Photo by: SFA Athletics
2017 SFA Football Fall Camp Report: Linebackers
8/11/2017 9:02:00 PM | Football
The ‘Jacks went back to shorts, jerseys and helmets for practice eight of fall camp Friday after putting on full pads for the first time of preseason Thursday
The 2017 Stephen F. Austin football season is just around the corner and the Lumberjacks have begun fall camp, beginning the countdown to the 91st season of Lumberjack football in Nacogdoches. Throughout camp, SFAJacks.com will break down each position, today highlighting the linebackers.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A day after battling extreme heat in full pads, the Stephen F. Austin football team took to the grass practice fields Friday afternoon in shorts, jerseys and helmets for day eight of fall camp. On the eve of their first scrimmage of the preseason, the Lumberjacks hosted a shorter than usual practice session and focused on special teams.
Friday's practice behind the SFA Fieldhouse had a completely different dynamic than the day before as players enjoyed the lighter workout but in just as oppressive heat. After their usual warmup, positional drills and stretching, the 'Jacks went to work on special teams play. SFA went through all facets of the special teams and centered its attention on punting, field goal kicking, kickoffs and onside kicks.
The 15-period practice wrapped up after about an hour and 40 minutes as the 'Jacks took part in running conditioning to end session eight of fall camp.
Linebackers
The middle of the SFA defense took a big blow following the 2016 season with the loss of senior starters Price Miller and George Stone III – the 'Jacks two leading tacklers in 2016 combining for 163 stops, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. In fact, SFA returns just four letter winners in the linebacker department from a year ago with those four combining for just 54 total tackles and two starts. The 'Jacks have a very young unit after bringing in a total of six newcomers for the fall, including four true freshmen.
That hole opens up some big time opportunities for a number of youngsters who appear poised to step up. The "veteran" of the group is junior Ryan Woods (Woodlands, Texas), who is coming off a 2016 season in which he played in nine games with 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, making his first collegiate start against Incarnate Word.
Also eager to make their mark are three sophomores who go their first taste of college football last season. Spencer Choka (Bryan, Texas), Anthony Jacobs (Houston, Texas) and Teddy Britton (San Antonio, Texas) each utilized their redshirt seasons as true freshmen in 2015 before combining for 32 total tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in relief roles last year. Due to the open competition at the position in the spring, all three put together solid performances and have continued to do so during preseason camp. Each should have ample opportunity to compete for the starting job this fall.
Another pair of returning 'Jacks from 2016 are redshirt freshmen Fre'Zarian Harrison (Pittsburg, Texas) and Dylan Roach (Pearland, Texas), who both utilized their redshirt seasons but are seeking time on the field this fall.
"I think the guys have come a long way in the last seven/eight days", first-year assistant coach for the linebackers Josh Lawson said after Friday's practice. "It's a brand new defense and as a linebacker when you learn new coverages and new terminology there is a lot of strange things going on to them and I think they've handled that adversity well."
"These guys are fresh to learning this defense", continued Coach Lawson, "They're excited to learn something new because they weren't completely endowed in the last defense. They get to learn something new and I've been really proud of them."
Coach Lawson also talked about his returning letter winners, "I think Teddy Britton is a great linebacker, I think Spencer Choka is a great linebacker. Ryan Woods has been a great leader for us all summer, Ryan has done a great job. During the summer we don't get a lot of time with the players and Ryan was my coach this summer, Ryan was my coach on the field and I've been so proud of the way he's worked and what he's done. He's playing all three linebacker positions for us right now, getting a lot of work. I think Anthony Jacobs is a really good hitter who plays hard and whom I'm really excited about."
The competition among linebackers appears to be one of the biggest story lines as fall camp progresses after the addition of two junior college transfers. Juniors Bryce Gemmel (Newnan, Georgia) out of Independence College and Terrance Potts (Trinity, Texas) out of Trinity Valley Community College should be able to contribute from the start as Gemmel got an early jump on the process during spring workouts.
"Potts has come in here with a great attitude, wanting to learn and wanting to do something new", Coach Lawson remarked. "It's something he's never done before; he's working his butt off at it."
Head coach Clint Conque also brought in four true freshmen, including highly touted high school talents Michael McCain (Silsbee, Texas), Bert Morris (Amarillo, Texas) and Sloan Rodberg (Wills Point, Texas), in addition to Kyle Cannella (Lucas, Texas). The rookies will give SFA much needed depth while adding talent across the board at the position.
Saturday will be SFA's first scrimmage of preseason camp with the 'Jacks taking to Homer Bryce Stadium for a 4 p.m. start. The football program encourages fans and supporters to come out and watch the team prepare for the rapidly approaching season as they host the open field scrimmage in full pads.
The 'Jacks open up the 2017 season at SMU on Saturday, Sept. 2, before beginning the home portion of their schedule the following weekend against Southern Utah (Sept. 9).
Season tickets for 2017 SFA Football are on sale through the SFA athletics ticket office and can be purchased here. Available season ticket packages include reserved chair back and reserved bench seats. SFA football season tickets start at only $63 for the general public and $38 for faculty and staff. For more information, call 936-468-5225 (JACK).
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete 2017 fall camp coverage.
2017 SFA FOOTBALL FALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Saturday, Aug. 12 (Scrimmage One) – Practice 9 (4 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
Sunday, Aug. 13 – Practice 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Practice 11 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Wednesday, Aug. 16 – Practice 12 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Thursday, Aug. 17 – Practice 13 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Friday, Aug. 18 – Practice 14 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Helmets
Saturday, Aug. 19 (Scrimmage Two) – Practice 15 (4 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
Monday, Aug. 21 – Practice 16 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Tuesday, Aug. 22 – Practice 17 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Wednesday, Aug. 23 (Scrimmage Three) – Practice 18 (7 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
* – Practice fields located behind the athletics fieldhouse
-SFA-
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A day after battling extreme heat in full pads, the Stephen F. Austin football team took to the grass practice fields Friday afternoon in shorts, jerseys and helmets for day eight of fall camp. On the eve of their first scrimmage of the preseason, the Lumberjacks hosted a shorter than usual practice session and focused on special teams.
Friday's practice behind the SFA Fieldhouse had a completely different dynamic than the day before as players enjoyed the lighter workout but in just as oppressive heat. After their usual warmup, positional drills and stretching, the 'Jacks went to work on special teams play. SFA went through all facets of the special teams and centered its attention on punting, field goal kicking, kickoffs and onside kicks.
The 15-period practice wrapped up after about an hour and 40 minutes as the 'Jacks took part in running conditioning to end session eight of fall camp.
Linebackers
The middle of the SFA defense took a big blow following the 2016 season with the loss of senior starters Price Miller and George Stone III – the 'Jacks two leading tacklers in 2016 combining for 163 stops, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. In fact, SFA returns just four letter winners in the linebacker department from a year ago with those four combining for just 54 total tackles and two starts. The 'Jacks have a very young unit after bringing in a total of six newcomers for the fall, including four true freshmen.
That hole opens up some big time opportunities for a number of youngsters who appear poised to step up. The "veteran" of the group is junior Ryan Woods (Woodlands, Texas), who is coming off a 2016 season in which he played in nine games with 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, making his first collegiate start against Incarnate Word.
Also eager to make their mark are three sophomores who go their first taste of college football last season. Spencer Choka (Bryan, Texas), Anthony Jacobs (Houston, Texas) and Teddy Britton (San Antonio, Texas) each utilized their redshirt seasons as true freshmen in 2015 before combining for 32 total tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in relief roles last year. Due to the open competition at the position in the spring, all three put together solid performances and have continued to do so during preseason camp. Each should have ample opportunity to compete for the starting job this fall.
Another pair of returning 'Jacks from 2016 are redshirt freshmen Fre'Zarian Harrison (Pittsburg, Texas) and Dylan Roach (Pearland, Texas), who both utilized their redshirt seasons but are seeking time on the field this fall.
"I think the guys have come a long way in the last seven/eight days", first-year assistant coach for the linebackers Josh Lawson said after Friday's practice. "It's a brand new defense and as a linebacker when you learn new coverages and new terminology there is a lot of strange things going on to them and I think they've handled that adversity well."
"These guys are fresh to learning this defense", continued Coach Lawson, "They're excited to learn something new because they weren't completely endowed in the last defense. They get to learn something new and I've been really proud of them."
Coach Lawson also talked about his returning letter winners, "I think Teddy Britton is a great linebacker, I think Spencer Choka is a great linebacker. Ryan Woods has been a great leader for us all summer, Ryan has done a great job. During the summer we don't get a lot of time with the players and Ryan was my coach this summer, Ryan was my coach on the field and I've been so proud of the way he's worked and what he's done. He's playing all three linebacker positions for us right now, getting a lot of work. I think Anthony Jacobs is a really good hitter who plays hard and whom I'm really excited about."
The competition among linebackers appears to be one of the biggest story lines as fall camp progresses after the addition of two junior college transfers. Juniors Bryce Gemmel (Newnan, Georgia) out of Independence College and Terrance Potts (Trinity, Texas) out of Trinity Valley Community College should be able to contribute from the start as Gemmel got an early jump on the process during spring workouts.
"Potts has come in here with a great attitude, wanting to learn and wanting to do something new", Coach Lawson remarked. "It's something he's never done before; he's working his butt off at it."
Head coach Clint Conque also brought in four true freshmen, including highly touted high school talents Michael McCain (Silsbee, Texas), Bert Morris (Amarillo, Texas) and Sloan Rodberg (Wills Point, Texas), in addition to Kyle Cannella (Lucas, Texas). The rookies will give SFA much needed depth while adding talent across the board at the position.
Saturday will be SFA's first scrimmage of preseason camp with the 'Jacks taking to Homer Bryce Stadium for a 4 p.m. start. The football program encourages fans and supporters to come out and watch the team prepare for the rapidly approaching season as they host the open field scrimmage in full pads.
The 'Jacks open up the 2017 season at SMU on Saturday, Sept. 2, before beginning the home portion of their schedule the following weekend against Southern Utah (Sept. 9).
Season tickets for 2017 SFA Football are on sale through the SFA athletics ticket office and can be purchased here. Available season ticket packages include reserved chair back and reserved bench seats. SFA football season tickets start at only $63 for the general public and $38 for faculty and staff. For more information, call 936-468-5225 (JACK).
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete 2017 fall camp coverage.
2017 SFA FOOTBALL FALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Saturday, Aug. 12 (Scrimmage One) – Practice 9 (4 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
Sunday, Aug. 13 – Practice 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Practice 11 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Wednesday, Aug. 16 – Practice 12 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Thursday, Aug. 17 – Practice 13 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Friday, Aug. 18 – Practice 14 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Helmets
Saturday, Aug. 19 (Scrimmage Two) – Practice 15 (4 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
Monday, Aug. 21 – Practice 16 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Practice Field* | Attire: Shells
Tuesday, Aug. 22 – Practice 17 (9:15 a.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Shells
Wednesday, Aug. 23 (Scrimmage Three) – Practice 18 (7 p.m.)
Location: Homer Bryce Stadium | Attire: Full Pads
* – Practice fields located behind the athletics fieldhouse
-SFA-
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