Jags net 13 at start of signing period

As the day began things were slow as usual around Southern’s football offices. But as the day progressed, SU coach Pete Richardson’s fax machine starting spitting out letters of intent from players planning to play football for the Jaguars.
In all, SU signed 13 players on Wednesday, the first day of signing for high school players across the nation.
No wide receivers signed on the first day to play for Southern for the first time in recent years. The solid crop returning next year, including All-SWAC selection Juamorris Stewart, allowed SU coaches to target other positions of need.
What may matter, though, is that Richardson feels the team’s signees addressed needs left by seniors that departed after last season.
“Overall I’m pleased with the signees so far because we had to fill certain voids on our football team and we did,” said Richardson. “That was very important.”
The keys to this year’s class include the five defensive backs: Verlis Martin, Terrence Fletcher, Adonis Armstrong, David Daye Jr. and Pierre Warford. According to Richardson, former McKinley High QB LeAndre Thompson may also see time as a defensive back.
SU lost five defensive backs after last season.
“Our main focus was in our secondary,” Richardson said. “I thought we did an outstanding job addressing the need there.”
Aside from DBs, the crown jewel of this class may be St. Helena Central High running back Darin Self. The 6-1, 227-pound Self provides the big-framed, durable running threat SU has lacked in recent years.
Plus, with Silas Gibbs and Jerry Joseph returning, the addition of Self could drastically lessen the blow of losing senior Kendrick Smith.
“We’ve been looking for that for a couple of years,” Richardson said. “There will be a lot of competition at that spot.”
SU also signed three defensive linemen to replace seniors Joseph Selders, Vince Lands and Frank Harry. The Jags also inked three linebackers in Daye, Lynnon Coleman of Scotlandville High and Amite’s Joshua Gant.
SU also added depth at the QB position inking Thompson, a lengthy dual threat and Jeremiah McGinty out of Houston’s Southeast Prep. McGinty is already enrolled in school and is eligible to participate in spring practice.
McGinty’s teammates Daye and Dion Palmer are also enrolled in school and eligible to participate in spring practice, which begins March 12.
“With this class we wanted to really reach the category of signing good student-athletes,” Richardson said.
As of Wednesday night, SU had only signed one offensive lineman, Brandon Haskins of Baton Rouge’s Desire Street Academy. Richardson is hopeful SU will add to that tally.
“We’re still to add some more depth to that position,” Richardson said. “I think as recruiting goes on we’ll bring a couple individuals to solidify that position.”