Coach Joey Jones Names Metheny Starter
Head Coach Joey Jones looking on as the Jaguars warm up for their game at North Carolina State in 2012.
Head coach Joey Jones announced on WNSP this morning that Ross Metheny will be the starting quarterback for the Jaguars when they open the season against Southern Utah in just over a week at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
After the coaches reviewed the film after the Saturday scrimmage, they began setting the depth chart to go into game-week preparation. Ross Metheny got the nod for the starting positionm however Brandon Bridge, who will also see playing time.
Quarterback has been the talk of the offseason and spring with Brandon Bridge being eligible after sitting out a year for transferring from Alcorn State to the Jags and a good spring practice earlier in the year. Coach Jones believes he has two quarterbacks he can win with and he will find a way to get those kind of players on the field. Also look for Trey Fetner to continue his wildcat ways when called upon. Just don’t expect the same rotation as last season between C.J. Bennett and Metheny.
The running back position will see Jay Jones, Cris Dinham (both transfers) and Kendall Houston share playing time with Julien Valentin and Terrance Timmons also getting some playing time. Valentin really impressed coach Jones in the scrimmage on Saturday with his performance. Kaleb Blanchard and Xavier Johnson may be redshirted this season.
The deepest position on the Jaguar offense, wide receiver, will see a lot of rotation. Senior Bryant Lavender, JuCo transfer Shaverez Smith and immediately eligible transfer Danny Woodson Jr. will all see lots of field time on the outside with Jereme Jones and T.J. Glover as inside slot receivers. Corey Besteda, Cameron Broadnax, Nathan Sassaman, Corey Waldon and Jake Howton will all see playing time, just how much time they will see in the rotation will be determined later.
Preseason All-Sun Belt pick Wes Saxton will be the starting tight end but Rush Hendricks and Davin Hawkins will all see the field as well. Ryan Onkka may be used as either tight end or as a full back in short yardage. Onkka, Jared Palmer and Kyle Sappington will all see some time but again, how much will be determined later.
Defensively the deepest position for the Jaguars is on the defensive line. Alex Page and Pat Moore will be the defensive ends with Theo Rich rotating in. Senior Romelle Jones and Montavious Williams will be the key inside defenders. Jesse Kelley, Ceasare Johnson, Jerome McClain and Randon Carnathan will all rotate in and may also see time at defensive end as well. Ridge James is listed as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker and will see some time in rotation.
At linebacker Enrique Williams, Clifton Crews and Bryson James will be joined by Maleki Harris as the big four. Harris will be a hybrid Linebacker/Safety player. Desmond LaVelle will also see time and each of the player can play inside or out on the defense.
The secondary was the most suspect position on the defense last season and as such has received the most offseason focus. JuCo transfer Montel Garner will most likely be an opening day starter at corner. Qudarius Ford, C.J. May, Anthony Harris, Tyrell Pearson and Darrius Morrow are all in the mix. And if they are not starters, they will see time in rotation. At safety Terrell Brigham, Charles Watson, Steffon Fuller and Steven Fuller are all in play. Charles Harris has been moved to linebacker and may join Maleki Harris and David Hawkins as hybrid safety/linebackers.
T.J. Glover and Shavarez Smith were mentioned as kickoff returners but expect Jereme Jones to be involved as well. Glover will be used on punt returns but Jones or Smith could be used as well.
Special teams has not been settled yet. Aleem Sunanon has been mentioned as the field goal kicker but he has competition from Logan Gunn. Incoming freshman Brandon McKee will probably handle kickoffs with Gunn possibly in the mix as well. Senior Scott Garber continues to hold the punter position but McKee is also giving him some competition for the position.
No surprises on the offensive line as senior Matt Calcagnini will get the starting center job with juniors Drew Dearman and Shaun Artz as guards and fellow junior Ucambre Williams and sophomore Chris May at the tackles.