The Valdosta State football team reported to preseason camp on Monday making the 2013 season officially underway.
The Blazers hope to become the first Division II football team to win back-to-back national championships since Grand Valley State in 2006.
13 returning starters are back yet the reigning champs will introduce several new faces this fall.
“I think for the most part we're in good shape,” said VSU coach David Dean, who enters his seventh season. “We're blowing some things but that's normal for early practice. I think our intensity and effort is all there. You can coach the mistakes but it's harder to coach the effort.”
The Blazers switch from split practices to full squad Friday and have twenty more left (including three scrimmages) before they suit up for the season opener September 7th against Fort Valley State.
“These guys who have gone through spring practice you know what they can do, it's time to give some of these younger guys a look,” Coach Dean said.
The few freshmen and transfer players who standout this month could earn substantial time this season as essential pieces to the puzzle.
West Alabama and VSU are preseason co-favorites to win the Gulf South Conference (first time in 19 years).
Due to the return of key playmakers, the Blazers have a fighting chance to take the GSC and make another postseason run.
Nevertheless, there are numerous questions circulating that will be answered sooner or later.
Here are five:
1. How will the offensive line shake up?
Presumably the strongest offensive line in Blazer history is now gone and the vacancy draws doubt in this season's success. VSU goes into the season with five unproven starters upfront. Preseason camp will solidify who these five will be. Returning linemen Colin Glasco, Jesse Yancy, Jack Bradley and Alexander Brock are involved in the current position battle. Coach Dean expects last year's reserve center Mike Miller to step up not only on the field but as a leader too. Dean agreed that preparing this raw offensive line will be the most difficult task of all. Quarterback Cayden Cochran has already begun getting acclimated with his new protectors. Cochran and the new unit are working against time to mesh quickly or the beginning of the season could be a drag.
2. Can the Black Swarm make up from the loss of Matt Pierce?
You can ask any team and they'll tell you that replacing an All-American is far from easy. With Pierce and other former cornerback Alex Webster gone, corners like Manny Evans and Isaiah Gresham must step up more than ever. Not having much depth here, VSU cannot afford any injuries at this position especially facing plenty high-caliber receivers this season. It will benefit the Blazers immensely if a newly added cornerback could bring some much needed intensity.
3. Will Cayden go out with a bang?
In 2013, Cochran is still the most efficient quarterback in the conference and will have to lead once again by example. He is coming off a stellar season but unfortunately he most likely has to produce similar numbers again for the Blazers to fathom defending their title. Good thing for the senior quarterback is he comes back to all his receivers from last season and more. This last statement can be irrelevant if he doesn't have enough time to throw to them however. Depending on how the offensive line stands has great influence on how much of a bang his final season will be. When Cochran first arrived to VSU in 2011 and played with unfamiliar linemen,the result of that season was the Blazers falling short of even a playoff berth. It's vital that as much camaraderie as possible is gained upfront before September.
4. How will the running back tandem pan out?
Preseason All-Conference Cedric O'Neal and Austin Scott shocked the nation last season both rushing for over 1,000 yards. The two sophomores won't be nearly as much of a surprise for teams this time around so how they adapt plays a major factor into the season outcome. Although O'Neal is the starter, the two complement each other well. Obviously it takes some weight of Cochran's shoulders when the running game is fluid which ultimately sets up the passing game. If the duo can avoid specific defensive game plans the upcoming opposition will implement to contain them then I have little query that the Blazers won't win the conference and maybe more than that.
5. Who will be kicking for VSU?
Daniel Anderson's replacement is also assumed to be determined in the next couple weeks. Coaches will either decide to use sophomores Jake Walker or Dominic Demasi to kick field goals this season. Demasi mainly handled punting in 2012 and Walker was on kickoffs. If not those two, coaches may experiment and plug in GSC top newcomer Anthony Pistelli. This lingering question gets less attention and if taken too lightly could backfire later. The upcoming schedule includes some matchups that very well could end up being decided by three points.
