GREENVILLE, S.C.. -- The reigning Southern Conference football champion Furman Paladins are set to kick off spring practice on Thursday, Feb. 8, head coach Clay Hendrix announced today.

Furman's first practice is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Paladin Stadium — the first of 15 practices scheduled over six weeks, with the program's annual Purple-White scrimmage set for Saturday, Mar. 16, at 1:00 p.m. in Paladin Stadium.
 
All practice dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

Furman's current active roster features 92 players, including freshman quarterback Trey Hedden, a December 2023 signee and January enrollee who will take part in spring drills.  Two other January freshman additions include strong safety Max Eubanks and defensive tackle Ty Kausarud — both products of IMG Academy.

The Paladins project to return 31 lettermen and 15 players who count starting experience.

Furman, coming off a 10-3 season a year ago that featured the program's 15th SoCon championship and a second round appearance in the FCS playoffs, finished the campaign ranked sixth in the final AFCA FCS Poll.

The Paladins' top returnees on defense include All-SoCon bandit Luke Clark (53 tackles, 7 TFL, 6.0 sacks), nose guard Xavier Stephens (35 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks), and inside linebacker Evan DiMaggio (79 tackles, 115 TFL, 5 sacks).  Other key returning defenders include bandit Alex Maier (25 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 sacks), tackle Bryce Stanfield (13 tackles, 4 TFL, 2.5 sacks), end Jeremiah Jackson (12 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 sacks), and strong safety Caleb Williams (17 tackles). 

Last fall Furman paced the SoCon in most every defensive category and ranked fifth in the FCS with 38 sacks.  Returning Paladins accounted for 23 of the 38 quarterback takedowns.

On offense, two starters are back along the offensive line in guard Luke Pettit and tackle Fred Norman, Jr., The front will also include guards Blake Hundley and E.J. Wilson — both of whom count starting experience.

Likewise, the wide receiving corps sports two returning regulars in Joshua Harris (42 rec., 380 yds. 2 TDs) and Ben Ferguson (27 rec., 335 yds., TD), along with SoCon All-Freshman Team selection Colton Hinton (34 rec., 404 yds., 2 TDs).

The top candidate to take over at quarterback is Carson Jones (56x100, 546 yds., 7 Ds), the SoCon's Co-Freshman of the Year in 2023. Jones logged a pair of late season starts after coming off the bench to lead the Paladins to a 17-14 road win over Chattanooga that secured the league championship.

The Paladins boast All-SoCon placekicker Ian Williams (18x24 FGs), who also excels on kickoffs (54 touchdowns on 74 kickoffs in '23).

Furman inked 12 recruits in December's early signing period and is expected to add to that number on next Wednesday's (Feb. 7) National Signing Day.

2024 Furman Spring Practice Schedule
Feb. 8, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 10, AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 13, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 15, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 17, AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 20, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 22, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 24, AM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 27, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 29, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 12, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 14, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 16, 1:00 PM (Purple-White Scrimmage) / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 19, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 21, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium