Spirited was the common term Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson used to describe the first day of the Redbirds fall football camp Saturday.
The Redbirds opened the camp with an intensive 45-minute conditioning evaluation and the 50-plus players who worked out all summer on campus were undaunted by the task, while others found it more difficult. Johnson was pleased with the overall conditioning of his team.
There was a marked difference in the guys who were around here all summer and the guys who werent, Johnson said. Overall, Im pleased, but Im extremely pleased with the large group of guys who were here this summer.
Following a 10-minute break, the team worked out for 18, five-minute periods on the grass practice field.
During the practice session, the offense worked predominantly on the quarterback-running back exchange and short-yard passes. The defense focused on getting to the ball and worked on some coverages. The Redbirds also worked a couple of periods on the field goal unit.
For practicing in helmets and shorts, Johnson was definitely thrilled with the Redbirds attitude on the first day of camp.
Spirited, just spirited, Johnson said. It was really what we wanted to see out here. We gassed them pretty good with the conditioning evaluation and then came back with an 18-period practice. I thought they rebounded from the conditioning evaluation pretty good and had a very spirited practice.
The team returns to the practice field on Sunday for another workout in sweats. The session is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.
Camp Notes:
Illinois State opened camp with 93 players on the roster (89 active and four injured reserve).
The players on injured reserve include Kedric Meredith, Mike Stegeman, Amir Thompson and Sam Yeargin.
Notables not on ISUs 90-man roster include Adam Redenius, who was forced to retire with a chronic shoulder injury, and J.P. Dundas, Nick Rohrer and Matt Rowan, who all left the team.
Late additions to the roster include defensive back Evan Allen-Gessessee and long snapper Jim Sharfman, who were each on the squad last season, but did not earn a letter.
