The energy and excitement was readily apparent on the faces of the Illinois State coaching staff and players at Hancock Stadium, Thursday, for the first of 15 spring practices.
The Redbirds worked out for 18 periods in shoulder pads and shorts on the first day of the spring session.
Head coach Denver Johnson sensed the excitement, but also showed a little himself when witnessing the mid-year transfers for the first time in a Redbird uniform.
The guys were really anxious to get back on the field, Johnson said. They were really chomping at the bit to get out on the turf and do something.
Its early and we didnt have any pads on, but the newcomers like Joe Walkins, Tyler Larrick and Antwan Oliver, really look like they are going to help us.
Walkins, a transfer from Auburn, gives the Redbirds two Division I transfers at wide receiver with Dwayne Smith, who played one season at Illinois. Running back Demetrus Johnson, from Minnesota, and offensive lineman Noah Washington, a transfer from the College of DuPage, are couple more new faces on offense.
Larrick, from Hartnell Community College, and Oliver, a transfer from Eastern Illinois, will both compete for starting positions in the Redbird secondary.
It was the first day of spring practice, but Johnson already started to feel good about the 2003 season.
We just have a great attitude and spirit surrounding this football team right now, Johnson added. If we can just keep that going and have some of these guys step up and realize their potential, I think we have a chance to have a pretty good team.
Sophomore Drew Laurenti, brother of former Redbird Jon, was not on the field Thursday. The younger Laurenti battled a chronic lower back injury all last season which forced him to end his football career.
The Redbirds return to the field on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
