Here is Brenden Slaughter's practice report from day 10 of Oregon State's spring practice! Lots of great reporting here by Brenden.
“I think it comes with being more prepared and aware of the offense,” Crawford said. “If you aren’t expecting something then it is going to surprise you and it can turn into a big play. If you prepare for things like formations and tendencies that can eliminate the time needed to read the play and you can just go.”
Crawford on increased depth in back end...
“I think it’s great that we have the ability to sub in and out,” Crawford said. “Sometimes the offense comes in runs guys off just to get you tired, and if we can sub with the offense than we can keep bodies fresh and play at 100 percent.”
Elu Aydon on increasing QB pressure...
“I feel like we have been working really hard,” Aydon said. “Pash rush has been important to us and we have been emphasizing it since the beginning of spring. We’ve been trying to work the pass rush moves, staying in our lanes and pushing the pocket.
John Rushing on improving from scrimmage...
“We have to be more consistent,” Rushing said. “I thought we made more plays from the safety position and that is what we are going to need to make this defense go and be better and be where we want to be as a team.”
Safeties coach John Rushing
Cornerback Xavier Crawford
Defensive lineman Elu Aydon
- Jake Luton was once again the first quarterback to take reps in the portion open to the media. Luton looked very poised today, even staying 25-30 mins after practice working on timing with Hunter Jarmon and Trevon Bradford.
- Jordan Villamin was back with the 1’s today in a red no contact jersey. Villamin has been out of practice with a knee issue so far. I didn’t see him make any plays, but it is worth noting he was back in action.
- Here is what the first team O-Line looked like today: LT-Blake Brandel, LG-Fred Lauina, C-Sumner Houston, RG-Gus Lavaka, RT-Trent Moore.
- Two noteworthy folks were were in attendance at practice today; Oregon State President Ed Ray and former receiver Victor Bolden. Bolden just got back from the NFL combine and is here for OSU’s upcoming pro day. Ray gave a speech to the football team following practice.
- Tight end Noah Togiai really caught my eye today. He made a couple really nice leaping catches, in addition to being a tremendous run-blocker.
- Marcus McMaryion was the second quarterback to take reps today. He was with a mix of the 1’s and 2’s. McMaryion was okay today, but didn’t do anything to wow me today.
- A couple of linebackers stood out to me today in rushing the passer. Kee Whetzel and Manase Hungalu both were superb at getting pressure on the QB and shutting down the running game.
- Speaking of pressure, today was the best day of spring for the pass rush in my opinion. Early and often the defense was getting after whoever was throwing the ball.
- Darell Garretson was the third quarterback to take reps, but was exclusively with the second team. He made a few nice throws but still really struggled with deep accuracy, misfiring on a deep ball intended for Andre Bodden.
- WR screens are still an emphasis for the offense. I know I sound like a broken record putting them in every single practice report, but right now it is 80% of what the offense is trying to run in practice. They are executing them extremely well, and the defense hasn’t quite figured out how to stop them.
- Conor Blount was with the first unit today as well. Blount who in my opinion has passed Darell Garretson on the depth chart, played really well again today. He has really matured with his decision making and accuracy in the last several weeks. I really am starting to like his potential.
- Timmy Hernandez, Charles Okonkwo, and Marcus Greaves were not practicing today.
- Jalen Moore continues to look comfortable at the safety position alongside Brandon Arnold. Moore made several nice plays, including a pass breakup over the middle that would have been a first down completion.
- Christian Wallace and Omar Hicks-Onu were rotating between the 1’s and the 2’s today as well. Wallace is getting more and more familiar with defensive schemes each and every day.
Quotable
Xavier Crawford on increased WR screens...
“I think it comes with being more prepared and aware of the offense,” Crawford said. “If you aren’t expecting something then it is going to surprise you and it can turn into a big play. If you prepare for things like formations and tendencies that can eliminate the time needed to read the play and you can just go.”
Crawford on increased depth in back end...
“I think it’s great that we have the ability to sub in and out,” Crawford said. “Sometimes the offense comes in runs guys off just to get you tired, and if we can sub with the offense than we can keep bodies fresh and play at 100 percent.”
Elu Aydon on increasing QB pressure...
“I feel like we have been working really hard,” Aydon said. “Pash rush has been important to us and we have been emphasizing it since the beginning of spring. We’ve been trying to work the pass rush moves, staying in our lanes and pushing the pocket.
John Rushing on improving from scrimmage...
“We have to be more consistent,” Rushing said. “I thought we made more plays from the safety position and that is what we are going to need to make this defense go and be better and be where we want to be as a team.”
Safeties coach John Rushing
Cornerback Xavier Crawford
Defensive lineman Elu Aydon
