MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama completed its second spring practice Wednesday, working in helmets and shorts at the Jaguar Practice Facility on campus, with running back Xavier Johnson and safety Roman Buchanan earning player of the day recognition.
Practice Focus
The defense spent time on creating takeaways and reviewing its blitz packages, while the special teams units worked on punt coverage.
A 20-minute team period had the offense trying to move the ball against the defense in normal down-and-distance situations. The first-team offense had three possessions of five plays each, and the second and third units had two drives apiece.
Players of the Day
Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent picked Johnson as the offensive player of the day. Vincent said Johnson caught the ball well out of the backfield, showed strong effort and made good reads with good vision.
Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson chose Buchanan on defense. Pearson said Buchanan makes quick, sound decisions against a fast-paced Jaguar offense and helps the players around him by serving as a coach on the field.
The play of the day was a long completion from quarterback Hunter Vaughn to receiver Danny Woodson down the sideline. Woodson got free from his defender and turned the corner to go untouched.
Terrance Slaughter had the defense’s only takeaway, intercepting a deep pass during the second team’s first possession. Christian Persall caught four passes working with the third unit.
Jones on Tempo and Evaluation
Head coach Joey Jones said he was pleased with the second workout.
“There was great tempo, the guys on both sides of the ball are getting lined up and paying attention to detail,” Jones said. “We’re rotating a lot of guys in, we’re going three deep, and getting to look at everybody on film. I’m pleased overall. Obviously we’re not ready for a ball game yet, but I don’t expect us to be.”
Jones said practices without pads are most useful for evaluating skill players.
“You can evaluate the skills players better when you’re not in pads,” he said. “You can’t evaluate a lineman, and it’s hard to judge linebackers unless you’re looking at pass coverage. But with receivers and defensive backs, you can evaluate them because that’s what they do.”
He added that the work changes once contact begins. “It makes all the difference in the world because you find out who the real football players are,” Jones said. “They can come out here in shorts and look real pretty, but until you hit somebody or take a hit you can’t play the game of football.”
Schedule Ahead
The Jaguars are scheduled to put on shells Friday and remain in pads until Wednesday, April 8, when they return to helmets and shorts for their final workout before the annual Red-Blue Spring Game.
Friday’s practice runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Jaguar Practice Facility. The university announced before spring drills began that all spring practices are open to the public.
