PDF SPRING QUICK FACTS
FLORENCE, Ala. --
Chris Willis and his University of North Alabama Lions will begin their 2017 spring football practice sessions on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Willis, set to begin his first season as head football coach at UNA after 15 years as an assistant with the Lions, has 71 players on the roster to compete in spring workouts. Of that number, however, just seven full-time starters return from a UNA team that went 11-2 a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.
"It will be exciting getting back on the field and evaluating our players to see who can help us," said Willis. "Our players have worked really hard in the off-season and they are ready for a change and looking forward to getting on the field."
With the addition of new defensive coordinator
Brett Borden and receiver coach
Drew Hall, Willis said he is also looking forward to working with his staff.
"While you're evaluating players, you also want to get in a groove with your coaches and the spring is the time to do that," Willis said. "It has been a whirlwind since I was hired, with recruiting, hiring a staff and all the other administrative duties, so it will be nice to get on the field and get back to the coaching aspects a little more."
Heading the list of UNA returnees are a trio of All-Gulf South Conference performers in receiver
Dre Hall, defensive lineman
Freddie Reed and long-snapper
Wil Lovelace.
Other returning starters on offense are running back
Damon Cox, receiver
Jacob Thomas and offensive linemen Lance harrod and
Jordan Sogers. Reed is the only returning defensive starter but the Lions return a wealth of experienced players in defensive backs
Dorsey Norris,
Maurice Carnell and
Jaylan Jackson, linebackers
Ronderick Rice and
Johnnie Anderson and defensive linemen
Eddquerion Harris and
Frank Williams.
"We have 71 players in all and we need to know, if we lined up and played, who can help us right now," Willis said. "We've got a lot of guys who played in the No. 2 spots last year and we need to find out if they are ready to step up and start. We have to determine where our depth is and where we are going to need to insert new players."
On the offensive side, sophomore quarterback
Blake Hawkins returns after filling the role as a back-up last season. He rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 225 yards and three TDs.
Damon Cox and
Ray Beasley also return in the backfield. Cox rushed for 519 yards and eight touchdowns last season and Beasley had 79 carries for 460 yards and four TDs. Hall was UNA's leading receiver with 80 catches for 1,179 yards and nine scores.
Hagan Scott had 22 catches for 208 yards and a TD and Thomas had 20 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
North Alabama is scheduled to hold its annual Purple-White Spring Game on April 22 at 11:00 a.m.
UNA Spring Practice Dates (Tentative)
Tuesday - March 21 - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday - March 22 - 3:45 p.m.
Thursday - March 23 - 6:00 a.m.
Tuesday - April 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday - April 6 - 5:30 p.m.
Friday - April 7 - 3:45 p.m.
Monday - April 10 - 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday - April 11 - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday - April 12 - 3:45 p.m.
Thursday - April 13 - 6:00 p.m.
Monday - April 17 - 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday - April 18 - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday - April 20 - 5:30 p.m.
Friday - April 21 - 3:45 p.m.
Saturday - April 22 - SPRING GAME - 11:00 a.m.
