For the first time in two years, the Eastern Washington University football team is prepping for a traditional Spring season. The Eagles will take part in 13 practices, plus host a scrimmage, and the Red-White game during the month of April at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash.
 
Eastern Washington opens practices on Tuesday, April 5, and will have nine more before the first scrimmage on Saturday, April 23 at 11 a.m. The Eagles will wrap up the final week with three more practices before the annual Red-White game on Saturday, April 30. Eastern will kick off at 1 p.m. and the game will be free and open to the public in addition to being broadcast regionally on SWX.
 
Pro Day for the Eagles takes place on campus on Wednesday, April 6. Former players in Eric Barriere, Tamarick Pierce, Dennis Merritt, Talolo Limu-Jones, Andrew Boston, Tristen Taylor and Tamir Hill are expected to return to show their skills and abilities to various professional scouts for opportunities to play at the next level.
 
As many as 49 returning letterwinners will be on hand this spring and next fall when head coach Aaron Best begins his sixth season at the helm. The Eagles are expected to return 13 starters – five on offense and eight on defense – with 19 letter winners back on offense, 24 on defense, plus six on special teams.
 
Eastern Washington also has new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Jim Chapin joined the Eagles in January and will oversee the offense and the quarterbacks. Jeff Copp was elevated to defensive coordinator in February after spending two seasons with the tackles. The Eagles also welcome Greg Hardin who will coach the wide receivers.
 
After losing 14 seniors to graduation, Eastern will have at least 11 listed on this year's roster, although some may choose to use their extra season of COVID eligibility. Returning players include All-Big Sky honorees in wide receivers Efton Chism III and Freddie Roberson, offensive lineman Wyatt Musser, defensive tackle Joshua Jerome and defensive end Mitchell Johnson.
 
The Eagles will also have a large group of as many as 21 redshirt freshmen on hand this spring competing for repetitions. Eight of those players saw action in 2021, but are considered redshirts due to the NCAA rule that allows freshman to play in as many as four games and still redshirt. Seth Carnahan, an offensive lineman who transferred from Idaho in December, will also be making his first spring debut for the Eagles.  
 
Spring Practice Schedule
 
Practices take place various days from April 5 to April 30. Subject to change, most practices are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. All practices are scheduled to take place at Roos Field. Scrimmages also take place on the red Sprinturf surface at the "Inferno" in Cheney, Wash. Media interviews take place on April 5, April 11, April 18 and April 25 all prior to practice at 2:30 p.m. on campus in Eastern's Academic Center. Media availability will also take place following the April 23 scrimmage that starts at 11 a.m. and the Red-White game that begins at 1 p.m.
 
Tuesday, April 5 – Practice #1, 3 p.m. (Media Availability at 2:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 6 – Practice #2, 3 p.m.
Friday, April 8 – Practice #3, (full pads, no contact), 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 – Practice #4, 9 a.m. (full pads)
Monday, April 11 – Practice #5, 3 p.m. (Media Availability at 2:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 13 – Practice #6, 3 p.m. (full pads)
Friday, April 15 – Practice #7, 3 p.m. (full pads)
Monday, April 18 – Practice #8, 3 p.m. (Media Availability at 2:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 20 – Practice #9, 3 p.m. (full pads)
Friday, April 22 – Practice #10, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 23 – Scrimmage, 11 a.m. (Media Availability Afterwards)
Monday, April 25 – Practice #12, 3 p.m. (Media Availability at 2:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 27 – Practice #13, 3 p.m. (full pads)
Friday, April 29 – Practice #14, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 30 – Red-White Game, 1 p.m. (Media Availability Afterwards)