Aug. 12, 2009

CAMP REBEL - Hitting the field Wednesday morning wearing a coveted Black Jersey were none other than junior quarterback Omar Clayton (Normal, IL/Normal Community HS) and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp (San Diego, CA/Steele Canyon HS).

The pair of key team leaders earned the honor by turning in the best effort on their respective side of the football during Monday's first full-pads practice of the preseason before yesterday's travel day.

There were no other nominees for defense while senior wide recevier Ryan Wolfe (Santa Clarita, CA/Hart HS) and sophomore tight end Austin Harrington (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS) were nominated for their work on offense.

"It's especially encouraging that our team leaders such as Omar, Jason and Ryan are stepping up from the very first day," said head coach Mike Sanford. "That's big for us and a great sign of things to come as we prepare for the season."

Speaking of Harrington, the former walk-on defensive end who switched sides last season but did not play, has been turning heads in the first week of camp and learned Tuesday night that he had earned a full scholarship starting this season.

"Right now, Austin is doing the right things and challenging to earn the starting spot at tight end for us," Sanford said.

The staff announced that also recently earning scholarships was a pair of former walk-ons, junior defensive back David Biggs (Moreno Valley, CA/Rancho Verde HS), who lettered last season on special teams; and local product Matt Kravetz (Las Vegas, NV/Las Vegas HS), who looks to earn his first time this fall as a sophomore linebacker and special teams performer.

"We are always looking to reward players that deserve scholarships like these three young men," Sanford said. "They've earned it on the field and academically as well."

The Rebels will close out their first two-a-day sessions on Wednesday from 5:15-7:10 p.m. Check back right here at Camp Rebel HQ for all of your daily updates.