Illinois practiced on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11:15. Shorts and helmets. Same script as Friday. Walk-thrus, warmups, position drills, and a lot of 11-on-11.
* DL Tymir Oliver and RB Ra'Von Bonner both had finals this morning and missed practice. Keivan Meyers still isn't here. I'll let you know when he shows up.
* No 7 on 7 and not nearly as many position drills, etc. as we've seen during early practices in the past. They're trying to get as many reps in for everyone as possible and get these guys into playing shape.
OFFENSE
* The quarterback battle will continue throughout camp between Cam Thomas and AJ Bush. Thomas is better on the quick slants, screens, etc. Bush has the bigger arm and can stretch the field. Thomas, surprisingly, is more fundamentally sound right now. Bush can get happy feet and throws off his back foot at times. But Bush has more big play capability.
* Very few live reps for the freshmen quarterbacks today. Just a play here and there. They are feeling their way, but were better today than on Friday. Each had their moments during one-on-one passing drills. Walk-on Cam Miller gets 3rd team reps because he knows the offense.
* Kendrick Green is standing out at guard. He has the best feet of all of the offensive linemen, so he's good with the quick steps that you take on the outside zone that they are running in this new offense. In pass pro, he sets up quickly and has a good punch. He's going to be a good one.
* 2nd team offensive line is LT Jake Cerney, LG Zeke Martin, C Kurt Gavin, RG Adam Solomon, RT Andrew Trainer. Freshman Rueben Unije also gets some 2nd team reps. Larry Boyd is with the 3's, a clear indication that he won't be playing against Kent State.
* So far, I have not seen a formation that includes an in-line tight end. Lou Dorsey finally saw 1st team reps. They split him out in the slot. It's hard to imagine a role for Griffin Palmer in this offense. Freshman Daniel Barker looks like he needs to get in better physical condition. Not much speed.
* At some point, Lovie may want to cut down on the reps for Mike Dudek and Ricky Smalling. They are both studs. Can't afford for either one to get hurt.
DEFENSE
* I like what I'm seeing from Lere Oladipo at the 3-technique. He's much bigger this year. He's still raw but should crack the rotation. He's one of the more athletic inside guys.
* I would give the edge at WDE to Ayo Shogbonyo right now.
* It's all about conditioning for freshmen Calvin Avery and Verdis Brown. They're working them hard, getting them reps, and trying to get them in shape. But they're at the end of the line and sucking wind coming off and on the field.
* Almost all nickel defense today, with Del'Shawn Phillips and Jake Hansen the only linebackers on the field most of the time. Freshman Khalan Tolson is a pleasant surprise. He's still figuring things out with his gap assignments and coverages, but he runs to the ball and is bigger than expected.
* They are rotating a bunch of DB's, getting the young guys reps and trying to figure out what they have. Ron Hardge got a lot of reps at corner today. Kerby Joseph lined up at nickel. JUCO transfer Nick Walker made a few plays again.
* Freshman DE Ezekiel Holmes is skinny, but quick-twitch. He will need to redshirt, but he gets off quickly and can really run.
* Just straight up defense so far. No blitzes or stemming of coverages. Linebackers started working on blitzes a little bit during positions drills, but not much.
Your questions?
* DL Tymir Oliver and RB Ra'Von Bonner both had finals this morning and missed practice. Keivan Meyers still isn't here. I'll let you know when he shows up.
* No 7 on 7 and not nearly as many position drills, etc. as we've seen during early practices in the past. They're trying to get as many reps in for everyone as possible and get these guys into playing shape.
OFFENSE
* The quarterback battle will continue throughout camp between Cam Thomas and AJ Bush. Thomas is better on the quick slants, screens, etc. Bush has the bigger arm and can stretch the field. Thomas, surprisingly, is more fundamentally sound right now. Bush can get happy feet and throws off his back foot at times. But Bush has more big play capability.
* Very few live reps for the freshmen quarterbacks today. Just a play here and there. They are feeling their way, but were better today than on Friday. Each had their moments during one-on-one passing drills. Walk-on Cam Miller gets 3rd team reps because he knows the offense.
* Kendrick Green is standing out at guard. He has the best feet of all of the offensive linemen, so he's good with the quick steps that you take on the outside zone that they are running in this new offense. In pass pro, he sets up quickly and has a good punch. He's going to be a good one.
* 2nd team offensive line is LT Jake Cerney, LG Zeke Martin, C Kurt Gavin, RG Adam Solomon, RT Andrew Trainer. Freshman Rueben Unije also gets some 2nd team reps. Larry Boyd is with the 3's, a clear indication that he won't be playing against Kent State.
* So far, I have not seen a formation that includes an in-line tight end. Lou Dorsey finally saw 1st team reps. They split him out in the slot. It's hard to imagine a role for Griffin Palmer in this offense. Freshman Daniel Barker looks like he needs to get in better physical condition. Not much speed.
* At some point, Lovie may want to cut down on the reps for Mike Dudek and Ricky Smalling. They are both studs. Can't afford for either one to get hurt.
DEFENSE
* I like what I'm seeing from Lere Oladipo at the 3-technique. He's much bigger this year. He's still raw but should crack the rotation. He's one of the more athletic inside guys.
* I would give the edge at WDE to Ayo Shogbonyo right now.
* It's all about conditioning for freshmen Calvin Avery and Verdis Brown. They're working them hard, getting them reps, and trying to get them in shape. But they're at the end of the line and sucking wind coming off and on the field.
* Almost all nickel defense today, with Del'Shawn Phillips and Jake Hansen the only linebackers on the field most of the time. Freshman Khalan Tolson is a pleasant surprise. He's still figuring things out with his gap assignments and coverages, but he runs to the ball and is bigger than expected.
* They are rotating a bunch of DB's, getting the young guys reps and trying to figure out what they have. Ron Hardge got a lot of reps at corner today. Kerby Joseph lined up at nickel. JUCO transfer Nick Walker made a few plays again.
* Freshman DE Ezekiel Holmes is skinny, but quick-twitch. He will need to redshirt, but he gets off quickly and can really run.
* Just straight up defense so far. No blitzes or stemming of coverages. Linebackers started working on blitzes a little bit during positions drills, but not much.
Your questions?
