NEW ORLEANS — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday that his team’s goals for 2015 are to win a bowl game and a Sun Belt Conference championship, as the Jaguars look to build on the program’s first bowl appearance.
Jones, senior offensive lineman Chris May and safety Roman Buchanan represented South Alabama at Sun Belt media day at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. They discussed the departure of a large senior class, the arrival of several transfers from UAB and the experience of playing in last season’s Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
Replacing a Large Senior Class
South Alabama lost 31 seniors to graduation from last year’s team, including 17 starters. Jones acknowledged the concern over that turnover but said the current group’s leadership gives him confidence.
“We have some great leadership on this football team, probably the best we’ve had,” Jones said. He said the team’s leaders meet weekly and work with players behind the scenes, adding, “maybe we will surprise some people this fall.”
Jones said the senior class has taken ownership of the team. “Talking about leading and leading is two different things, and I think these guys are truly leading every day,” he said, adding that the current seniors learned from the leaders who came before them.
Jones described last season’s bowl trip as a milestone for the program. “We had a good year last year, going to our first bowl game was a big deal for us,” he said. “But our guys want to achieve more.”
UAB Transfers Expected to Contribute
Several players who transferred from UAB after that school discontinued its football program are positioned for significant roles on offense, according to Jones.
- Cameron Blankenship is expected to start at right guard. Jones called him “a tough, athletic football player.”
- Cody Clements has a chance to be the starting quarterback.
- D.J. Vinson has performed well at slot receiver.
- Gerald Everett, a tight end, drew a comparison from Jones to former Jaguar Wes Saxton as an athletic player at the position.
Jones said the transition was eased because assistant coach Bryant Vincent had taken South Alabama’s offensive system with him to UAB. That meant the transfers already knew the terminology when they arrived, and they were able to play at a high level from the first day of spring practice.
“With us losing so many seniors and starters, they have been able to fill some voids on offense that were highly needed,” Jones said.
May said the newcomers fit in quickly but that the first weeks were awkward given what they had been through at UAB, which he called “a traumatic situation.” He said players built chemistry over the summer through cookouts, bowling and other activities.
May Takes on a Leadership Role
Jones praised May’s development. “Chris’ attitude is A-plus, his effort is A-plus, he’s a great athlete,” Jones said, adding that he expects May to lead younger players in addition to protecting the quarterback and run blocking.
May said his goal in his senior season is to develop future leaders. “I just want to leave a legacy of building leaders, not just being a leader of our offense or our team,” he said.
May said Vincent, who returned to South Alabama shortly before last season’s bowl game, made adjustments to the existing offense rather than overhauling it, keeping most of the terminology and plays. He said the offense will play faster and more aggressively this season under the same basic system.
He added that the coaching staff has set a goal for the unit to be the best offense in the conference. With attention focused on the defensive players lost from last season, May said the offense must improve its chemistry. “Instead of underachieving we need to overachieve,” he said.
Buchanan Steps Into Defensive Leadership
Buchanan said he sees himself filling the leadership role previously held by Maleki Harris last season and Romelle Jones the year before. He said Harris told him during a practice last season that it was his turn to take ownership of the defense and hold teammates accountable.
“I wasn’t a very vocal guy when I got here, but I’ve gotten better,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan said the defense’s personnel losses do not change how the unit approaches its work. He described the competition in summer 7-on-7 sessions and workouts as close, particularly at cornerback, where he said the Jaguars are two-deep. “If you stub your toe, you may lose your starting job,” he said.
He singled out linebacker Demarius Rancifer for a strong spring and said he expects defensive linemen Tyree Turner and Roy Albritton to make an impact.
Buchanan, who played several positions in high school, said that background helps him read offenses. He said the triple option is the only scheme he has had to adjust to in college. He said assistant coach Travis Pearson gives him freedom to make calls at all three levels of the defense from his safety position. “It’s kind of like being a quarterback back there,” he said.
Camellia Bowl Memories
Jones said taking the field for the Camellia Bowl was among the most emotional moments of his career, recalling fans from Mobile and alumni from across the Southeast filling the stands. He noted that the bowl trip came in the program’s second year as a full NCAA Division I FBS member.
May recalled running onto the field amid fireworks. “Once the game started the feeling was gone, it was just another game,” he said.
Looking Ahead
South Alabama opens fall camp in the coming weeks. The Jaguars, in Jones’ seventh season as head coach, play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
