The Bobcats practiced Tuesday for the second time in fall camp. It was conducted in periods, with a total of 28 periods over two hours and 15 minutes. Here are The Post’s observations:
ATTENDANCE
Debuted: Durrel Wood practiced for the first time after missing Monday due to a non-football illness. He was not involved with the offense during team drills.
Not present: Elijah Ball (leg injury), Tyler Tupa (leg injury), Adam Notestine (shoulder), Cole Irland (undisclosed)
Attendance notes: Wood showed up late to practice and didn’t look fully healthy. He did minimal work, but it was still a positive sign to have him on the field.
OBSERVATIONS
Sights and sounds
- Maybe because it wasn’t as loud Monday, but the construction at the Sook Center is an ever-present part of camp. Tuesday, a cement truck pulled in, and workers started to spread out the cement for the outdoor patio on the first floor. It’s supposed to be finished by Sept. 1, when the 2018 season kicks off.
- Practice seemed to run a little bit better today because the humidity wasn’t as bad. Players didn’t seem to be as tired at the end like yesterday.
Quarterbacks
- Nathan Rourke took the majority of the snaps with the first team offense. In 7-on-7 work he completed passes to Papi White, Andrew Meyer and Darfnell Gouin.
- Quinton Maxwell also participated in 7-on-7 drills with the second time wide receivers group. He completed passes to Maleek Irons and Camryn Snow. Markel Davis and Maxwell didn’t connect on a play.
- While the pass Rourke completed to Meyer was a solid fade route, it wasn’t the play of the day in 7-on-7. Goin’s reception came from a pass intended for DL Knock, but the ball came out of Knock’s hands and Goin grabbed it a few yards behind him. It drew a good “Who are you” from wide receivers coach Dwayne Dixon.
- In a few team drills and individual work the quarterbacks were putting an emphasis on their pitches for the speed option.
Offensive line
- From left to right, the starting offensive line again was Joe Lowery, Joe Anderson, Brett Kitrell, Hagen Meservy and Austen Pleasants. And again, Kitrell and Steven Hayes rotated at center.
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
- From left to right, during 7-on-7 work the starting wide receivers with Rourke at quarterback, was Meyer, White, Keevon Harris and Connor Brown.
- Brown, a tight end, is the probable starter after backing up Troy Mangen the past few years. Entering his senior year he stands 6-feet-6, the type of athlete the Bobcats look for at the position. One who can block well and make a few good grabs in the middle of the field.
- Not mentioned in that starting group of wide receivers was Cameron Odom, Willie Cherry, K.J. Minter, Isiah Cox and D.L. Knock. All will be the core group of wide receivers used this season.
- Odom will probably be one of the starting wide receivers on Sept. 1 against Howard, Harris will be a good substitute if he can stay healthy. The depth of the wide receiving group does take a hit with the unknown status of Ball. The duo of Odom and Ball would’ve been fun to watch.
Linebackers
- One of the most anticipated position group headed into fall camp because of the loss of Quentin Poling and Chad Moore, two days in it looks like there is an idea of who is in the mix.
- In team drills today practicing with the first team defense was Evan Croutch, Jared Dorsa and Dylan Conner. All three have played in games. Croutch was the third line backer last year with Poling and Moore, while Dorsa played all 13 games off the bench.
- Though the loses to the starters may seem significant, the most important job for linebackers coach Ron Collins is to make sure the Bobcats’ have depth at the position. Team drills also saw Eric Popp, Tyler Gullett and Austin Clack play the majority of the time with the second team.
NEXT UP: The Bobcats return to practice Wednesday at 8:40 a.m. It is open to the public and will likely be held at Walter Fieldhouse due to probable thunderstorms. It will be Ohio’s first day wearing shoulder pads.
