Spring Day 9: Sumlin forecasts future standouts

• We had 120-something plays in the scrimmage, tried situations like punt return, got a lot of good work and good video. We're trying to get the quarterbacks around 30, 35 plays and the other players in the 40s. Some good, some bad. We had guys who can translate practice into game situations and some guys have trouble doing that. As a coach you evaluate whether that'll be a long-term problem or not. That's what scrimmages are for.

• Cam Clear is continuing what started in the bowl game. His utilization during bowl practices is helping. He's always had success blocking but he had more success in the bowl and that's continued through spring.

• Tra Carson has been solid, James White has progressed, Brandon Williams is doing well, Trey Williams ... they're all good backs. That competition will continue and they know that.

• Ben Malena was really steady (at the other parts of playing running back) and so is Tra Carson. Trey got better last year. Teams don't always play like they show on video and you're responsible for that (in pass blocking). Missing doesn't help him. But all those guys have been good and they're better than a year ago.

• Josh Reynolds has real upside since he's got three years. He's a bit like Derel Walker — long, maybe longer, has great ball skills and and can run and has real soft hands. But he's got one extra year. The summer will be big for him.

• Julien Obioha has been good. He hasn't had any problems with his back, which has been great for us. Gavin Stansbury, we know what he can do. We just want him to be completely healthy, which is giving the Taylors a lot of reps because we don't know what they can do. Gavin has proven what he can do when healthy. It's time for the Taylors to show what they can do and we're giving them every opportunity.

• We're used to the attention (that Johnny's Pro Day is bringing). It's been like that for the last few years here, whether it's been ESPN or the NFL Channel that's been here live. That's great for exposure for players and the program. We'd like to have that every year. We'd like it to be more than one guy or a couple guys. We're taking steps. But I'm happy for him, it's a big day for him.

• For DE to become a position of strength again it would take depth, speed and athleticism. We're giving the Taylors a chance, we've got two young guys who played last year and Gavin has showed what he can do when healthy, and we've got a couple guys coming. On paper we'll have some numbers, but until we put them out there who knows.

• The quarterback battle is going really good. They're all out there and they're doing good.