Here is a compilation of notes and takeaways as gathered by the OB staff regarding Monday's closed football practice:
- It was the first practice of the season in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets on Monday afternoon. It was the first time a little bit of hitting got to take place.
- It was a late-afternoon practice, apparently later than usual, probably to get a little bit of the practice in as the sun is going down and things are just a little cooler outside. Austin heat is brutal right now.
- Freshman DT Chris Daniels was in the pit for the open practice on Sunday and according to our sources remained there Monday. We'll see what more we can find out about his setback but it doesn't seem too major.
- In better news, freshman S Brandon Jones is apparently out of the pit and is "fine."
- Sophomore RB Chris Warren was held back in the first two days of practice where there were no pads. However, we were told on Monday that he participated in 7-on-7 and team drills fully. One person said Warren lowered his shoulder in team drills and even got a little physical with S Deshon Elliott on a play where he got to the second level.
- On the freshman defensive linemen: D'Andre Christmas once again ran primarily with the second group in most drills per a source. This marks the second day that Christmas has been the most involved of the freshmen DLs. Jordan Elliott was working with the second group on the first day of practices.
- Speaking of Jordan Elliott, one person said he threw down starting C Zach Shackelford during a drill and "imposed his will." Christmas, Elliott and third-team NT Gerald Wilbon seem to be the freshman DLs off to the best starts.
- WR Lorenzo Joe got a little banged up in practice with what one person thought was an ankle. It doesn't sound too serious, but we'll keep an ear out about it.
- Seniors Bryce Cottrell (SDE) and Naashon Hughes (FOX) continue working with the first team, but Charles Omenihu is getting plenty of snaps rotating in with the first group. When asked about Breckyn Hager, one source said that he was getting run mostly with the second team at FOX.
- The QB rep-splits seem to have remained virtually the same. Tyrone Swoopes and Shane Buechele are getting the lion's share of work, split at a fairly even rate, while a few others handle the leftover scraps from all we're told. Jerrod Heard is "not in the picture."
- Tyrone Swoopes was again the first QB up in team drills Monday, which seems like a practice that is likely to change sooner than later if Buechele is to be named starter.
- A few quick OL notes:
1) The offensive line grouping for the starters stayed the same.
2) One person said that a practice in shoulder pads is the first time you can "starting seeing the strength of guys (like Denzel Okafor and Patrick Hudson)."
3) Jean Delance got his first work with the twos at Texas at LT behind Connor Williams.
- It was the first practice of the season in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets on Monday afternoon. It was the first time a little bit of hitting got to take place.
- It was a late-afternoon practice, apparently later than usual, probably to get a little bit of the practice in as the sun is going down and things are just a little cooler outside. Austin heat is brutal right now.
- Freshman DT Chris Daniels was in the pit for the open practice on Sunday and according to our sources remained there Monday. We'll see what more we can find out about his setback but it doesn't seem too major.
- In better news, freshman S Brandon Jones is apparently out of the pit and is "fine."
- Sophomore RB Chris Warren was held back in the first two days of practice where there were no pads. However, we were told on Monday that he participated in 7-on-7 and team drills fully. One person said Warren lowered his shoulder in team drills and even got a little physical with S Deshon Elliott on a play where he got to the second level.
- On the freshman defensive linemen: D'Andre Christmas once again ran primarily with the second group in most drills per a source. This marks the second day that Christmas has been the most involved of the freshmen DLs. Jordan Elliott was working with the second group on the first day of practices.
- Speaking of Jordan Elliott, one person said he threw down starting C Zach Shackelford during a drill and "imposed his will." Christmas, Elliott and third-team NT Gerald Wilbon seem to be the freshman DLs off to the best starts.
- WR Lorenzo Joe got a little banged up in practice with what one person thought was an ankle. It doesn't sound too serious, but we'll keep an ear out about it.
- Seniors Bryce Cottrell (SDE) and Naashon Hughes (FOX) continue working with the first team, but Charles Omenihu is getting plenty of snaps rotating in with the first group. When asked about Breckyn Hager, one source said that he was getting run mostly with the second team at FOX.
- The QB rep-splits seem to have remained virtually the same. Tyrone Swoopes and Shane Buechele are getting the lion's share of work, split at a fairly even rate, while a few others handle the leftover scraps from all we're told. Jerrod Heard is "not in the picture."
- Tyrone Swoopes was again the first QB up in team drills Monday, which seems like a practice that is likely to change sooner than later if Buechele is to be named starter.
- A few quick OL notes:
1) The offensive line grouping for the starters stayed the same.
2) One person said that a practice in shoulder pads is the first time you can "starting seeing the strength of guys (like Denzel Okafor and Patrick Hudson)."
3) Jean Delance got his first work with the twos at Texas at LT behind Connor Williams.
