Article by BRIAN NIELSEN, JG-TC Sports Editor

While hitting those football camps around Chicago area and elsewhere recently looking for players of the future, Eastern Illinois coach Dino Babers heard what some think about his present.

Few if any are going to belittle the EIU program to its new head coach's face, but Babers had enough friends attending these camps that he could hear second or third hand how teams were going to handle the Panthers this year.

So yes, Babers brought some of that trash talk back to Eastern.

Whether or not he uses it for any fiery pregame speech, he is using it now.

“That stuff lasts until about the first time you get hit in the mouth,” Babers said. “So I don't know about a pregame speech, but it's good for training over the summer.”

Maybe this fires up the coaches as well at a time traveling to different football camps to evaluate and recruit players is crucial to reloading rosters by next spring.

At least some of the coaches don't have to hit the road today as EIU has its own prospect camp scheduled for 4-7 p.m.

In some cases, the additions come sooner than that.

This is also the time when players seeing that playing time might not be that abundant at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level find a Football Championship Subdivision school.

Perhaps since the day Babers was named the retired Bob Spoo's replacement at Eastern last December, some guessed that the Panthers might pick up transfers from Baylor where Babers was receivers and special teams coach for last year's 10-3 nationally ranked Bears.

So far the count is one.

Linebacker LeQuince McCall, who played in all 13 Baylor games recording five solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a sophomore, has moved to Eastern.

Others might follow.

“We have some scholarship money available,” Babers said. “We have some cakes in the oven. We'll have to see how it comes out, how it bakes.”

Otherwise, after winter conditioning drills and spring practices under a new coaching staff, Babers said none of the players inherited have decided to leave although he added that by law he could not disclose any who did not meet eligibility requirements academically.

Plus, all 11 incoming freshmen are not waiting until preseason August practices to move to campus.

All of them are here for the summer, believed to be a first for EIU football.

Seniors and new freshmen are all getting started under new strength and conditioning coach Sean Edinger, replacing Eric Cash who took a job at Elon.

Edinger comes to Eastern from Central Missouri.

“It's interesting,” Babers said. “First, you will try to get people that you know. When you can't hire someone you know — that just didn't work out — you go by recommendations from someone you know. Sean got recommendations from the No. 1 strength guy at Baylor who I consider to be the best. And maybe even more important, he got strong recommendations from (EIU defensive ends/outside linebackers coach) George Ricumstrict. George is a very hard worker. When someone who works that hard says someone is a hard worker, you want him in your program.”

These days in college football, the strength and conditioning coach becomes a key part of a program.

While the football coaches are not allowed by NCAA rules to work with their players until preseason practice begins, Edinger is to work with the players throughout the summer.

“They are with them for the six weeks just before the season,” Babers said. “Physically and mentally where you are depends on them. Anyone who doesn't think (Edinger) plays a major role in whether you win or lose doesn't really know.”