South Alabama improves offense in last spring scrimmage

South Alabama went to the practice fields for their last spring scrimmage, and the offense blossomed; just as the Jaguars had hope.

South Alabama offense switched over to the spread offense last season under new offensive coordinator Robert Matthews. The jaguars had a few problems adapting to the new fast pace spread offense. However during spring practice the Jaguars have taken to the practice fields of South Alabama to get better for a better season this fall.  On yesterday head Coach Joey Jones described it as better than when they first got started.

The offense of South Alabama improved their running game and produced bigger plays through the air and really showed that the Jaguars can get it done.

While Ross Methany is expected to be the starting quarterback again this fall, there are others putting in hard work to compete for that job and for that second spot at quarterback. Brandon Bridge an FCS transfer from Jackson State, didn’t get no playing time last season; but he is looking for a chance to shine come this fall. Brandon Bridge connected with Jake Howton for a 33 yard completion to mark the longest pass play of the scrimmage.  Davin Hawkins posted four catches for 71 yards and a 29 yard scoring pass from Brandon Bridge.  Ross Methany connected with Bryant Lavender with 4 catches for 52 yards including a 13 yard touchdown.

Julien Valentin ran for 49 yards on his second carry of the day, ending with a team leading 63 yards on eight attempts; and Demetre Baker chipped in with 56 more on 10 rushes.  The two combined to add 21 yards on two completions as well.

Head coach Joey Jones said they ran the ball much better on yesterday during the scrimmage, something they wasn’t able to do last season. He also said the defense is coming together much better as well, and that the defensive players are flying around to the ball a lot faster than before.

The Jaguars will practice again on Tuesday and Thursday, before the Spring Red and White game on Saturday, April 6^th at 2:00pm at Ladd Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, AL. 

South Alabama spring practice is under way

Jaguars are back on the field in 2013

On Thursday morning the South Alabama Jaguars begin their first practice of 2013. The Jaguars are preparing for what could be a rewarding season in the Sun Belt Conference and their FBS history.

According to USAjaguars.com Coach Jones said the first day was OK with just a little confusion on the field with everybody trying to get use to the changes the team has implemented in new coaches. Other than the program is kicking into high gear as they prepare for a much anticipated spring game on April 6th at 2pm and results as their head into their full fledge year of FBS football.

On this year rosters are 26 seniors and all are working for a prize this year, the team is eligible for the Sun Belt Conference Championship and a post season bowl invitation. South Alabama also bring in new coaches in Kevin Sherrer as Defensive Coordinator and new assistants on defense in Coach Roach and Pearson.

Expect this spring practice for the Jags to be about eliminating much of their team mistakes and all about fundamentals.  

Also note that your insider was correct on the possible South Alabama Jaguars Schedule, as the Sun Belt Conference released its 2013 schedule on yesterday March 1, 2013.  See the post here http://sunbeltinsider.blogspot.com/2013/02/south-alabama-may-have-exciting-home.html

South Alabama may have an exciting home schedule in 2013

With the Sun Belt Conference scheduled to release their official 2013 Conference schedule on next month. South Alabama may get an exciting home schedule in 2013, which will feature some of the SBC top performers and 2013 SBC bowl teams.

South Alabama will be playing a five game non-conference schedule and two of those games will be in Mobile, Alabama at Ladd Pebbles Stadium with Kent State and Southern Utah.  Kent State was also a top 25 ranked team in 2012 and appeared in the Mobile’s GoDaddy.com Bowl against Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas State where they was defeated by the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.

There are a few news coaches that may be making their way to Mobile as well to take on the Jaguars of South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama will also welcome to new members to the conference in Texas and Georgia State. South Alabama suppose to open the 2013 season the first weekend in September, but with defection in the SBC the Jags had to add another non-conference game and they choose a competitive FCS team to open the season on August 29.

I am also projecting that South Alabama will take on its in-state conference rival Troy on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Hey I might be wrong but a guess don’t hurt.

Here is a look at South Alabama possible 2013 Schedule…..

8/29 – Southern Utah

9/7 – at Tulane                                                                            

9/28 – at Tennessee

10/19 – Kent State

11/16 – at Navy

*Conference schedule *

at Troy

Arkansas State (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

at Texas State

Louisiana Lafayette (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

Louisiana – Monroe (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

at Georgia State

Western Kentucy (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

It’s also possible that South Alabama get two bye weeks this fall, however that is not guaranteed.  It seems that the Jaguars have another competitive schedule as they did last year. This year the difference is that the Jags are more experienced and have a lot more talent to take to the field. Don’t count the Jags out in 2013. I believe that the defense will create some problems for a lot of teams in the SBC and a few in the non-conference schedule. South Alabama have brought on some talent from Alabama to coach the defensive side of the ball, so it will be interesting to see this new full FBS team compete for the Sun Belt Conference title and a post season bowl game.

South Alabama is set to begin spring practice on February 28 and host it’s annual spring game on April 6, 2013 at Ladd Pebbles Stadium. 

South Alabama 2013 recruiting class brings size and talent

South Alabama has closed its 2013 signing class on a good note. And this class of 2013 I call a strong one for the South Alabama Jaguars. There were many needs on this squad, and Joey Jones and his staff have found those answers.  Kaleb Blanchard leads the 2013 class as the Jaguars top recruit.

I am proud to say that this is the best class of signee's since the new football program has signed. Coach Joey Jones has worked hard to bring in talented JUCO’s and High School players this year, which should be ready to start this fall after they prove themselves capable and ready.  South Alabama is bringing in a class that will be able to play hard, and help the Jaguars win their first conference title and even make a post season bowl game for the first time in the program history.

Let’s take a look at what South Alabama has brought on board to the Jaguars squad in 2013.

Dejon Funderburk
Pensacola, Florida

6’0  180lbs

3-Star Recruit

Kaleb Blanchard

Denham Springs, LA

RB

6’0  195lbs

3-Star Recruit and rated a 4-Star by some recruiting services

Shaverez Smith

McDonough, GA

JUCO – Dean College

WR

6’1 200lbs

3-Star Recruit

Jerome McClain

Pensacola, FL

(JUCO) Defensive Tackle

6’2 290lbs

3-Star Recruit

Caleb Haymen

Gainesvile, GA

6’2  197lbs

Brandon McKee
Cumming, GA
6’2  180lbs

P/K

Among the 2013 signing class is Noah Armstrong, Tevaris McCormick, Caleb Alves who also highlights the2013 signing class on offense. The Jaguars also signed Xavier Johnson and Brett Sheehan a quarterback.  South Alabama got two JUCO running backs transfers in Jay Jones and Cristobal Dinham.  

Roman Buchanan,  Devonta Staples, and Jalen Wells also joins the class of 2013 recruits. Many of these recruits will get plenty of reps in the upcoming spring and fall practices. I am really proud of this signing class.

Kevin Sherrer headed to South Alabama as Defensive Coordinator

Kevin Sherrer the current director of player development at Alabama is expected to be named the new Defensive Coordinator at South Alabama on Friday according to multiple of sources.

South Alabama defensive coordinator position came open when Bill Clark who spent five years with the program was hired as Jacksonville State head coach. Kevin Sherrer is expected to replace Bill Clark. Sherrer is in his third season as the director of player development at Alabama.

Sherrer a former tight end for the Crimson Tide (1993-95), Sherrer lettered at the school in 1995. After graduation from Alabama he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Tuscaloosa County High School, which won a state championship in 1997.

Sherrer has some experience on defense, but not enough as a coach or coordinator in my view. In 1998, he returned to Alabama as a graduate assistant coach on defense, serving a three-year stint in that role. Sherrer earned his Master’s degree in higher education at Alabama in 2000.

He spent four seasons as a defensive assistant coach at Spain Park High School (2001-04), followed by five seasons at Hoover High School, three of those as defensive coordinator. Hoover won two state championships during his time there.

It will be very interesting to hear what coach Joey Jones will have to say on why he hired Kevin Sherrer as defensive coordinator. I would also like to know who all applied for the position and who was the final six candidates. There is no transparency in this process, this whole process is be closed to the public and fans.

In my view going into Division 1 FBS play, I would think more experience would have been required. It looks like Joey Jones continues to put to together a high school program or maybe a prep college program. It will be interesting to see how all this play out and the outcome of South Alabama defense, especially going up against some big name offense coming this fall.