DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The first day of Bethune-Cookman University Football camp did not go as scripted on Wednesday afternoon, as the Wildcats were forced off the field just two periods into a previously scheduled 18-period session, due to severe weather moving through the Daytona Beach area.
 
"This is the time of year that you live for, baby," shouted Sims as he approached the sidelines to speak with local media members. "Can't you smell it in the air?"
 
With third-year head coach Terry Sims concluding his interviews with local media, the team was forced to evacuate the Wildcats Practice Fields on the Bethune-Cookman campus just under 15 minutes into the first practice of the 2017 season. Strong storms moved through the area, forcing the practice to delay for more than two hours.
 
Bethune-Cookman took the field again just after 7 p.m.
 
The Cats went through a shortened day, finishing just 16 periods on a rain-soaked Wildcats Practice Fields.
 
Quarterbacks Larry Brihm Jr. and Akevious Williams each took snaps behind center with the first and second teams on offense under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Allen Suber. The former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) all-conference performer, Suber, joined the Wildcats program as the offensive coordinator in the spring of 2017, after spending the previous two seasons at Alabama State, where he worked with receivers and served as recruiting coordinator for the Hornets.
 
Seen catching passes out of the backfield was redshirt senior running back Jamaruz Thompkins. In 7-on-7 drills, redshirt senior running back Michael D. Jones, who missed the entirety of the 2016 season due to an injury sustained in the spring of 2016, saw action on the first team with Brihm and Wiliams calling the signals. Frank Brown hauled in a beautifully touched pass from Brihm on a deep route, as the All-MEAC Preseason choice from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida got beyond the defensive secondary with the streaking catch.
 
Defensive Coordinator Charles "Yogi" Jones returns a number of student-athletes to choose from in his arsenal to work with during the opening day of practice. Back for the Cats on defense and looking for stellar seasons are All-MEAC Preseason selection Kevin Thompson along the defensive line, as well as preseason all-conference selection Diquan Richardson at the safety position. Jones and the defense went through formations for the majority of practice, as he put a majority of his attention towards the linebackers.
 
"We know that we have a lot to prove this season, and we are ready to get started," said redshirt junior linebacker Trenton Bridges. "Personally, I'm just ready to get back to action. I have been waiting since the season ended last year."
 
Thompson (Baltimore, Md.), a 6-4, 230-pound redshirt senior defensive lineman, produced 34 tackles a season ago for the Maroon and Gold in 2016, using 14 solo stops combined with 24 assisted tackles. He pulled in a team-best 9.5 tackles behind the line, as well as two quarterback sacks. Meanwhile, Richardson (Alvin, S.C.), a 5-11, 167-pound senior safety, led BCU defensively last season with 60 tackles and four interceptions. The transfer from Paine College also recorded six breakups and a blocked kick.
 
During special teams work with special teams coordinator Aashon Larkins was junior punter/kicker Javaunie Francis, vying for the starting position alongside All-MEAC Preseason selection in the form of placekicker Uriel Hernandez. A junior from Homestead, Florida, Hernandez punted eight times for 326 yards, averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Francis, however, was seen with a majority of the deeper kicks that drove return specialists such as Keavon Mitchell and Frank Brown well into the red zone.
 
Practices for the Wildcats continue Thursday back at the Wildcats Practice Fields beginning at 4 p.m. All media wishing to attend practice should contact Bryan J. Harvey in the B-CU Office of Athletic Communications at (386) 481-2206.
 
The 2017 slate features three non-conference contests, including two against BCS (Bowl Championship Series) opponents. Another game features a perennial FCS power and top 25 opponent. Of the 11 games, seven will take place in the Sunshine State, with four games played inside Municipal Stadium aka The Cage.
 
The Wildcats open the season at the University of Miami on September 2, serving as the season opener for the Hurricanes. The following weekend, BCU travels to Southland Conference power Southeastern Louisiana on September 9, in Hammond, Louisiana.
 
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