Mid-Spring Update: The Offense

4/11/2021 1:45:00 PM | Football

2021 Football Season Presented by Morris Bank

Doug Ruse looks at his side of the ball as spring ball begins to wrap up

STATESBORO - With spring practice rounding the corner and heading into the final stretch, Georgia Southern offensive coordinator Doug Ruse spoke to GSEagles.com to give an update to Eagle Nation on his side of the ball after nine practices.

Q: What have you liked most about what you've seen from your side of the ball so far?
DR: We're making progress. Even though we made some changes late last season, we are really installing a new system this spring. Some of the guys have heard some of the terminology and we're making progress from a communication standpoint, but we're still learning on a day-to-day basis. There's a lot going on, especially at the quarterback position. Overall, we've done a nice job of locking in and learning and I think we're getting there.

Q: What do you still want to accomplish in the final two weeks?
DR: We have a long way to go in the running game. Being dominant in the running game is what we do. Our defense has done a great job of making it tough to run the ball, so we have to adjust and get better there. We have to play more consistently, more physical and faster because that's who we are. We've got to get tougher and more physical for sure.

Q: Who are some veterans that have stood out?
DR: NaJee Thompson is having a nice spring. He's providing leadership and giving great effort. Logan Wright has done a nice job for all the same reasons I talked about NaJee. We have some guys up front who are having good springs, but honestly, that whole group up front is playing pretty darn good.

Q: What young player has impressed you?
DR: Derwin Burgess Jr. is a player who has stood out at the wide receiver position. He's a great athlete and is very smart. He has picked things up very fast. We find something just about every day that excites us about his future.

Q: What position battles are exciting to watch right now?
DR: We have battles everywhere. Like I said, we're playing pretty well up front right now, but there are some good battles with the second group trying to working their way into the starting group. There's good competition at quarterback too. JT [Justin Tomlin] has kind of separated himself from the group as he's the veteran who has played a lot of ball here, but we have a lot of guys behind him pushing to work their way up the depth chart, so that's been fun too.

Q: What group has made the most improvement this spring from last December to now?
DR: Our O-Line is playing well. We're nowhere close to being ready to play a game but I like what I see. We don't have much of the run game in right now so we're not making as many assignment mistakes that you would normally see at this point of spring ball. We have a long way to go, but I'm pleased with that group.

Q: Any update on players who got injured last year who are working their way back?
DR: I'm pleased with the progress Beau, Chase and J.D. are making. Having them out makes a noticeable difference because those three guys are difference makers. But they're on track. You'd love to have them out here for spring ball, but it won't hurt them and they'll be ready to roll in August.

Running With The Ones:
OL: Brian Miller, Aaron Dowdell, Logan Langemeier, Khalil Crowder, Caleb Kelly
QB: Justin Tomlin
RB: Logan Wright, Gerald Green
TE: D.J. Butler
WR: Jjay Mcafee, Najee Thompson (Emil Smith, Dexter Carter Jr. currently banged up)
SLOT: Khaleb Hood

Georgia Southern has six practices left and will wrap up the session with the Blue-White Spring Game, presented by Southern Exchange, on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.