UA All-America Update (Red PM Defense)

The evening practice in Orlando was shoulder pads and shorts, but we still got a good look at the defenders as they were put through a series of drills which culminated with a 7-7 session against the offense.

It is looking like the strength of this team is the defensive backs. We noted earlier what a great morning Charles Whitlock had. He continued it in the evening as he showed impressive instincts and route recognition, jumping a couple routes in 7-7s. His counterpart at cornerback, Joe Adams also made a couple nice plays.

At the safety spot, Will Hill had been quiet early on, but come 7-7s, he really picked it up, blanketing the middle of the field and jumping a post for a near pick. Jamoris Slaughter, known as a hitter, has shown ability in man to man coverage and was flying around the field in the afternoon.

But in this final session of the day, the most impressive defensive back was Neiko Lipscomb. He played two fades beautifully and broke them up and stuck right with his guy in man to man.

The linebackers had a good session as well. Sean Spence continues to impress and jumped a pass for a interception in 7-7s. He was actually working at SAM with Christian Wilson at WILL and Jon Major at MIKE. Wilson and Spence flip flopped from the morning session when Wilson was at WILL.

Wilson is the biggest linebacker here and although there has been talk of him playing an H-Back type role, he is at least built like a Rich Rodriguez linebacker. Major was held out of many of the contact drills with a high ankle sprain.

On the defensive line, the most impressive player (and maybe overall) has been Omar Hunter. At first glance it appears as though he has gained weight from when we saw him the Herbstreit Challenge, but he still moves like a defensive end trapped in a tackle’s body. He had the best technique of any lineman and was praised by coaches for his intensity.

Jarvis Humphrey was playing most of the day at end and that is looking like that will be where he lines up on Saturday. This team really doesn’t have many true ends, which is a big reason he is playing tackle. But one of the other ends, Tyler Westphal had a nice day and did a good job using his hands to get around offensive tackles.