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Sports TwitterGafford: RedHawks are progressing
Monday, August 18, 2008
This is the fifth in a series of diaries from Miami University's football training camp. Jordan Gafford is a junior defensive back from Columbus.
(On Friday, Aug. 15), we had about 25 former Miami players come back to campus. It's really cool just to see and hear the tradition and history of our program and our school. It definitely creates a sense of pride and honor to be on this team. I know that after I graduate, I'd like to come back. Hopefully, I'll be a wise man like some of them and be able to shed some light on some young players.
As far as our team this season, we're progressing really well. We're way ahead of where we were a year ago, offensively and defensively. Guys are practicing hard with confidence and enjoying themselves out there. There's a little different feel to this team and I think it's about our experience. We're all making decisions faster and playing at a higher level.
Our linebackers—Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic—are as good as anyone in the country, and it's fun playing behind them. They clean up a lot of things for us defensive backs. We're so proud of them all being candidates for the Butkus Award.
The DBs are another great group. Robbie Wilson and Bryan Roland are the leaders in the secondary. We've got depth at every position, and even our freshmen—Brian Sutherland and D.J. Brown—are contributing. We're still (11) days away from the opener, but it's coming up quick.
Thursday night (Aug. 28) on national television against Vanderbilt under the lights should be a lot of fun. We hope to take advantage of playing in front of a big student crowd because we definitely play off their energy. I think Miami is going to be an exciting team to watch.
