GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College football team conducted its first practice of the fall on Monday in preparation for the upcoming 2016 campaign.  One-hundred-and-seventy-five (175) players suited up in helmets only as the team conducted drills to help get the veterans and newcomers acclimated for the practices ahead over the next few weeks. (PHOTO GALLERY)

A new era begins this season as Jerry Odom enters his first fall camp after being named Pioneer head coach in December.

Tusculum returns 49 lettermen and 15 starters from last year's squad, including eight student-athletes who were named to the 2016 Preseason All-South Atlantic Conference football team.  Starters returning include All-American cornerback Cameron Thomas, All-Region linebacker Brandyn Bartlett and All-Region quarterback Luke Lancaster.

The 175-man roster is one of the largest in program history to open a fall camp.  Student-athletes representing 11 states are on this year's roster with Tennessee having the largest representation at 54 players.  Georgia is second with 48 players, while Florida and South Carolina are tied with 26 representatives each.  North Carolina is fifth with 13 student-athletes, followed by Virginia (2), California (2), Arkansas (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1) and Illinois (1).

Tusculum opens the 2016 season Thursday, Sept. 1st when the Pioneers host UVa-Wise for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Pioneer Field.