Wake Forest Athletics
Fall Camp Check-In: Warren Ruggiero and Dave Clawson
8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 17, 2016
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
What did you see today?
(Clawson) It's hot out there and we're not wilting. The guys are working through it and they're getting good practices and good repetitions. We're getting a look at a lot of things we need to see. So far I'm really impressed with our team's ability to push through camp. I know the wall's closing in on them but they're not letting it overtake them; they're pushing through it really well.
You changed things up in post-practice conditioning, going inside McCreary Field House.
(Clawson) We have 2 ½ fields. Part of it is just the way we set up conditioning, it's hard to set that up while we're practicing. So the strength staff set all that up while we were out there so it wouldn't take 5 minutes setting it up. So it was more for logistics. We need to condition but we don't necessarily want them to wear out their legs so we set up with creative ways to condition and get their heart rate going without running them, which is why we did this.
We are seeing more reps from some players that we are not used to seeing, like DE Julian Jackson.
(Clawson) He's going to be a valuable guy on special teams. He has a knack for rushing the passer. Part of it in camp is who can stay healthy and keep going. Deep down we are a little short at end, so Julian's getting reps. He'll play on some packages for us. He's fighting his way onto the 2-deep.
What newcomers are being considered for playing time?
(Clawson) Essang Bassey at corner. Jessie Bates continues to flash every day at safety. At linebacker, Justin Strnad. (Nate) Mays has made good steps. Defensively, Willie Yarbary is certainly playing at a better level than he ever has. Chris Stewart yesterday had an excellent practice. At tight end, Devin Pike is playing at a level that he'll be able to play a lot more this year. Last year I don't know if we felt we could really sub him for Cam (Serigne). Jack Freudenthal has had an outstanding camp. At the wide receiver position we have 6 or 7 guys that can play, which is great. It allows us to stay healthy. It gives us depth. Nate Gilliam has really come on, too (on the offensive line). Matt Colburn has had a good camp. Those are guys who wouldn't have been in a 2-deep at the end of spring.
Matt Colburn has looked good since returning to practice after an injury.
(Clawson) He couldn't practice. At camp when you have 4-5 days off, you have fresh legs. He missed 4-5 practices... and those other guys were out there getting every single rep, so they get worn down a bit. Matt's got fresh legs. Sometimes it helps.
How nice was it to see Devin Pike back on the practice field today?
(Clawson) It was good. We were just overloading Jack (Freudenthal) with reps. With Cam, and Duke (Ejiofor), and Cameron Glenn, we're just trying to make sure when they come back that it's close to 100% and we're putting them out of risk of re-aggravating those things. We're being very cautious with them, because in our minds those are guys we know can play. They know the offense and they know the defense. It gives us time to develop a 2-deep.
So what did you see from the team bouncing back from a 2-a-day, did you get the energy and excitement that you were hoping to see?
(Clawson) Again, it's hot out there. One thing with turf, the heat kinda bounces back up, so that's why you guys are in here on couches, drinking pina coladas, and we're on the turf (joking).
Talk about how Josh Banks is playing.
(Clawson) He flashes. Tylor Harris flashed. He (Banks) has that ability. If he's the same player day in and day out, same preparation level week in, week out, I think he can be an all-conference player. I really do. Sometimes with those players, the old saying that potential means you haven't done anything yet. In his case, he has done some things. His ability can get him to where he played at, but there's still a gap. We're pushing to try to close that gap.
