Coach Kill's comments and responses on today's Sports Huddle - a lot of good information:
1) Sid opened the questioning by asking how many true freshmen will see the field this year: "I think it's always hard to tell, we'll have to make a decision 7-10 days." However, he went onto say that it could go into the third game before a final decision is made - he cited last year, as an example, Lincoln Plsek. Of course, Philip Nelson started the Purdue game in late October.
Kill then listed the following players (freshmen) having good practices and could very well play this year:
a) "Donavahn Jones has done a really good job." He sounded extremely high on Jones. Jones has practiced at quarterback; however, later in the show it sounded as though he is going to the wide receiver position. (Kill also sounded pleased with depth at quarterback - Conor Rhoda has looked good in fall drills, which prompted Kill to say Jones would be seeing a lot of action at wide receiver - position change.)
b) "Streveler, we'll have to see." He sounded positive about Streveler's abilities and his fall practice.
c) "Berkley Edwards has done good things in camp."
d) Kill then mentioned two wide outs - Drew Wolitarsky and Eric Carter. He said both have the talent to play as freshmen. Apparently Wolitarsky has been hampered with a slight injury - didn't sound serious..
e) Freshmen defensive backs mentioned - Jalen Myrick and Daletavious McGhee.
f) De'Niro Laster has been hurt, however, he expects Laster to return shortly.
g) Talked about competition at Kicking and mentioned Ryan Santoso and I believe Chris Hawthorne. Sounded happy about the competition . . . will know more in about 9-10 days.
Kill expects some of the true freshmen to contribute on special teams and that they'll probably play 6-8 true freshmen this year and the rest will be redshirted.
2) Sid asked what redshirts will contribute this year: Kill quickly mentioned Maxx Williams, "Maxx Williams will be outstanding." He said Williams can play wide out, tight end, H-back, fullback and said he will present problems for defenses. You could almost see Kill smiling when he was talking about Maxx Williams.
Other redshirts mentioned: Jamel Harbison, Nick Rallis, Jack Lynn, Ben Lauer, Isaac Hayes, Jonah Pirsig and Yoshoub Timms. Kill did mention the depth in front of Timms and that Pirsig is still recovering from his injury/surgery; however, he sounded positive about both players.
3) Sid asked about the lost scrimmages due to summer school: Kill didn't dwell on the three practices lost, but he did say that they've been working the players hard in preparation for the season and the first game. They've a got team meeting (Chapel) at 10 this morning and another meeting this afternoon and then they'll have a day off on Monday, "Get their legs back." They'll have two practices on Tuesday. Kill said the players need some time off as the team is "Pretty worn out physically and mentally."
4) Sid asked if there were any surprises in camp: Kill hesitated to single out any particular surprise (didn't want to omit someone). Nevertheless, he sounded pleased with the receiving corps. He said Derrick Engel was having a good camp as is Isaac Fruechte. He then said, "Logan Hutton is really improved." He mentioned K. J. Maye and then turned to Donavahn Jones, again, "Athletic, gifted kid." He sounded excited when talking about Jones at wide receiver.
Kill then turned to offensive line. Again, he sounded positive about the offensive line and mentioned the following: Josh Campion is up to 325 pounds and "can run." Caleb Bak is around 305; Marek Lenkiewicz is 305; Zak Epping is 325 pounds. The offensive line is "bigger and stronger."
Kill cited the leadership of Aaron Hill, Josh Campion, Phil Nelson, and Brock Vereen.
5) Sid asked if one player has stood out in practice: Again, Kill hesitated for a moment and then mentioned Roland Johnson. He said Johnson had a good night in last night's scrimmage. He used the word, "dominated." He also cited Theiren Cockran's play.
He also sounded excited when he mentioned the juco linebackers Damien Wilson and De'Vondre Campbell and their physical presence on the field.
Kill finished the question saying Marcus Jones has looked good as a defensive back. He returned a pick last night for a long touchdown.
6) Dave Mona asked about preparations for UNLV: Kill credited his quality control staff for breaking down film of UNLV. They'll start preparing for UNLV on Tuesday. He also mentioned that UNLV has two new coordinators, which could present some challenges as all first game opponents do (expecting the unknown), "We have to keep it simple and play smart . . . control what we do and get better."
7) Sid asked a similar follow up question about UNLV: Kill said UNLV took them to a three overtime game last year, and, of course, they have new coordinators and players. Jerry Rice's son recently transferred to UNLV from UCLA and is eligible immediately. Again, he stressed the unknowns of a first game.
8) Dave Mona mentioned Conor Rhoda: Kill sounded very pleased with Rhoda's abilities and play in fall camp, "Conor Rhoda has done a good job . . . impressed . . . has had a really good camp . . . works hard." Kill sounded positive about the quarterbacking corps. It was during this question that he said Donavahn Jones would be focusing on being a receiver.
9) Mona asked about Maxx Williams: Kill sounded excited about Maxx's potential and possibilities. It was then that he said Maxx could play wide tight end, tight end, H-back and fullback, and will present problems for defenses.
10) Mona talked about the size of a freshman (no name given); however, I'm confident he was talking about Nate Wozniak: "Missed him in the end zone (last night's scrimmage) . . . big frame . .. strong 255 pounds . . . has a very bright future."
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the questioning by asking how many true freshmen will see the field this year: "I think it's always hard to tell, we'll have to make a decision 7-10 days." However, he went onto say that it could go into the third game before a final decision is made - he cited last year, as an example, Lincoln Plsek. Of course, Philip Nelson started the Purdue game in late October.
Kill then listed the following players (freshmen) having good practices and could very well play this year:
a) "Donavahn Jones has done a really good job." He sounded extremely high on Jones. Jones has practiced at quarterback; however, later in the show it sounded as though he is going to the wide receiver position. (Kill also sounded pleased with depth at quarterback - Conor Rhoda has looked good in fall drills, which prompted Kill to say Jones would be seeing a lot of action at wide receiver - position change.)
b) "Streveler, we'll have to see." He sounded positive about Streveler's abilities and his fall practice.
c) "Berkley Edwards has done good things in camp."
d) Kill then mentioned two wide outs - Drew Wolitarsky and Eric Carter. He said both have the talent to play as freshmen. Apparently Wolitarsky has been hampered with a slight injury - didn't sound serious..
e) Freshmen defensive backs mentioned - Jalen Myrick and Daletavious McGhee.
f) De'Niro Laster has been hurt, however, he expects Laster to return shortly.
g) Talked about competition at Kicking and mentioned Ryan Santoso and I believe Chris Hawthorne. Sounded happy about the competition . . . will know more in about 9-10 days.
Kill expects some of the true freshmen to contribute on special teams and that they'll probably play 6-8 true freshmen this year and the rest will be redshirted.
2) Sid asked what redshirts will contribute this year: Kill quickly mentioned Maxx Williams, "Maxx Williams will be outstanding." He said Williams can play wide out, tight end, H-back, fullback and said he will present problems for defenses. You could almost see Kill smiling when he was talking about Maxx Williams.
Other redshirts mentioned: Jamel Harbison, Nick Rallis, Jack Lynn, Ben Lauer, Isaac Hayes, Jonah Pirsig and Yoshoub Timms. Kill did mention the depth in front of Timms and that Pirsig is still recovering from his injury/surgery; however, he sounded positive about both players.
3) Sid asked about the lost scrimmages due to summer school: Kill didn't dwell on the three practices lost, but he did say that they've been working the players hard in preparation for the season and the first game. They've a got team meeting (Chapel) at 10 this morning and another meeting this afternoon and then they'll have a day off on Monday, "Get their legs back." They'll have two practices on Tuesday. Kill said the players need some time off as the team is "Pretty worn out physically and mentally."
4) Sid asked if there were any surprises in camp: Kill hesitated to single out any particular surprise (didn't want to omit someone). Nevertheless, he sounded pleased with the receiving corps. He said Derrick Engel was having a good camp as is Isaac Fruechte. He then said, "Logan Hutton is really improved." He mentioned K. J. Maye and then turned to Donavahn Jones, again, "Athletic, gifted kid." He sounded excited when talking about Jones at wide receiver.
Kill then turned to offensive line. Again, he sounded positive about the offensive line and mentioned the following: Josh Campion is up to 325 pounds and "can run." Caleb Bak is around 305; Marek Lenkiewicz is 305; Zak Epping is 325 pounds. The offensive line is "bigger and stronger."
Kill cited the leadership of Aaron Hill, Josh Campion, Phil Nelson, and Brock Vereen.
5) Sid asked if one player has stood out in practice: Again, Kill hesitated for a moment and then mentioned Roland Johnson. He said Johnson had a good night in last night's scrimmage. He used the word, "dominated." He also cited Theiren Cockran's play.
He also sounded excited when he mentioned the juco linebackers Damien Wilson and De'Vondre Campbell and their physical presence on the field.
Kill finished the question saying Marcus Jones has looked good as a defensive back. He returned a pick last night for a long touchdown.
6) Dave Mona asked about preparations for UNLV: Kill credited his quality control staff for breaking down film of UNLV. They'll start preparing for UNLV on Tuesday. He also mentioned that UNLV has two new coordinators, which could present some challenges as all first game opponents do (expecting the unknown), "We have to keep it simple and play smart . . . control what we do and get better."
7) Sid asked a similar follow up question about UNLV: Kill said UNLV took them to a three overtime game last year, and, of course, they have new coordinators and players. Jerry Rice's son recently transferred to UNLV from UCLA and is eligible immediately. Again, he stressed the unknowns of a first game.
8) Dave Mona mentioned Conor Rhoda: Kill sounded very pleased with Rhoda's abilities and play in fall camp, "Conor Rhoda has done a good job . . . impressed . . . has had a really good camp . . . works hard." Kill sounded positive about the quarterbacking corps. It was during this question that he said Donavahn Jones would be focusing on being a receiver.
9) Mona asked about Maxx Williams: Kill sounded excited about Maxx's potential and possibilities. It was then that he said Maxx could play wide tight end, tight end, H-back and fullback, and will present problems for defenses.
10) Mona talked about the size of a freshman (no name given); however, I'm confident he was talking about Nate Wozniak: "Missed him in the end zone (last night's scrimmage) . . . big frame . .. strong 255 pounds . . . has a very bright future."
Go Gophers!!
