Spring Practice Schedule (PDF)
2016 Roster | NEC Football Website To view video interviews from Coach Houghtaling and captains Najee Harris & Ryan Owens, click HERETo view video of Coach Hougtaghling discussing spring ball, click HEREStaten Island, NY - The Wagner College football team, under the direction of second-year head coach
Jason Houghtaling, kicked off Spring Practice today at 6:00 am with the first of 15 sessions, which will culminate with the annual Green & White Game on Saturday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m.
Spring Practice affords the coaching staffs and student-athletes from across the nation an opportunity to practice, scrimmage and develop depth. The NCAA dictates that 12 of the 15 spring practices may permit physical contact, none earlier than the third practice session. Tackling is allowed in eight of the twelve contact sessions. Up to three of the eight tackling sessions may be devoted to 11-on-11 scrimmages.
"I thought we had a really productive first day," said Houghtaling. "The first day of spring ball is always an exciting one. I thought we had a really strong winter conditioning program and there's a lot of enthusiasm and energy. We have some new faces on the roster that we're excited about and also a host of new assistant coaches who took part in their first Wagner football practice today and some of our returning coaches are in different roles this season."
Houghtaling also announced that
Najee Harris (Norristown, PA/ Norristown) and tight end
Ryan Owens (Gainesville, NY / Letchworth), a pair of graduate students, will serve as captains for the 2016 Seahawks. In 2015, Harris finished second on the team in tackles with 58, including 46 solo stops. The 6-1 220-pound Harris was the team-leader in tackles for loss with 10, which included four sacks. In addition, he recorded two interceptions, forced one fumble and was responsible for six pass deflections and four pass breakups. In the season finale at Sacred Heart (11/21), Harris registered a career-high 10 tackles, including six solo stops and one sack.
Owens is coming off of a 2015 campaign that saw him earn Second-Team All-Northeast Conference (NEC) honors. The 6-3, 235-pound Owns demonstrated his athleticism and versatility in leading all NEC tight ends in both receptions (29) and receiving yards (353), both of which paced Wagner as well, in addition to averaging 12.2 yards per catch. His top statistical game came at home vs. Bryant on November 7, when he registered career highs with eight catches for 131 yards, highlighted by a career-long 43-yard touchdown reception.
"This is probably the earliest that we've named captains out of all of the teams I've been a part of in my career, and that's a credit to Najee and Ryan" said Houghtaling. "They are both tremendous leaders on and off the field and are guys who command the respect of their teammates and coaches alike."
2016 Wagner Football Coaching Staff Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@WagnerAthletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department and @Wagner_Football for all the latest news pertaining to Wagner Football and first-year head coach Jason Houghtaling @HossWagner #CHAOSonthehill.
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