2025 Preseason Camp Thread

[UnknownOrange]

All great to hear!!! Is there any injury information?

Nothing I’ve heard but I’ll ask

 

[UnknownOrange]

All great to hear!!! Is there any injury information?

Nothing to report! So that’s good

 

[SUFan44]

I suppose we will hear the starting QB this week, as Fran stated he'd have a decision after the 2nd scrimmage.

Odds are Collins gets the nod -- which I am very surprised with. Angeli being a last-minute add in spring said to me that Collins might not be the answer.

Either way, I'm interested to see how this team comes together. A lot of talent on both sides.

 

[anomander]

We may know our starting QB tomorrow. If we could just get above average QB play i think we have a chance to be really good offensively. I don’t think we miss a beat with Yasin at RB and should provide us a better run attack with an improved run blocking OL. WR’s are deep and talented as well. We just need someone to get them the ball and keep the defense honest.

Defensively, it certainly doesn’t seem like we have near the talent as last year, but from everything I hear it sounds like the defense is improved. Maybe it’s year 2 in the system, maybe it’s offensive problems at QB? I think Grant played hurt a lot last year. It didn’t seem like he had any burst and seemed he was labored while running. I think Samuels will give a nice boost to the corner position and Grant could be a ball hawing STAR. I’m a bit concerned about LB, but i actually like our DL. Good size and depth, which isn’t norm for our defenses. The guy im keying on to break out is David O. I think he has the potential to be an 8-10 sack guy and all-ACC potential.

Off breakout - Yasin
Def breakout - David O

As always it’s going to come down to quarterback and if they can get our talented WR’s the ball. I’m not breaking the wheel with this prediction, but JRS, Cook, and Gill all have the potential for 600 + yards and one close to 1,000 if they can get them the rock.

Also, worried about ST’s. Looks like Oh is going to win the starting job. Doesn’t give me confidence. Stonehouse will be good but hopefully we don’t see him that often.

 

[AngryOtto]

I would be surprised if the fans know who the starting qb is before Tenn. Even after the scrimmage the coaches will break down the film and discuss. Why let it be known and have both qbs deal with distractions of why they were selected over the other player. The fans are not getting a two deep. We will all find out the 30th.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I would be surprised if the fans know who the starting qb is before Tenn. Even after the scrimmage the coaches will break down the film and discuss. Why let it be known and have both qbs deal with distractions of why they were selected over the other player. The fans are not getting a two deep. We will all find out the 30th.

I'm sure the team will be informed, but it'll leak.

 

[Sudano]

We may know our starting QB tomorrow. If we could just get above average QB play i think we have a chance to be really good offensively. I don’t think we miss a beat with Yasin at RB and should provide us a better run attack with an improved run blocking OL. WR’s are deep and talented as well. We just need someone to get them the ball and keep the defense honest.

Defensively, it certainly doesn’t seem like we have near the talent as last year, but from everything I hear it sounds like the defense is improved. Maybe it’s year 2 in the system, maybe it’s offensive problems at QB? I think Grant played hurt a lot last year. It didn’t seem like he had any burst and seemed he was labored while running. I think Samuels will give a nice boost to the corner position and Grant could be a ball hawing STAR. I’m a bit concerned about LB, but i actually like our DL. Good size and depth, which isn’t norm for our defenses. The guy im keying on to break out is David O. I think he has the potential to be an 8-10 sack guy and all-ACC potential.

Off breakout - Yasin
Def breakout - David O

As always it’s going to come down to quarterback and if they can get our talented WR’s the ball. I’m not breaking the wheel with this prediction, but JRS, Cook, and Gill all have the potential for 600 + yards and one close to 1,000 if they can get them the rock.

Also, worried about ST’s. Looks like Oh is going to win the starting job. Doesn’t give me confidence. Stonehouse will be good but hopefully we don’t see him that often.

Good Solid review of what we know and what we don't.
Offensively, Better OL, Willis is a top talent, WR has talent, Ricki Collins has really improved his throwing motion, but still seems to throw a somewhat wobbly ball. If he can hit these WRs should be good on offense, if not we'll see Angeli.
Defensively, I agree we lost talent but added solid talent where we needed it, CB-Peal, ILB Bryant, DE-Reese, DT-Rooks, Thomas and everyone got bigger and faster. I still worry about our true top talent level on D, and I blame the scheme last year being so vanilla, not aggressive and off the line in 2 and 3 deep looks. Here's hoping with limited injuries, and diverse looks being more aggressive, overall solid talent can be a top 35 defense because with Nixon scheming new talent our offense will score points and our defense has to be much better than last year but it won't be a top 10 Defense. For me this season comes down to how Erob and FBrown schemes our defense like Nixon does on offense.

 

[721Comstock]

Pete Sala has yet to notice me in the rafters

Collins “looks more comfortable”

OL is huge and the running game (both Willis and Nixon) have been very good today

Dion Wilson looks good too

Well, you’re not UnknownOrange for nothing!!

 

[721Comstock]

I'm sure the team will be informed, but it'll leak.

What do you think this is?
The Pentagon?

Snitches get stitches.

Winners get washed.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[RedtheGOB]

No matter who wins the job out of camp I do not see it as a McCord situation. If the qb comes out and has issues the backup is taking over. That was not going to happen with McCord.

Hah can confirm this is correct. I was at the Pitt game. 3 Pick 6’s later and the backup QBs were still reading the newspaper on the bench.

 

[SUFan44]

We may know our starting QB tomorrow. If we could just get above average QB play i think we have a chance to be really good offensively. I don’t think we miss a beat with Yasin at RB and should provide us a better run attack with an improved run blocking OL. WR’s are deep and talented as well. We just need someone to get them the ball and keep the defense honest.

Defensively, it certainly doesn’t seem like we have near the talent as last year, but from everything I hear it sounds like the defense is improved. Maybe it’s year 2 in the system, maybe it’s offensive problems at QB? I think Grant played hurt a lot last year. It didn’t seem like he had any burst and seemed he was labored while running. I think Samuels will give a nice boost to the corner position and Grant could be a ball hawing STAR. I’m a bit concerned about LB, but i actually like our DL. Good size and depth, which isn’t norm for our defenses. The guy im keying on to break out is David O. I think he has the potential to be an 8-10 sack guy and all-ACC potential.

Off breakout - Yasin
Def breakout - David O

As always it’s going to come down to quarterback and if they can get our talented WR’s the ball. I’m not breaking the wheel with this prediction, but JRS, Cook, and Gill all have the potential for 600 + yards and one close to 1,000 if they can get them the rock.

Also, worried about ST’s. Looks like Oh is going to win the starting job. Doesn’t give me confidence. Stonehouse will be good but hopefully we don’t see him that often.

Here’s my question about the defense and talent…

People keep saying we had a ton of talent last year compared to this year, but why?

We had 3 NFL draft picks on offense, 1… in the 7th round… on defense. Barron, Wax, Diggs, Clark were nice players but none of them made any of the top 3 All-ACC teams, in a relatively average year for the league.

I think all of those guys are more replaceable than many think. Add to that improvement in scheming and game planning (hopefully), and I see no reason why the defense can’t be markedly better.

 

[Sudano]

Here’s my question about the defense and talent…

People keep saying we had a ton of talent last year compared to this year, but why?

We had 3 NFL draft picks on offense, 1… in the 7th round… on defense. Barron, Wax, Diggs, Clark were nice players but none of them made any of the top 3 All-ACC teams, in a relatively average year for the league.

I think all of those guys are more replaceable than many think. Add to that improvement in scheming and game planning (hopefully), and I see no reason why the defense can’t be markedly better.

Watson, Bellamy, Barnes would have helped this team.

 

[RedtheGOB]

We’ll know who the starting QB is as soon as Fran is asked by local media after the coaches watch the scrimmage tapes and discuss.

Someone is going to ask him directly right off the bat next time he’s at that podium. He’s a direct and to the point guy and we’ll know right then and it will be definite.

I don’t understand after everything we’ve seen from Fran why people think there will be some sort of deception like we’re trying to trick Tennessee. There is literally no benefit. Neither of these guys are that much better than the next man up and it’s game 1.

Tennessee is just like us plugging in a new QB and getting the defense ready to do their job. Our QB1 is going to barely be a blip on their radar cuz there’s barely tape on either and the little tape that exists has nothing to do with the offense Nixon will run at them.

 

[GoSU96]

Watson, Bellamy, Barnes would have helped this team.

Ok, and so what?

 

[SUFan44]

Watson, Bellamy, Barnes would have helped this team.

Sure.

But last year, Barnes was hurt, Bellamy was an average part-time starter, Watson was a freshman and, while a very good player, was a freshman.

Barnes barely made an impact last year. Bellamy is replaceable. Watson is a loss, but I think overall the talent on that side of the ball is much better than people think.

 

[Sudano]

Ok, and so what?

Because he responded to a post about losing talent but forgot to mention the talented players who still had eligibility and mentioned only players who couldn't play this year.

 

[Sudano]

Sure.

But last year, Barnes was hurt, Bellamy was an average part-time starter, Watson was a freshman and, while a very good player, was a freshman.

Barnes barely made an impact last year. Bellamy is replaceable. Watson is a loss, but I think overall the talent on that side of the ball is much better than people think.

We're talking about this year not last year. Watson was a Freshman AA and is at Texas, Barnes at Ole Miss, Bellamy at UCF. All would have helped this year. Please read the context of my post in response to a post in response to another post without switching context.

 

[Chip]

Ok, and so what?

So what? So let's dance!

 

[CNYGuy]

We’ll know who the starting QB is as soon as Fran is asked by local media after the coaches watch the scrimmage tapes and discuss.

Someone is going to ask him directly right off the bat next time he’s at that podium. He’s a direct and to the point guy and we’ll know right then and it will be definite.

I don’t understand after everything we’ve seen from Fran why people think there will be some sort of deception like we’re trying to trick Tennessee. There is literally no benefit. Neither of these guys are that much better than the next man up and it’s game 1.

Tennessee is just like us plugging in a new QB and getting the defense ready to do their job. Our QB1 is going to barely be a blip on their radar cuz there’s barely tape on either and the little tape that exists has nothing to do with the offense Nixon will run at them.

I suspect you’re right about Fran and how direct he answers.

However I’d argue it does absolutely matter in this case. Neither QB is a “running” QB, but one is absolutely more mobile. If Angeli is selected and it’s known, Tennessee can throw out any spy or designed QB run stuff they’d need to game plan against.

Not sure how much we’d run either guy, but Collins has explicitly said he can make more plays with his legs when asked by the media what his skills are.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Here’s my question about the defense and talent…

People keep saying we had a ton of talent last year compared to this year, but why?

We had 3 NFL draft picks on offense, 1… in the 7th round… on defense. Barron, Wax, Diggs, Clark were nice players but none of them made any of the top 3 All-ACC teams, in a relatively average year for the league.

I think all of those guys are more replaceable than many think. Add to that improvement in scheming and game planning (hopefully), and I see no reason why the defense can’t be markedly better.

I think our defense is deeper and will be better. But All 4, Wax, Barron, Diggs and Clark would be 1st, 2nd or 3rd team all ACC if back. Tough to replace that.

But better DL play will make everyone better.

Also LB is in much better shape than most think. (Bryant replaces Wax, Sparrow and McDonald older and better, good young guys) Corner too IMO. Worried about safety/star most. Grant and Deuce good at playing run at LOS, but not so good in space.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Pornstache ... FTW !!!

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I suspect you’re right about Fran and how direct he answers.

However I’d argue it does absolutely matter in this case. Neither QB is a “running” QB, but one is absolutely more mobile. If Angeli is selected and it’s known, Tennessee can throw out any spy or designed QB run stuff they’d need to game plan against.

Not sure how much we’d run either guy, but Collins has explicitly said he can make more plays with his legs when asked by the media what his skills are.

HCFB doesn’t coach scared.

 

[llandz]

I'm sure the team will be informed, but it'll leak.

It will NOT leak from anyone on Fran's team...