Norfolk, Virginia – For the first time since being hired as Old Dominion's football coach more than four years ago, the head coach Ricky Rahn Although they technically didn't name a starter, spring practice began on Tuesday with a starting quarterback.
“Sometimes you don't have to name a starter,” he said. grant wilson Rahne is right, as he trained with the first team on Tuesday and agreed to an interview. His status as a starter is clear.
Wilson, a transfer from Fordham, started for the first time in his career last season and was outstanding. He completed 178 of 312 passes for 2,149 yards, 17 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 606 yards, or 291 after accounting for sacks.
He leads an offense that returns eight starters and adds two coaches from Tennessee, where ODU's offense originated. David Weeks will coach ODU's tight ends and Cody Cook will coach the Monarch's wide receivers.
Learn has been adopted kevin decker He left Fordham a year ago, bringing with him a wide-ranging offense that started before Tennessee and UCF a few years ago. Wilson said the offense has changed some because of the two new coaches.
“It was like picking and matching what they're good at and what we're good at and solidifying our offensive game plan,” Wilson said.
“It really helped that they were here.”
Rahne said the offense looked strong Tuesday, but it's too early to tell at this point because the players were only wearing helmets and jerseys.
ODU returns two of its top three running backs in Keshawn Wicks; Obie Sannifive of the top six wide receivers ramelo murphy, kelby williams, Isiah Page, Armelian Granger and Dominic Dutton.
But there are plenty of holes to fill on the defense, with only three starters returning.and Jason Hendersonthe All-American linebacker who led the nation in tackles last season, is still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery.
“I feel good,” Henderson said. “I've been working hard.”
And, minus the knee brace, he looks as strong as ever.
Although he won't participate in spring practice, Rahne said, “We're hopeful that he'll be able to do his job and be ready for (fall) camp starting in August.”
“He's a guy that everyone knows can do amazing things with his body.”
jack shields And a red shirt freshman colton joseph Both seemed to be pitching well in practice. “I was happy with our quarterback today and thought our wide receivers looked improved as well,” Rahne said.
Rahne added 27 players in the offseason, including a freshman quarterback. quinn henniclea three-star recruit from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, is scheduled to report to ODU this summer.
ODU also recruited nine transfers from four-year schools, including five from the Power Five.
zach barlev, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive lineman, appeared in 25 games at the University of Illinois.tight end Pat Conroy (6-2, 235) At Merrimack, he caught 37 passes for 704 yards and 12 touchdowns.
safety Patrick Smith-Young He was second in tackles and running backs at North Texas last season. aaron young Against Rutgers, he rushed 161 times for 586 yards and seven touchdowns.wide receiver Deante Vines Last season at Iowa State, he caught 12 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown.
ODU has one of the toughest schedules in the G5. In addition to playing eight schools in the Sun Belt Conference, widely considered the best of Group 5, ODU opens at South Carolina (August 31), then East Carolina (9 (September 7) and Virginia Tech (September 14). Then, after a weekend getaway, we will travel to Bowling Green on September 28th.
Add in home games against Texas State University (Oct. 19), Georgia Southern University (Thursday, Oct. 24), James Madison University (Nov. 16) and Marshall University (Nov. 23). , ODU will have its strongest home schedule in history.
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ODU's past two home games against Virginia Tech (2018 and 2022) were both won by the Monarchs and sold out to season ticket holders. Tickets were not sold to the general public.
Rahne said his team won't be a finished product until late spring. That won't happen until the fall, and by then the Monarchs could have 20 or more rookies on the roster, depending on how many more transfer ODU recruits they have.
“I think what we’re doing in the spring is trying to establish a culture and practice methods and things like that,” he said.
“You want to see who can take control of the room and bring that to the field. You're going to try to really establish who your leaders are.
“Many new hires may not feel like they're in a leadership position yet, but that's often what they want.”
ODU led the nation in a heart-wrenching finish last season, with 11 of 13 games decided by one point or less, with many of the games decided on the last play.
ODU won six of those games, including a win over Georgia Southern and the final two games of the regular season at home against Georgia State, earning a berth in the Famous Toastery Bowl. .
The Monarchs led Western Kentucky 28-0 in the Charlotte Bowl Game, but lost 38-35 in overtime.
Wilson said performing well in close races is “certainly one of our main focuses this year, working tirelessly to achieve a dominant finish in everything we do.” .
“This is like Coach Rahne finishing every meeting for us, just finishing dominant in everything we do, from the classroom to the weight room to everything we do on the field. .”
Reporters at spring practice repeatedly asked him how long it took him to recover from the loss to Western Kentucky.
Apparently it took less than five hours, the same amount of time it takes to drive from Charlotte to Norfolk.
Rahne took a bus home from Charlotte with her family. He was lamenting the loss until his youngest son, Jake Rahn, joked about the match. His father laughed, and the atmosphere on the bus changed from nervous to relieved.
“I'm not going to sit there and stew over the whole trip back because I can't spend a lot of time with my family,” he said.
“I don't remember the joke. I don't think it was a good joke. But it was one of those jokes that made me laugh, seeing the fact that he had the courage to do it.”
When asked how long it took him to recover from the loss to Western Kentucky, Wilson said, “The bus ride home that night was tough.
“But I got up the next morning and went to work.”
Spring practice concludes with the annual Priority Charity Bowl ODU Spring Game on Saturday, April 13th at Kornblau Field at SB Ballard Stadium.
Admission to the contest, which begins at 2 p.m., is free. Rahne said he would like to see a game with a large crowd.
“I hear people say how much they miss football,” he said. “Well, there’s free soccer there. It helps get a good atmosphere for the kids and it helps with recruitment.
“It's Saturday and the weather is generally nice. If you're looking for free activities to do with your kids, here's one good one.”
