Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
‘Dogs close out first week of spring football
3/17/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State football team held its first practice in full pads this spring on Saturday morning at Bulldog Stadium. Saturday was the Bulldogs' fourth practice of 15 over five weeks, which concludes with the fan-friendly Spring Preview on April 14.
"It's good to see how the guys are when they're out there and the spotlight is on them and they have to get their block," said offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. "I thought it was a good day on the physical side. There are a lot of things we'll take from this practice when we're watching film."
The Bulldogs opened the 2018 spring season on Monday, and ran practices in helmets and shorts the first day and again on Wednesday. They were back on the field Friday wearing shoulder pads for the first time and got the full gear out on Saturday.
Now that the team has worked past the NCAA football acclimatization period, the 'Dogs will run all three of next week's scheduled practices as they did Saturday before taking a week off for spring break.
"It's fun. I think our guys like it and we get a chance to see guys in different drills individually, in a small group and then the full team session," DeBoer added about being back in pads.
Weight Room
Before the 'Dogs opened spring football, they were spending their time with head football strength and conditioning coach Andy Ward in the weight room. During that time, the squad had their individual goals to meet whether it were to gain or drop weight, reduce body fat, etc. Individuals that stood out on offense were KeeSean Johnson and Jared Rice. On defense Kevin Atkins, Isaiah Johnson and Kwami Jones led the charge according to Coach Ward.
Ward on K. Johnson…
"KeeSean did a good job on losing some body fat. Last year he was around 205 pounds this time and he's 198 pounds right now and it was all body fat reduction. And he gained a couple pounds of muscle to go with it. He's done a great job."
Ward on Ja. Rice…
"Jared did a great job putting on weight. He's at 233 pounds now and during the season he was floating around 217 pounds. He's put on over 15 pounds and should have a great spring with that."
Ward on I. Johnson…
"Isaiah has gained 15 pounds since he got to campus in January. He showed up at 202 pounds and now he's up to 217 pounds. He's going to be a freak."
Ward on Atkins…
"Kevin had a really good training period. He went up just a few pounds, but it's all good weight. He's gained weight while losing body fat."
Ward on Jones…
"Kwami had a really good training period and he's gotten a lot stronger. He's gained 10-12 pounds and it shows. He's going to be a solid player for us."
-all weights on the GoBulldogs.com football roster were last updated March 16, 2018.
Pro Day
Fresno State will hosts its annual NFL Pro Day on Monday at noon for Bulldogs who have exhausted their collegiate eligibility. Of the 15 seniors on the 2017 team, all but Nathan Madsen and Stephen Van Hook will be participating while two seniors from the 2016 class will also give it a go again (Brandon Hughes and Aaron Peck).
-all participation is subject to change
Bulldogs in NFL Free Agency
With NFL free agency kicking off on March 14, two former Bulldogs were in the headlines as they found new teams.
• OL Kenny Wiggins (2007-10) inked a deal with the Detroit Lions. Wiggins had been with the Chargers for the last five years.
• DB Curtis Riley (2013-14) signed a contract with the New York Giants. Riley has spent the past three seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
What's Ahead
Practice resumes Monday with the team back in pads, as is the same for practices six and seven on Wednesday and Friday before spring break (March 26-30).
Bulldog Pass
The Bulldog Pass is available to current Fresno State Faculty and Staff along with Young Alumni who have graduated over the last 10 years from 2009 to Spring of 2018.
The pass is only $79 and provides mobile tickets for all six home football game. Fans interested in the pass will need an iPhone or Android phone in order receive game tickets.
Seat locations are determined approximately 48 hours prior to each home game, so pass holders will not be sitting in the same location for each game.
Link to purchase: https://goo.gl/b3iKAp
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
"It's good to see how the guys are when they're out there and the spotlight is on them and they have to get their block," said offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. "I thought it was a good day on the physical side. There are a lot of things we'll take from this practice when we're watching film."
The Bulldogs opened the 2018 spring season on Monday, and ran practices in helmets and shorts the first day and again on Wednesday. They were back on the field Friday wearing shoulder pads for the first time and got the full gear out on Saturday.
Now that the team has worked past the NCAA football acclimatization period, the 'Dogs will run all three of next week's scheduled practices as they did Saturday before taking a week off for spring break.
"It's fun. I think our guys like it and we get a chance to see guys in different drills individually, in a small group and then the full team session," DeBoer added about being back in pads.
Weight Room
Before the 'Dogs opened spring football, they were spending their time with head football strength and conditioning coach Andy Ward in the weight room. During that time, the squad had their individual goals to meet whether it were to gain or drop weight, reduce body fat, etc. Individuals that stood out on offense were KeeSean Johnson and Jared Rice. On defense Kevin Atkins, Isaiah Johnson and Kwami Jones led the charge according to Coach Ward.
Ward on K. Johnson…
"KeeSean did a good job on losing some body fat. Last year he was around 205 pounds this time and he's 198 pounds right now and it was all body fat reduction. And he gained a couple pounds of muscle to go with it. He's done a great job."
Ward on Ja. Rice…
"Jared did a great job putting on weight. He's at 233 pounds now and during the season he was floating around 217 pounds. He's put on over 15 pounds and should have a great spring with that."
Ward on I. Johnson…
"Isaiah has gained 15 pounds since he got to campus in January. He showed up at 202 pounds and now he's up to 217 pounds. He's going to be a freak."
Ward on Atkins…
"Kevin had a really good training period. He went up just a few pounds, but it's all good weight. He's gained weight while losing body fat."
Ward on Jones…
"Kwami had a really good training period and he's gotten a lot stronger. He's gained 10-12 pounds and it shows. He's going to be a solid player for us."
-all weights on the GoBulldogs.com football roster were last updated March 16, 2018.
Pro Day
Fresno State will hosts its annual NFL Pro Day on Monday at noon for Bulldogs who have exhausted their collegiate eligibility. Of the 15 seniors on the 2017 team, all but Nathan Madsen and Stephen Van Hook will be participating while two seniors from the 2016 class will also give it a go again (Brandon Hughes and Aaron Peck).
-all participation is subject to change
Bulldogs in NFL Free Agency
With NFL free agency kicking off on March 14, two former Bulldogs were in the headlines as they found new teams.
• OL Kenny Wiggins (2007-10) inked a deal with the Detroit Lions. Wiggins had been with the Chargers for the last five years.
• DB Curtis Riley (2013-14) signed a contract with the New York Giants. Riley has spent the past three seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
What's Ahead
Practice resumes Monday with the team back in pads, as is the same for practices six and seven on Wednesday and Friday before spring break (March 26-30).
Bulldog Pass
The Bulldog Pass is available to current Fresno State Faculty and Staff along with Young Alumni who have graduated over the last 10 years from 2009 to Spring of 2018.
The pass is only $79 and provides mobile tickets for all six home football game. Fans interested in the pass will need an iPhone or Android phone in order receive game tickets.
Seat locations are determined approximately 48 hours prior to each home game, so pass holders will not be sitting in the same location for each game.
Link to purchase: https://goo.gl/b3iKAp
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
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