LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn Football wrapped up its first five days of fall camp on Monday, August 3, as the Braves continue preparation for the week zero season opener against Miles on August 29, in Lorman, Mississippi.
 
Head coach Cedric Thomas, entering his third season at the helm of the program, said the early days of camp have centered on establishing physicality up front on both sides of the ball, while also building tempo and timing in the passing game.
 
"I like where we're at through the first week. Guys have come in with the right mindset, and that's all you can ask for on day one," said Thomas.
 
Monday's session went 18 periods beginning at 7 a.m., with the Braves trying to beat the Mississippi late summer heat. Morning temperatures were already hovering in the low-80s, with winds out of the northeast at a light six miles per hour.
 
"You almost use the heat to your advantage. If we can push through August in Mississippi, that's going to pay off in the fourth quarter come October and November," said Thomas midway through practice during a hydration break.
 
On defense, preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) all-conference selection Eric Thomas Jr. has been a focal point early in camp, flashing through 7-on-7 and full-team periods as the staff looks for him to anchor a defense that hopes to build on last season's late-year turnaround. The 7-on-7 work has given the coaching staff a clean look at how the secondary and linebackers are reading route concepts without the line play mixed in, and Thomas Jr. has been a steady presence in those reps.
 
"You never know exactly what you're going to get in the first week, but I've been pleased with how our guys have attacked it," continued Thomas afterwards. "Eric [Thomas] and the defensive line have really stood out to me. I mean, they look ready for the season right now."
 
At quarterback, a battle is brewing between returning starter Jaylon Tolbert and challenger Bryan Wilson, with both getting extensive first-team reps through 7-on-7 periods and full-speed route sessions. The competition has played out mostly in the intermediate passing game, with both quarterbacks working through route combinations against the first- and second-team secondary as the staff evaluates decision-making, ball placement, and command of the offense.
 
"The quarterback battle was always one to watch, but it's been the offensive line that has impressed me in who wants to be starting up front the most," expressed Thomas. "Those guys are hungry. They are improving every day, and you can see it. I mean, you can really see it."
 
Route running has been a point of emphasis for the receiving corps as well, with wideouts working to sharpen releases off the line and sell double moves against press coverage – a wrinkle the coaching staff has installed more of in camp compared to years past.
 
"I am loving what I see from [Aaron Anguiano] A.R., and from [Deion] Roberson," added Thomas. "Those are two dedicated coaches, and they are perfectionists too. They won't stop until the play is run perfectly. But that's the problem. For one to be successful, the other must slip. It's almost as if I am a neutral watching them match wits."
 
Alcorn opens the 2026 season against Miles College on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium. For the Braves, it will be the first home
 
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