It's kind of a rainy, cloudy day in Champaign but the team still practiced on the Memorial Stadium Turf. Notes from Thursday's practice:
There was a higher intensity today, faster-paced through many different groups
Near the end of our 15-minutes, the QBs started throwing deep balls to the WRs on go-routes
Several really good balls from all the QBs to various WRs
Peters and Williams both had a great release, spiral and hit their spot on back-to-back throws
Not a single ball hit the ground in this area
WR group continues to take some shape
Navarro, Hightower and Thompson appear to be the top three with Campbell as the fourth option
Carlos Sandy showed some nice footwork on different routes
No Marquez Beason again today, he must be hurt
Kryon Cumby went through drills last, he's not a good route runner and he's struggling with drops
Tight ends ran corner routes from the QBs
Tip Reiman got some first-string reps with Daniel Barker and Luke Ford
Barker had a really nice one-handed catch over his head on a poor throw from Peters
Ford could probably refine his route running a little bit. He rounds off his routes just a little bit, with his size if he gets a hard cut he could be a better weapon downfield.
Offensive tackles worked blocking with the TEs
Overall nothing major to see here, but Julian Pearl worked through first at left tackle
TE Coach Ben Miller mentioned to Ford to keep his pad level a little lower
Ford is so strong and physical he probably gets away with not always being the lower man
Dylan Thomas had a green jersey on, but he was the only player to be a limited contact today
Will plan to watch the defensive side a lot more on Saturday
