NORMAL, Ill. – When spring competition seasons came crashing to a halt last March, the much-anticipated Redbird football spring camps workouts were cancelled and several months of uncertainty followed for ISU head coach Brock Spack and his program. However, as players returned over the summer to work in the weight room and condition on the field, the light at the end of the tunnel could be seen.
For the first time since December, the entire Redbird football team gathered together for practice on Thursday morning at Hancock Stadium for its first workout of fall training in preparation for the 2020 football season. The team enjoyed cool summer morning temperatures and bright skies as it rolled through a crisp hour and thirty-minute practice.
Practice Highlights:
• The team had outstanding weather for the first day of fall training camp, as the offensive and defensive units took the field in helmets only during the NCAA-mandated acclimation period.
• Coaches and support staff donned masks or face shields, while student-athletes adhered to social distancing protocols when not in action while equipment was frequently sanitized after use.
• Practice opened with a stretch before the team broke off into position groups to run through individual drills.
• After the individual period, the focus shifted to the first of two 7-on-7 sessions … the first and second team units took one half of the field, while the third and fourth team squads, led by Britton Morris and Jack Baltz worked on the opposite half of the turf.
• Both Brady Davis and Bryce Jefferson were 2-for-4 in the first 7-on-7 session ... Davis found Taylor Grimes and Austin Nagel for completions, while Jefferson connected with Jabari Khepera and Tanner Taula.
• In the blitz drill, the pass protection was put to the test and Davis and the offense fared well against the pressure, committing no turnovers and not taking a sack … Nagel and Nigel White were on the receiving end of Davis' throws during the quick period.
• Davis and Jefferson were each 4-for-8 in the second 7-on-7 session … Grimes, Jalen Carr, and Stephen Halusan each hauled in a pair of passes during the period, with Nagel and Kacper Rutkiewicz also tallying a catch apiece.
• The defense forced tight windows for the Redbird QBs to throw into throughout the session, as Trenton Hatfield was credited with a pass breakup, negating a potential touchdown pass from Davis to Tristan Bailey.
• The high-energy team period closed things out, featuring bright spots all around the field … Clayton Isbell had the first defensive highlight of the session, forcing a whistle in the backfield after disrupting a running play … Dylan Draka was credited with a sack coming off the edge and Devin Taylor batted down a pass in the backfield after blitzing off the left side of the offensive line … to close out the defensive highlights, Peyton Jones picked off an overthrown pass 30 yards down the middle of the field.
• Offensively in the team period, Davis showed off his downfield passing ability throughout completing a 20-yard sideline route to Robert Gillum and connecting on a 30-yard pass to Nagel that may have gone for a TD had the whistle not blown the play dead following the reception … the final play of the session was a deep dime from Davis 45 yards down the right sideline into Carr's outstretched hands.
Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"Things were a bit rusty as you would expect after not having any 11-on-11 time since December. However, I thought the guys picked up right where they left off and they were very impressive with their approach. There were very few mistakes out there, not too many dropped balls or balls on the ground, and very few pre-snap penalties which you kind of expect early in camp. They look like they really love being together and playing this game and that was great to see after being apart for so long."
Up Next:
The Redbirds return to the field Friday at 8:55 a.m. for practice No. 2. For updates, photos, and video from 2020 Redbird Football Fall Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.
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