New Season, New Faces

On Wednesday, the first and usually biggest day for universities across the nation to reload with young talent came and went with Southern only inking 14 signatures. And, although the number of first day signees was rather low, Southern fans are confident that the total will rise with time.
With hopeful Jaguar fans in attendance, the East Baton Rouge Area Chapter Southern University Quarterback Club hosted its annual National Football Signing Day Recruitment Bash Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Quarterback Club House at 6969 Titian Avenue.
Former Jaguar football players Aneas Williams, Herbert Williams, Sean Wallace, Eric Randall and Quincy Richard, were in attendance to witness 14 prospective student-athletes sign and turn in official letters of intent to play football for Southern University next season.
“As of today we have 14 recruits and look forward to many more,” said Doriscene Piper, secetary for the Quarterback Club.
Completely opposite of the NFL, college football has no free agency period or option of trading players. Therefore events such as the recruitment bash assist in giving Jaguar fans something to look forward to next season.
“We have some holes on our team that need to be filled immediately,” said first year Quarterback Club member Gregory Anderson. “During the course of the season, our team was riddled with injuries, and this is our time to add depth.”
In full, the recruitment bash spans seven hours (from 2p.m.-9p.m.) each year, and serves as a celebration which announces the signees that have committed to playing football for Southern. Other than just a celebration, the Quarterback Club’s Annual Recruitment Bash also serves as a fund raiser for the university because all proceeds are donated directly to the department of athletics.
“Our annual recruitment bash is a celebration to announce the recruiting class for each season,” Piper said.
“For the quarterback club, this event increases our visibility in the community and throughout Southern University,” she said. “For the university, this serves as a platform for Coach Richardson to unveil his recruiting class for the first time each year.”
To become a member of the East Baton Rouge Chapter Southern University Quarterback Club, simply call (225) 925-8200 and request membership. Officials with the organization said they are always looking for new faces and welcomes all newcomers.
What Richardson expect with the new season?
Despite signing only 14 prospective student-athletes on Wednesday, Southern head coach Pete Richardson is quite sure that number will grow in the coming days.
“Although we didn’t sign a lot of players yesterday, we were able to add quality at key positions,” Richardson said. “We addressed some needs especially at the kicker and linebacker positions, two spots where we needed depth.”
With All-American kicker/punter Breck Ackley set to graduate in May, and one kicker already committed to Southern for next season, Richardson said he is still looking to sign another individual to ensure depth at that position.
“With Breck graduating, we didn’t have a kicker coming back at all,” he said. “There’s no doubt that was a pressure need for us, but I thought the overall quality of those individuals we added yesterday was good.”
The Jaguars began last season 2-0, but finished a lackluster 5-6 with injuries piling up at almost every position.
“Our only focal point now is making sure that our injured players from last season have a good spring practice and prepare themselves for next season,” Richardson said. “We have a number of individuals coming back that were forced to play last year because of injury, and that will only enhance the quality of our football team by adding competition in the ranks.”