Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Team Starts Spring Practice
03/27/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
March 27, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
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The Salukis practiced for the first time this spring on a chilly afternoon at McAndrew Stadium Wednesday. Head coach Jerry Kill said he is pleased with the progress the team is making this offseason.
Notes: The Salukis will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the Spring Game on Saturday, April 20. The team will also practice on Saturdays beginning next week. Normal practice times are 3:30-6 p.m. for weekdays and 1-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The Spring Game will be at 1 p.m. at the stadium.
The team did not practice in full pads today.
Coach Kill said the staff is experimenting with players at different positions during the spring. WR Justin George is getting a look at safety and RB Antione Jackson is seeing time at cornerback.
Kill said with so many positions up for grabs, he will not publically release a depth chart until after the Spring Game.
The team has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes at 6:30 a.m. during the offseason. Kill said the classes have improved the team's flexibility and discipline.
There are 13 new walk-ons trying out for the team this spring.
Highly touted defensive linemen Lionel Williams and Billy Beard cannot practice during the spring, but will join the team officially when two-a-days begin this summer. They are non-qualifiers for the 2001-02 academic year.
There is a three-way competition shaping up at quarterback. Last year's starter, Kevin Kobe, will try to fend off redshirt freshmen Joel Sambursky and Stanley Bryant.
