Football season is three months away from Friday, and over the past couple of weeks we have been able to interview numerous coaches and players for our annual football preview magazine, which is scheduled to go to printers at the end of the month.
We will be sharing some of those interviews in the near future, but here are some tidbits we have picked up along the way:
- The favorite at left tackle going into preseason camp remains redshirt freshman Tyler Jones. Expect his classmate, Will Richardson, to get a bigger look at right tackle in the fall. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada said that he welcomes more competition in the fall, but he left spring pleased with both Jones and fifth-year senior Alex Barr at right tackle.
- Early enrollee freshman James Smith-Williams got a look at the nickel position in the spring, but defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Dave Huxtable told us that he is back at weakside linebacker. The two-deep at nickel is solidly in place with junior Dravious Wright backed up by Smith-Williams’ classmate, Freddie Phillips. Former corner Charlie Twitty, a walk-on who was on scholarship last fall, is also going to get a look at nickel.
- One player that apparently took a big step forward in the spring was sophomore safety Shawn Boone. Huxtable and safeties coach/co-special teams coordinator Clayton White both heaped praise on Boone, with White going as far to say that he considers Boone and his classmate Germaine Pratt to practically be starters along with redshirt sophomore Josh Jones and fifth-year senior Hakim Jones.
- Tight end/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner echoed the sentiments that were expressed from head coach Dave Doeren at the end of spring that freshman A.J. Cole was punting well at the end of spring and may have taken a lead in that battle, but the place-kicking duties are still up for grabs.
- Incoming freshman Nyheim Hines from Garner (N.C.) High is obviously a versatile prospect, but running backs coach Des Kitchings wants to make sure that Hines can handle the load before increasing his responsibilities, similarly to how the Pack approached sophomore fullback Jaylen Samuels last year.
Speaking of Samuels, there was obvious excitement about him from both Faulkner and Canada.
- There seemed to be increased optimism that junior defensive tackle Monty Nelson will be close to 100 percent for the start of preseason camp. Fifth-year senior defensive end Mike Rose in particular is rooting for Nelson to get back on the field, reminding us that he was good enough to be a freshman All-American.
Speaking of Rose, he is the lone senior defensive lineman on the roster, and as the elder spokesman he broke down some of the younger players on the unit:
On Nelson and sophomore B.J. Hill:
I trust in Monty. He’s like a bull in a China-shop once he gets going. He will consistently get double-teams, him and B.J. Hill. Especially if you put them out on the field together, it will be trouble.
On redshirt sophomore Pharoah McKever:
Pharoah is a very long player. He has NFL size, size I wish I have. Being a shorter player it’s different. Once he puts it together that he’s a defensive end and takes away some of the shyness and getting dirty, he’ll be a great player.
On sophomore Kentavius Street:
Kentavius is not a freshman anymore, and we found a position where you can use his strength at defensive tackle. Him against a guard, that’s a mismatch.
On Hill:
B.J. Hill’s first few games weren’t the best, but when Clemson came he picked it up and was on fire for a while. If he can continue that, he’s going to be an All-ACC guy eventually.
On redshirt freshman Deonte Holden:
I want to see guys like Deonte Holden rise up and solidify his spot on the two-deep because he’s a great pass rusher.
On freshman Darian Roseboro:
Darian is already in the two-deep. I think when I leave he’ll be a great player. I think with Darian he’s got to stop focusing on later rather than now. He needs to start worrying about the journey and not the outcome.
On redshirt sophomore Kenton Gibbs:
The guy I am really excited about that nobody is talking about. He got hurt, but he’s tough as nails and is a strong guy. He’s a perfect swing guy, tough as nails.
On sophomore Bradley Chubb:
Bradley Chubb is starting right now. Him and Pharoah and probably Deonte are going to compete, too. With his speed and ability he reminds me of myself in a lot of ways, but he’s way bigger than I was at that age. He can be really good.
We will be sharing some of those interviews in the near future, but here are some tidbits we have picked up along the way:
- The favorite at left tackle going into preseason camp remains redshirt freshman Tyler Jones. Expect his classmate, Will Richardson, to get a bigger look at right tackle in the fall. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada said that he welcomes more competition in the fall, but he left spring pleased with both Jones and fifth-year senior Alex Barr at right tackle.
- Early enrollee freshman James Smith-Williams got a look at the nickel position in the spring, but defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Dave Huxtable told us that he is back at weakside linebacker. The two-deep at nickel is solidly in place with junior Dravious Wright backed up by Smith-Williams’ classmate, Freddie Phillips. Former corner Charlie Twitty, a walk-on who was on scholarship last fall, is also going to get a look at nickel.
- One player that apparently took a big step forward in the spring was sophomore safety Shawn Boone. Huxtable and safeties coach/co-special teams coordinator Clayton White both heaped praise on Boone, with White going as far to say that he considers Boone and his classmate Germaine Pratt to practically be starters along with redshirt sophomore Josh Jones and fifth-year senior Hakim Jones.
- Tight end/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner echoed the sentiments that were expressed from head coach Dave Doeren at the end of spring that freshman A.J. Cole was punting well at the end of spring and may have taken a lead in that battle, but the place-kicking duties are still up for grabs.
- Incoming freshman Nyheim Hines from Garner (N.C.) High is obviously a versatile prospect, but running backs coach Des Kitchings wants to make sure that Hines can handle the load before increasing his responsibilities, similarly to how the Pack approached sophomore fullback Jaylen Samuels last year.
Speaking of Samuels, there was obvious excitement about him from both Faulkner and Canada.
- There seemed to be increased optimism that junior defensive tackle Monty Nelson will be close to 100 percent for the start of preseason camp. Fifth-year senior defensive end Mike Rose in particular is rooting for Nelson to get back on the field, reminding us that he was good enough to be a freshman All-American.
***
Speaking of Rose, he is the lone senior defensive lineman on the roster, and as the elder spokesman he broke down some of the younger players on the unit:
On Nelson and sophomore B.J. Hill:
I trust in Monty. He’s like a bull in a China-shop once he gets going. He will consistently get double-teams, him and B.J. Hill. Especially if you put them out on the field together, it will be trouble.
On redshirt sophomore Pharoah McKever:
Pharoah is a very long player. He has NFL size, size I wish I have. Being a shorter player it’s different. Once he puts it together that he’s a defensive end and takes away some of the shyness and getting dirty, he’ll be a great player.
On sophomore Kentavius Street:
Kentavius is not a freshman anymore, and we found a position where you can use his strength at defensive tackle. Him against a guard, that’s a mismatch.
On Hill:
B.J. Hill’s first few games weren’t the best, but when Clemson came he picked it up and was on fire for a while. If he can continue that, he’s going to be an All-ACC guy eventually.
On redshirt freshman Deonte Holden:
I want to see guys like Deonte Holden rise up and solidify his spot on the two-deep because he’s a great pass rusher.
On freshman Darian Roseboro:
Darian is already in the two-deep. I think when I leave he’ll be a great player. I think with Darian he’s got to stop focusing on later rather than now. He needs to start worrying about the journey and not the outcome.
On redshirt sophomore Kenton Gibbs:
The guy I am really excited about that nobody is talking about. He got hurt, but he’s tough as nails and is a strong guy. He’s a perfect swing guy, tough as nails.
On sophomore Bradley Chubb:
Bradley Chubb is starting right now. Him and Pharoah and probably Deonte are going to compete, too. With his speed and ability he reminds me of myself in a lot of ways, but he’s way bigger than I was at that age. He can be really good.
