Players Mentioned
GS Goes To Full Pads On Sunday
7/30/2017 11:51:00 AM | Football
Campbell, DeLaRosa discuss early preseason camp
STATESBORO, Ga. – On Sunday morning, the Georgia Southern football team took to the field at Paulson Stadium for the first full pads practice of fall camp. The Eagles participated in a two-hour practice packed under cool conditions full of competition and full contact before heading to church as a team and then returning for position meetings in the afternoon.
DELAROSA EAGER TO RETURN
Senior Chris DeLaRosa was hindered at the end of last season after suffering an ankle sprain in the second half of the Appalachian State game. This morning marked the first time since spring that DeLaRosa had put on the shoulder pads.
"It felt good," DeLaRosa said. "I felt like today was one of our best practices all camp. We were really lucky today with the great weather. The guys came out with a lot of energy today. I was really excited with the energy from both sides of the ball, smack talk, people hitting, and it was just an all-around good day."
The senior is the eldest of a young, but talented linebacker group. Playing in only eight games last season, DeLaRosa was able to tally 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks, before going down with an ankle injury. Rashad Byrd is one of those young linebackers who has been a factor during camp, making plays all over the field for the Eagles.
"There is pressure on myself to stay healthy," DeLaRosa stated. "This is one of my last years playing football, so I'm just trying to take it all in and not take anything for granted. There aren't many seniors on defense, so I feel that I need to step up and be a leader to make sure I keep the young guys in shape.
Sunday's practice marks the mid-point of three day stretches before the Eagles have another day off. Both the players and coaches have stressed about how much these days mean, allowing players to recharge and coaches to help teach.
"I think it's (camp) great," DeLaRosa said. "We're putting a lot more emphasis on taking care of our bodies. Every single day we are in the training room, everybody is foam rolling, stretching and getting treatment, so I think it will play off in the long run."
WHAT POSITION CHANGE?
Senior Myles Campbell enters the 2017 season with a slightly different role. The receiver has been moved to a more versatile slot receiver, allowing him to be more involved with the offense. Campbell is coming off of a season where he caught 31 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns, as well as returning 10 kicks, gaining 207 yards.
"I think there was great energy out there today," Campbell said. "I think everybody was locked in, focused, and I think it was a good day. The transition has been fine, I'm still doing the same things as last year, its just being classified as something different. I am also doing other things, like playing a little bit of running back, so it has been a good transition I just have to continue to be focused."
Campbell carried the ball only twice last season, totaling 8 yards, but expect that number to go up this year. A key part of the offense this season is time management and ball security. The offense has stressed it multiple times during practice and works up to different situations each period.
"We are working toward time management and keeping the ball," Campbell said. "That's one thing that I think we struggled with last year, but I think the offense is looking good. We still have a ways to go, but a week into camp it is looking good."
TEACH, TEACH, TEACH
The point of emphasis, not only from players, but all of the coaching staff this camp has been teaching and getting a baseline to work from. Each day the coaches are with their respected position groups, working toward a new scheme, technique or even fixing the little things that make a difference on the football field.
"Today was a really good day," head coach Tyson Summers said. "They came out this morning with a good energy and good focus, trying to make sure we improve. We've talked a lot about making sure we are holding ourselves to a high standard, and how we practice to go through our process. I really think they did that today, and it was one of the best practices I've been around."
As a week of camp already rolls past, the level of energy and accountability has risen. Players are feeding off of, not only each other, but the coaching staff and the energy they are showing on the field. Sunday's practice was filled with competition and a lot of smack talk, which Summers says he's okay with in practice, but wants the team focused on game days and to avoid that then. The offense and the defense competed at the end of practice, making both sides of the ball better.
"I think now they have a much better feel with the older guys, schematically what we expect both on offense and defense, and their expectations from their position coaches as well," Summers said. "When you start doing that, you buy into fundamentals that were trying to teach, the scheme, and then you really start trying to build off the trust factor between player and coaches, and then make sure you're building that brotherhood and family oriented group that are going to care a lot about each other."
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.
SAVANNAH PRACTICE AND SCRIMMAGE
Georgia Southern will take a practice on the road as it heads to Savannah for its third and final scrimmage. The Eagles will head east on I-16 and will practice on the campus of Armstrong State University on Friday, Aug. 18 from 6-8 PM. Following the completion of the scrimmage, the team will hold a fan fest with autographs, inflatables, entertainment and much more. More details will be made available as the event gets closer.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Mon, July 31 (9 AM-11 AM, 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)
DELAROSA EAGER TO RETURN
Senior Chris DeLaRosa was hindered at the end of last season after suffering an ankle sprain in the second half of the Appalachian State game. This morning marked the first time since spring that DeLaRosa had put on the shoulder pads.
"It felt good," DeLaRosa said. "I felt like today was one of our best practices all camp. We were really lucky today with the great weather. The guys came out with a lot of energy today. I was really excited with the energy from both sides of the ball, smack talk, people hitting, and it was just an all-around good day."
The senior is the eldest of a young, but talented linebacker group. Playing in only eight games last season, DeLaRosa was able to tally 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks, before going down with an ankle injury. Rashad Byrd is one of those young linebackers who has been a factor during camp, making plays all over the field for the Eagles.
"There is pressure on myself to stay healthy," DeLaRosa stated. "This is one of my last years playing football, so I'm just trying to take it all in and not take anything for granted. There aren't many seniors on defense, so I feel that I need to step up and be a leader to make sure I keep the young guys in shape.
Sunday's practice marks the mid-point of three day stretches before the Eagles have another day off. Both the players and coaches have stressed about how much these days mean, allowing players to recharge and coaches to help teach.
"I think it's (camp) great," DeLaRosa said. "We're putting a lot more emphasis on taking care of our bodies. Every single day we are in the training room, everybody is foam rolling, stretching and getting treatment, so I think it will play off in the long run."
WHAT POSITION CHANGE?
Senior Myles Campbell enters the 2017 season with a slightly different role. The receiver has been moved to a more versatile slot receiver, allowing him to be more involved with the offense. Campbell is coming off of a season where he caught 31 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns, as well as returning 10 kicks, gaining 207 yards.
"I think there was great energy out there today," Campbell said. "I think everybody was locked in, focused, and I think it was a good day. The transition has been fine, I'm still doing the same things as last year, its just being classified as something different. I am also doing other things, like playing a little bit of running back, so it has been a good transition I just have to continue to be focused."
Campbell carried the ball only twice last season, totaling 8 yards, but expect that number to go up this year. A key part of the offense this season is time management and ball security. The offense has stressed it multiple times during practice and works up to different situations each period.
"We are working toward time management and keeping the ball," Campbell said. "That's one thing that I think we struggled with last year, but I think the offense is looking good. We still have a ways to go, but a week into camp it is looking good."
TEACH, TEACH, TEACH
The point of emphasis, not only from players, but all of the coaching staff this camp has been teaching and getting a baseline to work from. Each day the coaches are with their respected position groups, working toward a new scheme, technique or even fixing the little things that make a difference on the football field.
"Today was a really good day," head coach Tyson Summers said. "They came out this morning with a good energy and good focus, trying to make sure we improve. We've talked a lot about making sure we are holding ourselves to a high standard, and how we practice to go through our process. I really think they did that today, and it was one of the best practices I've been around."
As a week of camp already rolls past, the level of energy and accountability has risen. Players are feeding off of, not only each other, but the coaching staff and the energy they are showing on the field. Sunday's practice was filled with competition and a lot of smack talk, which Summers says he's okay with in practice, but wants the team focused on game days and to avoid that then. The offense and the defense competed at the end of practice, making both sides of the ball better.
"I think now they have a much better feel with the older guys, schematically what we expect both on offense and defense, and their expectations from their position coaches as well," Summers said. "When you start doing that, you buy into fundamentals that were trying to teach, the scheme, and then you really start trying to build off the trust factor between player and coaches, and then make sure you're building that brotherhood and family oriented group that are going to care a lot about each other."
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.
SAVANNAH PRACTICE AND SCRIMMAGE
Georgia Southern will take a practice on the road as it heads to Savannah for its third and final scrimmage. The Eagles will head east on I-16 and will practice on the campus of Armstrong State University on Friday, Aug. 18 from 6-8 PM. Following the completion of the scrimmage, the team will hold a fan fest with autographs, inflatables, entertainment and much more. More details will be made available as the event gets closer.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Mon, July 31 (9 AM-11 AM, 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)
Georgia Southern Football Media Availability (12/29/25)
Tuesday, December 30
Georgia Southern vs. Appalachian State Highlights: JLab Birmingham Bowl (12/29/25)
Monday, December 29
Georgia Southern Football Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
Georgia Southern Football Media Availability: JLab Birmingham Bowl (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
