GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The reigning Southern Conference football champion Furman Paladins will kick off spring practice on Thursday, Feb. 22, head coach Clay Hendrix announced today.

Furman's first practice is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Paladin Stadium — the first of 14 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.

The Paladins originally planned to open spring practice earlier this month but postponed its start following the passing of defensive lineman Bryce Stanfield on Feb. 9.

The Paladins' active roster features 91 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 30 lettermen and 14 players who count starting experience.

Furman, coming off a 10-3 season a year ago that featured the program's 15th SoCon championship and FCS quarterfinal (third) round playoff appearance, 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), 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 21 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 added four more on Feb. 7 National Signing Day.

In addition to detailing the Paladins' new spring practice schedule, Hendrix announced title additions to four members of the coaching staff.  They include Duane Vaughn, Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach; Kevin Lewis, Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator; Matt McCutchan, Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator; and Drew Dudzik, Wide Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator.

Furman kicks off its 2024 season on Aug. 31 versus Ole Miss.

2024 Furman Spring Practice Schedule
Feb. 22, 4:00 PM / Paladin Stadium
Feb. 23, 4:00 PM / Bob King Practice Field
Feb. 24
Feb. 27
Feb. 29
Mar. 12
Mar. 14
Mar. 15
Mar. 16, 1:00 PM (Purple-White Scrimmage) / Paladin Stadium
Mar. 19
Mar. 21
Mar. 23
Mar. 26
Mar. 28