MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football began the second week of preseason camp with a practice of about two and a half hours in hot, humid conditions, and the Jaguars’ coordinators said the team is making progress ahead of Saturday’s first scrimmage.
Players opened with individual position work before shifting to kickoff returns and then group work. The defense focused on tackling while the offense worked on inside running plays and skeleton passing drills. The two sides came together for a team period of about 25 minutes.
Sherrer Sees Retention, Quick Learning
First-year defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer said veterans have carried over much of what they learned in the spring while younger players are catching up.
“The guys have responded really well. There is a lot of retention from the spring from the older guys,” Sherrer said. “The younger guys are obviously a little behind, but they have caught on really quick as we have thrown a lot at them.”
Sherrer said players are beginning to understand the tempo the staff expects in practice. He identified the defensive front and the secondary as areas where newcomers could contribute.
“We’ve got a couple of guys who are junior college transfers who have a chance to play a lot and we’ve got a high school defensive lineman to come in and do well,” Sherrer said. “In the secondary Steffon and Steven Fuller have done a really, really good job. Montel Garner was here in the spring but he was injured and he’s out there, and Anthony Harris also. We’ve got a lot of new faces out there and we look a lot different.”
Matthews Welcomes Competition
Second-year offensive coordinator Robert Matthews said position battles are playing out across the offense.
“I see guys battling for positions and that’s good. We stress competition at all positions, and that is going on,” Matthews said. “This was our eighth practice and we obviously have to sort some things out on the depth chart, but it has been a good process so far.”
The most closely watched competition is at quarterback, where returning starter Ross Metheny and transfer Brandon Bridge are vying for the job. Several new running backs are also competing for playing time, and the staff is working to settle the offensive line.
“Anytime you have more players to choose from it’s better because you want to make competition,” Matthews said. “Anytime you have more guys pushing each other, that’s what needs to happen.”
Scrimmage Saturday
The Jaguars practice Friday before holding their first preseason scrimmage Saturday.
Sherrer said he wants to see how the defense responds to fatigue and to adversity, such as giving up a big play, and whether players continue to carry out their assignments. Matthews said his focus for the offense is execution, with players lining up quickly, knowing their assignments and playing fast. The offense was not able to play at the tempo the staff wanted last season as players learned the system.
Injury Update
Two true freshman running backs have been injured. Xavier Johnson struck his head on the artificial surface and was taken to a local hospital after practice for further evaluation as a precaution because of concern about a possible head or neck injury. Kaleb Blanchard suffered a cut on his right leg and will be held out of practice until it heals.
South Alabama, coached by Joey Jones, competes in the Sun Belt Conference and plays home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
