The 2017 Oregon football team held the first practice of the season as fans and media watched its every move. There were no pads, just helmets, and it was primarily individual drills focusing on fundamentals.
The freshman, with some exceptions, were split into a separate practice before the rest of the team. Tuesday’s practice will follow the same formula, but the team will practice as one on Wednesday.
“It just gives the freshman an opportunity to get some reps,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “When you bring them in there with all the guys they don’t get as many reps. You don’t get a chance to coach them up close as well as you want to.”
After the individual drills, the team broke into offense versus defense drills.
It started with a one-on-one drill between wide receivers and the secondary, with quarterbacks Justin Herbert and freshman Braxton Burmeister rotating throughout.
Senior Charles Nelson looked crisp and made separation on his routes. Sophomore Dillon Mitchell, who could be a breakout star this season, had the most notable catch of the day when he snared a Herbert pass out of the air over junior cornerback Ugo Amadi for a touchdown.
Freshmen Alfonso Cobb and Darrian McNeal also ran good routes. The two newcomers may see lots of action this season with the wide receiver position lacking depth.
The secondary made plays as well. Safety Brenden Schooler dropped a possible interception, to which defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt yelled at him to do 10 push-ups because of the “M-O-P,” which stands for missed opportunity.
Schooler made up for his mistake by snagging an interception one play later. Senior Arrion Springs, freshman Thomas Graham and Amadi had quality pass breakups as well. Amadi intercepted Herbert on a play that, if in a game, could have gone for a pick-six.
The goal of Oregon’s first practice was to get as many reps as possible and hustle through camp. It was about speed.
“It was great,” Taggart said. “Guys came out and competed. A lot of our players got a lot of reps.”
Taggart continued: “It was night and day compared to when we started in the spring. We didn’t have to do much teaching with alignments and assignments.”
The offensive line did drills in groups of five, and one group consisted of what would be the starters.
Senior Tyrell Crosby was at left tackle and sophomore Calvin Throckmorton was at right tackle. Senior Evan Voeller and sophomore Shane Lemieux were the guards. Sophomore Jake Hanson was at center.
For the final 20 minutes, the Ducks held a mini-scrimmage. The first defensive unit that took the field looked like the possible front-runners for their positions.
Jordon Scott, Elijah George and Henry Mondeaux were the defensive lineman.
Jonah Moi and La’Mar Winston were the outside linebackers while Troy Dye and A.J. Hotchkins were on the inside.
Arrion Springs and Thomas Graham were the corners while Tyree Robinson and Khalil Oliver were the safeties.
Tuesday’s practice will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex and is open to fans.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917