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A sudden change of plans to Jackson State football's spring game didn't hinder the players' level of intensity.
JSU held its spring game as a scrimmage Saturday morning at its Walter Payton Center football practice facility. The Blue and White game was set to be at Mississippi Veterans Memorial, but due to potential inclement weather, it was changed.
"All you got to do is spot the ball with this team," JSU coach T.C. Taylor said. "That's what it's all about. No matter where we're playing, we could have played anywhere, and they're going to get after it."
The Tigers are coming off their 2024 Celebration Bowl championship and have turned their attention to the 2025 season with a few familiar faces and high-level transfers. JSU opens at home against Hampton on Aug. 30.
Here are some highlights from the scrimmage.
There wasn't much doubt who was getting first-team reps at quarterback during Saturday's scrimmage: 2024 starter Jacobian Morgan. The senior is the probable starter ahead of the 2025 season, but that doesn't come without competition.
Cam'Ron McCoy, who started three games last season, returns along with Parker Stofa and Ethan Terrell. Taylor mentioned that transfer Tyreke Starks has been getting great reps, and he said another quarterback will be transferring over the summer.
"Just coming off the Celebration Bowl, you played at your highest, and we won it at the highest," said Morgan, who threw for 2,236 yards with 21 touchdowns last season. "Now just taking it one day at a time, getting the team back to what we seen and what we know we can do. So, it's just been a great spring ball."
Graduate senior Irv Mulligan eyes the NFL draft after rushing for 1,245 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2024. Taylor said there is no replacing a player of his caliber, but the Tigers have running backs who can step up, including 2024 SWAC freshman of the year Travis Terrell Jr.
Terrell appeared in all 14 games last season and topped 561 yards from scrimmage and 851 return yards. On Saturday, he took most of the first-team reps with Morgan.
Taylor said the running back depth chart expands to six or seven players, including players Emari Matthews, who appeared in 14 games, and Brandon native Nate Blount IV.
Defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams and linebacker Reid Pulliam are among the notable returners on the defense, which ranked second in the SWAC in total and rushing defense and third in passing defense. Taylor highlighted Mississippi State transfer defensive back Khamauri Rogers and Baylor transfer linebacker Carmelo Jones.
JSU's defense forced 24 turnovers last season and recorded 37 sacks. JSU's defense recorded an interception Saturday and did a good job of keeping the offense out of the end zone.
"Nice how fast we're catching on with the players," Williams said. "We just get better day by day."
During Taylor's first season as head coach, special teams was an area he wanted to improve. Last season Gerardo Baeza scored 124 points on 22 field goals and 58 point-after conversions. On Saturday, Baeza converted every field goal he attempted.
Graduate senior Donovan Warren appears the leader to take over the punting role after All-American Matt Noll graduated.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Transfers boost defense in Jackson State football's spring scrimmage
Continue reading...
JSU held its spring game as a scrimmage Saturday morning at its Walter Payton Center football practice facility. The Blue and White game was set to be at Mississippi Veterans Memorial, but due to potential inclement weather, it was changed.
"All you got to do is spot the ball with this team," JSU coach T.C. Taylor said. "That's what it's all about. No matter where we're playing, we could have played anywhere, and they're going to get after it."
The Tigers are coming off their 2024 Celebration Bowl championship and have turned their attention to the 2025 season with a few familiar faces and high-level transfers. JSU opens at home against Hampton on Aug. 30.
Here are some highlights from the scrimmage.
Quarterback Jacobian Morgan is probable starter in deep room
There wasn't much doubt who was getting first-team reps at quarterback during Saturday's scrimmage: 2024 starter Jacobian Morgan. The senior is the probable starter ahead of the 2025 season, but that doesn't come without competition.
Cam'Ron McCoy, who started three games last season, returns along with Parker Stofa and Ethan Terrell. Taylor mentioned that transfer Tyreke Starks has been getting great reps, and he said another quarterback will be transferring over the summer.
"Just coming off the Celebration Bowl, you played at your highest, and we won it at the highest," said Morgan, who threw for 2,236 yards with 21 touchdowns last season. "Now just taking it one day at a time, getting the team back to what we seen and what we know we can do. So, it's just been a great spring ball."
JSU's running back group will need to step up after Irv Mulligan's departure
Graduate senior Irv Mulligan eyes the NFL draft after rushing for 1,245 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2024. Taylor said there is no replacing a player of his caliber, but the Tigers have running backs who can step up, including 2024 SWAC freshman of the year Travis Terrell Jr.
Terrell appeared in all 14 games last season and topped 561 yards from scrimmage and 851 return yards. On Saturday, he took most of the first-team reps with Morgan.
Taylor said the running back depth chart expands to six or seven players, including players Emari Matthews, who appeared in 14 games, and Brandon native Nate Blount IV.
JSU's defense has key returners and adds high-level transfers
Defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams and linebacker Reid Pulliam are among the notable returners on the defense, which ranked second in the SWAC in total and rushing defense and third in passing defense. Taylor highlighted Mississippi State transfer defensive back Khamauri Rogers and Baylor transfer linebacker Carmelo Jones.
JSU's defense forced 24 turnovers last season and recorded 37 sacks. JSU's defense recorded an interception Saturday and did a good job of keeping the offense out of the end zone.
"Nice how fast we're catching on with the players," Williams said. "We just get better day by day."
Special Teams still a big priority for JSU
During Taylor's first season as head coach, special teams was an area he wanted to improve. Last season Gerardo Baeza scored 124 points on 22 field goals and 58 point-after conversions. On Saturday, Baeza converted every field goal he attempted.
Graduate senior Donovan Warren appears the leader to take over the punting role after All-American Matt Noll graduated.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Transfers boost defense in Jackson State football's spring scrimmage
Continue reading...
