Jacobs Pleased As Bears Open Spring Drills With Redeye Session
3/15/2024 11:12:00 AM | Football
MACON – First-year Mercer head coach Mike Jacobs took his team through an "energized" 2-hour practice session on Friday morning to officially lift the lid on spring drills, and came away pleased while noting there was plenty of work still left to be done.
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"I'm pleased with the kids. I thought our energy level was great for a morning practice," Jacobs said. "I thought that our pace in between plays was good. There are certainly a million things to clean up but, all in all, I thought it was a good start to what should be a productive spring for us."
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Originally slated for an afternoon session at Five Star Stadium, the opener of spring drills was shifted to a 6:30 a.m. start at Five Star Stadium in order to avoid inclement weather that is expected to move into Middle Georgia on Friday afternoon and last into the evening.
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The change did nothing to dampen the spirit on both the offensive and defensive sidelines, however. The coaching staff was particularly pleased with the efforts of transfer quarterback D.J. Smith, running backs Al Wooten II and Micah Bell and junior wide receiver Travion Solomon.
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The defensive energy on Friday morning was sparked by junior safety Juwan Johnson, secondary mate T.J. Moore, sophomore defensive lineman Brayden Manley and junior all-American linebacker Ken Standley.
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"The field and the football part is the fun stuff," Jacobs said. "To get out here and see guys actually participate in football and not just run around in t-shirts and shorts has been awesome. The kids have done a great job with the transition, and we are super excited for the next 14 practices."
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The Bears are back on the practice field on Saturday morning with another helmets-only session at Five Star Stadium. Saturday's practice is scheduled to get underway at 10:15 a.m. and is open to both the media and the general public.
Â
"I'm pleased with the kids. I thought our energy level was great for a morning practice," Jacobs said. "I thought that our pace in between plays was good. There are certainly a million things to clean up but, all in all, I thought it was a good start to what should be a productive spring for us."
Â
Originally slated for an afternoon session at Five Star Stadium, the opener of spring drills was shifted to a 6:30 a.m. start at Five Star Stadium in order to avoid inclement weather that is expected to move into Middle Georgia on Friday afternoon and last into the evening.
Â
The change did nothing to dampen the spirit on both the offensive and defensive sidelines, however. The coaching staff was particularly pleased with the efforts of transfer quarterback D.J. Smith, running backs Al Wooten II and Micah Bell and junior wide receiver Travion Solomon.
Â
The defensive energy on Friday morning was sparked by junior safety Juwan Johnson, secondary mate T.J. Moore, sophomore defensive lineman Brayden Manley and junior all-American linebacker Ken Standley.
Â
"The field and the football part is the fun stuff," Jacobs said. "To get out here and see guys actually participate in football and not just run around in t-shirts and shorts has been awesome. The kids have done a great job with the transition, and we are super excited for the next 14 practices."
Â
The Bears are back on the practice field on Saturday morning with another helmets-only session at Five Star Stadium. Saturday's practice is scheduled to get underway at 10:15 a.m. and is open to both the media and the general public.
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