As the Tigers prepared for Friday Night Stripes taking place April 12, the biggest focus of the week was to gain some consistency after the first two scrimmages of the spring. This was the team’s last full week of action until early August, so they did their best to take full advantage of it.
As the Tigers prepared for Friday Night Stripes taking place April 12, the biggest focus of the week was to gain some consistency after the first two scrimmages of the spring. This was the team’s last full week of action until early August, so they did their best to take full advantage of it.
Offense had an up and down week
Head coach Mike Norvell spoke to the media April 9 about how he wasn’t impressed with his team’s offensive showing.
“I didn’t like our intensity,†Norvell said. “There’s a lot we need to work on ahead of Thursday’s practice.â€
Norvell was referring to how it seemed that the offensive line couldn’t consistently maintain their blocks and receivers were dropping the ball.
Wide receiver Antonio Gibson recognized his own faults during the practice and explained to the media he would do better.
“I need to work on being more consistent,†Gibson said. “This is my senior season, and I have to set an example for the other receivers in the group.â€
Luckily for the offense, they did have a much better showing April 11 and seemed to be more of a cohesive unit.
Quarterback Brady White spoke to the media following the practice and explained what he felt made the difference for the unit April 11.
“It just starts with how you approach the practice,†White said. “It’s about coming out here and having the energy. Obviously, he’s (Norvell) an offensive mind, and so he holds a high standard for us. When we’re not executing the way we know how to, it can be really frustrating.â€
RB Kylan Watkins is a player to keep an eye on
With the departures of running backs Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard, there has been a clear opening at the number two running back position. Though reports earlier in the spring have been very complementary to redshirt freshman Kenneth Gainwell, there is another player who has been catching the eyes of coaches.
Redshirt sophomore Kylan Watkins has been a player Norvell has spoken highly of to the media and said he can see him making an impact. His talent doesn’t go unnoticed by teammates either. White spoke to the media April 11 about how much of a fan he was of Watkins’ play style.
“He’s just super smooth,†White said. “He makes things look easy. He’s just an all-around good back and can run the ball really well. He’s also a threat in the passing game.â€
Watkins transferred to the Tigers from UT Martin, and after being on the scout team last season, he told the media he was ready to take the field.
“It was tough sitting out last season, but I appreciate it because I got better, and so I look at it as a positive, not a negative,†Watkins said.
The Memphis native also told the media how excited he was to have an opportunity to finally suit up for the hometown team.
“It’s always been the dream for me to come to Memphis,†Watkins said. “I grew up watching Memphis a lot, and I knew that the program was fun from watching the guys who were here in the past. Just being out here experiencing it is a great feeling.â€
