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.
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