Week Two of spring practice has arrived! (Even though Practice No. 3 technically started the day before the official First Day of Spring)
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Spring Practice Week 1 Rewind
Practice 3 – March 19
Let's Go!
There is an unmistakable sound only heard when football is taking place.
The pop of shoulder pads crashing together reverberated throughout Fortera Stadium, Tuesday night, as the Governors held their first practice in full pads this spring.
As the sun set into the western horizon and the temperature steadily dropped, the energy on the field grew with each period, until it reached a crescendo during the final team periods of the night, as the offense and defense traded big play after big play.
Safety Evan Beddoe stepped in front of a deep ball down the middle of the field and followed with an impressive return, igniting cheers and dancing from the defensive sideline. On a swing pass to Prince Momodu, the bruising running back lowered those pads donned for the first time this spring and plowed forward past defenders, eliciting applause from the offensive sideline.
After blowing the final whistle, head coach Mark Hudspeth gathered the team at midfield and reiterated the importance of accountability and discipline. It's not just about the coaches holding the team accountable, but the athletes themselves holding each other accountable. Discipline was also at the forefront, doing the right things both on and off the field.
All in all, a successful day of practice!
Quoting the Governors
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Tim Zetts
On how the offense is progressing:
"I think we're making progress each day. The emphasis has been to get better each day, and I think that we're doing that. We kind of overloaded them, especially these first three days. We piled it on early, so hopefully it's starting to absorb in their minds, and I think it is because in the meeting room and out on the field, they're starting to really get a grasp of it. So that's been a goal, and I think we're making that progress each day."
On the performance of the quarterbacks:
"We're putting a lot on them, so there are a lot of things they have to know pre-snap and post-snap. I'm proud of them: they're taking it seriously, they're studying and they're taking a lot of pride in that. It's been a lot of fun to work with those guys. They're extremely hard-working and fun to be around."
On the offense's response to the first practice in pads:
"We knew our defensive coaches have a lot of juice, have a lot of energy, and we knew they were going to be up. They do a great job of getting their players up. I thought our guys responded. I thought they came out with a purpose and that we came out and competed. It was a third down emphasis day, and I thought we held up on our end."
Defensive End Jaison Williams
On the first practice in pads:
"I feel good. I feel like we're flying around. We had a good day; a lot of competition. It was good hearing the pads pop, so it was a good day."
On his thoughts of the defense after three practices:
"I think the defense is coming around really, really well. The scheme is really simple for us, so we're just going around flying to the ball, forcing turnovers and doing what we do best, which is running to the ball."
On taking on more of a leadership role:
"I feel like it has to be more than it was last year, trying to develop guys that maybe haven't had as much experience as me. I'm just trying to bring those guys up with me and just try to have the best year we can."
On the development of the defensive line:
"I think it's coming along really well. I think a lot of the young guys are showing up and doing what they need to do and proving themselves on the field to get some playing time."
📸 Time
Check out the snaps from Day 3 of practice in this gallery.
Practice 4 – March 21
Another practice, another opportunity to get better! Take it from running backs coach Craig Candeto and wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis.
It was another chilly evening at The Fort, Thursday, but that only added to the theme of practice: toughness.
On the second day of practice in full pads, there was a notable emphasis on physicality, and there were even more pad-popping hits than Tuesday during individual position drills and in team periods. The speed of execution is getting noticeably quicker with each practice session.
In a fast-paced final period of practice with the offense and defense facing off, wide receiver Gorel Soumare had one of the highlights of the night, running a go-route down the right side of the field. Quarterback Kam Williams threw a jump ball up along the sideline, and the 6-3 wideout leaped over the defender and snagged the pass out of the sky.
"Kam threw it up," Soumare said. "I said, 'Shoot, I have to make him look good.' So I go up and get the ball, help the quarterbacks and just be friendly to them."
After the final horn blew, head coach Mark Hudspeth gathered the team around and drove home the theme of being tough and physical. "When we play someone, we want them to say, "Man, those guys will strike you,'" Hudspeth said to the collective of athletes, coaches and staff.
Four practices down, the head coach is excited about he steps the team is taking to improve.
Quoting the Governors
Linebacker Pat Walker
On his thoughts after the first four practices:
"We're feeling pretty good getting back into the swing of things. We're getting adjusted to the new coaches, and I think the guys are getting along really well."
On being a returning starter at linebacker:
"It's still the same. We've still got guys competing, so I know I have to come to work every day. I just know there's a spot out there to get, and I'm just working hard every day to get it."
On how the linebacker group is progressing in spring practice:
"We're still learning the system. Everybody's working hard, and we're starting to get it together."
Wide Receiver Gorel Soumare
On the offense's progress so far:
"Were on install four right now, and I feel like we're finally starting to get it. This weekend is going to be great because there's no installs. All those installs we've had, one-through-four, we need to learn those plays. For the scrimmage, we need to know where to line up, know how to execute those concepts, and we're going to be alright."
On the wide receivers group:
"I feel like we're a very tight group. We lost D.J. (Montgomery) from last year – that's a big piece – but I feel like as a whole, we're still together, we all play for each other and we all love one another."
On if he is taking on a more prominent role:
"Most definitely, I feel like I need to step up. A lot of us, like me, Kadeem (Goulbourne), D-Lo (DeAngelo Wilson), a lot of us. Just everybody really, because losing D.J., that was a big piece of our offense. The guy's great: he's going to do big things at the next level. But we just have to live up to the standard."
📸 Time
In between shooting video, Taylor Wiseman managed to snag a few stills. Yours truly also added his amateur skills. Check them out!
Practice 5 – March 23
The fifth practice of the spring was a big one, as it was the first scrimmage with head coach Mark Hudspeth at the helm. It was also the second junior day of the spring.
As Gorel Soumare mentioned Thursday, the Governors are working hard to make up the production lost by the graduation of DJ Montgomery at wide receiver. The good news? There are a lot of talented, young guys with the potential to step up big.
Wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis is excited about the prospect of success from this group.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the guys continued making progress.
After two weeks of practice, let's find out how the offense and defense are coming along.
Quoting the Governors
Offensive Lineman Seth Johnson
On how the offense is progressing through the first two weeks of spring practice:
"I think it's coming along pretty well. Schematically, we have to learn the plays, and all it takes is repetition. Each day I think we're getting better, for sure. The offensive line really has to step up and bring its a-game to lead the team right now."
On the offensive line:
"We lost a lot of guys from last year, but there's been a lot of young guys step up. You can't coach effort, and these guys bring it every day. We're learning the plays right now, and we're starting to come along."
On bringing experience to the offensive line group after starting last season:
"I think it's honestly an honor because I see it as an opportunity to be a leader for this offense and this offensive line. I haven't played that much, but I know a little bit, so I want to bring along these young guys with me and hopefully they get the same shot I did."
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Mark Powell
On the defense's progress through spring practice:
"I think they're coming along great. I think they're buying into the mentality of it. Run to the ball. Fast is what we're doing, fast all the time, and that's our slogan. The guys are buying into that and running hard to the football. The biggest thing is that mentality is going to win us football games, and they're buying into that."
On Pat Walker taking on a leadership role:
"When Pat talks, everybody looks and listens. He's done a great job so far. I want him to become a little more vocal, but he leads by example. That's what he is and that's what he does great, so if that's who he's going to be, he's doing a great job at it."
On the linebackers group as a whole:
"I think they're all buying in. I think there's a lot of stuff that is somewhat of a carryover. It's not dumbed down, but it's less stuff they need to think about. So, they're able to line up, know their assignment and be able to play fast, and that's what they've been able to do."
On what has stood out to him about the defense:
"They have fun. They love the game of football. That's the biggest thing for me is they love to play the game. That's half the battle nowadays is finding kids that want to buy into the mentality, buy into the culture. It's a brand new staff and they're buying in and they're having fun, and that's why they're flying around making plays."
📸 Time
