Grambling’s Dillon retakes field with newfound confidence

Grambling quarterback Greg Dillon has entered his first camp as a starter with a more vocal presence.

That’s underscored his central role, early on during these fall sessions, in a still-emerging GSU offense — both in terms of running the scheme, and in demanding the effort of his teammates.

For all his outsized talent as a do-anything playmaker – Dillon was the team’s top passer and rusher as Grambling won the SWAC in 2008 — it took the former walk on a bit longer to find his footing as a leader.

He’s found that voice, barking out plays then directing them downfield, commanding attention in the huddle.

(See TDR video of Grambling’s Week 1 quarterback drills.)

“Greg has made tremendous improvements, and one of the area has been in leadership,” third-year Grambling coach Rod Broadway told me. “He’s getting better with his reads, and understanding what we want to do. As goes Greg, do will we go.”

Yet he remains a down-to-earth person, easy to approach and always inclusive when talking about his recent accomplishments at Grambling — which never lost a game last season after he took over under center against Prairie View in Week 6. He was the offensive MVP of the final two contests of the season, the annual Bayou Classic and the league title match.

“It’s about having that success, and getting more familiar with my teammates, and understanding what everyone is supposed to do,” Dillon said. “Confidence comes from all of that.”

CAMP FIRES, VOL. 2:
Grambling’s starting offensive line remains unchanged from the spring game — LT Victor Phillips, LG Corey Williams, C Revay Smith, RG Keir Boyd and RT Quint Roberts. … Coaches split up the slot receivers and the wideouts, with former All-SWAC receiver and long-time assistant coach Sammy White working with the outside guys. That tells me they understand just how important the development of this group is. … There has been an focused attempt to work on protecting the ball, with several offenders being asked to break off from the main drills and follow a coach around as he tosses the ball on the ground — then quickly cover it up. … Injured middle linebacker Derrick Johnson, the starter at this point last year, is back from a knee problem but Cliff Exama hasn’t relinquished his spot on the first-team. … De’Mack Bates is wearing the practice jersey number of Chris McIntosh, who I haven’t seen in practice.

GET IN THE GAME
Camp Fires, Vol. 1: “Greatness is earned. You have to be willing to pay the price,” Broadway says. Read more from TDR’s exclusive camp reports.
Read TDR’s complete team-by-team SWAC preseason breakdown.
More TDR photos from Grambling’s fall sessions.