Saluki Football begins Spring Ball practices on Thursday

CARBONDALE, Ill. — It’s time to break out the footballs at Saluki Stadium. Under the direction of 11th-year head coach Nick Hill, spring ball practices will begin at Southern Illinois on Thursday morning.

“One thing I’ve learned as head coach is that you're not going to ‘win’ spring ball, but you absolutely affect the wins and losses in the fall,” Hill said. “It’s a critical time to develop the fundamentals and techniques that you believe in.”

The Salukis will have 82 players participating this spring, with 67 returning veterans and 15 newcomers. The team started off-season strength and conditioning workouts in January, in addition to team-building activities, such as a weekly book club and community-service outings.

“On the first day we met as a team, I asked them to just trust the process, trust the coaches and our strength staff, trust that there's a plan for everything,” Hill said. “We know when we need to ramp it up and push you, when we need to pull back. They got a little break for spring break (last week) to recharge, and now we'll get in the swing of spring football. You can’t skip over any steps.”

The 2026 offense features nine players with starting experience at SIU: RB Chandler Chapman, QB Jake Curry, OT Blaine Halley, G Derek Harden Jr., G Jacob Katauskas, WR Allen Middleton, RB Ed Robinson, OT Coleon Smith and All-American QB DJ Williams.

Hill said the Salukis will be careful with DJ Williams' activity during spring ball.

Williams at quarterback is the lynchpin, coming off a record-breaking season in which he accounted for 40 touchdowns. He was nursing a knee injury for part of the season, and Hill said they will be careful with his activity during the spring.

On defense, the Salukis return six players who started games in 2025: LB Andrew Behm, LB Ben Fiegel, DE Jake Parrella, S Vinny Pierre Jr., LB Chris Presto and CB Gavin Shepard. Long snapper Ryan Algrim also returns, although SIU will need to select a replacement for do-everything kicking specialist Paul Geelen.

The roster includes 20 freshmen who redshirted in 2025 and can use spring ball to carve out roles on next year’s team.

“One advantage with spring ball is that you typically get a day in between practices,” Hill said. “That allows you to slow down, go back and watch film. It gives guys an opportunity to really go out and perform at a high level.”

Spring practices are open to the public, although schedules are subject to change.

Saluki Football Practice/Scrimmage Schedule

Thursday, March 19: 7-9 a.m.

Friday, March 20: 7-9 a.m.

Saturday, March 21: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, March 24: 7-9 a.m.

Thursday, March 26: 7-9 a.m.

Saturday, March 28: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Monday, March 30: 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 1: 7-9 p.m.

Friday, April 3: 6-7:30 p.m. Practice & Scrimmage at Du Quoin High School

Monday, April 6: 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8: 7-9 p.m.

Friday, April 10: 6-7:30 p.m. Practice & Scrimmage at Marion High School

Monday, April 13: 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15: 7-9 p.m.

Friday, April 17: 6-7:30 p.m. Spring Game at Saluki Stadium