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Charleston Southern head football coach Jay Mills seems optimistic about his 2008 Buccaneers being one of the better teams in school history as his squad begins spring football drills today.
The Buccaneers managed only four wins last season after posting 16 wins in the previous two seasons. It was only two seasons ago when CSU won a school-record nine games. Mills sees the same type of potential in his 2008 squad. Potential being the operative word.
“Potential is a good, positive word,” said Mills. “We have some good football players returning, some quality additions and what I believe will be excellent leadership. As much as we like the word potential, it’s really all about productivity. That’s a more important word, and that’s where the intangibles lie. We basically have five and a half months to turn potential into productivity.”
This spring practice will be all about change, especially on the defensive side of the ball. CSU will have four new defensive coaches, including a new coordinator as former Clemson assistant Thielen Smith takes over this spring.
Gone from the defense are linebackers Jada Ross and Jonna Lee, defensive end Dennis Justiniani and four-year starting safety C.J. Hirschman.
The return of senior Josh Mitchell will stabilize things at linebacker. Mitchell was a three-year starter before missing all of last season with an injury. Last year’s starting fullback/tight end Ryan Ard is moving over to defensive end.
“We have some mid-year transfers in that will immediately help our depth defensively,” said Mills. “We feel good about our linebackers and our depth, and I think our secondary has a chance to be pretty good.
Offensively, junior Eli Byrd will return at quarterback but will likely miss most of the spring as he recovers from minor surgery. Redshirt freshman Gabe Gilmour and junior college transfer A.J. Toscano will see most of the spring snaps in a battle for the No. 2 spot.

charleston.net