Jacksonville State Gamecocks 2023 Preview and Predictions

(Photo Credit: Brandon Phillips/JSU)

Key Players Returning:

QB Zion Webb, RB Ron Wiggins, WR/PR Sterling Galban, TE Sean Brown, OC Treylen Brown, OG Brock Robey, OG Clay Webb, OT Will O’Steen, DE Chris Hardie, DE J-Rock Swain, DT Jackson Luttrell, DT Jeff Marks, LB Laletia Hale, LB Tristan Wells, CB Jabari Mack, NB Kolbi Fuqua, NB Larry Worth, FS Jeremiah Harris, SS Fred Perry, SS Ky’won McCrary, KR Michael Pettway, PK Alen Karajic and PT Jack Dawson.

Key Players Departing:

RB Matt LeRoche, RB Anwar Lewis, OT Ye’Majesty Sanders, LB Markall Benton, LB Stevone Tullis, CB Yul Gowdy, CB Jamari Jemison, NB Curley Young Jr. and DS Deco Wilson.

Top 10 Recruits:

3 Star Recruits:  QB Logan Smothers (Nebraska transfer),DL Devin Baldwin (UMASS transfer), WR Dallan Wright (Virginia Tech transfer), RB Kenyon Sims (San Jose State transfer), RB Malik Jackson (UL-Monroe transfer) and QB Earl Woods (Hueytown, Alabama).

1 Star Recruits:  CB Trvis Franklin (Tyrone, Georgia) OT Kaiden Arnold (Atmore, Alabama), LB Dajwon Deloach (Columbus, Georgia) and TE Ridge Redd (Calhoun, Georgia).

2022 Results:

G01  vs. Stephen F. Austin  W  |  42-17
G02  DAVIDSON  W  35-17
G03  @ Murray State  W  34-3
G04  @ Tulsa  L  17-54
G05  @ Nicholls  W  52-21
G06  KENNESAW STATE  W  35-28
G07  vs. North Alabama  W  47-31
G08  SE LOUISIANA  L  14-31
G09  @ Austin Peay  W  40-16
G10  EASTERN KENTUCKY  W  42-17
G11  @ Central Arkansas  W  40-17

Team Info:

2022 Overall:  9-2 (1st in ASUN)

Home:  3-1
Away:  4-1
Neutral:  2-0
ASUN:  5-0
Non-CUSA:  4-2

Head Coach:  Rich Rodriguez

Jacksonville State:  9-2
Career:  172-121-2
Bowls:  5-6

Returning Statistical Leaders:

Passing:  Zion Webb (111-201, 1737 yards, 55.2%, 8.6 avg., 9 TD, 10 INT)
Rushing:  Anwar Lewis (115 car., 840 yards, 7.1 avg., 8 TD)
Receiving:  Sterling Galban (28 rec., 411 yards, 15.5 avg., 1 TD)
TD’s Scored:  Zion Webb (14)
Sacks:  Chris Hardie (5.5)
Tackles:  Jeremiah Harris (68)
Interceptions:  Kolbi Fuqua (2)
Pass Deflections:  Jeremiah Harris (3)
Tackles For Loss:  Chris Hardie (15.5)
Forced Fumbles:  Kolbi Fuqua/J-Rock Swain (2)
Kick Returns:  Michael Pettway (5 ret., 151 yards, 30.6 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns:  Sterling Galban (7 ret., 56 yards, 8.0 avg., 0 TD)
Kicking:  Allen Karajic (13-16 fg/fga., 81%, 37-38 xp/xpa., 76 pts.)
Punting:  Jack Dawson (42 punts, 1768 yards, 42.1 avg., 11 in20)

Projected Offensive Starters:

QB:  10  Zion Webb  (RS SR)
RB:  26  Ron Wiggins  (RS JR)
WR:  86  Quinton Lane  (RS SR/TR)
WR:  2  Michael Pettway  (RS JR/TR)
WR:  1  Sterling Galbon  (RS JR/TR)
TE:  17  Sean Brwon  (RS JR/TR)
LT:  71  Will O’Steen  (RS SO)
LG:  74  Clay Webb  (RS JR/TR)
OC:  69  Treylen Brown  (RS JR)
RG:  78  Brock Robey  (JR/TR)
RT:  67  Xavier Bausley  (RS FR)
KR:  2  Michael Pettway  (RS JR/TR)
PK:  47  Alen Karajic  (JR)

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE:  91  Chris Hardie  (RS JR)
DT:  57  Jeff Marks  (RS SR)
DT:  92  Jackson Luttrell  (SR)
DE:  30  J-Rock Swain  (JR)
LB:  16  Laletia Hale  (RS JR)
LB:  10  Quae Drake  (RS SR/TR)
NB:  23  Kolbi Fuqua  (RS SR/TR)
CB:  4  Jabari Mack  (SO)
CB:  13  Derek Carter  (RS SO)
FS:  14  Jeremiah Harris  (RS SR)
SS:  25  Fred Perry  (SO)
PR:  1  Sterling Galbon  (RS JR/TR)
PT:  87  Jack Dawson  (JR/TR)

Team Grades

Offense

Quarterbacks:  C
Running Backs:  A
Wide Receivers:  C
Offensive Line:  A

Defense

Defensive Line:  B
Linebackers:  C
Secondary:  B

Special Teams:

Kick Returners:  B
Punt Returners:  C
Kickers:  A
Punters:  B

Schedule:

08/28  UTEP MINERS  |  First meeting between schools.

09/02  ETSU BUCCANBEERS  |  JSU won (34-27) the only prior meeting between schools in 2018.

09/09  @ Coastal Carolina Chanticleers  |  JSU won (27-26) the only prior meeting between schools in 2016.

09/23  EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES  |  First meeting between schools.

09/28  @ Sam Houston Bearkats  |  JSU trails the series 1-2.  JSU lost (7-42) the last meeting between schools in 2021.

10/04  @ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders  |  First meeting between schools.

10/10  LIBERTY FLAMES  |  JSU leads the series 2-0.  JSU won (31-10) the last meeting between schools in 2017.

10/17  WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS  |  First meeting between schools.

10/25  @ FIU Panthers  |  JSU won (19-10) the only prior meeting between schools in 2020.

11/04  @ South Carolina Gamecocks  |  First meeting between schools.

11/18  LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS  |  First meeting between schools.

11/25  @ New Mexico State Aggies  |  First meeting between schools.

Predictions:

Home:  5-1
Away:  1-5
Neutral:  0-0
CUSA:  5-3
Non-CUSA:  1-3

Overall:  6-6  (3rd in CUSA)