Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State head football coach Scott Wooster and his 2024 football team concluded the first week of practice. The progression moved from helmets to helmet and shoulder pads, culminating on day six (Saturday) with a full football gear workout. The two-hour team practice involved all three phases of the game, ending with a full period of redzone work.

Wooster welcomed back 20 seniors, 60 letterwinners, and 22 starters for the 53rd year of GVSU Laker football. The Lakers will open the 2024 campaign on Thursday, September 5 at Lubbers Stadium against non-conference opponent Central State at 7 p.m. The two-time defending GLIAC Champions finished the 2023 season with an 11-2 record and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

"It was a full week of football and I was pleased with the maturity this group showed," said Wooster. "We put a lot of football on tape and it was great to coach and teach after practice. We installed a lot offensively and the recall from day one to day six was exciting to watch. However, we have a long way to go and need to find that consistency on both sides of the ball."

The Lakers return ten starters on offense, nine on defense, and three on special teams for the 2024 season. Five returnees are on the offensive line, including seniors Gabe Brown and Kyler Blake-Jones, who are All-GLIAC honorees. Junior Brett Weaver and sophomores Jaylin Caldwell and Jeff Burton complete one of the top offensive lines in the country. Senior tight end Gavin Cossou (23-296, 3 TD) earned All-GLIAC honors in 2023, while fellow senior tight end Drew Peterson (6-38, 1 TD) earned All-GLIAC plaudits in 2022. Three All-GLIAC receivers return: senior Cody Tierney (35-669, 6 TD), senior Darrell Johnson (33-412, 3 TD), and senior Kyle Nott (24-342, 3 TD). Nott is also the leading returning rusher for the Lakers with eighteen carries for 335 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson and sophomore Kellen Reed form a punt-kickoff return tandem that ranks as one of the top duos in the country; Johnson averaged 14.8 yards per punt return while Reed averaged 31.2 yards per kickoff return with two returned for touchdowns. Sophomore running backs Syone Usma-Harper and Khalil Eichelberger combined for rushing totals of 587 yards and four touchdowns last season. Senior quarterback Avery Moore completed fifteen out of twenty-eight passes for193 yards along with three touchdowns while rushing for317 yardsand seven touchdowns.

The GVSU defense returns key starters at every level: defensive end Niles King (28 tackles)and defensive tackle Jack Gilchrist(21 tackles)are All-GLIAC performers within a thirteen-player rotation defensive line.Seniors Charlie Nylander,Jake Urban,and junior Thomas Jolly headline this unit.A deep linebacker corps led by Junior All-American Anthony Cardamone(72 tackles13 TFL),alongside senior Damonte McCurdy(All - GLIAC performer),Jack Grice Jimmy Downs Jake Archbold bolster this position.Senior All - GLIAC safety Ian Kennelly(58 tackles)is poised fora big year alongside seniors Kobe Hayward(41 tackles)& junior Luke McLean(38 tackles)who have started games within secondary.Junior cornerbacks Devin Pringle & Terez Reid(All - GLIAC honorees)supported by seniors Grant Hart& sophomore Jason Hardy.Junior punter Trace Hrgich earned All - GLIAChonors&senior long snapper David Kreskeisathree-year starter.Senior Kollin Kralapp&redshirt freshman Mathew Bacik will handle kicking duties.