Drake football looks ahead to coming season

Drake football opens with Upper Iowa on August 28th and in preparation, the Bulldogs had their first of 15 spring practices.
           
First year Head Coach Chris Creighton got his first look at returning players as the team tries to improve on its six and five record from a year ago.
           
The Bulldogs look to reload with the signing of 40 incoming players for the 2008 P-F-L season. Matter Jeter, Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator discussing this year’s class.

“We had an outstanding recruiting class considering the transition with the new coach. We’re going to bring in 40 guys from all areas and surrounding states. Guy from Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and we have guys in state from Iowa. So we have a great class.”

With the departure of Defensive Back Poul Collins and wide receiver Travis Hardgraves, Jeter says they’ve recruited heavily at the receiver and defensive back position.

Also leaving a hole in the backfield is the departure of Scott Phaydavong, Drake’s all time leading rusher and N-C-A-A Division One Double A All-American. Drake will be looking for a few players to come in and make an impact.

“We do have some quality guys coming in and until we get them on the field and actually get them in and learning our scheme its hard to tell if they will make an impact right away. There are a few guys the Saint Louis area with great speed that could come in and make an impact for the fall.”

Drake look to keep a legacy of success going jump-started by this year’s basketball team. Jeter says their success has created an atmosphere of excitement around the program.

“This year it helped us out tremendously. Every time we had a recruiting visit here we went to a basketball game and the atmosphere at the game was unbelievable.”