While Southern spring sports are closing out their seasons in the coming weeks, the Jaguars football team has added some members and is getting ready for a short break before summer workouts begin.
Coach Terrence Graves has six more commitments to add to the incoming 17-player recruiting class already in the fold.
“The guys are finishing up this week with exams and going home for a break,” Graves said. “They’re excited to get a little break and rest, and I’m excited for them. They can let loose and enjoy some of the summer before they get back into it. The signees are preparing to come in and the reporting day is June 1.”
Southern picked up commitments from offensive linemen D’Andre Richard, a Baton Rouge native who transferred from Northwestern State, and Joseph Gonzales of Citrus Community College; defensive end Demetrios Walker of McNeese State; defensive lineman Jerome Wallace of Clark Atlanta; and linebackers Jamarlo Campbell of Long Beach City College and Vince Paige of Ferris State.
Southern also has added two preferred walk-ons from local schools, quarterback Andrew Izzard of Southern Lab and running back/safety Mason Warren of Parkview Baptist. Graves declined to comment on the players until their admission paperwork is completed.
"In the summer, we want them to continue where we left off in the spring, learn all three systems and be able to implement them with a high level of efficiency," Graves said. "We are going to do some team bonding. The guys are jelling together, and the leadership is forming. We want to foster that."
Southern did not bring in a quarterback through the transfer portal and will enter the season with three on the roster: junior Noah Bodden, and redshirt freshmen Jalen Brown and Czavian Teasett. Graves said the team hasn’t lost any players to the portal that they were counting on coming out of spring practice.
The season begins Aug. 31 at McNeese State.
Pitre invited
Former Jaguars wide receiver August Pitre wasn’t drafted but did receive an invitation to the Denver Broncos rookie minicamp. He caught 23 passes for 413 yards and five touchdowns last season.