For Monday, the media was allowed to observe practice for about nine minutes. The team was in shells (shoulder pads and shorts) and were practicing at full speed despite the heat. The players were pushing through the 95-degree temperatures as they prepared for Saturday’s big game versus Notre Dame.
Here are some notes from practice:
Defense:
- CB Tyson Campbell (3) was not seen at practice today, but DL Tramel Walthour (90) was seen practicing. Walthour didn’t dress out on Saturday versus Arkansas State.
- Coach Kirby Smart was working with the defensive line and linebackers during the media viewing period.
- Each rep a linebacker lined up on the line with the three DLs, and they all were working on bursting off the ball.
- “This is where we set the tone this week,” said coaching assistant Jarvis Jones.
- Defensive line coach Tray Scott was not impressed with the efforts given by the guys on the line.
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Offense:
- OL Isaiah Wilson (79) was seen practicing today and testing his ankle.
- WR Tyler Simmons (87) was seen running routes.
- WR Demetris Robertson (16) joined practice while we were being herded inside. He left the IPF and joined the WRs. Most of the beat didn’t see that.
- The TEs were working on footwork and were tip-toeing along the sidelines while catching a pass at the end of the drill.
- TE coach Todd Hartley said they were giving a great effort as a group, but their techniques were “bad.”
- From what I could see, the starting O-line was Ben Cleveland (74), Cade Mays (77), Andrew Thomas (71), Trey Hill (55), and Jamaree Salyer (69).
- Redshirt freshman OL Owen Condon (75) and freshman OL Clay Webb (60) were getting reps on the second team.
- The wide receivers were catching passes from Jake Fromm (11), Stetson Bennett IV (13), and Nathan Priestley (9).
- WR Kearis Jackson (10) caught a pass while the club was on his left hand.
- Redshirt freshman WR Tommy Bush (12) was wearing No.10 today. That is to simulate him as a Notre Dame player when the scout team offense lines up against the first-team defense.
- During the amount of time I watched the WRs they did not drop a pass. It was like their hands were made of glue today.