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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