I’ll post more later, but wanted to drop a quick reaction while I wait for my son’s hoops game.
Overall, this was a productive spring and pretty clean spring game. The team did a great job keeping players healthy. Josh Moore got banged up in one-on-ones, but the people I talk to aren’t concerned. We are otherwise in good shape. On to the game:
- Darian Mensah was the star of the show. He started off a little conservative, but once he warmed up he was throwing all over the field with outstanding accuracy and anticipation.
This should be no surprise, but Mensah has excellent timing with Cooper Barkate and will make seemingly dangerous throws to him with total confidence. They connected on a tight-window throw over the middle with perfect coverage from Jaboree Antoine. Mensah also hit Barkate for a TD on a fade, and did the same thing with Daylyn Upshaw on a subsequent drive. He also threw a TD to Cam Vaughn over the middle in a spot only Vaughn could catch it. He is going to put up huge numbers in this offense.
- The backup QB who flashed the most was Judd Anderson. He threw several strikes over the middle and led a touchdown drive late in the scrimmage.
- Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney got very limited work. We know what they can do. In Fletcher’s absence, Javian Mallory got increased reps and took advantage. He had a long run to the outside that could’ve been six if JJ Dunnigan wasn’t there to run down the angle. Jordan Lyle also had some strong runs.
- It was a quiet day for the tight ends, other than a nice full-extension catch by Luka Gilbert on fourth down.
- The aforementioned Cam Vaughn is really coming on since a quiet start of spring. Milan Parris was very active with multiple first downs. He was sick when he first got to Miami and lost 12 pounds. Now, he looks healthy and dangerous. Spafford had a tough drop with Dunnigan closing in but bounced back with several big catches on Judd’s TD drive.
- On the offensive line, the first team gave Mensah some clean pockets. The best matchup of the day was Jackson Cantwell and Damion Wilson. Cantwell tossed Wilson on Mensah’s TD to Barkate, and Wilson got his revenge with a nice inside move. Both players look like future pros.
I continue to be impressed by Ben Congdon’s ability to drive block. He is huge, flexible and mean.
- The defensive line got some pressure, led by Wilson. Maybe the most impressive play was Armondo Blount chasing down a screen to Izzy Briggs. He has a serious motor and can run.
- The linebackers were excited to hit. Ezekiel Marcelin, Kellen Wiley and Bobby Pruitt had big tackles. Jordan Campbell also blew up a play in the backfield.
- The most impressive player on the field may have been JJ Dunnigan. He played more snaps than anyone and did it at full speed. He hade multiple PBUs and a physical TFL. Omar Thornton plays at a different speed when it’s full contact and throws his body around like a missile. Cortez Redding had a nice pick during 1on1s.
- OJ Frederique and Xavier Lucas played limited snaps and Damari Brown was out. This created opportunities for guys like Brody Jennings and Antoine and they looked the part. The QBs were forced to check down often and many of the catches were closely contested.
Overall, the intensity was good and the talent is obvious. One of the keys this summer will be getting more guys ready to play on the offensive line and continuing to find tone-setters on defense. On a side note, it was great seeing all the CanesInSight members out there. Your support is appreciated. Go Canes.
