We're about a week and a half away from the start of the 2015 college football season, which means that fall camps are ramping up in earnest in preparation from the long grind ahead. Stanford fans, take note. There's plenty to be gleaned from the waning days of the Cardinal's August dress rehersals. Here's 3 Things We've Learned So Far From Stanford Football's Fall Camp.
1. The Defensive Line Is Exceeding Expectations
Graduation and spring practice injuries portended doom for the Cardinal's defensive line, but rumors of the unit's demise were premature. Aziz Shittu and graduate transfer Brennan Scarlett are 100% healthy with less than two weeks to go until the regular season. Harrison Phillips and Solomon Thomas have packed on around 35 pounds of pure muscle since coming to Palo Alto. Stanford's coaches are banking on these four guys to make up the core of the line, with Shittu pegged by many around the program to be a potential breakout star. There will still be questions about Shittu and Scarlett's health until they see some real game action, but all is well for the D-line right now.
2. Christian McCaffrey is YOKED
It appears Stanford will have the Incredible Hulk lining up at tailback...
Thrills on & off the field for fans of all ages @ our Open House tomorrow 10am-2pm http://t.co/IBIItPEuo9 #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/RFulgl7hQO
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) August 21, 2015
McCaffrey has spent some serious time in the weight room this offseason prepping for his role as the team's featured offensive weapon. The sophomore RB's addition of some downhill oomph to his versatile, all-purpose running style will give QB Kevin Hogan even more one-on-one opportunities on the outside when defenses stack seven in the box to contain McCaffrey.
3. It's Open Season On The Two Remaining OL Spots
Kyle Murphy, Joshua Garnett, or Graham Shuler are locked in as 3/5 of Stanford's offensive line, barring injury. From there, it's a crapshoot. The returns of Nick Davidson and Dave Bright from injury have added even more intrigue to a battle for the team's starting right guard and right tackle spots -- a competition that currently involved virtually ever other offensive lineman on the roster not named Garnett, Shuler or Murphy.
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