By: Dave Collins
Sports Director
X: @DMCbroadcasting
Chadron State opened fall football camp on Monday with 129 players registered and ready to begin the college football journey in 2024.
According to CSC historian and reporter Con Marshall the preliminary roster includes 20 seniors, 26 juniors, 17 sophomores, 23 redshirt freshmen and 49 brand new freshmen. Thirty-eight of the returnees earned letters last year, when the Eagles finished with a 5-6 record overall and had a 4-5 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mark.
Since Dalton Holst's graduation two seasons ago the Eagles have used a revolving door at quarterback by design, competition for the job or due to injury. It's one of the biggest question marks coming into the 2024 season once again, but the coaching staff believes they've already identified who QB1 is before he's taken his first regular season snap at the school. Head Coach Jay Long:
Saddleback College / San Diego State transfer DJ Ralph got to play with the team for the first time at the spring game at Wayne State in April.
At RMAC Media Day Coach Long shared his excitement for what he sees in Ralph, as well as the excitement shown from his new teammates Tommy Thomas (WR) and Xavier Harrell (LB):
I talked to Ralph's former teammate at Saddleback and current Western Colorado starting QB Drew Nash at media day, and he had glowing things to report about Ralph as a person and a player.
Following the spring session, veteran quarterback Mason Hamilton chose to end his football career with the Eagles and focus on finishing his degree according to Coach Long.
Despite shifting positions to wide receiver in the spring, Junior Preston Pearson took several snaps in the scrimmage at Wayne State but will remain on the outside catching passes rather than throwing them this fall. If needed, Pearson will be available to play QB should depth be hampered by injury, or if the Eagles decide they want to go to the QB power-run game with Pearson as they've done in the past.
Redshirt freshman Kasey Jones, true freshman Wyatt Sprague and JUCO transfer Miguel Larios are the other quarterbacks on the roster that will battle behind Ralph on the depth chart and look to standout in fall camp.
It'll be a fun position to watch unfold over the next few weeks in camp and during the season with another group of guys who all bring unique characteristics and varying experience to the position for this season and into the future.