North Team Practice Recap

The North and the South teams flipped the order today as the North team started things off. Even in the early portions of practice, the part that goes at about half speed just for warm ups, Fort Hays State defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd was popping out each and every rep.

This is going to be a player that we all are going to have to go back and watch some tape of when the week is over, because Shepherd was nearly unblockable for the second day in a row.

Shepherd has been a monster holding up against the run and while collapsing a pocket. In the clip above, Shepherd took on a full double team and barely gave up yardage, if any at all, to close up the running lane. He has such great power in his upper and lower body and his hand usage is violent when ripping off blocks.

Unfortunately for us, these clips of Shepherd are going to be the last ones we get of him this week as it was reported that he broke his hand during the practice. This injury will likely keep him out of participating at the Combine as well. As some of the draft community will forget about him in between now and draft day, you can make sure we won’t.

The Bucs aren’t likely to be in the market for a wide receiver this draft, but we have to note that Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton was a standout on the day for the North team.

Hamilton looks much more comfortable than he did last week at the Shrine practices. He’s explosive as a route runner and can really separate with how quickly and precisely he moves and changes direction. As stated before, it’s unlikely the Bucs look at Hamilton, but who knows. He’s certainly deserving attention this week.

There was a new pass rusher who stood out from the North team on Wednesday.

Ohio State’ Jalyn Holmes, who has played defensive end and defensive tackle, was all over the place today. He’s a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman who carries his weight well and therefore moves well with it. He showed a lot of functional strength with speed and control, and was able to do things like in the clip above on a very good guard in Will Hernandez.