MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football will be without tight end Greg Hollinger in 2013. Hollinger is not enrolled at the university and will not return to the program, AL.com reported, leaving head coach Joey Jones with an opening at the position as his staff works through recruiting and fills two coaching vacancies.
Hollinger’s Production
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Hollinger would have been a senior in 2013. He sat out his freshman year for academic reasons.
Last season he caught 22 passes for 321 yards, an average of 14.6 yards per catch, with two touchdowns. Those totals ranked sixth on the team in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdown catches. In 2011, he caught four passes for 76 yards as a wide receiver.
Tight Ends Returning
South Alabama returns Wes Saxton, who caught 26 passes for 336 yards last season, and Jared Palmer, who had two receptions for two yards. Rush Hendricks, Ryan Onkka and Kyle Sappington were also on last season’s roster.
Fuller Twins Delay Enrollment
Twin defensive backs Steffon and Steven Fuller, who had been expected to enroll for the spring semester, had not enrolled as of Friday. They are expected to enroll for the summer term in May, which means they will miss spring practice, and are expected to compete for starting positions in the fall.
Recruiting Visitors
Jones and his staff are staying in contact with prospects who have given verbal commitments while pursuing other targets. Jones said earlier this week that the class’s top needs are defensive linemen and offensive playmakers.
A small group of prospects is scheduled to visit campus this weekend:
- Xavier Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 167-pound running back from Tampa, Fla., who first committed to South Alabama before last season, backed off that pledge before his senior season began and has since reaffirmed his commitment. He rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior and scored 10 touchdowns as a senior.
- Kevin Gary, a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Georgia Military, who caught 21 passes for 429 yards and seven touchdowns this past season.
- Terrence Upshaw, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back from Duluth, Ga., rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com.
- De’Shawn Beck, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound wide receiver from Los Angeles Harbor College, who caught 37 passes for 647 yards and five touchdowns in 2012.
- Jarrell Wright, Beck’s 6-foot-3, 300-pound teammate at Los Angeles Harbor College, a defensive lineman who recorded 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
South Alabama’s largest official visit weekend is scheduled for next weekend, when as many as 20 prospects are expected on campus. The Jaguars, members of the Sun Belt Conference, can sign a full class of 25 players.
