Billups plays with a passion at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi - By his own admission, Johnathan Billups' emotional nature can land him in hot water. Case in point: Jackson State's Monday practice. After hearing coaches say someone on the defensive line had lost his starting job, Billups, one of eight returning defensive starters, began to simmer. As the team stretched, his mind raced. He's played in every game the past two seasons. He was the team's fifth-leading tackler (47 tackles) last year. The senior tackle was a preseason All-SWAC second-team selection and is the anchor of a swarming front seven. No one was taking his job. So, Billups' competitive fire boiled over. "I said something to coach a little out of the way," Billups says with a laugh. "He told me to hit the track. He nearly threw me out of practice. READ MORE