The BGSU Football team underwent its final spring practice of the year on Saturday.
The roster has seen a lot of turnover since last season. Several of last season’s main contributors – like tight end Jacob Harris, linebacker Gideon Lampron, running back Cameron Pettaway, and wide receiver RJ Garcia – departed in the transfer portal.
The quarterback room is almost wholly new, with true sophomore Hunter Najm as the only returner. The three new QB additions include Jarin Mock, a true freshman from Pickerington North HS; Jay Kastantin, a junior transfer from Assumption University; and Austin Novosad, a junior transfer from Oregon.
Novosad is an interesting piece, given his time working under Dan Lanning in Eugene last season. With his prior experience at the Power Four level, Novosad is likely in pole position to start under center this season.
“I think all four of us in that (quarterback) room are just going out here and competing, making everyone better,” Novosad said. “You come from a program like Oregon, and you’re able to take what you learned and apply it here. Coach Lanning did a great job of just setting the standard high, so I’ll just use what I learned there to excel here.”
In their second year under head coach Eddie George, the Falcons will look to improve on their 4-8 mark from last season. BG had started their season 3-3, but lost five of their last six games.
“It’s a competition every day,” George said. “I embrace failure here, because it’s a great teacher of where we need to go and what we need to do to be successful. I’m seeing (improvement) across the board. Not just in specific rooms, but teamwide; we’re competitive, and it needs to be that way.”
The wide receiver room has also changed significantly, with Garcia’s transfer and the graduation of Finn Hogan. New additions include junior Nick Sowell, a transfer from South Carolina State, and true freshmen Joseph Saffold and Pauly Sadler, both from Glenville High School in Cleveland.
With Harris gone, fans can expect grad student Blane Cleaver to take a larger role in the TE room. Sophomore LB Dorian Pringle will also look to resume his role in the middle of the defense, after his freshman season was cut short due to injury.
Senior DE Eriq George, son of Coach George, enjoyed practicing in front of fans and family.
“Having any type of fans in the stands brings juice,” George said. “We’re coming out here to perform…this is a brotherhood, and we’re here to perform not just for each other but for the fans.”
Several players stood out during the 11-on-11 scrimmage periods. Sophomore running back Nakai Amachree, who made four appearances last season, had some explosive runs and scored a TD during the kickoff-return drills.
“Last year didn’t go the way I really wanted it to, but this year I’ve been grinding,” Amachree said. “We work on (the A-gaps) every day. That’s our mentality; owning the A-gaps and going out from there.”
Cleaver made a leaping catch on a long pass from Kastantin, and on another drive, sophomore tight end Jeremiah Scoby took a short pass from Kastantin over 30 yards to the house.
“I’m really excited,” Cleaver said. “Primarily, up until this season I’ve been used in the blocking scheme, so being able to play this year in a wider role helps me and helps the team as well.”
Kastantin flashed his ability as a dual-threat QB, running in a score after keeping the ball on a read option.
Novosad was able to move the ball well, and Mock made some solid plays, including a first-down pass to junior wide receiver Brennan Ridley while rolling right.
Junior linebacker Sanders Ellis, who previously played for Coach George at Tennessee State and who is in his first year with the Falcons, will look to be a centerpiece on defense.
“I really pride myself on being a physical back,” Ellis said. “I think the identity of this football team is being tough. The defense is physical and tough…we want people to remember who they played when they play us.”
Falcon Media Sports Network will have updates on BGSU football throughout the rest of the offseason, as the Falcons prepare for the 2026 regular season starting on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Tarleton State at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
