PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Rod Carter is Johnson C. Smith's top returning receiver as spring practice opens.

There’s less uncertainty in Kermit Blount’s first full spring as Johnson C. Smith football coach.

Blount, who was hired last March, coached the Golden Bulls to a 4-6 record last year despite one week of spring practice with the team. When drills get underway Monday, Blount will have a better idea of JCSU’s strengths and weaknesses. Here’s what to watch between then and April 2:

Quarterback derby
Freshmen Jordan Lane and Harold Herbin are bound to benefit with 15 practices under offensive coordinator Tory Woodbury, who’ll have time to teach the intricacies of the pro-style offense. Jordan and Herbin split time last season leading an offense that averaged 20.7 points and 210.2 yards per game.

Lane completed 76-of-159 passes (47.8 percent) for six touchdowns against eight interceptions while Herbin hit 41-of-94 (43.6 percent) for 518 yards and seven scores compared to eight picks.

JCSU hasn’t signed a third quarterback, so the spring winner will have a leg up when fall drills open.

Ball security
The Golden Bulls’ improvement over the final half of the season put JCSU in position to win three straight before losing to Livingstone in the finale. During that streak, JCSU forced 13 turnovers to three giveaways. In the other seven games, the ratio was 18 to 28.

Running backs
JCSU needs to improve on last year’s 66.6 yards per game. Freshmen Desean Binyard (111 carries for 445 yards, TD) and Tromecio Summers (48 carries, 168 yards, 2 TDs) figure to split touches in the spring.

Offensive line
Sophomore center Jordan Shaw, who missed eight games with a dislocated ankle, is healthy. Three starters graduate, making Billy Canty the incumbent at left tackle and sophomore Brandon Reed right guard.

Receivers
With Fred Scott (team-high 36 receptions, 536 yards and five touchdowns) graduating, Rod Carter (31 catches, 366 yards, five scores) is the returning top target. Eugene Holmes (14 catches, 201 yards, TD) and South Mecklenburg High grad Bedrick Yobo (six catches, 105 yards) will try to earn a spot in the fall rotation.

Defensive line
Three senior starters are gone, leaving sophomore defensive end Jamaal Tutt (52 tackles, five sacks) the most experienced returnee. Locating another pass-rushing end is a necessity, as is beefing up the tackle position.

Linebacker
With All-America linebacker Austin Jacques (CIAA-high 132 tackles, 4.5 sacks) graduating, junior Javard Gaines (59 tackles, 2.5 sacks) leads a corps that will be short on extended experience.

Secondary experience
All-America free safety Carlo Thomas, who led all divisions with 12 interceptions, including a school record four picks in a game, returns. Freshman cornerback JeJuan McCalston (three interceptions) and sophomore Darryl Napper should be more mature. Desmond Taylor, who started five games as a sophomore, is back at strong safety.

“We’re going to compete right away, there’s no doubt about that,” Thomas said in December. “We still have the leadership from last year. We lost three or four key players on defense but we’re going to replace them and keep moving forward. We still have talent on defense and we’re going to compete right away.”

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