GWU Football Hits Practice Field For First Time Thursday Afternoon
July 31, 2008 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS – At 4:15 pm sharp, Gardner-Webb University
hit the practice fields for the first time Thursday, as 90
student-athletes ran through a series of drills in preparation for
the 2008 season opener.
Gardner-Webb opens its season on Thursday, August 28, at 8 pm ET at
Tennessee Tech.
The Runnin' Bulldogs welcomed a full, 90-man contingent to campus
Wednesday and – after a day of forms, introductions and
assorted pre-camp physicals – the squad knocked out
conditioning tests Thursday morning, and hit the ground running for
practice in the afternoon.
As a group, GWU appears to be improved physically, likely the
result of a record 60 players who attended the second session of
summer school to get an always important jump on strength training
and conditioning. No player reported to camp weighing more than 305
pounds, a stark, but positive contrast from the past two
seasons.
A total of 19 starters on offense and defense returned to campus,
and that experience should pay off – as 2008 will be the first
campaign since 2003 that GWU will see the balance of its talent
situated in the junior and senior classes.
The Bulldog defense must replace NFL draft pick Brian Johnston up
front, but preseason All-America Mario Brown (6-2, 237, Sr.)
headlines a corps of linebackers that brings a wealth of experience
– and love of contact – back into play. Jeffrey Williams
(6-0, 221, So.) and Quan Jackson (5-11, 204, Jr.) will also start,
as the trio combined for 33 starts and 291 total tackles a year
ago. Jackson, an agile linebacker, could also move to safety –
allowing room in the starting lineup for an improving Marty
Patterson (6-3, 212, So.) or hard-hitting classmate Dami Teniola
(5-11, 220, So.).
Cornerback Cedric McGowan (6-0, 193, Jr.), like Brown a 2007 FCS
All-America selection, will join three-time All-Big South safety
Daniel Cooke (6-1, 194, Sr.) to anchor the secondary. Mike Vesser
(6-2, 197, Sr.) will also provide experience at safety heading into
2008. Bryce Nixon (5-11, 182, So.) and highly touted newcomers
Lyndrez Leslie (6-0, 197, Fr.) and Ricky Rhodes (5-7, 161, Fr.)
will likely push for the starting nod opposite McGowan at
cornerback. Leslie also worked some at strong safety Thursday
afternoon.
Offensively, the most crucial component will center on the
improvement of the Bulldogs' offensive line. All-America tackle
Demario Deese (6-4, 305, Sr.) reported to camp 25 pounds lighter
than 2007, and is noticeably better conditioned. Another very
strong offseason has transformed Corey O'Daniel (6-7, 303, So.)
into an All-Conference candidate at tackle as well. The former
All-State lineman at Louisville (Ky.) St. Xavier High has shed 45
pounds since last season's report date, and was in the lead for
much of Thursday morning's run tests, and could find himself
starting at guard with his improved agility.
That pair is expected to be joined by Kyle Webber (6-5, 284, Jr.),
Austin Osment (6-3, 294, Jr.) and center C.J. Bryant (6-1, 262,
So.) in the starting lineup, but newcomer Harrison Martin (6-6,
258, Fr.) has impressive athleticism for a young lineman and could
challenge for early playing time at tackle.
Incumbent Stan Doolitte (6-3, 210, Jr.) enters camp as the starter
at quarterback, and will have favorite target and NFL draft hopeful
Dobson Collins (6-2, 188, Sr.) back to play catch with. Collins
caught 51 passes in 2007, his first season as a starter – and
covered 40 yards in 4.47 seconds during April testing. Quarterbacks
Devin Campbell (6-4, 196, Sr.), Logan Eppley (5-10, 174, So.) and
John Rock (6-3, 207, Fr.) also took snaps at the position on
Thursday.
An interesting battle will take place in the backfield, as seven
players enter camp listed as running backs. Returning starters
David Montgomery (5-7, 168, Jr.) and Patrick Hall (5-11, 207, So.)
are stronger and quicker, as is veteran Philip Peoples (6-0, 215,
Jr.) – as all ran their 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range
during April testing. Brandon Jackson (5-11, 195, Jr.) and polished
newcomers Kenny Little (5-11, 199, Fr.), Evan Zedler (5-9, 182,
Fr.) and Anthony Fonville (5-8, 229, Fr.) will also compete for
carries in 2008.
Gardner-Webb will enjoy five days of single-practice sessions,
before its first two-a-day situation on Tuesday, August 5.
