By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – If it sounds like Tennessee Tech head football coach Bobby Wilder is whistling "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," there's definitely some truth to it.
"This is my first preseason camp in five years," he said, "so I was like a kid on Christmas morning. You run downstairs and see all the big boxes and presents and they have your name on them. That's what it felt like for me. I'm so appreciative to be back out here with a whistle around my neck and great to be around these young people."
The festive feeling was certainly helped by the effort of the Golden Eagles on the field. As the team went through multiple drills and scenarios, Tech's student-athletes were putting together great performances in every phase. It's a great sight as Wilder and his staff try to build their depth chart for the season and put the best possible lineup together.
"I feel like we're in a better place right now than we were in the spring on both sides of the ball," Wilder said. "Being able to add value to the roster, being able to create competition at positions – that's the best thing you can have within your football team. If you have competition at each position, that motivates guys to really do as well as they can when they're out there.
"We're also getting to the point on both offense and defense where we can create some depth. It's four months for the regular season, 12 games and football is a contact sport. At times, you have to work through some adversity. Creating really good depth becomes crucial. The biggest role and job for myself and our coaching staff is finding where everyone can bring value to the roster. Guys who are, at this point, backup 1s or 2s, they're finding value and a role on special teams. I mentioned this last night in the team meeting, when we leave on August 30 to go to Murfreesboro, there's going to be 70 on that bus. There's a lot of competition to be one of those 70, so what value can you bring to get on the bus. That'll be a focal point throughout camp."
The student-athletes know that too, and the energy they presented despite the scorching heat on Wednesday morning was contagious.
"I'm really excited by how excited they are," Wilder said. "Right now, we're making a point that it's 31 days of preparation before our first game, so we need to be focused on the process of winning. That's all about planning, preparation and execution. What's the planning? We're installing the scheme. What's the preparation? It's in how they get ready and come out on the field and execute. On top of that, we just have to keep stacking good days."
There's no question that there are a lot of new faces for the Golden Eagle faithful to learn about and see, and through the process of building the roster, it's evident that Wilder and his staff are excited about the returning players and the new faces comprising the lineup.
"We have 113 on the roster," Wilder said. "Fifty-six returned from last year and we added 57 new players – 32 through the portal and 25 high school players. A lot of what we've been doing through the summer program, and now in training camp, is getting to know each other.
"I really like this roster and I really appreciate the 56 who are back from last year and how committed those guys have been since we started on January 11. They want to win, they want to do what it takes. Now if we can just do a good job as a staff integrating those 57 new players and finding roles for everybody, I feel like we're going to be able to put a really good team on the field."
The final segment of practice before Wilder went through some final instructions and dismissing the players to their position coaches for further notes was a couple of minutes where the Golden Eagle players met a counterpart from the other side and introduced themselves, congratulating them on their effort and building a rapport. Through that, the Golden Eagles build a deep brotherhood that could be a huge boost during the campaign and onward.
"One thing we're going to do after every practice is something we call 'Shake It Up,'" Wilder said. "What that means is you go from offense to defense, shake hands, find somebody new and congratulate them. It's a really good way to learn about each other.
"The analogy I use for them is that we're going to be late in a game in the fourth quarter. They're going to need each other. There may be a TV timeout and the offense is over on the sideline getting instructions and the defensive guys come over and talk to them – and vice versa. Trying to develop that team chemistry and that team bond is really what 'Shake It Up' is all about."
Tech's fall camp continues Thursday at Tucker Stadium. The team will practice Monday through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. through August 23 as the Golden Eagles enter game week for the opener against Middle Tennessee. Tech will also host scrimmages on August 10 (9 a.m.) and the Gathering of Eagles at 6 p.m. on August 17.
The Golden Eagles open the 2024 campaign on August 31 at Middle Tennessee, head to national power Georgia the following week, then open the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference slate at home on September 21 against Tennessee State.
Season tickets are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or online at TTUsports.com.
Fans can follow the Golden Eagle football team on X (formerly Twitter) -- @TNTechFootball – on Instagram – tntech_football – and on Facebook at Tennessee Tech Football.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
