Brianna Campbell / The CollegianFor Bulldogs, spring scrimmage means position battles
For the first time this year, Bulldog Stadium was filled with players on the field and fans in the stands.
The Fresno State football team held its first intrasquad scrimmage this past Saturday at Jim Sweeney Field.
Head football coach Pat Hill said he liked the intensity the team showed during the scrimmage.
“I like the way they were for the time this spring. I thought it was a good practice,” Hill said.
Position battles were evident, as many of the younger players seized the opportunity to make an impression on their coaches. There were a number of freshmen and sophomores trying to prove to coaches that they deserve playing time come fall.
“We got a lot of good young reps,” Hill said. “That’s what its all about.”
With the loss of last season’s top pass-catcher, Seyi Ajirotutu, and senior receivers Marlon Moore, Darren Newborn and Chastin West, the ‘Dogs are looking to fill the voids with younger players for the position.
Wide receiver Jameel Hamler emerged as a potential starter with his performance Saturday.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior grabbed two touchdown receptions during the scrimmage. He also displayed his athleticism, turning a short pass into a 57-yard catch and run.
As a reserve last season, Hamler finished second on the team with 37 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdowns.
Hamler has been preparing all spring to fill in as a starting receiver.
“I’m playing as if I’m the starter,” Hamler said. “Just because I want to go out there, get the ball and make plays.”
Competing with Hamler are wide receivers Devon Wylie and Rashad Evans.
Wylie has been a key contributor each of the past three seasons. However, he has missed several games to injuries every year as a Bulldog.
As a junior in 2009, the speedster hauled in 17 receptions for 259 yards and four touchdowns.
During the scrimmage, Wylie demonstrated his elusiveness and quickness throughout. He caught short passes and took two end-arounds for a first down.
“I like the play of Wylie,” said receivers coach Keith Williams. “He’s a big play guy and he made a big play today. We need him to make big plays on a consistent basis.”
After redshirting last year, Evans will look to make an impact as a slot receiver for the ‘Dogs. As a true freshman in 2008, the explosive Evans reeled in 21 catches for 232 yards.
Also competing for playing time this spring will be receivers A.J. Johnson, Matt Lindsey and J.J. Stallworth.
“I love the progress [of the receivers], they’re working hard on and off the field and in the classroom,” Williams said. “They’re watching enough film [and] they’re studying the playbook. We just have to ring it onto the field and execute at a higher level.”
The defensive backfield is also looking to plug in young players at core positions.
Redshirt freshmen Erik Brown, J.B. Dock and L.J. Jones are each being asked to compete for playing time.
Jones possessed ball-hawking skills during Saturday’s scrimmage; the cornerback broke up a few passes including an impressive pass deflection on a fade route in the corner of the end zone. Jones also displayed toughness, coming up to defend in run support.
“I think he’s going to be a good player,” Hill said of Jones. “I thought he played well against our starting receivers.”