University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI To Start Spring Training Saturday, Pro Day Tuesday
3/24/2017 11:09:00 AM | Football
SPRING SCHEDULE
It is March Madness. The hard work, the determination, the grit. Athletes are shaped, teams are challenged and champions are made. We are talking spring football, and it starts tomorrow.
UNI football will get spring training underway starting Saturday, March 25. Between March 25 and April 22, UNI will have 15 practices, splitting time between outdoor practice fields and the UNI-Dome.
Despite losing 11 starters from the 2016 squad, the Panthers return a strong core of veteran athletes and energized youth that will have UNI football fans out of their seats come August. UNI's schedule in March and April will be a busy one, full of training and hosting its annual Pro Day on Tuesday, March 28.
Seven Panthers will have some important job interviews on Tuesday, starting in the weight room at 6:30 a.m. on March 28. The event will then move out to the UNI-Dome for speed and positional drills and is open to the public. Aaron Bailey, Ray Buchanan Jr., Karter Schult, Jamison Whiting, Tyvis Smith, D'Shawn Dexter and Michael Malloy will all participate on Tuesday.
With seven UNI standouts looking to further their playing careers in the league, the Panthers will return 54 letter winners from 2016 to the turf this spring. On offense, UNI returns three starting wide receivers in Daurice Fountain, Jaylin James and Jalen Rima along with three of the five starting offensive lineman.
UNI will also see versatile receiver Marcus Weymiller tearing up defensive backs this spring. Weymiller proved to be an offensive threat for the Panthers in 2016 after playing in the wide receiver slot and as a wildcat option.
On defense, UNI entered the 2016 season with a brand new secondary that ended up leading the league in interceptions. Three of UNI's four starting secondary return in Elijah Campbell, Malcolm Washington and A.J. Allen, who switched from linebacker to safety in 2016.
The defensive line lost consensus All-American and draft hopeful Schult, but will see the energy and speed of Rickey Neal, Bryce Douglas, Preston Woods, Hezekiah Applegate and Adam Reth take on opposing offensive lines this fall.
The linebacker core will be led by senior Jared Farley, who has started 24 games for the Panthers. He is joined by returning starter Duncan Ferch, who came into his own last season, starting nine of the 11 games in 2016.
The Panthers will get in quality time in the UNI-Dome during the week of April 3 through April 17. The UNI-Dome will also be host to Florida Georgia Line on Friday, April 22 before the Panthers have their final practice of the spring on Saturday, April 22.
