Offseason Football Notebook: February Flashback

FRESNO, Calif. – As the Fresno State football team nears the first day of spring practice on March 27, the month of February saw the staff and players alike adjust its focus after National Signing Day on Feb. 1. The start time of the Spring Preview was determined, the recruiting office added staff, graduate assistants were named and several players began preparing for new positions while spring training amped up. And not to be overlooked, the 2016 Bulldogs were acknowledged for a record-setting performance in the classroom.

2017 Spring Preview
The Fresno State Football Spring Preview, otherwise known as the last scrimmage and final spring practice, will take place on April 29 at 10:30 a.m. An event open and free to the public.

Recruiting Office
Two key cogs that have joined director of player personnel, Spencer Harris, in the Bulldogs' recruiting office are Brian Clay (director of high school recruiting) and Michael Adsit (manager of football graphic design).

Graduate Assistants
The Bulldogs have filled all four graduate assistant positions, looking forward to the 2017 season.

• Dylan Chmura – Offensive G.A.
• DJ Harper – Offensive G.A.
• Matt Lea – Defensive G.A.
• CJ McGorisk – Defensive G.A.

Chmura, a former student-athlete at Michigan State, is set to assist with the Bulldogs' offensive line. Harper, a former student-athlete at Boise State, will work with the Bulldogs' wide receivers.

Lea, who played at UNLV last season, will assist with the Bulldog linebackers. McGorisk, new to Fresno State from Michigan, will assist with the Bulldogs' defensive line.

Position Flips
Several Bulldogs have changed positions under the new staff. Those student-athletes are:

• Jaleel Carter: moved from offensive line to defensive line
• Kyle Hendrickson: moved from defensive end to tight end
• Josh Hokit: moved from linebacker to running back
• Chris Paz: moved from wide receiver to linebacker
• Johnny Rojas III: moved from tight end to defensive end
• Justin Rice: moved from running back to safety

Strength and Conditioning
What the Bulldogs' called "Red Dawn" was eliminated this spring. The team has been going through a strength and conditioning regimen that consists of weight training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while conditioning occurs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Academic Success
The football team set a Mountain West all-time best for number of all-academic selections with 21, announced by the league on Feb. 21. The football team's mark was third best in the conference in 2016.

Those team members from the 2016 squad were:

Allison, Jeffrey: Criminology
Bryant, Jaron: Construction Management
Cusick, Blake: Criminology
Hendrickson, Kyle: Communications
Hokit, Josh: Undeclared
Hughes, Brandon: Finance
Hughes, Logan: Anthropology
Kline, Zach: Education Curriculum & Instruction
Kroening, Kody: Management
Martens, Michael: Management
McBee, Wyatt: Liberal Studies
Okeke, Tobenna: Pre-Business
Patterson, David: Computer Information Systems
Piper, Elijah: Kinesiology
Popolizio, Ryan: Economics
Riddering, Kyle: Construction Management
Soechting, Trent: Construction Management
Tangipa, David: Political Science
Van Valkenburg, Nick: Environmental Sciences
Vazquez, Jacob: Education Curriculum & Instruction
Verrell, Justin: Industrial Technology

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Fresno State Athletics

Offseason Football Notebook: February Flashback

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Jaleel Carter

Kyle Hendrickson

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Justin Rice

Johnny Rojas III

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