Coming off its first bowl-game appearance since 2019 last season, the Arkansas State football team is set to open its 2024 spring camp next week and will conduct 14 practices ahead of its annual Pack Day Spring Game on Saturday, April 20, at 1:15 p.m.
Heading into their fourth season under head coach Butch Jones, the Red Wolves will hold their first two practices on back-to-back days, March 13-14, and resume their practice schedule March 25 following Arkansas State University’s spring-break week.
The football program will hold a 12:15 p.m. press conference with Coach Jones on Tuesday, March 12, previewing the Red Wolves upcoming spring camp. The press conference will air live on EAB’s 95.3 FM The Ticket and available to watch live on the A-State Athletics Department’s official Facebook page (@AStateRedWolves).
In addition to their April 20 spring game that is open to the public, the Red Wolves are hosting several “Appreciation Days” with different groups in the community on their other three Saturday practice dates. The first of those (March 30) will be 1200 Club and A-State Day. The second (April 6) will feature Red Wolves Sports Properties (RWSP) Day, and the third (April 13) will be Community Day.
The March 30 practice will be open to 1200 Club members and all Arkansas State University faculty and staff. All RWSP partners will have the opportunity to gather together and watch the April 6 practice. Community Day on April 13 will provide all K-12 area educators, first responders, healthcare workers, military personnel and members of agricultural industries the chance to get an advance look at the Red Wolves a week prior to the spring game.
These collective groups will be contacted ahead of those dates by the A-State football program, Athletics Department and/or Red Wolves Sports Properties with specific details, including practice times and entrance locations.
The day of A-State’s fifth practice, on March 28, the Red Wolves will also conduct their annual NFL Pro Day activities at Centennial Bank Stadium and the surrounding facilities. Including Micah Bland (DL), Jalen Cunningham (OL), Jeff Foreman (WR), Thurman Geathers (DE), Hamilton Hall (OL), Samy Jonson (DB), Leon Jones (DB), William Przystup (P), JT Shrout (QB), Brian Snead (RB) and Melique Straker (LB), A-State will have 11 players from last year’s squad go through drills and various activities with professional scouts.
A-State returns 63 lettermen and 16 starters from last year’s squad, which includes 2023 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Jaylen Raynor (So., QB) and all-league selections Jacob Bayer (Sr., OL), Makilan Thomas (Jr., OL), Ja’Quez Cross (Sr., RB), Courtney Jackson (Sr., WR) and Charles Willekes (Sr., LB).
Joining A-State’s returning players in camp will be 15 newcomers, including 11 transfers and four high school early enrollees, who were part of the Red Wolves’ 2024 recruiting class that ranked first in the Sun Belt for the third consecutive year. The entire class was made up of 36 players and, for the first time in school history, featured multiple signees that were listed as ESPN300 recruits coming out of high school.
Arkansas State will open its 2024 campaign with back-to-back home games against Central Arkansas and Tulsa on Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, respectively, for just second time during its FBS era (since 1992). The Red Wolves’ home schedule also includes four Saturday outings against Sun Belt opponents South Alabama (Oct. 5), Troy (Oct. 26), ULM (Nov. 23) and Old Dominion (Nov. 30).
New season ticket purchases can be made by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets. Renewals can be completed by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets and logging into ticket manager. Both renewals and new ticket purchases can also be accommodated by visiting the Red Wolves Foundation in the south end zone building of Centennial Bank Stadium or by calling 870-972-2401.
The early renewal period for football season tickets ends March 15, and anyone renewing their tickets by that date will receive two additional single-game tickets in the upper east stands for A-State’s home and season opener against Central Arkansas.
Additionally, anyone renewing their tickets by March 15 will receive a copy of the 2024 A-State Football Media Guide and be entered into a drawing for four tickets in the Woodard McAlister Club and one premium parking pass for the game of their choice (subject to availability). The media guide will be published and available in August. The final renewal deadline for football season tickets is May 1. Monthly payment plan options are available.
2024 ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL SPRING CAMP SCHEDULE
PRACTICE 1: Wednesday, March 13
PRACTICE 2: Thursday, March 14
PRACTICE 3: Monday, March 25
PRACTICE 4: Tuesday, March 26
PRACTICE 5: Thursday, March 28
PRACTICE 6: Saturday, March 30
PRACTICE 7: Tuesday, April 2
PRACTICE 8: Thursday, April 4
PRACTICE 9: Saturday, April 6
PRACTICE 10: Tuesday, April 9
PRACTICE 11: Thursday, April 11
PRACTICE 12: Saturday, April 13
PRACTICE 13: Tuesday, April 16
PRACTICE 14: Thursday, April 18
PRACTICE 15: Saturday, April 20 (Pack Day Spring Game, 1:15 p.m.)