NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion's football team has more size, experience, talent and depth than it did last season.
But experience and talent alone don't always win football games. Your team must also have a high motor, the desire to work hard and work together and do just about whatever it takes to win games.
Six practices and one week into ODU's month-long fall practice, that's exactly what coach Ricky Rahne has seen from his team.
On Monday, the Monarchs donned full pads for the first time, and Rahne was pleased with what he saw.
"Excellent," he answered when asked how his Monarchs practiced Monday.
"I thought there was a lot of energy," he said. "A lot of times when you get into full pads, you get guys playing outside their technique, outside the scheme, just trying to hit people and make plays.
"I didn't see that today. I saw a lot of good ball. I'm excited about that."
So is wide receiver Ali Jennings III, who when asked how good ODU's offense could be replied: "The sky isn't even the limit for us. If we all come together and play well, we're going to be a tough team to stop."
That should be true. The Monarchs return 10 starters, with center Isaac Weaver, now in camp with the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers, the only player ODU needs to replace.
Nick Saldiveri, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle, a preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team pick, is the new Alpha Male on the O line. Guards Leroy Thomas (6-3, 275) and Tyran Hunt (6-7, 313) and tackles Khadere Kounta (6-6, 309) and Santana Saunders (6-5, 297) also started. Gary Hoover (6-3, 315), a transfer from Ohio, brings more experience.
Rahne and offensive line coach Kevin Reihner worked to add more depth to an offensive line that was thin when they arrived in 2019 and they've done that. ODU's roster lists 21 offensive lineman, including 13 who are freshmen or redshirt freshman. The Monarchs signed four, three-star offensive linemen from the high school class of 2022.
Running back Blake Watson, who rushed for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns last season, said the offensive line is one any running back would love to run behind.
"We basically have the same offensive line that we had last year," he said. "Ike is gone but Khadere and Santana played a lot last year. It gives me confidence that I've got the same guys up front who are going to lead me into the promised land."
He added that tight ends Zack Kuntz and Donta Anthony also moved a lot of defensive players out of his way.
Kuntz, one of the nation's top tight ends, Jennings and wide receiver Isiah Paige combined to haul in 158 of ODU's 245 pass receptions in 2021. And although nine of ODU's top 10 receivers return, Rahne and his staff recruited four receivers with the potential to play – transfers Marquez Bell (Cincinnati) and Dominic Dutton (South Carolina, where he ran track) and highly touted high school recruits Ahmarian Granger (Maury High School) and Peter Kikwata (Northwest High School, Germantown, Maryland).
Kikwata is the highest-rated recruit ODU has ever signed.
When asked if the four will play, Rahne said it's too early to tell.
"If you're a freshman, your head is spinning right now," he said. "You have 422 plays going through your head and we've only installed 150. My favorite expression to describe what they're going through is you don't know if it's Tuesday or Chicago right now."
Generally, he said, freshman and transfers begin to hit their groove as they enter the third week of practice and by then, know all of the plays.
"We'll have to see how much progress they make," he said.
Jennings said all four have shown a lot of potential.
"Those guys are great," he said. 'They're playing like vets already. We've got to help them with the ins and outs of college football. But they're going to be good guys for us."
Dutton, he said, is a speedster "who can really fly."
As for the most important position on offense, Rahne says he's still not ready to name a starting quarterback, where returning starter Hayden Wolff is competing with D.J. Mack, the senior from Norview High School and UCF, and Notre Dame transfer Brendon Clark.
Wolff is stronger from having added 15 pounds in the weight room, Mack is throwing better than he did when he started ODU's first six games last season and Clark, who is agile and has a strong arm, continues to make progress from ACL surgery.
"I've seen everyone improving," Rahne said of the trio. "I see a lot of guys doing things better than they've ever done before.
"I think that's an exciting thing. That's what competition is supposed to do.
"Iron sharpens iron. When you have a bunch of guys playing well, that causes everyone to raise their level so that they can play."
Rahne said during Sun Belt media days in New Orleans that ODU's biggest problem last year was consistency. So far, that hasn't been an issue.
Asked if he feels like his team is where it needs to be, he replied: "Yeah. I do feel like we're where we need to be.
"Are there a lot of things to clean up? Yeah. And I think that's a good thing. People are giving each other good looks on both sides of the ball, which can be challenging and stressing.
"In general, I like the way we're playing. I like the way we're using our fundamentals and technique. And I like how hard they're working."
NOTES: Practices are closed to the public, but on Friday afternoon, some members of the general public will be allowed to watch the team's first scrimmage at S.B. Ballard Stadium. From 1:45 to 4:15., ODU will hold a select-a-seat opportunity for fans to buy season tickets. Fans will be allowed to find the seats they want in the stadium and then purchase tickets on the spot. Free food and drinks will be provided. To register or for more information, call Justin Ross 757-683-3360 or Click Here . . . Students will be allowed to claim the 4,500 tickets set aside for the home opener against Virginia Tech on 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22. More details are to be announced later this week. Those tickets are expected to be claimed within a few hours . . . Rahne penned a letter that is being mailed to 5,000 former ODU season ticket holders urging them to purchase tickets. An excerpt: "The hard work (done by players) has earned our team the right to set high expectations, but we know that we cannot do it alone. We need the commitment and passion of every Monarch. My vision is to have S.B. Ballard Stadium have the best home field advantage in the conference, and I am confident that Monarch Nation can make this a reality." Season ticket sales are up significantly over last season and about 3,900 remain, all on the East and West side sidelines. You can read Rahne's full letter by clicking below.
Click here to read the letter.
Minium: Rahne Says ODU Football Team is "Where We Need to Be" After First Week of Practice
