Three things we learned from EWU's fall football camp

Aug. 22—While construction crews worked to finish up the track around Roos Field, the Eastern Washington football team conducted its last preseason scrimmage on Friday afternoon on the back practice fields in 100-degree heat.

Just one week from their season opener, a number of starters did not play in the scrimmage, leaving opportunities for players like Drew Carlson, who made four catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Both came from third-string quarterback Kaden Rolfsness.

"It was a lot of young guys playing, so a lot of good energy going," said Carlson, the redshirt sophomore wide receiver. "I think we were ready to let it all out."

The Eagles haven't released an official depth chart for Saturday's game at Northern Arizona, but a few observations from camp suggest what it might look like and which players will be relied on most to get the Eagles a first-game victory.

1. The quarterback depth chart is set but fluid.

If the Eagles were to scrimmage the Lumberjacks today, redshirt junior Nate Bell would be the starting quarterback, EWU head coach Aaron Best said on Friday.

Bell has handled the majority of the No. 1 reps over redshirt sophomore Jake Schakel, who, like Bell, did not play in Friday's scrimmage.

"We're going to make the best informed decision we can make," Best said, "and that's not just going into a game, that's during a game, that's postgame."

Bell started six games last season before an injury sidelined him midgame against Sacramento State. Schakel started the next two before an injury against Northern Colorado sidelined him. Kaden Rolfsness, now a sophomore, started the finale.

Rolfsness is now in line to be the third-string quarterback ahead of freshman Brady Annett. Best said he expected all four quarterbacks to travel this season.

2. True freshmen will play.

The NCAA's new five-for-five rule eliminates redshirts, and sophomore cornerback Messiah Washington said it elevated competition during camp.

"I think it put more pressure on guys who maybe thought their spot was secure," Washington said after Friday's scrimmage in which he broke up three passes. "You've got a freshman coming in and he's ready to eat just like you're ready to eat."

One of those freshmen is cornerback Zamarie Tellez, the North Puget Sound League 3A Defensive Player of the Year at Federal Way High School last season.

Another is running back Jaxon Bell — younger brother of EWU quarterback Nate Bell — from Liberty High School in Brentwood, California.

It's also possible that Morgan Dodson, a kicker from Chiawana High School, could fill the role Hunter McKee did as a true freshman last year as kickoff specialist and backup to senior Soren McKee.

3. The Eagles are equipped to run the ball more effectively this year.

Two years ago, the Eagles boasted the second-most effective rushing attack in the Big Sky at 229.3 yards per game. But that was behind a veteran offensive line.

Last year, as the Eagles worked to develop experience, they finished 11th in the league in rushing yards per game at 122. Their hope is that, with four returning starters, the Eagles can be better this season.

"I think we made more strides in the run game this fall than we have in the pass protection," Best said. "We hold too much, and we have got to do a better job of not playing illegal, if you will, because those are costly."

The Eagles also are deeper and more versatile at running back. Grad senior Malik Dotson is back from injury and ready to start. Behind him is redshirt sophomore Kevin Allen III, who played in 11 games last season, and sophomore Wilson Medina.

The group also includes newcomers Jaxon Bell (six carries, 24 yards on Friday), JUCO transfer CJ Bozeman (six carries, 52 yards) and freshmen De'Markus Barnes and Israel Robles — any of whom, under the new five-for-five rule, will play if they earn it.

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