HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Spring is officially here on The Hill and that means the Alabama A&M University football program is back on the field in preparation for the upcoming season.
 
The Bulldogs just completed their sixth practice during the Spring campaign on Friday inside Louis Crews Stadium as Alabama A&M gears up for the annual Maroon and White Spring Game on Saturday, April 6.
 
Alabama A&M, coming off a 5-6 season a year ago, returns several key pieces off last year's squad and head coach Connell Maynor said the team got about four practices in before spring break and now the team is back with a heavy slate before the annual spring game.
 
"Practices are going well," Maynor said. "We've got a new defense and a new defensive system. The defense is coming along, and we like the progress. Offensively, we've had the same system for the past six years. So, the offense is going to be ahead of the defense at this time in the spring. We've got a good quarterback battle going. We're pretty healthy and not a lot of injuries."
 
In addition to brining in a new defensive scheme, Maynor welcomed the addition of several new coaches on the defensive side.
 
The Bulldogs hired in the offseason Thomas Howard (defensive coordinator), Cedric Thornton (defensive ends) and Corey Barlow (defensive backs), while Alondras Strong will make the transition from an offensive graduate assistant coach to running backs coach.
 
"I think Coach Howard brings a different style," Maynor said. "I think the guys are adjusting well. Coach Thornton is working on the defensive line, who has been a defensive coordinator in this league for a long time, six years at Alcorn State and the last two years at Grambling State. Coach Barlow is working with the corners and another that has been a defensive coordinator, who has been at South Carolina State and all over. Coach (Bryant) Foster is coaching the safeties, who has been a Division I coach for many years and has a lot of experience."
 
"We've got a lot of guys who have been coordinators, that are all on the same page and understand all three phases and all three levels of the defense. I think we got a great coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball. We've got to get the players to match it and do what we want them to do, and be on the same page."
 
Alabama A&M brings a different flavor when shifting to the week of the spring game as Maynor and his staff will hold an NFL Draft style event to select the Maroon and White teams.
 
"It's spring and it's not the regular season so we try to do anything we can to get these guys motivated," Maynor said. "We do a draft and it's like the NFL Draft. We'll have a Number 1 jersey and hat out for those guys who will go in the first round. The good news is we know everyone will get draft, but the bad news is somebody has to get drafted last."
 
The Maroon and White Spring Game will be a part of a busy day on campus, with several athletic home events scheduled during Student-Athlete Appreciation Day. The spring game begins the day, with an 4 p.m. start time on April 6, while the baseball and softball programs host Mississippi Valley State, beginning at 12 p.m. 
 
The Bulldogs open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Jordan-Hare Stadium as Alabama A&M visits Auburn. The following week (Sept. 7), AAMU plays host to Kentucky State in the 14^th Annual Louis Crews Classic.
 
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