Fresno Bee article [james bailey mention] 8/2915

Fresno State football notes: A sneak peek at depth chart for opener

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article32782872.html#storylink=cpy

There are no big surprises on the Fresno State Bulldogs’ offensive and defensive depth charts for their Sept. 3 opener against Abilene Christian.

This was going to be a young team and it is – there are 13 freshmen, including six true freshmen, in the two-deep along with 10 sophomores. And there was a chance that senior Bo Bonnheim could end up starting at guard instead of center, and at this point that is where he is listed with junior Jacob Vazquez listed as the starting center.

“Our thing is we wanted to get our best five football players there, and with what Jacob has done this fall camp he is one of our top five,”Coach Tim DeRuyter said. “He is a better center than he is a guard, and to get him and Bo on the field at the same time, having him play center and Bo play guard, it gets our best five out there. When Micah (St. Andrew) comes in Bo will slide back to center.”

The depth chart:

Offense

▪ QB: Zack Greenlee (6-1, 216, Soph.), Chason Virgil (6-1, 184, Fr.) or Ford Childress (6-5, 230, Jr.)

▪ RB: Marteze Waller (5-11, 215, Sr.), Malique Micenheimer (6-0, 243, Sr.) or Dustin Garrison 5-9, 181, Sr.)

▪ LT: Alex Fifita (6-4, 306, Sr.), David Patterson (6-4, 288, Soph.)

▪ LG: Aaron Mitchell (6-2, 300, Soph.), Jacob Hicks (6-4, 301, RSFr.)

▪ C: Jacob Vazquez (6-1, 287, Jr.), Donnie Greene (6-2, 283, Fr.)

▪ RG: Bo Bonnheim (6-2, 286, Sr.), Micah St. Andrew (6-3, 327, RSFr.)

▪ RT: Justin Northern (6-4, 290, Sr.), Zack Kinninger (6-5, 299, Fr.)

▪ TE: Chad Olsen (6-5, 236, Soph.), Kyle Riddering (6-4, 242, RSFr.)

▪ WR (X): KeeSean Johnson (6-1, 190, RSFr.), Darrell Fuery 5-11, 202, Soph.)

▪ WR (Z): Josiah Blandin (6-2, 214, Jr.), L.J. Reed (6-3, 230, Fr.)

▪ WR (Y): Justin Johnson (6-1, 213, Sr.), Michael Martens (6-2, 211, Jr.)

▪ WR (H): Jamire Jordan (5-10, 168, RSFr.), Keyan Williams (5-10, 194, RSFr.)

Defense

▪ DE: Claudell Louis (6-5, 294, Sr.), Nick Kristofors (6-3, 268, Jr.)

▪ NG: Nathan Madsen (6-4, 290, Soph.), Ryan Steele (6-0, 285, Soph.)

▪ DE: Todd Hunt (6-2, 271, Sr.), Kyle Hendrickson (6-4, 266, RSFr.)

▪ OLB: Ejiro Ederaine (6-2, 234, Sr.), James Bailey (6-1, 202, Fr.)

▪ MIKE: Kyrie Wilson 6-2, 243, Sr.), Nela Otukolo (5-11, 234, Fr.)

▪ WILL: Jeff Camilli (6-2, 255, Jr.), Robert Stanley (6-2, 234, Soph.)

▪ OLB: Tobenna Okeke (6-2, 237, Soph.) or Brandon Hughes (6-3, 223, Jr.)

▪ CB: Charles Washington (5-11, 197, Sr.) or Tyquwan Glass (5-11, 185, Jr.)

▪ SS: Dalen Jones (6-0, 201, Jr.) or Stratton Brown (6-2, 196, Jr.)

▪ FS: Shannon Edwards (5-10, 189, Sr.), Alan Wright (6-0, 186, Jr.)

▪ CB: Jamal Ellis (5-10 179, Jr.) or Malcolm Washington (6-2, 179, Soph.)

Special teams

▪ K: Kody Kroening (5-10, 150, Soph.) or Jimmy Camacho (5-10, 160, Soph.)

▪ KO: Jimmy Camacho, Garrett Swanson (6-0, 230, Sr.)

▪ P: Garrett Swanson, Blake Cusick (6-2, 175, Fr.)

▪ LS: Dylan Detwiler (6-1, 231, Sr.), Christian Samarzich (6-2, 220, Soph.)

▪ Holder: Garrett Swanson, Zack Green

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article32782872.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno Bee article, 8/28/15 [james bailey mention]

Bailey gets long look at DB

When the Bulldogs were in an 11-on-11 run drill on Thursday, freshman outside linebacker James Bailey got in a rep or two and then was sent to the other practice field.

He joined the defensive backs in a one-on-one drill against the wideouts.

“I’ll get a chance to pull those clips and teach the mechanics of covering a slot receiver,” outside linebackers coach Jordan Peterson said. “Whether it’s our zone pressure stuff or our man stuff, its similar footwork. The leverage and stuff is different. But he’s going to get a chance to go against some of the better receivers in our conference every day so it was good to get him over there to cover the slot.”

Bailey did play some strong safety at Lake Travis High in Austin, Texas, so the techniques are not foreign.

“He’s a pretty natural individual,” Peterson said. “He’s 210 pounds right now so he’s a bigger strong safety just naturally, which is perfect for us.

“But he’s so dynamic and he has done so many good things for us in fall camp that I think he’s going to bring some different things in different packages that we can utilize him in.”

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article32611242.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno Bee article, 8/26 [james bailey mention]

Hughes gaining as LB depth grows

Outside linebacker Brandon Hughes continued to get good reps after sitting out a good chunk of fall camp with a hamstring strain. He is in a catch-up mode, but sets up some interesting questions for the Bulldogs’ depth in the opener against Abilene Christian.

Senior Ejiro Ederaine and freshman James Bailey are at the top of the depth chart at the field outside linebacker position, and fourth-year junior Hughes and sophomore Tobenna Okeke are there playing the boundary outside linebacker spot. 

The Bulldogs also have situational options with Justin Green as a third-down pass rush specialist and converted defensive end Gabe Newman on first and second downs. Senior Kyrian Obidiegwu has had a strong camp as well and can play in any situation.

“It’s a good problem to have because you feel like there’s a bunch of names there,” defensive coordinator Nick Toth said. “It’s a little bit like corner where you are not playing guys because he’s the next guy up, you’re playing guys because he’s the next best guy.

“I think as a group, there’s not a huge fall off from No. 1 to No. 2. The difference between ’Dro and James Bailey, there’s not a lot of difference there other than the number of reps that one guy has got. The difference between Okeke and Brandon Hughes when he’s healthy, there’s a lot of continuity there. There’s just a lot of positives there.”

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article32508765.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno State Football, James Bailey going with his peewee number [#24] with the West Chester [Ohio] Outlaws

Once an Outlaw, always an Outlaw!!

James in the 4th grade before his first football game with his head coach, Anthony Edwards

Fresno Bee article, Freshman Redshirt List [james bailey mention]

Fresno Bee article, Freshman Redshirt List, 8/26/15

Freshmen to redshirt: Trevino, Northup, Bradley, Carter and Smith

Some decisions have been made regarding redshirts for freshmen – the staff has them broken down in three groups:

Those who are definitely playing this year, those who are definitely redshirting this year and those who are still under consideration to play either on offense or defense or on special teams.

Through fall camp it has been obvious that outside linebacker James Bailey, inside linebacker Nela Otukolo, outside receiver L.J. Reed and tight end Jared Rice will be playing this season, and DeRuyter said running back Wesley Hill also will not redshirt.

Those definitely taking a redshirt include offensive linemen Isaiah Trevino and Ben Northup, defensive linemen Mason Bradley and Jaleel Carter, and defensive back Jalen Smith.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article32411943.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno Bee Article August 18 [james bailey mentions, scroll to bottom to see 2nd mention]

Fresno State football notes: DB Jalen Smith needs season-ending surgery

Freshman had flashed in fall camp and had a chance to see the field this season
Smith is expected to be 100% for spring practices following shoulder clean up
Bulldogs have several true freshman competing to get on field; eight played last season

 

i

Practice No. 14 for the Bulldogs. agalaviz@fresnobee.com

By Robert Kuwada
rkuwada@fresnobee.com

Fresno Bee Article, August 18 2015

 

Fresno State defensive back Jalen Smith, who reported to fall camp as one of six to seven true freshmen with a chance to play his way onto the field, is headed for season-ending surgery to repair a pre-existing shoulder injury suffered in high school.

“I think for his long-term health, it’ll be an opportunity to redshirt and get in our developmental program, get that shoulder taken care of, so that when we come back in January he’ll be 100% ready to go and compete in the spring,” coach Tim DeRuyter said.

 

Smith will continue to practice this week and could get some reps in the Bulldogs’ second scrimmage of camp Thursday before undergoing the procedure on Friday, allowing him to get through the surgery and do some rehab work before classes start on Aug. 25.

But he has had a strong first camp with the Bulldogs – Smith made a nice interception in a team period on Monday, fighting through and beating a receiver to the football to pick off a pass by Ford Childress – and the Bulldogs feel good about the base he has been able to get the past two weeks. He got a chance to learn the defense, get on the field and make plays.

Everybody’s path is different depending on injuries and health. Right now for him, he’s going to get that cleaned up and then be ready to go for the spring time and he’ll have four solid years after that.
Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter, on freshman DB Jalen Smith

“We’ve been really encouraged by him,” DeRuyter said. “I think he probably would have had a shot to be on our travel squad. We had him as a backup on a lot of special teams, and you could see his trajectory going on a really good path where by the middle of the season he could have been a guy who was maybe starting on some of those special teams.”

While Smith will miss the season, the Bulldogs continued to get a number of true freshmen reps in practice on Monday with the No. 1 or No. 2 offenses and defenses.

Nela Otukolo is a solid No. 2 at Mike linebacker. James Bailey has taken reps with the ones and the twos at an outside linebacker spot. Mike Bell has played well at cornerback with senior Charles Washington and sophomore Malcolm Washington out with injuries. Jared Rice has worked his way up the depth chart at tight end and could play. L.J. Reed is competing for playing time as an outside receiver. And Chason Virgil, who graduated from high school early to enroll at Fresno State and participate in spring practices, is in the middle of the quarterback competition.

8 of 22 Number of freshman among first-year players in 2014 for Fresno State

After playing eight true freshmen among 22 first-year players last season, the Bulldogs appear likely to again have at least a few in the two-deep at the start of the season.

That has a downside – young players on the field are prone to mistakes – but it also is a positive for a staff that had few California recruiting ties when hired in 2011.

“Sometimes it takes a couple of years to get your legs under you as far as an entirely new staff, and it was several guys’ first time recruiting in the state of California and then seeing where we were going to make our base, which is California, and we put our foot firmly in the state of Texas to add to our classes,” running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Ron Antoine said.

“We’re established in the state, and then you’re looking for the best kids every year and everybody has to come out here and earn their spot. That’s Coach DeRuyter’s philosophy. No one is guaranteed to start. You have to come out and earn it every day. So those freshmen, if you take that to heart, they get here and say, ‘I have a chance to earn it.’ They have a chance to play.

Fresno State running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Ron Antoine

Fresno State has benefited, adding a number of players after national letter of intent singing day in its 2015 recruiting class and becoming more of an option for players. Recruiting rankings become superfluous fluff once players step foot on campus and start camp, but Fresno State had as many three-star high school recruits in 2015 as it did in 2012 and ’13 combined.

“Take a guy like Josiah (Blandin),” Antoine said. “His coach called us from Long Beach City College, Coach (Brett) Peabody, and he said, ‘Hey, my guy is going to be getting eligible here.’
“You might never know if someone doesn’t reach out and tell you. Same thing with Wesley Hill, who was a late guy for us. The coach at San Gorgonio (High) reached out to (outside receivers coach Joe Wade). He called and said he was going to make it, ‘do you have anything left?’ It’s good with those programs around the state, hopefully they’re thinking of us first.”

Washington drills Monday

Safety Charles Washington, who has been out since the third day of camp trying to strengthen the area around a core muscle injury that required surgery in the offseason, went through individual drills Monday.

RB’s focus on protection

The running backs went through a pass-protection drill, butting heads, shoulders, arms and legs against the inside and outside linebackers.

They won some, they lost some. But everyone in the group, running backs coach Ron Antoine said, had an area of improvement to focus on in protecting the quarterback.

“We’re getting better, but they all have things they have to work on,” he said. “Marteze (Waller) is trying to get his punch established. With Malique (MIcenheimer), it’s moving his feet. When you watch the drill, first you have to get in there and strike, next you have to move your feet because your feet are going to do the blocking. That’s what we were working on, striking, moving our feet and staying in front of the defender. We’ll continue to work on that and add stuff to it. Once I feel like they’re proficient at one, we’ll move on to the next thing. But first things first ... develop a punch.”

Dustin Garrison, the graduate transfer from West Virginia, didn’t do a lot of pass protection when in the Mountaineers’ program, but experience does add up over four years.

“He had to do some of it,” Antoine said. “I’ve seen Coach (Dana) Holgerson’s scheme before and listened to him talk and watched their tape, and they get the backs out quite a bit. It’s very similar to Mike Leach (at Washington State), where they’re putting five out in the route all the time or using four receivers and the fifth receiver being the back. But he had to protect some. You can tell because he gets up in there and strikes and he knows how to move. It’s good having a little bit of an older guy who has done it before.”

Also ...

▪ Senior wide out Aaron Peck, who had a great start to fall camp and is now out for the season with a left foot injury, is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday. “I’m going to have the surgery and from there, get with our training staff and work my butt off to come back,” he said. “I’ll be real top heavy for a long time, but I’m good, man. I’m in good spirits.”

▪ Ford Childress took care of the football in the second of double-day practices, but did not have a great start to the day. With the competition narrowed to three in redshirt sophomore Zack Greenlee, freshman Chason Virgil and Childress, the transfer quarterback threw three interceptions over the 7 and 7 and team periods. Freshman outside linebacker James Bailey got him in 7 on 7, then Smith and freshman safety Eric Wilson got him in team. “He’s a guy that’s learning the system and sometimes he reverts back to the timing of things at his previous institution and he just has to learn when things are going to open up in this,” DeRuyter said. “We have a set progression. I’d rather have him throw those interceptions and learn from them now than not go ahead and let it rip, and think you can do it in a game, and then pay that price.”
▪ DeRuyter did point out that on one of the interceptions Childress threw in the morning session the defense inadvertently had 12 men on the field, which obviously helps. “That’s tough when you have to face a six-man blitz and have six men back to cover,” DeRuyter joked.
▪ The Bulldogs ran situations mostly in the afternoon practice. The 2-minute segments were not the greatest. “A lot of teaching moments,” DeRuyter said. “I don’t know that we can do that drill enough. When we get a chance to come out, we’re going to continue to hit 2-minute situations. We’ve been good at it, traditionally. I like our X’s and O’s in it. We just have to be more efficient.”
▪ The red zone could use some work, too. Fresno State rushed for an average of just 2.4 yards on 86 plays inside an opponent’s 20-yard line, but the Bulldogs did complete 61.5% (32 of 52) passes there, including 16 of its 25 passing touchdowns. Fresno State ranked 11th of 12 in the conference in red-zone scoring percentage at 74.5%.
▪ The Mountain West logos on the field at Bulldog Stadium, which have been purple since the Bulldogs joined the conference in 2012, have been replaced. They are now red and white.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article31364453.html#storylink=cpy

GoBulldogs.com article [james bailey mention]

Fall Camp Heating Up
Aug. 17, 2015
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State football team was back out on the practice fields Monday morning after it had its first day off from fall camp on Sunday. The sun was shining and the thermostat was rising, inching closer to 100 degrees. With another practice scheduled for this afternoon, it will be the team’s first in triple digits during this year’s camp.

“This week we’re going to have a gut check with the weather and it’s going to be good for the guys,” head coach Tim DeRuyter said. “They got to learn what it’s like to strain. Groups of guys come together when they have to persevere through some tough times. A little heat doesn’t hurt anybody.”

The heat isn’t going away anytime soon, but with added depth throughout the Bulldogs’ roster this season, getting through it should not be difficult. The defense, particularly in the back seven, has seen a lot of competition with first-time players hungry to make an impact.

“I think we’re playing with a different edge than we played with last year,” DeRuyter noted. “When you have a bunch of young players or even first-time players, typically they don’t have the confidence or swagger to play. It’s the first time being out there so it’s hard to play at the top of your game when you question yourself. Everything is happening so fast.”

DeRuyter expects takeaways to go up this season as guys have been attacking the football, especially in the secondary from the likes of juniors Jamal Ellis, Dalen Jones, Stratton Brown and redshirt freshman Anthoula “Tank” Kelly. Monday’s practice saw three interceptions (James Bailey, Jalen Smith, Eric Wilson) and a pair of forced fumbles during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s.

Bailey, who was perfectly positioned on a slant route, is one of several first and second-year players making an impact this month. The linebackers have notably seen a pair of true freshmen in Bailey and Nela Otukolo making noise during camp.











“James Bailey is unbelievably ahead [for a true freshman],” said linebackers coach Jordan Peterson. “He had another INT today. He’s been making some big time plays as a true freshman. I’ve never seen anybody catch on to the system and put as much work into it. He really approaches the game like a pro.

“Nela is a stud. He’s going to be really good for us. It’s about that time in camp where all of the freshmen hit a mental wall as far as the calls mixing together, what technique is with what call, and a lot of those freshmen are doing a phenomenal job with putting the extra work in on their own when they get home and are staying on top of things.”

A class ahead of Bailey and Otukolo that have impressed Peterson this fall in the young group have been sophomores Justin Green, Tobenna Okeke and fourth-year junior Brandon Hughes. Along with veterans in Ejiro Ederaine and Kyrie Wilson, the Bulldogs look to have a very deep core in the heart of their defense.

“It’s giving us the luxury of going into things when we get to a pass situation, we can put two fresh guys on, which we’ve never had that luxury before. Guys just had to suck it up and go,” Peterson said of the added depth to the linebackers. “Now we’re going to be able to get new guys on the field, keep guys fresh throughout the game and split up the reps a little bit.”

With youth though can come mistakes. It happens, but with seniors like Ederaine and Wilson, the underclassmen have leaders to look up to. Ederaine has been the voice of the defense throughout camp, rallying guys after miscues, getting them ready for the next snap.

For Wilson, being vocal isn’t as much in his personality compared to his fellow senior, but he has been trying to step out of his comfort zone. “It’s a little bit different because usually I’m the type of person that shows by example or by just leading,” Wilson said of his shift in roles. “I’m not really a vocal person, but I’m getting in there, trying to be more vocal, and help out whoever needs help.”

The leadership has already been paying dividends as Wilson noted that the younger players are “picking up information faster and faster every day.” Between their ability to process what they learn in meeting rooms and display it on the field, and the veterans’ leadership, Wilson has the belief that they’ll be able to rotate, not just one or two players, but their entire their group during games come this fall.

1st Scrimmage Fresno Bee article [James Bailey mention at the bottom]

Fresno Bee article regarding 1st scrimmage, published 8/14/15

Coordinators concerned about consistency

Schramm and defensive coordinator Nick Toth both came away concerned with some inconsistent play after reviewing film of the first live scrimmage in camp, much of it from twos and threes.

“We just have to be more consistent,” Schramm said. “I was pleased we handled the cadence. We didn’t have too many procedural penalties, which is always good. We had some alignment issues that we have to get fixed, typical things that show up on the first day of scrimmages.”

There is a lot of tape to learn from, Schramm said, and work for the young inside and outside receivers’ groups that flashed potential in spots throughout the scrimmage.

“Inconsistent,” Schramm said. “Nothing too horrible. We have to block better. That has to continue to be a point of emphasis and it showed up again (Thursday) night. They’re young and they’re not sure, and it’s different when it’s game speed than it is at practice speed. They have to figure that out. Lining up right, a lot of times is going to dictate you’re not going to run the right route, you’re not going to be in the right spot that we practiced because you’re lined up too tight or too wide, whatever it might be. The quarterbacks have to handle that, too. The quarterback has to understand that, hey, if that guy is not lined up right you better get him lined up right before you get the ball snapped.

“I thought in our tempos at times we were so concerned about going fast that we weren’t poised enough to make the little adjustments that we need to make when you see the defense.”

Defensively, Toth was irked by the first series of the scrimmage when the No. 1 defense allowed the No. 1 offense and Zack Greenlee to convert three third-down plays into first downs, the last turning into a 50-yard touchdown scramble by the redshirt sophomore quarterback.

But Toth also was pleased by the response after it.

“I’m really pleased with our first 16 players. Our next 16 have a lot of growing to do,” Toth said. “I was happy with the way we responded, but we should have been off the field on that first third down. We had a 3rd-and-3 and missed a play two yards deep in the backfield and we have to make it. Then we get them in a 3rd-and-9 and we blow a blitz, we misfit it, we don’t contain to the boundary. So we get them to 3rd-and-9 again and really it’s not a good call, it’s not a third-down call I made. But we still should be able to get him down and it goes for 50 yards.

“The first series was frustrating because we had some chances to make some plays and we blew some assignments. The thing I liked was that the next six series in a row, I don’t think they had a first down. There were a lot of sacks, some takeaways. We were around that quarterback a lot.”

If there was a concern coming out of the scrimmage, it was with some of the younger players.

“You saw some big eyes, and that’s what I didn’t like from our twos,” Toth said. “We have a couple of freshmen and sophomores that are in that two group and they got in that stadium last night and there were people there and their eyes got really big. It wasn’t like practice any more. It was a game, and they reached a little bit. We have to grow up a little bit with those young guys, with our twos. I feel really good about our first 16, but I need our first 22, so we still have to grow a little bit.”

Also ...

▪ The Bulldogs practiced for about two hours on Friday morning, ending with a team period and the offense trying to work its way out from the 1-yard line. Greenlee, who had a solid scrimmage working against the Bulldogs’ blitzes, took the first series with the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense and again showed some poise when his play broke down. On the first snap, Greenlee lost the first read when it was taken away rather forcefully by outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine. But Greenlee stayed in the play and worked his way back to his second option, hitting redshirt freshman tight end Kyle Riddering for a 20-plus yard gain and a first down. 

▪ The four quarterbacks – Greenlee, redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson, freshman Chason Virgil and junior transfer Ford Childress – split reps evenly when the Bulldogs were in 7-on-7 periods.

▪ Virgil took the second run in that last team period and he also helped generate a first down. After a sketchy play on first down where Virgil was almost sacked in the end zone, Dustin Garrison picked up 2 yards and then busted through the defensive front for a big gain off a one read fake by the freshman quarterback.

▪ Mike linebacker Kyrie Wilson was excused from the practice to attend a wedding, with freshman Nela Otukolo taking his place with the No. 1 defense.

▪ Cornerbacks Charles Washington and Malcolm Washington remain out with lower body injuries, which obviously hurts an already thin position group. Washington is the only senior in the group, and just when it appeared the Bulldogs had worked past some inherited depth issues ... uh, no, they haven’t. “It’s football,” DeRuyter said. “Guys are going to get injured, there is always the unexpected and that’s why you have to have depth and when someone is out you have to do a good job developing those younger guys for their opportunities.”

▪ Junior Jamal Ellis has had a strong camp at one cornerback spot, and freshman Mike Bell, redshirt freshman Anthoula (Tank) Kelly and junior college transfer Tyquwan Glass have been getting a lot of extra reps at corner.

▪ Ellis, Toth said, had one of the better scrimmages on the defensive side of the ball. “He played really well,” Toth said. “Jamal Ellis made a great open-field tackle, did a really good job in man. He got beat on a heck of a catch in the end zone (by Da’Mari Scott), but competed his butt off. The kid made a good play, but fundamentally and technically, he was there.” Toth also singled out Wilson at Mike, defensive ends Todd Hunt and Claudell Louis, nose guard Nate Madsen and outside linebackers Ederaine and James Bailey.

▪ Senior Aaron Peck continued to have a strong fall camp, making a contested catch in a red zone team period over the freshman Bell for a 14-yard touchdown.

▪ Running back Marteze Waller, the Bulldogs’ leading rusher a year ago with 1,368 yards and 11 touchdowns, was held out of the scrimmage to guard against injury and has been held out of the live periods in practice. He has been in during team periods when the Bulldogs play to a thud, but, no surprise, he would prefer to be on the field all the time. “To tell you the truth, I’d rather be live because you get the feeling of it,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article31158935.html#storylink=cpy

Pre Scrimmage 1 fresno bee article [james bailey mention]

BY ROBERT KUWADA

rkuwada@fresnobee.com

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Fresno State will run about 100 plays in its scrimmage on Thursday night at Bulldog Stadium, driving competition through the first-, second- and third-team offenses and defenses to start to set its depth.

“We’d like to get everybody in, divide it up, 35 or so (plays) per unit,” coach Tim DeRuyter said. “We’ll work all four phases of the kicking game. We’re going to get a lot of good work so we can get it on film, get guys evaluated and see where we’re at.”

The quarterback play obviously will be a focus, with redshirt sophomore Zack Greenlee, redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson, freshman Chason Virgil and junior transfer Ford Childress in a four-way fray to take the first snaps Sept. 3 against Abilene Christian.

But there are position battles and some interesting decisions upcoming at a number of positions. Three freshmen on defense bear watching in the scrimmage – Mike linebacker Nela Otukolo, outside linebacker James Bailey and cornerback Mike Bell.

The defensive line is an area where the Bulldogs are looking to set their depth.

The outside receivers have flashed throughout camp – notably senior Aaron Peck and redshirt freshman KeeSean Johnson – but there is competition there as well.

Jacob Vazquez has been taking reps with the No. 1 offense at center, with starter Bo Bonnheim out after tweaking a hamstring. Are sophomore Aaron Mitchell and redshirt freshman Micah St. Andrew solidifying holds on the left and right guard spots in that three-way competition? Is redshirt freshman Jacob Hicks gaining ground?

Junior college transfer Patrick Belony has been taking his reps at nose guard from the third huddle, but is he at a point where he could take reps away from No. 2 Ryan Steele?

Otukolo took some reps in a brief practice on Thursday morning with the No. 1 defense and if he continues to progress as he has through the first week-and-a-half of camp could alter rotations at the inside linebacker spots. Senior Kyrie Wilson, the No. 1 Mike, started every game last season at Will, where junior Jeff Camilli has been taking his reps with the first unit.

Bailey, who was 180 pounds when he signed a national letter of intent in February and reported to camp at 202, also has moved up the depth chart quickly in camp.

And Bell has taken advantage of injuries to senior Charles Washington and sophomore Malcolm Washington to make an impression at corner.

Defensive line spots still ‘up for grabs’

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-football/article31039932.html#storylink=cpy

Pictures from week 1 of fall 2015 practice

Tuesday practice fresno bee [james bailey mention]

▪ The Bulldogs went live at the end of their morning practice, and freshman outside linebacker James Bailey turned in one of the better plays of the series, cutting down 243-pound running back Malique Micenheimer on a third-and-short play. One play later, Micenheimer again was hit when barrelling through the line, this time by inside linebacker Jeff Camilli. Camilli, though, took him on higher and the senior running back was able to push the pile forward.

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Monday practice fresno bee article [james bailey mention]

Freshman outside linebacker Bailey progressing

Freshmen continue to make an impression on defense, with Mike linebacker Nela Otukolo and cornerback Mike Bell getting a lot of reps.

On Monday, James Bailey was flashing off the edge at outside linebacker. The quarterbacks are protected in live periods, but he made a sack in the live period at the end of practice when he bolted off the edge and closed quickly on Anderson.

“He’s doing a good job,” defensive coordinator Nick Toth said of Bailey. “He’s just such a playmaker, so dynamic off the edge. He’s just a different type of guy, even than (Ederaine). Dro has some power in his game. James is more of a slasher. It’s good to watch him play. It’s hard because we’re out here on the field and I’m only watching flashes of him. I’m seeing him in the big picture. It’s not until I get into the meeting room that I get to detail it, how his progress is for the day.

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“But one thing I know is he plays hard every play and that sucker can run. You look at all of our freshmen, the newcomer class that we brought in, those guys can all fly. Every single one of them, they all fly and I think that’s going to give us a chance. A lot of those guys are going to play early.”

Fall Camp Insider Weekend Notes [james bailey mention]

Fall Camp Insider Weekend Notes

Monday at 9:30 PM

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So Saturday we got full access to the practice which is a rare occurrence. It was a lot to take in so feel free to ask me about any player or unit and it will probably draw something from my mind I forgot to include.

After the team did its typical drills we see, they went 7-on-7 and did some 11-on-11 situations and wrapped up with a 2-minute drill. Only Greenlee and Virgil led the two drives. 

- I have been impressed by (most of) the offense so far. The offensive line appears to be in decent standing, key receivers have been added while redshirt freshmen receivers are panning out and depth at running back behind Waller has been addressed somewhat. But I’m not sure how much of that matters if a QB doesn’t emerge.

- The quarterback play was quite underwhelming on Saturday at least. Each of the four seemed to have what step forward and then two steps back. I felt that Virgil was the most consistent from the sample size I got to see. He had a good connection with L.J. Reed and had some solid throws that turned into big plays. He also had some that sailed out of bounds. Greenlee had the two biggest passes, one to Peck who made an impressive catch and another to KeeSean Johnson for a TD. Then he under threw a receiver by about 10 yards right into the hands of Jamal Ellis (who dropped it) Anderson also had his ups and downs while Childress seemed to be shaking off the rust. The “simple” throws looked a little more effortless for him. 

- I still believe one or two QBs will emerge, but I think they need start narrowing it down and focus the reps to the leaders. I’m just not sure how you develop QBs at 25% reps per practice. 

- Spoke too soon on Michael Lazarus the other day. He’s working exclusively with the third team. He was suspended for all of the bowl practices and out all of spring with post-surgery rehab. He’s behind Stanley, Otukolo, Camilli and Ulutu all fighting for the second spot.

- Bonnheim was out both days with a hamstring tweak. Jacob Vasquez filled in at center. Donnie Green got second team reps at guard. Looks like Green is the next Aaron Mitchell type. I don’t see any of the other freshmen OL getting into the two-deep. Bobby Johnson and David Patterson are firmly on the second team. Kinninger is in good shape. Northup and Trevino both need to cut some weight. 

- KeeSean Johnson, Josiah Blandin, Aaron Peck, L.J. Reed, Keyan Williams, Jamire Jordan, Chad Olsen - These seven seem to be well ahead of the pack when it comes to receiving.

- Kyle Riddering looks a little bigger and like he might be able to be a factor on offense. 

- Dustin Garrison is a very smooth running back. He is quick and some of his moves are just effortless. You can tell pretty quickly that he is a level of player that typically goes power-5. We will see how he translates on offense. He doesn’t really fit the mold at 5-9.

- Nate Madsen will not be moving back to end or split reps at different positions. He will be 100% nose. Nick Kristophers has impressed early. Toth told me that Gabe Newman has impressed but is still only at 256. Hendrickson has progressed well. He’s not quite where they want him but far enough along to throw him out there Ryan Steele had a big offseason and is much improved according to Toth. Belony will have to impress to get into the 2-deep.

-There is a lot of excitement around Nela Otukolo. He has done very well in the first week of camp. Robert Stanley is also picking up the ILB position better. He’s still only 19 as a rs SO. 

- Ederaine does appear to be 100% from what I saw. There are 4 solid OLBs for sure. James Bailey is also forcing himself into the mix with a good start to camp. I saw him flatten Dejonte O’Neal in half-pads.

- I saw Mike Bell take some reps at CB

- Jamal Ellis is flashing. He flat out dropped an INT on Saturday but was praised on both Sunday and today. He and Malcolm Washington are getting a lot of work with the 1’s. Tyquwan Glass and Isaac Brutton also getting in the mix. If Daquan Brown gets eligible there should be a wealth of talent at CB.

- Dalen Jones and Shannon Edwards are firm at safety. Wright is also looking good. I really like Dalen. The rest of that group doesn’t excite me a whole lot but I don’t think it’s a liability. 

• Xavier Ulutu was still out with injury. 

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Jackson Moore  Publisher - InsideTheSpartans.com
Publisher - WarriorSportsNetwork.com
Staff Writer- BarkBoard.com