The Stetson football team will open spring practices on Wednesday, March 16, and will continue spring drills through the second Saturday in April when the Hatters will play their annual Green-White Spring Game at Spec Martin Stadium.
 
The Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, with a 4 p.m. start.
 
Hatters head coach Brian Young will have his first opportunity to lead Stetson through spring practices. The team was led by former coach Roger Hughes during a shortened spring season in 2021, with the squad playing four games.
 
This year, the focus will be on putting in Youngs' systems, both offensively and defensively, and allowing the newest members of the coaching staff a chance to get to know and work with both the returning members of the squad, as well as the group of new players who are joining the program this spring.
 
Those newcomers who are already on campus and participating in the off-season program include:

• Gabe Atkin, a sophomore receiver from Katy, Texas, and a transfer from Houston Baptist
• Andrew Aurelien, a freshman defensive back from Miramar, Fla.
• DJ Clark, a freshman running back from Bradenton, Fla., and a transfer from St. Thomas More Prep School in Connecticut
• Luke Cohn, a freshman quarterback from Longwood, Fla.
• Colby Jolley, a freshman safety from Spring Hill, Tenn., and a signee from IMG Academy
• Charlie King, a receiver from Wheaton, Ill., and a transfer from the College of DuPage
• Steven Mauro, an offensive lineman from Hopewell Junction, NJ, and a transfer from Bridgton Academy in Maine
• Jeffrey Roberts, a freshman tight end from Orange Park, Fla.
• Isaiah Shirley, a freshman receiver from Ormond Beach, Fla.
• Michael Squires, a freshman receiver from Titusville, Fla.
• Tommy Tight, a sophomore receiver from Winter Park, Fla., and a transfer from Wake Forest University
• Aaron Zawacki, a freshman receiver from St. Augustine. Fla.

The Stetson roster also includes a number of impact returners, including nine players with significant starting time on offense, 13 players with experience as starters on defense and four returning specialists plus the programs' all-time leader in punt and kickoff return yardage.
 
Many of the returnees on both sides of the ball are names fans will recognize. On the offensive side returnees include:

• Quarterback Alex Piccirilli
• Receivers Connor Becker, Nazeviah Burris, Michael Carley, Quinton Lane, Michael Martinez and Jalen Mason
• Tight Ends Dominic Carlucci and Kaleb Costner
• Running Back Jalen Leary

On the defensive side, the list of returnees is just as strong:

• Defensive linemen Jack Benzija, Finau Fine, Edward Hernandez, Josh Hughes and Fermon Reid
• Linebackers Alex Alteus, Tallin Coates, Majeste' Hansberry, Christian Jolley and Ethan Hull
• Defensive Backs Micah Adams, Jaylon Johnson, Rassie Littlejohn, Davion Maxwell, Jaytwon Peoples, Justin Roberson and RJ Williams

The Hatters also return their specialists with kicker Cameron Gillis, punters Matt Clements and Marshall Golick and long snapper Michael Wojciechowski. Johnson and Mason both have plenty of experience in the return game, along with several others.
 
The prime area of focus going into spring ball will be on the offensive line, which will be completely revamped for the 2022 season. Only Thomas Connors, Steven Godwin, Andrew Nadolski, James Rhodes and Avery Samuels return with extensive playing experience, but only as part-time starters.
 
Practices for the Hatters during the spring are scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays leading up to the spring game. Practice dates are set for March 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 and April 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS. Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.