We’re in the final week of training camp as the Flames have just 11 days and 7 full practices until the season opener against ODU on September 1st.
Defense won Saturday’s scrimmage
As we mentioned last week, the Flames had a scrimmage on Saturday, and Coach Gill said the defense got the best of the day. The offense struggled to convert on just 4-of-14 3rd downs while the defense also had a blocked field goal by Austin Lewis and 2 interceptions. Gill said that based on performances through Saturday’s scrimmage, rep numbers will change this week. “Some guys will take less reps because they’ve had some good things (happen) and some guys are going to take more reps because we need more evaluation.”
5th OL starter named
The Flames return 4 of 5 starters from the offensive line in 2017, with Julio Lozana returning at left tackle, Ethan Crawford moving to left guard, Tom Sargeant back at center, and Dontae Duff manning right guard. Sophomore Tristan Schultz has supplanted himself as starter at right tackle. After spending one season at Fork Union Military Academy, he saw playing time in 9 games as a reserve last season.
“He played a lot of snaps (last year),” offensive line coach Aaron Stamn said of Schultz. “It was a blessing in disguise as he was able to get in and get some experience last year and get (adjusted to) the game speed.”
Schultz has been named starter at LT
Wilson and Pickett have been standouts
When asked to highlight one or two players on each side of the ball that have stood out during camp, Gill mentioned Bejour Wilson and Peytton Pickett.
“Defensively, Bejour Wilson, if I had to say one guy on the defensive side that’s been very impressive and will be very impactful, I think. He hasn’t played in any games yet, but I love the way he goes after it. (He has) good speed, great agility, understands the game, understands the concepts. I can’t wait to see him in a game and hopefully (his play) can transfer over to a game like situation. He’s definitely in our top 3 at corner. He’s going to play. It’s great to have some people that you trust and can put in the football game. He’s coming along, and I’m very pleased to have him on our football team.”
“On the offensive side of the ball, Peytton Pickett. I think he’s picking things up a little faster than I anticipated. We talk about the 3 things – being able to block, being able to catch the football, and being able to run the football – and I think he’s done all 3 of those things. Each and every day he’s getting better. He’s on the rise.”
RBs and DL are position groups that were highlighted
Likewise, Gill highlighted the running backs and defensive line as position groups that have stood out.
“Running backs did a pretty good job, all 4, 5, 6 of them that ran in the scrimmage, they were very, very impressive. We have a ways to go, but I really like what I’ve seen from the beginning of camp to this point in time. On the defensive side of the ball, one group I continue to be impressed with – in comparison to last year – our defensive line. (They’re) coming along pretty good, getting a few good people in there where they can play all different positions and mix it up pretty good.”
Freshman OL making an early impact
The Flames brought in 5 offensive linemen as true freshmen as part of the 2018 signing class – Jacob Bodden, Henry Chibueze, Jonathan Graham, John Kourtis, and Brendan Schlittler. This group of 5 was highly recruited, with one of them being a 3-star and two being 2-star rated prospects, and they’re big. Their average size entering their collegiate career is 6’4″ and 315 pounds. Gill says that the majority of them will not play in 2018, but the coaching staff is still trying to decide on 1 of them. He didn’t mention which one.
Jonathan Graham is part of the 5 member OL freshman class
“There’s one guy that’s in the mix, and we’ll see if he can contribute,” Gill said of the freshmen offensive linemen. “I think that 4 game deal is definitely going to be something in play, in the back of our head. We’re very pleased with them. We think they have a bright future, all 5 of them, but they’re not ready to go out and play a football game, play 60, 70, 80 snaps.”
The “4 game deal” he speaks of is the new NCAA rule that will allow football players to play in up to 4 football games and still be eligible to redshirt.
Coach Stamn also spoke highly of this group. “As a coach, you’d love to be able to play all of them,” he said of the 5 true freshmen. “I told them all the other day, I talked to just the 5 of them, I told them the future is bright if you stay together and day by day increase what you do. They’re not starting, so they’re in a little bit of a challenge as to how do they get their repetitions. It will be mental, and then every little practice rep that they do get, just being really sharp and honing in on one thing today. Then, they’re going to be alright.”
As training camp comes to a close, Gill says the team will be “full throttle” into game prep for Old Dominion beginning Saturday and Sunday.
