GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman football kicks off spring practice at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in Paladin Stadium, head coach Clay Hendrix announced today.
 
The Paladins have 15 practices scheduled over six weeks, with the program's annual Purple-White Scrimmage set for Saturday, Mar. 18, at noon in Paladin Stadium.
 
All practice dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

Furman's current active roster features 92 players, including three January enrollees — graduate transfer defensive lineman Sirrod Cook and true freshmen wide receiver John Holbrook and linebacker Ryan Earl.  All three newcomers will take part in spring drills.

The Paladins project to return 38 players off their 44-man two-deep, highlighted by 10 defensive starters and eight regulars on offense.  All but one of the squad's chief specialists are slated to be on hand.

Furman, coming off a 10-3 season a year ago that featured a second round appearance in the FCS playoffs, finished ranked a consensus 10th in both major FCS polls.

The Paladins' returning defensive starters include tackle Matthew Sochovka (28 tackles, 5.5 TFL), end Jack Barton (30 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 4 PBU), bandit Luke Clark (41 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks), as well as inside linebackers Braden Gilby (All-SoCon, 94 tackles, 15 TFL, 4 sacks) and Bryce McCormick (77 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks), 

Starters in the secondary include cornerbacks Travis Blackshear (All-SoCon, 46 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 FF, INT, 4 PBU) and Micah Robinson (35 tackles, 3 INT, 7 PBU), spur Jalen Miller (41 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 INT, 2 FF), and safeties Hugh Ryan (All-SoCon, 69 tackles, 4 INT, 8 PBU) and Kam Brinson (59 tackles, 6.5 TFL, FCS leading 4 FR, 5 PBU).

Furman's cast of 10 returning defensive regulars boast a combined total of 210 starts. All told 18 Paladin defenders own starts that total 248 games.

The lone departure from the starting lineup on defense is graduated All-SoCon nose guard Cameron Coleman.

Furman topped the FCS with 29 takeaways (16 interceptions, 3 FR) last fall.

Offensively, the eight returning starters include guards Jacob Johanning (All-America, All-SoCon, 907 plays in '22)  and Wyatt Hughes (889 plays in '22), tackle Pearson Toomey (All-SoCon, 915 plays in '22), as well as wide receivers Joshua Harris, (48 rec., 667 yds., 5 TD), Kyndel Dean (44 rec., 407 yds.), and Wayne Anderson (39 rec., 396 yds., 2 TD).  Quarterback Tyler Huff (199x292, 2,199 yds., 15 TD; 105 rush, 694 yds.,8 TD) also returns, along with running back Dominic Roberto (All-SoCon, 1,120 rush, 11 TD).

Furman's contingent of eight returning regulars on offense sports a combined total of 141 starts.  The figure is 149 when combining starts registered by three additional returnees.

The Paladins' three graduated starters on offense include center Evan Jumper, All-SoCon tackle Anderson Tomlin, and consensus All-SoCon and All-America tight end Ryan Miller.

Principal special teams performers slated to be back are placekickers Axel Lepvreau (8x9 FG, 51x53 PATs) and Ian Williams (10x12 FG, 62.6 kickoff avg., 50 touchbacks), punter Ryan Leavy (39.8 avg.), and snapper Julian Ashby.  In addition, the team's top kickoff return performers, Wayne Anderson (All-SoCon, 22 ret., 24.1 avg, TD) and Kendall Thomas (6 ret., 16.8 avg.), and punt return men, Cally Chizik (11 ret., 6.7 avg.) and Joshua Harris (6 ret., 8.2 avg.) are all set to return to the field.

Furman led the FCS with 10 blocked kicks (FGs, PATs, punts) in 2022, including four by defensive end Jack Barton and three by defensive tackle Matt Sochovka — both of whom are back.
 
2023 Furman Spring Practice Schedule
Feb. 7, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 9, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 11, 8:00 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 14, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 16, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 17, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 21, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 23, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 24, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 25, 9:00 AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 28, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 2, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 14, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 16, 6:30 AM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 18, Noon / Paladin Stadium (Spring Game)