USC tight end Weslye Saunders, who started the season with a bang before disappearing in the offense, is one of 22 players on the midseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s top tight end.
Saunders had 12 catches the first two games at N.C. State and Georgia, but only five in four games since (he missed the Kentucky game with a sprained ankle).
Eight of Saunders’ catches came against Georgia, which played soft coverage and left the middle of the field open. Receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. said last week other teams have used different schemes against USC that made it difficult to get Saunders the ball.
The 6-5, 280-pound Saunders was more involved at Alabama, catching three passes for 38 yards, including a leaping 15-yard reception on a scramble play by Stephen Garcia.
Saunders is third on the team with 17 catches for 194 yards.
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Speaking of disappearing, put out a missing persons report on WR Tori Gurley.
After catching four passes in each of the first four games, Gurley has been nowhere to be found of late. He had one reception against S.C. State and Kentucky, then barely saw the field at Alabama as the Gamecocks tried to ride the hot hands of freshman Alshon Jeffery.
Gurley did see action after Moe Brown left with a concussion, but it was not for very long.
Word is that coaches would like to see Gurley practice with more intensity and do a better job on jump balls.
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It will be interesting to see if OL Heath Batchelor is back at practice this week.
Batchelor left the team last week, but apparently didn’t bother to tell Steve Spurrier.
He wasn’t eligible to play against Alabama, anyway. For the second time in three weeks, Batchelor was suspended for missing classes.
After telling friends last week his heart wasn’t in it anymore, Batchelor now is said to be reconsidering his decision. During his Sunday teleconference, Spurrier seemed to leave the door cracked for Batchelor to return.
Spurrier will want some assurances from Batchelor that he is motivated and has his personal and academic affairs in order.