TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Tuskegee University football team opened the 10th fall camp under head coach Willie Slater with 96 players on Thursday afternoon.
The Golden Tigers, coming off a 9-3 record and the 2014 SIAC championship, return eight 2015 Preseason All-Conference selections. Of those eight, six are on the defensive side of the ball led by First Team selections Jewel Ratliff, Julian Morgan and Michael Robinson. The other six selected include Cedric Cuff, Osband Thompson, Darian Hall, Marquel Gardner (offense) and Devozea Gaines (special teams).
The camp started with individual group sessions, before moving into the team portion of practice.
“There were some areas that I liked,” Slater said. “I like our receivers, our running backs and our quarterbacks. Our offensive line is young, and so is our tight end so everything is geared around them right now. We have to continue to learn and get into shape.”
Tuskegee will need to replace running back Hoderick Lowe and the offensive line from a season ago, but have talent and experience at the skill positions. Junior quarterback Kevin Lacey is back after taking over the starting position in 2014, along with a trio of senior receivers in Gardner, Travis Hawkins and Desmond Reece. The running back position has experience with Tyree Brooks coming back, along with a host of newcomers.
“On the defensive side of the ball I like it as a whole,” Slater said. “We have a lot of experience on that side of the ball, and we have guys that will be able to plug in good and help out.”
Preseason camp continues before classes begin next week, with the first game slated for September 5 against Clark Atlanta at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Courtesy: Tuskegee Athletics
