As Australia beckons, the Owls get an early start on practice — in a few ways.
Bailiff’s practice for sleepy Owls ‘a little different’ in his 11th season
The sun hadn’t touched Rice Stadium yet when the Owls were on the field for a 6 a.m. stretch to start fall practice Monday.
It’s the earliest start to a fall football camp in school history, in date and time. So, adjustments were needed.
“Your calendar and your time clock’s a little different,” said Rice coach David Bailiff, who is embarking on his 11th season on South Main. “Especially if day one, you’re sleepless because you’re grabbing your phone every 10 minutes to see what time it is to make sure you’re on time.
“It’s different. We’re rushing off the field now to get these guys back to summer school.”
Different is just one way to describe the first stages of 2017 for Rice football, earmarked by the team opening the season Aug. 26 against Stanford at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Burning questions
The Owls will practice every morning this week before taking four days off next week after the end of summer school and resuming camp Aug. 3.
The team leaves for Australia on Aug. 20. In the meantime, Rice will try to answer some key questions that will determine the success or failure of 2017.
The Owls have known commodities — the offensive line returns every starter from last year, team health is improved and two of Conference USA’s better players in linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee and center Trey Martin are in the fold.
But, Bailiff will be asked about the quarterback position more than he has been in recent years. It’s a blank slate, with six on the roster for fall camp.
Three were on campus for spring practice in redshirt sophomores Jackson Tyner and J.T. Granato and redshirt freshman Sam Glaesmann. Highly regarded freshman Miklo Smalls is one to watch.
Tyner has the most ingame reps. There is not one junior or senior quarterback on the roster, making the position depth all the more interesting.
Exciting new faces
Of course, Bailiff wasn’t going to get any answer concerning quarterback on the first day in shorts and helmets. But, he’s prepared to take as long as he needs to pick the right one.
“We may have to take it to the first game,” Bailiff said. “I want one of those guys to step up and separate. It’s what we want. I’d like it to happen tomorrow, but we’re prepared to keep the competition going.”
The impact of new faces on the coaching staff is worth watching, too. New defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has been everywhere from the NFL to the University of Houston.
Scott Vestal comes from Maryland to coach the safeties. Wesley Beschorner coaches quarterbacks after working with NFL draft pick Nathan Peterman at Pittsburgh. And Billy Lynch assumes sole duties as offensive coordinator.
This should be the year the hidden gems emerge, too. Wide receiver is a prime example. Kylen Granson is coming off a breakout freshman year, but Parker Smith, Lance Wright and Aaron Cephus are coming off injuries.
“There’s a lot of guys that have played that aren’t listed as returning starters that have got game experience,” Bailiff said. “It’s exciting.”