Coaches dislike early camp start

NEWPORT, R.I. — Summer may be in full swing, but changes to college football rules mean many programs across the country will start their fall camps next week.

After the NCAA eliminated two-a-day practices — two workouts in a single day — it will take coaches more days to use the maximum number of preseason practices allowed. Coaches generally aren’t willing to give back preparation time, forcing them to hit the practice fields in the month of July to log enough time with their teams before the season opener.

It’s a bitter pill for some coaches and administrators to swallow.

“There’s something about football practice in July that just gives me a bad taste,” SMU coach

said during this week’s American Athletic Conference football media day. “For these young men you go all year long … we battle burnout all the time with these guys who are trying to play their best football late in the year.”

Morris said the Mustangs will open camp on July 30, but they won’t officially take to the practice field until Aug. 1.

UCF will open practice on Wednesday, but coach

isn’t 100 percent sold on the idea of starting things up so early.

“I’m not an expert, but we’re lengthening the season and I think that can be just as hard on players as having two practices a day,” Frost said Tuesday. “Like I said, I’m not an expert and I’m not going to question it, but we’re going to follow the rules.

“I was just fine with starting in August and playing in September and now backing it up. It takes more time away from assistant coaches and players and the summer.”

The earlier start date means some players will still be in summer school when camps open. For USF, which starts its season at San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 26, that means kicking things off earlier than everyone else.

“We just have to manage our schedule around the players,” new Bulls coach

said of the challenges of juggling practices and summer classwork. “But you still have to let them be a student and have their rest time. The way the schedule is managed, it’s going to be really good for our players.”

UCF fans can expect to see a little more of

this season. The senior bulked up a bit this offseason in hope of improving his ability to block defenders at the tight end position.

“I did it to help me on the line, coming off the ball and moving bodies,” said Akins, who went from 249 pounds to 260. He said he wanted to gain weight but still maintain his speed and agility.

Akins had a career-best season in 2016, finishing third on the team in receptions (23) and receiving yards (347).

He said he worked with the team’s nutritional staff and doubled the number of calories he ate including protein shakes.

“I wasn’t a big fan of protein,” he said.

“I feel great carrying the weight that I am now. I still can move and I still feel like a receiver but my blocking’s just increased dramatically.”