Jags Receive 13th Verbal For 2013 Signing Class
South Alabama has received their 12th verbal commitment for the 2013 signing class. Brandon King from Highland Community College in Kansas has made his intentions known that he will sign with South Alabama at the end of the upcoming season.
King, a native from Alabaster, Alabama was a standout at Thompson High and signed with Highland after his senior season. He is a 6’2″, 212 pound linebacker. He led Highland with 118 total tackles last season with 70 of them being solo and also added six tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. However this season they are moving him to Safety to take advantage of his size and speed.
“I’ve played linebacker my whole life, but they’ve moved me to safety because of my flexibility,” King said. “I’m 6-2, 210 and I run a 4.36 laser time, so it helps a lot with my mobility when I came play both positions. Safety is a nice transition. It shows that I can cover and I’m good with depth. It helps out and shows that I’m versatile.”
King was impressed with the coaches and the facilities on his recent visit to South Alabama. “I really liked that when I came down all the coaches were there and they seemed really dedicated to building the program,” he said. “I really liked the facilities and how everybody is connected. I felt at home. A lot of schools, when you go on a visit they don’t have every coach there excited about seeing you. Everyone knew me by name when I came in. It’s a nice place to be and it’s a pretty campus. The Senior Bowl is held (in Mobile) every year so you can get a lot of looks from a lot of different (NFL) teams. It’s close to the beach.” He then concluded by saying, “I liked everything about it.”
King was receiving recruiting interest from a few FBS schools such as Northern Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers and Auburn among other schools. But he said he was glad to end the recruiting process so he can focus on the upcoming season and not where he intends to go after the season.
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.
- Devon Earl S Hoover HS, AL 5’10” 180lb 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a Junior
- Noah Armstrong OT Lawrence Co. 6’8″ 300lb Offered by Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss.
- Willie Williams Jr DE Americus, GA. 6’2″ 255lbs Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas and UCLA were also recruiting him.
Jags Prepare For Season With Intense Workout Regimine
It’s less than a week until the Jags begin preseason camp to prepare for their first season with a full Division I schedule and a full Sun Belt schedule. Not only are they playing a full schedule, but they are playing 13 games in 14 weeks. How about that for a ‘Welcome to the FBS’ campaign?
But the Jags have not been sitting around waiting for camp to arrive. The Jags have been working in very hard in the weight room under the guidance of Strength and Conditioning Coach Justin Schwind.
Other than coach Schwind, the rest of the coaches cannot work with players. Which means everything is voluntary in the summer. But that does not mean that they are not accountable. Coach Jones and the staff selected 11 individuals to be leaders within groups of players within the team. They were charged with holding their teams accountable and by all accounts, they have been doing their job well.
This article does a good job of giving us an idea of what challenges Coach Justin Schwind has faced this summer. It also has several player quotes.
Know Your Stadiums – Texas State’s Bobcat Stadium
Texas State is one of the new additions to the Sun Belt in 2013 along with Georgia State. The Jags fans have already visited Georgia State last season and played in the Georgia Dome which they call home. Even though the Jags does not play the Bobcats this season, let’s get to know the Texas State Bobcats home stadium.
Texas State will play their first season in FBS with the WAC this season before joining the Sun Belt next summer. They broke ground on Bobcat Stadium in 1979 and was completed and opened in 1981. In 2009 the first phase of a multi-phased expansion was completed to grow the capacity to over 16,000 seats by adding onto the existing home side. The addition included new premium club seating with 450 seats and 15 luxury suites.
In 2010 a new playing surface was installed along with new video screens and scoreboard were added to the stadium. For this season, they added the North End Zone COmplex to increase seating to over 30,000 seats. This new complex also includes the new Mark and Linda Smith Bobcat Ticket Office, three fan shops selling game-day attire, new dressing rooms for the visiting teams and game officials, a new track and field locker room and offices, weight and training rooms.
Here is a dated photo of Bobcat stadium.
An old photo of Texas State’s Bobcat Stadium.
This is the diagram for the current layout
Artist rendering of Bobcat Stadium.
There are opportunities to park near the stadium. There is a parking lot on the east side of the stadium. Another one in the southwest corner of the stadium and a wedge shaped one a little further west of that one. General public pay parking is $10 starting at 9am on game days in the Northwest portion of the Strahan Coliseum Lot (looks like the wedge shaped parking lot referenced previously). But there is also free parking options with shuttle service according to their website.
Three SBC Players Named To Doak Walker Watchlist
Three Sun Belt Conference running backs have been named to the Doak Walker Award Watchlist. Nominations for the award will be accepted through October.
Florida International’s Kendrick Rhodes, Middle Tennessee’s Benny Cunningham and Troy’s Shawn Southward were the three from the conference included in the list.
The PwC SMU Athletics Forum Board of Directors will name the semi-finalists on November 9 then the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, which consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives, will cast votes to determine the finalists, which will be announced on November 19th. Then the committee will cast a second vote beginning on November 26th to determine who the recipient will be.
Other high-profile runningbacks on the watchlist are Montee Ball (Wisc.), Knile Davis (Ark.), Eddie Lacy (Ala.), Marcus Latimore (South Carolina), Onterio McCalebb (Aub.), Curtis McNeal (Southern Cal.) and Joseph Randle (Ok. State) among others.
Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin Named To Walter Camp Watch List
Arkansas State senior quarterback Ryan Aplin was named to the Walter Camp Award Watch List heading into the 2012 season. Aplin is also on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, the Manning Award Watch List and the Davey O’Brien Award Watch List.
In mid-November, the list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists. The award is voted on by the 124 NCAA BCS head coaches and sports information directors and will be announced live on ESPN on December 6.
Aplin completed just under 64% of his passes last season for 3,588 yards and 19 touchdowns and was named the 2011 Sun Belt Conference player of the year. He also led his team in rushing with 588 yards and 10 touchdowns. ASU won the SBC Championship with a perfect 8-0 record and 10-3 record overall.
The Red Wolves lost their head coach to Ole Miss and former Auburn Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn was hired as his replacement. Malzahn instrumented the offense that helped Cam Newton win the 2010 Heisman Trophy and helped Auburn win a national title. This kind of athelticism lends itself very well to his unique offense.
Coach Joey Jones Radio Times Today
Head Coach Joey Jones is scheduled to be on the radio twice today. First he will be on the “News Sentinel Sports Page” on WNML FM/AM in Knoxville at 9:30am Central Time.
Then at 2:15pm he will be on the “Southern Sports Tonight” which is aired on WTKE 100.3 FM in Pensacola and WTKP 93.5 FM in Tallashassee.
WTKE and WNML are both available to listen to through TuneIn Radio app on your smart phone.
Go Jags!
Jags Receives Verbal From Coveted Defensive End
Fresh on the heels of picking up their 10th verbal commitment, the Jags picked up their 11th verbal of the 2013 signing class. Willie Williams Jr of Sumter County High in Americus Georgia, a 6’2″, 255 pound defensive end gave his verbal commitment to the Jaguars. Alabama, Georgia, UCLA and Arkansas were all recruiting Williams.
“This football team is very, very good,” Williams said. “I really like the coaching staff and I think it’s a real good program. It’s a good school and I believe I’ll get a good education.”
Williams was attracted to the Jaguars because he would have the opportunity to play right away and because the program was so young.
William’s coach Michael Pollock had very good words to say about his player. “He’s a very athletic defensive end,” Pollock said. “He can play tight end and defensive end, which he does for us, which gives you some idea of what kind of athlete he is. We even feel if he had to that he could play linebacker for us.”
Pollock continues, “His pass-rush skills are extremely good and he does a great job. He’s not a one-dimensional player. He defends the run well too. But he really has a nose for the quarterback on the rush game. I think his feet and his speed are two assets that he has. I believe he could play right away (at South Alabama). He’s played for us since he was a sophomore. I think he has the skills to go in and make an immediate impact for them.”
“He went to Georgia and dominated at their camp earlier this month and they were talking to him heavy,” Pollock said. “I think it’s an opportunity for Willie to go to a place – you know, they have really, really made it a point of emphasis that he is one of the main guys they are wanting. I think he feels that South Alabama really cherishes his abilities and as a person and really wants him there and I think that’s part of why he picked them.”
Coach Bryant Vincent was recruiting Williams. Pollock said that Coach Vincent did a good job of recruiting him. Even though he was getting a lot of looks from SEC schools, Pollock believes that Williams was impressed by South Alabama’s facilities and coaching staff. But most of all he thinks Williams was impressed most of all by the Jaguars interest in having Williams join the program.
Willie Williams Jr highlight reel.
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.
- Devon Earl S Hoover HS, AL 5’10” 180lb 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a Junior
- Noah Armstrong OT Lawrence Co. 6’8″ 300lb Offered by Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss.
Jags Land Big Offensive Lineman As 10th Verbal Of 2013 Signing Class
Offensive lineman Drew Dearman signals pre-snap as the Jaguars work in Spring drills.
Noah Armstrong, a 6’8″ 300 pound offensive lineman from Lawrence County High has become the 10th verbal commitment to the Jaguars football program for the 2013 signing class.
Armstrong was offered a few months ago and the Jags have maintained their interest in him as other schools, like Arkansas State, MTSU, Southern Miss and Tennessee-Martin, also made offers to him. Armstrong’s first visit to campus was on July 19th and he was so impressed he have his verbal commitment quickly.
Armstrong had narrowed down his choice to three schools, all in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State and Western Kentucky were on the list with South Alabama, who was only on the short list due to their communication. However his visit to campus moved them from the bottom to the top of his list.
He said he was happy to announce his decision and complete his recruiting process so he can focus on his senior season.
“Everything that South does, they try to do the best,” said Armstrong. He also noted that the facilities are the “best of anybody else” and that the Jaguar coaches “kept great contact and made a relationship with me. They made me feel like family already.”
When Armstrong was asked if he thought he could step in and help the Jags on the field right away, he said “I’ll do whatever they need me to do. I’m here to help. South Alabama offered me long before anybody else did, months before I got my next offer. After that, they just kept coming in and coming in and coming in. It got to the point it started to be a job of its own. I’m happy to make the commitment. I put everything I have behind that commitment and it’s not going to change unless something terrible happens.”
Armstrong said that Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Robert Matthews told him that he had a good shot that he could play within the first two years and have the ability to start. The Jags always has need for a big tackle who can protect the quarterback and move defenders out of the way.
Armstrong’s school plays in one of the most competitive regions in the state and he is ready to concentrate on Lawrence County’s upcoming season. Lawrence County plays in region 5A and Armstrong is the starting left tackle for his school.
Armstrong wants to study Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.9 GPA.
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.
- Devon Earl S Hoover HS, AL 5’10” 180lb 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a Junior
Troy Coach Larry Blakeney Unhappy With South Alabama Football Program
Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney.
Apparently, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney isn’t too happy about South Alabama football. In an article by Adam Sparks of The Daily News Journal, Blakeney had the following to say.
About South Alabama being unclassified for it’s first two seasons and thus allowing recruits to play all five of their eligibility years instead of only having five years to play four seasons.
“I think it’s bullcrap, myself,” Blakeney said. “Anything that gives one school an advantage in recruiting like that should not be there. We’ve lost some players to them because of that. But the main thing is the game.”
Also, Blakeney thought South Alabama only played teams they could beat during their first two seasons to build a fan base.
“It will be a rivalry in this state, and I expect (the stadium) will be full. They’ve done a great job of developing fans because they haven’t played anybody that they couldn’t beat for two years,” said Blakeney, with a hint of sarcasm. “That made everybody happy. I thought it that was brilliant.”
Coach Blakeney, you lost a lot of credit with me.
Some would think that you are bitter that your run of conference championships, winning or sharing part of four of the last five titles, may be coming to an end. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but South Alabama is about to enter into it’s fourth season, it’s fifth season recruiting against you and other football programs. But those players, who in years past may have gone to Troy, may now be at South Alabama while Troy’s record last season was a mere 3-9.
Here is the link to Adam Sparks article at The Tennessean. See page two of the article.
Navy And South Alabama Mutually Agree To Reduce Series
South Alabama and Navy have mutually agreed to cancel their dates in 2015 and 2016 according to assistant athletic director Haven Fields. Navy and the Jags had a four-game, home-and-home series scheduled back in 2008 to be played from 2013 through 2016. However, due to Navy’s agreement to join the Big East in 2015, they are eliminating several non-conference games to open up dates for a conference schedule.
Last month, Navy posted a tentative 2015 football schedule non-conference schedule and the Jags were not on that schedule. However the front half, 2013 and 2014, are still on the schedule and at this point will still be honored.