VALDOSTA — For the Blazers, Spring 2006 was about switching things up a bit.

Coming out of its two-and-a-half week spring practice session Wednesday, the Valdosta State football team’s highlights came from areas were players made a position change.

The biggest asset from the early practice was supposedly the biggest question of the offseason, the defensive secondary.

One solution to that question was receiver Sherard Reynolds.

Following a 9-2 season in 2005, VSU ended the year searching for more stable play from its quarterback.

The No. 1 player at that position during the spring and headed into fall was receiver Clay Callaway.

“I thought we had some really good work,” Hatcher said. “We had a lot of reps and really good evaluations of all the players.

“I think it was a successful spring.”

The secondary saw Reynolds chase down receivers and running backs from the free safety position as well as strong play from newcomer Erode Jean and 2005 linebacker Maurice Leggett.

“I thought our defensive secondary got better,” VSU coach Chris Hatcher said. “That was one of my biggest concerns of the spring. I thought we did very well there.”

Throwing against opposing secondaries, the Blazers quarterbacking corps was without last season’s starter Barrett Wilkes, who underwent shoulder surgery.

Stepping under center in his place was Callaway, Tucker Pruitt, Jeremy Privett, Erik Walden and others.

“Clay came out as the No. 1 and Tucker really came on strong at the end,” Hatcher said. “I don’t know if it was a little too late, but he came on strong.

“Right now Clay will come in as the starter going into camp and Barrett will compete with him for the starter.”

Callaway, a quarterback out of high school, made the transition to receiver in 2004 when the Blazers were light at the position and had Fabian Walker behind center.

“I feel pretty good actually,” Callaway said. “It feels really comfortable. It’s just a much more natural position to me than wide receiver. I felt like I was getting better at wide receiver toward the end of last season. I knew I still had a lot of work to do, but I feel more comfortable catching the ball every play than just maybe once every five plays or so. It just feels a lot more natural.”

Hatcher was also pleased with Callaway leading the offense both with the ball and with his words and actions.

“I thought he had an excellent spring,” Hatcher said. “I thought early on in spring he looked phenomenal. He got a lot of reps. He has good command of the offense and is a very likable guy.”

Callaway said he brings quick feet, decent arm strength and accuracy to the position, but could still use work in one area.

“My decision making needs to get a little better,” Callaway said. “I’ve tried to get better at that the last few days.”

Callaway was able to move from receiver to quarterback thanks to a solid class of receivers.

“We’ve go a lot of new guys at wide receiver and mid-year transfer guys that are really going to help us out,” Callaway said. “Cedric Jones is going to help us out a lot. I’m real excited, because those guys that came in, as well as the guys coming back, like (Jeffery) Felton, Travis (Taylor), (Derek) Tharpe and Zack Parker. As far as the offense goes, I think we’re looking real well.”

Adding to quality receivers and possible new starter at quarterback will be the Blazers’ running back corps.

While hit by injuries, VSU’s running backs had a strong showing, particularly Skyler Thornton and Chad Bryant.

Hatcher said he was pleased with Thornton, the University of Florida transfer, once he familiarized himself with the offense.

“I thought he came on,” Hatcher said. “I’m real pleased with the way he picked up the system.”

Though good things are coming out of the defensive secondary, receivers, quarterback and running backs, there is still work to be done.

A young defensive line will look to improve more before the Blazers open practice Aug. 1, and an injury-riddled offensive line could use an influx of healthy personnel.

“I’m really pleased with our linebacking corps,” Hatcher said.

“Our biggest question is the offensive line, that and the defensive line are so young. Those are our biggest concerns.”

VSU will take the rest of the week off before coming together on Monday and Wednesday’s for activities called the Blazer Games.

“We have a month left of conditioning and start a month of Blazer games along with our conditioning,” Hatcher said.