By Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
NATCHITOCHES – A year ago, Blaine McCorkle’s focus for spring football was as much on learning his team as having his team learn a playbook.
As Northwestern State opens its 2025 spring practice at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, McCorkle has a much better handle on his roster and vice versa.
“They know us, and we know them,” McCorkle said. “They know what to expect. It will look and sound a whole lot different than it did last year, and our staff is excited about that. I think our players are excited about it, too. We’re ready to go.”
McCorkle put an emphasis on the looking different part of his second Demon squad.
His decision to start spring practice in April was influenced by not only when the school’s spring break was scheduled but also by the work done by director of strength and conditioning Jason Smelser.
“Day one, one thing I’m excited about seeing is our bodies out there,” McCorkle said. “What we’ve done in the weight room with coach Smelser is phenomenal – maybe as big a numerical and statistical improvements as I’ve ever seen. We’re up close to 70 pounds per man on the squad. Our average body is bigger. There are a million numbers I can go through right now of how we’ve improved our bodies, our strength, our speed, our explosion, so I’m excited to see what the bodies look like and how that maintains throughout the spring.”
With Northwestern’s spring break in the rear view – it was this past week – McCorkle’s second Demon squad will go through an uninterrupted workout schedule that will conclude with the April 26 Joe Delaney Bowl spring game.
During that time, McCorkle and his staff will be able to fold in nine midyear enrollees with the returning players from the previous season.
“They’ve all had a really, really good winter,” McCorkle said of the newcomers. “We’re bringing them in here to make an impact. You don’t bring transfers in to sit the bench and back people up. We’re expecting them to show up ready to work. They’re going to have to compete and earn everything they get, but we’re excited about what we’ve seen those guys do this winter. It’s a good mix on the offensive and defensive side of the ball who can come in here and get to work in a hurry.”
Those newcomers will get a taste of McCorkle’s vision for the Demon program, one that continues to come into focus.
“The longer you’re in a program, the expectations and standards constantly go up,” McCorkle said. “That’s one thing we tell our players. Last year was such a culture shock for a lot of these kids, because what we did was so drastically different than what they were used to in terms of expectations and standards and style of play that it shocked their system. The longer we go, the harder it’s going to get. What we’re trying to do is brutally hard, and there’s nothing easy about that. Last year was probably the easiest spring practice they will experience.”