University of Houston Athletics
Spring Practice Kicks Off Sumlin Era
3/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON, Texas - The Kevin Sumlin Era officially begins tomorrow afternoon, when the University of Houston football team takes to the field at 1 pm to start the annual spring practice drills on the UH Practice Fields. The practice is open to the public.
"It is good to get practice for a multitude of reasons," the first-year UH head coach said. "The biggest one is that we have new schemes on both offense and defense. I believe the players are excited because it is a chance for a lot of players who have not played to take a crack at playing. We have no preconceived notions (about playing time) by the coaches. We will base a lot on the offseason workouts, and the guys have been working hard.
"So, (spring practice) is a time for the returning players to be leaders, and a chance for the guys who haven't played at all to step forward and show what they can do."
The Cougars return 56 lettermen from last season's Texas Bowl squad. Houston finished the season with an overall record of 8-5 and captured its second straight West Division title, this time sharing the honor with Tulsa.
As for starters from last year's bowl team, the Cougars have 17 overall reporting for work this spring. 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, quarterback Case Keenum, leads the way on offense with offensive linemen Carl Barnett, Michael Bloesch and Sebastian Vollmer, as well as tight end Mark Hafner, also returning as starters in 2008. SirVincent Rogers, who missed all of 2007 and most of the 2006 campaign, is at 100 percent this spring and will be counted on as a returning starter.
On defense the Cougars have seven returning starters to lean on, including consensus First-Team All-Conference defensive end Phillip Hunt. Joining Hunt as returning starters this spring include defensive linemen Ell Ash and Tate Stewart, linebacker Cody Lubojasky, cornerback Brandon Brinkley and safeties Kenneth Fontenette and Ernest Miller.
Ash, Bloesch, Fontenette, Hafner and Vollmer were all-conference selections a year ago.
The Cougars are scheduled to practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week before taking Spring Break off. Houston will return to the practice fields on March 25.
---www.UHCougars.com---
