Yesterday was the first scrimmage/practice I've been to since Coach Harsin arrived. Can't say enough about how beautiful the plains are in the Spring. Also, congrats and a big thanks to A.Greene and CBH for welcoming A-Club members. The entire atmosphere in and around the football program has changed in 4 months. Winning is now expected from everyone from equipment manages up to the HC. Felt good and everyone noticed.
From an old ball player's perspective, here are a few good things I saw and a few opportunities to get better before game 1.
Defense:
First, starting DL has a chance to be great. #25 will play on Sundays. He has turned into a man. As a unit, the DL is
definitely the strength of the team. They have quality depth and a damn good coach. Eason was a major get for the D staff. Mason was probably the hire of the year in the SEC among coordinators. Bill O'brien at tuscaloosa would be second, in my opinion.
Players to watch:
#89 -- J-Peg will be a force on the DL. He's got to work on upper body strength to improve his punch and his hand placement. That will come in due time. Needs to hit the weights hard over the Summer and work his techniques. He is super quick, like Warren Sapp quick.
JJ has the tools to play anywhere on the DL. Rare combination of skills.
#95 (DE) can be a good one. He needs another 30 pounds to a good frame and needs to improve strength but has great quickness and speed to pursue.
#37, same as above. I like both of these young guys.
LBs will be a big improvement over last season. They are well coached and very athletic. #0 and #9 is a great duo. Not sure many teams have a combo that good. Maybe in athens.
#13 -- (SS/Nickle) is a missile looking to blow up something. Love the kid's mentality. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with effort and tenacity. People talk about football IQ, #13 has it.
#31 -- I'm glad to see him back and bigger. Still fast and fills gaps. Has the tools and versatillity to play on Sundays. Very good in coverage. Huge addition to LB group.
#5 (Safety) -- What a physical presence. This kid is going to be special. Can play in run support and can cover. Looks like a ball hawk. Super excited to see this kid grow and learn in Mason's scheme. Side note -- Mason's scheme is much more multiple than Steele's. Moving in and out of the 3 and 4 fronts and mixing in a hybrid 5 bear look will allow him to disguise blitzers. Will be interesting to watch D develop in his scheme.
Lastly on D, #44 is a large young man and can move. Doesn't look like Frosh.
Has the tools to be another D.Brown. Nutrition and conditioning will be key to his success along with sharpening his techniques. Can definitely hold his point and eat up blockers.
Offense:
Nix has gotten better. I wouldn't put very much value on what everyone saw yesterday. Bobo and Harsin are designing their scheme to take advantage of his strengths. People need to realize that O was running base plays and was limited at WR yesterday.
When a D as good as AUs, and they are talented, sees the Offense everyday, they pretty much know what's coming. Spring games are really overrated in terms of evaluating an O. If the O blows out the D in the spring game, it's going to be a long Fall. Nix is a competitor and has the talent to make the throws. He will continue to improve his mechanics. Unfortunately, these are the first real QB coaches he's been around. Pat did a better job with him than Gus and crew. He needs a good summer of working on his mechanics and throwing with his WRs and TEs.
#4 is an All-american talent. Absolute stud dog. Best RB we've had on campus since Ronnie and Caddy.
The TEs are as good looking as advertised. I'm not sure AU has ever had a group of TEs that look more like potential NFL TEs. All 6'5 or better, apprx 250 lbs plus, and athletic. CBB is a bright star as young coach. I predict he and several others on the staff will be HCs some day. Love his energy and that he preaches toughness to those TEs. If you can't block, you will not play.
The OL -- better shape than last year and more explosive in the run blocking. CWF is a very good teacher and demanding regarding the details with foot work. Not sure what deal was with Alec Jackson being suspended yesterday, but the word around the camp fire is he has really come on in his pass sets and they feel really good about he and Hamm. The problem is depth. There is a severe drop off with the 2s. Although, Troxell, if he can stay healthy, has gotten much better.
As a unit, they can run block very well.
Center and both guards have improved dramatically and are very physical.
Pass blocking has to improve.
Last thing, yesterday I got a chance to meet Coach Harsin for the first time. Also, had a good chat with coach Eason (another possible Boss someday.... at minimum a DC)
Harsin is the boss and everyone around the program knows it. He is comfortable in his skin and confident in his vision and plan to get there.
I see a young Pay Dye with probably a better top down view of where he's going to take the program in the next few years.
Folks are going to need to be patient. Harsin is rebuilding a culture of winning. Getting recruits to AU for in person visits and the ability for our coaches to get in high schools to build relationships is going to huge for Harsin and staff.
To sum up, AU football is in good hands. I'm very impressed with the organization Harsin has put together and the support A.Greene has given him.
WE!
From an old ball player's perspective, here are a few good things I saw and a few opportunities to get better before game 1.
Defense:
First, starting DL has a chance to be great. #25 will play on Sundays. He has turned into a man. As a unit, the DL is
definitely the strength of the team. They have quality depth and a damn good coach. Eason was a major get for the D staff. Mason was probably the hire of the year in the SEC among coordinators. Bill O'brien at tuscaloosa would be second, in my opinion.
Players to watch:
#89 -- J-Peg will be a force on the DL. He's got to work on upper body strength to improve his punch and his hand placement. That will come in due time. Needs to hit the weights hard over the Summer and work his techniques. He is super quick, like Warren Sapp quick.
JJ has the tools to play anywhere on the DL. Rare combination of skills.
#95 (DE) can be a good one. He needs another 30 pounds to a good frame and needs to improve strength but has great quickness and speed to pursue.
#37, same as above. I like both of these young guys.
LBs will be a big improvement over last season. They are well coached and very athletic. #0 and #9 is a great duo. Not sure many teams have a combo that good. Maybe in athens.
#13 -- (SS/Nickle) is a missile looking to blow up something. Love the kid's mentality. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with effort and tenacity. People talk about football IQ, #13 has it.
#31 -- I'm glad to see him back and bigger. Still fast and fills gaps. Has the tools and versatillity to play on Sundays. Very good in coverage. Huge addition to LB group.
#5 (Safety) -- What a physical presence. This kid is going to be special. Can play in run support and can cover. Looks like a ball hawk. Super excited to see this kid grow and learn in Mason's scheme. Side note -- Mason's scheme is much more multiple than Steele's. Moving in and out of the 3 and 4 fronts and mixing in a hybrid 5 bear look will allow him to disguise blitzers. Will be interesting to watch D develop in his scheme.
Lastly on D, #44 is a large young man and can move. Doesn't look like Frosh.
Has the tools to be another D.Brown. Nutrition and conditioning will be key to his success along with sharpening his techniques. Can definitely hold his point and eat up blockers.
Offense:
Nix has gotten better. I wouldn't put very much value on what everyone saw yesterday. Bobo and Harsin are designing their scheme to take advantage of his strengths. People need to realize that O was running base plays and was limited at WR yesterday.
When a D as good as AUs, and they are talented, sees the Offense everyday, they pretty much know what's coming. Spring games are really overrated in terms of evaluating an O. If the O blows out the D in the spring game, it's going to be a long Fall. Nix is a competitor and has the talent to make the throws. He will continue to improve his mechanics. Unfortunately, these are the first real QB coaches he's been around. Pat did a better job with him than Gus and crew. He needs a good summer of working on his mechanics and throwing with his WRs and TEs.
#4 is an All-american talent. Absolute stud dog. Best RB we've had on campus since Ronnie and Caddy.
The TEs are as good looking as advertised. I'm not sure AU has ever had a group of TEs that look more like potential NFL TEs. All 6'5 or better, apprx 250 lbs plus, and athletic. CBB is a bright star as young coach. I predict he and several others on the staff will be HCs some day. Love his energy and that he preaches toughness to those TEs. If you can't block, you will not play.
The OL -- better shape than last year and more explosive in the run blocking. CWF is a very good teacher and demanding regarding the details with foot work. Not sure what deal was with Alec Jackson being suspended yesterday, but the word around the camp fire is he has really come on in his pass sets and they feel really good about he and Hamm. The problem is depth. There is a severe drop off with the 2s. Although, Troxell, if he can stay healthy, has gotten much better.
As a unit, they can run block very well.
Center and both guards have improved dramatically and are very physical.
Pass blocking has to improve.
Last thing, yesterday I got a chance to meet Coach Harsin for the first time. Also, had a good chat with coach Eason (another possible Boss someday.... at minimum a DC)
Harsin is the boss and everyone around the program knows it. He is comfortable in his skin and confident in his vision and plan to get there.
I see a young Pay Dye with probably a better top down view of where he's going to take the program in the next few years.
Folks are going to need to be patient. Harsin is rebuilding a culture of winning. Getting recruits to AU for in person visits and the ability for our coaches to get in high schools to build relationships is going to huge for Harsin and staff.
To sum up, AU football is in good hands. I'm very impressed with the organization Harsin has put together and the support A.Greene has given him.
WE!
