April 08, 2005
In the last practice before the spring intrasquad game this Saturday, the Aggies practiced in full pads Thursday with emphasis on specific situational team drills.
One of the most encouraging developments was the return of running back Brandon Leone returned to practice after sitting out last Saturday's scrimmage and Tuesday's practice. Despite fewer repetitions, he played at full speed and will be ready to play in the Maroon and White game Saturday at Kyle Field.
"It felt good to get back into it," Leone said.
Leone moved to tailback this spring after playing defensive back the last two years.
"It was an adjustment at first," Leone said. "It had been three years since I was in the backfield. I've just been trying to learn everything and get used to offense instead of defense. Once I got it down, I felt pretty comfortable back there."
Leone played running back exclusively throughout high school and turned down scholarship offers at that position from Kansas State, Colorado, and Penn State. Texas A&M was the only school that recruited him as a defensive back.
"In all honesty, I didn't know if Brandon would end up being a running back," A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. "He's probably the biggest surprise of the whole spring practice."
PRACTICE NOTES: Redshirt freshman Pierre Brown had a big day at wide receiver, making several catches and scoring two touchdowns. "Pierre has really improved this spring," Franchione said. "Coming in as a quarterback who had never played receiver, I think this has really been a good first spring for him. He's learned a lot about the position and he's retained a lot. We have a lot of optimism around Pierre."
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Sophomore Chris Alexander turned in some outstanding runs. As the only scholarship fullback on the team, Alexander will be counted on to play similarly to Keith Joseph last year. "[Chris] is a pretty valuable guy on this football team," said Coach Fran. "Keith was an unsung hero last year - fullback, tailback, occasionally tight end, and on almost every kicking team - and we're asking Chris to step into that role."
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Franchione said that rover linebacker Stephen Hodge, a converted corner, has turned in an outstanding spring. "I think he's gotten significantly better in the 14 practices," Fran said. "He's got a better feel for the position."
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The offense and defense went head-to-head in a two-point conversion drill to conclude practice with a best three-of-five sequence. This replaced the usual Third Down Challenge. The defense came up big, stopping the offense on all five plays for zero points and forcing the offensive players to do 50 pushups.
During the defensive stand, linebacker Lee Foliaki made a stop on an option to Samson Taylor, safety Japhus Brown broke up a pass, and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly blocked a screen pass in the backfield.
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Spring practice culminates Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Maroon and White Game presented by Gallery Furniture at Kyle Field.
Franchione said he is looking forward to the final scrimmage for several reasons.
"I think it will be a competitive game," Fran said. "I want to see the quarterbacks especially, since they are live and under fire. I want to see the guys compete and see how the young players handle as close to game conditions as we can give them before the Clemson game."
* Four walk-ons received scholarships for this semester: wide receiver Peter Martin, cornerback Trey Brooks, offensive lineman John David Nicholson, and kicker Layne Neumann.
* Neumann hit the crossbar of the goal post on one of his kickoffs.
* Martin made his biggest play of the spring, scoring on a long touchdown pass wide open over the middle from quarterback Ty Branyon.
* Safety Jordan Chambless had the only interception of the day, picking off a Stephen McGee pass.
* Graduating senior Mike Montgomery was on hand for practice. He is spending the weekend in Aggieland and will attend the football banquet Saturday night.