MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama practice moved into shells for the second consecutive day Tuesday, a session that ran more than two hours as the Jaguars reached the midpoint of preseason camp.
Head coach Joey Jones said the players showed some fatigue after a hard weight-room session the previous day but pushed through.
“I thought we were a little tired,” Jones said. “We are at that midway-point of camp. We hit the weights pretty hard yesterday on their legs and they came out a little tired, but they fought through it. We just have to keep fighting through it.”
Improvement Since Scrimmage
Jones said the team has improved on both sides of the ball. “We have gotten sharper offensively,” he said. “Since the scrimmage, we have come back and had two good days of practice defensively.”
He said it was harder to evaluate special teams, adding that the kickers are performing well and that the team would learn more in a scrimmage this weekend.
Depth at Running Back
Jones singled out the running backs. “We feel like we have four or five guys who can really play at running back,” he said. “It seems like every one of those guys has stepped his game, and that has been encouraging.”
He also said depth is developing at defensive end, a position where the staff had been uncertain about numbers.
Players of the Day
Xavier Johnson was named offensive player of the day. “He made some really good cuts today, and continues to run the ball well for a young guy,” offensive coordinator Robert Matthews said. “We’re hoping he is going to be able to contribute some for us on Saturdays.”
Roman Buchanan earned defensive player of the day. Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson described Buchanan as consistent and a strong communicator. “I think he is really starting to understand the defense,” Pearson said. “His role is very important. He has to make a lot of checks and be in a lot of different places, and he understands that.”
Practice Highlights
Shavarez Smith earned play of the day for the second straight practice with a one-handed touchdown catch over a defender in the back corner of the end zone during 7-on-7 drills.
- Matt Floyd connected with Claude Garrett for a touchdown at the back of the end zone in 7-on-7 work.
- Margo Reed intercepted a Brandon Bridge pass in the end zone to stop a drive.
- Defensive end Theo Rich brought down Bridge in the open field to prevent a long gain during a team drill.
- DeMarion Harper recorded consecutive sacks of Hunter Vaughn during the team period.
The Jaguars return to the practice field Wednesday.
