J.C. Harper believes that to build a football program, you start from the ground up.
It starts with his staff winning recruiting battles and then redshirting players once they are on campus, giving them five years to play four seasons.
A program doesn't want to be top-heavy with upperclassmen or bottom-heavy with underclassmen. That creates a revolving door scenario — too old one season and too young the next.
Harper's Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team that is out to a 6-1 start, including a 3-0 beginning in Southland Conference play, seems to have the right chemistry, when it comes to veterans and youth.
The Lumberjacks start six seniors on offense and three on defense. Six juniors have starting roles — one on offense and five on defense.
While Harper is redshirting 19 freshmen, he still has some redshirt freshmen and true freshmen in key positions, something that doesn't bother the coach. He played several young players during his first two seasons as head coach, out of necessity more than anything else.
If an underclassmen is on the field this season, it's because they've earned their way there.
"They're better than the other guys," Harper said.
Here's a look at SFA's "Younger 'Jacks."
Josh Aubrey, cornerback: A true freshman, Aubrey was a part of a "two-for-one" deal.
The 5-11, 190-pounder came to SFA from Tyler Lee High School along with his twin brother Jordan Aubrey, a 5-11, 190-pound backup safety.
Josh Aubrey has compiled 16 tackles.
"He's got great mechanics and is really confident for a first-year guy," Harper said. "He just has an unbelievable future."
Jordan Aubrey has 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Evan Engwall, kicker: Engwall has been like the Maytag repair man lately. With SFA scoring touchdowns, the true freshman kicker from Kansas didn't try a field goal in SFA's league wins against McNeese or Sam Houston.
But his 35-yarder with 7 seconds remaining against Central Arkansas was the game-winner.
Engwall, from Derby, Kansas, is 12-of-16 on field goals this season.
Ryan Epperson, linebacker: A true freshman from Brownsboro, Epperson (6-1, 220) is at SFA because of his play-making ability in high school.
"He was dominant in high school," Harper said. "He just made a ton of plays.
"The thing about Ryan is his passion for the game. He plays with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm."
Epperson has 25 tackles this season.
Austin Wright, offensive guard: From Henderson, Wright has filled a need in the line caused by the absence of former starter Chris Garrison.
Garrison, a senior, has been sidelined with a medical issue.
Harper said Wright, a redshirt freshman, has all the ingredients to be a starter — strong, smart and tough.
"He looks like he's been playing a long time," Harper said. "It's been a smooth transition."
John Steel, offensive guard: Another redshirt freshman who starts in the line, Steel (6-3, 285) took over the starting role after senior Fitseula Partsch started the SMU game.
"He's done a great job," Harper said. "He's strong — a really good athlete for a big guy."
Gralyn Crawford, wide receiver: Considering SFA's talent and depth at receiver, a true freshman breaking into the lineup may have been considered a longshot.
Crawford (5-10, 180), from Palestine Westwood, hasn't been intimidated by anything. He has 23 receptions for 265 yards with three touchdowns.
Crawford's emergence at the "Y" receivers position has enabled the coaching staff to move senior receiver Duane Brooks from "Y" to "Z," a receiver slot whose role is to beat defenses deep.
Brooks is SFA's leading receiver with 46 catches for 564 yards.
Crawford's role at the "Y" position is to run intermediate routes.
When Brooks' time is done at SFA, Crawford's role could change into running longer routes.
There's nothing like having a roster where upperclassmen and underclassmen line up next to one another, while 19 redshirts wait their turn.
