What We're Hearing, Four Days Before Kickoff
- Aug 26, 2025
- 2 min read
BY JAKE WEINSTOCK
With John Bock's injury during the night scrimmage on August 9, it has become clearer and clearer that Darion Reed will draw the start at right tackle, with Reese Baker kicking inside to right guard to accomodate. Both players are making their first career starts, on Saturday, and will bear watching against a big, physical Northwestern front.
E'Zaiah Shine appears to have edged out Jayden Lewis, for now, to draw the first reps at field corner, opposite Jahiem "Joker" Johnson at boundary. Likewise, Javion White appears to be entering the opener with a slight edge over TJ Smith at the "spear" position (slot corner).
Harvey Dyson should see the majority of snaps at "Bandit" and Kam Hamilton should see the majority of snaps at field end.
Anthony Brown-Stephens, TJ Smith, and Maurice Turner are the likely kick returners, with the staff needing to decide how much they want to risk Turner's health on returns. It is my prediction that he will emerge from a committee approach to more of a bell cow, by September's end.
It's my strong expectation that Jake Retzlaff will draw the start at quarterback. Brendan Sullivan is working his way back, and seems to have a real chance to suit up, on Saturday, but it would be hard to see him starting after not taking 11-on-11 reps in a few weeks. That said, if he can go, it would be surprising to me to not see a package for him in short yardage or the red zone. Kadin Semonza's play has trailed off significantly over the past two weeks, after a strong first two weeks of camp. While not in competition to start, Donovan Leary has had an exceptionally strong few weeks of practice, lately. A switch flipped for him (in a positive direction) right around the same time one flipped for Semonza (in the opposite direction, unfortunately).
Great job Jake!