First Practice Brings Out Areas of Growth to Open Bobcat Football Fall Camp
8/3/2018 4:34:00 PM | Football
The MSU football team participated in full-team activities in helmets for the first time ahead of the 2018 season and the energy was evident from the start. Choate noted the Bobcats’ drive from the start of the morning and hinted that even the coaches were “juiced” up to be out on the field after a long summer waiting for the calendar to flip to August.
BOZEMAN, Mont. –Montana State head football coach Jeff Choate was excited to hear a question following the Bobcats' first practice of fall camp. It was one that hadn't crossed his mind yet moments after wrapping things up on the Dyche practice fields on Friday.
"Who's one guy that's really jumped from last season to this year?"
Coach Choate couldn't just point out one Bobcat.
"That's a really good question," Choate said. "I think I've seen growth in a lot of guys, I really have."
It's a sign of where this team is now in Choate's third year at the helm of the program.
The MSU football team participated in full-team activities in helmets for the first time ahead of the 2018 season and the energy was evident from the start. Choate noted the Bobcats' drive from the start of the morning and hinted that even the coaches were "juiced" up to be out on the field after a long summer waiting for the calendar to flip to August. As the team's initial energy died down and fundamental work came into play as practice wore on, Choate said he began to see really good flashes on both sides of the ball.
Arguably Montana State's most consistent side was the defense a year ago. Things may have even got better heading into 2018.
Choate recognized the athleticism in the secondary, length at linebacker and experience on the defensive line as positive signs that they're already moving in the right direction.
"I think we're pretty good on defense," Choate said. "I think at times we've over the last two years, we're sound, we did what we had to do. But now we have more length, we have explosiveness on the edges of our defense, we have athleticism in the secondary. I think we're very good from tackle to tackle with our interior guys."
The skill positions stood out to Choate before review of the film on day one.
Competition is going to be heated for the guys on the receiving end of passes this fall. Junior Kevin Kassis has asserted himself as a leader for the offense. While there may not be as much experience beyond Kassis, Choate recognized the options the Bobcats have to work with at wide receiver.
Willie Patterson and Coy Steel both made plays on a consistent basis for the offense. Maleek Barkley, Davine Tullis, Mekhi Metcalf, Koby Duru, Logan Kleinhans and Mark Estes were all guys Choate noted seeing good things from on Friday. It's a position that will have plenty of intrigue in Fall Camp over the next few weeks.
"Even though we lost Jabarri (Johnson) and an unbelievable leader like Mitch (Herbert), I think this is the most talented group we've had since I've been here," Choate said.
The running back position will be one that's depended on throughout the upcoming season. After having full workload guys in Chad Newell, Gunnar Brekke and Nick Lasane the last two years, the Bobcats will have plenty of options vying for time in the backfield.
A variety of running backs took reps throughout the first day of practices and Choate said there were a lot of positives. The MSU head coach pointed out freshman Isaiah Ifanse jumped out to him, as well as Tyrel Burgess who had been switched back to a natural position for him.
Several Bobcats were highlighted on MSU's defense.
Choate expressed the depth of the Bobcat linebacking core and the positives to the different bodies that will make up that core. The length of MSU's linebackers is something that's stood out, with athletes like Daniel Hardy and Jacob Hadley providing rangy options. Others that have shown explosive aspects include Kyle Finch, Bryce Sterk and Dante Sparaco, who will play roles on the edges. Balue Chapman is a guy that has similar characteristics to former Bobcat Mac Bignell and made some big plays to open camp.
Those options working behind the Bobcat defensive line allowed a player like Brayden Konkel to move back to safety. Choate said, among other things, even at linebacker last year that he was counted on to make plays.
"I think he's a pretty good football player," Choate said. "I think he's one of the more underrated players in this league as a defensive player. Wherever we put him on the field, he's going to have an impact."
The Bobcats are set to have 17 practices during their Fall Camp lineup before they get into game week preparations. During that set of practices, Choate said he expects to accomplish a lot more this August compared to any of his prior years, thanks to the make-up of the team that's developed under his watch.
"It's easier to get work done," Choate said of this year's opening practice. "That's probably the biggest difference. We have a lot more guys that know where they're going, so we can get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time. We weren't out here that long today for a first practice, but we got a ton of reps and dudes were gassed and they were going the whole time.
"That's the point of it. That's the way football is played. It's up-tempo, there are a lot of transitions, and that's what we try to replicate in practice. It's a lot easier when you have a lot of experienced guys."
"Who's one guy that's really jumped from last season to this year?"
Coach Choate couldn't just point out one Bobcat.
"That's a really good question," Choate said. "I think I've seen growth in a lot of guys, I really have."
It's a sign of where this team is now in Choate's third year at the helm of the program.
The MSU football team participated in full-team activities in helmets for the first time ahead of the 2018 season and the energy was evident from the start. Choate noted the Bobcats' drive from the start of the morning and hinted that even the coaches were "juiced" up to be out on the field after a long summer waiting for the calendar to flip to August. As the team's initial energy died down and fundamental work came into play as practice wore on, Choate said he began to see really good flashes on both sides of the ball.
Arguably Montana State's most consistent side was the defense a year ago. Things may have even got better heading into 2018.
Choate recognized the athleticism in the secondary, length at linebacker and experience on the defensive line as positive signs that they're already moving in the right direction.
"I think we're pretty good on defense," Choate said. "I think at times we've over the last two years, we're sound, we did what we had to do. But now we have more length, we have explosiveness on the edges of our defense, we have athleticism in the secondary. I think we're very good from tackle to tackle with our interior guys."
The skill positions stood out to Choate before review of the film on day one.
Competition is going to be heated for the guys on the receiving end of passes this fall. Junior Kevin Kassis has asserted himself as a leader for the offense. While there may not be as much experience beyond Kassis, Choate recognized the options the Bobcats have to work with at wide receiver.
Willie Patterson and Coy Steel both made plays on a consistent basis for the offense. Maleek Barkley, Davine Tullis, Mekhi Metcalf, Koby Duru, Logan Kleinhans and Mark Estes were all guys Choate noted seeing good things from on Friday. It's a position that will have plenty of intrigue in Fall Camp over the next few weeks.
"Even though we lost Jabarri (Johnson) and an unbelievable leader like Mitch (Herbert), I think this is the most talented group we've had since I've been here," Choate said.
The running back position will be one that's depended on throughout the upcoming season. After having full workload guys in Chad Newell, Gunnar Brekke and Nick Lasane the last two years, the Bobcats will have plenty of options vying for time in the backfield.
A variety of running backs took reps throughout the first day of practices and Choate said there were a lot of positives. The MSU head coach pointed out freshman Isaiah Ifanse jumped out to him, as well as Tyrel Burgess who had been switched back to a natural position for him.
Several Bobcats were highlighted on MSU's defense.
Choate expressed the depth of the Bobcat linebacking core and the positives to the different bodies that will make up that core. The length of MSU's linebackers is something that's stood out, with athletes like Daniel Hardy and Jacob Hadley providing rangy options. Others that have shown explosive aspects include Kyle Finch, Bryce Sterk and Dante Sparaco, who will play roles on the edges. Balue Chapman is a guy that has similar characteristics to former Bobcat Mac Bignell and made some big plays to open camp.
Those options working behind the Bobcat defensive line allowed a player like Brayden Konkel to move back to safety. Choate said, among other things, even at linebacker last year that he was counted on to make plays.
"I think he's a pretty good football player," Choate said. "I think he's one of the more underrated players in this league as a defensive player. Wherever we put him on the field, he's going to have an impact."
The Bobcats are set to have 17 practices during their Fall Camp lineup before they get into game week preparations. During that set of practices, Choate said he expects to accomplish a lot more this August compared to any of his prior years, thanks to the make-up of the team that's developed under his watch.
"It's easier to get work done," Choate said of this year's opening practice. "That's probably the biggest difference. We have a lot more guys that know where they're going, so we can get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time. We weren't out here that long today for a first practice, but we got a ton of reps and dudes were gassed and they were going the whole time.
"That's the point of it. That's the way football is played. It's up-tempo, there are a lot of transitions, and that's what we try to replicate in practice. It's a lot easier when you have a lot of experienced guys."
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