Grand Valley State head football coach Scott Wooster and his 2024 football team wrapped up week one of practice. The progression went from helmet, to helmet and shoulder pads to day six (Saturday) which included full football gear workout. The full two-hour team period of practice involved all three phases of the game, culminating with a full period of redzone work.

Wooster welcomed back 20 seniors, 60 letterwinners and 22 starters for the 53rd year of GVSU Laker football. The Lakers will open the 2024 campaign Thursday, September 5 at Lubbers Stadium versus non-conference foe Central State at 7 p.m. The two-time defending GLIAC Champions finished the 2023 season 11-2 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round of the playoffs. 

"It was a full week of football and I was pleased with the maturity this group showed," said Wooster. "We put a lot of football on tape and it was great to coach and teach after practice. We installed a lot offensively and the recall from day one to day six was exciting to watch. However, we have a long way to go and need to find that consistency on both sides of the ball." 

The Lakers return 10 starters on offense, nine on defense and three on special teams for the 2024 season. Five return on the offensive line, including two, senior Gabe Brown and senior Kyler Blake-Jones, who are All-GLIAC honorees. Junior Brett Weaver and sophomores Jaylin Caldwell and Jeff Burton round out one of the top offensive lines in the country. Senior tight end Gavin Cossou (23-296, 3 TD) earned All-GLIAC honors in 2023, while fellow senior tight end, Drew Peterson (6-38, 1 TD), earned All-GLIAC plaudits in 2022. Three All-GLIAC receivers return in senior Cody Tierney (35-669, 6 TD), senior Darrell Johnson (33-412, 3 TD) and senior Kyle Nott (24-342, 3 TD). Nott is also the leading returning rusher for the Lakers, toting the ball 18 times for 335 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson and sophomore Kellen Reed form a punt-kickoff return tandem that ranks as the top duo in the country. Johnson averaged 14.8 yards per punt return, while Reed averaged 31.2 yards per kickoff return, including two returned for touchdowns. Sophomore running backs Syone Usma-Harper and Khalil Eichelberger combined to rush for 587 yards and four touchdowns. Senior quarterback Avery Moore completed 15-of-28 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 317 yards and seven touchdowns. 

The GVSU defense returns key starters at every level. Defensive end Niles King (28 tackles) and defensive tackle Jack Gilchrist (21 tackles) are All-GLIAC performers on a defensive line that will rotate 13 players. Seniors Charlie Nylander and Jake Urban, along with junior Thomas Jolly also headline the defensive line. A deep and talented linebacker unit is led by Junior All-American Anthony Cardamone (72 tackles, 13 TFL). In addition, senior Damonte McCurdy is an All-GLIAC performer, while Jack Grice, Jimmy Downs and Jake Archbold bolster the position. Senior All-GLIAC safety Ian Kennelly (58 tackles) is poised for a big year, while senior Kobe Hayward (41 tackles) and junior Luke McLean (38 tackles) have started games in the secondary. Junior cornerbacks Devin Pringle and Terez Reid are All-GLIAC honorees, while senior Grant Hart and sophomore Jason Hardy are key performers. Junior punter Trace Hrgich earned All-GLIAC honors and senior long snapper David Kreske is a three-year starter. Senior Kollin Kralapp and redshirt freshman Mathew Bacik will handle the kicking duties.