Random thoughts following first day of spring practice

The spring season for Kent State football kicked off at 8:30 a.m. with a spirited first practice.

As is usually the case early in the start of spring or fall practice, the defense was a little bit ahead during most drills. At one point, offensive coordinator Brian Rock shouted to his quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends that “this is a bloodletting. They are kicking your (tails) all over the field.”

Head coach Paul Haynes is asking his players to become more of a family this spring, dubbing April, “Get to Know Your Teammates Month.”

One potential new teammate – Darren Goodson – was spotted on the practice field for part of the session, watching the tight ends work and chatting with assistant coach Dave McMichael.

Darren Goodson watches at spring practice

Goodson, who started at power forward for the men’s basketball team for the last two season, has decided to stay in Kent for another year to play tight end on the football team. The Golden Flashes hope @JeffJustJeff was on the right track when he retweeted “Antonio Gates Part II” to a photo of Goodson watching practice on Tuesday.

Goodson was a freshman at Withrow High School in Cincinnati when current Kent State assistant coach Doc Gamble was the head football coach at the school, so there is a connection there. Goodson did play some football in high school, so the transition won’t be a completely new one. 

Kent State's coaches do not expect to see Goodson in pads this spring. His class schedule will make it difficult for him to do much more than take mental reps while attending some meetings and film sessions. As of now, he is expected to be full go for the fall.

Treadwell teaching technique
during a handoff drill

Another new face on Tuesday was that of Don Treadwell. The former Miami University head coach and offensive coordinator at Michigan State has been hired to coach the Golden Flashes running backs. 

Colin Reardon looked accurate on his first day of spring, as did redshirt freshman Nathan Strock. While Reardon is the incumbent as the starter at quarterback, Kent State’s coaches want competition at the position, and they like the potential of upsides of both Reardon and Strock.

The Flashes have lost some playmakers on the defensive line over the last few seasons, but they still look the part up front with 6-foot-4, 258-pound junior Clay Miller emerging as an edge rusher. He looks bigger and stronger. Inside, 312-pound junior Chris Fairchild played next to Nate Terhune at defensive tackle, something we didn’t see much of last season. Richard Gray may also be ready to return after missing last season. 

Look for Jordan Italiano also to play more as a true safety this season after spending most of his time at the star position last season.

Here are a few more shots from today's practice. Just click to "Embiggen" (one of my favorite words from back when the Simpsons were funny):