Lopers Roster Evenly Divided Between Newcomers & Returners
Kearney, Neb. – The 117th football team in Nebraska Kearney history reports to fall camp this weekend with the first practice scheduled for Monday, Aug. 7. The Lopers will practice daily in the morning (typically 7:15-9:30 a.m.) and then hold an afternoon walkthrough (4-5 p.m.). Some key dates are Saturday, Aug. 12 (first full padded practice; morning), Tuesday, Aug. 15 (first scrimmage; morning) and Wednesday, Aug. 23 (7-9 p.m. night scrimmage). Head coach Ryan Held and his staff have a roster of around 130 players that includes 28 new transfers. Coming off an 8-3 season, the Lopers have 10 returning starters and 30 additional returning letterwinners. Leading the way are 2022 All-Americans TJ Davis (quarterback), Hunter Hays (left guard) and Hunter Kraus (punter). Five other All-MIAA picks return as well in Jon Merten (center), Tre O'Guinn (safety), Zach Schlager (linebacker), Tell Spies (defensive end) and Kooper Reece (left tackle). Schlager missed last year due to injury but was All-MIAA in 2021, as was Reece. He suffered a season-ending injury in October and is slated to medically redshirt in 2023. Schlager is ready to assume a starting position again.
Tied for fifth in the 2023 MIAA preseason coaches' poll, and sixth in the preseason media poll, UNK has 37 true freshmen this year. NCAA Division II now allows true freshmen to play in three games without using year of eligibility. Last year, Jamaal Joseph (running back) was one of two true freshmen to see game action. In 2021, receivers AJ McPhee and Zorian Stanton were the first-year players to see action. The year kicks off Thursday night, Aug. 31 at Central Oklahoma with the home opener set for the night of Sept. 9 vs. Northeastern State.
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