The Rundown Take
Spring Game Eve: George Diaz Goes Position-by-Position on the New-Look Canes
With Larry Frank Jr. on the road and George Diaz — the show's plugged-in insider — locked in to join later, Devin ran a Friday night built entirely around Saturday's spring game at DRV PNK Stadium. He opened the phone lines early with three questions for the chat: which players, which position groups, and which position coaches to watch — then spent two hours working through transfer portal buzz, a Justin Flowe reveal, and a full scouting report once George Diaz finally called in.
Key Takeaways
- Devin breaks the news live on air: linebacker Justin Flowe is transferring in from Oregon, a get James Freeman calls "a done deal."
- George Diaz reports the coaching staff is moving safety/hybrid James Williams into the box at outside linebacker, similar to how Clemson deployed Isaiah Simmons.
- Diaz says Tyler Van Dyke looks "on the money" in practice and predicts he's a first-round NFL pick next year if he stays healthy.
- Freshman Jacurri Brown is described as a "specimen" who throws a strong deep ball but needs reps on the short game — expect a redshirt year behind Jake Garcia.
- Tight end Jaleel Skinner, still working back from injury, reportedly took a block-and-release route 60 yards untouched in practice and is tabbed as a future weapon.
Three Questions, One Common Answer: The Trenches
Devin's opening questions to callers kept circling back to the same units — the right side of the offensive line, the linebackers, and new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. James Freeman, calling in early, argued fans should brace for an actual competitive spring game after years of vanilla scrimmages, crediting Mario Cristobal's staff for finally coaching with an edge instead of protecting secrets on a losing roster.
George Diaz's Practice Report
Once George Diaz joined, the show turned into a rapid-fire scouting session. He praised the defense's improved tackling discipline compared to Manny Diaz's "two-hand touch" practices, flagged nickel corner as a strength with a player he expects to start there, and singled out an offensive lineman who transformed his body in the new strength program to the point teammates were joking about a body double. Diaz also confirmed the offense is running an up-tempo scheme roughly 95 percent of the time under Gattis.
"None of these kids are Mario's kids yet — this is really going to be his first year for bringing in the guys he really wants."
Portal Turnover Continues
The panel worked through a running list of departures and rumored departures, debating whether a since-departed linebacker's exit was really about playing time or a mother wanting him closer to home, and previewing more roster churn before the transfer portal window closes. Devin closed the show plugging the November 11th Hurricane Bash in Duluth, Georgia, and teasing an interview the following week with Avon Park recruit Jamarion Davis.