Running over some comments from
the Spring presser videos, and paraphrasing.
Sorry if I missed anything. I was kinda busy when listening to Coach Heacock, My comments with asterisks.
From assorted personages:
Offense
Jaylin and Jayden are going to be improved.
Transfer Isaiah Austin has intriguing length (6’4” 195 Sr) and athleticism—but has been recovering from lingering injuries from Army. He missed most of the season last year.
Beni Ngoyi has added both muscle and speed.
*seriously how is that fair to poor DB’s?
Redshirt sophomore Jason Essex is finally ready to roll, per Rocco.
*I’ll say that from recent photos, at a (currently) listed 6’2” 215, he looks…more than buff.
Mouser tells us that Ben Brahmer reported at 218 last season, played around 230–and he expects him to be 250 this Fall.
Early enrollee TE Cooper Alexander is also adding weight fast.
*This room will be LOADED.
COVID senior Jarrod Hufford has added both muscle and quickness.
Wisconsin senior transfer C Dylan Barrett has totally refined his body, losing bad weight and adding good, and is (reportedly) around 335 now.
Transfer COVID senior RB Jaylon Jackson (5’6” 168) has Kene-type speed, and is expected to impact special teams as a returner, and help in the backfield.
Early enrollee RB Dylan Lee is also adding muscle fast.
Mouser joked that he and Rocco get along well because Rocco has tight end blood.
Mouser is excited. Rocco is excited that Mouser is excited. Both are giddy about throwing more—including downfield. Even CMC acknowledged the possibility.
Seriously.
Defense
The Professor made it clear that at times last year, the defense was’t as good as it could have been—or was even bad at times. He expects that to change.
He expects Sadowsky and McLaughlin to make big strides this year.
No word on the 3rd LB—unless I missed it.
Cooper (for the first time) and Verdon have both been fully healthy this offseason.
*IMO, if Coop could add 10-15 pounds of muscle, that would be immense. Both for his durability and NFL aspirations.
Mentioning COVID senior CB Darien Porter makes faces light up.
Ike Ezeogu is up to around 275.
*That’s scary.
Coach Heacock commented on it being important that last year’s “young” defensive line has that much more experience and time to mature.
Among the intriguing special teams comments was the surprise mention of Dubuque’s Kyle Konrardy, a redshirt freshman walkon placekicker, as an apparent key figure in the kicking competition. 52 yd FG in HS. Mentioned over notable others, including FAU senior transfer Carter Davis.
All long snappers back.