YSU FOOTBALL Starting jobs are there to be taken

Many positions are open and there is a lot of competition for them.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State put on the pads for the first time this spring, and even the enthusiasm was better.
Monday's drills still were not full contact, but there was some hitting during the session, and coach Jon Heacock was impressed.
"I thought it was a pretty good first day in pads," said Heacock. "The enthusiasm was still there and the kids are working very hard."
Just what is it that has brought about a much more enthusiastic spring practice?
"I think it's the players," Heacock said. "It always starts with the players.
"There is a lot of competition going on out there this spring, plus they have all worked very hard in the off-season. All of them are out here participating and competing for opportunities this season."
Many spots open
Heacock did not release a depth chart because there are so many positions open. Also, there are three new assistant coaches who haven't seen the players in action before last week.
But, when Heacock calls out, "No. 1 O" or "No. 1 D," those players are the ones who took the majority of the snaps last year.
There is competition at almost every position. That competition is stronger at certain spots, where returning players are not able to take part in spring drills while recuperating from surgeries or injuries.
The offensive and defensive lines are two of those spots, especially the offensive front. Two players who started last season are not on the spring roster because of season-ending injuries last year that will carry over to this year.
Players shelved
Junior guard Matt Brouse, who started the first three games of the season before getting injured, and senior guard Brent Steiner, who started five games before getting injured, probably won't play this fall.
Two others, senior guard Norris Kennedy and sophomore center Ryan Jewell, will miss the spring session.
That leaves a pretty big hole on the offensive line, and which leaves just sophomore tackle Pat Walker and junior tackle John Bartos as the only returnees with starting experience.
Heacock has moved defensive lineman senior Coby Hayslett to center this spring, while junior Tony Limongi and sophomore Joe DeBee have been working with the first unit.
On defense
On the defensive front, senior starter Matt Briggs and backups, senior Ron John-Finn and junior Chris Rice, will all see minimum action this spring. John-Finn just had his shoulder scoped this week and won't practice at all this spring.
Seniors Matt Porter and Nate Baston will handle most of the snaps, along with Jamal Lee and Leon Edwards.
The Penguins were to take today off and return to drills on Wednesday, where more contact is expected. Sunday's canceled session will be made up next Monday and the "hoot 'n holler" drill will be held early next week, sometime before the team's first jersey scrimmage, slated for April 16.
mollica@vindy.com