BEAUMONT, Texas – In one of the earliest reporting dates in the history of the program, the Lamar University football players reported to campus to open preseason camp on the next to last day of July. After facing the media Sunday, the team stepped on the field Monday afternoon for their first official workout at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
In a practice that lasted two hours, the Cardinals proved they were unwilling to yield to Mother Nature. The temperature exceeded 90 degrees throughout the day but the Cardinals muscled their way through the workout going through position drills before moving into the playbook.
"Fortunately, most of these guys spent the summer here, so they have trained in this heat," said LU head coach
Mike Schultz. "Not only are these guys competing against each other, but you are competing against the heat as well. I thought our guys did real well."
In addition to the returning letterwinners on the squad, the coaching staff welcomed 20 newcomers (15 high school signees and five transfers) for their first official practice with the team. The group of 20 which inked with the Cardinals on National Signing Day, joined a group of talented walk-ons all fighting for playing time when the Cardinals open the season Sept. 2 at North Texas.
The position breakdown on offense from the 2017 signing class consists of five offensive linemen, four wide receivers, two running backs, a quarterback and a tight end. On the defensive side of the ball, LU added four linebackers and two defensive linemen. LU also added a kicker on special teams. The five transfers from this group include receivers
Dorian Gaston and
Isaiah Howard, running back
James White, offensive lineman
Willie Williams and tight end
Jarod Wood. This group looks to fill the gaps for a squad that only has 13 returning starters.
Although the depth chart is not set, and position battles will take place over the next month, the Cardinals wrapped up the first workout with a scrimmage that saw offense versus defense and some special teams work.
"We're trying to install our offense and the base part of our defense and make sure we execute on special teams," said Schultz. "I thought we did some things athletically today. We have a long way to go but our two junior college receivers (
Dorian Gaston and
Isaiah Howard) did some nice things. They have a lot to learn, but did some nice things on offense. We still have a lot of work to do as a team."
The Cardinals closed out the second day of camp in position meetings, and will start the process over again Tuesday.
-LU CARDINALS-
