Kennesaw State will host its spring scrimmage on Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The game begins at noon, gates open at 11 a.m., and admission is free. Parking opens at 10 a.m. and is free in the black and gold lots.
The Owls went 6-5 last season, their first.
Here are eight players to watch, according to Kennesaw State’s offensive and defensive coordinators:
Chaston Bennett, running back, 5-10, 160 pounds, senior: Offensive coordinator Grant Chesnut said Bennett has had a good spring. "He brings a lot of explosiveness. He can fly. When we get him the ball on the edge he can do special things. We are trying to incorporate him a little more in the pass game."
Jake McKenzie, fullback, 6-0, 206 pounds, redshirt sophomore: McKenize is a quarterback who moved to fullback because of a lack of depth there and a surplus at quarterback. He played the position some last season. "Jake is just a great all-around football player. He brings intensity and violence to the position. Jake, coupled with our line growing up a little bit more, has allowed us to run the ball better this spring."
Matt Frank, right guard, 6-3, 290 pounds, sophomore: Another player who has had a good spring, according to Chesnut. The Owls averaged 293 rushing yards per game last year. That average decreased to 252.5 yards in Big South Conference play. So, coach Brian Bohannon wants to improve the team's inside running game. Frank is a key to that. "He's doing a good job," Chesnut said.
Three wideouts:
Justin Sumpter, 6-3, 216 pounds, redshirt sophomore;
Tremayne Trawick, 6-4, 189 pounds, redshirt junior;
Xavier Harper, 6-0, 184 pounds, redshirt sophomore.
Sumpter caught 26 passes for 525 yards and four touchdowns. “He’s continuing to impress, refining his skills. Better at route running” Chesnut said.
Trawick caught nine passes for 197 yards. “He has shown up a big-play guy. He’s had big catches and done some good things there.”
“Harper is our utility man. He’s blocking well and running good routes. Really great as a possession guy for us. If we are behind the chains, he finds a way to make a catch in important areas for us.”
Raekwon Chatman, defensive back, 6-0, 175 pounds, redshirt freshman: "We expect big things out of him," defensive coordinator Brian Newberry said. "He can play a lot of different positions in secondary. Smart, needs to mature. He will be a special player."
Austin Byrd, defensive lineman, 6-3, 243 pounds, redshirt sophomore: "Austin Byrd has shown a lot of improvement," Newberry said. "They've all improved across the board." The Owls allowed averages of 21.2 points and 301.2 yards per game.
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