Spring Football is now upon us, and it is an exciting time to be a Southern Jaguar fan. The newly minted 22nd head football coach Marshall Faulk has given the fans a lot to be excited about this upcoming season. The NFL Hall of Famer promises to the Jaguar Nation that his team will be ready come fall.
They kicked off their Spring Football practicing this past Monday; returning Quarterback Ashton Strother led the team into a new era of football. He does however have competition for that QB 1 spot. Dillon Compton as well as Wyatt McCauley as challenging for the starting spot.
The first practice was filled with intensity and emotion, along with a lot of installments. Most of the coaching staff is new under Coach Faulk. That includes the likes of famous names such as Curtis Johnson, who’s a legend in the football community. Serving as the Associate Head Coach, his vision is the help to navigate Coach Faulk as he takes his first step into the head coaching world. Another name on the coaching staff is Defensive Coordinator Todd Lyght. Lyght was a former 1st round pick in the NFL Draft and was most notably known as an outstanding cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams. He looks to pass on his knowledge to his players on the defense. Other names as well on the staff include the likes of Ben Miles, son of legendary former LSU head coach Les Miles; and Donald Penn, former NFL All-Pro offensive lineman. This star-studded coaching staff looks to restore the passion into football program, as well as inject life into the Jaguars.
With the likes of star defensive end Ckelby Givens and Jerome Wallace both declaring for the NFL draft, the Jags are looking to try to replace that type of leadership on the defensive side of the ball. They might have found the answer with linebacker Markeis Batiste. He seems to be stepping up for the Jaguars in a big way as he has taken the reigns early in this Spring Football Preview. Flying around the field, calling out plays, Batiste has been very impessive and shown to be someone who the new coaching staff can lean and depend on in big moments come the fall.
Flipping to the other side of the ball, of course the name Trey Holly has to be mentioned. Coming off of an incredible season last year, he looks to build on his sucesss and have it translated into more victories this year for the Jaguars. From early looks, it seems as though the Jaguars will be implementing a new offensive scheme that will include a heavy dose of Holly. The LSU transfer looks to be a huge contributor this year as the Jaguars look to win the SWAC and make some noise in the FCS space.
