Fall football camp is moving to the next level at Miami University.

The RedHawks will practice in full pads for the first time today, having spent the last two sessions in shells (helmets and shoulder pads).

“You can see the guys getting accustomed to carrying their pads a little bit,” MU coach Don Treadwell said after Tuesday’s practice outside Yager Stadium. “There’s a lot to that. It’s one thing to have shorts and just a helmet on, but the minute you put those uppers on, it makes a difference. It’s like the tin man. You’ve got to get used to carrying all that.”

And what about full pads today?

“Usually there’s a little bit of juice because guys have been waiting for this anyway,” Treadwell said. “So it should be an exciting day.”

The RedHawks’ injury list includes some younger players. Sophomore Tyler Tucker (shoulder) is out for the season and watched Tuesday’s practice with his arm in a sling.

Freshman defensive lineman David DeLeon (shoulder) and freshman wide receiver Fred McRae (thigh) are also battling injuries, though Treadwell and Miami athletic spokesman Mike Pearson said they aren’t believed to be serious.

A new beginning

Robert Lee is the newcomer on Miami’s coaching staff. He came aboard in June and is now the RedHawks’ running backs coach.

The 46-year-old native of Gary, Ind., started with the wide receivers at MU, but recently switched assignments with Mark Spencer. This is Lee’s first experience on the offensive side of the ball. He’s been a defensive and special teams coach throughout his career.

“I’ve never coached running backs before, but I know about ‘em. I’ve been trying to stop them for years,” Lee said with a laugh. “Coaching is coaching. You just learn the offense or learn the defense and get the kids ready to play. From the time I got here, it was just a matter of trying to figure out the best fit. Our kids understand that change is something that’s going to happen to them in life, and they embraced that.”

Lee was the defensive coordinator at Valparaiso the last three seasons. He’s also coached at Eastern Michigan and Butler.

“I’m real honored to be at a school that’s got the kind of tradition and academic reputation that Miami has,” Lee said. “Oxford is a great, great town. Moving my family here, the kids can’t wait to start school. It’s been a good move.”

On the field, Lee likes what he’s seen so far from the running backs. It’s the position that clearly needs the most improvement from a year ago.

Running back is the lone position that doesn’t have a returning letterman in the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Walk-on Robert Williams is officially the guy right now, but the entire group is healthy and the highly regarded freshmen are here, so nothing is definite.

“I have no depth chart,” Lee said. “They’re all the same to me right now. They’re great kids who work hard and compete every day. We’ve got to keep working and let it sort itself out. I think each guy brings something a little different to the table. It’s just going to be a matter of game situations. We’re going to try to put guys in a position to do what they do best.”