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South Alabama’s first scrimmage of 2024 preseason camp is in the books, a 110-play practice session under the lights at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Saturday night. The Jaguars are now 10 practices into the preseason, with 15 more to go before the Aug. 31 season-opener vs. North Texas. South Alabama will scrimmage once more next Saturday, before a walk-through/game day simulation scrimmage a week later. Below are some observations taken from in-person practice viewing as well as conversations with Jaguars players and coaches. Take them with the reminder that we’re still nearly three weeks from the start of the season, so all of it is subject to change: • The Jaguars were in desperate need of some pass-rushers this season after defensive ends Jamie Sheriff and Brock Higdon and outside linebacker Quentin Wilfawn — who combined for 12.5 sacks last season — all graduated and linebacker Khalil Jacobs (who had three sacks) transferred to Missouri. It appears they may have some candidates in transfer imports Aakil Washington (Liberty), Courtney McBride (Florida Atlantic) and Jalyn Durgan (East Mississippi Community College). Washington ended the spring as the starter at Wolf (outside) linebacker, though McBride has made quite an impression in camp. Durgan has been competing at Bandit defensive end with redshirt freshman Jordan Norman, among others. Veteran Lamondre Brooks, who has had injury troubles in the past, has worked at both positions during camp. • Gio Lopez did not scrimmage for precautionary reasons, but is not expected to miss any additional time. He’s been the No. 1 quarterback throughout camp, and that’s not likely to change. However, backup Bishop Davenport acquitted himself well running the first-team offense on Saturday, showing good mobility and arm strength. Freshman Jared Hollins moved up to run the second team, but appears to be well behind Davenport in the pecking order. He’ll almost certainly redshirt this year. Read more: https://www.al.com/usa/2024/08/south-alabama-football-observations-after-first-scrimmage-of-2024-preseason-camp.html

2024 American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll 1. Wichita State (8) 80 2. Charlotte (1) 70 3. North Texas (1) 66 4. South Florida 55 5. Florida Atlantic 47 6. UAB 40 7. Tulsa 37 8. East Carolina 29 9. Memphis 14 10. UTSA 12 (#) denotes first place votes

For North Texas, it's a new year with a new Chandler at quarterback. Eric Morris lost the pilot of the American Athletic Conference's second-ranked passing offense when Chandler Rogers transferred to Cal. He might've just replaced him with former TCU signal caller Chandler Morris. Morris, who captained Highland Park to the 2018 Class 5A DI State Championship, announced his commitment to the Mean Green on Saturday. Morris began his college career at Oklahoma in 2020 before playing three seasons at TCU. He'll have two seasons of eligibility as a graduate transfer. Morris, the son of former SMU and Arkansas head coach Chad Morris, earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors in his first-career start in 2021 when he compiled 531 yards of offense in a thrilling win over Baylor. He entered the 2022 season as the starter, but an MCL sprain in week one allowed Max Duggan to take a stranglehold on the starting job and lead TCU to the national championship. Tabbed starter once again in 2023, Morris led TCU to a promising 3–1 start. But TCU suffered a back-to-back skid against West Virginia and Iowa State. Then, Morris again sustained a sprained MCL that sidelined him for multiple weeks. Redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Hoover took over, and the Horned Frogs stuck with him after Morris healed. Morris finished the year with 1,532 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Morris will battle Stone Earle for the North Texas starting job over the offseason. Eric Morris named Earle North Texas's starter to open 2023 before Rogers was inserted into the lineup after an 0–2 start. The Birdville alum announced his transfer to Abilene Christian after the season ended, but quickly opted to return to North Texas. read more: https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2024/01/15/former-tcu-quarterback-chandler-morris-transfers-to-north-texas?ref=article_preview_img

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