SPRINGFIELD — Casey Woods was unsure of himself during his first day of fall camp on Wednesday, August. 5. The first-year Missouri State head football coach said it himself.
He’s the new kid on the block. He didn’t want to be overbearing to his assistant coaches, but he wanted to lend a hand at any opportunity. When comparing his time as a coordinator to being the main man, Woods shared a joke.
“I find myself not knowing what to do,” he laughed. “Making the rounds during the early part of practice is unique and fun. I want people to say that, ‘That was the best college football practice that I’ve ever seen.’ It wasn’t that today. But I think we have the makings of a pretty good team.”
The first day of practice is always exciting. Football is back,
but reality quickly set in at Plaster Stadium: work must be completed to accomplish goals.
Missouri State’s energy levels were not to the standard that Woods and his staff demanded.
Woods explained that some players were hesitant to go full tilt. First day jitters, you may say.
After a strong conversation halfway through practice, Woods explained that things quickly improved.
“I think everyone came out here; I don’t know if cautious is the word, but just feeling it out,” Woods said. “This is not a feel-it-out sport. Let’s get out there and run into something.”
The starting quarterback position continues to be a hot topic. Transfer quarterbacks Henry Belin and Skyler Locklear are competing for the starting role. Belin held a majority of the snaps with the first team on Wednesday, but that didn't indicate any advantage that he holds over Locklear.
“We have to watch the throws. We have to watch the execution of the individual plays,” Woods said. “I think there is an overall feel of how the ball is moving and how the players play when these players are in the game around them. I think we have two good ones.”
Day 1 of Missouri State football in the books:
— Liam (@liamkeating7) August 5, 2026
-Sneaky good team
-Great team depth
-1st practice lacked intensity at times
All this and more @springfieldNL pic.twitter.com/Kz6Sr1BKSA
After practice, tight end Jeron Askren was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist. The Mackey Award honors the top tight end in the nation at the conclusion of the season.
Askren made 11 starts last year at the position. He is one of 43 players on the list and is the lone player from Conference USA.
He’s one of the players that Woods is relying on to be a leader during camp, especially when things get difficult. Along with Askren, there are many others Woods is looking to help hold the team accountable.
“(Jared) Bird Lloyd is our most vocal leader. He is continuing to embrace and step into that role,” Woods said. “We are still pulling out J.J. O’Neal, Caden Wiest and some of those guys that have been here and know what winning looks like.”
Woods ended by saying that the faster the team names a quarterback, the more comfortable that player can be leading Missouri State into its Week 1 game against Texas A&M on Sept. 5.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Breaking down Missouri State football's first day of fall camp
