While I'm in Colorado the next couple days, Pete is holding it down at practice. He provided a reaction to Practice #1 on the CanesInSight Podcast. A transcript of his analysis is below:
Peter Ariz: We got about 50 minutes, almost an hour out there today, which honestly felt like more than we normally get in the spring. That was awesome. And look, physically, this is year five now of Mario—this is just what you expect. I’m not looking at it like, “Wow, what a huge jump in body types.” That’s just the standard now.
Right off the bat, Terry Jefferson was working with the cornerbacks. I asked around and didn’t get a full confirmation he's the new CB coach, more of a grunt, so I don’t know if that’s finalized or if they still bring someone else in—but he was out there with the corners today.
You look around and yeah, you lost guys like Bain and Mesidor, but there’s a lot returning. And I’ll start with the corners—seeing those guys in person again, I’m hard-pressed to find a better group in the country. You understand the nickel is probably going to be by committee, but that room is loaded.
Then you see a freshman like Brody Jennings and you’re like, man, he looks really good. Then you look over and see Damari Brown—he looks like Derrick Henry out there. That’s how you start stacking talent. It’s not just the top guys—it’s the young guys coming in behind them.
It was great seeing Ryan Mack out there fully healthy, no limitations. Cole McConathy running around with the tight ends, looking like a thick, blocking-type guy. Gavin Mueller moving well. Those are the things that pop right away on day one.
On the defensive line, Keona Davis—the transfer from Nebraska—that’s a big body. I’ve been saying they needed more of those 300-pound interior types, and he’s got the frame. I expect him to play inside. Armando Blount, we’ve talked about his versatility—he worked a lot at end today, but I think you’ll see him inside situationally.
Jarquez Carter looks like he’s got some pop to him physically. Really good-looking athlete.
Brody Jennings had a nice battle with Somourian Wingo—Wingo made a great adjustment on a ball that was down and away. That was one of the better reps.
Vance Spafford got a ton of one-on-one reps, and he matched up with Xavier Lucas multiple times. And honestly, those reps showed why Lucas is such a legit NFL prospect. He’s just too physical. Once he gets his hands on you, it’s a wrap.
Spafford had one win on an underneath crosser—that’s where you’d expect him to win—but early on, strength is going to be something to monitor. He probably projects more as a slot right now.
Gavin Mueller—again, you can see the movement skills. Knows how to use his body. Had a bad drop, but it was basically his first real rep. That’s just early learning curve stuff.
Malachi Toney looks like a big dude out there. Tight end and linebacker—those are the two spots I’m really watching.
Elija Lofton—no limitations physically, but you want to see him lean out, get into peak shape. That’s going to be a work in progress. That tight end room has a lot of reps available.
To me, Luka Gilbert looks like the best tight end in that room right now. That’s just my opinion from what I saw. Not saying Lofton can’t have a role, but Gilbert looks the part.
Offensive line—some mixing and matching. Matt McCoy got reps at tackle, Jackson Cantwell working both sides, SJ Alofaituli moving around. That’s what you expect this time of year.
I’ve got to mention this—Mario knows optics. He was right in front of the media working with the punt block unit. I mean, locked in. They had six or seven groups rotating through. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. That national championship moment? You can tell that’s still on his mind. He’s taking ownership there.
Asharri Charles looks thicker—definitely added weight. Kamal Bonner too. He looks sturdier. Last year, I didn’t really see him flying around, but physically, he looks more ready now.
At linebacker, Jordan Campbell and JJ Edwards—those guys stood out. They look twitchy, not small, quick, light on their feet. Honestly, they look closer to what Wesley Bissainthe looks like now than what he looked like as a freshman.
That’s how you raise the floor. Campbell is especially interesting because he’s new to the position, but the traits are there. Edwards—we’ve been hearing about him since he got on campus, and you can see it.
Linebacker and tight end—those are the two positions for me that will separate this team. Everywhere else, I feel really good.
Quarterbacks—you didn’t see a ton, but Dereon Coleman’s release is ridiculous. It’s so fast. Even on short throws, it just jumps out. But at the same time, the size is a factor—he’s small.
Luke Nickel looks sturdy. Darian Mensah looks bigger than I expected in a good way—good weight, looks like he can take hits.
Omar Thornton—not the tallest, but built like a truck.
A couple young guys—Tyran Evans had some nice catches, knows how to use his body on slants. He’s skinny right now, but if he adds weight, there might be something there long-term.
Milan Parris had a drop early, similar to Mueller—just early concentration stuff. Not worried about it.
Peter Ariz: We got about 50 minutes, almost an hour out there today, which honestly felt like more than we normally get in the spring. That was awesome. And look, physically, this is year five now of Mario—this is just what you expect. I’m not looking at it like, “Wow, what a huge jump in body types.” That’s just the standard now.
Right off the bat, Terry Jefferson was working with the cornerbacks. I asked around and didn’t get a full confirmation he's the new CB coach, more of a grunt, so I don’t know if that’s finalized or if they still bring someone else in—but he was out there with the corners today.
You look around and yeah, you lost guys like Bain and Mesidor, but there’s a lot returning. And I’ll start with the corners—seeing those guys in person again, I’m hard-pressed to find a better group in the country. You understand the nickel is probably going to be by committee, but that room is loaded.
Then you see a freshman like Brody Jennings and you’re like, man, he looks really good. Then you look over and see Damari Brown—he looks like Derrick Henry out there. That’s how you start stacking talent. It’s not just the top guys—it’s the young guys coming in behind them.
It was great seeing Ryan Mack out there fully healthy, no limitations. Cole McConathy running around with the tight ends, looking like a thick, blocking-type guy. Gavin Mueller moving well. Those are the things that pop right away on day one.
On the defensive line, Keona Davis—the transfer from Nebraska—that’s a big body. I’ve been saying they needed more of those 300-pound interior types, and he’s got the frame. I expect him to play inside. Armando Blount, we’ve talked about his versatility—he worked a lot at end today, but I think you’ll see him inside situationally.
Jarquez Carter looks like he’s got some pop to him physically. Really good-looking athlete.
Brody Jennings had a nice battle with Somourian Wingo—Wingo made a great adjustment on a ball that was down and away. That was one of the better reps.
Vance Spafford got a ton of one-on-one reps, and he matched up with Xavier Lucas multiple times. And honestly, those reps showed why Lucas is such a legit NFL prospect. He’s just too physical. Once he gets his hands on you, it’s a wrap.
Spafford had one win on an underneath crosser—that’s where you’d expect him to win—but early on, strength is going to be something to monitor. He probably projects more as a slot right now.
Gavin Mueller—again, you can see the movement skills. Knows how to use his body. Had a bad drop, but it was basically his first real rep. That’s just early learning curve stuff.
Malachi Toney looks like a big dude out there. Tight end and linebacker—those are the two spots I’m really watching.
Elija Lofton—no limitations physically, but you want to see him lean out, get into peak shape. That’s going to be a work in progress. That tight end room has a lot of reps available.
To me, Luka Gilbert looks like the best tight end in that room right now. That’s just my opinion from what I saw. Not saying Lofton can’t have a role, but Gilbert looks the part.
Offensive line—some mixing and matching. Matt McCoy got reps at tackle, Jackson Cantwell working both sides, SJ Alofaituli moving around. That’s what you expect this time of year.
I’ve got to mention this—Mario knows optics. He was right in front of the media working with the punt block unit. I mean, locked in. They had six or seven groups rotating through. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. That national championship moment? You can tell that’s still on his mind. He’s taking ownership there.
Asharri Charles looks thicker—definitely added weight. Kamal Bonner too. He looks sturdier. Last year, I didn’t really see him flying around, but physically, he looks more ready now.
At linebacker, Jordan Campbell and JJ Edwards—those guys stood out. They look twitchy, not small, quick, light on their feet. Honestly, they look closer to what Wesley Bissainthe looks like now than what he looked like as a freshman.
That’s how you raise the floor. Campbell is especially interesting because he’s new to the position, but the traits are there. Edwards—we’ve been hearing about him since he got on campus, and you can see it.
Linebacker and tight end—those are the two positions for me that will separate this team. Everywhere else, I feel really good.
Quarterbacks—you didn’t see a ton, but Dereon Coleman’s release is ridiculous. It’s so fast. Even on short throws, it just jumps out. But at the same time, the size is a factor—he’s small.
Luke Nickel looks sturdy. Darian Mensah looks bigger than I expected in a good way—good weight, looks like he can take hits.
Omar Thornton—not the tallest, but built like a truck.
A couple young guys—Tyran Evans had some nice catches, knows how to use his body on slants. He’s skinny right now, but if he adds weight, there might be something there long-term.
Milan Parris had a drop early, similar to Mueller—just early concentration stuff. Not worried about it.
