2009 Football Preview: Jackson State Picked to Win the Eastern Division
SWAC.org
Sept. 2, 2009
Jackson, Miss. -
Jackson State Tigers
2008 Finish: 7-5 overall (6-1 SWAC, 1st place Eastern Division)
2009 Preseason Prediction: 1st place Eastern Division
As the Tigers enter the fourth season under head coach Rick Comegy, JSU has established itself as one of the premiere teams in the SWAC East Division, with back-to-back eastern division titles. JSU fought its way into its second straight SWAC Championship game, but fell just short losing to Grambling State.
JSU returns 10 offensive starters and seven defensive starters for the 2009 season. Notable losses from last year's team include Marcellus Speaks (All-SWAC LB, and Def. Player of the Year), Domonique Johnson (All-SWAC DB), Marcus Benard (All-SWAC DE), Marcel Frost (TE) and Carlos Simpson (ATH).
The Tiger offense looks to get off to a fast start this season, due to veteran leadership. JSU will have at least three quality quarterbacks on roster. Senior signal caller Trae Rutland (6-2, 230) is the projected starter for the Tigers. Rutland had a solid junior season. He led JSU in rushing with 497 yards and was second on the team with four rushing touchdowns last season. In the passing game he completed 56.9 percent of his pass attempts (115-202) for 1,423 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Michael Mosley (6-3, 225) and red-shirt freshman Dedric McDonald (6-5, 200) will battle for the back-up quarterback position. Mosley, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, played in eight games last season completed 27 of his 86 pass attempts for 442 yards. He had four touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Tigers will have two explosive runners in the backfield in sophomores Darius Bolela (6-2, 225) and Luther Edwards (5-8, 225). Bolela had 44 carries for 330 yards and two touchdowns, while Edwards had 111 carries and finished with 445 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomores Keenan Tillman (6-5, 220) and Marcellos Wilder (6-3, 195) will headline a deep receiving corps. Tillman hauled in 23 passes for 300 yards and Wilder caught 11 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. Seniors Eric Jones (6-3, 300) and Mikael Harshaw (6-4, 310) will anchor JSU's offensive line. Harshaw was an All-SWAC first team performer and Jones was named to the All-SWAC second team.
JSU's "Dark Side" defense is coming off another outstanding season, being ranked either first or second in several conference statistical categories. Seniors Marcus Jamison (6-1, 235), Sam Washington (6-4, 265) and Malcolm Palmer (6-1, 200) will look to lead the Tiger defense to another stellar season. Jamison, who was third on the team in tackles with 61, will look to assume the role of on-the-field leader from his linebacker position. Washington, a defensive end, was ranked second in the SWAC in forced fumbles with six, sixth in sacks with 6.5 and seventh in tackles for a loss with 15.5 will anchor the defensive line. Palmer a versatile member of the defense (has played defensive back, safety and linebacker) will bring experience to the JSU secondary. He was ranked 13th in the conference in passes defended and was named to the All-SWAC second team.
Junior linebacker Ryan Rich (6-1, 215) should join Jamison in the starting lineup. Rich finished the 2008 season with 49 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. Sophomore defensive lineman Donovan Robinson (6-3, 250), who had a solid freshman year with 10 tackles, is expected to make big plays this season.
Senior Marcell Young (6-2, 200) proved to be an outstanding defensive back last season, as he played on the opposite side of All-SWAC performer Domonique Johnson. Young recorded 25 tackles and had two pass breakups.
The Tigers will be solid on special teams. Seniors Eric Perri (5-8, 155) and Brett Bennett (6-0, 175) will return for JSU as the place kicker and punter respectively. Perri, a second team All-SWAC member, was sixth in the conference in scoring (5.1 points/game) and second in field goals as he connected on 13 of 16 attempts (81.2 percent). He also made 22 of 26 extra point attempts. Bennett was fourth in the SWAC in punting, averaging 38.9 yards per punt.
Courtesy of Jackson State sports information