JONESBORO -- Arkansas State won't have to wait long to play with a new toy.
Forecasts call for a chance of storms today in northeast Arkansas, meaning Coach Blake Anderson will hold the first practice at 9 a.m. today inside the Student Activity Center, the $11 million indoor practice facility on the north side of Centennial Bank Stadium that was completed this summer.
Players used the facility at times during conditioning workouts this summer, but today will be the first time the Red Wolves use it as an entire team.
"It's a consistent facility that gets us what we want to get done every day," Anderson said. "We don't have to change the schedule, we don't have to change the area. We've got room for everybody."
In the past, ASU would have to travel across campus to the Health and Physical Education and Sports Sciences building when weather was a problem, but that wasn't ideal because it meant practice would be held on wooden gym floors instead of artificial turf. Anderson said ASU lost at least four days during last year's fall camp and 20 days overall because of poor weather.
"It did affect our season and our preparation, and we don't have to worry about that anymore," Anderson said. "We're really fortunate to have one of the best facilities in the country."
Finally up to speed
J.D. McKissic insisted Monday that he'll begin practice today with a clean bill of health.
When was the last time ASU's all-time leader in receptions could say that?
"Probably fall camp last year," said McKissic, whose 2,301 career receiving yards are third all-time at ASU and 329 yards behind leader Lennie Johnson.
McKissic's junior season was definitely one to forget. He injured a shoulder trying to field a punt against Tennessee, the season's second game, then injured a knee later that limited him for many of the season's later games. Then, during spring practice, he injured an ankle so badly that he had to have surgery in April.
He didn't start running until June, but he said he isn't approaching his final season hesitant or worrying about another injury.
"If it's going to happen, it's going to happen," McKissic said. "You sit out of practice, you might get hit by a car."
On the move
A handful of players will be at different positions when Arkansas State begins fall practice.
Most of the moves were made to shore up a defense that lost five starters from last season.
Junior Money Hunter, who has started 16 games the past two seasons at safety, will be at nickel back. Brandon Byner, a running back last year, will be at cornerback. Tajhea Chambers, signed in February as a quarterback, will be at middle linebacker, and Sterling Wright, a nickel back last year, will be at linebacker.
Defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen said he's most excited about Hunter, who played nickel back in high school before being moved to safety in 2013 out of necessity.
"He's really an outside linebacker, and that's what our nickel is," Cauthen said. "Moving him up there where he feels more comfortable, and with his athletic ability, is going to make us better."
Kicking battle
Place-kicking was so unpredictable last season that Arkansas State added a player in November to finish the season.
Logan Spry joined the team the week of the Nov. 20 loss at Texas Sate and made all three of his field-goal attempts, but he's exhausted his eligibility and Coach Blake Anderson will spend August trying to find a new kicker.
Senior Luke Ferguson, who will punt and kick off again this year, could regain place-kicking duties. Ferguson was 8 of 15 on field-goal attempts last year. ASU made 11 of 18 as a team, the eighth-best percentage in the Sun Belt Conference.
"We definitely have to improve there," Anderson said.
Anderson said the competition will come down to Ferguson and junior Drew White, a transfer from East Mississippi Community College. Freshmen Andrew Hugen and Stephen Shirley also are lised as kickers on the roster.
"We definitely want it to be competitive and put [them] in as much pressure as we can and find the guy that's going to be the most consistent," Anderson said. "It could end up being Luke Ferguson, I don't know, but it won't be without competition on a daily basis."
Culture club
ASU senior quarterback Fredi Knighten said one of his summertime goals was to become a more vocal leader for the Red Wolves.
He said he feels like he made progress thanks to a weekly routine set up by strength and conditioning coach Matt Shadeed.
Knighten said Shadeed would meet with a handful of players each Tuesday during the summer and read selected works on leadership and team unity in what was dubbed the "culture committee." It became so popular that players from the soccer, volleyball and basketball teams eventually took part.
"You put yourself out there," Knighten said of the meetings. "Talk about your insecurities and strengths and people start to realize that we can connect on a deeper level.
"This game is why we're here, but it's more than that. It's more than just coming and working out and leaving."
Sports on 08/06/2015