MOBILE, Ala. — Senior tight end Paul Bennett will wear South Alabama’s No. 5 jersey this season in honor of the late Anthony Mostella, head coach Joey Jones announced Saturday as the Jaguars completed the first week of preseason camp.
Honoring Anthony Mostella
The tradition began last season following the death of Mostella, a former Jaguars running back. Each year, players select a senior to wear his No. 5. Senior linebacker Justin Dunn wore the number last season, and Bennett will be the first offensive player to wear it since Mostella.
Jones spoke to the team about Mostella during his post-practice remarks on the field.
“When you think of a South Alabama football player, Anthony Mostella is the kind of person that our players need to model themselves after as a person and a player,” Jones said. “And I want to honor his family by giving the jersey each year to a player deserving of that. We think Paul Bennett has those character traits. He is the kind of person who leads his football team; he is a hard worker and you can count on him.”
Bennett said Mostella was one of his closest friends.
“It’s an honor to wear number five,” Bennett said. “Mo was one of my closest friends. We came to South Alabama at the same time. He always came to practice with a smile on his face. He loved to work hard; he had a great work ethic. The best thing about him was that he was a humble guy. … Honestly, it’s just a huge honor to represent him and his family and everything he has done for this program.”
Fourth Straight Day of Practice
Saturday’s two-hour practice in shells was the team’s fourth consecutive day of preseason work.
The session opened with special teams work on punts, punt returns and punt blocks, while the offensive linemen worked on double-team blocks. In position drills, the line worked on pass-blocking fundamentals and screens, and the receivers did blocking drills before joining the quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends on pass routes.
The team then worked on the inside and outside running game along with play-action passes. Skill players moved to skeleton passing drills while the offensive and defensive lines worked against each other in pass protection.
After a break from the heat, the offense ran its plays against the first-team defense and the scout team, then worked on third-down situations. Practice ended with kickoff coverage and field goal work. Jordan Means appears to be the first-team kicker entering camp, followed by Chapuseaux and McGlon.
Jones: “Best Practice We Have Had”
“I thought today was the best practice we have had, because we practiced hard and we stayed off the ground for the most part,” Jones said. “If we can go full speed and just lock up on the ball carrier and not fall to the ground, then we have a chance to get better but also not get anyone hurt.”
“We have some young guys who have come along, and part of that is having older guys who can actually direct those guys,” Jones said. “They know what they’re doing now, and they can help those young guys along. I’m real pleased with the way it’s going so far.”
Up Next
After an off day Sunday, the Jaguars return to practice in full pads Monday at 6:15 a.m. at the South Alabama practice facility on campus. South Alabama opens the 2011 season Sept. 1 against West Alabama.
