East West Shrine

East West Shrine Practice Day 1

 

After heights and weights were taken early this morning each team the East and West suited up for the first practices of the East West Shrine Game. With day one in the books,  there were several that helped themselves after day one of the practice.

  

Princeton - Defensive linemen Mike Catapano was all over the place today. Catapano showed a relentless motor all afternoon. One play in particular he closed the gap on the quarterback who was trying to get around the corner then said "cmon baby hell yeah," after eliminating the edge. Catapano was excellent in pursuit, and something I jotted down several times in my notes.

  

Illinois - Cornerback Terry Hawthorne looked the part of cornerback today and also fielded punts during the fading sun of West practices. Hawthorne earned the praises of West defensive back coach time and time again. Personally thought he looked pretty fluid in coverage.

 

Rutgers - Tight End D.C. Jefferson the seldom used receiver for Scarlet Knights had a pleasant catch in traffic today while holding his own during blocking drills. Jefferson looks the part and thought he did himself good with today's performance. 

 

North Carolina State - Safety Earl Wolff clearly showed he belongs. Wolff was solid sifting through traffic to locate the ball in run support. Wolff also had an interception during practice. Prior to the interception I thought his ability to find the ball carrier stood out. 

 

Pittsburgh - Running back Ray Graham made one cut today that made me look back on the East roster sheet to make sure it was him. Graham showed immense elusiveness and on play in particular he lowered the boom on opposing defender. The power displayed on that one play equaled the quickness he showed on the other.

  

Memphis - Offensive linemen Jordan Devey played well today. Repeatedly he was earning the praise of coaches for doing drills correctly. For instance one particular East linemen earned the opposite " you just missed everything we just taught you in the last five minutes," said the East o-line coach. Devey looked athletic with long arms. Seemed to have good bend in his knees, and could slide his feet and play with balance in his feet. 

 

Michigan - Defensive linemen William Campbell brought it today and can see him continue to rise up boards. Campbell wowed on lookers on one particular drill and continued to showcase knack for holding his own and being able to push the line of scrimmage. Campbell did however; display his long snapping skills and those shouldn't be brought to the field again. Campbell volunteered to snap and the rustyness of not doing it showed. 

 

Honorable Mention

 

Vanderbilt - Running back Zac Stacy showed terrific burst, sometimes looked like a rocket coming through the hole.

 

Florida State - Linebacker Nick Moody made a couple nice plays and showed good knack to get up field quickly.

 

Florida State - Receiver Rodney Smith made a couple solid catches this afternoon.

 

California (PA) - Guard Eric Kush was another player who showed some good positives and also had coaches praise after drills. 

 

Arizona State - Punter Josh Hubner may be sured by DirecTV for knocking satellite out of orbit. Hubner was launching balls today.