Friday marked the first and last time media could speak with members of the Roadrunner football team since they became full-time students.

“Practice will be hard. Lot of young guys who don’t know what to expect, a few of us have experience, but the majority are brand new freshmen coming in to campus,” sophomore offensive lineman Brady Brown said. “I think it will take some time to get acquainted with each other.”

The first practice will be a learning experience for every player in different ways. For freshman defensive back Darrien Starling it will be the adjustment to a new system and a new style of practice.

“The tempo will be faster, and it is on a timed schedule. In high school it was a loose-leaf practice; the conditioning was way harder than in high school.” Starling said. “It’s a transition, but at the same time, I am used to it. I have to step my game up and stay on track.”

The first practice will serve to bring out the leaders of the team.

“It’s not who’s talking the most; it’s who is showing how to work things out. As long as you’re putting out 100 percent, leadership will come through with actions,” freshman offensive lineman Drew Phillips said.

Phillips wasn’t the only player who will reveal his leadership through his actions; it seems to be a trait shared by most of the players.

“It’s different because there are no leaders on the team yet, no certified captain; everybody’s going to go out there and give it their all,” freshman defensive back John Walker III said. “See what everyone’s got and make sure we put everything together. Once we put it together, it will be awesome.”

Walker’s biggest adjustment has been acclimating himself to life at UTSA after a productive career at Humble High School.

“It doesn’t feel real, like I am finally in college, time to start putting in the work for the 2011 season. I don’t think it’s kicked in yet, but I am so excited,” Walker said.

For fellow freshman Starling who played his football at John Tyler High School the transition is hard, but not like the practices.

“The transition has been cool; it’s real different as far as people go, but as far as everything else its pretty cool.” Starling said. “The competition is tougher, but high school in east Texas helped me out because I was going against people with division one skills.”

Once the pads are on and the whistle blows, the players will put everything out of their minds and focus on getting better.

“If you’re going to be in the hot sun, you might as well work your butt off,” Walker said. “That’s my mentality.”

“Practice will be hard. Lot of young guys who don’t know what to expect, a few of us have experience, but the majority are brand new freshmen coming in to campus,” sophomore offensive lineman Brady Brown said. “I think it will take some time to get acquainted with each other.”

The first practice will be a learning experience for every player in different ways. For freshman defensive back Darrien Starling it will be the adjustment to a new system and a new style of practice.

“The tempo will be faster, and it is on a timed schedule. In high school it was a loose-leaf practice; the conditioning was way harder than in high school.” Starling said. “It’s a transition, but at the same time, I am used to it. I have to step my game up and stay on track.”

The first practice will serve to bring out the leaders of the team.

“It’s not who’s talking the most; it’s who is showing how to work things out. As long as you’re putting out 100 percent, leadership will come through with actions,” freshman offensive lineman Drew Phillips said.

Phillips wasn’t the only player who will reveal his leadership through his actions; it seems to be a trait shared by most of the players.

“It’s different because there are no leaders on the team yet, no certified captain; everybody’s going to go out there and give it their all,” freshman defensive back John Walker III said. “See what everyone’s got and make sure we put everything together. Once we put it together, it will be awesome.”

Walker’s biggest adjustment has been acclimating himself to life at UTSA after a productive career at Humble High School.

“It doesn’t feel real, like I am finally in college, time to start putting in the work for the 2011 season. I don’t think it’s kicked in yet, but I am so excited,” Walker said.

For fellow freshman Starling who played his football at John Tyler High School the transition is hard, but not like the practices.

“The transition has been cool; it’s real different as far as people go, but as far as everything else its pretty cool.” Starling said. “The competition is tougher, but high school in east Texas helped me out because I was going against people with division one skills.”

Once the pads are on and the whistle blows, the players will put everything out of their minds and focus on getting better.

“If you’re going to be in the hot sun, you might as well work your butt off,” Walker said. “That’s my mentality.”