It was padded, stay soccer for the primary time in camp Wednesday.
The Colorado State soccer crew used its first day in full pads as a scrimmage day at Canvas Stadium.
The season opener (Aug. 31 at No. 4 Texas) is quick approaching, however in camp phrases its nonetheless early days. The depth chart is just not set, a bunch of freshmen obtained their first actual school soccer hits and there’s loads of work to do.
A primary scrimmage received’t present all of the solutions, however there have been some fascinating takeaways of what’s coming this season.
Tight finish battle in highlight
Dallin Holker’s departure to the NFL left an enormous void within the offense. He was one of many prime tight ends in school soccer and never simply replaceable.
Arguably the play of the day Wednesday got here from one of many gamers attempting to step into his spot. Senior Vince Brown II took a brief go on a unadorned bootleg play, turned up discipline, juked one defender after which trucked proper by means of defensive again Elias Larry on the way in which to a roughly 30-yard landing.
Brown, who’s fiancée is due with their little one in September, says Holker’s departure and the upcoming delivery of their child helped sharpen an excessive focus in preparation for the season.
“I’ve a special chip on my shoulder I’ve by no means felt ever in my life as a soccer participant. From spring ball to now, I’ve a lot confidence of what to do on this offense, tips on how to be productive and really feel if the coaches give me the prospect, I will be productive,” Brown stated.
Jaxxon Warren, the 6-foot-8 former quarterback who transferred in from Navarro Junior Faculty, additionally had a formidable leaping reception.
These two gamers appear to be the front-runners to take Holker’s spot.
Jackson Brousseau stacking quarterback reps
Beginning quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi didn’t take part because the workers continues to guard him after he suffered a minor non-throwing hand harm previous to the beginning of camp.
Which means redshirt freshmen Jackson Brosseau and redshirt junior Giles Pooler are the 2 quarterbacks with expertise within the system who performed within the scrimmage.
For Brousseau, it’s essential reps for a participant who’s a yr into school however with minimal recreation expertise (he appeared in a single recreation and threw two passes as a real freshman) as he prepares to start the season as Fowler-Nicolosi’s backup.
The day wasn’t full of any large standout moments because the crew did lean closely on the run within the scrimmage (extra on that under) however he’s getting beneficial studying moments. You by no means know when a backup is required, in spite of everything Fowler-Nicolosi wasn’t the starter this time a yr in the past.
“JB is such a conscientious child. Actually research onerous. I’m simply actually happy with him. When he makes a mistake or he will get corrected, he comes again once more and he doesn’t make the identical mistake. I’m so happy with him for that. He’s mature past his years,” Norvell stated of Brousseau.
Engaged on management
CSU video games have been a curler coaster in 2023 because the Rams went 5-7, with 4 video games selected the ultimate possession.
The Rams went 1-3 in these tight ones and likewise had not less than one different (at Utah State) the place extra consistency and management on offense may have led to a win.
That was an enormous focus for Norvell (who calls the performs on offense) in spring and now into preseason camp. The Rams leaned closely on the run Wednesday.
Additionally they executed an extended stretch of 2-minute and 4-minute drills aimed toward studying tips on how to shut video games.
“We would like to have the ability to end video games with the ball in our fingers on offense. That’s essential. We get a lead, we want to have the ability to run the soccer and maintain the ball and end with it in our fingers,” Norvell stated.
“We’re making it an actual emphasis.”
Some veterans sit
Along with Fowler-Nicolosi, there have been many veterans who shall be key items in the course of the season who both didn’t take part or have been restricted in reps.
Operating again Kobe Johnson remains to be being eased in after a hand harm led to a redshirt in 2023. He has greater than 2,500 profession rush yards in school and Norvell says they don’t must beat him up in camp.
Likewise, everybody is aware of what Tory Horton can do and he wasn’t used on this scrimmage. Middle Jacob Gardner, safeties Jack Howell and Henry Blackburn are amongst others who don’t want the damage and tear of an early camp scrimmage.
Spotlight performs
This isn’t an all-encompassing listing from an extended scrimmage, however just a few highlights:
Brown’s run-after-catch for a landing.
Redshirt freshman Kenyon Agurs surging into the backfield to drive a Justin Marshall fumble, which was picked up and run in for a landing by redshirt freshman Niko Lopez.
Buom Jock’s total play at linebacker.
A powerful contested-catch interception from defensive again Chris Jackson.
Stable working from Keegan Holles.
The day ended with younger reserves in a purple zone drill, with true freshman Darius Curry throwing an ideal back-corner TD go to fellow true freshman Tommy Maher.
Comply with sports activities reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This text initially appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Takeaways from first Colorado State soccer scrimmage of preseason camp
