JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University football team begins year two of the Harold Jackson era in Tigers football. While the Tigers finished with a disappointing 5-7 (3-6) record, JSU finished the 2014 season with a two game winning streak and bright spots on both sides of the ball to build on.
The Offense
Timmy Chang, JSU’s offensive coordinator, enters his second year at the helm of JSU’s fast break, run-and-shoot offense. In the first season running the offense scheme, JSU had moments where it looked like it would set records and other times the offense had struggled to stay on the field. The unit’s inconsistent play was due to a combination – inexperience in the system and injuries along the offensive line.
“It takes a couple years to learn this offense,” said Chang. “As the team got more and more comfortable with the system, we began to play better. We also went through a rough patch on the offensive line. Once those two areas – getting more comfortable in the system and consistency along the line – we played better and that could be seen with us winning the final two games of the season.”
Quarterbacks
Lamontiez Ivy (6-3, 215, Jr.) quietly posted one of the best passing seasons in JSU history. His 64.0 completion percentage not only led the SWAC but was also the best single season performance by a JSU signal caller. Ivy completed 270 of his 420 pass attempts for a league high 3,209 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Only eight QBs in JSU history have thrown 20 or more touchdowns and only three have passed for 3,000 or more yards (the other two were Robert Kent and Casey Therriault). Following another solid spring, Ivy is poised to lead the Tigers offense into the 2015 season.
Should Ivy falter or go down with injury JSU coaches have two solid QB options in addition to Ivy. Returner Brent Lyles (6-2, 195, R-Fr.) and UNLV transfer Jarin Morikawa (6-0, 190, So.) will both compete for the starting job. Lyles sat out as a redshirt last season and Morikawa did not take the field for UNLV last season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jackson State quarterbacks will have a deep talent pool of pass catchers, with a good mix of possession receivers and speedsters who can take the top off of a defense. Daniel Williams (6-3, 200, Jr.) returns as one of the top receivers in FCS play. Last season he became only the seventh Tiger to record 1,000 or more pass receiving yards, while becoming one of the youngest in JSU history to do so - accomplishing the feat as a sophomore. He led the SWAC in receptions with 72 and was second in the league in receiving touchdowns (9) and third in receiving yards (1,004). Williams’ outstanding season saw him being selected as a nominee for the C Spire Conerly Trophy (best collegiate football player in Mississippi). Jairus Moll (5-9, 180, Sr.) finished 2014 as the second leading receiver as he caught 34 passes for 485 yards and six touchdowns. Devin Fosselman (5-11, 190, Sr.) caught 32 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. DeSean McKenzie (6-3, 190, Sr.) caught 22 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns. LaCorey Tucker (6-1, 185, Sr.) had 15 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown. Tight ends Jabari Payton (6-5, 250, Sr.) and Tevin Garrett (6-4, 250, Jr.) also return from last year’s team. Payton caught 12 balls for 120 yards while Garrett saw limited action. Other receivers expected to make significant contributions include Romello Shumake (5-10, 170, So.), Will Golston (6-2, 190, Jr.), Carzell Vickers (6-4, 185, Jr.) and Shaquille Ward (6-3, 185, So.).
Running backs/Full backs
JSU will have a good group in its backfield. Jarius Moore (5-11, 205, Jr.) and Robert Johnson, IV (6-0, 225, So.) return as the leading rushers for the Tigers. Moore rushed for 380 yards and three touchdowns on 77 carries and Johnson had 304 yards and a touchdown on 64 attempts. Each player has the size and speed to run between the tackles to pick up tough yards, or bounce it to the outside and go the distance. Both players are also solid pass catching options out of the backfield. Moore caught 12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown and Johnson caught 12 passes for 112 yards. This duo should be a potent one-two punch for the Tigers. Rashard Frye (5-9, 175, Fr.) - a quick, shifty speedster, Derrick Wilkerson (5-9, 200, Fr.) – a hard runner with speed, and Alexander Montgomery (5-10, 190, Jr.) – a veteran who can pick up tough yards, all add talent and depth to the JSU back field. Derrian Johnson (5-11, 220, Jr.) who has been utilized as a blocking back will look to get more carries this season. Last season he caught two passes for seven yards.
Offensive Line
The offensive line will be a key piece of the puzzle for the Tigers. Markus Cook (6-3, 285, Jr.), Christian Marshall (6-5, 290, Jr.) and Marcus Murphy (6-4, 305, Jr.) all will compete for starting jobs this season. Newcomers Vincent Hunter (6-4, 325, Jr.), Alem Amores (6-2, 290, Jr.), Zechariah Ray (6-7, 325, Jr.) and Kenneth Taylor (6-4, 335, Jr.) will all add depth to the unit.
Defense
Alonzo Lee, a veteran head coach and defensive coordinator, will lead the JSU defense in 2015. The Tigers will play a 4-3 base defense under Lee. Over his coaching career, Lee consistently produced quality defenses.
Defensive Line
A lack of depth along the defensive line was a weakness for the Tigers last season. Head coach Harold Jackson and his staff addressed that need – bolstering the unit with size and talent. Two of JSU’s more talented and experienced defenders – Teddrick Terrell (6-3, 225, Sr.) and Javancy Jones (6-2, 225, Jr.) return to the defensive line, after playing linebacker in JSU’s 3-4 defense last season. Jones finished last season as the team’s leading tackler with 107 total tackles. He also led the team in tackles for loss (18 for 68 yards) to go along with three sacks, a pass deflection, four QB hurries and a forced fumble. Terrell finished with 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass break ups and a forced fumble. Cornelius Henderson (6-3, 305, Jr.) emerged as a solid run stopper last season as he finished with 50 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Keontre Anderson (6-4, 230, So.) had a stellar freshman campaign last season. He finished with 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble. Coleman Johnson (6-2, 290, Jr.) missed all of last season due to injuries and the JSU coaching staff is looking for him to return to his 2013 form when he emerged as an outstanding defensive tackle. Frank Carter (6-3, 330, So.) and Lavaka Maile (6-5, 270, Sr.) are two other returners who will look to make significant contributions.
Transfers Vallemond German (6-3, 255, Jr.), Yacoub Hammoudeh (6-5, 300, Jr.), Demaris Peppers (6-3, 387, So.), James Reid (6-3, 280, Jr.), Nijee Smith (6-3, 225, Jr.) and Brandon Wright (6-2, 326, Jr.) will all look to make significant contributions.
Linebackers
The linebackers will be led by Stacy Nobles (6-0, 230, Jr.) and Kwame Bowens (6-0, 220, Jr.). Nobles was the fourth leading tackler on the team with 65. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Bowens saw action in seven games and recorded 35 tackles. Shawn Bishop (6-0, 235, So.) Jonathan Burnett (6-4, 220, So.) and Andre’ Lloyd (6-3, 210, So.) all look to have breakout seasons. Other key contributors should include Terry Harper (5-10, 210, So.), Tre Jester (5-11, 211, Jr.), Justin Morgan (6-4, 235, Jr.), Rodney Shorter, II (6-1, 230, So.) and Hector Stanback (6-0, 190, So.).
Secondary
JSU will have a solid secondary in 2015. The unit will be led by Robert Porter (6-0, 188, Sr.) and Brandon Smith (6-1, 200, Sr.) are projected to help lead the unit. Last season Porter recorded 61 tackles and a team high eight pass breakups to go along with an interception (TD). Smith posted 46 tackles, an interception and three pass breakups. Joshua Edet (6-0, 180, Sr.), Jamal Hawkins (6-0, 185, So.), Preston Hughes (6-0, 190, Jr.), Justin Jemison (6-3, 190, Jr.) and Demory Monroe (5-11, 180, So.) will all look to make significant contributions. Transfer Zavian Bingham (5-10, 190, Jr.) will also look to make an impact in the JSU secondary.
Special Teams
The special teams unit will be rock solid once again in 2015. Ryan Deising (5-8, 170, Sr.) returns as one of the best place kickers in the SWAC. Last season he was a perfect 32-32 in PAT kicks and went 18-23 in field goal attempts. Darcy Williamson (5-11, 180, Jr.) is one of the top punters in the SWAC. Last season he recorded 2,274 yards on 57 punts, for a 39.9 yards/punt average. He had five touchbacks, eight fair catches and landed 15 inside the 20-yard line. Christian Jacquemin (5-11, 190, RFr.) did not play last season but has a strong leg. Moll, Frye and Canard Brown (5-11, 180, Jr.) will serve as the main return men for the Tigers.
Schedule
JSU (5-7, 3-6 SWAC) opens the season with three straight road games. The Tigers travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. to take on Middle Tennessee State from Conference USA on Sept. 5. The following week, JSU travels to Memphis, Tenn. to square off against non-conference rival Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. On Sept. 19 JSU travels to Baton Rouge, La. to face Southern before a two game home stand.
The Tigers will host Texas Southern for the W.C. Gorden Classic in their home opener on Sept 26. On Oct. 3 JSU will host Grambling State for a second consecutive season. Following their first open week of the season, the Tigers will head to Huntsville, Ala. to face Alabama A&M on Oct. 17.
On Oct. 24 JSU squares off against Arkansas Pine Bluff for the homecoming football game. The following week JSU travels to Itta Bena, Miss. to face Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers welcome Alabama State to Jackson on Nov. 7. JSU’s final open week is set for Nov. 14 and on Nov. 21 JSU travels to Prairie View, Tex. to face Prairie View AA&M. The regular season ends on Nov. 28 when the Alcorn State returns to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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