Spring Game, I made it a point to seek him out.  He's working with the 1st team, and looks the part.  He seems a little bit lighter than I'd like my right guard to be, but he can move.  He should be good in pass pro and getting out and pulling on outside runs.  Might be weak against the bull rush.

#72 Oday Aboushi -- Stud.  He's got left tackle on LOCK.

#75 Kelby Johnson -- He'll redshirt this season, but he looks like the next o-line star the University of Virginia will generate.  Go ahead and pencil him in for a three-year starting spot after Aboushi graduates.  I'm sold.

#79 Sean Cascarano -- Solid.  I feel good about him backing up both tackle spots this season.

#81 Jeremiah Mathis -- He runs with a really bizarre gait.  Almost like a broken robot.  But he's big and can move.  I've heard the term "unorthodox" used to describe his game, and I think that's apropos.  He seems like a good weapon in the passing game, and I'm more than ever sold on his upside at H-back.

#84 E.J. Scott -- He looked pretty good to me.  Nothing really special, but well-rounded and ready to contribute this season.

#86 Ray Keys -- He's cut.  I think he's established himself as a worker at wideout.  What I mean by that is willing to pitch in with tough catches across the middle and eager to get downfield and throw some blocks.  A nice fit for a team that figures to be decidedly run-first this season.

#89 Colter Phillips -- He's not on the level of Heath Miller or Tom Santi, but he's just a tiny notch below.  All told, he might be our second-best pass catcher this season, behind Kris Burd.

#93 Will Hill -- He's the buzz of camp so far.  Dollars to doughnuts he ends up stealing a spot in the starting lineup.


Sorry I don't have more notes about the defense, but I literally spent all but five minutes watching the O.  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed.