Most college football spring games are what my friend Adam Lawson likes to call "glorified practices." And they are.
Oh, you'll have the occasional quarterback battle occurring for a big program, as schools like Oklahoma State University that lose big names like Brandon Weeden to the NFL try to sort out their quarterbacking situations (as they just did).
But for Elon, the quarterback in charge is set. It's rising senior Thomas Wilson, about to start his second year as the starter for the Phoenix. Also, with rising senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette reportedly not playing in the game, there may not be much to go for.
But I beg to differ.
What do fans need to look for in Saturday's game? Check out my top five reasons to go, in the form of questions that will begin to be answered by what goes down:
1. Will Thomas Wilson get over his interception habit?
Now, let me be clear with you. I like Thomas Wilson as Elon's quarterback, even though I kind of ripped coach Jason Swepson and Wilson last semester in a blog post. After helping lead the Phoenix to a huge win over Furman when he threw four touchdowns and a stunning almost-win against Appalachian State, I've seen that he can be very very effective. He was 11th in the FCS in passing yards (3,057), T-14th in passing touchdowns (23) and fourth best in completion percentage (67.9%).
That being said, he had the second most interceptions in the FCS last year (21), behind Stephen F. Austin sophomore Brady Attaway.
But the Raleigh, N.C., native will be in his second year as a starter in the same system with a high profile wide receiver he has a full year of chemistry with. I am fully confident that he will show a marked improvement.
2. What tricks will Jason Swepson have up his sleeves?
Throughout spring practice, Swepson has talked about how he wants to vary the game plan and throw a few more trick plays at opponents.
After the April 19 practice, he told ElonPhoenix.com, "Those inside receivers got a lot of work in the run game today. Those guys aren't afraid. I thought they'd be bounding it inside, but they stuck it up in there. If they can keep progressing I think we have a future in that."
He also said (this after the March 29 practice), "We're going to do some things with those inside receivers. We'll have them line up at running back. We may dabble in the wildcat a little. (Rising senior) Jeremy Peterson, (rising sophomores) Kierre Brown and Andre Davis, we're going to do a lot of things with them."
Given the Phoenix has had a full year to develop Swepson's system and used very few types of those plays last year, expect a little more trickery this year. With speedy receivers like rising junior Rasaun Rorie and Davis, and, of course, Mellette, there's a bunch of options.
3. Other than Aaron Mellette, who plays wide receiver for Elon?
Yeah, Aaron Mellette gets all the headlines and the award mentions, but there are several other solid receivers who could make an impact for the Phoenix this year.
Peterson had 39 catches last year for 333 yards and two touchdowns. His last memorable play was the questionable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter against Appalachian State, but he showed glimpses of greatness last year.
Davis played in two games and had five catches and a TD last season before being redshirted. Rorie, who Swepson has been especially pumped about, had a TD catch in the App State game. Rising redshirt freshman Ricky Brown and rising sophomore Danny Sellers round out the returners who will be in action.
With Mellette sitting out the Spring Game, attendees will see a lot of these guys, plus rising freshman tight end Doug Warrick, who enrolled early.
4. How will position changes turn out?
Three players changed positions over spring practice, and Saturday will be the first "game time" experience for all three.
Rising senior Blake Thompson moved from safety to linebacker to help the now-young corps under new head coach Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay. Thompson has apparently taken kindly to the position and will be a big asset in the fall, probably starting at LB with rising sophomores Jonathan Spain and Odell Benton.
Rising junior Tevin James moved from defensive line to offensive line to also supplement a position of need, and rising senior Matt Eastman has moved from tight end to running back in probably the most drastic change.
Eastman will be the one to watch, considering running back is a big skill position. It will also be interesting to see how a change from a mostly blocking position to a skill position will go. But considering the Phoenix are a pass-happy offense, it may not be as big a deal. And with solid recruits Tracey Coppedge and B.J. Bennett coming in the fall, he may not be needed at running back.
Regardless, it will be interesting to see how these changes affect the team.
5. With just 11 seniors, which of that class will step up to be a leader on the field?
Who is going to step up leadership-wise? The Phoenix graduated 15, 12 of which saw significant playing time. Losses at the cornerback, linebacker, offensive line and running back position will be hard to fill. Saturday will be the first time to see, in a game environment, who could potentially step up and be a leader.
It should be a lot of fun, plus a good landmark. It means that football season is right around the corner, and there's a lot to look forward to.