RICHMOND, Ky. – Spring practice has arrived in Richmond for the Eastern Kentucky University football team fresh off a 2024 season that saw the Colonels return to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
 
With 2024 in the rearview mirror, Colonel Nation and the football program turn the page to this new 2025 team with a mix of veterans and newcomers.
 
The Colonels were dominant on the ground a season ago rushing for 2,422 total yards and 22 touchdowns. However, they will have to replace last season's top rusher, Joshua Cater who was responsible for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.
 
"First thing coming into the spring is that I want to see our depth top to bottom," said offensive coordinator and running backs coach Andy Richman. "From there, I want to see who can separate themselves as spring camp goes on beyond just the basic skills. We've seen enough from Latham that we know what we have in him, and he's still got to go earn it, but I want to see what all our guys have in all facets. Not just hitting the run but also protecting and getting out of the backfield in the passing game. That's what's going to allow them to separate and get playing time this year."
 
#14 Brayden Latham | Junior | Knoxville, Tenn.
 
The top returning rusher from a season ago, Latham played in all 13 games in 2024, rushing for 622 yards on 141 attempts with three touchdowns.
 
Out of the backfield, he added 66 receiving yards on 10 receptions.
 
He closed out the 2024 regular season in fine fashion rushing for a career-high 103 rushing yards and one touchdown against North Alabama helping the Colonels earn a 21-15 victory over the Lions securing the Colonels' first perfect season at home since 2010.
 
#12 Telly McCallister | Redshirt Senior | Akron, Ohio
 
A powerful running back with a low center of gravity, McCallister played in 12 games in 2024 rushing for 76 yards on nine attempts averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
 
The Ohio native scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career last season on an 11-yard run to the outside late in the fourth quarter in the Colonels' 42-13 win over Morehead State.
 
A first team all-state selection from Streetsboro High School in 2020, McCallister rushed for 1,615 yards on 116 carries in his senior season showing he has the capability to be a workhorse.
 
#23 Jalen Montgomery | Redshirt Senior | Columbia, S.C.
 
A Phil Steele All-UAC selection in 2024 as a return man, Montgomery showed Colonel Nation and the rest of the UAC that he has the speed and agility to make any play a big play.
 
Playing in all 13 games in his first season at EKU in 2024, Montgomery averaged 23.9 yards per kick return attempt and 14.3 yards per punt return, the most in the UAC.
 
In total, he recorded 502 kick return yards on 21 attempts and 157 punt return yards on 11 attempts.
 
#42 Brady Hensley | Sophomore | Richmond, Ky.
 
A hometown product, Hensley played in all 13 games last season making five tackles on special teams.
 
Son of former Colonel David Hensley, the sophomore now looks to follow in his father's footsteps in Richmond.
 
At Lexington Christian Academy in 2023, Hensley was a first team all-state selection by the Courier Journal leading the Eagles with 2,408 yards rushing and 47 total touchdowns.
 
Peyton Smith | Freshman | Frederick Douglass
 
The Colonels will add one more running back into the fold when fall camp begins with high school signee Peyton Smith.
 
Brother of current Colonel Kaden Smith, the local product helped the Broncos to a 9-5 record in 2024, making it to the KHSAA State Semi-Finals.
 
"Peyton is a very dynamic RB," said Richman on signing day. "He plays with the combination of power, speed, and balance that can be used in multiple ways in the offense."
 
In his senior season, Smith rushed for 591 yards and 9 touchdowns on 67 carries averaging 8.8 yards per carry.
 
Colonel fans can get their first look at the 2025 team at the annual spring game on April 26 at 3 p.m. Admission is free to all fans.