NATCHITOCHES – When Northwestern State holds its first preseason practice of 2014 Tuesday at 3:30 in Turpin Stadium and on the nearby grass practice fields, Northwestern State freshmen Josh Roberts and Clay Wiley will be picking up where they left off just a couple weeks earlier.
 
Roberts, a 6-4, 310-pound defensive tackle from Hempstead, and Wiley, a 6-2, 300-pound offensive lineman from Kilgore, played in the annual Texas High School Coaches All-Star Game in the Alamodome in San Antonio two weeks ago, on July 22.
 
"That's a big honor to be in that game," said Demon football coach Jay Thomas. "Everybody knows the quality of high school football in Texas, and the hundreds of schools playing football, so when the coaches pick only a few dozen seniors to be in that game, that's really impressive to be in that group."
 
Roberts and Wiley are among 26 newcomers going through their first college practices this week. The Demons reported for camp Sunday and went through a series of orientation meetings Monday along with some introduction to offensive, defensive and special teams schemes. Fall Sports Media Day is Wednesday prior to a 4:30 practice, also in shorts and helmets before pads go on for the first time on Thursday at 3:30.
 
The Demons plan some scrimmage action during Saturday morning's 10 a.m. full pads workout.
 
Senior quarterback Zach Adkins, last year's Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, was listed Monday on the FCS Senior Scout Bowl Watch List as a first-team selection. Last December, 2013 Demon senior offensive tackle Tschissakid Player took part in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl and now is starting for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League after being picked in the first round of the CFL Draft.
 
Wiley is one of seven newcomers among 16 offensive linemen in camp with the Demons. He was All-State Class 3A honorable mention as a junior and senior at Kilgore, and as a junior made the Texas Sports Writers Association 3A All-State Team. Wiley was a three-year all-district pick who also was an All-Region selection in choir as a soloist and ensemble member.
 
Roberts is among four newcomers in a nine-man contingent of defensive tackles in camp. He was All-State as a junior when Hempstead went 10-4 and honorable mention All-State as a sophomore when HHS reached the state finals. A three-year all-district selection, he helped Hempstead go 38-13 and make four straight playoff appearances while starting since his freshman year.
 
Roberts also was fifth in the state in the discus and eighth in the shot put as a senior last spring. He played in the "Down Under Bowl" in Australia in 2013. Roberts was a member of the Theatre Club in high school.
 
There are 93 players ready to take the field Tuesday, with junior college linebacker Taylor Hansen (Mesa CC) awaiting NCAA clearance before he joins the squad. NSU expects to add another player soon to reach the full allotment of 95 active players in preseason camp.