Practice Report: Day 3 (VIDEO)

Jackson State coach Rick Comegy is pushing his guys to their limits this preseason, testing their mettle, so to speak.

So I thought I’d follow suit with the battery in my Jeep. Turns out, it doesn’t respond well to leaving the lights on for the duration of a 3-hour practice (who knew?), so after a failed attempt to jump-start, and a few trips to and from the nearest Advance Auto, I’m just now getting to today’s practice report.

Here’s a video of Comegy following today’s practice.

Some quick notes:

Just like he said on Friday, today’s practice featured a great deal more opportunities for players to move up or down the depth chart. JSU spent a good portion of today’s practice in either one-on-one drills or seven-on-sevens.

Going strictly by number of passes completed, freshman quarterback LaMontiez Ivy led the way, completing 10-of-12 attemtps, highlighted by a couple deep balls that went for “touchdowns” on successive snaps.

Clayton Moore was 9-of-12, including a nice hook-up with Rico Richardson, who out-leapt the defensive back on a jump ball.

Tevin Chapman went 7-for-9 and Dedric McDonald 7-of-12, primarily connecting on the short, underneath crossing routes. Those completion numbers include both 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills.

I know it’s been a popular train of thought to have Ivy redshirt this season, but judging by Comegy’s reaction to the freshman’s play three days in, Ivy could force the staff to rethink that course.

“When we got him from Illinois, we didn’t know the package,” Comegy said. “But he’s something.”

I mentioned to Comegy how poised Ivy seemed in passing drills — of the quarterbacks throwing, he seemed to be the quickest with his decision making. Comegy saw the same?thing. “He came ready. He came in shape and he came ready. Most of them came ready.”

About the only flaw for Ivy on the day was when one assistant coach got on him for not being vocal enough while lining up the offense. Other than that, the young man had a heck of a day.

But then again, so did the rest of the quarterbacks.

“It’s probably the finest group of quarterbacks, and when I say ‘group,’ numbers, that I’ve had that can throw the football,” Comegy said. “Normally in my years past, it’s been two guys, but to have four or five guys that can get back there and help us, I’m just pleased.”

During the day’s practice, McDonald always ran with the ‘first group.’ In 1-on-1′s, he was followed by Moore, Chapman, Ingram and Ivy. In 7-on-7′s, it went McDonald, Moore, Ingram, Chapman and Ivy. So any significance to the order or are we still far too early into camp?

“I would let it play out a little bit because the competition is so thick,” Comegy said.

It’s pretty clear that the offseason has been good to Richardson, who looked really strong today. It was almost comical the ease he displayed during a rapid-fire drill with quarterbacks on Thursday night. While other receivers sometimes struggled with speed and location of the balls being fired at them, Richardson stepped into the drill, caught all four passes and quietly walked away.

Comegy believes JSU will have no trouble finding a third and fourth receiver to compliment Richardson and E.J. Drewrey thanks in large part to the example Richardson sets in practice.

“I think that iron sharpens iron,” Comegy said. “Guys like Rico going out and catching the football, (younger players) want to imitate that.”

It’s hard to get much of a read off of the offensive and defensive line groups early on, as both groups are spending their time going over techniques. Shells — helmets and shoulder pads — go on tomorrow, not to mention jerseys with actual numbers on them, so that should change in the coming days.

One position battle that is quickly taking shape is at kicker and punter.

Freshman Ryan Deising hit all six field goal tries from 20 yards (midfield, right hash) and six-of-eight tries from 27 yards out at the same spot. It’s worth nothing, on each of his two misses, the laces were in. (Insert your Ace Ventura/Dan Marino joke here.)

Deising hit one of two tries from 40 yards out, but missed on three from 45, the first two with plenty of leg, just low.

“We’re going to go ahead and probably go with Ryan as the field goal kicker,” Comegy said. “I think with time he can be a real fine kicker for us. He’s starting to be a surprise. I didn’t know which way to go with him when we first recruited him, but I see that if we work with him and pay attention to him, he’ll be okay.”

Fellow freshman Darcy Williamson, from Australia, has all but nailed down punting duties after spending the day booming kicks in the 50-60 yard range.

“He’s totally amazing,” Comegy said. “He can punt the ball, (Michael) Perkins can too, but nobody kicks out here like Darcy.”

JSU will practice again tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Comegy on Loeffler: ‘This guy can lay the thump’ (VIDEO)

If they haven’t already, Jackson State fans may want to familiarize themselves with the name of one Cameron Loeffler. Right now, he’s set to No. 5 in your gameday program.

Loeffler is a California boy but he’s made himself right at home in Jackson and inside the JSU field house. On the field, he’s beginning to make wide receivers anything but comfortable.

“He came up and laid the thump,” coach Rick Comegy said following JSU’s morning practice. “That’s what we saw in film. This guy can lay the thump.”

Primarily a running back — and a really good one — at Exeter High, Loeffler didn’t begin playing defense full-time until last season while at the College of the Sequoias. ?He’s already impressed the coaching staff with his instincts and physicalness.

Here’s a quick video with Loeffler following this morning’s practice:

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Practice Report: Day 6, afternoon session (VIDEO)

First, a word from JSU coach Rick Comegy:

A few quick notes to pass along:

There were a couple of changes on defense. Namely, Milton Patterson was finally cleared to practice and returned to the first-team unit at linebacker. Also, Cameron Loeffler was bumped up from second-string free safety to first-string outside linebacker for the afternoon practice.

It’s not permanent, but Comegy hinted it could become so as camp progresses.

Dedric McDonald continues to quietly put together a solid camp and hold on to the No. 1 quarterback job.

With Rico Richardson and E.J. Drewrey still being held out of full-contact drills, several young receivers are making the most of the added reps in practice. De Sean McKenzie, Mitchell Saffold and Lacorey Tucker all showed flashes during the afternoon practice, but each still struggles with consistency when it comes to catching the football. They’re getting off the line, they’re getting open, but they’re just not finishing the play at the level coaches are wanting/needing to see.

Defensively there are a lot of players battling for playing time behind a veteran first unit. Armon Carter (DL), Travis Woods (DB), Cedric Hogan (DE), John McNabb (DB/LB), Michael Dukes (DL) and Ryan Griffin (DB/OLB) were the first players called on to take over for the starters during tonight’s team scrimmage period.

More to come….

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Morning Briefing: McDonald calm, collected this preseason (VIDEO)

There’s been a lot said and written about Jackson State’s quarterback race and understandably so.

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the arrival of one-time Ole Miss backup Evan Ingram and the arrival of one-time Louisville star and Akron starter Clayton Moore.

But for all the pub the news guys have gotten.

It’s all warranted discussion considering the importance of the position in coach Rick Comegy’s offense and the success the Tigers enjoyed with Casey Therriault the past two seasons.

But it’s worth noting that before all these new faces entered the race, it was returning senior?Dedric McDonald?that had put himself in a position to take over this fall. And judging by the way he’s opened camp, he hasn’t done anything to lose that position just yet.

That was the lead item for today’s campus report, but here’s a video of McDonald from yesterday’s practice as well as ?a few comments from the senior that didn’t make today’s print edition. First, the video.

On the competition:

“We’re just trying to get everyone familiar with the offense so when next week comes and we put on the pads we can go full speed.”

On the changes to the offense:

“We just made it more simpler. We took out some of the things we felt we didn’t need. There’s more packages I feel suited me better. We’re more balanced now. More two-back formations, more option reads.”

What he’s worked on most during offseason:

“My footwork, getting deeper in my drop. That goes hand in hand with the arm strength.”

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Is Julysses Nobles JSU-bound?

It would appear so, judging by this interview the former Calloway High star had with FOX 40′s Travis Recek.

I just got off the phone with the Tigers coach Tevester Anderson, and he said Nobles had not signed nor was the player, to his knowledge, in the process of signing with JSU.

Still, Nobles seems pretty confident in the video. It would be quite the pickup for the Tigers.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Practice Report: Day 6, Early session (VIDEOS)

Jackson State turned in a pretty good morning session, according to Tigers coach Rick Comegy. Here’s a couple videos ?from this morning’s 2 1/2-hour practice, which was the team’s first in full-gear.

First we hear from Comegy:

Next up, QB Dedric McDonald

Now, a few notes:

As of now, your first-string offensive line consists of Zion Pyatt (LT), Darius Mitchell (LG), Stephen Capler (C), Jonathan Smith (RG) and Derrick Jean (RT). I don’t have accurate jersey numbers for all of the second group, but Maurice Brooks (C) and?Steven Gilbert?(RT) were among that group. I’ll try to firm up the others during today’s second practice.

The first defensive line was Javarius Conner (DE), Jamal Carter (DT), Luis McLeod (DT) and Joseph LeBeau (DE). Now, it’s worth noting that DT Jonathan Billups was held out of a good portion of today’s practice. He did run with the first-team unit at the end during a scrimmage.

The two sides swapped paint during a lengthy one-on-one period midway through today’s practice. As a group, the offensive line seemed to get the better of it in pass-protection drills. LeBeau, as you would expect, made a strong move around Jean on one play, but when he tried to bull rush the tackle, Jean slowed him long enough for the quarterback to pass. So you could call it a draw, I guess. Capler was stout, stone-walling McLeod on two plays.

A pair of defensive tackles, Jordan Arther and Jamal Carter, looked strong in the second group.

The practice ended with a scrimmage between the first-string offense and first-string defense.

McDonald completed the only two passes he attempted, the first going for a long “touchdown” when he hit running back B.J. Lee on a fade down the sideline. It looked easy, but McDonald was dead-on with the throw, hitting Lee so that he never had to break stride. Nice play.

Clayton Moore struggled today, completing one-of-two attempts in team drills after missing both tries in 1-on-1′s. LaMontiez Ivy also had some growing pains, missing the running back on an option toss and then firing low on a crossing rout he’s hit so often previously in camp.

Tevin Chapman returned and completed his one pass – more on that later – Lee.

That pass to Lee allowed the senior running back the opportunity to make another highlight-worthy play. Lee took the dump pass near the sideline and then juked one on-coming defensive back out of his cleats before racing downfield for another would-be touchdown.

It’s early, but Lee has been by far the best of the bunch at running back.

There was just as much — if not more — run calls as there were passing plays during the scrimmage. Also noticed some option as well, which McDonald seemed really comfortable/equipped to operate.

The team then went into a goal line period which was dominated by the defense. By my count, the offense managed just one touchdown. That came when McDonald took the ball around the right end on an option keeper.

Defensive backs Travis Woods and Cameron Loeffler each came up to make big stops against the run. Defensive tackle Armon Carter also impressed, crashing through the right side of the line to nail Tommy Gooden for a loss.

For the final play of the day, the ball was placed on the 3. After trying unsuccessfully to draw the defense off with a hard count, the ball was handed off to Gooden, who went around the right end and — in my eyes — appeared stopped just short of the goal line.

The defense celebrated its stop; the offense celebrated its touchdown.

Comegy, for the record, also seemed to indicate touchdown.

McDonald, in no surprise at all, said the ball crossed the goal line.

That’ll do it for now. I’ll have more later and following the team’s second practice.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Practice Report: Day 4 (VIDEO)

Junior safety Cameron Loeffler is really impressing this staff.

He’s currently running with the second-string defense, but he looks comfortable back there already. On two different occasions he read and anticipated passes to the point that if the practice had been full-contact, he could have crushed a couple of unknowing receivers.

You hear coaches talk about a player having a nose for the football, Loeffler looks like one of those guys.

“Cameron will come down and lay that hat on you,” JSU Rick Comegy said. “He’s starting to get the feel, he’s got good feet, he covers the field well. He could have knocked somebody out there today, I’m glad he didn’t, but he was right on the button with that. I’m glad to see that.”

A trio of freshmen wide receivers had good days Sunday. Tamarick Johnson, De Sean McKenzie and Lacorey Tucker each flashed some signs of being capable of pushing for playing time this fall. McKenzie, at 6-foot-3, is the tallest of the group and looks to have good hands, but like most freshmen, struggles at times with consistency.

Johnson, 6-1, 185, looks small but is deceptively fast. He also seems to get the intricacies of the position, as was evidenced when one JSU assistant was beside himself with joy at a pre-snap read Johnson made before going on to complete the play with a diving catch.

Another freshman receiver, James Bynes, turned some heads. Bynes went across the field and made a leaping catch with a linebacker draped on his back.

Dedric McDonald might have had the best day among the quarterbacks today, completing 6-of-10, but Clayton Moore was right there too. Moore completed 5-of-9, unofficially but once again showed off an accurate arm on the deep ball. Evan Ingram (3-of-7) was plagued a bit by drops. LaMonteiz Ivy continued to impress, completing his first pass in one-on-one drills for a long ‘touchdown,’ before finishing the day 4-of-6. Tevin Chapman went 2-of-4.

Also of note, Ivy ran with the ‘third’ offense in 7-on-7′s, ahead of Ingram. Take it for what it’s worth.

Defensively, John McNabb registered the first interception of camp, picking off a Moore pass in one-on-one drills.

Freshman defensive back Preston Hughes manhandled one receiver in those same drills, which made for some interesting congratulatory banter from his defensive coaches.

B.J. Lee also had some fun at the expense of senior linebacker Wilcher, catching a short dump pass and then showing his elusiveness in zig-zagging his way past Wilcher and down the sideline for a ‘touchdown.’

The offensive and defensive lines are slated to do a little one-on-one tomorrow, so that will bear watching. Comegy said he’s been pleased with the groups conditioning so far.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Practice Report: Day 5 (VIDEO)

If you follow me on Twitter, you know by now that Jackson State’s Monday practice — one that was scheduled to go three hours — didn’t.

Heavy rains and dangerous lightning forced JSU coach Rick Comegy to cancel today’s on-field work and retreat indoors, where he and the Tigers staff held position meetings before breaking for dinner and then returning later tonight for more meetings.

Here’s video of Comegy from today:

A few notes:

I counted 15 players standing on the sideline today when practice began, including Rico Richardson, Qua Cox, Johnathan Billups, Preston Hughes and Desmond Dixon. Comegy attributed it to nothing more than everyday “nicks and bruises,” saying that none of the players will miss more than a day or two, most returning tomorrow.I tweeted this yesterday, but the two freshmen kickers continued to impress in kickoff drills today. Both Darcy Williamson and Ryan Deising have been consistent putting the ball inside the 10-yard line or into the endzone during drills the past two days. After struggling to cover kicks last season, JSU may have found the best remedy is simply to take returns out of the equation altogether.JSU will go full-gear and, weather permitting, will hold its first two-a-day tomorrow. Comegy said that the morning practice, 8 a.m., would be the team’s “heavy” practice, meaning coaches will let the players take advantage of being allowed to go full-contact for the first time this preseason. Should be fun. The second practice is set for 3 p.m. Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Morning Briefing: Tigers go full gear and Tinsley takes silver

Exciting day on the Jackson State campus.

JSU will hold its first two-a-day today. The Tigers will also don full gear for the first time today.?Oh, and some guy won a medal.

Michael Tinsley

I saw the replay of former JSU track standout Michael Tinsley’s sliver-medal performance in the 400m hurdles last night and, at first, thought I was watching the wrong race.

Early on, it didn’t seem possible that he would finish second, but a strong charge down the backstretch changed all that.

It’s believed that Tinsley became the school’s first-ever Olympic medalist.

Today, current JSU sophomore??Anaso Jobodwana will make his Olypmpic debut in the 200m dash.

As for the football team,?here’s yesterday’s?campus report.

Coach Rick Comegy said this morning’s session — like the rest of camp — will help things materialize up front. After spending the last few days working exclusively on technique and alignments, the coaching staff can now get a truer read on players — at every position — in a full-contact setting.

If iron truly sharpens iron, as Comegy likes to say, that process will take another step forward today.

I’ll have reports from both practices today, so be sure to check back.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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Rise and shine

After a pair of light, late-afternoon practices, Jackson State will be back out on the practice fields a bit earlier this today.

JSU is scheduled to work out from 8 a.m. ?to 11 a.m. today, once again in helmets only. In yesterday’s walk-thru, JSU players left even their helmets in the locker room. It was a mental day, with coach Rick Comegy and staff walking the team through a list of different formations.

Comegy called the practice like “having a chalkboard on the field.” Here’s the campus report from today’s Clarion-Ledger.

Today’s practice should be a bit more interesting, if not a little cooler temperature wise.

Travis Downey has been the Jackson State beat writer since May. He also covers some M-Braves, some high school sports, a little golf and whatever else is asked of him for The Clarion-Ledger. You can read his work in-print, online at ClarionLedger.com and on Twitter (@TravisADowney).

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