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Practice 3 thoughts

DMoney said:
Here are some quick thoughts from today’s practice. More complete thoughts from me and Ahmmon in the video below:

- I really think by Week 5, people will be complaining that we need to feed our tight ends more. These guys are extremely athletic. I’ll let others hype my guy Elija Lofton, but he had a big day today. Israel Briggs is unique because he is a tight end with the ability to separate vertically and laterally. During the open period of practice, he stumbled and was still able to regain his balance and make a big play down the field in rhythm. High-end movement skills. He also made plays during the closed portion. Based on his weight game, the way he carries himself, and his skill set, I expect him to be a big part of the 2026 offense. Gavin Mueller also made some nice catches over the middle as a 6’5, 260-pound target.

- Ahmmon joked that there should be a segment called GlazeInSight because I always fixate on a couple freshmen every camp. In 2024, it was Lofton and OJ Frederique. In 2025, it was Malachi Toney and Bryce Fitzgerald. This year, it’s Briggs and JJ Dunnigan.

Dunnigan can do everything in the secondary. During the open period, he ran with Josh Moore down the sideline and broke up a well-thrown vertical shot. In the closed period, he ranged for INTs and blew up numerous plays by the line. And for a guy with so many gifts, he practiced extremely hard and finishes everything. If he keeps working hard, he has a Kyle Hamilton/Minkah Fitzpatrick type skillset.

- The offensive line continues to rotate heavily. Competition is heavy and there is a huge infusion of talent from the 2026 class. It seems they are focused on finding the best line for November and not just the opening game. The linemen are all working multiple spots.

- One player who is even better than I thought: DT Jarquez Carter. I knew he’d be athletic, but he is thick and powerful as well. Our interior rush should be a problem for offenses.


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Gavin had 30 TDs last season. Played all over the field. Amazing athlete. Needs to be on the field.
 
I think we all know the TE room is athletic, we just need to see if they can play TE at a high level and not HB(lofton) or WR(briggs)..There is a difference.

Its the reason sorry *** bauman got so many snaps last year, he played TE better than the rest of the room.

Dawson mentioned in his pre camp interview the importance of being able to play the same formations with different personnels. Everyone was focused on him saying we could go 4 wide with mali at rb but his point was that could be 10 personnel or empty at the same time because mali can be a wr and rb. Just like in 2024 11p can be 10p with arroyo at the same time because arroyo can be a te and wr. Could be something there with lofton where our 11p = 22p
 
Calinative said:
Damiencane86 said:
Have a feeling if Samson wins LT spot we will move Jackson to RT and McCoy will kick to guard. The last guard spot competition seems to be fierce and may not be decided until very late.
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Well I’ve been saying Samson at Ot and McCoy at og for like a year now so that’s work for me
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DMoney said:
Here are some quick thoughts from today’s practice. More complete thoughts from me and Ahmmon in the video below:

- I really think by Week 5, people will be complaining that we need to feed our tight ends more. These guys are extremely athletic. I’ll let others hype my guy Elija Lofton, but he had a big day today. Israel Briggs is unique because he is a tight end with the ability to separate vertically and laterally. During the open period of practice, he stumbled and was still able to regain his balance and make a big play down the field in rhythm. High-end movement skills. He also made plays during the closed portion. Based on his weight game, the way he carries himself, and his skill set, I expect him to be a big part of the 2026 offense. Gavin Mueller also made some nice catches over the middle as a 6’5, 260-pound target.

- Ahmmon joked that there should be a segment called GlazeInSight because I always fixate on a couple freshmen every camp. In 2024, it was Lofton and OJ Frederique. In 2025, it was Malachi Toney and Bryce Fitzgerald. This year, it’s Briggs and JJ Dunnigan.

Dunnigan can do everything in the secondary. During the open period, he ran with Josh Moore down the sideline and broke up a well-thrown vertical shot. In the closed period, he ranged for INTs and blew up numerous plays by the line. And for a guy with so many gifts, he practiced extremely hard and finishes everything. If he keeps working hard, he has a Kyle Hamilton/Minkah Fitzpatrick type skillset.

- The offensive line continues to rotate heavily. Competition is heavy and there is a huge infusion of talent from the 2026 class. It seems they are focused on finding the best line for November and not just the opening game. The linemen are all working multiple spots.

- One player who is even better than I thought: DT Jarquez Carter. I knew he’d be athletic, but he is thick and powerful as well. Our interior rush should be a problem for offenses.


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Samson is mean to bro. He wants to grind up and bury people. He must be brilliant as well. Didn’t he graduate in 2.5 or 3.0 years?

Pancake is my favorite 4th-year guy. He’s talented, worked his *** off, and stayed the course. I don’t know why he can’t play LT this year and be a first-round guard. He’s ready!
 
Lofton is going to have great numbers this year. With the WRs and RBs was have there will be no one left to cover him. He’ll be running free.
 
ShadowSpring said:
This is a championship level team now. Mario built a beast ready to eat.

The coaching staff needs to land the plane in Coral Gables with the trophy.
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I can’t agree with you there. Talent wise, yes.

But no natty winning team makes as many mistakes and has as many penalties as us.

This team wins the natty when it can be disciplined enough not to beat itself.
 
Damiencane86 said:
Have a feeling if Samson wins LT spot we will move Jackson to RT and McCoy will kick to guard. The last guard spot competition seems to be fierce and may not be decided until very late.
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This is exactly what I'm counting on! That would be the best use of the starting 5 imo. The great news seems to be that we may have more depth that we thought. Joel Ervin, Ben Congdon and Jaden Wilkerson to go with SJ Alofatuli and Demetrius Campbell. Meriweather may not even make the 2 deep. Competition is fierce! We'll see.
 
DMoney said:
Here are some quick thoughts from today’s practice. More complete thoughts from me and Ahmmon in the video below:

- I really think by Week 5, people will be complaining that we need to feed our tight ends more. These guys are extremely athletic. I’ll let others hype my guy Elija Lofton, but he had a big day today. Israel Briggs is unique because he is a tight end with the ability to separate vertically and laterally. During the open period of practice, he stumbled and was still able to regain his balance and make a big play down the field in rhythm. High-end movement skills. He also made plays during the closed portion. Based on his weight game, the way he carries himself, and his skill set, I expect him to be a big part of the 2026 offense. Gavin Mueller also made some nice catches over the middle as a 6’5, 260-pound target.

- Ahmmon joked that there should be a segment called GlazeInSight because I always fixate on a couple freshmen every camp. In 2024, it was Lofton and OJ Frederique. In 2025, it was Malachi Toney and Bryce Fitzgerald. This year, it’s Briggs and JJ Dunnigan.

Dunnigan can do everything in the secondary. During the open period, he ran with Josh Moore down the sideline and broke up a well-thrown vertical shot. In the closed period, he ranged for INTs and blew up numerous plays by the line. And for a guy with so many gifts, he practiced extremely hard and finishes everything. If he keeps working hard, he has a Kyle Hamilton/Minkah Fitzpatrick type skillset.

- The offensive line continues to rotate heavily. Competition is heavy and there is a huge infusion of talent from the 2026 class. It seems they are focused on finding the best line for November and not just the opening game. The linemen are all working multiple spots.

- One player who is even better than I thought: DT Jarquez Carter. I knew he’d be athletic, but he is thick and powerful as well. Our interior rush should be a problem for offenses.


Click to expand...

I don’t think this is going out on the limb, but I think our offensive line left to right This season will be Samson at left tackle, Cantwell at left guard, Rodriguez at center, Congdon at right guard and McCoy at right tackle. You got the seniors on the outside, locking it down and the two massive freshmen inside leaning into their run blocking advantage right now in their young careers. That’s how I see it shaking out this season. Our offensive line last year was huge, but I am blown away by how big Cantwell and Congden are. They are bigger and more athletic than our biggest lineman was last year.
 
FrancisSawyer said:
This is exactly what I'm counting on! That would be the best use of the starting 5 imo. The great news seems to be that we may have more depth that we thought. Joel Ervin, Ben Congdon and Jaden Wilkerson to go with SJ Alofatuli and Demetrius Campbell. Meriweather may not even make the 2 deep. Competition is fierce! We'll see.
Click to expand...
Its a room loaded with upside and being given the best possible positional coaching. I just have a hard time believing with all the NIL we gave Jackson he won't get a tackle spot but looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
 
Orpheus said:
I can’t agree with you there. Talent wise, yes.

But no natty winning team makes as many mistakes and has as many penalties as us.

This team wins the natty when it can be disciplined enough not to beat itself.
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I think the above is an excellent point that cannot be glossed over. I would like to see a significant improvement when it comes to mistakes and penalties.
 
Damiencane86 said:
Its a room loaded with upside and being given the best possible positional coaching. I just have a hard time believing with all the NIL we gave Jackson he won't get a tackle spot but looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
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I don't believe for one second that Jackson gets moved to Guard. Cristobal/Mirabal are well know for cross training the OL just in case the unforeseen occurs. Jackson Cantwell is literally the definition of a Tackle!
 
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