VIDEO INTERVIEW
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Samford football team returned to spring practice Monday afternoon after taking the weekend off for Easter. The Bulldogs practiced for about two hours in full pads Monday.
 
Monday's workout was the sixth of 15 the Bulldogs will go through this spring. The team's first spring scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.
 
Samford returns eight starters on offense from a team that posted a record of 7-4 last season. One of the key returnees this season is senior wide receiver Kelsey Pope.
 
“We're coming along better each day,” Pope said. “There are a lot of little mistakes, and we have to be more consistent. The focus is there at the beginning of practice, we just have to finish stronger.”
 
Pope led Samford in receiving last season. As a junior, he caught 68 passes for 552 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed six times for 25 yards and a touchdown.
 
Samford must replace senior Riley Hawkins at receiver. The Bulldogs, however, return an experienced group of receivers.
 
“We have Kelvin Clay, Jeremy Brown and Gavin Sinclair, all of those guys played last year,” Pope said. “We have guys like Manny (Emmanuel Obajimi), he's going to come in and contribute. We also have Chris Cephus on the inside, and he will contribute a lot.”
 
Samford will practice again on Wednesday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. Wednesday's practice is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.