The hitting commenced today for the Orange during the first practice session in full pads.
The addition of full pads allowed the coaches to get their first look at live football. Head coach Scott Shafer noted the play of a pair of Syracuse upper-classmen and, as he promised he would do earlier in camp, he talked about some of the squad's newcomers.
"Had a couple skill guys make some plays today, (junior wide receiver) Ashton Broyld made a play in traffic across the middle that was real nice to see. (Junior safety Durell) Eskridge had a couple of real nice interceptions and I was real pleased with the tempo with which we went about our kicking game and into the team period. All-in-all it was a pretty good day's work.
"We had some freshmen do some good things ...
"I'm excited about (running back) Ervin Phillips, I've been very impressed with him. Very few missed assignments for him, especially for a young guy."
"I think (wide receiver) Steve Ishmael has a chance to be a very good player."
"(Wide receiver) Adly Enoicy is one of the sharpest kids I've been around in a long time. He's picked things up really well and is able to move from different positions – inside or outside. I've been real pleased with him."
"(Wide receiver) Jamal Custis is a raw, young guy out there. But it's hard to teach that 6-foot-6, 235 lbs. and he can run, so I'm excited about him."
"On the defensive side, I like our freshmen linebackers – JT (Jonathan Thompson) has made some good plays, Parris Bennett is going to be a good football player."
"(Linebackers) Colton Moskal and Zaire Franklin are just what I thought they'd be – tough, hard-nosed kids who learn well. That whole (linebackers) room learns extremely well."
"The young DBs in general, Rodney Williams, you guys are going to like this guy. Juwan (Dowels) did some nice things."
NOTES FROM PRACTICE:
Winfield moving to defense
Coach Shafer announced that redshirt freshman Corey Winfield is changing sides of the ball, moving from wide receiver to cornerback. He commended the 6-1 St. Louis natives unselfishness in making the move and anticipates him making an impact for the defense.
"The other thing we're doing is we're playing (sophomore) Corey Winfield at corner now," Shafer said. "I think he's too good of an athlete to be a backup or a backup to a backup. I like his length – he's got close to a 40-inch vertical jump – I like his athleticism, and I've had good success (switching wide receivers to cornerback)."
Ishmael settling in
Freshman wide receiver Steve Ishmael says he is getting comfortable with the playbook. He also mentioned Jeremiah Kobena as a veteran that has taken the Miami product under his wing and mentored him.
"He has been real firm on me, telling me to get extra reps when I can," Ishmael said.
Eskridge making plays
All-ACC safety Durell Eskridge led by example on the team's first day in full pads, making two interceptions in practice. The Orange's leader in tackles and interceptions from last season described the plays as ones where her took advantage of his 6-4 length, going up and picking off a pass on a receiver that was trying to go over top of him and the other coming in man coverage where he "attacked the ball at its highest point."
Laguerre on the field
Junior walk-on linebacker Hernz Laguerre practiced for the first time this training camp. Senior wide receiver Franklin Santos chose to pursue opportunities outside of football, which opened up a spot on the 105-man training camp roster.
"He was out there today getting practice number one," Shafer said. "He'll have to go through five before he's full-go. You're saddened with one guy leaving, but you're excited with Hernz having the opportunity to be back in."
Top Articles from Aug. 6 on the Orange:
CuseTV: Durell Eskridge Interview
CuseTV: Terrel Hunt Interview
Orange Fizz: Running Backs and Linebackers Have Most Depth
CuseNation: Ishmael Learning from the Vets
Syracuse.com: 'The Sky is the Limit' for West in 2014
Daily Orange: Eskridge Stands Out on Day 5
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