Happy Holidays from all of us at Thunderjags
All of us at Thunderjags want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We have had another amazing year and things continue to look great for the future of South Alabama.
Go Jags!
Jags announce two transfers from Mississippi Junior Colleges
Coach Jones announced on Wednesday that they have signed two junior college transfers from Mississippi. Kennedy Helms, the younger brother of Tight End Kevin Helms, and Gabe Loper have signed National Letter-of-Intent and will join the program in January.
Kennedy Helms is 6’3″, 240-pounds and will be a senior next season. He played for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College team what has won 19 games the last two seasons and also finised in the top 10 in the final NJCAA poll each fall. He caught two touchdowns in 2010 as they went 10-2 but coach Jones was impressed by his blocking.
Gabe Loper played at East Central Community College and was honored on the second team all-MACJC for his 39 total tackles, 28 solo tackles and three pass break-ups. Previously, during his freshman year, he made 30 total tackles, 22 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Coach Jones said that Loper could play both Corner and safety, but would start him out in the safety position. He has man-to-man cover skills and good range so his play will definitely benefit the Jaguars secondary, which was very thin last season.
Jags Fall in Louisville 97-70
On Saturday, the Jags dropped to 2-5 on the road in Louisville, Kentucky when they took on the University of Louisville, why the Cardindals improve to 6-0. The Cardinals shot over 50% from the floor while the Jags shot much less than that to fall 97-70.
Jags sophomore Martino Brock lead the Jags in scoring with 24 points while adding 7 rebounds and a team best 4 assists. Also redshirt freshman Augustine Rubit got his third double-double of the season by scoring 15 points and tied for a game high 14 rebounds while also blocking two shots.
In addition to shooting over 50% from the floor, the Cardinals also shot over 51% from three-point range. The Jags on the other hand went 3-of-4 in the first half, but would go 2-of-12 in the second half from 3-point range.
A positive note for the game, the Jags shot over 75% from the free-throw line for the first time this year by converting 86.2%. However the Cardinals outscored the Jags on the inside 52-14.
The Jags will return to play on Sunday at the Mitchell Center when they host Houston Baptist.
Senior Bowl for Courtney?
Courtney Smith talking with head coach Joey Jones in the programs first true road game in Beaumont, Texas versus Lamar University.
According to his facebook page, Senior Wide Receiver Courtney Smith has received an invitation to play in the Under Armor Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on January 29th. When the Senior Bowl was contacted for confirmation, they said, “No, however invitation process is ongoing.” I put lots of stock in Courtney, so I will go with the story that he has received an invitation but the Senior Bowl was waiting for an answer before confirming.