JSU Football Notebook

Photo: JSU Coaches at Media Day

USM transfer makes quick impression headline

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Running back Cody Hull's second day in a Jackson State practice uniform raised some eyebrows, as the senior running back sliced through the defense on several occasions.

Hull, who transferred in the offseason from Southern Miss, was absent the first 10 days from camp as academic questions were cleared, but reported to camp in excellent shape.

"He had some great vision out there and he looks hungry - just like I expected him to be," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "He looks like one of those guys who's tough to tackle."

Hull graduated from USM in the spring and is working on his masters at Jackson State. He took four weeks off his workout schedule this summer for a study abroad program in Mexico.

"I'm not fluent, but at least I can order a meal and go to the bathroom," Hull said.

Hull is competing with Erik Haw, Lavarius Giles and L.D. Briscoe for carries in the backfield. Comegy said Haw will likely get the first nod, but the other three are making it difficult to decide.

"You know, at the beginning of camp I thought our running backs were a little thin," Comegy said. "But all four of those guys are really getting after it on the field."

ROUGH DAY

Wednesday night was a full-contact practice with more than a half-hour of scrimmaging.

Things got rough at times, and highlights included a shoving match between the offense and defense that took several minutes to break apart.

Comegy said he wasn't pleased with the fighting, but couldn't deny he appreciated the intensity.

"You can tell the guys are emotionally invested in this season," Comegy said. "Things got rough, but I talked to them and they left it all on the field. Last year we didn't have one fight all season and I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing."

Comegy said the full-contact practices are necessary to make sure the team is fundamentally sound.

"We can scheme and learn our playbooks all day long," Comegy said. "But if we don't have a few days where we make sure guys can open-field tackle, block and run, we won't know what kind of football team we have."

INJURY REPORT

Senior defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied is out for a few days with what Comegy called a "finger injury"...

Sophomore safety Kerry Hoskins (hamstring) is closer to returning to drills after missing most of camp. He wore shoulder pads for the first time on Wednesday...