5 takeaways from Memphis' first spring practice
Memphis' first spring practice is in the books and while it's way too early to make any grand observations, some things were clear in the Tigers first onfield action this season.
Here's five takeaways from Saturday.
David Moore wants the starting QB job
This one is obvious considering Moore was the backup last year. When Brady White transferred to Memphis in January, the big question is how would Moore react since it was assumed he'd be the leader to replace Riley Ferguson.
Moore said all the right things Saturday about competition but he also made clear to tout his leadership credentials and experience to show why he should be the starter.
"I've been here for a minute and I've been learning and training, I feel like this is my job to take and so I'm going to do my best to win that," Moore said.
Jackson Dillon held out of contact drills
Prior to practice, several coaches talked about how having Jackson Dillon in practice would help elevate the linebacking corps just from his presence.
Dillon, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last year, was on the field Saturday and went through warmups but was held out of contact drills. The Tigers seem to easing him back into the fold but it may be a while before Dillon makes an impact in full-speed play.
Still, while Dillon awaits word from the NCAA on if he'll receive a sixth year of eligibility, seeing him back in uniform was at least the first step of him getting back to 100 percent. The question remains how soon will he be back to form.
The running backs know and expect a bigger role
The quarterback battle also means a greater focus on the running backs and on Saturday, junior Patrick Taylor Jr. said Saturday that the group knows they have to help carry the offense.
"Me, Darrell (Henderson) and Tony (Pollard) have to step up in order for our team to do big things," Taylor said. "We have to bring up the offense up as the savages to make plays."
They didn't waste time showing that
and Hamilton leading 59-58.
He hit one free throw and Fulton milked the clock until there was only a couple of seconds remaining before Ron Davis missed a 3 and Hamilton's boisterous cheering section could finally celebrate.
After watching Douglass lose to Loretto in the Class A final prior to his team's game, Brooks was determined not to leave Murfreesboro without a victory.
"We had already made it up in our minds," he said. "We weren't going back to Memphis with a silver ball. We were going back with the gold ball."
James DeJesus, who was deep on the bench as East won the championship in AAA last year, added 12 points before fouling out midway through the fourth.
"I saw my team looking down but I told them, 'we've got this,'" he said. "I've got no words."
Jordan Johnson added 10 points, as did Julian Woods. Woods made a clutch jumper in the paint with 1:03 left that put the Wildcats ahead 59-55 after trailing by eight points just three minutes earlier.
"I think the just didn't care about who we were," said Johnson. "They just went out and played their game the way we play ours."
Hamilton played its game just a little bit better. And after words, they were treated to necklaces adorned with candy, courtesy of the school's athletic director Jacqueline Smith. They'll make for a tasty bus ride home to South Memphis.
"They're sweet," said Johnson. "Just like this is sweet."
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas