BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On April 5, the Samford football team completed the program's 15th and final spring practice of the year. The 2024 edition of spring practice featured a hotly contested quarterback battle and a number of new Bulldogs trying to find their fit on three sides of the ball.
"We've had really good enthusiasm and some really good want to in everything that we do," coach
Chris Hatcher said after the final practice. "We still need some guys to really step up. There are a few positions that I am concerned about that'll hopefully get better over the summer and maybe we'll go find some players to come in void those voids."
With All-American quarterback
Michael Hiers graduating and waiting to hear his name called at the NFL draft, senior
Quincy Crittendon and graduate student
Nik Scalzo took most of the snaps with the first-team offense during the spring.
Both saw action in mop-up duty during the 2023 season with Crittendon appearing in seven games going 5-for-9 for 61 yards through the air. After missing all of the 2022 season with a leg injury, Scalzo made his Samford debut in the closing minutes of the season opener against Shorter, where he completed a pass for five yards. He also took snaps under center against The Citadel but did not record any stats.
Damonta Witherspoon and Toledo transfer Micah Kelly spent the spring battling for reps at the running back position while Southern Conference Freshman of Year Brendon Jenkins led a receiving corps that also includes
Iaan Cousin,
E. Jai Mason and
D.J. Rias.
Up front, the veteran trio of
Luke Byrne,
Cooper Frazier and
Chris Noble anchored an offensive line that also included sophomore
Noah Watts.
With the departure of Chris Boone to Troy, Adam Braithwaite was named defensive coordinator and safeties coach in January. Braithwaite brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Lakeshore Drive.
Along the defensive front,
Joshua Mathiasen returned to be the heart of a defensive line that will include
Xavier Nurse moving to the defensive end position.
All-American linebacker
Noah Martin was the main attraction on the defensive side of the ball after a 109-tackle season in 2023. Fellow linebacker
Jaden Mosley, who ranked second on the squad with 61 tackles, also flashed during spring ball.
The defensive back end was scattered with new faces like Luke Wattenbarger, Jailk Yancey and Edwin Dearman in addition to a returning trio of
Midnight Steward,
Wade White and
Dontae Pollard.
Alex Applefield,
Wilson Beaverstock and
Will Thorley were back for the spring to handle the Bulldog special team duties.
The 2024 season gets underway on Saturday, Aug. 31 at West Georgia.
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