Black/Gold Scrimmage: Some quick takes

[BrentVU]

Fittingly, the scrimmage ended up tied between offense and defense, 32 to 32 under the modified scoring system.

1. It was a banner day for both signees in the class of '22, and prospects/commits for future classes. A few hours before the game, before the crowds arrived, Coach Lea gathered the team and many of the signees around the Star V at midfield and talked for the first time to "Team Two", about goals, visions and aspirations for the coming season. It was a stirring moment.

2. Mike Wright started the game with the No. 1 team, and he alternated snaps with Ken Seals with the 1's. Meanwhile, A.J. Swann took all the snaps with the 2's, and in the second half got a crack with the 1's, so he ended up getting far more snaps than the other two. Wright had several brilliant long runs, including a 55-yarder for a TD, but wasn't all that accurate with his passing. Seals looked much like the Seals we've seen for two years, a more accurate passer than Wright but not all that mobile. (He's been hampered some by an injury.) Swann showed great pocket awareness; after throwing an INT early, he connected on at least three long downfield throws (one was nullified). What to make of it? I think Swann is going to be given a shot to win the job this fall. He is fearless, accurate, barrel-chested, and seems to have the confidence of his teammates.

3. Yes, Jayden McGowan is all that! He is blazing fast, runs great routes, and has no fear. He is the surprise of the spring; he was not one of the most heralded recruits in the class, but he had a performance this year similar to Will Sheppard last year. Almost all the early enrollees had good moments. Maurice Edwards had a 1-yard TD. Daniel Martin had a fumble recovery. Steven Sannienola had a great pass breakup. David Siegel played the No. 2 left tackle position and looked strong. And the aforementioned Swann.

4. It's hard to tell much about the lines right now. Delfin Xavier Castillo, Julian Hernandex, Ben Cox and Bradley Ashmore look like solid starters, but we could probably use one more dependable starter before we call it a line. The DL is so banged up right now, with Daevion Davis and Nate Clifton missing the whole spring, that you can't tell much. Fortunately, the linebacker spot will be a strength, with Orji, Barr, Kane Patterson and Owusu all back, plus Daniel Martin. (De'Rickey Wright is not on the squad right now.)

5. Lots of players were playing with new jersey numbers that they'd "earned" by completing the spring, including McGowan (81), James Ziglor (16), C.J. Taylor (13), Michael Mincey (34), Errington Truesdell (12), and Logan Kyle (18).

6. Random guys who really caught my eye: LB Michael Mincey; LB Miles Capers (a sack and a caused fumble); CB Alan Wright. On offense: WR's Wilson Long and Logan Kyle both had nice catches. Patrick Smith had one really spectacular run where he evaded multiple tackles. Starting safety Maxwell Worship was held out with an injury.

[alathIN]

Just watched the highlights - but 2 things I saw:
1. Swann throws a really nice deep ball.
2. DL appeared to be nonexistent. Missing Daveon Davis has to hurt.

[BrentVU]

2. DL appeared to be nonexistent. Missing Daveon Davis has to hurt.

I wouldn't make too much of the DL situation right now... we lost SIX D-linemen to the portal, plus two starters who have missed the whole spring injured. So yes, the D-line is a mess right now. Some help is purportedly on the way with three signees reporting in the fall, and Davis and Clifton badly need to get healed.

Here's another observation.

7. Re'Mahn Davis was held out today, though he has practiced some this spring. No. 1 RB is Patrick Smith right now, followed by Rocko Griffin. Other carries went to Maurice Edwards (whom they have high hopes for), Dylan Betts-Pauley, and James Ziglor.

[CPerk]

Thanks, Brent. Love your insight. Any link to today's action? Wasn't able to watch today.

[Minoadoc]

2. DL appeared to be nonexistent. Missing Daveon Davis has to hurt.

I wouldn't make too much of the DL situation right now... we lost SIX D-linemen to the portal, plus two starters who have missed the whole spring injured. So yes, the D-line is a mess right now. Some help is purportedly on the way with three signees reporting in the fall, and Davis and Clifton badly need to get healed.

Here's another observation.

7. Re'Mahn Davis was held out today, though he has practiced some this spring. No. 1 RB is Patrick Smith right now, followed by Rocko Griffin. Other carries went to Maurice Edwards (whom they have high hopes for), Dylan Betts-Pauley, and James Ziglor.

We also have portal transfer DL Myles Cecil coming in the fall? We could still use another interior DL who has some game experience from the portal so as not to rely on FR. Davis is coming back from Achilles injury

[Dickeys Nightmare]

Thanks, Brent. Love your insight. Any link to today's action? Wasn't able to watch today.

Should be archived on the Watch ESPN app and was supposed to be shown sometime on the SEC Network, not sure when.

[Seadog73]

After seeing some of the video clips (still can't find the archived full broadcast) it looked like there were more fans in the stands than usual. I have been there when we were lucky to have 100 folks show up to watch, and some of those were family members. Seemed like a better than average turn out, for VU.