MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama opens preseason practice for the 2015 football season Tuesday afternoon, and several starting jobs on both sides of the ball are open as the Jaguars begin camp.
The Jaguars were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in the league’s preseason media poll, a projection that reflected the number of key players lost from last season’s roster. South Alabama is coached by Joey Jones.
Quarterback Competition
The quarterback job is the most prominent position battle of camp. Brandon Bridge started last season but was limited by injury for much of the year. Hunter Vaughn and Matt Floyd also saw action in his place.
Dallas Davis, a freshman who enrolled in time for spring practice, finished the spring in a competition that coaches described as “all tied.”
The group now adds Cody Clements, a transfer from UAB who missed spring drills while recovering from minor shoulder and knee surgeries. Clements spent a full season at UAB in the system of Bryant Vincent, now South Alabama’s offensive coordinator, and threw for 2,227 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. Vincent has praised the leadership and work ethic of his quarterbacks.
Rebuilding the Left Side of the Line
South Alabama must replace All-Sun Belt left tackle Ucambre Williams and left guard Drew Dearman.
Junior Daniel Aust worked with the first team at left tackle in the spring. He will be challenged in camp by Curtis Williams, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound junior college transfer from Miami.
At left guard, sophomore Harrison Louden, a McGill-Toolen graduate, also took first-team repetitions in the spring. Junior Steven Foster, returning from an injury, and De’Arius Young, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound junior college transfer, are also in the mix.
The rest of the line is more settled, with Joseph Scelfo at center, Chris May at right tackle and UAB transfer Cameron Blankenship at right guard.
Linebacker Shuffle
Demarius Rancifer was slated to start at the Will linebacker spot after spring practice. But Jimmie Gipson III tore his Achilles tendon during summer workouts, and Rancifer will move to Jack linebacker to replace him.
That opens the Will position to a competition among UAB transfer Kalen Jackson, former quarterback Grant Powell and senior Raymone Wiggins.
Secondary
At cornerback, EJ May and Margo Reed both played significant snaps last season opposite Montell Garner. Junior college transfers Quinton Dent and Quinton Lane join the competition, along with incoming freshman Jalen Thompson, who drew recruiting interest from Southeastern Conference schools.
Antonio Carter has moved from nickelback to safety, where he will line up alongside Roman Buchanan.
