Washburn's Schurig noticing enthusiasm from younger players at camp

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Washburn football is only in its first week of fall camp, but head coach Craig Schurig has been pleased with his team's enthusiasm so far.

The 2024 Washburn team is one of the most experienced group of young players Schurig has been around. Several redshirt freshmen and sophomores played more than usual last fall while the Ichabods combatted injuries.

He says filling in for injured players gave him underclassmen good experience, but they're still 'youthful' at the same time.

"It's huge, particularly when you're a young team," Schurig said of the team's enthusiasm. "So you want high energy, high enthusiasm. They're going to make mistakes, so they're going to get down. The older kids have been great, kind of easing them in and teaching them on the run."

To Schurig, younger players sometimes come equipped with more energy than players who are in their fourth and fifth years of college football.

Quarterback Sam Van Dyne is now a sophomore, but was Washburn's guy last season after former QB Kellen Simoncic suffered an injury. Though there's a strong competition at the backup QB spot, Schurig says Van Dyne will get most of the snaps as of right now.

"I feel like I'm playing well, obviously there's a lot to improve," Van Dyne said. "Moreso my position, it's very dependent on other people on our team, so when they learn more and I'm able to evolve and grow with them as a team."

He commented on how fast his young wide receivers, and he feels like the offensive chemistry is in a good place.

Washburn opens its season against in-state rival Emporia State in the Turnpike Tussle on Aug. 29.