Football Wraps Up Second Day of Fall Camp
August 01, 2017 | Football
Co-offensive coordinator Mike Summers and players Drew Bailey and Geron Christian spoke after practice.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville offensive line coach Mike Summers has been a part of some of the best teams in school history, and his offensive fronts have played a major role in that success.
Tutoring the offensive line from 2003-06, the Cardinals went 41-9, which included a Conference USA title, a BIG EAST championship, and a win in the Orange Bowl over Wake Forest. So, he knows what it takes to be successful.
If the fifth-year coach wants to continue to see similar achievements, he will have to bring together an offensive line that must fill some major holes, and his exploration continued on Tuesday as camp continued.
The Cardinals held their second fall practice, however this time, it was a pair of split practices. The newcomers practiced at 9 a.m. for roughly 90 minutes, while the veterans took the field for more than two hours during the sweltering heat.
“It's exciting to get started,” Summers said. “The guys have worked extremely hard for the last seven months to get ready for the last two days. You can really feel the enthusiasm and the excitement of the whole team to be back together.”
Taking over the offensive line this season, Summers is encouraged in the early going by what he has seen from his offensive line that must replace three starters.
Juniors Geron Christian and Lukayus McNeil are the lone returning starters, and Summers expects his two veterans to take a bigger leadership role heading into the 2017 season, and that's exactly what he's experienced through the first two days.
“I've definitely seen that out of them,” Summers said when speaking about their expanded leadership roles. “It's been a developing story throughout the spring. It really started to take hold this summer and I watch them lead the offensive line through their workouts.
“During the last period of practice today, they both were out in front of the team talking about how to approach the line of scrimmage and the effort that they played with. It was definitely great to see.”
Christian, a starter in 26-straight games since coming to Louisville in 2015, has been a two-time all-ACC performer, and will one of the main components on this young, but improving line.
“We have grown a lot,” Christian said. “It's a whole different atmosphere. We've been studying as a group, and when we had a little free time today, we were watching the practice and just trying to get better.”
“It's just a whole different atmosphere,” Christian said. “There are a lot of players taking the initiative of going the extra mile to get better.”
One person who has taken notice of the improvement of the offensive front has been senior defensive tackle Drew Bailey, who led the defensive line in tackles last season. Even though the team just finished its second practice, Bailey is excited about where the offensive line is headed this season.
“This is probably the best group that we've had since I've been here,” Bailey said. “They are getting great coaching. Every time I go against the offensive line they are always pushing me to do different stuff, and learn different stuff.”
The Cardinals will continue fall camp on Wednesday, with a split practice. The newcomers will participate in the morning session and the veterans in the evening.
