Jones: South Alabama team undergoes “great transformation”
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) – South Alabama coach Joey Jones feels his team is underrated in the Sun Belt Conference, but he knows it’s up to the Jaguars to prove it.
Losing three projected defensive line starters to injuries won’t help his cause.
Jones says he has “no doubt” his team is much improved from a 5-7 season when they lost their last three games. Outside expectations are modest, with the Jaguars picked to finish in the bottom half of the Sun Belt. Jones is more optimistic.
“This team has really come together,” he said. “I know sometimes coaches get up and say things like that, but I mean it deep from the bottom of my heart. It’s been a great transformation since January. I think we all realize what happened last season.”
Defensive lineman Dewayne Alford is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury, while Jimmie Gipson and Tre Alford will also likely miss the season with knee injuries.
Gipson missed all of last season with an injury. Tre Alford was a second-team preseason All-Sun Belt pick at nose tackle.
Top players returning include leading rusher Xavier Johnson, cornerback Jeremy Reaves and tight end Gerald Everett. Reaves and Everett are both preseason first-team All-Sun Belt picks.
KEY GAMES
Sep. 10, Georgia Southern; Oct. 20 Troy.
SEASON OPENER
Visits Mississippi State, one of two road games against Southeastern Conference teams. The Jaguars also visit LSU on Nov. 19.
QUARTERBACK COMPETITION
Dallas Davis, the backup quarterback last season, is competing with Cole Garvin, who sat out last season after transferring from Marshall. South Alabama is replacing Cody Clements, who started his final season after transferring from UAB.
LINE ADDITIONS
The defensive line should get some help from transfers Finesse Middleton (Louisville) and Sir Calvin Wallace, a two-year starter at North Texas.
PREDICTION
The Jaguars were picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
