UND held their first practice of the 2016 season on Friday. By all accounts, things went fairly smoothly and the intensity was high, which isn’t a surprise. Holding that level of intensity into late-August is the real trick.
Some of the true freshmen really stuck out, which is rarely the case when standing next to 20-22 years olds.
- H-Back #88 Alex Cloyd is ready to play, at least physically, now. I am guessing he is weighing in around 250 and has tree trunk legs. We can see why he was an undefeated state champion wrestler in Nebraska.
- OLB #47 Ray Haas has to be pushing 6’5″. Big frame that will fill out in a few years to make for an heck of athletic OLB. Haas played safety in high school and it shows.
- We knew WR’s #10 Noah Wanzek and #11 Travis Toivonen were bringing some height to the wide receiver corps but they really did look good out there today with that group.
- OL #73 Bennett Helgren is being held out for medical reasons at the start of camp. He definitely looks the part of a big framed tackle.
- When #25 safety Jordan Canady fills out he will be a big-bodied safety, similar to Cole Reyes or Tanner Palmborg.
- QB #12 Ben Bolinske has a quick release. Was surprised at how he looked back there during drills.
QB Keaton Studsrud has put on some weight and looks much more durable. Studsrud is going to have a big season, book it.
John Santiago returning kickoffs during a simulated drill is a show in itself. Two kickoff gunners run down and try to enclose on the kick returner during one drill. The moves Santiago put on them, repeatedly, was worth driving out to Memorial Stadium.
The defensive line looks as good as it ever has. They pass the eye test. They are 10-deep for sure and will be playing at least that many this season.
Look for freshman DL Mason Bennett and senior DL Noah Johnson to be turned loose off the edge on passing downs. Those two have an extra gear and solid pass rush moves. Johnson is UND’s best pass rusher.