Notes and Observations from Louisville's Third Open Spring Practice of 2024

Here is our notebook of everything that transpired during the third of six open practices for Louisville football's spring ball.

Louisville Football's Third Open Practice / Matthew McGavic - Louisville Report

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Spring ball is quickly approaching the halfway point for the Louisville football program. The Cardinals are now two weeks into their over month-long spring practice, with six of their 15 sessions already in the books.

Their sixth practice, which took place on Friday, was the third of six practices that were open to both the fans and media. Like we were for open practice No. 1 and 2, Louisville Report was there for it all to watch the third open practice of spring ball.

Related: Notes and Observations from Louisville's First Spring Practice of 2024

Also: Notes and Observations from Louisville's Second Open Spring Practice of 2024

Below is our notebook of the more notable happenings that transpired during the afternoon:

• Like the other two open practices, while the majority of the players were warming up, the special teams players got a lot of their action in - specifically the placekickers. With this practice being outside and slightly windy, this was my first real chance of spring to see some of good kicking reps. Cooper Ranvier went 1/2 (although I'm fairly certain someone got a finger on the miss), Nick Keller was a perfect 2/2 and Brock Travelstead was 1/2. Something to watch as camp goes on.
• During the individual periods, I wanted to spend this time watching the offensive lineman since is this the group I have paid attention to the least so far through camp. In the start of this period, the OL was split into two groups: guards and centers working on interior downfield run blocking, and the tackles and tight ends working on off-tackle run blocking. It wasn't a super long segment, but it seemed like both units got good work in.
• After that, they moved to a segment where the entire offensive line worked with the running backs on pulling concepts. Guys like Lance Robinson, Michael Gonzalez and Trevonte Sylvester moved really well across the line of scrimmage on these reps. The first-teamers here, and throughout most of practice, were (from left to right): Monroe Mills, Gonzalez, Pete Nygra, Robinson and Jonathan Mendoza.
• I did watch a couple other drills from other positions before it shifted into the main periods. I watched the running backs running the gauntlet, and to no one's surprise, Peny Boone sliced through that machine like it was nothing. There was also a drill between the linebackers and RBs that worked on the pass blocking for the latter. Of course, the linebackers won more often than not, but the backers who looked the best here were T.J. Quinn, Stanquan Clark and T.J. Capers. The running back who actually held up their own the most here was Keyjuan Brown.
• After this, nearly the entire practice was some form of 11-on-11. While the offense argaubly looked the best over the first two open practices, the defense was the better unit today without question. Whether it was at the line of scrimmage or on the back end, they disrupted plays all afternoon long. While the quarterbacks were up-and-down all day because of it, the one who I believed had much more bad reps than good was Brady Allen.
• The defense set the tone early in the first 11-on-11, loading up the box and blitzing on many of their first reps of the day. Jaylin Alderman had what would have been a couple of free hits on the QB on middle blitzes, and Stanquan Clark was flying all over place any time he got on the field. Even the running backs had trouble really getting going early on, and throughout most of the afternoon. Wesley Walker had a leaping PBU on the very first rep of the period, Tayon Holloway got a sideline interception off of Tyler Shough, and Tamarion McDonald had a leaping pick over the middle off of Brady Allen.
• Of course, there were some bright spots from the offense in this period. There were some reps where Shough really put on display his ability to stand in the pocket and go through his reads, he had a nice flip pass to Maurice Turner, and Antonio Meeks made a couple plays during this period. Towards the end, there was a heavy emphasis on designed runs from the quarterbacks. Because of his first step quickness and overall shiftiness, it's no surprise that Pierce Clarkson looked was the best runner on the day from this group.
• Something I picked up on early is that it seemed like the quarterbacks were at times toying with their pre-snap cadence in an attempt to get the defense to jump. They were successful a handful of times, so it's good to see them mixing up the calls.
• After this period, they moved the line of scrimmage up several yards for a brief red zone 11-on-11 period. Someone who really shined here was Jadon Thompson, who caught two touchdowns during this roughly 5- to 10-minute period. One was from Harrison Bailey in the corner of the end zone, and another was from Clarkson in the back of the end zone. However, like in the previous period, the defense looked the best here. Aaron Williams had a really impressive pass break up in the end zone, while T.J. Quinn was able to shoot a gap for a quick would-be sack.
• Before shifting to the final 11-on-11 of the day, they got in some punting/punt returner work for about five minutes. This is who was lining up to return punts, in order: Quincy Riley, Jimmy Calloway, Caullin Lacy, Ja'Corey Brooks, Jadon Thompson and then Isaac Brown.
• Like in the very first 11-on-11 of the day, the defense set the tone early in the final one. The front seven was flying to the ball with regularity, and the offensive line - regardless of which unit was in - seemed to have their hands full. Tawfiq Thomas had a would-be sack early on. T.J. Capers blew up a double-reverse trick play. Ashton Gillotte blew up a speed option. D'Angelo Hutchinson had an incredible diving interception in the corner of the end zone. Benjamin Perry disguised a blitz off the edge. Stanquan Clark had a good pursuit angle and closing speed on a drag route by Nate Kurisky. There were plays made by that side everywhere.
• Again, Jadon Thompson was someone who shined for the offense in the final period. He made a few plays through the air, including another red zone touchdown in the back of the end zone.
• While the running backs were almost immediately met by a linebacker any time they got past the offensive line, Boone did have a nice bulldoze and spin for what would have been a touchdown.
• Someone I'm going to try and watch for the rest of spring is Trent Carter. The true freshman linebacker was in the mix on a handful of plays, and seems to start to be settling in.

(Photo via Matthew McGavic - Louisville Report)

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