Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Photo by: Tom Weber
Defensive line brings the pressure on Day Four of Saluki Football camp
08/04/2018 | 1:46:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Saluki defense had the upper hand on Day Four of training camp, bringing heavy pressure on the quarterback.
DT Malik Haynes had a big day, starting with impressive 1-on-1 work versus offensive linemen. The 5-foot-11, 300-plus pound junior is developing a nasty swim move. He used it to his advantage during 11-on-11 drills to pick up a pair of quarterback sacks and drop a running back for a five-yard loss.
"He's really matured and is coming into his own," said defensive line coach Austin Flyger. "He plays hard and plays smart and is disruptive. With him, it's a matter of how many snaps he can play at his weight, but he's done a good job of managing that."
Haynes wasn't the only defensive lineman to shine. DE Jaylin Wilson took some reps with the first team and showed an explosive first step, picking up a sack during third-down 11-on-11. Just a true sophomore, he flashed big-play potential last year when he recovered his own strip-sack at Indiana State.
"He's just scratching the surface of how good he can be," Flyger said. "If he stays locked in and focused, he could easily be one of our best players. He's a disruptive dude, he can swing at both end and tackle. From a matchup standpoint, you could get him on some mismatches that he could win one-on-one."
Other defensive highlights in 11-on-11 — DE Anthony Knighton had a batted ball and CB Torian Lewis came free on a blitz to pick up a sack. In skeleton, LB Luke Giegling deflected a ball that was intercepted by S Justin Strong. During a tackling drill, OLB Landon Florkowski stripped the ball from WR David Grenia, drawing the praise of safeties coach Marty Rodgers.
In the challenge series between the first-team offense and defense at the beginning of practice, the defense won decisively. With the offense starting at the defense 40, QB Sam Straub tested CB Madre Harper on first down with a deep throw to WR Darrell James. Harper had him blanketed. On second down, OLB Cody Crider blew up a screen pass to RB D.J. Davis, stripping the ball for a turnover. Series over.
The offense had its moments today. Straub hit 6-foot-8 TE Nigel Kilby on a skinny post for big yardage. He also threw a perfectly placed fade pass to WR Landon Lenoir for a touchdown. The receiver was isolated on LB Withney Simon. FB Jaylon Graham is developing into a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. As if the Salukis don't have enough talent at wide receiver, WR Matt Quarells has been productive every day in camp so far.
On the last series of practice, which took place in the red zone, QB Matt DeSomer connected with RB Jonathan Mixon on fourth down, and he pushed his way across the goal line.
DT Malik Haynes had a big day, starting with impressive 1-on-1 work versus offensive linemen. The 5-foot-11, 300-plus pound junior is developing a nasty swim move. He used it to his advantage during 11-on-11 drills to pick up a pair of quarterback sacks and drop a running back for a five-yard loss.
"He's really matured and is coming into his own," said defensive line coach Austin Flyger. "He plays hard and plays smart and is disruptive. With him, it's a matter of how many snaps he can play at his weight, but he's done a good job of managing that."
Haynes wasn't the only defensive lineman to shine. DE Jaylin Wilson took some reps with the first team and showed an explosive first step, picking up a sack during third-down 11-on-11. Just a true sophomore, he flashed big-play potential last year when he recovered his own strip-sack at Indiana State.
"He's just scratching the surface of how good he can be," Flyger said. "If he stays locked in and focused, he could easily be one of our best players. He's a disruptive dude, he can swing at both end and tackle. From a matchup standpoint, you could get him on some mismatches that he could win one-on-one."
Other defensive highlights in 11-on-11 — DE Anthony Knighton had a batted ball and CB Torian Lewis came free on a blitz to pick up a sack. In skeleton, LB Luke Giegling deflected a ball that was intercepted by S Justin Strong. During a tackling drill, OLB Landon Florkowski stripped the ball from WR David Grenia, drawing the praise of safeties coach Marty Rodgers.
In the challenge series between the first-team offense and defense at the beginning of practice, the defense won decisively. With the offense starting at the defense 40, QB Sam Straub tested CB Madre Harper on first down with a deep throw to WR Darrell James. Harper had him blanketed. On second down, OLB Cody Crider blew up a screen pass to RB D.J. Davis, stripping the ball for a turnover. Series over.
The offense had its moments today. Straub hit 6-foot-8 TE Nigel Kilby on a skinny post for big yardage. He also threw a perfectly placed fade pass to WR Landon Lenoir for a touchdown. The receiver was isolated on LB Withney Simon. FB Jaylon Graham is developing into a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. As if the Salukis don't have enough talent at wide receiver, WR Matt Quarells has been productive every day in camp so far.
On the last series of practice, which took place in the red zone, QB Matt DeSomer connected with RB Jonathan Mixon on fourth down, and he pushed his way across the goal line.
Players Mentioned
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DE
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