Less than five months removed from one of the most successful seasons in school history, the DePauw men's football team is back to the grind.
Undefeated in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference last season, the Tigers have high expectations heading in to next year.
It will be no easy task to repeat the success from last year due to the amount of seniors that will graduate.
"We've got a lot of new guys stepping up who haven't gotten much playing time, but it's something we deal with every year," said junior Steve Valdiserri. "Spring ball and team camp always help get us ready before the season."
With the starting quarterback, leading rusher, top four receivers and top three tacklers all departing campus, next season would certainly seem like a rebuilding one. However, head coach Robby Long disagrees.
"This is not a rebuilding year," he said. "Veterans are stepping up as leaders and younger guys are chomping at the bit, so we are not expecting any drop in intensity or play."
With 30 graduating seniors, most programs would anticipate a few losses early on. But with the high level of recruiting by DePauw's football staff and the drive that all of Long's previous teams have had, chances are good that DePau will have another stellar season.
Junior Ethan Schweir has the biggest shoes to fill as he will replace senior quarterback Michael Engle, who set a variety of records last year.
"I learned a lot about reading defenses by watching him play in games and practice, and I am confident I will carry what I learned from him with me throughout this upcoming season," Schweir said.
All-American wide receiver Alex Koors, who is currently training for the NFL, is another big loss for the Tigers.
"While we acknowledge and respect what these guys did and how crucial they were [for]our success, we are only looking forward from here," said junior Mike Harris, who is competing for the No. 1 receiver spot. "We will not be the same receiving core from a year ago, but we will be a dynamic group of players that can threaten a defense from sideline to sideline."
Spring camp is nearly halfway done, and the results of the teams' hard work and dedication have been demonstrated.
"As coaches, we're extremely pleased with the team during camp, and we really are getting better every day," Long said.
Valdiserri echoed a similar sentiment.
"The team is coming together even after just two weeks of practice," he said. "Everyone is working hard, showing up every day and pushing each other."
While last year's team had a tremendous run on its way to the playoffs, their only two losses came during the biggest games of the season.
"We are always looking forward as a team. There is one thing from last year though that's engraved in each guy's mind: 47-0," said Valdiserri in reference to November's Monon Bell game score.
Since the Bell's absence from Greencastle fuels many of the player's work ethic, there are no limits as to what this future squad can accomplish.
"We are going to go out every week, play smart and physical football and compete to win games. As a team and program, we want to be great," Long said. "No one showing up for workouts next week thinks any different."
— Lewis Brown contributed to this story.
