Football In The Forest: NAU Hoping Speed Kills

A cool, brisk breeze whisks through the pines as whistles blow and players scatter to their assigned drills .

Arizona spring football is in the air.

NAU style.

The Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks are looking to build off their 7-5 2014 fall campaign which included a four-game win streak but a pair of losses to end the season. The ‘Jacks completed their second spring scrimmage Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff.

Head coach Jerome Souers and his staff are looking for a new quarterback to replace former Corona del Sol Aztec Chase Cartwright although there are rumors another former Valley star signal-caller could be on campus and likely behind center when fall practice starts.

One position which doesn’t need any answers is at wide receiver where NAU is deep and talented. They will be aided greatly by junior transfer and former Arizona Division I Player of the Year Kendyl Taylor who arrives after two seasons at the University of Washington. The Hamilton High star will play all over the field in the Jacks’ offense.

“He’ll slash,” Souers recently told Sports360AZ.com. “He’ll play some running back, as well. Tremendous speed and explosiveness.”

Speed has been a common theme this spring on the practice fields as NAU looks to amp up their offensive tempo this season.

The Jacks will hold their annual spring game April 25th. 

They open the season September 5th at the University of San Diego.

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