Myself and @TMansfield were at Western Kentucky's first spring practice this afternoon, here are a few takeaways from the session.
- All eyes are obviously on the quarterbacks this spring and as head coach Jeff Brohm noted in the post practice presser, nobody stood out. I agree with him. None of the four quarterbacks particularly "wowed" on Monday afternoon. Fishback probably had the most effective day, but I think Mike White will be right there in the competition as spring practice continues. My observation of Tyler Ferguson, he is a physical presence and has an absolute cannon of an arm but struggled with accuracy throughout the day. Aside from Fishback, the most accurate passer was Drew Eckels. The battle will be an interesting one to watch.
- The new coaches on the staff were working hard today and were very in-tune with teaching the players throughout practice. While they are still getting their feet wet with the usual faces on Brohm's staff, I think they will mesh well together after another practice or two together. With Jamarcus Shephard now at Washington State, practices may be less animated - but I did hear the familiar yells of Nick Holt, Don Dunn, and Mike Cassity throughout the day. Oh, the sweet sounds of irritated coaches.
- Offensively, redshirt freshman wide receiver Lucky Jackson could be the next Taywan Taylor in terms of having a breakout first season. Jackson did drop a couple of passes, but overall ran crisp routes and made a couple of leaping catches and wrestled some 50/50 balls away from the defensive backs today. Another young receiver that had a good day was Devin Nixon out of Viera (Fla.).
- There are obviously huge holes to fill at the tight end position, but I think WKU has some guys that could emerge into some playmakers at the position. The best overall tight end on the roster appears to be redshirt sophomore Nick True, he has a great set of hands and appears to be the best blocker of the group overall. I was impressed with him throughout practices last season and it may be his time to shine.
- The addition of Keith Brown from Louisville looks like it will be a great move for Western Kentucky in filling the productivity and leadership role left behind by the younger Nick Holt. Very impressed with his motor and ability to pass protect from the position. With Brown, T.J. McCollum, Drew Davis, Iggy, and Masai Whyte in the fold, there may not be too much of a setback for the Hilltoppers at the linebacker position.
- We got post-practice videos from Forrest Lamp and Joe Brown - click on their names to hear from them.
- All eyes are obviously on the quarterbacks this spring and as head coach Jeff Brohm noted in the post practice presser, nobody stood out. I agree with him. None of the four quarterbacks particularly "wowed" on Monday afternoon. Fishback probably had the most effective day, but I think Mike White will be right there in the competition as spring practice continues. My observation of Tyler Ferguson, he is a physical presence and has an absolute cannon of an arm but struggled with accuracy throughout the day. Aside from Fishback, the most accurate passer was Drew Eckels. The battle will be an interesting one to watch.
- The new coaches on the staff were working hard today and were very in-tune with teaching the players throughout practice. While they are still getting their feet wet with the usual faces on Brohm's staff, I think they will mesh well together after another practice or two together. With Jamarcus Shephard now at Washington State, practices may be less animated - but I did hear the familiar yells of Nick Holt, Don Dunn, and Mike Cassity throughout the day. Oh, the sweet sounds of irritated coaches.
- Offensively, redshirt freshman wide receiver Lucky Jackson could be the next Taywan Taylor in terms of having a breakout first season. Jackson did drop a couple of passes, but overall ran crisp routes and made a couple of leaping catches and wrestled some 50/50 balls away from the defensive backs today. Another young receiver that had a good day was Devin Nixon out of Viera (Fla.).
- There are obviously huge holes to fill at the tight end position, but I think WKU has some guys that could emerge into some playmakers at the position. The best overall tight end on the roster appears to be redshirt sophomore Nick True, he has a great set of hands and appears to be the best blocker of the group overall. I was impressed with him throughout practices last season and it may be his time to shine.
- The addition of Keith Brown from Louisville looks like it will be a great move for Western Kentucky in filling the productivity and leadership role left behind by the younger Nick Holt. Very impressed with his motor and ability to pass protect from the position. With Brown, T.J. McCollum, Drew Davis, Iggy, and Masai Whyte in the fold, there may not be too much of a setback for the Hilltoppers at the linebacker position.
- We got post-practice videos from Forrest Lamp and Joe Brown - click on their names to hear from them.
