The Monarchists

Five Takeaways from ODU’s Spring Game

David Asbury

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” –Margaret Atwood

A feeling of melancholy draped over me as I walked out of the Castle on Saturday.  The Spring Game was the last ODU football until August.  We will have to wait four months before watching another ODU football game and summer will move at a snail’s pace.  Until then, we will have to sate our football appetite by watching ODU alums Bunmi Rotimi, Tim Ward and Rashaad Coward in the UFL.

But the Spring Game was a lot of fun to watch while it lasted.  It was a beautiful spring day in Norfolk and the Monarchs gave us a glimpse of what to expect this fall.  But it was just a glimpse.  Rahne has been candid that there will be more portal news and roster turnover on the way.  What we saw this spring did provide some answers on where the team currently is and what more needs to happen before facing South Carolina on August 31st.  Here are just five takeaways the game provided us.

1. Diante Vines is that dude!  Vines recently transferred in from Iowa, a Big Ten team that was famously inept on offense.  Despite the poor offense, the Hawkeyes did make it to the Big Ten Championship to lose to Michigan 26-0.  Vines may have transferred just for the opportunities to actually catch the ball which no receiver was getting at Iowa.  Well, he impressed in spring practices and at the Spring Game.  On Saturday, he caught a deep touchdown despite great coverage by Rasheed Reason.  Vines may have solidified himself as ODU’s new WR1.

 

Vines (0) and Isiah Paige (1) may be a nasty duo at wide receiver this fall. Photo courtesy of Jon Gosney.

2.  Tariq Sims had a great day.  Aaron Young and Obie Sanni received most of the reps with the first team, however no running back had a better day than Tariq Sims.  Sims ripped off several big runs, including a 40-yard run early and a 35-yard touchdown run later in the game.  Sims’ great day was mostly with the second strings which shows just how deep the running back room is.  Between Young, Sanni, Bryce Duke and Devin Roche, this position group may be one of ODU’s best.  Or maybe Sims should get more time with the first team?

3.  Offensive line is still a work in progress.   For much of the Spring Game, the defense was able to have good penetration on the offensive line.  The defense was also able to get pressure, disrupt runs, and even get a few sacks.  Illinois-transfer Zach Barlev started at center with freshman Spencer Dow getting reps for the second string.  Right tackle Chris Adams did not play so Maarten Woundsma and Keanon McNally switched off at right tackle.  Santana Saunders appears to be locked in at left tackle for the season and played well.  Rahne said on the Locked On Podcast that at least one more lineman will be brought in during the Spring Portal.  This unit has the size and some of the players certainly have the experience to be great.  If they improve their footwork, they can really elevate this offense.  There is a lot of potential here but there is still a lot of work to do.

Santana Saunders (71) sticking with his block. Photo courtesy of Jon Gosney.

4.  Myles Alston also had a great day.  Ahmarian Granger and Reymello Murphy announced their intent to transfer in the Spring Portal.  Their departures leave questions about the depth of the wide receiver room.  Myles Alston may be answering those questions.  Alston won the offensive “Heart of the Lion” award indicating that he had a really good spring with the team.  Last year, Alston transferred in to ODU from Pitt but did not receive much playing time at all.  In 2023, he did not register a single catch but he did assist on a tackle when playing on special teams.  Well the spring practices must have helped him improve his game because he turned heads at the Spring Game.  He had reps with the first team and caught a deep ball during 7-on-7 play.  He later caught a few good balls during the full scrimmage.  Rahne said we should expect to add another wide receiver in the portal as well.  But even if more names come in, we should still expect to see more of Alston this year.

5.  Secondary position battles are heating up.  It can be hard to judge sometimes but it appears the defense had the better overall day than the offense.  Amorie Morrison and Koa Naotala both racked up a sack while Will Jones II returned an interception for a touchdown and Khian’Dre Harris picked off another pass in the end zone. However, the rotation in the secondary was interesting to see.  Jahron Manning, Patrick Smith-Young, Ashton Whitner, Rasheed Reason, Will Jones, Jeremy Mack Jr., Markus Knight and more saw playing time with the first team.  Richmond-transfer Angelo Rankin Jr. appears to be the only penciled-in starter at corner.  Rahne recently said he liked the depth of the secondary.  Not being able to pick starters yet may be a good problem to have.

 

Patrick Smith-Young (2) and Khian’Dre Harris (16) in coverage against tight end Jalen Butler (9). Photo courtesy of Jon Gosney.