| Get BrazosSports by Email | Contact Us | Archive
A&M Consolidated football coach Jim Slaughter went into spring training looking for linemen but found a quarterback.
The emergence of quarterback Parris Colbert was one of the highlights of the Tigers' spring drills, according to Slaughter, who overall gave his players high marks for their performance during 18 days of practice.
"The kids worked hard, and we were really pleased with spring training," Slaughter said. "It's one of those few years that I've had an opportunity to talk about the people that we've got coming back. Most of the time in the past [springs], I've been talking about how this kid or that kid has got to come through for us. We've got a little more depth than we've had in a while."
Developing offensive and defensive linemen always will be a goal for Slaughter during spring drills. He was pleased with the Tigers' progress in those areas and got a bonus with the emergence of Colbert, who was far enough down the quarterback depth chart last year that he agreed to play defensive back.
Colbert asked for another shot at quarterback this spring, competing with Seth Toups, another senior-to-be. Dillen Ashton, who played in a backup role as a junior last season, missed spring football workouts to play for the Consol baseball team.
"Parris Colbert did a tremendous job working at quarterback," Slaughter said. "He made me feel like if he was the only one I had, I'd be plenty well off. He is such a good athlete. He is a hard person to bring down. He can turn a poor play into a good play with his scrambling ability. We ran a little more option game last year, and that is kind of his cup of tea."
Slaughter said he expects Colbert and Ashton to compete for the starting job during two-a-days in August, with both likely to play during the season.
The Tigers devoted plenty of their spring work to line play. Consol coaches expect to rebuild the defensive line around Darian Johnson, a returning starter at tackle. Scott Garcia also should help solidify the middle of the line.
"I think our defensive line had a big spring training," Slaughter said. "Darian Johnson had an outstanding spring."
Consol will have a new crew of linebackers, with coaches expecting contributions from Nelson Devin, Harley York and Cody Gunnels.
The offensive line should be led by center Shawn Dunham, a returning starter, and guard Luke Strain. Tackle Weston Chenault, who saw significant playing time last year before a knee injury, was limited during spring drills after surgery, but he should be ready for preseason workouts. Other candidates for the line include Jacob Rae and Cody Westbrook.
Consol's secondary will feature returning starters in cornerback Andrew Fletcher and safety Xavier Nelson. Carson Kieschnick also provides experience, and Trent Vittrup made a strong bid for playing time during spring drills.
*
NOTES -- Slaughter was especially pleased that the Tigers were able to get in all 18 workouts. One of the practices had to be rescheduled because of weather. ... There was one other major position change during spring drills in addition to Colbert's move back to quarterback. Senior-to-be Patrick Bettiol, who was one of Consol's best blockers at offensive guard as a junior, will return to his preferred position of tight end for his senior season.
