Football | 4/2/2016 1:45:00 PM

STATESBORO - Overnight torrential downpours and a shower at the beginning of practice may have dampened the grass at Beautiful Eagle Creek, but it couldn't dampen the spirits of the Georgia Southern football team as it went through its fifth practice of spring ball Saturday morning on a cool and overcast day in Statesboro. With various high school staffs in town for the Boro Built Coaches Clinic, as well as top prospects in attendance for Junior Day, the Eagles went through a high-paced, full-pads workout for over two hours.

Senior BJ Johnson III is one of the elder statesmen of the receiving corps and has earned head coach Tyson Summers' praise for the way he goes about his business. Summers has said every time he's been asked that while the Eagles will continue to remain a gun option team, they must find ways to throw ... and complete ... more passes to open up that potent running attack. That's got Johnson and the rest of the receivers excited about what's transpiring early on. After practice, GSEagles.com got a chance to catch up with the Woodruff, South Carolina, native to get his thoughts on the first five practices.

Q: You guys have had some really physical practices early on, even when not in full pads. What's been your assessment of how that new approach is going, because that's different from the past two years?
BJJ: I think we need it. As a team, we need to get back to that physical style of play. Coach Summers is doing a great job of protecting us, but is also making people compete and go a lot harder when we have the pads on. He's changing the mindset of this team and it starts with sucking it up and pushing through pain or when you're tired, to keep going.

Q: What have you learned about yourself through these first couple of practices?
BJJ: I'm learning leadership and what qualities are important for leaders to have. I like to lead by example, but sometimes I might have to say something here and there. I'm also learning how to push myself. Coach Summers keeps saying to "push yourself" and "keep digging." When you think you're tired, you still have an extra gear to go. 

Q: You just touched on it, but Coach Summers mentioned the other day how he wants people to lead when you're tired and think when you're tired. Do you feel as one of the seniors on this team, that's the mentality you have to have as a leader?
BJJ: Yes sir. Coach Summer had me and Ironhead [Gallon] stand up after practice and told the team that we're going to do everything right. We might not be as vocal as some of the others, but if I see someone slacking or letting up, it's on me to say something to the young guys to make sure we're all doing it right. I have some other seniors in that wide receiver group that also help me, but I just try to do what fits my personality. If something needs to be said to the team, then I'll speak up.

Q: What's been the biggest difference early on with the offense?
BJJ: Everything is a lot more complex. We're working on the passing a lot, which is good for the receivers, but there's an option to everything we're doing. We're going to keep running the ball, but you may think you've got one thing covered, but we have something else to counter-attack it. It's just a lot more complex and once we get it down, it's going to be hard to stop.

Q: Are you having fun out there?
BJJ: Oh yeah, I'm having a blast out there. You have to love the game of football. Coach Summers is doing a great job of bringing something different with the music and getting amped up. We're doing more competitions so yes, we're all having fun out there.