South Alabama Football Signs 27 on National Signing Day as Assistants Detail First Class

South Alabama football had signed 27 players in its first class by midday on National Signing Day, and Joey Jones' assistants described the signees on the Joey Jones Show.

By James Bullard

February 4, 2009 · 9:00 am Updated October 5, 2026 6 min read

MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football had signed 27 players as of midday Wednesday on National Signing Day, with a few more signatures pending, coach Joey Jones said on the Joey Jones Show.

Jones and his full coaching staff appeared on the program at Wings Sports Grill ahead of the afternoon event at the Mitchell Center introducing the program’s first signing class. The event is also being streamed online.

Class Overview

Jones said he was pleased with the class and that a couple of prospects who emerged late could be valuable additions, with the staff working to finalize those signings during the afternoon. He did not name signees during the show.

Most of the class comes from Alabama, with several out-of-state signees. Jones estimated about five from Georgia, two or three from Mississippi and about three from Louisiana. Roughly two-thirds of the signees are defensive players.

Jones said South Alabama did not compete head-to-head with Alabama or Auburn for prospects. Once one of those schools offered a scholarship, the Jaguars generally backed off while sometimes staying in contact. He said it is difficult to sign a player who believes he may have an opportunity at Auburn or Alabama.

Some signees were to be announced at a 3 p.m. press conference, with the full class revealed at 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Center.

Defensive Staff on the Class

Defensive coordinator Bill Clark said the staff looked for runners and hitters and emphasized character, including defensive linemen who can run. He said speed was prioritized over size, including quickness in changing direction and hip movement, not just 40-yard dash times. Clark said South Alabama will run a multiple 3-4 defense in which defensive backs and linebackers can play interchangeable roles.

Linebackers coach Kurt Crane said signing about nine linebackers requires recruiting roughly 65, and credited the staff for identifying and landing its targets. He said opponents should expect the group to hit hard.

Recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Brian Turner said the Jaguars are signing eight defensive linemen, about four interior players and four ends, from states including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Defensive backs coach Duwan Walker, who has ties to south Georgia, said he evaluated speed starting with the hips and then foot speed, and that the staff searched for defensive backs from New York to California.

Offensive Staff on the Class

Offensive line coach John Turner, who works with the guards and centers, said the Jaguars signed about three offensive linemen and that he is excited about their potential to develop into big, strong linemen.

Mitch Rodrigue, who coaches the tackles and tight ends, has ties to south Mississippi and Louisiana, areas Jones said will be key for South Alabama recruiting. Rodrigue was hired in July and started behind on recruiting but has already begun work on next year’s class. He said the Jaguars added tight ends who catch the ball well and can block.

Wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig, a former Auburn quarterback who won championships in high school, said the class includes bigger receivers who can run as well as smaller, elusive players. He said some of the receivers can play at the next level and that he believes South Alabama will be ready to compete against Division I opponents in two years.

Show Extended, Coordinator Search

Jones announced that the Joey Jones Show will continue for several more weeks, possibly through spring practice.

Jones also said Tony Franklin will not be South Alabama’s offensive coordinator, contrary to speculation on a WNSP morning show. He declined to name his choice but did not rule out announcing the hire at the Mitchell Center event.

South Alabama will play its first season in 2009, with home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Update: Final Class Totals 43 Players

South Alabama finished National Signing Day with 31 players signing national letters of intent. Combined with 12 mid-year newcomers who enrolled for the spring semester, the program’s first recruiting class totals 43 players.

Of the 31 signees, 22 helped lead their teams to state playoff appearances and six won state championships. Nineteen are from Alabama, including three from Mobile: McGill-Toolen wide receiver Jereme Jones, Theodore offensive lineman Sean Kennedy and Blount linebacker Enrique Williams. The class includes three sets of high school teammates from within the state, and one signee, quarterback Myles Gibbon, comes from Montreal.

“We were interested in bringing individuals with good character who are good students so that they can come to South Alabama and earn their degree,” Jones said.

With the Jaguars scheduled to play their first game Sept. 5, the staff said it had to sign carefully by position, avoiding extra players at spots already filled while addressing other needs. Several signees have experience on both sides of the ball. Jones said the staff reviewed film on more than 800 prospects in narrowing the list to the 43 players in the class.

Jones told the story of Gibbon’s father driving 27 hours from Canada to attend his son’s official visit to South Alabama and then driving 27 hours back home afterward.

Mitchell Center Ceremony

University President Gordon Moulton opened the Mitchell Center event, which was covered by all three local television stations, and showed a video on the start of football at South Alabama, including the Board of Trustees vote to add the sport and the hiring of Jones. Athletic director Joe Gottfried also spoke about the process of starting the program and hiring Jones.

Jones discussed the class as a whole and introduced the quarterback signees himself following the departure of Les Koenning from the staff earlier this year. The position coaches then presented their signees, and a highlight video of each player’s previous season was shown. Afterward, the coaches signed autographs for fans in the Mitchell Center lobby.