Photo by: SFA Athletics
2017 SFA Football Fall Camp Report: Transfers
8/22/2017 7:06:00 PM | Football
The ‘Jacks took to the turf of Homer Bryce Stadium Tuesday morning for their final practice of fall camp, before hosting their third and final scrimmage of the preseason Wednesday
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 and select units, today highlighting the transfers.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin football team held its final practice of fall camp Tuesday morning on the turf of Homer Bryce Stadium, working out in helmets, jerseys and shorts under the intense Texas sun. The Lumberjacks made final preparations for their third and final full-contact scrimmage of the preseason held tomorrow at 7 p.m. inside Homer Bryce.
The 19-period practice session lasted just under an hour and 45 minutes as the team enjoyed working out without any pads. Focusing on running open-field plays, the 'Jacks began the morning with their usual pre-practice drills, dynamic warmup and stretching. The session did not include a condition period as SFA ran a total of 66 team plays, including 42 open-field repetitions.
Following positional drills, the 'Jacks worked on punting before quickly stepping into a 12-play set. With the opening 25 minutes of practice being streamed live nationally on NCAA FCS Football's Facebook page, SFA showed plenty of enthusiasm throughout the morning as music rang out on the field.
The 'Jacks went back into positional drills for a pair of periods but headed out to the hashes for another 12-play set, followed by 21 open-field plays. After a second round of 21 open-field plays, SFA went through kickoff coverage to cap the 17th practice of fall camp.
Transfers
Much like the 'Jacks' freshmen class, SFA will call heavily upon its transfers throughout the 2017 season. There have certainly been plenty of big pickups for the 'Jacks over the offseason that have brought much excitement to the program.
SFA has welcomed a total of 14 newcomers to Nacogdoches since the end of the 2016 season. Four of those have made a big splash and look to play important roles for the Lumberjack offense. Junior wide receivers Frank Iheanacho (Houston, Texas) and Terian Goree (Carthage, Texas), along with junior quarterback Foster Sawyer (Fort Worth, Texas) and junior running back Juan Day (Little Rock, Ark.), each transferred in from FBS institutions.
Iheanacho came to SFA from Southeastern Conference stalwart Texas A&M and stands as the 'Jacks' tallest receiver at 6-foot-6. Prior to arriving in Nacogdoches, Iheanacho spent three seasons with the Aggies, playing in both 2014 and 2016 and redshirting in 2015. He played a total of 18 games for Texas A&M, catching eight passes for 71 yards. He looks to have an immediate impact on the field for the 'Jacks after competing in six games as a true freshman in 2014. A U.S. Army All-American in high school, Iheanacho reeled in a 13-yard reception during the Aggies' 2014 Liberty Bowl victory over West Virginia.
During SFA's intra-squad scrimmage this past Saturday, Iheanacho displayed his athleticism and skill when he took a short crossing route pass into the red zone for a 65-yard score.
Adding even more size and speed to the 'Jacks' height-inclined receiving unit is Goree, who made his way to SFA from the University of North Texas. He spent three seasons with the Mean Green, redshirting as a true freshman in 2014 before playing in 21 games and making 18 starts over the last two years. Goree caught 51 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns while at North Texas after an illustrious high school career in Carthage. Holding every program receiving record at Carthage High School, Goree ranks fifth in the state of Texas for single-season touchdown catches.
Throughout fall camp, Goree has impressed coaches and continues to work hard. He made a pair of athletic catches during the 'Jacks' first scrimmage of fall camp.
Another SEC transfer, Day was a late addition to the team but has fit right into SFA's offense during the preseason. Coming to Nacogdoches from the University of Arkansas, Day appeared in one game for the running back-loaded Razorbacks after three seasons in Fayetteville. Making his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Day rushed for 17 yards on four carries against UT Martin. He did not see any game action in 2016 and redshirted in 2014. Coming out of North Little Rock High School, Day was ranked as the No. 3 prospect from the state of Arkansas and the No. 40 running back in the nation according to Rivals.
Day has looked good throughout fall camp and has seen repetitions on the third team offense during SFA's two scrimmages.
After spending three seasons at Big XII TCU, Sawyer could be a big playmaker for the 'Jacks in 2017. The signal caller has been in the mix for SFA's starting quarterback job but suffered a knee injury over the summer. His recovery and therapy have been going well throughout fall camp and he is back to dressing out for practices and taking snaps.
Sawyer played in 12 games with two starts for the Horned Frogs, completing 37of-82 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2014, Sawyer made his first collegiate start in 2015 on the road at seventh-ranked Oklahoma; he completed 8-of-18 passes for 107 yards and tossed a touchdown. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 230 pounds, Sawyer brings plenty of size and experience to the quarterback position.
The 'Jacks also have several other transfers who could be impactful in their first season at SFA. Junior wide receiver Romello Bentley (Jacksonville, Fla.) arrived in Nacogdoches from Sierra Community College in California, while junior linebacker Bryce Gemmel (Newnan, Ga.) transferred in from Independence College in Kansas. Sophomore cornerback Davelle Fox (Chicago, Ill.) made his way to SFA from Southwestern College in California as sophomore safety Norman Reeves (San Antonio, Texas) joined the 'Jacks from Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, and junior linebacker Terrance Potts (Trinity, Texas) came by way of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. SFA also brought in junior offensive lineman William Youngberg (Payson, Ariz.) from Glendale Community College in California and junior offensive lineman Josiah Hunter (Fontana, Calif.) from Chaffey College in California.
Fall camp will wrap up Wednesday night after SFA hosts its final full-contact scrimmage of the preseason at 7 p.m. It will be just the fourth time of camp that the 'Jacks workout in full pads. SFA will then begin preparation for its season opener with its first regular-season practice Thursday afternoon.
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
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 – The Stephen F. Austin football team held its final practice of fall camp Tuesday morning on the turf of Homer Bryce Stadium, working out in helmets, jerseys and shorts under the intense Texas sun. The Lumberjacks made final preparations for their third and final full-contact scrimmage of the preseason held tomorrow at 7 p.m. inside Homer Bryce.
The 19-period practice session lasted just under an hour and 45 minutes as the team enjoyed working out without any pads. Focusing on running open-field plays, the 'Jacks began the morning with their usual pre-practice drills, dynamic warmup and stretching. The session did not include a condition period as SFA ran a total of 66 team plays, including 42 open-field repetitions.
Following positional drills, the 'Jacks worked on punting before quickly stepping into a 12-play set. With the opening 25 minutes of practice being streamed live nationally on NCAA FCS Football's Facebook page, SFA showed plenty of enthusiasm throughout the morning as music rang out on the field.
The 'Jacks went back into positional drills for a pair of periods but headed out to the hashes for another 12-play set, followed by 21 open-field plays. After a second round of 21 open-field plays, SFA went through kickoff coverage to cap the 17th practice of fall camp.
Transfers
Much like the 'Jacks' freshmen class, SFA will call heavily upon its transfers throughout the 2017 season. There have certainly been plenty of big pickups for the 'Jacks over the offseason that have brought much excitement to the program.
SFA has welcomed a total of 14 newcomers to Nacogdoches since the end of the 2016 season. Four of those have made a big splash and look to play important roles for the Lumberjack offense. Junior wide receivers Frank Iheanacho (Houston, Texas) and Terian Goree (Carthage, Texas), along with junior quarterback Foster Sawyer (Fort Worth, Texas) and junior running back Juan Day (Little Rock, Ark.), each transferred in from FBS institutions.
Iheanacho came to SFA from Southeastern Conference stalwart Texas A&M and stands as the 'Jacks' tallest receiver at 6-foot-6. Prior to arriving in Nacogdoches, Iheanacho spent three seasons with the Aggies, playing in both 2014 and 2016 and redshirting in 2015. He played a total of 18 games for Texas A&M, catching eight passes for 71 yards. He looks to have an immediate impact on the field for the 'Jacks after competing in six games as a true freshman in 2014. A U.S. Army All-American in high school, Iheanacho reeled in a 13-yard reception during the Aggies' 2014 Liberty Bowl victory over West Virginia.
During SFA's intra-squad scrimmage this past Saturday, Iheanacho displayed his athleticism and skill when he took a short crossing route pass into the red zone for a 65-yard score.
Adding even more size and speed to the 'Jacks' height-inclined receiving unit is Goree, who made his way to SFA from the University of North Texas. He spent three seasons with the Mean Green, redshirting as a true freshman in 2014 before playing in 21 games and making 18 starts over the last two years. Goree caught 51 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns while at North Texas after an illustrious high school career in Carthage. Holding every program receiving record at Carthage High School, Goree ranks fifth in the state of Texas for single-season touchdown catches.
Throughout fall camp, Goree has impressed coaches and continues to work hard. He made a pair of athletic catches during the 'Jacks' first scrimmage of fall camp.
Another SEC transfer, Day was a late addition to the team but has fit right into SFA's offense during the preseason. Coming to Nacogdoches from the University of Arkansas, Day appeared in one game for the running back-loaded Razorbacks after three seasons in Fayetteville. Making his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Day rushed for 17 yards on four carries against UT Martin. He did not see any game action in 2016 and redshirted in 2014. Coming out of North Little Rock High School, Day was ranked as the No. 3 prospect from the state of Arkansas and the No. 40 running back in the nation according to Rivals.
Day has looked good throughout fall camp and has seen repetitions on the third team offense during SFA's two scrimmages.
After spending three seasons at Big XII TCU, Sawyer could be a big playmaker for the 'Jacks in 2017. The signal caller has been in the mix for SFA's starting quarterback job but suffered a knee injury over the summer. His recovery and therapy have been going well throughout fall camp and he is back to dressing out for practices and taking snaps.
Sawyer played in 12 games with two starts for the Horned Frogs, completing 37of-82 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2014, Sawyer made his first collegiate start in 2015 on the road at seventh-ranked Oklahoma; he completed 8-of-18 passes for 107 yards and tossed a touchdown. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 230 pounds, Sawyer brings plenty of size and experience to the quarterback position.
The 'Jacks also have several other transfers who could be impactful in their first season at SFA. Junior wide receiver Romello Bentley (Jacksonville, Fla.) arrived in Nacogdoches from Sierra Community College in California, while junior linebacker Bryce Gemmel (Newnan, Ga.) transferred in from Independence College in Kansas. Sophomore cornerback Davelle Fox (Chicago, Ill.) made his way to SFA from Southwestern College in California as sophomore safety Norman Reeves (San Antonio, Texas) joined the 'Jacks from Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, and junior linebacker Terrance Potts (Trinity, Texas) came by way of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. SFA also brought in junior offensive lineman William Youngberg (Payson, Ariz.) from Glendale Community College in California and junior offensive lineman Josiah Hunter (Fontana, Calif.) from Chaffey College in California.
Fall camp will wrap up Wednesday night after SFA hosts its final full-contact scrimmage of the preseason at 7 p.m. It will be just the fourth time of camp that the 'Jacks workout in full pads. SFA will then begin preparation for its season opener with its first regular-season practice Thursday afternoon.
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
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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