Several newcomers could turn up heat in UCA drills

College football coaches in the South really feel the heat this time of year, and it usually gets them excited.

If the temperatures are near 100 and it feels like 120, it's time to begin football practice. Everyone is optimistic in preseason. Every coach is eager to see how the those holes theoretically plugged by recruiting hold up in reality.

UCA players report today with practice beginning Wednesday evening. University of Central Arkansas coach Clint Conque plans about 26 to 27 preseason practices of the allotted 29 with scrimmages planned Saturday, Aug. 16 and Wednesday, Aug. 20.

"We have to be careful about the number of practices because with about 90 in camp, you can beat yourself up if you're not careful. But there's a lot of live work you have to get done," Conque said. "This is always an exciting time especially when you have a good number of seniors who have played as much football as these guys."

There seems to be significant carryover from the spring and summer workouts and a lot of momentum from last year's second-place Southland Conference finish.

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"We should be a more mature team, both from player development of veteran players who are a year older and stronger and faster from the spring and summer workouts and also from some transfers we have brought in who have had experience at other places," Conque said.

Even with 18 returning players who have started at one time or another, there are questions that require immediate answers and there will be major competition at several positions.

"There are eight to 10 newcomers that we are going we will probably put on the fast track," Conque said. "Early on, we're going to have look at these young players, see how fast they impact what we do and then identify who we think we can put on the fast track to help us immediately."

Some of the major developments will come in the kicking game, at wide receiver and at running back.

As preseason begins, here are some players and situations to watch:

KICKING GAME

This is a phase that the UCA coaches were probably least comfortable with coming out of spring. It's one of the major question marks. There will be major competition for placements and punting among Jonathan Beard, newcomer Eddie Carmona (of Charleston and a former MVP of the 2005 state playoffs) and former Conway High specialists Chris Knight and Luke Pruett. Carmona is considered to have a bigtime leg having kicked a 51-yard field goal and punting for a 40.3 average in high school. After the UCA coaches signed Carmona in early summer, Ryan Duhon, who shared the place-kicking duties with the graduated James Paul last season, left the team. Draw your own conclusions.

Isaiah Jackson, Conway High's offensive sparkplug last season, should also receive a close look either/or on return teams and as a wideout. His ability to do "magic" things in open-field situations should be a plus.

WIDE RECEIVER

Two major question concern the veterans: 1. How sophomore Darrius McNeal recovers from a knee injury, He is expected to miss practice for two weeks. 2. Brandon Kennemer is coming off ACL surgery in the spring but his rehabilitation is expected to go right up to the opening of the season. When will he be available?

A major late recruit is Tyler Serrano, a former Nashville standout who was MVP of the 4A state championship game two years ago. He began his career at the Air Force Academy but since recruits at service academies come by appointment and not letters of intent, Serrano can transfer and become immediately eligible. You can bet the UCA coaches want to put him on the fast track.

Much of the recruiting by UCA coaches during late spring and early summer related to addressing depth at wide receiver. Other additions are Nigel Chandler of Houston, Texas, who is transferring from the University of Arkansas, UAPB transfer Tim Vincent, Kenneth Robey from Northeast Mississippi Community College and James Lovett, a former standout receiver from Lakeland, Fla., who should be one of the Bears' fastest players. Chandler is a son of Otis Chandler, a standout lineman for the Bears in the 1980s.

RUNNING BACK

Brent Grimes, the most experienced back in addition to Leonard Ceasar, will be slowed early with a back injury. One or two backs among Anthony Blackmon of Bentonville, Terrence Bobo of Atkins and C.J. Chaten of Dardanelle, a transfer from the University of Tulsa, could work themselves high on the immediate depth chart.

Other recruits who could make an impact early are defensive linemen Trey Lippe and Marshall Loyd, tight end Spencer Spane (6-3, 265), defensive back Desmond Wilcox and offensive lineman Austin Emerson (6-4, 284), whom UCA initially recruited and is transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma with three years of eligibility.

The Bears are ranked among the top three in the Southland Conference in most preseason polls, and Conque knows his team is a target.

"The league seems deeper and tougher this year, and we've had a great bit of success," Conque said. "We had the success last year (5-2 in the SLC) but I don't think it was because people didn't prepare for us. They were well-prepared. We know we're going to take everybody's best shot. But that's not our focus. What we are concentrating on is growing and getting back every day. If you do that, things will take care of themselves."

Even with one of the largest upperclassmen groups in years, the Bears begin drills with a few things slightly out of focus. They will be a little clearer in about a week.

(Sports columnist David McCollum can be reached at 505-1235 or david.mccollum@thecabin.net)