Redshirt freshman running back Nick Hill makes a move to dodge junior linebacker Steve Gardiner, left, and sophomore safety Isaiah Lewis Aug. 15 at the practice field outside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. Head coach Mark Dantonio has had much praise for Hill throughout fall camp.
Since the first day of training camp, Nick Hill has stood out as a redshirt freshman running back and has become a popular topic among the players and coaching staff.
Despite being fourth in line for his position with a smaller frame at 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds, Hill “continues to impress” head coach Mark Dantonio and prove his value on the depth chart.
Given his build, Hill said he expects opponents to take him lightly after initially sizing him up, but he knows how to utilize his size to the best of his ability.
“I think some guys will underestimate me, but I’ll make them pay for it,” Hill said.
During the first two preseason scrimmages, Hill continued to stand out on the field. In both matchups, he led all rushers with 72 yards on 14 carries in the first scrimmage on August 13 and 85 yards on 25 carries in the second one Sunday.
While sitting behind junior running backs Edwin Baker and Larry Caper and sophomore running back Le’Veon Bell, everyone seems eager to get Hill on the field in some capacity.
Linebackers and special teams coach Mike Tressel said Hill has a lot of confidence helping his performance during camp. Specifically, not only will he be seen fielding punts, but Tressel said he might also be returning some kickoffs this season as well since he has excelled at both during in the last two weeks.
With a bit of uncertainty as to his role this season, Hill remains patient as he sits fourth on the depth chart. However, through two-a-day practices, some players have gotten a little dinged up, and as a result, Hill has been able to get in more reps.
“We had a meeting the other day; the topic was character, and that’s what you see with (Hill),” Baker said. “You see character. He’s just going out there, giving it his all.
“Even though he know there’s other backs in front of him, he’s not letting that slow him down — not a bit.”
Youth stepping up
Additional freshmen gaining more experience and having an impact include defensive end Shilique Calhoun and linebacker Taiwan Jones — who made his presence felt when he posted nine tackles for defense’s second scrimmage win.
“Right now, Taiwan Jones is playing great,” Tressel said. “At the scrimmage (Sunday), I think he was involved in seven, eight, nine tackles, so he’s flying around (and) seems to have confidence.”
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Calhoun is a little smaller than the average defensive end, but his size provides him with some speed and the ability to make quick moves to take down larger linemen. Junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy said Calhoun plays with “great leverage” and has fun with everything he does.
“We’ve got a lot of young talent,” Worthy said. “If we can mentally get them on the same page as the guys that we had last year to where they know their assignments without missing a beat, this could be one of the fastest defenses that I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”
Injury update
Dantonio said the Spartans have been hit with a few minor injuries, but nothing is long-term.
After spending much of his time working with senior quarterback Kirk Cousins as he fights for the starting center position, redshirt freshman center Travis Jackson recently has been working with an ankle injury, but Dantonio said he is confident that’s it’s a minor injury and he’ll be OK.
Additionally, freshman linebacker Lawrence Thomas still is sitting out with a shoulder contusion — an injury he suffered during the first week of camp.
Dantonio estimated he’ll be out at least another week, and although he showed a lot of potential at the beginning of camp, he’ll have to make up a lot of missed practice time. He said he’s unsure about when Thomas will be ready to play or if he’ll play at all this season.
“When he’s ready to play — if that’s the third game — he’ll play,” Dantonio said. “If it’s not until next year, then that’s what we’ll do. But it really depends on how well he’s able to grasp what we’re going and then get the reps to move in that direction.”
Closing out camp
In their final week of preseason camp, the Spartans will start to prepare for their season opener against Youngstown State Sept. 2 at Spartan Stadium.
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The team will have practice through Thursday — closing out with a rehearsal scrimmage — and have a short break before returning to the practice field Sunday. The focus for the next few days is to stay healthy and mentally prepare for the first game.
“We’re tired of beating up on each other,” Baker said. “We’re ready to get out there and compete for another Big Ten Championship.
“We have 11 days left, and I’m pretty sure everyone looks at that countdown clock everyday when we walk in the building.”
