Practice 14-MSU Spring Football

Today was a very special occasion at the Racer's 14th practice, as seniors Jonathan Harper and J.R. Webber were named team captains for the 2006 season.

Harper, a 6-foot-5 280-pound offensive lineman from Lakeland, Fla., has been a force on the Racer offensive line since 2003, when he was the only true freshman to see action on the offensive line. Harper has played center, guard, and tackle for the Racers in his three-year career, and is considered above-average at all three positions.

Last season, Harper's first as a full-time starter, he helped block for the Ohio Valley Conference's third-best rushing attacking, as the Racers rushed for 184.0 yards per game.

“It feels really good to be named captain,” Harper said. “Last night,

we were handed a list of the seniors and we all voted on it.”

Webber, a 5-foot-10 215-pound safety from Wichita, Kan., joined the Racers last season and made an immediate impact, tallying 31 tackles in 10 games, helping the Racers rank first in the OVC in pass defense, allowing just 161.0 yards through the air.

Webber will be looked upon to provide leadership among the defense next season, as he joins Nathan Williams, Derrick Parrott, Koji Farrington, and Will Werner as the team's top returning tacklers from a year ago.

“It's great to be named captain,” Webber said. “It's pretty cool that my teammates believe in me enough to make me their captain.”

Head coach Matt Griffin knows the honor goes to two very deserving players.

“It's great to be named captain,” Webber said. “It's pretty cool that my teammates believe in me enough to make me their captain.”

Head coach Matt Griffin knows the honor goes to two very deserving players.

“Both Jon and J.R. have done their talking through action on the field or in the weight room,” Griffin said. “Both are excellent student-athletes. It's an honor and a privilege to be the captain of MSU football and it carries much responsibility and they know that. Football means an awful lot to these two.”

NOTES: The Racers practiced in only helmets in a light rain today, and seemed focused on putting on a solid game for the annual spring game, which will be tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium.

“I'm excited for the fans to see our team in a game situation Friday,” Griffin said. “From a coaching prospective, it's a good chance to get the team under the lights and make it as game-like as possible.”

As the spring practice period closes near the end, the Racers seemed to take a lot from the workouts.

“This spring was the first chance for some of our guys to compete for a starting position,” Griffin said. “That will motivate them. Also, this spring we were able to create a competitive environment in each practice and that has helped our team too. I have seen a lot of young men change themselves during the time between spring and fall. Our players cannot afford to go backwards during this time; if you're not improving then you're going back.”

After the spring game tomorrow, the Racers will prepare for their team and individual workouts during the summer to keep in as best shape as possible come this fall.

“This puts an end to our second season which is the spring, after the first season which was off-season conditioning,” Griffin said. “This will lead our team into the important summer that they'll use to prepare for the season. Our players will be busy between the spring game and the fall camp, they'll be lifting and running and you couple that with a summer job and they won't have time for much else.”

The team is having a cookout before the spring game and everyone is invited. The cost is $6 per person and all fans, students and parents are asked to RSVP to Diana Waller, MSU's football secretary. Her number is 270-809-6181.

Murray State University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos