“I’m excited about what we have done this summer,” said the Toppers’ second-year mentor. “Everyone keeps talking about how young we are, but we are also stronger, faster and more physically fit than in years past. Champions are built in the offseason — I feel with what we have done so far that we are on the right track.
“After a few days, it looks like we have good depth. But, we still have to find a way to stay healthy,” he continued. “The competition everywhere on the field has me excited about our prospects.”
Western returns only eight seniors from last fall’s 9-4 squad, although 32 letterwinners including 10 starters are coming back. That includes the four individuals who participated in media day interviews: seniors Buster Ashley, Brian Claybourn and Charles Thompson along with sophomore Justin Haddix.
Thompson — a three-year letterwinner who has already earned preseason All-America and all-Gateway Football Conference accolades — leads a unit that ranked in the top 20 in the country in pass, pass efficiency, total and scoring defense. Other starters returning include preseason all-league selection Brandon Smith, Getty Cavitt and Antonio Thomas, while Dennis Mitchell also started four contests, all over the final month of the season.
“We expect to perform the same as we have over the last four to five years, which is to top the conference in most categories,” said Mike Dietzel, who enters his first year as defensive coordinator. “If we can be in that position in the league, we will be among the best defenses in the country.
“There are plenty of talented athletes who have the tools to succeed, we just need to get them some experience.”
Offensively, WKU will see both Haddix and Lerron Moore start in the backfield in their second year on the Hill, while Ashley will be joined on the line by fellow senior Ryan Thomas. Karl Phillips is the returning tight end, however Haddix will be looking for new targets at wide receiver following the graduation of Shannon Hayes and Casey Rooney — a duo that combined to make 82 catches in 2003.
“So far we have looked good, there is a lot of leadership being displayed by younger players,” said offensive coordinator T.J. Weist. “The question is, who is going to fill in at wide receiver and on the offensive line? We are focusing on building a unit in camp, so the offense is behind the defense — but, that’s the way it is everywhere.
“We want to learn our lessons in practice, not in the game.”
Western followed with a two-hour practice, the second straight day the team has worked out in helmets and shoulder pads. The session included a concentration on special teams coverage before closing the day with the offense working against the defense at midfield.
“The execution is getting better every day. We’re throwing so much at them that it’s hard to really expect them to perform how you want,” Elson said. “Right now, more important than anything else, is establishing a practice tempo while teaching good habits and fundamentals. Eighty percent of our offense and defense is in already, now it is just about continuing to get the repetitions to improve the execution.”
The Hilltoppers will have their first practice in full pads Friday at 3 p.m. (CDT) at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field, while the initial two-a-day workout has WKU on the field at 8:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Elson’s expectations for the weekend are focused on individual battles.
“I want to see somebody separate at fullback and some wide receivers continue to develop,” he said. “We’re going to give the players a day to carry the full uniform before getting some live contact in. The goal is to keep the progression going while remaining fundamentally sound.”
