MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football opened preseason practice this week, beginning a four-week buildup to the Jaguars’ 2013 season opener against Southern Utah on Aug. 29.
A thunderstorm moved through the area before the first workout, cooling temperatures ahead of the team’s opening session on the practice fields.
Metheny: Team Was Eager To Get Coached
Quarterback Ross Metheny told AL.com that the players were ready to return to organized practice after a summer of offseason workouts and player-run sessions.
“Everyone was kind of itching to get back out there after all the workouts we had over the summer and the 7-on-7 sessions and that sort of thing,” Metheny said. “We were eager to get coached. You can only do so much when you are coaching yourselves and policing yourselves and that kind of thing.”
Metheny said the first practice carried strong energy and that the challenge would be sustaining it. “The challenge is going to be keeping that energy level where it was the rest of camp and not taper off,” he said.
He also pointed to the offense’s pace. “I think offensively we played with good tempo today and there’s a lot of excitement,” Metheny said. “Some guys had some mental errors and things like that but we’ll go back and watch the film tomorrow and fix it and learn from it and get better and get back after it again tomorrow.”
Jones Pleased With Offensive Execution
Head coach Joey Jones said the offense executed well for a first day, noting that early practices typically include a high number of dropped passes and fumbles. Jones cautioned, however, that evaluations carry limited weight until the team practices in full pads.
Jones also said he sees more leadership on this year’s roster from players who have been in the program for several seasons and understand what is expected of them.
Woodson Among Early Standouts
Wide receiver Danny Woodson Jr., a transfer, is taking part in preseason drills while the program awaits a decision from the NCAA on its request for his immediate eligibility. Jones listed Woodson among a small group of players who stood out on the first day.
Upcoming Schedule
The Jaguars are scheduled to practice Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Both sessions are closed to the public.
South Alabama, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, plays its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
Update: Camp Opens With Closed Practices, Position Battles
Players reported Wednesday, and the first practice was held Thursday evening at the team’s on-campus practice facility, exactly four weeks before the season opener. The 2013 season is South Alabama’s first as a full member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, making the Jaguars eligible for a conference championship and a bowl berth.
For the first time in program history, preseason practices are closed to the public, with select media allowed to watch the first 30 minutes.
A total of 105 players are taking part, the maximum the NCAA allows before classes begin. Once classes start, up to 130 players can practice.
Meggs Out for Season
Left tackle Melvin Meggs, a three-year starter, will miss the 2013 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during summer workouts. He was the only player known to be out as camp opened.
Depth Chart Timeline
As in previous preseasons, Jones plans to use the first two weeks of camp to set the depth chart and define roles, then spend the final two weeks directing the most repetitions to the players expected to play the most. The staff is also evaluating several players who could line up at safety, linebacker or defensive end.
Quarterback and Kicking Competitions
Metheny returns as the starting quarterback after C.J. Bennett, the only other Jaguar to start at quarterback last season, transferred. Metheny is being challenged by Brandon Bridge. The coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Robert Matthews, wants to increase the offense’s tempo in its second FBS season.
With placekicker Michel Chapuseaux graduated, redshirt freshmen Aleem Sunanon and Logan Gunn are competing for the job, with freshman Brandon McKee also in the mix. Punter Scott Garber returns for his fifth season, with Sunanon and McKee also working at punter. McKee averaged more than 45 yards per punt as a high school senior.
Defensive Personnel
In the secondary, Tyrell Pearson, Charles Watson and Darrius Morrow return, and Qudarius Ford is back from a knee injury suffered last season. Newcomers include Steffon Fuller, Anthony Harris and Montell Garner.
The defensive line returns Alex Page, Romelle Jones, Jesse Kelley, Montavious Williams and Randon Carnathan, with the staff seeking more quarterback pressures, sacks and tackles for loss.
At linebacker, Enrique Williams and Bryson James return to help replace Jake Johnson, joined by Desmond LaVelle and redshirt freshmen Josh Carroll and Michael Adcock. Clifton Crews returns at outside linebacker, and Maleki Harris and David Hawkins are listed at outside linebacker and safety.
