SAMFORD FOOTBALL FALL CAMP UPDATE

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 9, 2024

It’s too early during fall camp for veteran Samford football head coach Chris Hatcher to have all his questions answered. However, he will take an important step toward completing that task when the Bulldogs hold their first full-scale scrimmage on Friday.

For those outside the program, the most pressing question comes at quarterback. Michael Hiers exited the program after two prolific seasons as the Bulldogs quarterback. Is his replacement redshirt senior Nik Scalzo or redshirt junior Quincy Crittendon? Or will Hatcher find a spot for both in the regular rotation?

Truthfully, that question won’t be completely answered in the team’s first scrimmage. But they can take an important step forward in the scrimmage.

“Whenever you have new quarterbacks working with new receivers and getting accustomed to being the guy, that's what you're looking for,” said Hatcher, who enters his 10th season at Samford and 25th season in college coaching. “Who manages the game well, who leads the team to scoring opportunities. And that's what we'll be looking for (Friday). It's kind of difficult sometimes during the practice settings.”

One thing that will be hard to gauge during the scrimmage, however, is the quarterback’s effectiveness running the football.

“When you get into scrimmage situations, our quarterbacks are (non-contact),” Hatcher said. “We do not allow them to hit. Fortunately for us, both of those guys are good runners too. You kind of, in a scrimmage, take that away from them. They can't rely on that as much. So, it's good practice for them having to manage the game without using one of their skill sets maybe to gain some yardage down the field.”

Hatcher said that seniors Micah Kelly and Damonta Witherspoon are battling for the top running back spot, replacing graduated Jay Stanton, who rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in five seasons at Samford. Hatcher said the search is still on for the No. 3 back.

Samford returns four starters on the offensive front, including preseason All-Southern Conference guard Chris Noble.

Flipping to the other side of the ball, Hatcher said one area that he’s been pleased with thus far has been up front.

“I tell you, one thing that has stood out is our defensive line, we're really deep there,” Hatcher said. “Our quality depth, I've been really pleased with that. I would say, you know, that that's a big thing. I've always said, you know, all positions are extremely important. But if you have a really good defensive line, you have two really good running backs and a good quarterback, you win a lot of football games. Right now, I think we have a really deep defensive line.”

The defense is still built around inside linebackers Noah Martin, a preseason All-American, and Jaden Mosley.

“Jaden is being hampered with an ankle injury right now, so he hasn't been able to perform much,” Hatcher said. “So, you know, we have to work some depth at those spots. we've got to kind of figure out that number two position there.”

Samford is also in its first fall camp with defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite, who Hatcher said brings a more aggressive style of defense.

“I do think we are attacking,” Braithwaite said. “Now, to me attacking doesn't necessarily mean that you're dialing up 50 billion different blitzes. I think it's more about the style of play. That's what I'm trying to impress upon our guys. You know, it's more about how we play the game that makes us attacking, as opposed to what scheme I'm calling there.”

That is one thing that Braithwaite is looking for in the scrimmage.

“I want to see us play football,” Brathwaite said. “I want to see us be able to get lined up and communicate. I want to see us play with great effort, play with a hard edge, play physical and great fundamentals and do that in a live scenario. It's different in practice when you're going thud or you're going tag. You can play hard and still go out and execute, but it takes a different level of strain, you know, from a defensive player when you've got to run to the football, get off a block and get the ball carrier on the ground. I really want to see our guys be able to do that on a consistent basis and still execute, execute the defense.”