Spring football in a sense is like re-trying out for the team.
Most players have high hopes about gaining a starting spot on the field or at least some extra playing time.
At Texas A&M University-Kingsville this is the part of the year when coaches and staff try to evaluate their roster and talent and try to find out what they are lacking; whether it’s a weak position, a graduating player needing to be replaced or just overall depth on the roster.
It’s also the time when coaches actively seek recruits, while reviewing walk-ons.
All of the hard work and preparation that players put in during the spring comes together when they put it on display during the spring Blue and Gold game.
On Friday, April 19, the Javelina football team had its annual spring Blue and Gold game during which players had an opportunity to put on a show in semi-game fashion in front of an audience.
Head Coach Darren Wilkinson really embraces the opportunities and challenges that the spring brings to make his team better.
“I thought the first two-thirds of the spring game were almost perfect in terms of what we like to do,” he said.
“The final bit of the scrimmage was a little disappointing in how we turned the ball over way more on offense. The defense caused some of those, but some of them were just not good plays.
“I think we’ve really improved on both sides of the ball…we’ve brought in some new recruits and I’m excited for this upcoming season.”
Starting wide receiver Tyler Wilson knows about the grind all too well.
Coming off of a solid 602-yard season off 45 catches, Wilson is looking to make an even bigger splash next year.
“Those 5 a.m. workouts are no joke; the coaches really just want to see who wants it more, so I get it. It’s better once we get to pad up and show out,” Tyler Wilson said.
Athletic Trainer Janelle Olguin believes the team is improving rather fast.
“The fall could be ours; the offense and defense are both improving pretty fast. I didn’t like the way they did the spring game though.
“It was more of a scrimmage than a game,” Olguin said.
Senior starting defensive back Joshua Wilson is all too familiar with the spring training process.
“I felt really good about this year’s spring training.
“I think that we have put a lot of players into the positions (offensive and defensively) they need to be at in order to be successful,” Joshua Wilson said.
“I also feel that this spring training allowed us players to create a new standard.
“We just want to win and be able to play for something special like a conference and national championship.”
