The heavy roster turnover for ADM football in terms of lost starters to graduation has been well-documented. It won’t be easy for the Tigers, who went 5-5 last season, to replace so many starters.

But for ADM and its coaching staff, that’s nothing new, and it’s not unique to their program. Defensive coordinator Bric Nelson was asked where this year ranks among his previous five seasons in terms of breaking in new starters.

The defensive side of the ball was hit particularly hard by the departed seniors, but that it doesn’t worry Nelson. Rather, it excites him.

“I would say that starts after year one. First year there, we had a second-round playoff run, next year we’re in the [UNI] Dome [for the state playoffs], we lost a huge senior class in 2011, and then all of a sudden, you’re like, ‘Wow, we’ve got a lot of positions to fill,'” Nelson said. “You know, it falls into place and it works out the way it does. But it becomes more excitement than worrisome because you’re excited to see what these youngsters can do and how they finish out their high school careers.”

The Tigers open the season August 28 at Perry.