How Eastern Washington football expects to look when spring practices begin
Despite graduating the best wide receiving trio in school history and turning over half its coaching staff, Eastern Washington enters spring practice with relatively few questions.
Eastern returns 14 starters and 56 letterwinners from a team that finished 12-2 last year and won the Big Sky Conference title.
The biggest uncertainty for new coach Aaron Best is how the Eagles will keep breaking records with a new offensive staff.
Here’s how the Eagles expect to look when spring ball begins on Tuesday:
Quarterback – Gage Gubrud is back after a record-breaking season that included 5,160 yards, 48 touchdowns and a 67.7 percent completion average. He also rushed for a team-leading 606 yards. Despite those numbers, he’ll be pushed by redshirt freshman Eric Barriere.
Running back – The sophomore trio of Antoine Custer Jr., (415 yards last year), Tamarick Pierce and Sam McPherson return from a solid group.
Offensive line – This young group figures to get better. Center Spencer Blackburn was second-team All-Big Sky, while tackles Tristen Taylor and Nick Ellison were third-teamers. Three tight ends also return.
Wide receiver – Despite the loss of Cooper Kupp, Shaq Hill and Kendrick Bourne, the passing game should still be respectable. Returnees include Nic Sblendorio, Nsimba Webster, Stu Stiles, Zach Eagle and Jayson Williams, plus two-year letterman Terence Grady, who was redshirted for next year’s transition.
Defensive line – Eastern loses All-American end Samson Ebukam, but nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli emerged into an all-conference player last year. Other key returnees are ends Albert Havili, Keenan Williams, Jim Townsend and Marcus Saugen; and tackles Andre Lino, Dylan Ledbetter and Dylan Donahue.
Linebacker – Miquiyah Zamora is gone, but the rest of the linebackers return, including Ketner Kupp, Alex Kacmarcik, and Kurt Calhoun. Cole Karstetter is expected to reclaim his starting spot at roverback after losing most of the season to injury.
Secondary – The corners could be among the best in the conference, with Josh Lewis, D’londo Tucker, Nzuzi Webster and Victor Gamboa. Mitch Fettig is back at one safety, but someone must emerge at the other spot.
Special teams – Expect Roldan Alcobendas and Brandyn Bangsund to renew their place-kicking rivalry, while punter Jordan Dascalo returns for his senior season.