Coach Joey Jones Interviewed on ESPNU About Recruiting Class
Friend of Thunderjags.com and a fellow Jaguar supporter Jon Garcia recorded this segment and posted it on Youtube. Coach Jones talks with the hosts of ESPNU’s Recruiting Nation about the incoming recruiting class. They are quite impressed by the signing class that South Alabama was able to land not even being a full FBS member until 2013.
Rain Threat Does Not Deter Jags From Second Day Of Practice
Even though there were threats of rain, the Jags hit the practice field for their second session of spring practice. They were able to get in a two-hour practice despite the weather threat.
Most of the first half of practice was dedicated to individual work and position coaches.
Near the end of practice, the Jags had two 10-minute sessions of offense vs defense. The first session was a 7-on-7 skeleton passing drill and the second was full 11-on-11. Both sessions were focused on the defense with emphasis on the pass rush and blitz.
Before the offense versus defense session, the defense worked for about 20 minutes on formations and blitzes while the offense worked against the scout team for about 15 minutes.
Some of the challenges facing the players this spring as they go from the power offense the Jags ran previously to the spread offense by Coach Matthews is adjusting to new personnel and the increased tempo. “When you hurry a kid up on the second day of practice in a brand new offense, it multiplies the problems,” Coach Jones said. “I think they have handled it pretty well. The biggest thing is that day 15 has to be much better than day two, that’s what we are shooting for.”
One reason for spring football practice is to evaluate players and help to determine who will be on the field in the fall. With a daunting schedule ahead of them with a full Sun Belt schedule and a very tough non-conference schedule, every position will be observed. “You can’t tell much without pads on, we’re just trying to teach them and get them to learn what they are doing,” said Coach Jones. “Saturday when we put the shoulder pads on, we will be able to tell a lot more about our players.”
“We want to find out who our players are, who will be on the two-deep,” said Jones. “It’s really wide open. There are some spots that are obvious, but there are a lot that aren’t. We’ve got guys who have worked their way up in our program, who are going to be juniors, and have been No. 2 or No. 3 fighting for jobs, and we’ve brought in some new players who are fighting for those spots. I would say that 75 percent of our spots are wide open right now.”
Coach Jones indicated that he was comfortable the linebackers and noted their experience. Jake Johnson and Enrique Williams both started all 10 games last season at the inside positions. Clifton Crews also started all 10 games at outside linebacker while Logan Bennett and Bryson James have both lettered the last three years at the outside position. Plus Ben Giles and Desmond LaVelle both received playing time last season.
Overall, coach Jones thought it was a good day of practice and liked the effort put forth. “I thought it was a good day,” said Coach Jones. “The intensity was there, the kids were working hard. Offensively, we are a long way from being all together, but we were expecting that. The kids have really locked in, they are making some mistakes out there but we had some good things happen when they went against the defense too. It’s just a matter of being patient, of coming in every day and studying what we are doing and getting better. It’s just going to take some time.”
The team will take a day off on Friday before practicing in shells for the first time on Saturday. That practice will be held and the Jaguar Practice Facility and is scheduled to begin at 9am.
ESPN Reports That WAC Commissioner Karl Benson To Replace Wright Waters As SBC Commissioner
Benson is a 60-year old Boise State alum who has been the WAC commissioner since 1994. During his tenure, he has helped to reshape the conference numerous times as teams came and went.
Recently Boise State left the WAC for the Mountain West while Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii are all leaving after this season for the Mountain West. The WAC is left with Utah State, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, Idaho and San Jose State and it has Denver, Seattle, Texas State, Texas-Arlington and Texas-San Antonio joining for the 2012-13 season. Denver, Seattle and UT-Arlington do not have football programs. Boise State plans to rejoin the WAC in everything but football when it joins the Big East in 2013.
While the Mountain West and Conference USA are dissolving to for a new conference, the WAC is in danger of losing more schools as the new conference is targeting 18-24 schools.
South Alabama Completes First Day Of Spring Practice
If the early bird indeed gets the worm, then South Alabama should be in a good position this spring. The Jags kicked off spring practice with an early morning practice on Wednesday by hitting the practice field before the sun had a chance to come into view.
Getting started early, the offense used the first 15-minute session to work on formations as they began learning the spread offense being installed by Coach Matthews. They then worked in groups based on position for about 40 minutes. Then they came together again to work against the scout team for about 25 minutes focusing on running basic plays.
On defense, they began with pursuit drills before working in position groups with their position coaches focusing on individual skills for about 35 minutes. Then there was a 10 minute session of formations. They also worked on different fronts, stunts and coverages. Then they ended the session with 15-minutes working on blitzes.
On both sides of the ball, the first, second and third-team units all had time during workouts.
There were a handful of new players and coaches that have joined the team for the first time. So Coach Jones treated this first practice as a bit of an introductory session. “That’s really what it was,” he said. “The defense needed it, but since they pretty much understand what they’re doing, it was the offense that really needed it.”
“I thought the effort and attitude was extremely good,” Coach Jones continued. “Now, offensively we probably made 400 mistakes, but that was to be expected. The deal from here is to keep chipping away at those. Their heads were swimming. We were calling formations and plays, and they were looking around trying to find out what they were supposed to do. We expected that. I’m really pleased with the effort and attitude they came out with today.”
The team will not waste time. They return to the practice field tomorrow morning for another 6:30 AM practice on Thursday. While the players will be in shorts again, the schedule will be altered a bit by Coach Jones and the rest of his staff. “It will be a little longer practice, probably over two hours tomorrow, and we’ll get into more team situations, more 7-on-7 drills, more inside drills,” Jones explained. “Today we were just completely split, offense and defense. Tomorrow, we’ll have some offense against the defense.”
When you have a lot to learn, you better hit the books early. That’s exactly what the Jags are doing.
Jags Begin Spring Practice Facing Lots Of Changes
As the Jaguars hit the practice field today for the beginning of spring football practice, the offense will begin to make a big change. Players and coaches believe that it will be a change for the better.
With the hiring of Robert Matthews as the new offensive coordinator, the offense will move from a more pro-style offense to a spread offense. Coach Jones believes this will give the team the best chance to put up lots of points. Also, they believe it will take pressure off of the offensive line as they don’t have to sustain their blocks and be pressured to hold protection on every play. The offensive line replaces three starting seniors from last season. While their replacements are larger, they are less experienced than the outgoing seniors.
Additionally Coach Jones believes the switch will also allow the staff to take advantage of the different running types of the running backs on the roster.
Adding to the pressure of learning the new offense, the Jags will be stepping up their schedule in the fall as they go into the season year of the two-year transition into the FBS level. As part of this, South Alabama will play an eight game Sun Belt schedule in addition to a non-conference schedule of all FBS schools consisting of road trips to Mississippi State, NC State, and Hawaii while hosting Texas-San Antonio and Nicholls State.
“It’s a good bit different because it’s a spread offense and we’re going to be in the gun, which is really what I have run most of my years in coaching,” Coach Jones said. “I decided three years ago to run the power [offense] and be a physical football team, but the spread is what I really feel comfortable with and I think we’ve got the people to do it. Sometimes you need some change, I think it excites you.”
“We understand that we are going to have to get it done quickly, because of the schedule we’re playing,” Jones continued. “We’ve got to be as good as we can be, so there is a sense of urgency to getting this done and getting it done right. It’s probably the biggest thing this spring that we’ve got to concentrate on. People are wondering if we are going to win a game next year, I have no clue what will happen from a win-loss standpoint, but I do know that we will be competing at the highest level of college football in the country. We’ve gotten there pretty fast, but we have got to elevate our play and become much better at what we do.”
After the season finale loss to Cal Poly back in November, Coach Jones changed his approach some. The staff has introduced competition to their everyday life. “Not only on the practice field this spring, but going to class, study hall, in the weight room,” he said. Jones believes that if its second nature the Jaguars will do it when on field. “There are consequences now, because there will be in the fall if we don’t play well.”
“We meet after every season as a staff and we meet as a team. The thing I challenged the team with was that I felt that leadership is something we have got to concentrate on this year,” said Coach Jones. “We have broken down into 13 different teams within the team, and each one has a captain. Everything they do in the offseason program is done by that team; there is peer pressure, things they have to do every day. And if they do anything the wrong way or just miss, they pay for it. We were a pretty disciplined team, but we are going to take it to the highest level. We’re not trying to punish them, we’re trying to create great discipline.”
As mentioned previously, Coach Jones announced changes in responsibilities for his assistants, both on the offensive side and on the defensive side of the ball. First year offensive coordinator Robert Matthews will take over working with the offensive line, while John Turner moves to tight ends, and Bryant Vincent moves to quarterbacks. Defensively Coach Clark, the defensive coordinator, will take over coaching the linebackers while Kurt Crain moves to defensive tackles and Brian Turner will concentrate on the defensive ends. Duwan Walker will continue coaching the secondary and Tommy Perry will continue coaching the running backs.
“After bringing coach Matthews in, he knew exactly what he wanted with the offensive line and had coached tackles. Rather than training somebody else and creating a learning curve there, I just felt like we would move him in and let him coach them,” said Coach Jones. “John was extremely happy about it, tight ends are a different dimension but he really liked the idea, and Bryant has been coaching quarterbacks his whole life and is really comfortable with them. Bill wasn’t really coaching a position, which I wanted him to, and he is comfortable with linebackers. Kurt had coached defensive linemen at Auburn, that’s really what he has always coached, and is excited about the move.”
Offensively, all of the changes make very good sense. Coach Matthews did a great job with the offensive line in his previous stints. Also Coach Gregory was the quarterbacks coach, so Coach Vincent’s move there also puts him back into coaching a position he is very familiar and comfortable with.
Defensively, Coach Crain has done a great job with the inside linebackers. His work with the defensive tackles will make a big difference as well.
There are a few players who will not be able to take part in spring drills or will not be at full speed. Kendall Houston and Enrique Williams are not scheduled to practice while they are recovering from offseason surgeries. Bryson James will not be able to return, if he is able to return at all, until late in the spring drills. Brandon Ross and B.J. Scott will take part, but in a limited role.
While the team is coming off a season that saw their first loss, facing a complete change of the offensive scheme and actually ending the season with a loss, Coach Jones is not worried how the team will respond. “I have never seen our team quite this motivated because they realize the challenges ahead. But they’re also excited about those,” he said. “This is where they all wanted to be, they’ve dreamed about playing these kind of teams every week. There’s no doubt there is a difference.”
Tuesday morning quarterback C.J. Bennett joined the WNSP morning show and talked about the changes on offense. He said that he played in a spread offense throughout high school, so the change to a pro-style offense was a bit of a transition for him. So he thinks the transition back to the spread will be an easy one for him. He also mentioned that they replace three offensive linemen and named Drew Dearman, Shaun Artz, Melvin Meggs and Trey Clark while they also expect big things from McKeller as well.
As for the running backs, Bennett said he has never seen a runner like Kendall Houston. He has excellent balance and a hard runner. Baker adds more speed and having a healthy Brandon Ross will make for an excellent trio of runners in the backfield.
They have a big challenge in front of them, but you better believe that this team has the heart and drive to tackle it.
USA vs Hawaii Tickets Shown On Hawaii Five O
Much to my surprise last night, I saw a glimpse of South Alabama versus Hawaii tickets on the television series Hawaii Five O.
While the date is set for December 1, 2012 at 6:00pm, currently Hawaii has contacted USA about possibly moving the date. I have not heard anything further about this since National Signing Day.
Go Jags! SIYM!
South Alabama Gears Up For Spring Practice
Less than three months after the Jaguar football season ended, the team is gearing up for spring practice. Starting on Wednesday, the Jags will hit the practice field to begin preparation for their toughest season yet and the teams first playing a full FBS schedule.
While other schools are scheduled to start much later than South Alabama, the Jags want to hit the field sooner because the southern weather permits it and because it allows the student-athletes to devote more time to academics at a crucial time in the semester. April and May are typically the most difficult months because the semester is starting to wind down, projects are coming due and studying for final exams is in full swing.
“They can focus that last month, month-and-a-half, on academics instead of practicing football. I think that’s the number one thing. The second thing is injury. If we were to get somebody hurt, we have more time to get them back. And I think the fact that the weather is so good down here. We’ll have some cold days, but it’s not something that we can’t handle,” said Coach Joey Jones.
The Jaguar players will begin implementing Coach Matthews’ new offensive scheme as well as get acclimated to the new coaching responsibilities for some of the coaches.
On offense, Coach Matthews will take over coaching the offensive line, which he has much experience at while Coach John Turner will move to coaching the tight ends. Coach Bryant Vincent, who took over tight ends last season, will move over to coaching the quarterbacks. Coach Tommy Perry will continue coaching the running backs.
Defensively, Coach Kurt Crain will move from coaching the linebackers to the defensive tackles. Coach Brian Turner will move from coaching the defensive line to coaching the defensive ends. Coach Bill Clark, the defensive coordinator, will take over coaching the linebackers. Duwan Walker will continue coaching the secondary.
Coach Jones commented on the changes by saying, “Bringing coach Matthews in, he knew what he wanted from the offensive line and had coached tackles (previously in his career). Rather than trying to coach somebody else and having a learning curve there, I just felt like moving him in there and letting him coach it (was the best move). Next year, we could swap things back, but I felt like we really wanted to get that done this year. John, moving him to tight ends, he was extremely happy about that. It’s a different dimension for him, but he really liked the idea. And Bryant Vincent has been coaching quarterbacks his whole life.”
“Bill wasn’t really coaching a position, and I really wanted him to coach a position,” Coach Jones continued.
The Jags are scheduled to hit the practice field three times this week. On Wednesday and Thursday they are scheduled to workout in shorts beginning around 6:30am. On Saturday they are scheduled to work out in shells beginning around 9am. All spring practices will occur on campus at the Jaguar Football Complex except the final practice, the Jag Day Game, will be held at Ladd-Peebles Stadium starting at 2pm on Saturday, March 24th.
After the first Saturday practice on February 18th, the Jags will take some time off for the Mardi Gras holiday before returning on February 23 for it’s first workout in full pads. Coach Jones has scheduled two scrimmages before the Jag Day Game, they will be held on Saturday, March 3 and again on March 8.
The team will have nearly two weeks off after the second scrimmage, 12 days total, for spring break before returning March 20 in full pads. They then practice in shells on March 22 before the Jag Day Game on March 24. Then following the spring game, the Jags will have its 15th and final practice on March 25 from 4-6pm to finish out the spring practice period.
“I think there is a ton of excitement over what we are doing offensively, not only from the players but the staff,” Coach Jones said. “Any time you bring a new coordinator in you pretty much have to start all over again, especially with terminology. Kids are coming in, studying and watching video on their own. Coaches are meeting constantly, hours upon hours, starting all over again.”
Coach Jones continued, “Any time you end a season that way, you never want to say you wanted something like that to happen. But our coaches have talked about it, it could have been one of the best things to ever happen to us. It really shook our staff and our players, even though they were a really good football team, and made us refocus on what we are doing. They’re ready, we really challenged them after that game, and that has permeated in their work ethic from that day through now.”
Jags Hire Jerry Mack As Wide Receivers Coach
South Alabama announced the hiring of Jerry Mack to be the wide receivers coach to fill the vacant position left when Coach Ron Antoine left for the same position at Fresno State.
Coach Mack played wide receiver for one season at Jackson State before transferring to Arkansas State. He received his bachelor’s degree from there in 2003. The then went on to have three internships in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. The then came back to the college ranks to coach as an assistant at Delta State from 2004-2006, Jackson State (2006-2008) and Central Arkansas (2008-2010). Then in 2010 he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a year. Last season he coached at Memphis, his hometown.
Mack joins an offensive staff undergoing a change from last season. Last year Coach Jones announced that former Offensive Coordinator Greg Gregory would not be returning and hired Robert Matthews from Southern Miss as his replacement. Matthews brings a spread offense he was a part of at Oklahoma State and Southern Miss.
He joins the staff just over a week before spring practice begins. “I’m just trying to get in here and learn as much as I can from coach Matthews,” he said. “They did a great job at Southern Miss and Oklahoma State where he came from. We played those guys when I was at Memphis, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get on this staff and learn his system, which is one of the best systems in college football right now. It’s definitely exciting.”
As for his choice to come to South Alabama, the areas reputation was made the choice easy. “The ability to come into the Mobile area was a key,” Mack said. “I have always heard great things about it. I think it’s a great place to raise a family. As for South Alabama, I think it’s on the cutting edge of college football right now. It’s one of the top programs, I feel like, in the Southeastern region.”
Familiarity with the region and the teams in it were also a decision factor. He is familiar with Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee from the Sun Belt and Hawaii. But Mack is also familiar with the area in recruiting.
Mack spoke about what he would like to do with the receiver corps. “These guys had a good foundation (from Antoine),” Mack said. “I’m going to be able to help take what he had established and build on that. I’m a different style of coach than he is. I’m going to bring a different mentality to the receiver position; being more aggressive. Hopefully, we can improve on our guys’ blocking as well as catching passes and help them understand the new scheme. I’m just going to build on what the previous coach had established.”
Coach Mack was selected from a list of over 100 applicants.
National Signing Day video
National Signing Day videos:
Coach Jones speaks about the recruits who signed with South Alabama on National Signing Day 2012.
Coach Jones question and answer session after talking about National Signing Day recruits.
South Alabama’s 2012 recuiting class breakdown
Incoming freshmen in Summer/fall:
- Daniel Aust, OL, 6’2″, 260lbs, Birmingham, AL, Hoover High
Two star OL from Scout and ESPN. Ranked 112th nationally among guards by ESPN. His measurables are listed as: 40 yard dash in 4.9 seconds, max benchpress 330, shuttle 4.6 and a 29″ vertical. He other offer was from Navy. - Caleb Autry, CB, 5’8″, 170lbs, Foley, AL, Foley High
44 total tackles, 8 pass deflections and 2 interceptions his senior year. - Cameron Broadnax, WR, 6’1″, 180, Hueytown, AL, Hueytown High
A 2 star recruit from Rivals. Caught 61 passes for 835 yards and 13 TDs his senior season. He is listed as having a 34 vertical. He was offered by MTSU, Samford and UAB. - Lawon Debardelaben, CB, 5’8″, 165, Prattville, AL, Prattville High
A 2 star CB by Rivals and ESPN. He ranked among the top 115 CBs in the country by ESPN. His measurables are listed as running a 4.52 in the 40 yard dash, shuttle 4.25 seconds, vertical of 38″. He was offered by Arkansas State and Rice. This kid really stood out with his vision and instincts for the ball. - Mike Dumas, S, 6’1″, 180lbs, Cape Coral, FL, Island Coast High
A 2 star S from Scout and ESPN. He was all-southwest Florida and all-county in Lee County as a senior. He was offered by UConn, FAU, FIU, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, NC State, Purdue and Vanderbilt. - Steven Foster, OL, 6’3″, 305lbs, Demopolis, AL, Demopolis High
A 3 start OL from Scout and ESPN. He was a three-time all-county and Tuscaloosa News All-West Alabama honoree. His other offer was from UAB. - Ridge James, DE, 6’4″, 210lbs, Richardson, TX, Bakersfield (CA) CC, Berkner High
Only played in two games last season but collected 13 total stops, 11 unassisted. - Terrance Jones, DL, 6′, 290lbs, Prattville, AL, Prattville High
A 3 Star DL from ESPN and a 2 star from Scout. He was ranked the 43rd best DT nationally by ESPN. He also had offers from Arkansas State and Memphis. - Paul Kyles, TE, 6’3″, 255, Mobile AL, Vigor High
A 3 Star TE and wasranked among the top 60 TEs nationally by both ESPN and Scout. He also had an offer from Auburn. - Clay Machen, OL, 6’4″, 300lbs, Auburn, AL, Auburn High
A 3 Star OL. He wan ranked as the 13th best center in the nation and 40th overall best player in the state of Alabama. His listed measurables are a 5.32 in the 40 yard dash, a max bench of 315, max squat of 460, shuttle of 4.97, vertical of 25″, GPA 3.2 and ACT of 22. He also had offers from Chattanooga, Georgia State, Memphis and UAB. - Steve McKenzie OL, 6’1″ 320lbs, LIthonia GA, Stephenson High
A 3 Star recruit from Rivals and ESPN. A 2 star by Scout. Listed as having a 23″ vertical. He had offers from Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Marshall and Southern Miss. - Perry Meiklejohn OL, 6’3″, Miami FL, El Camino (CA) CC, Westminster Christian High
Selected to 2nd team all-National Northern Conference as a Sophomore. - Jay Minor DE, 6’1″, 240lbs, Prattville AL, Prattville High
A 3 Star recruit by ESPN and a 2 star by Scout. Listed as running the 40 in 4.89 seconds, a shuttle of 4.6 and a vertical of 33″. He had offers from Arkansas State and Memphis. - Tyrell Pearson CB, 5’8″, 150lbs, Greenville SC, Mesa (AZ) CC, Greenville Senior High
As a Sophomore he intercepted 8 passes and finished the season with 10 total passes defended. - Grant Powell QB, 6’2″, 200lbs, Germantown TN, Christian Brothers Academy
A 2 star QB from Scout and ESPN. Runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds, the shuttle in 4.4 seconds and has a 32″ vertical. - Joseph Scelfo OL, 6′, 280lbs, Bogart GA, North Oconee High
A 3 Star OL from Rivals and ESPN and a 2 star from Scout. Ranked as the top center in Georgia. Runs the 40 in 5.19 seconds and has a max bench of 315. He had a host of offers from Appalachian State, Army, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, UL-Monroe, Presbyterian, Samford, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Tulane, UAB and Western Kentucky. - DeVonta Staples S, 6’1″, 190lbs, Lanett AL, Valley High
A 2 star from Scout. He was named first-team 5A all-State by the ASWA. Listed as running the 40 in 4.49 seconds. He also had offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Marshall, MTSU and UAB. - Sir’Vegias Steele CB, 5’8″, 170lbs, Mobile AL, LeFlore High
A four year letterman starter. He has 102 tackles and 16 interceptions during his career. He was also recruited by Auburn. - Davion Stuarts LB, 5’10”, 205lbs, Punta Gorda FL, Charlotte High
A 2 star from Rivals, Scout and ESPN. He was chosen district player of the year his final season. He was also offered by UCF and MTSU. - Aleem Suananon PK, 5’6″, 185lbs, Orland FL, Olympia High
A 2 star recruit from ESPN. He earned all-State and all-Metro honors his senior season.
Junior College Transfers who signed in December:
- Anthony Harris CB, 6’1″, 175lbs, Miami FL, El Camino (CA)CC, Southridge High
Credited with 20 tackles, 14 solo, and 2.5 for loss last season. - Pat Moore DE, 6’3″ 235lbs, Southhaven MS, Northeast Mississippi CC, Southaven High
Lead his team with 3.5 sacks and 43 total stops in 2010. He added 30 tackles in 2011. - Darrius Morrow CB, 5’10”, 170lbs, Memphis TN, Hutchinson (KS) CC, Germantown High
His team finished 9th in the final NJCAA rankings. Runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds, max bench of 265 and a 40″ vertical. He was also offered by Indiana State, Murray State, Southern Illinois and UT-San Antonio. - Wes Saxon TE, 6’4″, 225lbs, Hueytown AL, Itawamba (MS) CC, Jess Lanier High
Caught 10 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown last year as a freshman. He earned 2nd team all-State honors. - Charles Watson CB, 6’1″, 195lbs, Tylertown MS, Mississippi Gulf Coach CC, Ocean Springs High
In 9 games as a Sophomore, he totaled 46 tackles, 31 solo, and 6 for a loss.
Transfers who have enrolled in school prior to the spring 2012 semester:
- Brandon Bridge QB, 6’5″, 215lbs, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Alcorn St, St. Marcellinus High
Played the last two season at Alcorn St. where he posted 2,687 total yards of offense as a freshman. - James Elliot OL, 6’2″ 300lbs, Pensacola FL, University of Kentucky, Pensacola Catholic High
A 3 Star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout. He sat out last fall as a redshirt.