Zips football: Day 5 at Camp Zippy

Looking at freshman Imani Davis would make anyone wonder just why he didn’t receive more offers coming out of Belen Jesuit Prep School in Miami, Fla.  Officially he had just three, according to ESPN. 

He is one of those speedy Sunshine State players with speed that coach Terry Bowden said that he was going to go after.  He continues to open eyes in camp with his receiving and running on reverses.

Bowden could have gotten lucky like his father back in the early ‘90s.  He offered one of his final scholarships to a guy named Warrick Dunn.   It’s not a comparison, but an observation.

Quarterbacks:   In a practice session changed due to rain the QBs didn’t show much in 11-on-11 drills.  The Zips worked more on their short passing game than intermediate and deep throws.  Dalton Williams did make an ill-advised throw that cornerback John Senter made an impressive interception.

Offense:  Davis continues to shine in all facets of the offense.  If a pass was catchable, he caught it.  He broke a huge run on a reverse.  Zach D’Orazio showed why he will make the wide receiver rotation with a couple of catches.  Running back Jawon Chisholm broke one that would have gone for a huge gain in a game situation. Conor Hundley made a mistake that cost him some time on the sideline, but redeemed himself later with some strong receiving, running and blocking.  Overall, the offensive line has looked solid.

Defense:  The defensive backfield as a whole was especially active and lively.  They didn’t give up a lot of big plays, but the defense as a whole looked vulnerable when it came to the run.  In pass defense they made a couple of nice plays in coverage.

NCAA clears Lawrence

Running back HakeemLawrence, who rushed for more than 1,800 yards last season at Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School in Florida last season, received clearance from the NCAA to play.  He, like all players, will have to undergo a five-day acclimation period.

Scott returns

DeAndre Scott, freshman cornerback from Frederick, Md., rejoined the team Wednesday.  Scott, who enrolled early and participated in spring practice, was a conspicuous no-show last week when the Zips opened camp. At the time coach Terry Bowden said that he wanted to play Div. II football with his brother.  Apparently, things have changed for the young man.

Weather break:  A lightning storm delayed Wednesday’s practice by about a half hour Wednesday, a fact that didn’t sit too well with a lot of players.  When practice resumed and made an appearance later, some of them whispered “shhhh” hoping that the operations person who makes the call whether to continue practice didn’t see it.  A sign of dedication?  Sure thing.  Of course the players may have suffered from temporary insanity as well.