Position battles add more heat to fall camp at Eastern Washington

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up fall camp at Eastern Washington.

Coaches are paying close attention to the scorching competition at several positions, especially safety, wide receiver, running back and kicker.

No one will have a starting spot handed to him, a fact senior safety Jake Hoffman knows all too well.

“I’m trying to step into a leadership role, but I’m also fighting for my spot,” said Hoffman, a North Central High School product who looks to finish his career as a starter at safety.

“I’m just trying to get better every single day,” said Hoffman, who missed spring ball with an injury and could only watch as other players gained on him in the battle to succeed all-Big Sky Conference performer Zach Bruce.

Also in the mix are redshirt sophomores Tysen Prunty and Dehonta Hayes.

All bring different strengths in the battle to start opposite junior Mitch Fettig, according to Jeff Schmedding, the Eagles’ safeties coach and defensive coordinator.

Prunty, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Beaverton, Ore., who was outstanding last year on special teams, “is a very physical player,” Schmedding said.

Hoffman, meanwhile, brings more experience to a position that demands it.

“Both are doing a nice job,” said Schmedding, who added that Hayes, a 5-11, 195-pounder from Tacoma, is having a strong fall camp.

Here’s a look at the other major position battles at Eastern:

Roverback: Ferris High product Cole Karstetter is back atop the depth chart after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury early in the 2016 season. “I feel pretty good – I’m just excited to be playing with the guys again,” said Karstetter, a 5-11, 205-pound redshirt junior. He’ll be pushed by three players, including senior John Kreifels, sophomore Sam Inos and 6-3 redshirt freshman Kedrick Johnson. “He brings a lot of length to the position,” Schmedding said of Johnson, a former wide receiver.

Kicker: One more time, senior Roldan Alcobendas and junior Brandyn Bangsund will vie for place-kicking duties. Last year’s winner was Alcobendas, who was 9-for-15 on field goal attempts and missed just one of 74 extra-point tries. However, new special teams coach Heath Pulver said the competition will once again come down to who’s more accurate during practice before the season begins. “You want to reward the one who makes the most kicks,” Pulver said.

Running back: The players are established, but who will get the lion’s share of the carries from among junior Sam McPherson and true sophomores Tamarick Pierce and Antoine Custer Jr.? Not even Best knows yet. “All three guys have been there, done that so far,” Best said. “That makes our decision harder.” Game situations will play a part, as the 5-9, 190-pound Custer (who also returns kicks) offers more speed and elusiveness, while Pierce (5-10, 220) and McPherson (5-10, 200) have a bit more power. “Hopefully the competition will bring out the best in them,” Best said.

Wide receiver: Even in a more run-heavy offense, expect a lot of three-receiver sets this fall. That means plenty of chances for a large group of wideouts. Upperclassmen Nic Sblendorio, Nsimba Webster, Stu Stiles and Terence Grady begin fall camp atop the depth chart, but Eastern has a small army pushing them. They include 2016 redshirts Xavier James and Dre’Sonte Dorton; sophomores Jayson Williams and Zach Eagle; and incoming freshmen Andrew Boston, Marques Hampton Jr. and Johnny Edwards IV. It’s a good bet that one of the newcomers will see playing time.