Jaguars Return To Practice After Second Scrimmage; Beginning To Shape Depth Chart
USA practiced for nearly two hours on Monday in shells. Head coach Joey Jones noted that the defense played well and played with emotion. Conversely, the offense did not have a particularly good day.
“The offense didn’t execute very well,” Jones explained. “We didn’t have the attitude we needed to have, but that’s one of the few bad days we have had offensively. There’s always tomorrow, and we will see how they respond.”
Offensive player of the day was senior offensive lineman Drew Dearman. “Drew brings a lot of experience and consistency to the offensive line,” offensive coordinator Robert Matthews said. “He is a tough guy, and we know that we can count on him.”
Defensive player of the day went to junior defensive end/outside linebacker Jimmie Gipson III. Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson said that Gipson brings speed and power to the defense.
Play of the day went to defensive back Margo Reed who intercepted Matt Floyd with an over-the-shoulder catch in the corner of the end zone during 7-on-7 drills.
Another highlighted play was when Floyd connected with freshman tight end Jarrius Hackworth for a 30+ yard gain during team drills.
Phase one of season prep finished with the scrimmage on Saturday. Now the Jaguars coaching staff are going into phase two, which involves solidifying the starters and the back-up roles. Once those are determined, the majority of reps during practice will go to the first and second team players with occasional work going to those beyond the two’s.
While most of the starting positions have been determined after the second scrimmage, head coach Joey Jones said that there are still many back-up roles that are still up for grabs. Though coach Jones hopes to have everything determined by the end of the week. But equally important is to give the players who are working hard to earn a back-up role as much of an opportunity as possible to win those jobs.
Since the Jaguars do not play the first week of the season, their preseason camp began a week later than all of the other teams. But they have the same amount of time to make those depth chart decisions as the other teams.
Call it an advantage or not, most of college football will begin play this week with one of the earliest is Abilene Christian playing at Sun Belt Conference foe Georgia State in the Georgia Done on Wednesday. But this will give the Jaguars the chance to get a look at some of their upcoming opponents, including their first test, Kent State, who will be hosting Ohio University.
The coaches will have to go beyond the one’s and two’s since they start the season on the road. They will have to determine a 70-man travelling roster, which is about 20+/- players beyond the one’s and two’s including special teams.
Meanwhile, the players have already looked at film on the Golden Flashes and they will begin preparation for them on the field beginning Tuesday. By Sunday, the team will be in their normal game-week preparation schedule.
Coach Jones and his staff are pleased with the overall progress of the team so far and they feel good about the starting lineup. Their concern, which is a concern every season, is finding quality depth behind the starters. They need players who can step in and give the starters relief and maintain a high level of production and play-making ability. Experienced players go a long way towards that goal.
USA has 30 student-athletes in their senior class this season, which is the most so far in the Jags short time playing football. They have been around a few seasons and have achieved a comfort level with the program that they can help teach the younger players about how to handle practice and games.
The Jags will practice again on Tuesday with their first game of the season kicking off on Saturday, September 6 at 1pm in Kent, Ohio against Kent State.