MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama held its fifth practice of the spring Monday in full pads at the Jaguar Practice Facility, and head coach Joey Jones said he was pleased with the team’s intensity.
“I was proud of their attitude,” Jones said. “We’re starting to get a little sharper out there on both sides of the ball, especially with the defense starting to come together. We just have to keep working with that mentality.”
Practice Breakdown
The first team period lasted just under 10 minutes and included nearly 30 plays, with the offense working against blitzes from its own 40-yard line. The second team period ran about 20 minutes, with all three offensive units starting from the same spot on the field and running nearly 50 more plays.
Players of the Day
Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent named wide receiver D.J. Vinson Jr. the offensive player of the day. Vincent said Vinson performed well at the “A” receiver position and is settling into his new role. Vinson played running back at UAB last season.
Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson selected cornerback Antonio Carter Jr. as the defensive player of the day. Pearson said Carter is playing fast and having a strong spring.
The play of the day went to quarterback Hunter Vaughn and Vinson, as Vaughn hit Vinson in stride for a gain of more than 20 yards.
Building a Depth Chart
Jones said the coaching staff reviewed its full personnel for the first time as the team entered the second week of spring practice.
“We discussed our full personnel for the first time, looking at guys from top to bottom,” Jones said. “We’re still going to give everyone chances, but we have to start formulating a depth chart. We have to find the guys who are going to be playing and start working them to make sure they get reps in practice to get ready for next season. Every rep is valuable.”
Conditioning
Jones said the team’s conditioning is ahead of where it typically is in the spring.
“I think they are in pretty good shape,” he said. “We’re rotating guys in a lot, they’re not staying in a ton, but I haven’t noticed any guys not in shape. Usually at this time of year they’re not in as good cardiovascular shape because they’ve been lifting weights, it normally takes the summer to get ready, but as long as we continue with this pace we will practice ourselves into shape.”
Up Next
The Jaguars return to the practice field Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m.
South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt Conference and plays its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
