By By Chandler Myers
Spring practice is normal for football teams on college campuses around the nation, but for the University of South Alabama it is a new occurrence with the upstart Jaguars in the middle of the school’s first-ever football practices.
The University is in the process of getting a football program off the ground that will be bowl-eligible and a member of the Sunbelt Conference beginning in the 2013 season.
Jaguars head football coach Joey Jones said the practices have been going strong with the team improving each week.
Practicing with players that have never played on the college-level is a difficult task and it is made even harder when all of the players have never been there.
Jones said the biggest challenge is teaching the players basically everything fundamental about college football.
To correct the issue of not having experienced players, the Jaguars’ coaching staff is looking to give every player as much knowledge as possible.
Jones said there are two goals set out for spring practice.
Even with an entire roster of new players, Jones sees strengths in his team.
He said he sees one strength on offense and an overall strength as a team.
The Jaguars first game is Sept. 5 against Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.