Predicts a top 10 offense and 15-30 range defense. Says defense will be predicated on Butler and Williams success/failure.

I will take a Top 10 offense and Top 20 defense all day.

I find K State at Tulane very interesting, can Sumrall get a huge victory against a ranked opponent?

And of course Texas can make a huge statement by going into the Big House & taking down the defending national champions & showing they are really back..

What games or storylines interest you

Hello HOB. Just arrived at the JCFTC for today’s practice report. It’s a big day as the Cats will be wrapping up their second (and probably final) full scrimmage of camp. They’ll usually have one more light/walk-thru type scrimmage in the stadium this coming week, but that one is more to get game operations and procedural stuff tightened up. This one today should be the final tune-up with a lot of hitting to determine what the depth chart looks like going into Week 1. They’re scheduled to wrap up around 1:15 ET, but these have a history of going longer, so hang in there and stay tuned for the latest news and notes…

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MARK STOOPS Q&A:

* Stoops in a good mood, says they got good work done today. The 1s offense had a really nice 13-play drive he was pleased with. Some good things from the D as well. Nice situational work. Some young guys that need a lot of good reps, and they got that.

* Stoops says today was a healthy scrimmage, just your typical bumps and bruises. He notes there were a couple of injuries LAST WEEK that they got news back on guys who will miss some time. Not disclosing who those injured guys were (yet). Hints later that an OL is one of them. Later says WR Hardley Gilmore (collarbone, we've heard) will be half the season or more. They have faith in the guys they have at that position, but you don't want to lose any more guys.

* Overall, they've been able to get good, physical work in without a slew of injuries.

* Likes the helmet communication system they've been working with. It's a smoother operation. The players still have to go out and execute, but it's nice. Everybody likes it at this point. Hopes it will help them get to the line quicker and get going and get more plays off in 2024.

* On the RB situation… DSK has been really good, urging Wilcox to push and show his enormous talent. He's a guy who has some juice, some talents they really need. Gotta get more reps to gain consistency. But they're very confident with DSK. Know what he can do.

* On BVG’s progress… Really good. Feels good about that group as a whole. Confidence in all 4 of those guys in the room, in a really good situation with that room in the event something happens. Hasn't always been the case here during Stoops' time.

* On being cleaner with penalties... They're not non-existent, things will happen when you're hot and tired in camp. But they've talked about it a lot and made it a priority to play with an edge and a chip on their shoulder without pushing it too far. No pre-snap issues today, which was good to see. Can be an issue when you have a new scheme and you're mixing and matching some guys due to injuries.

* Cutter Boley has learned a lot in his short time here from the way Bush Hamdan teaches. Organized, calm approach. Helps young players.

* Ty Bryant has continued to be a surprise with how he’s handled everything since he got here. So mature. Reliability is big with him. So many guys can learn from the way he comes to work every day. Don’t anticipate any kind of sophomore slump with him.

*****

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ELI COX Q&A:

* Good camp. As deep as they’ve been since he’s been here.

* Chemistry is coming together with those new guys on the OL. Farmer and Mincey really getting used to their system and communicating on that side of the line.

* BVG growing as a leader, commanding the offense. Eli says he’s been able to play with three good QBs now, but they’re all unique and different in their style.

* Sees Jager Burton being a lot more committed going into this season and looking really good in this camp.

*****


MAX HAIRSTON Q&A:

* On improvement from first scrimmage to second... Everyone has gotten better, from the 1s to the 2s and the 3s defense.

* On BVG... A guy who can really make things happen with his legs when something is not there with his arm. Maturing, growing during camp.

* Tempo of offense is definitely up. A lot more plays being run. "A whole different flow this year."

* On the CB room... The deepest since he's been here. Young guys who could play right now. "I'm excited for this group. I think we're going to turn some heads. We're hungry."

* On the UK receivers... DBs they're going to be facing will be in for a challenge. Loves going against a guy like Maclin, great with his routes. But the whole room is dangerous.

* Got a nice, deep group of safeties on the back end, and they're getting comfortable with the communication between them and the corners. Another group he thinks will turn some heads.

* CBs are using more press-man at the LOS. A little more aggressive than what they showed last year. He likes it. Feels like it's needed. "We're up for the challenge. Bring it on."


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Figured I'd start a thread for tonight's games. NC State's defense is struggling so far and Travis Hunter just broke one for a TD.

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Because players received money for work they didn't do a few years ago.

With the official start coming later this week are you going to watch the Olympics? I may catch a few things but I do have to admit I was today years old when I realized that Break Dancing is now a part of the Olympics. 🤣

Hello HOB. Back over at the JCFTC for today’s practice report. It’s a big day as the Cats are in the stadium for their first scrimmage of camp. Mark Stoops is scheduled to speak with us at approx 12:45 ET. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…

* Just spoke to one practice visitor who got to watch the scrimmage today. His big takeaway: “The QB looked REALLY good. Hit a bunch of deep balls.” Clarified it was BVG. They did mostly Wildcat package stuff with Wimsatt, but he liked him, too.

* More reports trickling out that the new punter, Laros, has a huge leg.

* The 2021 Citrus Bowl trophy is no longer displayed in the JCFTC lobby.

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MARK STOOPS Q&A:

* Very pleased with scrimmage. They were limited inn spring due to depth issues. Now able to really have good live, physical practices and a full scrimmage today. Came out pretty clean. One potential injury he’s concerned about. Will know more about that next week.

* Operation was good today. Liked the comms system and iPad stuff they can use now.

* Defensively, good position on the ball and tackling.

* Offensively, pretty clean. Just one ball on ground, and we recovered it.

* Likes BVG’s progress. Looked good today.

* Still wants more growth in physical ground game. It has improved. Not there yet, but growing.

* Special teams weren’t full today, but a few field goals they needed to work on. Kickers are kicking really good. Alex has been good in practice but misssed a couple today, which is unusual for him.

* Asked about the recent NCAA case, Stoops says his full focus is on this team, moving forward. Case was three years ago and had largely been discussed prior to the ruling. Thinks it’s kinda funny in retrospect, though, with what kids are permitted to do now. “Million dollars to make a tweet.”

* On CBs… Waller didnt go today. Minor thing, nothing that will keep him out. Have options there, just need to get it out of those guys.

* On RBs… A position they have to continue to look at, it’s committee right now.

* Doesn’t really want to single out the young guys or redshirts right now, but he’s encouraged by the work they are getting. They need all the reps they can get.

* On pass rush… Pretty good, pleased with it. Rybka didn’t go today, so it gave some other guys a chance to show some things.

* Looking for consistency from punters, but some nice leg on the new addition, Laros. Hoping to see kickoffs improve.

*****

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JJ WEAVER Q&A:

* Good scrimmage today. One of those where neither side really won, good stuff from O and D. Both sides showed some new stuff they haven’t seen before.

* Pass rush has been getting after it. Watching some old clips of Josh Allen, motivating them.

* Feels like his mindset is good, playing loose and free. Kinda likes being the “underdog” now in terms of expectations.

* Cited some young players who are showing up. Fearbry, Matthews, Soles among them.

* When guys mess up, they are “messing up fast.”

* Thinks this is the best OL he’s worked against. Thinks Marques Cox is a 2nd round NFL Draft pick kinda guy.

*****

BROCK VANDAGRIFF Q&A:

* Solid scrimmage overall for both sides of the ball. Smooth operation, good communication. Really likes the helmet comm and new iPad stuff.

* O-Line has been having a really good camp.

* He and Maclin has formed a good relationship on and off the field. Made a couple of clutch catches today.

* Helmet comm should. Really help with tempo. QB really doesn’t even need too spend time looking at the sideline anymore. Can get in and out of plays quickly, do checks faster.

* Spread the ball around a lot today, WRs looked good. Hardley Gilmore made a really nice explosive play 40 yards downfield.

* On the RBs… Seems like a solid room, a bunch of good guys running well, so maybe that’s why you haven’t seen one guy separate. They have different abilities they bring to the table.

* On Fred Farrier… Great camp. Coach says we need more dudes like Fred, always doing his job. Getting in there with the 1s a bunch, and when he does there’s no drop-off. Had a TD today.

Inherited a slim lead.
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Leading Illinois State 6-0 at half. 🤡

Absent a ton of detail to this point, I won't elaborate much. But these are the many of the standouts, as I've heard it:

** QB Brock Vandagriff had another solid day. The consistency has been there.

** "The deepest the QB room has been." Wasn't just Vandagriff today. Gavin Wimsatt had another positive day and hearing solid reviews for Cutter Boley.

** "The most quality depth at WR" that Stoops has had. They go 1-6 and feel very strong about them. Today the standouts were Fred Farrier and Anthony Brown-Stephens. Farrier is a dog and is going to be a big impact player for them.

** RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye was the standout in the backfield but Jamarion Wilcox did some good things, too.

** True frosh TE Willie Rodriguez had another productive day during camp, he's got some momentum.

** OL had a couple of guys out.

** CB Terhyon Nichols has a chance to start in the secondary. He's having a fantastic fall camp and the true freshman will be on the field a lot. He may be one of their top 3 cornerbacks right now.

** DJ Waller looks the part and "is a pro" in the making. Right now Waller is competing against JQ Hardaway for that cornerback spot. Has not been decided yet but I would guess Waller. Not writing Hardaway off but have still heard some up and down.

Saw several former Cats got released today. Some notables:

Chris Rodriguez
Josh Ali
Lonnie Johnson
Marquan McCall
Brendan Bates
Phil Hoskins

And I’m sure I may have missed someone

NFL is a tough gig. Just playing for multiple years is a huge accomplishment.