Camp Report: Ayles, Byrd Stand Out in Passing Game

Aug. 7, 2011

CORAL GABLES, Fla.– The first weekend of Canes camp is in the books.

A day after the University of Miami held its first official fall practice, the Hurricanes returned to the Greentree Practice Fields Sunday morning for another high-energy session with new head coach Al Golden directing traffic.

The weather was a little kinder to the Canes on Day Two than it was on Saturday, when the heat index hit triple digits. Today, temperatures stayed in the lower-to-mid 80’s as mostly cloudy skies made for more comfortable conditions.

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLAYERS
Throughout camp, HurricaneSports.com will highlight some of the best performers in each day’s practice. While there are certainly other players who stood out throughout the course of the session, these student-athletes in particular caught our eye.

Offense
WR LaRon Byrd – Quarterback Jacory Harris connected with senior receiver LaRon Byrd for three separate first down receptions during the team’s two-minute drill. Byrd also made a shoelace grab from the hands of quarterback Stephen Morris and earlier in the day caught a 20-yard touchdown reception from Harris.
TE Blake Ayles – The senior tight end was a favorite target for both Jacory Harris and newcomer Ryan Williams. Ayles caught several passes, including a five-yard touchdown reception from Harris during the team’s red zone drills.

Defense
DL Adewale Ojomo – The defensive line as a whole was effective in penetrating the offense’s backfield, breaking up a reverse while collecting several tackles for loss. Ojomo got good penetration at the line of scrimmage and racked up a five-yard tackle for loss.
DL Marcus Forston – Alongside Ojomo, junior defensive lineman Marcus Forston was also able to break into the offense’s backfield on multiple occasions, including racking up a tackle for loss of running back Lamar Miller.

TIME TO FOCUS
In a sign that the team’s attention has shifted entirely to preseason camp, the majority of the Canes who tweet on a regular basis have been noticeably quiet in the social media world the last few days. And it’s no wonder. Taking a look at the team’s daily schedule, there isn’t a whole lot of free time available. Between practice, meals, meetings and film study, the Canes are all in at this point.

There’s no ban, just a lot of focused student-athletes in Golden’s no-nonsense camp.

MCDONALD THROWS TWISTS AT PUNT RETURNERS
Among the new additions to the practice plan this fall are several drills that had the punt returners – Travis Benjamin, Phillip Dorsett, Eduardo Clements, Davon Johnson & Kendal Thompkins – dancing on Sunday morning.

In one drill they had a rolled up towel under each arm while they caught balls. Then they started with their back to the punter and could only turn around on the sound of the kick. Finally, they closed out the session by doing an “up-down” on the snap.

The point of each drill is something that Golden has reiterated hundreds of times. Put the players in adverse situations, see who can overcome and see who becomes a leader both physically and emotionally.

PHOTO GALLERY: DAY TWO
Click HERE for a photo gallery of some of the action from Greentree today.

PRE-PRACTICE INTERVIEWS
HC Al Golden…

TE Blake Ayles…

LB James Gaines…

For more video interviews from Sunday’s practice, visit TheUFootball.com .

REVISITING BEHIND THE FACEMASK
Throughout camp, we will revisit some of our favorite Behind the Facemask stories that have been running throughout the summer. Today, we’ll take a look back at the story of Mike James….

“I’ll never forget the last time I saw my mom in the stands at a football game. I’ll never forget that. I always looked for her; I couldn’t start a game unless I knew where she was.”

Behind the Facemask: Mike James

NEXT PRACTICE
UM will return to Greentree on Monday at 8:20 a.m. for its third practice of camp.

SEASON TIX
Season Tickets for the start of the CLICKING HERE.