2023 Arkansas State football spring practices continue with first pad practice outdoors

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Arkansas State football kicked off spring practice Thursday afternoon.

Butch Jones’ Red Wolves will have 15 workouts across March and April, culminating in the Pack Day Spring Game on Saturday, April 15th.

A few practices in, Jones likes what he’s seen so far from the scarlet and black.

“I like the direction where we’re headed,” Jones said after March 12th’s practice. “I think were greatly improved from last year. But again, it’s going to get back to now competitive depth, that’s going to be a concern as well. So every rep that every individual gets is vital in this spring.”

There are several scarlet and black storylines. Jaxon Dailey and Jaylen Raynor begin the A-State quarterback competition. There are new faces on the coaching staff including tight ends coach Nick Grimes, while A-State begins the search for a new special teams coordinator.

“I am the Special Teams Coordinator right now,” Jones said. “I’m excited for Coach Schoonover. It’s a great opportunity for him... And I’m in the process right now and maybe we’ll have an announcement here very soon of who we’re going to hire.”

“Really excited about Nick,” Jones added. “You can’t put a value on being a coordinator. He was a coordinator at Campbell University. They had great success on offense, and then was a tight ends coach at UAB. We’re excited about him. He’s going to help us in the run game but also in the throw game.”

Wide receivers are another storyline to watch this offseason. A-State graduated key wideouts Te’Vailance Hunt and Champ Flemings. This year’s group looks to be an interesting one with a returning starter in Jeff Foreman, Syracuse transfer Courtney Jackson and the return of All-Sun Belt receiver, former Red Wolf and South Carolina transfer Corey Rucker.

Rucker is off to the side doing drills during spring ball as he recovers from a foot injury sustained at South Carolina last season as A-State awaits word surrounding his eligibility.

“He’ll be non-contact throughout the entire course of the spring,” Jones said. “We need to get him back healthy and then obviously he’s filed an appeal so we’ll see where that’s at down the road.”

2023 A-STATE FOOTBALL SPRING CAMP SCHEDULE

Practice 1: Thursday, March 9

Practice 2: Saturday, March 11

Practice 3: Sunday, March 12

Practice 4: Tuesday, March 14

Practice 5: Thursday, March 16

Practice 6: Tuesday, March 28

Practice 7: Thursday, March 30

Practice 8: Saturday, April 1

Practice 9: Tuesday, April 4

Practice 10: Thursday, April 6

Practice 11: Saturday, April 8