By Eric Narcisse, Daily World
BATON ROUGE - In the first of his weekly press conferences on Thursday held at The Table is Bread Restaurant, Southern Jaguars head football coach Pete Richardson addressed many issues, such as the strength and weaknesses of his team.
But the biggest announcement was that redshirt sophomore Bryant Lee will be the Jaguars' starting quarterback when they take the field at 2 p.m. Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. against Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
"Last year, we had a number of injuries occur at the quarterback position," Richardson said. "Lee started the last couple of games at the end of the season and did a good job. He had a good offseason. He's bigger, stronger and has developed a good chemistry with the receivers."
The 6-1, 185-pound Lee from Hahnville High School, started the final three games of the season finishing second on the team with 302 yards rushing with five touchdowns on 67 carries, while completing 51-of-87 passes for 571 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Lee beat out stiff competition from fellow redshirt sophomore Warren Matthews, a 6-4, 240-pounder from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans.
"Warren received a lot of reps in the spring," Richardson said. "I'm confident that either one of these guys can run our football team."
Regardless of who is throwing the ball for the Jaguars this season, they'll have quality receivers to pass to with the return of second team All-SWAC honoree Gerard Landry.
The 6-2, 220-pound junior started every game last season for the Jaguars, finishing the year as the team's leading receiver in receptions (55), yards (727) and yards per game (66.1), while scoring a career-high five touchdowns.
"Landry has good size and strength," Richardson said. "He made a commitment in the offseason to lose weight and increase his speed, because he already has great hands."
Joining Landry out wide is sophomore Juamorris Stewart, a 6-3, 195-pounder from Istrouma High School, and Del Roberts, a 5-8, 170-pounder, who played in every game last season.
Stewart finished the year as the Jaguars third leading receiver with 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown, while Roberts battled through injuries to finish as Southern's second leading receiver with 28 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown.
"We have developed some depth behind Landry at the receiver position," Richardson said. "Stewart is a great athlete, who has gained a lot of confidence this offseason.
"Roberts is also a lot bigger and stronger this year," Richardson said. "We have to find ways to get him the ball this year, because he can do some creative things once he gets it."
If there was one concern offensively for the Jaguars it was their offensive line according to Richardson.
"Our offensive line has almost been decimated," Richardson said. "But our coaches have been doing a good job of moving players around. They are shuffling people around and I think we'll be OK, we just can't have any injuries."
Defensively, everything starts in the secondary for the Jaguars, who return SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in safety Jarmaual George.
The 6-1, 195-pound senior led the Jaguars with five interceptions, while recording 51 tackles and one fumble recovery.
"Our defensive backs are really strong," Richardson said. "George is a guy who is always around the ball and he likes to hit."
Although names weren't released, Richardson said the Jaguars could be without several players when they face Florida A&M.
"We still haven't received paper work for some players," Richardson said. "If we don't receive that paper work on those players by the time we play, those individuals will not take part in the game."
BATON ROUGE - In the first of his weekly press conferences on Thursday held at The Table is Bread Restaurant, Southern Jaguars head football coach Pete Richardson addressed many issues, such as the strength and weaknesses of his team.
But the biggest announcement was that redshirt sophomore Bryant Lee will be the Jaguars' starting quarterback when they take the field at 2 p.m. Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. against Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
"Last year, we had a number of injuries occur at the quarterback position," Richardson said. "Lee started the last couple of games at the end of the season and did a good job. He had a good offseason. He's bigger, stronger and has developed a good chemistry with the receivers."
The 6-1, 185-pound Lee from Hahnville High School, started the final three games of the season finishing second on the team with 302 yards rushing with five touchdowns on 67 carries, while completing 51-of-87 passes for 571 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Lee beat out stiff competition from fellow redshirt sophomore Warren Matthews, a 6-4, 240-pounder from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans.
"Warren received a lot of reps in the spring," Richardson said. "I'm confident that either one of these guys can run our football team."
Regardless of who is throwing the ball for the Jaguars this season, they'll have quality receivers to pass to with the return of second team All-SWAC honoree Gerard Landry.
The 6-2, 220-pound junior started every game last season for the Jaguars, finishing the year as the team's leading receiver in receptions (55), yards (727) and yards per game (66.1), while scoring a career-high five touchdowns.
"Landry has good size and strength," Richardson said. "He made a commitment in the offseason to lose weight and increase his speed, because he already has great hands."
Joining Landry out wide is sophomore Juamorris Stewart, a 6-3, 195-pounder from Istrouma High School, and Del Roberts, a 5-8, 170-pounder, who played in every game last season.
Stewart finished the year as the Jaguars third leading receiver with 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown, while Roberts battled through injuries to finish as Southern's second leading receiver with 28 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown.
"We have developed some depth behind Landry at the receiver position," Richardson said. "Stewart is a great athlete, who has gained a lot of confidence this offseason.
"Roberts is also a lot bigger and stronger this year," Richardson said. "We have to find ways to get him the ball this year, because he can do some creative things once he gets it."
If there was one concern offensively for the Jaguars it was their offensive line according to Richardson.
"Our offensive line has almost been decimated," Richardson said. "But our coaches have been doing a good job of moving players around. They are shuffling people around and I think we'll be OK, we just can't have any injuries."
Defensively, everything starts in the secondary for the Jaguars, who return SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in safety Jarmaual George.
The 6-1, 195-pound senior led the Jaguars with five interceptions, while recording 51 tackles and one fumble recovery.
"Our defensive backs are really strong," Richardson said. "George is a guy who is always around the ball and he likes to hit."
Although names weren't released, Richardson said the Jaguars could be without several players when they face Florida A&M.
"We still haven't received paper work for some players," Richardson said. "If we don't receive that paper work on those players by the time we play, those individuals will not take part in the game."
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