GRAMBLING, La. | It has been nearly three months since the last time the Grambling State University football team was on the field, but the Tigers will begin preparation for the 2019 season with the first of 15 spring practices on Thursday at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
Grambling State will practice eight times in March, starting with the first one on Thursday. The Tigers will wrap up the spring schedule with seven practices in April. Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs announced the team will move from its morning practices to afternoons and that Saturday scrimmage times have yet to be determined.
 
"I am really excited to have an opportunity get on the field and get started," Fobbs said. "A lot of time and effort have gone into getting ready for this, and our young men have continued to work hard in the offseason in preparing for the upcoming year."
 
The Tigers return several key pieces off last year's team, including starting quarterback Geremy Hickbottom and offensive lineman William Waddell. Grambling State returns eight on the offensive side of the football and seven on defense, including Joseph McWilliams, who was an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) First Team selection as a defensive back.
 
Fobbs and his staff will use the spring to continue developing depth and evaluating young players to more onto the two-deep roster.
 
"The guys that have been here and played, we know what they can do," Fobbs said. "The veterans are going to get their work, but the spring is really about the young guys. They're going to get the majoring of the reps and scrimmage action. This is their time to prove they can come in and contribute."
 
Grambling State will be looking to fill the holes at linebacker with the departure of 2018 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year De'Arius Christmas. In addition, Fobbs and the coaching staff will also be looking to replace key positions in the defensive backfield.
 
Not only will the Tigers be looking to fill position gaps, but Grambling State will be breaking in a new offensive scheme with the arrival of offensive coordinator/running backs coach Mark Orlando. Orlando takes over for Lee Fobbs and has a wealth of experience as an offensive coordinator, previously serving in the same capacity at Alabama State.
 
The Tigers will hold its annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 13. The Black and Gold game will kickoff at noon at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
Grambling State will conclude its spring slate on Tuesday, April 16.
 

2019 Spring Football Practice Schedule
Practice 1	Thursday, March 7	Shorts	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 2	Saturday, March 9	Shorts	Morning Practice
Practice 3	Tuesday, March 12	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 4	Thursday, March 14	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 5	Saturday, March 16	Full Pads	Morning Practice
Practice 6	Tuesday, March 19	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 7	Thursday, March 21	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 8	Saturday, March 23	Full Pads - Scrimmage	Morning Practice
Practice 9	Tuesday, April 2	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 10	Thursday, April 4	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 11	Saturday, April 6	Full Pads - Scrimmage	Morning Practice
Practice 12	Tuesday, April 9	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 13	Thursday, April 11	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Practice 14	Saturday, April 13	BLACK AND GOLD GAME	Noon
Practice 15	Tuesday, April 16	Shells	Afternoon Practice (3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.)

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For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
 

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