Baylor Bear Insider
While the spotlight continues to shine brightest on Baylor's quarterback battle between Gerry Bohanon and Blake Shapen, one of the best stories of spring football has been the return to play of sixth-year receiver Gavin Holmes and fifth-year running back Craig "Sqwirl" Williams.
Holmes is the only real veteran in the receiver room with 46 career catches for 410 yards and three touchdowns, but has had two ACL injuries and missed three of the last four seasons. On Saturday, the 5-foot-11, 207-pound receiver actually played in his first Green & Gold Game at McLane Stadium.
"I feel really blessed, and I'm soaking it all in like I'm a freshman again," said Holmes, who caught a pass from Shapen on the Green team's second series. "It's fun to go out there and play."
Third-year head coach Dave Aranda, whose daughter had an ACL surgery, said "you take for granted being healthy."
"When you're injured, things like walking across the room, using the restroom, using the shower, any of those things are like major things," Aranda said after the Green team's 28-16 win over the Gold.
"It's so much more mental than physical. Sure, there's pain, there's rehab and all of it. But, when your confidence is shaken and your identity is in conflict, you're in a pit and it's dark down there. When you fight your way out of the pit, there's a vulnerability that has to be addressed."
Part of the team's leadership council, Holmes has a "lot of responsibility because of his veteran status." But, in his first year in offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes' system, "he's still trying to figure it out."
"I love playing in this offense," said Holmes, who's battling for a starting position with Seth Jones, Josh Cameron, Monaray Baldwin and Javon Gipson. "There are always new formations, new ways to line up in the formations. I really like the diversity of the offense. It's fun to be in, because there are so many spots where you can go make plays. You can make two different plays look the same. That's what makes our offense so dynamic."
After Williams appeared in just two games last season while battling through injuries of his own, Grimes and the offensive staff are getting their first real look at the 5-8, 173-pound running back. The team's leading rusher two years ago, he suffered a torn ACL and MCL midway through the season in a game at Iowa State.
On Saturday, he scored on touchdown runs of four and eight yards in back-to-back series for the Green and shared the load with junior Taye McWilliams.
"One of the hard things with Sqwirl being injured last year and a new offensive staff, you're struggling because you're not involved," Aranda said. "You're in it, but you're not. The team's winning, and you want to feel part of it, but you're on the outside of it. So, I think there can be emotions and good days and bad days."
Since he had seen flashes from Williams in that 2020 season, Aranda remembers trying to communicate to Grimes and the rest of the offensive staff "that Sqwirl is our most electric guy."
As the NFL Combine showed this year with Tyquan Thornton and Kalon "Boogie" Barnes turning heads with their 40-yard dash times. But really, Aranda said, "Sqwirl is as electric as anyone."
"Our offensive staff had never seen it. They've just seen someone struggling being injured," Aranda said. "From the player's perspective, it's just another thing they have to battle. . . . So, I think for them to continue to build offensively, and for them to build packages and roles for him, it's way cool seeing it all come together. We're hoping Sqwirl has the kind of season we all want him to have."
The battle for the starting QB job between Bohanon and Shapen has been "back and forth" throughout the spring, Aranda said, but "I do want to be able to make a decision."
"We've got one-on-one meetings, we'll meet with everyone on the team starting Monday," he said. "So, when we get to the quarterbacks, well review this film and talk with coaches, Grimes and (quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell), for sure, and we'd like to make a decision.
"It's been a strong competition, and I think the fight with these guys, I've been impressed. The way that they've handled the fight is probably the most impressive thing."
Shapen was a spark in Saturday's scrimmage, leading the Green to three of its four touchdowns and throwing TD passes of seven yards to Cameron and 50 yards to Baldwin.
The defense had its moments as well, none bigger than sixth-year senior linebacker Bryson Jackson intercepting a deflected Bohanon pass and returning it 93 yards for a touchdown.
"It was a (bootleg)," Jackson said. "I dropped to the hash and had the receiver coming to the back side. When he came to the flat, I picked him up. He tried to look before catching the ball. I saw it and grabbed it and did the best I could to get some yards and make a play."
Jackson was lined up at inside linebacker for the Gold on that play, but he has played some at the outside JACK linebacker as well.
"It's just a vision thing, I see so much," said Jackson, who had two interceptions in the 21-7 Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss. "At this point, I know a lot about defense and a lot about offense. That was in the process, in the journey, for me since I've been here. Being able to help as uch as I can is important. And I feel like with my athletic ability and speed, I can be a viable piece if I just buy in and do the simple things better."
After wrapping up spring drills, the Bears will begin offseason summer workouts and open fall camp in August for the Sept. 3 season opener at home against Albany.
"Anytime we've asked them to get something done, they've knocked it out," Aranda said. "I'm proud of this team. There is still a lot of growth to take place. But, I think we're on the right track, and I think we've identified the right fights to fight."
"back" - Google News
April 25, 2022 at 12:59AM
https://ift.tt/KbGf4zY
BACK ON THE FIELD - BaylorBears.com
"back" - Google News
https://ift.tt/7Bj3XEI
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "BACK ON THE FIELD - BaylorBears.com"
Post a Comment