MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football begins spring practice Monday, with head coach Joey Jones saying this has been the best offseason of his tenure with the Jaguars.
The 2011 season will bring the young program its first games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. South Alabama is scheduled to play road games at Kent State and North Carolina State this fall.
Injury Report
Several players will miss some or all of spring drills while they recover from injuries:
- Brandon Ross will not practice as he continues rehabilitation on his knee.
- BJ Scott will sit out the spring while recovering from ankle surgery.
- Darrow Fisher is rehabilitating a knee injury. Jones said earlier that he was doubtful Fisher would be able to take part this spring.
- Ray Cotton, a quarterback, had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. His availability for spring practice has not been determined.
Newcomers
Several members of the incoming recruiting class have already enrolled at South Alabama and will take part in spring practice. The remaining signees will join the team in the summer, ahead of fall camp.
Sizing Up the Lines
According to the spring rosters of both schools, South Alabama’s offensive linemen average 290.29 pounds, compared with 296.63 pounds for North Carolina State’s offensive line, a difference of 6.34 pounds per player.
On the defensive side, South Alabama’s defensive linemen average 252.5 pounds, while North Carolina State’s average 241.92 pounds, giving the Jaguars an average edge of 10.58 pounds per player.
Building on 2010
South Alabama won its first game as a program against Hargrave. Last season, the Jaguars rallied from behind to defeat both Georgia State and UC Davis.
The Jaguars play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
