Evaluating Norfolk State’s first day of football practice: QB update, new arrivals, returning experience

NORFOLK — Norfolk State essentially started its 2024 football season on Wednesday with the opening of fall practice at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans are exactly a month away from their season opener against Florida A&M in Atlanta on Aug. 24.

While there may have been some rust to kick off during day one, head coach Dawson Odums said the important thing is the early execution was there.

“They know what they’re doing,” Odums said. “ … I think when you look at it, do your guys know what they’re doing? Did it carry over from the summer? And I can say yes.”

Norfolk State will continue to practice without pads until Friday, when the Spartans will start to wear shells (shoulder pads and helmets), Odums said.

Quarterback update

Quarterback Otto Kuhns was back with the team during Wednesday’s practice after he was temporarily away from the squad in the spring. Odums said Kuhns rejoined the team during summer workouts.

When asked for details about Kuhns’ spring absence, Odums said it “wasn’t really a detailed thing.

“It’s just that, again, our decision-making has got to be better,” Odums said. “And when we make better decisions, better things happen for us. And life lessons take place, but other than that, he was still a part (of the team), but he just wasn’t out here (on the field).”

Kuhns started nine games last season and was named a preseason All-MEAC first-team selection Tuesday at MEAC Media Day. The senior has started 18 games at NSU and threw for 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

After regaining his starting spot last fall camp, it appears that Kuhns is in for another quarterback battle this year. Odums didn’t blatantly say it after practice Wednesday, but certainly alluded to it.

“We went 3-8,” Odums said. “And we got a lot of guys that are coming back that played for us. But we got guys that we brought in and we got to see. We got to see if the guys that played for us have gotten better. And we got to see if the guys we brought in deserve an opportunity. And that’s what we’re going to figure out in this camp.”

The media was permitted to watch the last hour of practice Tuesday and, during that time, Kuhns took reps with the second-string offensive unit. Garden City Community College transfer Jalen Daniels took the first-team reps.

Daniels, an Arizona native who started his career as a walk-on at South Carolina, threw for 1,282 yards with nine touchdowns last year at Garden City.

“He’s a football player,” Odums said. “He makes that room competitive and that’s what you want. You want to keep adding pieces to the room that makes that room competitive, but not only make you competitive — make it better. That’s what we feel like we got in adding him to that room.”

New assistant coaches

Norfolk State’s five new assistant coaches began their first call camp on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jason Phillips, wide receivers coach Tim Smith, offensive line coach Don Nelson, defensive line coach Aaron Tiller and cornerbacks coach Michael Johnson make up the new faces on Odums’ staff.

All but Smith were with the Spartans for their spring game in March.

Offensive lineman Garrison Wheatley, a preseason All-MEAC team honoree, said the addition of Nelson and Phillips to the staff made an immediate impact on the offensive line.

“Nelson has added a certain degree of technique to us and really is just grilling us on technique, technique, technique,” Wheatley said. “I think we’ve gotten better all over and I think we’re working better as a unit. So that way, we are better prepared for what’s up ahead.”

Returning experience inspires confidence

Norfolk State is returning 16 starters and 82 letter winners. That kind of depth and experience is just what the Spartans will need.

“We played with a lot of freshmen last year,” defensive back Terron Mallory said. “Now these guys are sophomores. They got a whole year under their belt, playing against talented teams. Playing against Temple, MEAC opponents and CAA opponents. So we’re going to build on (it) and camp is gonna help as well.”

Grade for the day: B

There’s always room for improvement and that was the case on Wednesday, with Odums giving the Spartans a “B” grade after day one of camp.

“I think from an execution standpoint, guys know where to go,” Odums said. “Our energy and enthusiasm is getting there. It was about a B today; we got to be at an A+. We’ll keep getting better. It’s just day one.”

Wheatley concurred with Odums’ grade for the first practice.

“It wasn’t our best day. It’s the first day, a lot to expect. Don’t know what’s gonna come out. But I feel like it was a good day. I think that’s a good score, a B. Definitely not perfect, but a solid start.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com