Aug. 9, 2000

Memphis, TN - The newly arrived University of Memphis freshman class continued with two-a-day workouts on Wednesday and several young players have already caught the attention of head coach Rip Scherer and his staff.

"Overall, the entire class has been impressive but there are several of the freshmen who have shown signs of picking on what we are doing both offensively and defensively, and they might have a chance of seeing playing time this fall," said Scherer. "I have really been pleased with what I have seen from the linebacker/fullback group.

"Robert Douglas (fullback from St. Louis), Shaka Hill (fullback from Nashville), and Derrick Ballard (linebacker from Bostwick, GA)) have all gone through the drills and the testing phases very well and if Douglas and Ballard continue to improve, they have a chance of helping us this fall."

The freshmen will take Thursday off for academic orientation, while the staff greets the returning varsity between 9 AM and 1 PM. The combined squads will participate in FanFest 2000 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM.