Myles Elam is not a newcomer to Kansas Wesleyan football per se. As a freshman linebacker a year ago, he was the team's leading tackler and received First Team Kansas Conference recognition in the Bissell Division.
Quarterback Henry Austad is a full-fledged newbie having transferred from Southeastern (Fla.) before the start of the 2025 spring semester.
Status notwithstanding Elam and Austad are starting from ground zero in the KWU program that is under the guidance of new coach Matt Middleton who was hired in late November.
Elam, Austad and approximately 80 teammates are in the second half of spring practice learning and adapting to Middleton's system. Both are pleased with what has transpired.
"The things coach Middleton is building here, it's going to be great," said Austad, a native of Orlando, Florida who started all nine games and helped Southeastern to a 7-2 record and No. 16 ranking in the final NAIA poll in his junior season. "We have plenty of talent, so I think it's just getting those guys to buy into the culture and just being able to take that next step that they weren't able to do last year."
"Just a big change on the staff and the whole outlook on the team so a good change," Elam said. "The hands on telling us what we need, what we need from them and getting feedback like what we could do better and stuff like that."
Spring practice began March 31 and consists of 14 sessions at JRI Hospitality Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex. It culminates with an intrasquad scrimmage at 5 p.m. on April 26.
"Super excited," said Middleton who coached quarterbacks and fullbacks for two seasons at Division II powerhouse Harding before coming to KWU. "Been able to really see the guys get out and make plays.
"Obviously, we have found some areas that we need depth which is why you go through spring practice. It's been some pleasant surprises and to the point now where we kind of know what we have."
Finding and developing that depth will be the focal point going forward the remainder of the spring and on the recruiting trail in advance of fall camp.
"I just think depth is a massive deal right now," Middleton said. "I kind of know what I have talent wise and where we're at with the first group but it's who can be serviceable in all the other spots. We've got to find some of that because at any level when you get somebody hurt it changes the outcome of your season. We're beat up right now so it's one of those things where we've really got to find who we are and make sure we've got some guys to plug in."
Austad knew of KWU from current assistant and former interim co-head coach David Leonard.
"It was pretty seamless decision for me," he said. "I was super comfortable where I was at, it would have been an easy thing for me to stay but I was ready to take a leap of faith and just kind of step out of my comfort zone. I think this is the perfect place to do it."
Austad is impressed with what has transpired so far.
"It's a lot different on offense from what they did last year so just seeing guys being able to develop into what we want to do has been great," he said. "We've made a lot of progress, and I think we're going to continue to do those things as spring goes on. I think we have a really good group of ones."
Elam says the same of the defense's progress.
"You're going to see a different playing style but at the end of the day it's still football," he said. "The install is very smooth step by step. We're getting the new culture and stuff like that down and I feel like it's going at a good pace. It's a lot of new guys that came in ready to work, really good mentality. Obviously, they come from different schools, but they want the same goal we have."
There have been several bright spots according to Middleton.
"Our quarterback situation we're pretty blessed and lucky right there," he said. "We've got some really electric receivers right now that can stretch the field. (Running back) Luke Armstrong had a big year last year but we have another one in D'Heaven Domena that's had a phenomenal spring and done really well. Offensive line-wise we have three back and we added two. I think it's a strength of our team."
Middleton wants the offense to be opportunistic.
"We'll be super balanced," he said. "We're going to do our best and not let the defense dictate what we're going to do. We're going to take what they give us. If that means run it 50 times in one game and throw it 50 the next that's what we'll do."
The defense has been solid as well.
"Our linebacker core is super talented right now," Middleton said. "We've added a defensive end, Diego Davis, that is going to be a terror and then we've added some other guys like (linebacker) Gavin Skerek. Some other guys that were here have filled in and done really well."
The injuries will impact the spring scrimmage.
"We won't show much but we'll do something," Middleton said. "We'll be careful how we do it and what we do. This is more of a chance for parents to come watch their boys and hang out, but my number one goal is to get out healthy."