A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Fall Previews: South Alabama

Fall Preview for the South Alabama Jaguars:

QB
#15 C.J. Bennett QB 6-0 205 R-So. Tampa, Fla. / Alonso HS--10 games played. 61 carries for 76 yards and 3 TD. 129-235 passing for 1640 yards and 7 TD. 2 tackles.
#02 Myles Gibbon QB 6-2 220 Jr. Montreal, Quebec, Canada / Vanier College--5 games played. 19 carries for 105 yards. 6-15 passing for 82 yards and 1 TD.
#16 Trey Fetner QB 6-0 195 R-So. Woodland, Ala. / Woodland HS-No stats in 2011.
#04 Logan Rogers QB 5-10 200 Sr. Spanish Fort, Ala. / Chadron (Neb.) State--No stats in 2011.
#07 Brandon Bridge QB 6-5 215 Jr. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada / Alcorn State--Alcorn State transfer.
#14 Kolt Peavey QB 6-0 180 Fr.? Bolivar, Mo. / Bolivar HS--No stats in 2011.
#?? Grant Powell QB 6-3 192 Fr. Memphis, TN Christian Brothers--Incoming freshman.

CJ Bennett returns after starting in 2011 and passing for 1640 yards and 7 touchdowns in addition to 76 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Bennett will have plenty of competition for the starting spot with 2011 backup Myles Gibbon, Alcorn State transfer Brandon Bridge and redshirt freshman Kolt Peavey. Bennett should get the majority of the snaps although all are ready to step in an make some plays for the Jaguar offense.

RB
#29 Kendall Houston RB 5-10 215 R-So. Mobile, Ala. / Arkansas State--10 games played. 121 carries for 558 yards and 8 TD. 4 catches for 25 yards. 2 tackles.
#33 Demetre Baker RB 6-1 215 R-So. Orange Park, Fla. / Georgia--9 games played. 102 carries for 491 yards and 9 TD. 1 catch for -3 yards. 7 kickoff returns for 22.3 yard average. 1 tackle.
#18 J.J. Keels RB 5-10 175 So. Melbourne, Fla. / Florida Air Academy--7 games played. 37 carries for 142 yards. 2 punt returns for 11 yard average. 5 kickoff returns for 33 yard average and 1 TD.
#13 Ellis Hill RB 5-9 205 So. Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Hillcrest HS--9 games played. 18 carries for 71 yards and 1 TD.
#22 Terrance Timmons RB 5-7 175 Fr.? Theodore, Ala. / Davidson HS--No stats in 2011.
#26 Desmond Jones RB 5-11230 R-So. Andalusia, Ala. / Red Level HS--No stats in 2011.
#27 Devin Robinson RB 6-1 215 Fr.? Madison, Ala. / East Limestone HS--No stats in 2011.
#46 Brandon Ross RB 6-0 240 Sr. Tuskegee, Ala. / Memphis--No stats in 2011.
#48 Julien Valentin RB 5-9 200 Sr. Port St. Lucie, Fla. / West Virginia Wesleyan--No stats in 2011.

The Jaguar rushing attack looks to be built upon a couple of FBS transfers. Former Arkansas State running back Kendall Houston was the leading rusher in 2011 with 558 yards and 8 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Former Georgia running back Demetre Baker will split the carries with Houston after rushing for nearly 500 yards and 9 touchdown also as a redshirt freshman. Backing up the big two will be a stable of running backs led by JJ Keels (142 yards) and Ellis Hill (71 yards) who are looking to expand their roles this fall.

TE
#12 Rush Hendricks TE 6-3 245 R-So. Jay, Fla. / Jay HS--8 games played. 1 catch for 8 yards. 1 tackle.
#06 Kennedy Helms TE 6-2 245 Sr. Gulfport, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC--No stats in 2011.
#17 Wes Saxton TE 6-4 225 So. Hueytown, Ala. / Itawamba (Miss.) CC--No stats in 2011.
#32 Ethan Stokley TE 6-2 190 Jr. Saraland, Ala. / St. Paul's Episcopal School--No stats in 2011.
#44 Ryan Onkka TE 6-4 240 R-So. Pensacola, Fla. / Washington HS--No stats in 2011.
#84 Ryne Baxter TE 6-1 220 Sr. Citronelle, Ala. / St. Paul's HS--No stats in 2011.
#?? Paul Kyles TE 6-2 243 Fr. Prichard, AL Vigor--Freshman.
Losing the top two tight ends on the depth chart from 2011 is quite a blow for any team moving into the FBS for its inaugural season. Rush Hendricks is the only tight end with any game experience playing 8 games and making a single catch on the season. Hendricks will be battling with Helms, Saxton, Stokley, Onkka, Baxter, and Kyles.

WR
#08 Bryant Lavender WR 6-0 185 Jr. Gulfport, Miss. / Gulfport HS--10 games played. 1 carry for -3 yards. 28 catches for 370 yards. 1 tackle.
#81 Corey Waldon WR 5-10 175 Jr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Central HS--10 games played. 23 catches for 294 yards and 2 TD. 1 tackle.
#11 Jeremé Jones WR 5-8 160 R-So. Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS--9 games played. 2 carries for 57 yards. 21 catches for 205 yards and 2 TD. 7 kickoff returns for 23.9 yard average. 18 punt returns for 8.6 yard average. 1 tackle.
#09 Corey Besteda WR 6-3 190 Jr. Jackson, Ala. / Jackson HS--9 games played. 1 carry for -9 yards. 11 catches for 103 yards and 2 TD.
#10 Greg Hollinger WR 6-4 225 Jr. Frisco City, Ala. / Excel HS--8 games played. 4 catches for 76 yards and 1 TD. 1 tackle.
#23 Tyrome Bivins WR 5-9 170 R-So. Maylene, Ala. / Thompson HS--9 games played. 1 catch for 24 yards. 5 kickoff returns for 16.2 yard average.
#86 Jake Howton WR 6-1 175 Jr. Cordova, Ala. / Cordova HS--9 games played. 2 catches for 9 yards.
#03 Akeem Appleton WR 5-9 175 Fr.? Fort Payne, Ala. / Fort Payne HS--No stats in 2011.
#20 Nathan Sassaman WR 5-9 175 Fr.? Colorado Springs, Colo. / Classical Academy--No stats in 2011.
#24 T.J. Glover WR 5-9 170 R-So. Tampa, Fla. / Plant HS--No stats in 2011.
#28 Austin Powell WR 5-11 175 R-So. Homewood, Ala. / Homewood HS--No stats in 2011.
#35 Anthony Ingram WR 5-9 165 Fr.? Jasper, Fla. / Hamilton County HS--No stats in 2011.
#83 Jared Palmer WR 6-2 205 Jr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Northridge HS--No stats in 2011.
#88 Ben Whiteside WR 6-2 190 R-So. Biloxi, Miss. / St. Patrick Catholic HS--No stats in 2011.
#?? Cameron Broadnax WR 6-3 185 Fr. Hueytown, AL Hueytown--Freshman.

The Jaguars return 7 wide receivers from 2011 that made at least 1 catch last fall led by Bryant Lavender who made 28 catches last fall. Flanking Lavender are Corey Waldon (23 catches) and Jereme Jones (21 catches) who have a chance for great seasons this fall. Backing up the starting trio are Besteda (11 catches), Hollinger (4 catches), Bivins (1 catch), and Howton (2 catches).

OL
#57 Tremain Smith LT 6-4 305 Sr. Montevallo, Ala. / Montevallo HS--9 games played. 1 tackle. Projected starter at left tackle.
#70 Trey Clark C 6-1 270 Sr.. Prattville, Ala. / Prattville HS--Projected starter at center.
#77 Melvin Meggs RG 6-3 300 R-Jr. Petal, Miss. / Petal HS--Projected starter at right guard.
#73 Shaun Artz RT 6-4 290 R-Jr. Buford, Ga. / Buford HS--Projected starter at right tackle.
#72 Drew Dearman RG 6-3 310 R-Jr. Vestavia Hills, Ala. / Vestavia Hills HS--2nd string right guard.
#54 James Elliott OL 6-2 300 Fr.? Pensacola, Fla. / Kentucky--Reserve lineman.
#55 Chris May OL 6-4 280 Fr.? Tuscumbia, Ala. / Deshler HS-- Reserve lineman.
#58 Phillip Wyatt OL 6-5 250 Fr.? Fairhope, Ala. / Fairhope HS-- Reserve lineman.
#60 Ryan Capers OL 6-1 300 R-So. Pensacola, Fla. / Tate HS-- Reserve lineman.
#62 Darius McKeller OL 6-6 350 Jr. Lineville, Ala. / Alabama-- Reserve lineman.
#63 DaMon Husband OL 6-1 365 Fr.? Mobile, Ala. / Williamson HS-- Reserve lineman.
#66 Josh Terry OL 6-3 300 Jr. Fort Payne, Ala. / Fort Payne HS-- Reserve lineman.
#68 Shane Doty OL 6-4 295 R-So. Annandale, Va. / Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy--Reserve lineman.
#75 Tyler Gordy OL 5-10 245 Fr.? Level Plains, Ala. / Enterprise HS Reserve lineman.
#76 Ucambre Williams OL 6-2 265 R-So. Phenix City, Ala. / Central HS Reserve lineman.
#78 Kenneth Johnson OL 6-0 270 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. / Washington HS Reserve lineman.
#79 Taylor Malone OL 5-11 265 Fr.? Johns Creek, Ga. / Northview HS Reserve lineman.
#91 Ja'Larry Byrd OL 6-1 300 Jr. Montgomery, Ala. / Sidney Lanier HS-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Daniel Aust OL 6-3 275 Fr. Hoover, AL Hoover-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Steven Foster OL 6-3 280 Fr. Demopolis, AL Demopolis-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Clay Machen OL 6-3 287 Fr. Auburn, AL Auburn-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Steve McKenzie OL 6-1 306 Fr. Stone Mountain, GA Stephenson-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Perry Meiklejohn OL 6-3 300 Torrance, CA El Camino C.C.-- Reserve lineman.
#?? Joseph Scelfo OL 6-2 282 Fr. Bogart, GA North Oconee-- Reserve lineman.

DL
#93 Randon Carnathan DE 6-1 280 Jr. Leeds, Ala. / Leeds HS--10 games played. 20 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 blocked kick. 2 kickoff returns for 4.5 yard average.
#92 Montavious Williams NT 6-2 265 Jr. Cairo, Ga. / Cairo HS--10 games played. 27 tackles, 5 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 pbu.
#90 Romelle Jones DE 6-2 275 Jr. New Orleans, La. / East St. John HS--10 games played. 23 tackles, 7 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#98 Andy Dalgleish NT 6-2 275 Sr. Milton, Fla. / Pace HS--10 games played. 25 tackles, 4 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 forced fumble.
#95 Rodney Thomas NT 6-1 290 R-So. Auburn, Ala. / Auburn HS--10 games played. 1 tackle, 0.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks.
#82 Alex Page DE/OLB 6-1 235 Jr. Prattville, Ala. / Prattville HS--10 games played. 29 tackles, 4 for loss. 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick. Backup DE.
#86 Will Thompson DE/OLB 6-1 250 R-So. Huntsville, Ala. / Buckhorn HS--10 games played. 19 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 blocked kicks. Backup DE.
#43 Anthony Taylor DE/OLB 6-3 225 Sr. Warner Robins, Ga. / Northside HS--10 games played. 15 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1 interception. Backup DE.
#67 Jesse Kelley DL 5-10 260 R-So. Birmingham, Ala. / Huffman HS--3 games played. 2 tackles, 1 for loss.
#12 Ceasare Johnson DL 6-5 260 Sr. Memphis, Tenn. / Coahoma (Miss.) CC--No stats in 2011.
#45 Justin Walker DL 5-10 265 Jr. Mobile, Ala. / Faith Academy--1 game played. 1 tackle.
#77 Trevor Barry DL 5-11 250 Fr.? Molino, Fla. / Pensacola Catholic HS--No stats in 2011.
#99 Byron Sneed DL 6-4 240 Jr. Niceville, Fla. / Niceville HS--2 games played. 1 tackle.
#?? Ridge James DE 6-4 210 Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#?? Terrance Jones DE 6-2 275 Fr. Prattville, AL Prattville--Freshman.
#?? Jay Minor DE 6-1 222 Fr. Prattville, AL Prattville--Freshman.

In the 3-4 defense of South Alabama, the Jaguars have all three starters returning with experience. Montavious Williams (27 tackles) is in the middle at nose tackle but is slightly undersized. Defensive ends Randon Carnathan and Romelle Jones combined for 43 tackles on the edge but only 2 sacks. Backing them up are Dangleish (25 tackles), Thomas (1 tackle), Page (29 tackles), Thompson (19 tackles), Taylor (15 tackles), and Kelley (2 tackles). This is a deep and experienced group of linemen that should be able to hold its own versus the middle to lower group of Sun Belt teams.

LB
#42 Jake Johnson MLB 6-1 230 Sr. Fredericksburg, Va. / Virginia Tech--10 games played. 83 tackles, 6.5 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#25 Clifton Crews OLB 6-3 220 Jr. Atlanta, Ga. / Jonesboro HS--10 games played. 35 tackles, 5 for loss. 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 blocked kicks.
#28 Enrique Williams WLB 6-0 235 Jr. Mobile, Ala. / Blount HS--10 games played. 62 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 pbu, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#19 Cori Barnett SLB 5-9 190 Sr. Niceville, Fla. / Niceville HS--10 games played, 4 tackles. 1 pbu.
#36 Logan Bennett OLB 6-0 220 Jr. Cairo, Ga. / Cairo HS--10 games played. 23 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery. Backup OLB
#50 Ben Giles MLB 6-0 220 Jr. Pace, Fla. / Louisiana-Monroe--9 games played. 25 tackles. 1 pbu. Backup MLB.
#56 Desmond LaVelle WLB 5-11 230 Fr.? Decatur, Ala. / Decatur HS--10 games played. 25 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. Backup WLB.
#38 Bryson James ILB 6-2 230 Jr. New Orleans, La. / East St. John HS--5 games played. 5 tackles. 2 pbu.
#61 Austin Cole LS 6-3 220 R-So. Dallas, Ga. / South Paulding HS--10 games played. 4 tackles.
#37 Kendell Bagnerise DE/OLB 6-3 235 Sr. New Orleans, La. / St. Augustine HS--No stats in 2011.
#47 Pat Moore DE/OLB 6-3 235 Jr. Southaven, Miss. / Northeast Mississippi CC--No stats in 2011.
#30 Cordivido Grice ILB 6-0 200 Fr.? Pensacola, Fla. / Pensacola HS--No stats in 2011.
#41 Robert Terrell ILB 6-0 260 Fr.? Russellville, Ala. / Russellville HS--No stats in 2011.
#57 Ramon Lewis ILB 5-10 245 Fr.? Eufaula, Ala. / Eufaula HS--No stats in 2011.
#58 Philip Press ILB 6-1 220 Sr. Pensacola, Fla. / West Florida HS--No stats in 2011.
#71 Nick Bear LS 5-11 225 Jr. Lakewood, Calif. / Mayfair HS--No stats in 2011.
#31 Colton Carlisle OLB 5-10 205 Fr.? Semmes, Ala. / Mary G. Montgomery HS--No stats in 2011.
#35 David Hawkins OLB 5-9 205 Jr. Gadsden, Ala. / Lambuth (Tenn.)--No stats in 2011.
#39 Dylan Hutto OLB 6-0 190 Fr.? Fairhope, Ala. / Robertsdale HS--No stat in 2011.
#59 Andrew Philon OLB 5-11 205 Fr.? Silas, Ala. / Southern Choctaw HS--No stats in 2011.
#15 Josh Chestang OLB/S 5-11 240 Sr. Moss Point, Miss. / Moss Point HS--No stats in 2011.
#?? Davion Stuarts LB 5-11 215 Fr.? Punta Gorda, FL Charlotte--Freshman.

The 3-4 defense of South Alabama is led by former Virginia Tech transfer Jake Johnson who averaged 8.3 tackles and blocked 2 kicks for the Jaguar defense last fall. Flanking Johnson are Clifton Crew (35 tackles), Enrique Williams (62 tackles), and Cori Barnett (4 tackles). This starting quartet combined for 184 tackles and should break the 200 tackle plateau in 2012. Bennett (23 tackles), Giles (25 tackles), LaVelles (25 tackles) and James (5 tackles) all will be important reserves with the chance to make many big plays. With the sheer number of linebackers on the roster, the special teams will be littered with reserves trying to get on the field in any way possible.

DB
#06 Gabe Loper CB 6-2 190 Sr. Meridian, Miss. / East Central (Miss.) CC--10 games played. 34 tackles, 1 for loss. 2 interceptions, 3 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#17 Alonzo Long FS 5-10 195 Jr. Millbrook, Ala. / Stanhope Elmore HS--9 games played. 9 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 1 fumble recovery.
#21 Charles Harris SS 6-1 200 Sr. Charleston, Miss. / Coahoma (Miss.) CC--10 games played. 81 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 interception, 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles.
#22 Qudarius Ford CB 5-7 165 R-So. Cantonment, Fla. / Tate HS--10 games played. 6 tackles.
#01 B.J. Scott S 5-11 205 Sr. Prichard, Ala. / Alabama--7 games played. 48 tackles. 4 pbu, 1 forced fumble. 5 kickoff returns for 36 yard average.
#20 Maleki Harris OLB/SS 6-1 200 So. Cordova, Ala. / Cordova HS--8 games played. 7 tackles. Backup SS.
#04 Darrius Morrow CB 5-10 170 Jr. Memphis, Tenn. / Hutchinson (Kan.) CC--No stats in 2011.
#07 E.J. May CB 5-10 190 Fr.? Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS--No stats in 2011.
#08 Charles Watson CB 6-1 195 Jr. Tylertown, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC--No stats in 2011.
#14 Jeremy Jones CB 5-9 205 Fr.? Maylene, Ala. / Thompson HS--No stats in 2011.
#18 Terrell Brigham CB 6-0 170 R-So. Waynesboro, Ga. / Burke County HS--No stats in 2011.
#26 Lorenzo Ferguson CB 5-11 190 Jr. Orange Park, Fla. / Glenville (W.Va.) State--No stats in 2011.
#27 Eddy Cabrera CB 5-9 170 Jr. Weston, Fla. / Cypress Bay HS--No stats in 2011.
#02 Jonathan Cameron CB/S 6-2 185 Sr. Mendenhall, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC--No stats in 2011.
#11 Davin Hawkins S 6-2 210 R-So. Gadsden, Ala. / Etowah HS--No stats in 2011.
#23 Dionté McDuffy S 5-10 190 Fr.? Shreveport, La. / Evangel Christian Academy--No stats in 2011.
#?? Caleb Autry DB 5-8 170 Fr. Foley, AL Foley--Freshman.
#?? Lawon Debardelaben DB 5-7 156 Fr. Prattville, AL Prattville--Freshman.
#?? Anthony Harris DB 6-2 185 Torrance, CA El Camino C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#?? Darrius Morrow DB 5-11 180 Hutchinson, KS Hutchinson C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#?? Tyrell Pearson DB 5-8 150 Fr. Mesa, AZ Mesa--Freshman.
#?? Sir'Vegias Steele DB 5-11 185 Fr. Mobile, AL LeFlore--Freshman.
#?? Charles Watson DB 6-2 190 Perkinston, MS Gulf Coast C.C.--JUCO transfer.

The Jaguar coaching staff decided that with a group of pass happy teams in the Sun Belt, it is very important to have great depth in the secondary. USA has 16 returning defensive backs on the roster as well as 4 incoming freshmen and 3 JUCO transfers. Only senior Chris Harris and Gabe Looper are very experienced in 2011 and combined for 115 tackles for the Jaguar secondary. Long and Ford are made single digit tackles in limited duty for the Jaguars but are expected to step up and start this fall. BJ Scott made 48 tackles in 7 games played and could easily move into a starting role this fall. Expect the 3 JUCO transfers to compete for playing time and possibly start in the secondary this fall.

P
#40 Scott Garber P 5-9 195 Jr. Port St. Lucie, Fla. / St. Lucie West Centennial HS-38 punts for 41.7 yard average with 10 inside the 20 yard line and 5 over 50 yard. 1 blocked.

K
#39 Michel Chapuseaux PK 5-8 185 Sr. Fruitland Park, Fla. / The Villages HS--7 games played. 32 kickoffs with 8 touchbacks. 2 tackles.
#?? Aleem Sunanon K 5-9 175 Fr. Orlando, FL Olympia--Freshman.

After a year of only kicking off and not attempting any field goals, Michel Chapuseaux must step in and add field goal kicking to his duties. He will be pushed by true freshman Aleem Sunanon for kicking duties. Either way, the kicking competition should be interesting to watch this fall.

ATH
#?? Mike Dumas ATH 6-2 185 Fr. Cape Coral, FL Island Coast--Freshman.

South Alabama is stepping into the Sun Belt in their first year as a transitional FBS member. In 2011, the Jaguars went 6-4 with losses to FBS squads North Carolina State and Kent State. The Jaguars also lost to future Sun Belt member Georgia State as well as Cal Poly. The Jaguars start 2012 with coin toss games versus new fellow FBS member UTSA and FCS member Nicholls State. After two road games versus NC State and Mississippi State, the Jaguars look to be 1-3 going into conference play. The Jaguars play Arkansas State and Louisiana on the road but get preseason Sun Belt champs FIU at home and miss out on WKU this fall. USA ends their season with a tough game versus Hawaii that looks to be a loss. Anywhere between 1-3 wins looks to be the ceiling for the Jaguars this fall.

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