The Jefferson City Jays go through line drills during last week's camp at Adkins Stadium.

June 19, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- This wasn't Phase I for Terry Walker with the Jefferson City Jays, it was more like Phase IV.

First, the dream ... his interest in this job started years ago as his career in the Air Force was winding down.

Then the dream came true in January, Phase II.

Next, meeting the team, establishing his regime, and starting to put his footprint on the program during offseason workouts.

Finally, the new head coach got to see his football team on the field, as the Jays completed their summer camp Thursday at Adkins Stadium.

"I think this was a good start," said Walker, the first-year head coach at his alma mater. "The kids got acclimated to how we do things and what our expectations are, and we obviously got to see them on the field, watch them move, and get a feel for some of the things we think they can do.

"We have some great athletes and we feel very fortunate, in that regard. We're starting to get an idea of what their strengths are and the areas where we're going to need to improve if we want to be a good football team this fall."

Rest assured, there's a new sheriff in town and with him, there are changes. It's no secret that this veteran of the armed forces will work his players harder and expect more than some coaches.

Not always a pleasant process.

"They definitely sense something is different --- we've always stressed that you get what you earn by the amount of work you put in," Walker said. "I think they're proud of what they're doing.

"My experience has been that whatever you set the expectations for the kids to be, they tend to meet it. These kids have been no exception. But having said that, they don't care what you know until they know that you care.

"They're not used to being out on the field as long as we're asking to be out there, and they're not used to doing some of the things, fundamentally, we're asking them to do. But that will come in time and at this point, they're working very hard and we feel good about what they've accomplished."

Attrition is part of the process for any coaching staff on any football team. For Walker and the Jays, five players have decided it wasn't worth it.

"A couple of them were seniors," Walker said, "so that's kind of shocking. I tried to encourage them to stick it out, because I think they'll regret it in the end."

Rest assured, the Jays still have plenty of weapons to take into battle, none more than seniors Devin Roberson and Corey Suttle.

The 6-3, 235-pound Roberson, the returning starting quarterback, had an eye-popping performance in last month's state track and field championship, as he won the discus and finished third in the shot put.

It's linemen who win those events, especially in the bigger classes, not quarterbacks.

That is a wow.

"Devin has gotten the attention of every single coach," Walker said. "He is an explosive athlete who can do a lot of things offensively, things that teams really can't account for."

Roberson is also working at safety on defense, as Walker plans to play his best players both ways. Yes, even the quarterback.

"He's a kid who makes plays and we plan on utilizing him on both sides of the ball," Walker said.

He's not the only one, as the days of being platoon players are gone.

"I think the kids are excited about the prospect of playing on both sides of the football," Walker said. "They've embraced it. A  lot of these kids have aspirations to play collegiately, so I think we do them a disservice if we only put them on one side of the ball.

"I've had several college coaches come in here and the first question they always ask is about their grades, the second is about their character, then the third question is where they play on offense and defense."

The 6-4, 245-pound Suttle is a three-star recruit who's verbally committed to Iowa State as a defensive end. He, also, will likely go both ways, as he's working at tight end and H-back.

"I'm really surprised he's never played offense before, but he's picking it up fairly quickly," Walker said. "He's very similar to Devin --- they both run very well, they're both very strong, they're both explosive.

"When you see him from the stands, you say: 'That kid looks like a football player.'"

Those aren't the only two who could open eyes this season.

"I will tell you," Walker said, "it's not just those two, but all of them have been really good kids. They haven't given us any trouble, it's been 'Yes, sir, No, sir,' and they've been receptive to the coaching they're received."

Walker has named Bill Duke offensive coordinator, and Duke's top assistant will be Steve Samson. The defensive coordinator still hasn't been determined.

"We still have time and we're still talking about some things," Walker said. "We just want to make sure we make the right choice, not only for that individual, but most importantly, the team.

The Jays Football Foundation held its annual fundraising golf tournament at Railwood on Friday and, for the first time in many years, it was a full field. Certainly, Walker's hire has created a buzz in the air --- not to mention creating a significant increase of money buzzing into the program.

"I think there are a lot of people very excited about the upcoming season," Walker said. "And we are, too."

Phase V is coming.

Loeffler's Link

New sheriff in town: Jays, Walker
get more acquainted during camp