By Jonathan Zenk, Northwestern State Assistant Director of Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
NATCHITOCHES—It is early, but Blaine McCorkle is pleased with the start.
Entering his second year at the helm of Northwestern State, McCorkle was eager to see the difference from year one to year two during the first spring practice Tuesday.
“It was a night and day difference from day one 2025 to 2024,” McCorkle said. “It was not even comparable—not even the same football team. We still have a long way to go, though, and a lot to clean up and a lot to look at.
“I loved the energy. They showed up and worked hard. We actually finished ahead. We got through our scripts and they were efficient and organized and knew what they were doing. I was really pleased with the effort.”
Despite it being just the first day, McCorkle hopes that this opening day of spring practice can set the table for what is to come.
“I am excited with what I saw today,” he said. “It is just day one, but I think we played our cards right with pushing spring practice back a little bit with this being such a young football team coming off last year. We needed the extra time in the weight room and I think it showed up today, even if it was just day one. Our bodies look better. We look bigger and a little bit faster. I was excited about what Coach (Jason) Smelser.”
It was the first day, but the players echoed those thoughts.
Continuity was big, as both coordinators are back, even if there is a new person in charge of the offense in Carson Stewart, who was the wide receiver’s coach in 2024, as well as the recruiting coordinator.
“We’re setting the bar pretty high,” linebacker Danny Sears said. “That’s about as good of a first day as you can get. If you compare this first day to last Spring’s first day with the coaching staff, it is a whole lot different. I expect us to keep exceeding the bar each practice and each month.”
The Demons returners were eager to be on the field and begin spring practice, excited to show what they can do as the returners blended in nine mid-year enrollees.
“We all came out here with a purpose,” wide receiver Dane Wallace said. “We all came in with a chip on our shoulder from last year and we all wanted to come out to prove a point and make a statement. We were starting out fast and physical on the first day with no pads. We had good intentions all around.”
The Demons continue spring practice Wednesday afternoon and will practice with the culmination of spring practice at the Joe Delaney Bowl on April 26.
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