Given one last opportunity to put on football pads together this spring, Eastern Washington opted for something a little bit different than its usual scrimmage on Friday at Roos Field in Cheney.
About a dozen players didn’t participate for various reasons, ranging from an abundance of caution to an inadequate physical condition.
But for those who did participate, spring ball for the Eagles – who will play their next football game on Aug. 30 at Incarnate Word in San Antonio – offered a chance to get even more snaps than usual, given the team has just 79 players on the roster.
“I think I have grown a lot. I think I have answered some questions,” EWU fifth-year senior quarterback Jared Taylor said.
“I still have a long way to go, of course, but I am pretty happy with where I am at.”
One of the notable developments between the end of last season to the end of spring ball was the ascension of Taylor as quarterback No. 1 for an Eagles team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2021. Here are four more:
No. 1: The defensive line is the most established, veteran position group on the team. Some of this is due to attrition at other spots since November, but it’s clear that if the Eagles are going to improve on defense, it will start with the players along the line of scrimmage.
Redshirt junior Justus La’ulu and junior Jirah Leaupepetele, each listed at more than 300 pounds, looked strong at the tackle positions.
Ends Ben Voigtlaender, Yemoni Howell, Brandon Thomas, Jaden Radke, Tariq May and Tylin Jackson – all who are original EWU recruits now entering the back half of their careers – form an experienced if unproven core on the edges.
The Eagles will no doubt look to add more players to this group over the summer. But that group, under second-year defensive line coach Jaylen…
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Publish date : 2025-04-20 02:05:00
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