A few of us talked with E.J. Savannah today, who cleared up the situation that had appeared to put his eligibility in some jeopardy.

Savannah said he was merely waiting for a grade to come through for a class from the spring, and until that grade came in he wasn't fully ready academically. It came in this week so he is back with the first team. I'll have some more thoughts later from Savannah.

UW coach Tyrone Willingham also met the media here a little while ago with the team to hit the field this afternoon for a scrimmage.

Not a ton personnel-wise to report. He said players who may be out include WR Cody Ellis and CB Byron Davenport, though he said all are also day-to-day and there's a chance they could see some activity.

True freshman DT Nick Wood, out so far with an arm injury "is close to being ready,'' Willingham said. I wouldn't expect Wood to play this year but at least beginning practice is a good sign.

Willingham also talked a bit about a few specific players.

He noted that DE Caesar Rayford has put on some weight and is having a good camp so far, saying "he does a wonderful job of pass rushing.'' I talked to Rayford in the spring and he told me he carried around a jar or peanut butter with him everywhere trying to put on some weight. He's officially listed at 242.

"He's really starting to come of age,'' Willingham said.

Willingham also talked a bit about true freshman safety Nate Williams, saying he remains in the mix for playing time this season. "He's done really well,'' Willingham said, saying it looks so far as if the move from running back to safety will be a good one for Williams.

Willingham said the team will take at least three true freshmen to Syracuse though he said he wouldn't name them yet. One obvious one is PK Erik Folk and another is Ronnie Fouch, who I would assume will make all the trips as the No. 3 QB even if he doesn't play this season.

LB Mason Foster also appears to be working his way into playing time, as may be Williams and fellow safety Victor Aiyewa and CB Vonzell McDowell and a couple of the running backs, especially Curtis Shaw and Brandon Johnson, the latter of whom is doing a lot of kick returning.

Willingham said Aiywea is still in the running for playing time at safety, along with Williams, saying "we're still looking at that position.''

Willingham said he anticipated today's scrimmage being more situational in nature than was the one on Saturday, when the Huskies played a regular half before going into situational drills.