Rams start prepping for season

ALBANY — The A.J. McKenna era is over, so when coach Mike White and the Albany State University football team took the field for their first practice Thursday morning, one of the main things on their mind was the open quarterback spot.

It’ll be tough to replace McKenna, who led the SIAC in passing yards per game (184.3) last season, but White said one of the three players vying for the spot — Wayne Campbell, Stanley Jennings and Chris Payne — should fit in nicely.

“They’ll be alright,” White said. “I don’t know if any of them will beat A.J.’s (numbers) — the size, the athlete, the combination A.J. had was really rare — but I think somebody will fill his shoes and definitely take care of the offense.”

Campbell returns from last year’s team, Jennings is a transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College and Payne is a redshirt player who originally signed with ASU in 2006.

And while Thursday was the first time the coaches were able to see them all together in action, White said he already knows they’ll follow plays better than McKenna did.

“These are a little more coachable guys,” White said. “A.J. was a pretty intelligent kid, but he was a guy who always wanted to throw the ball deep. He would have a guy wide open in his face and he would try to force it deep.

“He had that trouble all season. It was hard to get him to see that.”

As for who will emerge as the starter, it’s going to take a few more practices before anyone knows.

“We’re going to … let those guys just fight it out in camp,” ASU quarterbacks coach Uyl Joyner said at the Golden Rams Quarterback Club Kickoff Reception Saturday. “Whoever comes out on top, we’re going to suit ’em up and put them out there and let them showcase what they can do.”

A TOUGH PREDICTION: Coach White isn’t a fan of polls — he prefers to settle disputes on the field — but he did have to admit that the recent Heritage Sports Radio Network preseason poll is another example of how strong the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference looks this year.

The poll, which ranks historically black Division II schools, was released Tuesday and had five SIAC teams in the top 10.

“(The conference) always is (tough),” White said. “I remember it when it wasn’t that tough … but everybody’s pretty good (this year). I guess those teams who haven’t had a lot (in the past) put a lot of money into their programs.”

Tuskegee, which went 10-2 last season, was ranked No. 1 and Albany State fourth, followed by Fort Valley State at fifth.

White said he was impressed with the work coach Donald Pittman has done for the Wildcats in just a year

“He’s done a great job,” White said. “He’s a good coach.”

Morehouse (No. 9) and Benedict (10) were also in the top 10.

RISE AND SHINE: Think the Rams practice in the morning only because it’s so hot? Think again.

While it’s true Albany State will have 9 a.m. practices from now until at least Aug. 17, it’s mainly due to a less obvious reason.

“We practice (at this time) because of the weather, not the heat,” White said. “Thunderstorms are known to pop up in the afternoon. You don’t want to be out on that field with the lightning. If you get it in now, you have another chance (to practice) in the afternoon.”

Because of NCAA rules, White said the team will have five one-a-day practices, followed by alternating one- and two-a-days.