CHENEY — Following a long offseason, Eastern Washington hosted its first full team practice of the season.

The Eagles, coming off a 10-3 season and an appearance in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, lost key offensive starters in quarterback Eric Barriere, left tackle Tristen Taylor, running back Dennis Merritt and receiver Talolo Limu-Jones.

“(It’s) always a transition year, because you lose the top-end seniors or you lose some guys,” EWU Head Coach Aaron Best said. It’s a different year because you had a combination of spring and fall guys last fall, so it is different that way, but it’s kind of a more normal fall (now).”

Several players have stepped up into more leadership roles, something he likes to see in his teams, Best said.

“The guys that took over for the senior class that left have been yearning to lead,” he said. “They led all spring; they led all summer, and I’m excited to see them lead this fall for their first real opportunity when they’re keeping score.”

Despite losing key starters across the field, Bets isn’t concerned about the trajectory of the team.

“Transition to me means overhaul, you lost 13 guys due to eligibility and you bring in close to 20 guys with new eligibility on the backend,” Best said. “So, transition, no, because it’s always transition and it’s always fun to navigate what this team is going to be about, what our identity is going to be and what we intend to become.”

Fall camp began for the incoming class on Thursday, with freshman-only practices held.

“The Rooks came in on Tuesday, practiced Thursday - got two in,” Best said. “That’s why it’s good to acclimate those guys in my opinion, to know where they’re practicing, where they’re stretching, where they’re lifting, where they’re living before the 85 other guys come in.”

After beginning Saturday, the Eagles will have four consecutive days of practice before an off-day on Wednesday.

“Standard answer - energy,” Best said of what he wants to see over the first few days of practice. “I want guys to stay healthy. I think (the) guys did a great job over summer in terms of getting themselves in football shape to get to this point.”

Receiver Efton Chism III, one of the two Eagles to earn preseason all-conference nods, said that this year’s team seems to be more.

“I think it’s more of a cohesion thing,” Chism III said. “I think this year it feels different. We're more invested about the team than last year at least, I feel like. We were really good last year, don’t get me wrong, we had some of the best players in the country, but I think this year it’s more not accolades and stats, it’s more the brotherhood.”

Defensive tackle Joshua Jerome, who joined Chism III as a preseason all-conference player, said that the defense can build off its strength from 2021.

“I would say stick to the little things,” Jerome said. “The little things in football mean a lot, whether it’s getting in the playbook, watching film, just basically anything at practice, all of that.”

Jerome also noted that the team’s identity is different than that of a year ago.

“Going into fall camp, we need a lot of young guys to step up,” Jerome said. “There’s a lot of roles that need to be filled, especially linebacker on the defensive side or offensive lineman - losing Tristen Taylor, those are big losses - but it’s an opportunity for guys to step up and work together.”

One of those players elevated into a higher role is Chism III.

“I’m still kind of young, but I (have) a decent amount of experience - which is kind of weird to me,” Chism III said, “But I’m just trying to lead by example, and voice a little more than I usually do.”

Eastern opens its season Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. against Tennessee State in Cheney.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.