Football | 3/23/2017 11:53:00 AM

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern football team took to the fields of Beautiful Eagle Creek Thursday morning for the fourth of 15 allowable spring practices. Under overcast skies and with a biting wind making things chilly, the Eagles went through a spirited two-hour workout in shoulder pads and helmets as the continue to prepare for the April 1 Spring Game.

Following practice, GSEagles.com had a chance to catch up with senior linebacker Chris DeLaRosa, who is the only returning starting at the spot after the departures of Ironhead Gallon and Ukeme Eligwe.

Q: What is the biggest thing you want to improve on this spring?
A: My pass coverage, because I've always been a better run stopper then I was covering receivers out in space. I just want to get better at that heading into the season.

Q: With Ironhead and Eligwe now gone, how is it stepping into that leadership role on the defense?
A: It's gone pretty smoothly; these guys are young and they listen to pretty much everything I have to say. I have the most game experience out of everybody so far. It's a mutual respect thing, I respect them as much as they respect me. They are good football players and I know that they will be great one day. They know that I just want to make them better, so every single day they go out there willing to learn and ready to hit somebody."

Q: After recovering from an ankle injury late last season, how does it feel to be back on the field?
A: It feels so good. Not being able to run normally for a long time or having my ankle taped or a brace on, it was frustrating. Every single game I would get warmed up, playing through pain and trying to get ready. I always was able to say "I can play," but I was never able to play at the level I was expected at the D-1 level the second half of the season. Being able to go out there and fly around again feels great.

Q: What is the biggest thing you want the defense to pride on this season?
A: I want us to be close and be a close unit. I want us to be able to stop the run and be top 25 in the nation defensively.

Q: What is your best football memory?
A: I've got a few … I won a national championship playing pop warner when I was in sixth grade. When we won the conference championship here in Statesboro the first year we went FBS was pretty special. The fans all rushed the field and it was packed out here. We had just went 8-0 in the conference and we got to celebrate right here at Paulson and was one of the highlights of my college career.

THE REMAINING SPRING SCHEDULE
Sat., March 25; 11 AM-1 PM (Paulson)
Tues., March 28; 8-10 AM
Thurs., March 30; 8-10 AM
Fri., March 31; 8-10 AM
Sat., April 1; Noon ... SPRING GAME (Paulson)
Tues., April 4; 8-10 AM
Thurs., April 6; 8-10 AM
Sat., April 8; 11 AM-1 PM (Paulson)
Tues., April 11; 8-10 AM
Thurs., April 13; 8-10 AM
Sat., April 15; 11 AM-1 PM (Paulson)