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UR Spring Ball

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Spider's Club
Apr 8, 2008
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UR begins Spring practice on March 1st.Spring game is scheduled for April 6th.

Of the 15 allowable sessions that may occur during the spring practice season, eight practices may involve live contact (tackling or thud); three of these live contact practices may include greater than 50 percent live contact (scrimmages). Live contact practices should be limited to two in a given week and should not occur on consecutive days. The day following live scrimmage should be non-contact/minimal contact.
 
UR begins Spring practice on March 1st.Spring game is scheduled for April 6th.

Of the 15 allowable sessions that may occur during the spring practice season, eight practices may involve live contact (tackling or thud); three of these live contact practices may include greater than 50 percent live contact (scrimmages). Live contact practices should be limited to two in a given week and should not occur on consecutive days. The day following live scrimmage should be non-contact/minimal contact.
Let's get back to winning ways! The school I want to beat the most? You guesses it...
The Dillweeds of JMU!
 
The first spring practice date is set for Friday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. and will be held at the Lacrosse Practice Field off River Road due to men's lacrosse home game that night against Duke. The Spiders' first practice in Robins Stadium will be March 2 at 10 a.m. All practices will be open to the public and fans are encouraged to enjoy practices from the west concourse of the stadium.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

March 1 – 4:30 p.m. (Lacrosse Practice Field)
March 2 – 10 a.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 5 – 4 p.m. (Lacrosse Practice Field)
March 7 – 4:20 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 8 – 6:30 a.m. (Robins Stadium)

SPRING BREAK

March 19 – 4 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 21 – 4:20 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 22 – 4:20 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 24 – 3 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 26 – 4 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 28 – 4:20 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
March 29 - 4:20 p.m. (Lacrosse Practice Field)
April 2 – 4 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
April 4 – 4:20 p.m. (Robins Stadium)
April 6 – 1 p.m. (Spring Game – Robins Stadium)
 
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It will be interesting to see how they pull the spring game off. There are 54 players on the roster at this time, but several of them are hurt or recovering from surgeries. You are looking at only 6 healthy OL, 3-4 WR, 1 TE on offense, several DBs out on D. Hoping all of those injured are back in time and back at 100% for the start of camp in July.
 
It will be interesting to see how they pull the spring game off. There are 54 players on the roster at this time, but several of them are hurt or recovering from surgeries. You are looking at only 6 healthy OL, 3-4 WR, 1 TE on offense, several DBs out on D. Hoping all of those injured are back in time and back at 100% for the start of camp in July.

No scrimmages scheduled during Spring Ball.
 
They could probably go back to the "points scoring" system that we had back during lean years after London and Latrell. Some of the lineman play on both teams.
 
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They did this last year switching linemen on both teams. With the lack of linemen on the offense they played 8 last spring game. DBs being hurt early is a concern being that they need reps. We are very young in the secondary. Maybe 4 guys with experience.
 
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Love that they have the spider on the side of the helmet to start practice.
 



UR defensive lineman Maurice Jackson: "We don’t need to be waiting until [preseason] camp to bring intensity. We need to do it right now.”

  • JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH



Richmond coach Russ Huesman: "I think the quarterback situation is huge, to be honest with you.”

  • JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH



Three consecutive trips to the FCS playoffs by the University of Richmond (2014-16) were followed by two less-than-satisfying seasons. The Spiders come off their first losing year since 2011. They went 4-7, 2-6 in the CAA, after going 6-5 (4-4) in 2017.

The quest to resurrect UR restarted with spring ball. The first of 15 sessions was held Friday.

“I think as a team, we all knew last year is not where we wanted to be, and we could be better and should be better,” said senior defensive lineman Maurice Jackson, who led the CAA with 10 sacks. “Immediately after the season, we talked about how when the spring comes back around, we need to pick it up. We don’t need to be waiting until [preseason] camp to bring intensity.

“We need to do it right now.”

The Spiders have five new assistants, roughly half of the staff, which “makes it a little bit different,” said third-year coach Russ Huesman. “But it brings in fresh, new ideas, different ways to do things.”

Preparing young players for expanded roles leads Huesman’s spring priorities. “If everybody gets a little bit better, the football team will be a lot better,” he said. “I think you’ve got to get some of the young guys better. You’ve got to let them have reps, see things live. That’s the most important thing.”

Tailback Xavier Goodall (Henrico High), Richmond’s leading rusher two years ago (452 yards), missed last season with a knee injury. He will not be involved in spring ball, but Huesman said, “I think he’s right on track to be healthy.”

Receiver/kick returner Dejon Brissett, a senior with pro potential, played three games last year before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He will participate in spring drills on a limited basis.

The Spiders will add transfers following spring ball, according to Huesman, who said, “College football has almost turned into free agency.” There could be a quarterback coming, though Huesman wants to see how the spring goes for juniors Joe Mancuso and Reid Chenault. Both started games last season, as did Kevin Johnson, who transferred from UR.

Richmond quarterbacks in 2018 threw 18 interceptions. Only one FCS team (VMI) threw more. “That’s part of the emphasis in spring practice. We have to hang on to the football," Huesman said. "I think the quarterback situation is huge, to be honest with you.”

Richmond’s spring game will be played on April 6 at Robins Stadium. The Spiders open on Thursday, Aug. 29, against visiting Jacksonville.

UR will hold its pro day, a chance for outgoing players to perform physical testing in front of professional scouts, on March 26. Involved will be ex-Spiders Cortrelle Simpson (receiver), Tyler Wilkins (L.C. Bird High, receiver), Caleb Drake (receiver), John Yarbrough (offensive line), Gordon Collins (running back), Stephon Jacob (tight end), and Justin Rubin (linebacker).
 
Spiders assess pitch-and-catch options in spring ball, with Goochland's Reid Chenault in quarterback mix

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Richmond quarterback Reid Chenault, from Goochland High, started the Spiders' final game last season, a 10-6 win at William & Mary, and played in three other games.

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

If the University of Richmond played a football game tomorrow, Goochland High graduate Reid Chenault might be the starting quarterback. Chenault, a redshirt junior, came to UR as a walk-on and started the Spiders’ 2018 season finale, a 10-6 win at William & Mary. He played in three other games last year.

Chenault, a 6-foot-2 180-pounder, is competing through spring ball with 6-4, 215-pound Joe Mancuso, also a redshirt junior. Mancuso made four starts last season for the Spiders, who finished 4-7 (2-6 CAA). Additionally, UR is bringing in 6-3 freshman quarterback Jackson Walker.

“We’ll see what happens there. I think Joe’s really talented. I think Reid’s a really good player. [Walker] is really good,” said UR coach Russ Huesman. The starter is “to be determined through 15 practices,” said Huesman, whose team began spring ball in early March and will hold its spring game on April 6.

“We’re going to chart every throw. We’re going to chart every single thing that they do from the minute they step on the field,” Huesman said, speaking of Chenault and Mancuso.

There could be a transfer who enters the QB mix by the time the Spiders begin preseason camp. They have scholarships available, and Huesman noted that “college football has almost turned into free agency …. We will continue to add to our roster.”

Richmond quarterbacks last season threw 18 interceptions, the second-most in the FCS. Mancuso had 10 in nine games. Chenault had none in four games (64 attempts).

Evaluating the quarterback situation is the highest spring priority, and identifying reliable receivers ranks as second. UR lost the top talent on the team, receiver Dejon Brissett, who is transferring as a graduate to Illinois after playing in three games (ankle injury) in 2018. The Spiders’ leading receiver, Cortrelle Simpson, elected not to use his final season of eligibility.

Into the void steps Charlie Fessler, a 6-4, 210-pound graduate transfer from Northwestern. Fessler, who’s from Erie, Pa., made 10 receptions last season for the Wildcats. He has clearly been Richmond’s leader among receivers so far in spring ball.

Tailback Xavier Goodall, a redshirt junior from Henrico High, does individual drills on the side rather than team work. He is coming off a knee injury that prevented him from playing last season. Goodall is expected to be ready by August.

Because of the NCAA redshirt rule that took effect last season (can play up to four games and retain redshirt year), most of Richmond’s redshirt freshmen went into spring practice with game experience.

“I know they played a little bit [last season] but you’ve got to get them better,” said Huesman. “There are probably five or six [established standouts], they’ll go through spring practice just to keep them sharp. But then there’s another probably 50 kids that we’ve got to get better, and I think these 15 practices will help us do that.”

Handling the place-kicking duties at this point is redshirt freshman Duncan Trau, the brother of Griffin Trau, who was UR’s kicker the last three years.
 
Cortrelle Simpson is ready, set, going to show scouts his speed on Spiders' pro day







Cortrelle Simpson caught 96 passes for 1,670 yards in two seasons at Richmond.

  • ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH



Cortrelle Simpson

  • JOHN O'CONNOR/TIMES-DISPATCH
Catching passes behind defenses was Cortrelle Simpson's specialty at Richmond.

  • JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH

Defensive backs covering University of Richmond receiver Cortrelle Simpson had two things in common. They backed up deeper than usual, and then often realized that was not deep enough.

In two years as a Spider, Simpson made 96 receptions and averaged 17.4 yards per catch, specializing in long balls. Stretching secondaries came naturally for Simpson, a 5-foot-10 190-pounder who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds.

That speed makes Simpson a former Spider to watch on UR’s pro day Tuesday at Robins Stadium. Several ex-Richmond players looking for professional opportunities will work out in front of scouts from the NFL and other leagues.


Former Spider quarterback Kyle Lauletta drew 32 NFL scouts to Robins Stadium last March, and was selected with the eighth pick of the fourth round by the New York Giants.

Simpson is the intriguing attraction this year, though he’s not as highly regarded as Lauletta heading into the audition. Unlike Lauletta, Simpson will turn pro with one season of college eligibility remaining. Simpson spent two years at Temple, where he redshirted as a true freshman and played primarily special teams as a sophomore, before his productive pair of years at UR.

“I felt like I was ready to enter the draft,” said Simpson, who graduated from Richmond with a degree in communications. “And I have a daughter I have to take care of.”

Simpson trained in Pittsburgh, Sterling, Va., and at UR to prepare for pro day.


“I feel great. I’m ready to go,” said Simpson. “I’m not nervous. I’m confident. Very confident.”

Simpson said he feels strongly that he will be drafted by an NFL team in one of seven rounds April 25-27, based on input he received from agents and scouts. In two Spiders’ seasons, Simpson totaled 1,670 receiving yards. He played in only eight games in 2018 because of injury.

From Indian Head, Md., Simpson ended up at Richmond in part because his cousin, tailback Deontez Thompson, was a member of UR’s team. Simpson was named second team All-CAA in 2017 and 2018.


In 2017, Simpson benefited from working with Lauletta, the leading passer in UR history. Last season, the Spiders used three quarterbacks and none consistently distinguished himself in a 4-7 year (2-6 CAA).

Still, Simpson had three games of 100 or more receiving yards. In a 43-28 loss to Delaware, Simpson made eight catches for 220 yards (27.5-yard average). That was the third-best receiving day in UR history, from a yardage standpoint.

Simpson against the Blue Hens scored on receptions of 57 and 37 yards, and also made catches for 61 and 35 yards.

Other former Spiders expected to be involved in Richmond’s pro day: Tyler Wilkins (L.C. Bird High, receiver), Caleb Drake (receiver), John Yarbrough (offensive line), Gordon Collins (running back), Stephon Jacob (tight end) and Justin Rubin (linebacker).
 
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Goochland's Reid Chenault 'battling for the job' as Spiders' QB, says coach Russ Huesman



5c94fdd793081.image.jpg

Richmond quarterback Reid Chenault, from Goochland High, started the Spiders' final game last season, a 10-6 win at William & Mary, and played in three other games. DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH▲


BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
1 hr ago
If the University of Richmond played a football game tomorrow, Goochland High School graduate Reid Chenault might be the starting quarterback. Chenault, a redshirt junior, came to UR as a walk-on and started the Spiders’ 2018 season finale, a 10-6 win at William & Mary. He played in three other games last year.

Chenault, a 6-foot-2 180-pounder, is competing through spring ball with 6-4, 215-pound Joe Mancuso, also a redshirt junior. Mancuso made four starts last season for the Spiders, who finished 4-7 (2-6 CAA). Additionally, UR is bringing in 6-3 freshman quarterback Jackson Walker.

“He's battling for the job right now,” UR coach Russ Huesman said Tuesday, speaking of Chenault. "Right now it's him and Joe Mancuso and they're both getting even snaps, 50-50, right down the middle. It's a continual process. One day it's great and one day it's maybe not quite as good."


Spring ball for the Spiders began in early March, and they will hold their spring game on April 6, the 15th spring session and last allowable by NCAA rules. The UR staff is charting each throw Chenault and Mancuso make this spring.

“Reid is everything you want in a football player," said Huesman. "The players really, really like him, and respond to him. He's got leadership qualities about him. He's just got to keep battling and keep getting better."

Chenault is working on improving his arm strength. Mancuso has an advantage in that area.

There could be a transfer who enters the QB mix by the time the Spiders begin preseason camp. They have scholarships available, and Huesman said that “college football has almost turned into free agency ... We will continue to add to our roster.”

Richmond quarterbacks last season threw 18 interceptions, the second-most in the FCS. Mancuso had 10 in nine games. Chenault had none in four games (64 attempts).

Evaluating the quarterback situation is the highest spring priority, and identifying reliable receivers ranks as second. UR lost the top talent on the team, receiver Dejon Brissett, who is transferring as a graduate to Illinois after playing in three games (ankle injury) in 2018. The Spiders’ leading receiver, Cortrelle Simpson, elected not to use his final season of eligibility.

Into the void steps Charlie Fessler, a 6-4, 210-pound graduate transfer from Northwestern. Fessler, who’s from Erie, Pa., made 10 receptions last season for the Wildcats. He has clearly been Richmond’s leader among receivers so far in spring ball.


Tailback Xavier Goodall, a redshirt junior from Henrico High, does individual drills on the side rather than team work. He is coming off a knee injury that prevented him from playing last season. Goodall is expected to be ready by August.

Because of the NCAA redshirt rule that took effect last season (can play up to four games and retain redshirt year), most of Richmond’s redshirt freshmen went into spring practice with game experience.

“I know they played a little bit [last season] but you’ve got to get them better,” said Huesman. “There are probably five or six [established standouts], they’ll go through spring practice just to keep them sharp. But then there’s another probably 50 kids that we’ve got to get better, and I think these 15 practices will help us do that.”

Handling the place-kicking duties at this point is redshirt freshman Duncan Trau, the brother of Griffin Trau, UR’s kicker the last three years.
 
Here is a video of about an hour of Spring Practice. If you have the time to grab a sandwich and kick back, I think most people will find this very informative.

 
Looked in live for 10-15 mins.Tons of questions.I remain with a very uneasy feeling going into the 2019 season.Shortage of experienced skill players.I don’t see speed at WR nor are we deep at Healthy RB.We are also undersized at RB for weekly CAA pounding.Unusual for UR.
We will be forced to play a large portion of incoming frosh beyond 4 game redshirt cap.Many will make 2 deep on OL(4 frosh) and DL(4 frosh) and LB(2 frosh).It seems that our trenches seem to be in pretty good shape.
On the positive side, the transfer from Duke at 6-3,210 is a huge addition to the DB corp.He is out nursing an injury this Spring.We desperately need repaired bodies in time for the August preseason and more-new healthy transfer bodies.Otherwise,improving on our 4-7 will be a stretch.Hoping and praying ain’t gonna get it done.Our overall depth and skill set is highly questionable to withstand a 12 game regular season schedule including BC.
 
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Spiders call audible for Saturday spring 'game' with alternative options in play due to injuries
JOHN O'CONNOR·58 minutes ago


The University of Richmond's spring football game will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Robins Stadium, but in a switch, it won't be an actual game.

The Spiders will go through scrimmage sessions, practice periods and special-situation engagements rather than play a normal game because they are too thin in some positions to do so this year, due to injuries.

There are some position groups with great depth and others with very little at this stage, according to third-year coach Russ Huesman. He said players' safety is of paramount importance.


Huesman said the program is continually trying to grow its roster size. Public schools have an easier time doing that at the FCS level because of their ability to attract recruited walk-ons. There are relatively few of those at private schools, such as UR, because of attendance costs. The FCS scholarship maximum is 63.

Huesman projected that through various forms of addition, the Spiders by August will have approximately 25 new players, more than a quarter of the team.

Richmond, which went 4-7 (2-6 CAA) last year, is coming off its first losing season since 2011.

The Spiders are attempting to identify a first-team quarterback. Juniors Joe Mancuso and Reid Chenault (Goochland) competed through spring practice, and Huesman said it was possible that UR will bring in a transfer quarterback before opening preseason practice.

The Spiders are also trying to establish a new set of receivers. UR lost its top three receivers from last season: Cortrelle Simpson graduated and elected to leave with a year of eligibility remaining, Tyler Wilkins graduated, and Dejon Brissett graduated and transferred to Illinois for his final season of eligibility.

Based on spring practices, the player most likely to emerge as Richmond's top target this season is Northwestern graduate-transfer Charlie Fessler, a 6-foot-4 210-pounder who made 10 catches for 101 yards last season as a Wildcat.

Huesman was joined by five new assistants since last season.

There is no admission charge to the spring event. Richmond opens its season Thursday, Aug. 29, against visiting Jacksonville University of the Pioneer Football League, the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only FCS conference.
 
Someone will lose out from spring ball and want to transfer...it happens. If it’s a good fit imagine we’ll pick up someone.
 
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