We have neared the midway point of fall camp as the Coyotes completed practice No. 11 Tuesday inside the DakotaDome. The big news earlier in the week came when head coach
Bob Nielson announced that senior
Michael Fredrick was moving from running back to cornerback, a position he thrived at in leading his high school, Champagnat Catholic, to a Florida state championship in 2013. Nielson said the move was first discussed back in the spring.
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"It just made sense to move Mike and give us some depth and more experience in what otherwise is a really young position group," said Nielson. "He was probably recruited as much as a defensive back as he was a running back out of high school. He has played a lot for us in special teams the last few years, and we feel this gives us the opportunity to best use his skill set and also impact the team to the fullest that he can.
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"We talked about it in the spring and he was really good with it. He worked on some of those techniques in the summer, and early in camp we wanted to see how things would sort out. It became obvious that this was a move we wanted to make."
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Fredrick joins a group that includes senior
Isaac Armstead and sophomore
Mark Collins Jr., who started the final six games of last season at corner. Defensive coordinator
Brian Mohnsen said that there is a plethora of talented younger players vying to fill the two deep and has been impressed with the progress they are making throughout camp.
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The move was made possible because of the depth the team has built at the running back position.
Kai Henry rushed for 613 yards and six scores as a true freshman last year,
Ben Klett added 259 yards and three TDs as a redshirt freshman, and
Ethan Falaniko also earned carries as a redshirt freshman. Sophomore
Brandon Thull has worked his way into the mix as well.
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"It is a position we feel we have four guys who could all help us, and then add into that mix a guy like
Canaan Brooks who I think has a chance to maybe help us with even more depth as a true freshman," said Nielson.
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Brooks averaged nearly 10 yards per carry in compiling 1,438 yards and 33 touchdowns for Lutheran North High School in St. Louis last fall.
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Other positions in the spotlight include the defensive line, which is working to solidify players into a two-deep rotation. Some linemen are actually learning two positions in an effort to ensure that the best three players can be on the field together. Another position, which Nielson has dubbed a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, includes junior captain
Darin Greenfield with
Spencer Hopkins,
Jake Richardson and
Riley Peters earning reps as well.
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The team has continued to build on things offensively and defensively the last several practices, and has begun to work on more situations, which Nielson said will continue to be the focus heading through this week. Classes begin next week, which will change the schedule considerably. Next week will also begin the start of preparation for Kansas State, USD's season-opening opponent.
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Outside of practice, the team continues to build its chemistry. Nielson sent the Coyotes to the Vermillion pool yesterday for a quick workout and some fun. Team seminars and leadership building have also been a focus.
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"Football training camp is really about getting better fundamentally, getting better and well-versed in your schemes, but we are also building a team," said Nielson. "We had a good time at the pool yesterday and it was a chance to refresh a little bit. Camp is a lot of hard work and wears on people physically and mentally, and so we incorporated that at the end of the day. We are also doing some team seminars, something that we built in over the summer, and making sure that guys get a chance to enjoy each other and the commitment that they're all making together."
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The Coyotes play their home opener Sept. 8 against Northern Colorado as part of the MVFC-Big Sky Challenge. Season tickets are available online at GoYotes.com, or by calling the USD ticket office at 605-677-5959.
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