For more than two months, Pete Rossomando has only been able to watch his Lamar University football team lift weights.
This week, the Cardinals’ new coach gets his first opportunity to assess his team on the field.
Lamar will soon begin his annual spring soccer camp and Rossomando will begin the assessment process immediately. With a squad full of new players, he doesn’t want to waste time figuring out who fits where on the field.
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“We’ve watched them train for nine weeks, now we’re going to see who can play football,” said Rossomando. “In the spring there is a big evaluation work and we are very happy about it.”
Rossomando mentioned several places where positional battles will start early — most notably at the quarterback. Returnees Mike Chandler, Daelyn Williams and Jakolby Longino have the most playing experience with the Cardinals, but junior college transfer Robert Coleman and freshman Aiden McCown bring a new dynamic to the mix.
Defensively, Rossomando said battles will be brewing at the security position and on the defensive line. A top priority will be replacing Austin Goffney, who joined Louisiana Monroe this offseason.
The defensive line has several lettermen returning like juniors Caleb Williams and Chidera Umeh and sophomore Reggie Brooks.
“We’re just trying to find the best combination,” Rossmando said of the defensive line. “We have some well-known commodities in this position, but also some new people that we need to learn more about.”
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Lamar’s first practice session is on Tuesday. Rossomando said he will start high-intensity sessions immediately rather than trying to get the Cardinals into their first drills.
He wants to see how his players react when they are “thrown in hot water”.
Lamar will hold two scrimmages ahead of the annual spring game on April 28 at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Rossomando said playing in front of a crowd is always valuable, even during a spring game.
“The spring game is really about the community,” said Rossomando. “It’s a great opportunity to show the fans what we’ve been working on and bring some fun back to Provost Umphrey Stadium on a Friday night.”
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