By AJ Howard, Staff Writer
With one emphatic blow through a whistle at 8:43 a.m. Saturday morning, KSU’s football program took one step closer to the budding reality of fielding a full team.
85 students, who filled out and submitted their paperwork to participate in the tryout in January, showed up bright and early at the Perch athletic fields for the event. Not nearly all of them will make the team, but for Bohannon, every individual was part of something they should remember for the rest of their lives.
“You are this team,” Bohannon said to the participants.
“I told this group of kids that they made history just by being here today,” Bohannon said. “This is the first-ever football tryout in Kennesaw State history.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the talent level that was out here today. I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this, but was surprised and excited by what I saw, and the work ethic and seriousness that they showed. They came here to impress.”
The prospective athletes were asked to perform a broad jump, run a 40-yard dash, dart back and dart back and forth in an agility shuttle before moving on to position-specific drills.
Attenton was plentiful at the event as well, further signaliging the growing scope that KSU’s football program has brought to the school. Former Atlanta Falcons Brian Jordan and Dave Archer were in attendance. Many of KSU’s first 29 football signees, who signed their letters of intent last month, also showed up to see who their teammates might be in the near future. Defensive back Will Cape and linebacker Dez Billingslea were among the incoming freshman in attendance.
“I think it tells you about what’s going on here,” Bohannon said. “These kids are bought into Kennesaw State. These kids are bought into the vision.”
The tryout was also a great opportunity for the coaching staff to work together with athletes on the field. Prior to the tryout, KSU’s coaches had been limited to 7-on-7 camps. For Bohannon, who spent 17 years as an assistant under Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, the experience was new but exciting.
“I wouldn’t trade anything,” Bohannon said. “It’s just different than what I’ve done for 20 years.”
The coaches planned to email the tryout performers with their results on Monday.
“Some of you may want [your time], some of you may not want it,” Bohannon said.
Particpants who make the team will join the incoming freshman signees and practice this coming fall, despite not having a 2014 schedule. All players who practice in the fall will redshirt to extend their eligibility into the team’s first season.
KSU is set to kickoff against East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn., on Sept. 3, 2015.
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