Football | 7/27/2017 2:42:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – Thursday morning concluded the third practice of fall camp for the Georgia Southern football squad as the team practiced in shoulder pads and helmets as part of its five-day required acclamation period. The Eagles will have Friday off, before returning to the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek Saturday morning. The team will hold its first full pads practice Sunday morning at 8 a.m. in Paulson Stadium.

ENERGY WAS HIGH AS CAMP HITS FIRST DAY OFF
Thursday morning's practice brought a lot of intensity and excitement as the players put on helmets and shoulder pads on for the first time this preseason. The team began practice with a stretch period, followed by offensive and defensive drills. The team continued practice with individual position drills and special teams, before finishing practice with team install and seven-on-seven drills.

"All three days have been good," head coach Tyson Summers said. "I've been excited with how much enthusiasm they have had this fall. I'm proud of how far along we are on both sides of the ball, more than we ever were during spring practice. The energy has been good, and we need to continue to make sure we don't have lapses during practice."

With the team having on shells on for the first time this fall, the coaches created more competition periods. Defensive backs and wide receivers competed in one-on-on drills, while the linemen focused on trench battles. Both sides of the ball had a lot of energy and coaches really stressed teaching moments.

"Today was the first day they got to put the shoulder pads on, so I think there was a renewed energy headed to practice," Summers said. "We added a couple more competition periods because of that. Our focal point right now is teaching. We really want to get a good baseline for what we want to do, whether it is the technique or learning the play and understand it. We have had a really successful first three days, and I'm really proud of what our coaches and group have been able to do."

Heading into Friday, the Eagles will have the day off, resting and recovering for the next set of three days. Summers has said that the team will go through water therapy and recovery sessions at the R.A.C. on its days off, something new this year. Saturday will be another day of just helmets and shoulder pads, while Sunday will be the first full contact practice for the squad. Summers implemented the day of rest after the NCAA changed its ruling on two a day practices.

"The big thing is that it's a young group and we need to make sure were doing a good job at teaching with and making corrections with," Summers said. "The idea that you are able to gain that and also have them in a refreshed mind, and their bodies fresh is going to help us in the long run. I think it is going to prevent us from having injuries and prevent us from being mentally and physically exhausted."

BYRD EXCITED TO SOLIDIFY LINEBACKING CORE
Rashad Byrd joins a young linebacker groups after redshirting last season. In 2016, the Eagles were led in tackles by both Ukeme Eligwe and Ironhead Gallon, who both are looking to make rosters in the NFL as camps open this week. Byrd dressed for several games last season, but did not play. The young linebacker is pushed into duty this season, alongside of senior Chris DeLaRosa. Byrd will be looking to make a statement in his first full season with the Eagles and is priding himself on what he was taught by Eligwe and Gallon.

"They were a pretty good linebacker core," Byrd said. "They taught us to work hard, be in the film room a lot, and trust the man next to you. The chemistry is really good for the linebacker group. I feel like we are a lot closer and that is going to help us a lot. We're looking to shock people this season. Everyone says that we are pretty young, but I feel like we're a good core and we have a lot of talent."

After a strong spring, the redshirt freshman entered fall camp as the No. 1 mike linebacker, but is still looking to lock down that spot.

Competition for the defense came in the form of seven-on-seven and team installs. The defense really found a "swagger" today at practice, creating a lot of plays and forcing turnovers. Monquavion Brinson was a voice to be heard Thursday morning. Every time the defense was on the field, Brinson was communicating and making plays all over the field.

"I felt like defensively we did pretty well," Byrd said. "Everyone was flying to the ball and that is all we ask from everybody, is to fly to the ball and we'll make plays. There was a lot of competition today and it was a great practice."

YELLOW DOESN'T FAZE L.A.
L.A. Ramsby began practice on Thursday with a yellow jersey, one of only three to wear it at practice (alongside Grant Walker and Benz Josue, who are also post-op). The yellow jersey was due to Ramsby's recovering shoulder injury. The redshirt senior looks to get back into the swing of things this season. Ramsby was allowed to have a full practice again today, but was not allowed to have contact. He was cleared Tuesday before the first practice after missing all of the spring follwoing labrum surgery.

Despite having a non-contact practice this morning Ramsby continued to show why he is a leader on the field. Ramsby continuously was helping other backs with motions and calls, and was leading by example when he was in the drills.

"It's been good," Ramsby said. "I was back here summer A term, in May and started working out with the team. They kind of threw me into the fire, but that's what I needed to get back into shape. Coach Chandler has been getting us right this summer. I feel in shape and now I'm just trying to get into football shape, so I can get ready to feel out contact on my shoulder. I was a little nervous at first putting the pads back on, because it's a shoulder injury. Its not a knee, with a shoulder injury its a lot of banging with your strong shoulder so I was a little nervous. As I went through practice it got a lot better."

MEET THE EAGLES FAN FEST
The annual Meet the Eagles Fan Fest will be held on Friday, Aug. 4 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the football team will hold an open scrimmage from 6-8 p.m. at Paulson Stadium before the event. The Fan Fest will begin shortly after the scrimmage is completed and will last approximately 90 minutes. The public is invited to the scrimmage and fans will be allowed to come on the field at 8 p.m., or when the scrimmage is over. The North Concourse will be the only side open and fans may enter through Gate 12 near Bishop Field House.

The event is being held in conjunction with the team's first scrimmage. Although it is usually on a Saturday, the team is not practicing that day, thus the event will be on Friday night to combine it with a practice and to have it in milder weather conditions.

Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Fri., July 28 No practice
Sat., July 29 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Sun., July 30 (8 AM-10AM, Paulson Stadium)
Mon, July 31 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Tues., Aug. 1 No practice
Wed., Aug. 2 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 3 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 4 (6-8 PM, Paulson - scrimmage #1; Fan Fest 8 PM, Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 5 No practice (Little Eagles Camp 6-8 PM, Paulson)
Sun., Aug. 6 (8-9:30 AM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 7 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Tues., Aug. 8 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 9 No practice
Thurs., Aug. 10 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 11 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Sat., Aug. 12 (9:15 AM, Paulson - scrimmage #2)
Sun., Aug. 13 No practice
Mon., Aug. 14 No practice
Tues., Aug. 15 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 16 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 17 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 18 (6-8 PM, Armstrong State; 8 PM Fan Fest, Armstrong State)
Sat., Aug. 19 No practice
Sun., Aug. 20 No practice
Mon., Aug. 21 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Tue., Aug. 22 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)