By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Despite a deep and talented group of senior receivers, sophomore Rodney Gray is making it very hard for coaches to keep him off the field.
Gray, a sophomore transfer from Southern Miss who played in high school at South Panola, has been impressive through the first week and a half of camp.
"It's not easy learning a whole new playbook," Gray said. "It hasn't been hard getting used to the quarterbacks, it's just knowing where to be at the right times."
Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards in his freshman season at Southern Miss, but transferred shortly afterwards.
"Obviously, he's a talented player that we're expecting good things from," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "But what's also good is that he seems happy in this program."
SECOND-TEAM CAPTAIN
Linebacker Marcellus Speaks doesn't have a glamour position at the moment, but as the leader of the second-string defense he's comfortable in his role.
"My job is to get our unit so good, that you can't tell when the starters leave and we come into the game," said Speaks, a Provine alum. "Just like everybody else, I want to play. But my time will come. It always works like that in football."
Speaks (6-foot-2, 240) had to sit out last season after transferring from Delta State.
His first game in a JSU uniform will be against his former school on Sept. 1 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"They're going to have a great, quick-hitting offense that can spread a defense out," Speaks said. "Their new head coach (Ron Roberts) is a defense-first guy - a lot like coach Comegy."
HULL REPORTS
After missing the first 10 days of training camp, former Southern Miss running back Cody Hull reported to Jackson State.
Hull rushed for more than 500 yards for USM during the 2005 season, but transferred after other running backs - namely Damion Fletcher - took most of the playing time last season.
Hull will compete with Erik Haw, L.D. Briscoe and Lavarius Giles for carries in the backfield.
"He's out there loosening up and it's great to see," Comegy said. "He gives us another option on the ground and he's done some good things in the past."
INJURY REPORT
Senior defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied was taken for X-rays on his right hand to determine the extent of an injury suffered during Tuesday night's practice. Marcus Benard and Terrance Jones figure to see more playing time if Abdur-Rashied misses extended time.
Despite a deep and talented group of senior receivers, sophomore Rodney Gray is making it very hard for coaches to keep him off the field.
Gray, a sophomore transfer from Southern Miss who played in high school at South Panola, has been impressive through the first week and a half of camp.
"It's not easy learning a whole new playbook," Gray said. "It hasn't been hard getting used to the quarterbacks, it's just knowing where to be at the right times."
Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards in his freshman season at Southern Miss, but transferred shortly afterwards.
"Obviously, he's a talented player that we're expecting good things from," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "But what's also good is that he seems happy in this program."
SECOND-TEAM CAPTAIN
Linebacker Marcellus Speaks doesn't have a glamour position at the moment, but as the leader of the second-string defense he's comfortable in his role.
"My job is to get our unit so good, that you can't tell when the starters leave and we come into the game," said Speaks, a Provine alum. "Just like everybody else, I want to play. But my time will come. It always works like that in football."
Speaks (6-foot-2, 240) had to sit out last season after transferring from Delta State.
His first game in a JSU uniform will be against his former school on Sept. 1 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"They're going to have a great, quick-hitting offense that can spread a defense out," Speaks said. "Their new head coach (Ron Roberts) is a defense-first guy - a lot like coach Comegy."
HULL REPORTS
After missing the first 10 days of training camp, former Southern Miss running back Cody Hull reported to Jackson State.
Hull rushed for more than 500 yards for USM during the 2005 season, but transferred after other running backs - namely Damion Fletcher - took most of the playing time last season.
Hull will compete with Erik Haw, L.D. Briscoe and Lavarius Giles for carries in the backfield.
"He's out there loosening up and it's great to see," Comegy said. "He gives us another option on the ground and he's done some good things in the past."
INJURY REPORT
Senior defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied was taken for X-rays on his right hand to determine the extent of an injury suffered during Tuesday night's practice. Marcus Benard and Terrance Jones figure to see more playing time if Abdur-Rashied misses extended time.
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