Today was the first day of full pads and the Rebels responded with a spirited practice. One of the highlights of camp is always the 'Rebel' drill. The drill is confined to a 'corridor' about 5 yards wide and pits two offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a running back against one defensive tackle, a linebacker and a defensive back. At the snap of the ball, the defensive tackle tries to split or hold up the two offensive lineman to make the tackle on the runningback or free up the linebacker to make the tackle. The receiver engages the defensive back 10 yards down field. This is a physical drill that forces guys to win one on one battles. Mike Hughes and Jason Fao both proved to be difficult to handle, especially Fao who registered what would have been a tackle for loss and a forced fumble with a great individual effort. The biggest hit of the day came from 5'8 220 lb linebacker Daniel Godfrey a walk on red shirt freshman from Sierra Vista HS here in Las Vegas. Godfrey's hit had the entire defense and coaching staff fired up. It might be difficult for a guy like Godfrey to break the two deep, but the coaches have to like this kids effort and aggressive play. He seems to make a big hit nearly every play.
There was some shuffling in the secondary and some new guys getting looks with the first team. It was the first time Javin White and Demetrius Gibbs were paired opposite one another at safety. During 11 on 11 White made a nice leaping grab for an interception. At 6'2 and close to 200 lbs he has the build and athleticism you like to see in a safety.
Kendall Keyes continued his strong camp making a couple of tough catches in traffic. I mentioned this in a previous recap, but it's worth saying again, Keyes' return will not only help relieve the pressure off of Devonte Boyd in the passing game and give his QBs a big target, but he is a very good blocker in the run game. Not something you always attribute to wide receivers. With the return of Keyes, Presley and Woods, teams will not be able to shade coverage towards Boyd. Boyd who is poised to break a number of UNLV's receiving records this year made his presence felt early in practice, with a big gain on an Armani Rogers pass.
JUCO transfer defensive end Roger Mann received some reps with the first team defense. Until today he had been primarily running with the second team.
The defense lost seven starters from last year to graduation. That has created a number of interesting position battles I expect to heat up as younger players and transfers become more comfortable with the defense. There are a couple of recruits coming in the fall that could push for time as well.
One obvious difference in year three for Coach Sanchez vs year one, is the increase in quality depth, especially along the offensive line and at the wide receiver position.
There was some shuffling in the secondary and some new guys getting looks with the first team. It was the first time Javin White and Demetrius Gibbs were paired opposite one another at safety. During 11 on 11 White made a nice leaping grab for an interception. At 6'2 and close to 200 lbs he has the build and athleticism you like to see in a safety.
Kendall Keyes continued his strong camp making a couple of tough catches in traffic. I mentioned this in a previous recap, but it's worth saying again, Keyes' return will not only help relieve the pressure off of Devonte Boyd in the passing game and give his QBs a big target, but he is a very good blocker in the run game. Not something you always attribute to wide receivers. With the return of Keyes, Presley and Woods, teams will not be able to shade coverage towards Boyd. Boyd who is poised to break a number of UNLV's receiving records this year made his presence felt early in practice, with a big gain on an Armani Rogers pass.
JUCO transfer defensive end Roger Mann received some reps with the first team defense. Until today he had been primarily running with the second team.
The defense lost seven starters from last year to graduation. That has created a number of interesting position battles I expect to heat up as younger players and transfers become more comfortable with the defense. There are a couple of recruits coming in the fall that could push for time as well.
One obvious difference in year three for Coach Sanchez vs year one, is the increase in quality depth, especially along the offensive line and at the wide receiver position.
