JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Turner opens up his second spring practice at the helm of the Carson-Newman football program with oodles of depth.
That depth has allowed Turner to focus on a common ground for 2018 – unity.
The theme for 2017's team, Turner's first at the helm of the program, was "Believe." The theme for 2018 turns to "Unite."
"We've talked to them about what united is," Turner said. "We want to have the same convictions and mindset. United is a word of integrity. If you're united, you're all the way in on being teammates. We started it in the weight room over the winter, now we apply it on the practice field. If we want to get to where we want to get to next year, it has to be a united effort all the way around, from the coaching staff on down to the players."
From the 48 players listed on two-deep in 2017 for Carson-Newman, 43 return. It's easier to list departures than the litany of players that return. Gone are running backs Jared Dillingham and Diantae Thomas who assumed the roles of starters after early-season injuries to Antonio Wimbush (Kingsland, Ga.) and Marcus Williams (Apopka, Fla.).
Eagle fans can also bid farethewell to receivers Darvia DuBose, who started more than 30 games in his career, and Dorren Miller, who came within five yards of setting Carson-Newman's single-season receiving record for the option era (1980-present).
Carson-Newman also loses offensive lineman Stokes Rowe and all-region linebacker Sha'Heem Stupart. Stupart, the only loss on the defensive side of the football, leaves after amassing 312 tackles – the seventh most all-time in school history.
The glut of returning players allows Turner to focus on one of his favorite concepts, going fast.
"We'll be able to pick up the tempo on technique and fundamentals because they know where they need to improve," Turner said. "It's definitely an advantage for both offenses and defenses, and it'll help us to play as fast as we can."
Even with the return of the vast majority of players on the two-deep, there are still spots open for competition because of several offseason surgeries.
"We want them healthy and ready to play when it's gameday," Turner said. "But it does give an opportunity for those who also play those positions to step up, get reps and become players who can make an impact with us."
Carson-Newman's first spring practice session is Thursday afternoon. The practice period culminates with the annual spring game at Burke-Tarr Stadium March 1.
