NORMAL, Ill. – All offseason, the focus for the Illinois State football team is to get stronger and faster to keep up with the grueling Missouri Valley Football Conference gauntlet in the fall. The Redbirds have been working hard and are in the second quarter of that offseason work, as are back in business and have started their spring practices in preparation for the 2023 season.
Tuesday's workout was the first of fifteen for the Redbirds over the next six weeks before things come to an end with annual Spring Showcase scrimmage on April 15 at Hancock Stadium. The Redbirds took the field in the morning to cool and breezy conditions but were happy to be back on the field as a full team for the first time since November.
As one of the team's initial acclimation period practices, the players took the turf in helmets with no pads to work through their two-hour script of plays and situations. After a quick stretch and some encouraging words from 15th year head coach Brock Spack, the 'Birds hit the field to work on their special teams circuit to start things off. The action then moved into the individual position drills, followed by a blitz period, perimeter drill, 7-on-7 and finally ending with the team drill.
Quarterback Zack Annexstad led the Redbird offense, as he prepares for year two in a Redbird uniform running offensive coordinator Tony Petersen's offense. He, along with transfer quarterback Mason Kaplan and sophomore Tommy Rittenhouse took turns during the various drills, completing passes to a variety of players including returners Daniel Sobkowicz, Jalen Carr and David Connors and newcomers I'Shawn Stewart and Cam Grandy.Â
A new look group of running backs also took turns carrying the football, as junior Cole Mueller returns from a season-ending injury suffered in the season opener at Wisconsin last year. Fellow returners Wenkers Wright and Sean Allen both saw action, as did newcomer Mason Blakemore both carrying the ball and catching passes out of the backfield.
On the defensive side, veteran linebackers Kenton Wilhoit and Cade Campos controlled the action in the middle and senior Josh Dinga held things down on the defensive line. Safeties Keondre Jackson and Dillon Gearhart also returned to help solidify the back end of the defense, which was one of the best in the country last year under the leadership of defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp.
With the first practice in the books, the Redbirds will have one more on Thursday morning before having a week off for the University's spring break. Practices will then resume on Tuesday, March 21, and continue on a regular schedule until the Spring Showcase.
For updates, photos, and video from 2023 Redbird Football Spring Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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