[JumperPride1]

How did spring ball go? Any surprises? Any standout players?

Spring practice finished up yesterday. They had an inner squad scrimmage of about 30 plays with the full team (those who aren't playing other sports at the moment anyway) I was fortunate enough to watch it. They are much more physical, there was lots of encouraging signs. The o line looks much improved, the skill talent is outrageous and they are all very positive kids from what I could tell. Talking to one of their assistant coaches he said he hasn't seen this collection of depth at the skill position since he's been around the program which is very encouraging. They still have lots to work on but they all appear to be buying in to what they're being asked to do. Hatcher threw the ball VERY well, Doan looks to be moving well a year removed from his knee injury, and even at his small stature he was very tough to bring down. Josh and isaiah Cornett look to be the focal point at wide out but I saw a lot of good things from the other guys as well. Red Smallwood, ol/dl is a monster. Sean Haynes ol/dl looked good as well. Defensively Caanan Reynolds was really locked in at the linebacker position and making plays. Senior defensive lineman, former defensive back if all things, Austin Adams is going to surprise some people with how physical he is and how well he moves at the position, looks to be about 200 lbs and a great frame to continue to add weight.

Overall I was fairly impressed. If this team will continue to practice with the intensity I saw yesterday they could be very good. I don't want to predict records but they did look pretty dang good, and as a jumper fan I've seen some pretty good ball (last year notwithstanding).

Lots of questions will be answered for this group pretty early on, looking at some good pre district competition with NKY power Beechwood being the game I have circles as a "can this group really compete" type game for the jumpers. They have nowhere to go but up, and the best thing that I noted was there was zero ego out of the whole bunch... Just a bunch of kids having fun at a football practice.