BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University football wrapped up the first week of spring practice by strapping on shoulder pads for Thursday's and Friday's practices at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
After two days in shorts and helmets, Appalachian donned shoulder pads for the first time this spring during Thursday's two-and-a-half-hour practice. The Mountaineers exhibited an even higher level of intensity once the pads came out and head coach Jerry Moore was impressed with the both the intensity and execution that the Mountaineers displayed, especially considering that more than a dozen veterans have yet to participate due to injuries.
While there are a handful of players still on the sidelines, a number of others have recovered from injuries sustained last season and are back on the practice field. Most notably, running back Devon Moore and defensive end Tony Robertson are participating fully in spring drills after suffering season-ending injuries last September at James Madison. Both players have been working with their first teams throughout the week.
Additionally, quarterback Armanti Edwards has also been cleared for full participation and participated in a variety of passing drills this week. Coach Moore said that if it were a game week, Edwards would be available to play, but that the staff would limit his action in the spring in order to avoid re-aggravating his knee and hip injuries and give sophomore DeAndre Presley the opportunity to take the majority of snaps in his first spring practice.
Presley had made the most of the opportunity so far, running the offense with a great deal of precision and skill, despite being without weapons such as wide receiver Brian Quick, tight end Ben Jorden and running backs Robert Welton and Devin Radford, who are all among those currently sitting out of drills due to injuries. Despite the relatively large number of injuries, all of the Mountaineers that are currently shelved are expected to be back on the field either before the end of spring drills or in plenty of time for the start of fall camp in August.
ASU has completed four of the 15 practices allowed by the NCAA during the spring and returns to the practice field next Monday. As a reminder to fans, due to ongoing construction at Kidd Brewer Stadium, spring practices are closed to the public. However, Black and Gold faithful can stay up to speed on the all of the spring football news by visiting GoASU.com for regular video and written reports and exclusive photos from the practice field.
