Furman Football Opens Spring Practice Under Coach Clay Hendrix

Consensus All-American defensive end Joshua Stoneking, who led the FCS in sacks last season, anchored the returning core as Furman football kicked off spring practice at 6:00 a.m. on March 12 at Paladin Stadium. Head coach Clay Hendrix, entering his tenth season with a 60-43 overall record and a 45-25 mark in Southern Conference play, announced the start of the 15-practice spring session on March 11.

The Paladins took the field with an 85-man roster, though about six players sat out the opening drills while recovering from injuries. The group includes returning athletes alongside January enrollees, giving Hendrix a deep pool of experience to work with from day one. Furman expects 30 lettermen back this season, ten of whom were starters at the end of last year. Sixteen players on the roster carry career starting experience.

On offense, center Chris Luna and running back CJ Nettles return as key contributors. The defensive unit is loaded with recognizable names behind Stoneking. Nose guard Caldwell Bussey, defensive tackle Demetrius Baldwin, and bandit Tanner Shuck all return up front. Linebacker Raleigh Herbert leads that unit, while the secondary brings back three starters: cornerback Jordan Miller and safeties AK Burrell and Billy Lewis.

Furman has also scheduled two Junior Days, set for Saturday, March 21 and Saturday, March 28 at Paladin Stadium, giving prospective recruits a look at the program during live practice sessions. The coaching staff framed the spring window as critical for establishing player development and team chemistry ahead of the fall campaign.

With Stoneking back and a secondary that returns three starters, Hendrix's defense figures to be the program's calling card again when the Paladins open their regular season.