Story and photo courtesy of Georgia State Athletics
ATLANTA - The Georgia State football team opened its 2012 spring practice with a workout Thursday morning at the GSU Practice Complex.
It was one day later than planned due to yesterday’s lightning that cancelled practice, but head coach Bill Curry and his Panthers are happy to be back on the field.
“It’s great to get out here and actually get to practice football,” said Curry. “I expect to see progress every day as we go about all the things we have to do to teach this team to finish.
“We started working the day after the last game,” Curry continued. “Everybody out here understands what we did to ourselves last season. But we don’t look back; we make a plan to get better and we go to work.
The Panthers are working with three quarterbacks this spring in junior Kelton Hill, who started the last half of last season, junior Bo Schlechter, who also started four games, and redshirt freshman Ben McLane.
“All three are out here competing,” said Curry. “We will get consistent quarterback play, because that’s what you have to have in today’s football.”
Another focus this spring is rebuilding the offensive line, where the Panthers graduated four starters. Junior tackle Grant King is the only returnee; he has started all 22 games GSU has played in its first two seasons.
“I like the guys we have,” said Curry. “Are they there yet, no, but I think we’re more athletic upfront.”
A quartet of junior look to join King in the starting five in tackle Ulrick John, guards Harrison Clottey and Michael Davis and center Tim Wynn. Davis, returning from a season-ending injury, could also play center.
Recently-elevated coordinator Anthony Midget conducted his practice with the defense, which also welcomed new defensive ends coach Ricky Thomas.
The Panthers continue spring practice with workouts scheduled for Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. at the GSU Practice Complex.