Behind the Mic

One Week in Rantoul Down...One to Go

Posted by: Brian Barnhart

Friday, August 14, 2009 4:22 PM

Ron Zook's Illini have nearly completed their first week at Camp Rantoul. 

By all indications...things have run pretty smoothly this first week.  I do think that it helps to have an experienced team that understands what the coaching staff wants done and can help the younger guys get "up to speed".

Juice Williams looks to me...and acts like...a senior quarterback.  Nice touch on his passes (I saw very few passes dropped by anyone at Wednesday night's practice...no matter who the quarterback was)....and he looks like someone who is enjoying his last go-around at Camp Rantoul.

It is apparent that freshman running back Justin Green of Louisville is probably the fastest guy on the team...and I hope he gets a  chance to show what he can do this year (how about kickoff returns?) We should learn more about what the coaches are thinking about that topic on Saturday night in Rantoul.

A couple of other early observations: Punt returns are being handled in Rantoul right now by Jarred Fayson....Dere Hicks and freshman Terry Hawthorne.  Hawthorne (E.St. Louis) is a lanky reciever that is wearing the "protected" red jersey but is still able to catch passes and punts with a heavily taped hand after breaking his hand twice in the last year.  He recently had a plate inserted but is progressing quite nicely.

Backup quarterback Jacob Charest has an unusual arm delivery when he throws the football...but he is very accurate with it.  It will be interesting to watch the quarterback battle that ensues over the next couple of years between Charest and true freshman Nathan Scheelhaase once the Juice Williams-Eddie McGee era is over after 2010.

Dont forget...we will carry Saturday night's scrimmage from Rantoul Township High School starting at 6:30 pm on WDWS.  Bring your radio along.... and Steve Kelly, Loren Tate and I  will try to help you sort out all the names and numbers down on the field.

If you cant make it to Rantoul...or  wont be able to  hear the radio broadcast live...the podcast of the game will be available afterward on IlliniHQ.com.

 

 

 

Comments

Be the first to share your opinion!