April 18, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
While the Illinois State football team returns 12 starters and 37 letterwinners from the squad that advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2006 NCAA Championship Subdivision Playoffs, it was the younger members that impressed the coaching staff during the Redbirds' 24-period workout session Wednesday on the ISU grass practice field.
"Some of the young guys are starting to show up on the football field," said head coach Denver Johnson. "Whether they are coming off a redshirt season or have been in the program a few years and haven't had the chance to play, they are starting to advance and emerge. They are beginning to make themselves available to us, and I'm really pleased with what we're accomplishing."
The `Birds started Wednesday working on the passing game. Senior Luke Drone continued to show why he was named to the Gateway Conference's first-team in 2006, hitting four of his first five passes, until redshirt freshman Casey Kociuba intercepted a pass. Junior Kevin Brockway converted his first two passes, while Preston Earl was 4-for-8.
The offense continued its solid start by converting its first four attempts in the next drill, goal line situations. Drone hit his first target, sophomore wide receiver Warren McCarty, on a fade route on the initial play. However, senior Alan Abrams fumbled on the fifth try and redshirt freshman Tommie Westbrook recovered for the defensive score. Earl also hit McCarty, on a similar fade route in the end zone.
During the third-down situational drill, sophomore Tom Speer was able to record a pass break-up, while senior Kye Stewart added a fumble recovery. Senior Jarek Thomas saw snaps at defensive end, moving from the tackle position to the outside spot on the defensive line. Senior Jesse Caesar also switched from his regular spot at defensive back to get some experience at safety.
"We wanted to get some looks at some of our young guys, and Jarek has bounced in and out before," said Johnson. "He has played on the edge for us in games before, and I like it because he can play out there. I think he's nimble enough to play out there on the edge. It gives him some good training in case we need him in the fall.
"Jesse is also looking good out at safety as well. It's working better than I thought it would, because he's smart and doesn't make a lot of mistakes and he reads things quick. It's something that might stick. I think Jesse and Tom Nelson are a pretty good pair of safeties."
NOTES: Kye Stewart and Billy Speiser both returned to practice after missing Tuesday's session with injuries. Warren McCarty was pulled out of practice after breaking his collar bone during the goal line drills, and Jermaine Malcolm missed practice due to a broken bone in his wrist. Both McCarty and Malcolm will sit out the remainder of the spring.
