Alcorn State head football coach Johnny Thomas said the current spring training has been very productive as the Braves are in their second week of workouts.

&uot;We’re in the hitting stage right now,&uot; Thomas said. &uot;Things are going very well. The kids are in pretty good shape and they are very enthusiastic, upbeat and have positive attitudes.&uot;

Thomas has 65 players working out at Jack Spinks Stadium.

&uot;The experience, overall behavior, motivation and leadership is as good as we’ve had,&uot; Thomas said. &uot;Everybody is really working hard and trying their best within their limits and abilities.&uot;

Thomas said right now he doesn’t have anyone standing out above the crowd.

&uot;Next week we may be able to tell who is above the rest and having pretty good practices and performances,&uot; he said.

Thomas said the Alcorn coaching staff is concentrating on the offensive line.

&uot;We lost three starters there from last year,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re also looking at the secondary and trying to get more team speed there and at wide receiver.&uot;

Redshirt-freshman defensive end Troy Johnson of Vidalia, La., is sitting out spring drills after undergoing surgery for a knee injury he suffered prior to spring drills.

&uot;He’s able to do other things,&uot; Thomas said.

The Braves went 5-6 in Thomas’ first year in 1998 and finished up 3-7 last year.

Alcorn will end its spring drills on April 13.