The Minnesota State football team holds its final spring practice Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium, and there are a few things to keep an eye at the scrimmage.
Quarterback Jon Wolf has missed most of the spring practice with a broken throwing hand, leaving redshirt freshman Trent Cummings to handle the work. Senior Will Brogan has not participated in spring practice to save a semester of eligibility, though it's clear that the athletic Wolf is best-suited and favored to be the starting quarterback in the fall.
There are three offensive linemen returning, and it's important that the Mavericks improve up front. Hoffner prefers a physical, run-first attack which can't happen without good offensive line play.
Defensively, the top five tacklers from last season are gone, leaving gaping holes in that unit. Defensive lineman Chris Schaudt and linebacker Ross Jirgl are the top tacklers back.
This is an important season for the Mavericks, who took a step back with a 6-5 record. After consecutive playoff appearances, the Mavericks can't afford to continue slipping.
Showing posts with label MSU football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MSU football. Show all posts
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Former Mavericks get chance with Vikings
Had an opportunity to take in about an hour of practice Friday, watching former Minnesota State football players Kelvin Rodgers, Randy Earl and Adrian Battles participate in the Minnesota Vikings' rookie tryout camp at Winter Park.
The first thing you notice is that it's tough to tell them apart from the others who were on the field. That can be a good thing, given that the former Mavericks look the part, but it's also a negative, meaning that it's very hard to stand out.
The practice consisted of the Vikings draft picks and some priority free agents, then a whole lot of filler. Given that the Mavericks were not listed on the team's roster speaks to the uphill nature of their task.
Rodgers, who also will participate in the Baltimore Ravens camp next week, probably has the best chance of the three to stick somewhere. His speed is top-flight, and his ability as a kick and punt returner gives him at least one NFL skill.
Earl and Battles, while big boys at Minnesota State, don't seem to stand out much so they're going to need to find a way to catch a coach's eye.
It's tough for any Division II player to catch on with an NFL team, and the three Mavericks surely have a tough road ahead of them. But their chances are better now than they were before they were invited to this tryout camp.
The first thing you notice is that it's tough to tell them apart from the others who were on the field. That can be a good thing, given that the former Mavericks look the part, but it's also a negative, meaning that it's very hard to stand out.
The practice consisted of the Vikings draft picks and some priority free agents, then a whole lot of filler. Given that the Mavericks were not listed on the team's roster speaks to the uphill nature of their task.
Rodgers, who also will participate in the Baltimore Ravens camp next week, probably has the best chance of the three to stick somewhere. His speed is top-flight, and his ability as a kick and punt returner gives him at least one NFL skill.
Earl and Battles, while big boys at Minnesota State, don't seem to stand out much so they're going to need to find a way to catch a coach's eye.
It's tough for any Division II player to catch on with an NFL team, and the three Mavericks surely have a tough road ahead of them. But their chances are better now than they were before they were invited to this tryout camp.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Two more Mavericks get pro tryout
Add Kelvin Rodgers and Adrian Battles to the growing list of Minnesota State football players who will get tryouts with professional teams.
Rodgers and Battles will attend the Minnesota Vikings' rookie camp, which runs Friday through Sunday at Winter Park.
Rodgers, a cornerback, is more known for his return skills, having scored on seven punt or kickoff returns in his Mavericks' career. His speed and explosiveness could catch the eye of a professional team.
Battles, a tackle, started 43 of 46 career games at Minnesota State. The 310-pounder was consistent throughout his days at Minnesota State, which could be something that interests an NFL team.
Saty tuned for a story in the print edition later this week or weekend.
Defensive tackle Junior Aumavae, who played just one season at Minnesota State after transferring from Western Washington, was signed as a priority free agent by the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the conclusion of Saturday's NFL Draft and will report to rookie camp Wednesday. A priority free agent means he's more likely to get invited to training camp later this summer.
There's been no news on defensive end Randy Earl, who also could get invited to an NFL rookie camp.
Rodgers and Battles will attend the Minnesota Vikings' rookie camp, which runs Friday through Sunday at Winter Park.
Rodgers, a cornerback, is more known for his return skills, having scored on seven punt or kickoff returns in his Mavericks' career. His speed and explosiveness could catch the eye of a professional team.
Battles, a tackle, started 43 of 46 career games at Minnesota State. The 310-pounder was consistent throughout his days at Minnesota State, which could be something that interests an NFL team.
Saty tuned for a story in the print edition later this week or weekend.
Defensive tackle Junior Aumavae, who played just one season at Minnesota State after transferring from Western Washington, was signed as a priority free agent by the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the conclusion of Saturday's NFL Draft and will report to rookie camp Wednesday. A priority free agent means he's more likely to get invited to training camp later this summer.
There's been no news on defensive end Randy Earl, who also could get invited to an NFL rookie camp.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Former Mavericks DT signed by Cowboys
Former Minnesota State defensive tackle Junior Aumavae has signed a free-agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Watching the NFL Draft with his family at their Alaska home, Aumavae said he took a call from Cowboys, who were considering using their seventh-round draft choice on him, but they took another defensive tackle, which discouraged the former Mavericks player.
Aumavae played in 11 games last season and started nine, making 11 tackles with 14 assists with a half-sack and forced fumble.
Former Minnesota State cornerback Kelvin Rodgers and defensive end Randy Earl had also been told they might be drafted but weren't. Both could sign free-agent deals this week.
For more, see Sunday's print edition.
Watching the NFL Draft with his family at their Alaska home, Aumavae said he took a call from Cowboys, who were considering using their seventh-round draft choice on him, but they took another defensive tackle, which discouraged the former Mavericks player.
Aumavae played in 11 games last season and started nine, making 11 tackles with 14 assists with a half-sack and forced fumble.
Former Minnesota State cornerback Kelvin Rodgers and defensive end Randy Earl had also been told they might be drafted but weren't. Both could sign free-agent deals this week.
For more, see Sunday's print edition.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Teachout ready to take the field at MSU
Talked with Minnesota State freshman quarterback Ray Teachout today, and the former Mankato West standout is getting excited for the upcoming football season.
Last fall, Teachout was redshirted, trying to get stronger while learning the playbook and opposing defenses. It appears he's going to end the spring-practice period as the primary backup to senior Steve Pachan, though there will be plays put in the offense to take advantage of Teachout's athleticism.
You might see Teachout lining up at receiver or on defense or as a punt returner. Coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout's skills are special and need to be utilized.
You can get a look at Teachout when the Mavericks host their annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The event is free and open to the public.
For more on Teachout, grab Sunday's print edition.
Last fall, Teachout was redshirted, trying to get stronger while learning the playbook and opposing defenses. It appears he's going to end the spring-practice period as the primary backup to senior Steve Pachan, though there will be plays put in the offense to take advantage of Teachout's athleticism.
You might see Teachout lining up at receiver or on defense or as a punt returner. Coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout's skills are special and need to be utilized.
You can get a look at Teachout when the Mavericks host their annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The event is free and open to the public.
For more on Teachout, grab Sunday's print edition.
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