Sparks, Eagles Open Spring Practice
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — After two days of work in only shorts and helmets, the Carson-Newman football team will finally see their first live action since its 49-48 win over Tusculum College on Nov. 13. It will be one of only three full pad, full contact practices for the Eagles. Per NCAA rules, Carson-Newman can only hold 15 practices over the next few weeks, with only so many slotted for scrimmages and full pads. Carson-Newman's first scrimmage will be Thursday.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — After two days of work in only shorts and helmets, the Carson-Newman football team will finally see their first live action since its 49-48 win over Tusculum College on Nov. 13.
It will be one of only three full pad, full contact practices for the Eagles. Per NCAA rules, Carson-Newman can only hold 15 practices over the next few weeks, with only so many slotted for scrimmages and full pads. Carson-Newman's first scrimmage will be Thursday.
While head coach Ken Sparks' team only lost six starters from last years, squad (two on offense, four on defense), he feels that every position is open in the spring for a player who wants to work hard enough to take it.
"Regardless of how many starters it looks like you have coming back, you start all over," Sparks said. "Everybody has a chance. We don't have any starters, we've got a bunch of people trying to be starters. We do have some good experience coming back."
The bulk of that experience is in the Carson-Newman backfield, with every running back on the roster returning next season. Nate Inman (Fitzgerald, Ga.) is coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his career, gaining 1,057 yards on 165 carries and scoring 10 touchdowns.
Brandon Baker (Miami, Fla.) gained 707 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Freshman phenom Tyron Douglas (Clover, S.C.) will get a chance to build on his spectacular rookie season where he gained 442 yards and scored nine touchdowns, mostly over the final four games of the season.
On defense, the Eagles will need to replace a defensive end and two linebackers, but with the constant rotations utilized by defensive coordinator Mike Clowney last season, plenty of experience is available. At linebacker, Jaycob Coleman, Jonathan Sites and Jerrell Emmanuel all played significant snaps last season. Coleman finished tied for third on the team in tackles with 45.
The only loss at defensive back is a big one, with the graduation of Mario Russell. Nate Jones (Gainesville, Ga.) and Isaac Kinley (Johnson City, Tenn.) both played significant snaps at safety last season. Additionally, Sparks expects newcomers Darryl Eubanks (Hendersonville, Tenn.) and Charles Hayes (Thomasville, Ga.) to compete for the open spot in addition to veteran defensive back Blain Ruttan (Ottowa, Ontario).
The biggest question mark on the team may be at quarterback. For the second consecutive season, the Eagles must look to a new signal-caller to run their high-octane attack. Wide receiver Jason Brown (Plant City, Fla.) has joined last season's No. 2 QB Johnny Foster (Roebuck, S.C.) and redshirt freshman Philip Juhlin (Maryville, Tenn.) in the competition for the starting job. Brown played quarterback all through high school.
"Those three are fighting real hard for it," Sparks said. Sometimes both of them (Juhlin and Foster) look like they're ready to step up and do it. Jason didn't get any snaps this fall so there's a good battle going there."
If Brown doesn't take the top QB spot, he'll return to the Eagles wide receiver squad.
"I prefer to be at the quarterback position, but if not, I'll do what I can to help my team at wide receiver, Brown said. "Whether it's blocking or catching. Whatever is best for the team."
Brown will get to work extra with Sparks if he's moved back to wideout. In his 32nd season at Carson-Newman, Sparks will share wide receiver coaching duties this season with quarterback coach David Needs. Former wide receivers coach Aaron Hutsell will coach the defensive backs.
The Eagles lack veteran depth only on the offensive line so the position battles in this year's spring practices should be intense.
"Every place else, we've got some good competition going on," Sparks said. "It's wide open and it's going to be fun to see who steps up and wins the jobs."
