Jones Pleased With Team Intensity in Monday’s Practice
The South Alabama football team held their fifth practice of the spring on Monday at the Jaguar Practice Facility in full pads.
The first team period, which lasted just under 10 minutes, covered almost 30 plays and saw the offense working against blitzes at its own 40 yard line. The second team period lasted about 20 minutes and had all three offensive units starting from the same yard marker and moving the ball while running almost 50 more plays.
Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent selected wide receiver D.J. Vinson Jr as the offensive player of the day. Vincent mentioned that Vinson did well at the ‘A’ receiver position and that he is settling in at his new position. Last season he played running back for the Blazers.
Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson selected cornerback Antonio Carter Jr. as the defensive player of the day. Pearson was very pleased with his play on Monday. He said that Carter is playing very fast and is having a very good spring so far.
Play of the day went to Hunter Vaughn and Vinson. Vaughn found Vinson in stride for a gain of over 20 yards.
Head coach Joey Jones was pleased with the intensity in the first practice of the week on Monday. He said, “I was proud of their attitude. We’re starting to get a little sharper out there on both sides of the ball, especially with the defense starting to come together. We just have to keep working with that mentality.”
He also talked about the goals for the second week of spring practice. “We discussed our full personnel for the first time, looking at guys from top to bottom,” Jones said. “We’re still going to give everyone chances, but we have to start formulating a depth chart. We have to find the guys who are going to be playing and start working them to make sure they get reps in practice to get ready for next season. Every rep is valuable.”
Jones also mentioned that the teams conditioning has them in pretty good shape this spring. “I think they are in pretty good shape. We’re rotating guys in a lot, they’re not staying in a ton, but I haven’t noticed any guys not in shape. Usually at this time of year they’re not in as good cardiovascular shape because they’ve been lifting weights, it normally takes the summer to get ready, but as long as we continue with this pace we will practice ourselves into shape.”
The Jags will return to the practice fields on Wednesday afternoon from 3-5pm.