On Campus: Chester Cyclones

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chester Cyclones practiced for two hours in helmets, pads and shorts and there was a lot of good energy. Head coach Victor Floyd echoed that sentiment, telling us that his team is a hard working group that doesn't complain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were on hand for the entire practice and here are our notes and observations from the session:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start on the offensive side of the ball. During pre practice, we watched the defensive backs and wide receivers go one-on-one with each other as they switched between positions during the reps. <strong>Jacoby Wright-Starkes </strong>did a nice job of turning and running with his receiver, not allowing him to create separation. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592278' first='Hudhaifah' last='Taylor']</strong> showed good eyes to stay with his receiver and not allow him to get started within his route.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Williams </strong>was one of the standouts from the session. Floyd told us he caught about 25 balls last year and he will be a guy to watch on the outside as he runs good routes and can find a way to get open. He is quick and shifty. <strong>Amari Nesmith </strong>is a threat on the outside as well as he made an excellent catch on a slant during routes versus air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guy who will be throwing it to him is quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='457973' first='Trooper' last='Floyd']</strong>, who looks comfortable throwing it on rollouts to be able to find receivers open. He shows off his power on the designed quarterback runs as well, led by <strong>Trevius Wilmore </strong>on the offensive line, standing at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds. The backup quarterback, <strong>Jackson Wilburn </strong>can let it fly and has a chance to be special down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A name you'll want to keep your eye on at running back is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster']</strong>. Floyd expects big things out of the rising sophomore and he caught our eye with his strong, downfield run style. <strong>Cam Ray </strong>is a physical running back who showed good vision on one run we saw, as part of several nice runs bouncing it to the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omari Pendagrass </strong>(pictured middle)<strong> </strong>has good hands at the receiver position and is a threat in the quick passing game. He gets up field quickly. He can also get into the backfield quickly at his defensive back position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of the defense, Floyd expects a big year from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603965' first='Luke' last='Reed'] </strong>at nose tackle, standing at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds. He has a high motor and stars on the wrestling mat. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] </strong>will be tough for opposing lineman to block as he can penetrate well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165099' first='Darriyarn' last='Baxley']</strong>, who will also start at linebacker, got in on the action at receiver, catching a touchdown to end a team period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chester will open the 2024 season at home against Lancaster on Friday, August 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->