2025 Fall Practice Thread

[NDFAN2008]

We aren't in the business of having the luxury of not hurting a QBs feelings. They have to get it right cuz the schedule early isn't forgiving and I'm not interested in picking CJ simply cuz you don't want to lose him

I think we could be in a situation where whoever starts and if they don’t perform well they go to option 2

 

[arrowryan]

Saw Malachi Fields on campus today. All I’ll say is good luck trying to tackle that guy.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Saw Malachi Fields on campus today. All I’ll say is good luck trying to tackle that guy.

He’s gonna be a force in the screen game blocking as well

 

[irishandy]

CJ has to be something like -1000 to start on 8/31. I really don’t think it’s that close.

I agree, I think CJ will be the starter and just had some butterflies for the first fall practice. Minchey will be our package QB.

 

[allenm5333]

I agree, I think CJ will be the starter and just had some butterflies for the first fall practice. Minchey will be our package QB.

Am I crazy to think CJ wins and the idea of a package for Minchey isn’t gonna be a thing? I think he is an athletic qb but not some dynamic athlete that makes him worth a package

 

[allenm5333]

Am I crazy to think CJ wins and the idea of a package for Minchey isn’t gonna be a thing? I think he is an athletic qb but not some dynamic athlete that makes him worth a package

Too elaborate: if he is our qb his athleticism is a plus bc he can improv and run. But if he is in, more likely a signal he is in there to run

 

[rtrn2glory]

That's on MD to make sure that he schemes things up enough to make sure that's not the case.

 

[Dale]

Am I crazy to think CJ wins and the idea of a package for Minchey isn’t gonna be a thing? I think he is an athletic qb but not some dynamic athlete that makes him worth a package

I agree. I don’t think Minchey gets a “package” in a single competitive football game if Carr is the starter. Minchey has always been a pass first QB since HS. If they really wanted a package they have Buchner. It risks your backup getting hurt. I think they maybe we’ll play two QBs thing is mainly a ploy for Miami prep.

 

[allenm5333]

I agree. I don’t think Minchey gets a “package” in a single competitive football game if Carr is the starter. Minchey has always been a pass first QB since HS. If they really wanted a package they have Buchner. It risks your backup getting hurt. I think they maybe we’ll play two QBs thing is mainly a ploy for Miami prep.

Great point in the last sentence. I do think he is a mobile QB, I just don't think he is a dynamic runner and deserves his own package. Yes, I know he could throw out of this package but just don't think it is worth it. If he does win though? Cool and let's ride

 

[Fbolt]

Just watched the RB interviews from the front page Impressive group of young men - they showed out well.

 

[OKCDomer23]

Saw Malachi Fields on campus today. All I’ll say is good luck trying to tackle that guy.

Reports have all been unanimous that he looks huge for a wr. Love the height at 6'4". Him, Greathouse, and Faison are going to be a problem for a lot of defenses this year. I want to see Faison deep a lot this year, as I think Carr can nail deep outs. Hoping Faison holds on to the ball as he had too many drops last year. Kid is electric. Freeman has been lauding Pauling lately too. Denbrock is really wanting to crank up the passing game this year. He has the personnel now to do it.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I've said before, but Pauling and Fields are very intriguing because they are likely to finally have the opportunity to get some quality looks with some decent QB play.

 

[OKCDomer23]

I've said before, but Pauling and Fields are very intriguing because they are likely to finally have the opportunity to get some quality looks with some decent QB play.

Pauling is being overlooked. He is quick, shifty, and has good hands. He put up over 800 yds receiving in 2023 and over 400 last year. Players like him can feast on short, quick routes which defenses cannot do much about. Hope he plays a lot this year.

 

[US_Highway14]

Read Pete Sampson's article on the first day of practice and wanted to point out a couple points

First on Tyler Buchner and his duties:

• "Some quick field goal attempts show Tyler Buchner working at holder. File that away."

Second on Tae Johnson. Dude is gonna be a dawg:

• "Tae Johnson picks Carr, but this play looks like how another No. 9 from Fort Wayne in the middle of the defense used to look. And yes, that other No. 9 was Jaylon Smith. Johnson jumped up so quickly and with such length that Carr could be forgiven for not seeing the safety or thinking he could throw over him."

Super excited to see how Tae Johnson performs and evolves as the season goes on. So far I've read nothing but good things on him.

 

[NDRock]

First In. Last to Leave. Mamba mentality.

I guess if he was putting it in without permission, it would qualify as Mamba mentality.

 

[T-Boone]

Carr & Minchey seem like Piastri and Norris. Hopefully the best prevails and is world champ a few months from now.

 

[IA4irish]

Any idea when the next media viewing sessions are? I feel like everyone is being intentionally tight lipped about it. Irish Illustrated just said it’s going to be a couple of days until they get another one

 

[IRISHbluehen]

I believe it is either tomorrow or Wednesday. There is no practice today.

 

[IrishLion]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):

OFFENSE

Carr: Stretchgate is a nothingburger. He shows up early to stretch, that way he can start throwing earlier. He views this as HIS team, so he's trying to lead by putting in extra work.

Carr: first day was a little bit rust, a little bit forcing throws. He will adjust quickly, not concerned.

Minchey: has improved most of the physical and technique stuff, but needs to keep working on reading through the progression, consistent footwork, and knowing when to change the play at the line

Minchey: players suggesting that he is the starter are unfounded rumors

QB Battle in general: this is Carr's team unless he forgets how to play QB during fall camp

Love is a mutant that reminds people of Reggie Bush. Won't have the gaudy stats that Bush had, but will look freakish.

Price is really working on committing to inside runs, may have finally clicked

Kedren Young may not see much playing time, but it's not because he's not ready... RB room is crazy

Jagusah likely back mid-October if things go well

Lambert is a stud and potential a future AA

Burress vastly underrated, is going to see playing time

Pauling already looking like Mr. Reliable, will generate important 1st downs

Raridon is getting the media treatment, but TE will be a committee early on


DEFENSE

Bryce Young: bigger, faster, more mobility. Could be a double-digit sack guy if he puts it together

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Junior: will be a rush edge sometimes, but looks much more comfortable dropping into coverage if needed

Sneed: continues to learn how to play under control, using the athleticism within the system

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

KVA: continues to progress well

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Smith: he's on the cusp of being considered a true "Lockdown" DB in the secondary

 

[notredomer23]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):


DEFENSE

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Love the update. We got a source off between your guy and Lax's

 

[ndfanatic78]

And @IrishLion saves this trash can of a thread. I just wasted so much time on absolutely nothing. I went through 4 pages of useless shit to find 1 post that isn’t just a waste of effort postig it. I wish there was a way to identify posts as useless drivel and ones with actual substance.

 

[Bane]

What's the latest with Stretchgate? Is or isn't it indicative of Freeman losing control of his team and/or an athlete being an obvious poor mental fit for the position? , I really need to know what each of you think about this concerning development. I could hardly sleep last night.

Please advise.

Man, I hate the preseason.

 

[NDVirginia19]

And @IrishLion saves this trash can of a thread. I just wasted so much time on absolutely nothing. I went through 4 pages of useless shit to find 1 post that isn’t just a waste of effort postig it. I wish there was a way to identify posts as useless drivel and ones with actual substance.

Irishenvy threads, notoriously known for being focused legitimate sources of information and not shitposting. Mods, seize the shit posters!

 

[dublinirish]

And @IrishLion saves this trash can of a thread. I just wasted so much time on absolutely nothing. I went through 4 pages of useless shit to find 1 post that isn’t just a waste of effort postig it. I wish there was a way to identify posts as useless drivel and ones with actual substance.

tbh he's derailed plenty of threads himself with his sus food takes

 

[T-Boone]

I believe it is either tomorrow or Wednesday. There is no practice today.

Lazy basterds

 

[Old Man Mike]

interested in Lion's "mike drop" on Lambert. Since we haven't (really) seen hardly any play, all I've been able to think is "Lord, this guy is huge, and he seems to move OK." But here is a reliable source saying the staff thinks he's a future AA.

Now --- we heard that he's been working at right tackle. Hmmm... what the heck can THAT mean? Is there an actual competition there? (Should there be confidence that Jagusah is back in October, logic says that he'll go back into RG unless Abshur himself is playing like an AA. So you wouldn't put Lambert THERE since that's Jagusah's spot.)

Can Lambert be seriously considered as an O-Line starter this season, and at Tackle, AND at RIGHT Tackle? Interesting days ....

 

[IrishWayDomer]

Is there a world in which Wagner moves to LT, Lambert to RT with Charles out?

 

[stlnd01]

interested in Lion's "mike drop" on Lambert. Since we haven't (really) seen hardly any play, all I've been able to think is "Lord, this guy is huge, and he seems to move OK." But here is a reliable source saying the staff thinks he's a future AA.

Now --- we heard that he's been working at right tackle. Hmmm... what the heck can THAT mean? Is there an actual competition there? (Should there be confidence that Jagusah is back in October, logic says that he'll go back into RG unless Abshur himself is playing like an AA. So you wouldn't put Lambert THERE since that's Jagusah's spot.)

Can Lambert be seriously considered as an O-Line starter this season, and at Tackle, AND at RIGHT Tackle? Interesting days ....

Lambert looks like he was put on this earth to play tackle. If he's healthy/ready, I think you roll with him, slide Knapp inside, and when Jagusah comes back you have an absolute wall on the right side of the line.

 

[NDPhilly]

If he’s not back by SC on October 18th, Jagusah is gonna miss essentially every potentially competitive regular season game. Sucks.

 

[OKCDomer23]

This defensive line is going to be great. Dawson is supposed to be dominant against the run and now is collapsing the oline. Young and Traore should be monsters coming off the edge. Always though Onye was underrated. Going to be a fun season.