MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones called in to Wednesday’s edition of the Joey Jones Show from Columbus, Ga., where he was recruiting, and updated listeners on the Jaguars’ signings, roster plans and the program’s spring schedule.
Jones left Mobile early Wednesday morning for the recruiting trip and was scheduled to return late Wednesday night. South Alabama marketing director Travis Toth and newly hired compliance director Daniel McCarthy also appeared on the program with host Lee Shirvanian at Wings Sports Grill.
Recruiting Needs
Jones said the staff has reached the point where it can target specific needs. South Alabama is looking for defensive linemen, linebackers and another quarterback, while the Jaguars are set for now at offensive line, running back and wide receiver.
South Alabama has signed 17 players to scholarships this year and has 13 more available this calendar year. Jones said the staff hopes to announce additional signees around Dec. 17.
Recruiting travel will continue through Dec. 20 and resume on or around Jan. 4. South Alabama will be able to sign up to 30 players in February. Jones said the staff could receive more verbal commitments than that, noting that some prospects may not qualify academically, though many of the players the staff is talking to have good grades.
Building the First Roster
Jones said the Jaguars could have 50 to 60 scholarship players this fall, about 20 of them junior college transfers, with walk-ons filling out the remainder of the roster. He expects the roster to reach 120 to 130 players by the time the team begins preparing for the fall next summer.
Jones said the staff initially recruited junior college players close to home but has expanded its search to Texas, California and other areas.
The 2009 schedule is not close to being released, Jones said. Many of the coaches he has been negotiating with were in the middle of their seasons, and those talks will resume soon.
All-Star Game Rule
The Southeastern Conference and the Sun Belt Conference sent a letter clarifying an NCAA rule that had been unclear: college coaches may not attend the games or practices of the upcoming Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, even though they are in a contact period with recruits.
McCarthy said he expects the rule may be changed in the future, noting that some players are noticed at the game who might not otherwise receive scholarships.
McCarthy said compliance for football is more demanding than for basketball because of roster size. A basketball program may have seven to 10 players to monitor, compared with the 120 to 130 football players Jones anticipates. He said South Alabama uses a group of faculty volunteers who meet with prospects when they visit, allowing recruits to talk with faculty in their potential majors.
Spring Practice
Jones said dates have been set for the program’s first spring practice, which will begin after the holidays. Asked about an event similar to the A-Day games held at Alabama and Auburn, Jones said the team will hold something special on the final day of spring practice, with details to come.
Athletic Dorms and the Senior Bowl
Jones said he favors athletic dorms, which the NCAA has eliminated, because they hold players accountable and help keep them out of bad situations. He said that as a player at Alabama he knew people were looking out for him, and that players can benefit from a mentor.
Asked how soon a South Alabama player could appear in the Senior Bowl, played each year in Mobile, Jones said it could happen within the next few years. He said the game’s location is also a recruiting tool for the program.
Holiday Tickets and Basketball
Toth said South Alabama is running a holiday gift offer in the Mobile Press-Register featuring a pair of 2009 football season tickets, either sideline seats at $75 per season ticket or end zone seats at $48. The package includes a gift certificate for the tickets and a USA Football T-shirt.
Toth also noted that the South Alabama men’s basketball team will host Western Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Mitchell Center to open Sun Belt Conference play.
