MOBILE, Ala. – After surrendering season highs of 42 points and 519 yards in a mid-November loss at Navy, the University of South Alabama football team was not ranked among the top half of the Sun Belt Conference in either total or scoring defense.

Three wins later, the Jaguars ended the 2013 season second in both categories, having allowed 274 yards while recording a school game-record nine sacks in a 36-14 defeat of Louisiana-Monroe, only 24 yards on the ground while winning 38-17 at Georgia State and a season-low 212 yards in a 30-8 victory over league co-champion Louisiana-Lafayette.

USA would end up pacing the conference in both tackles for loss and sacks per outing as well, ranking third nationally in the latter category with more than three per contest.

But after the season, first-year coordinator Kevin Sherrer accepted a position on the staff at Georgia.  Jag head coach Joey Jones didn't look far for his replacement, promoting Travis Pearson prior to the start of spring practice.

What changes — if any — will Pearson have in store for the Jaguar defense next fall?

"Some terminology has changed, some techniques have changed, but for the most part I want those guys to build off what they did last year and go from there," he said on Monday as USA began its second week of the spring season.  "It's so easy to keep the continuity; a lot of times our players don't like and respond well to change, so I've tried to keep as much in common [with what we did last year] as I can.  But, at the same time, I want to install some of the ideas I have too."

According to Pearson, who coached inside linebackers last fall — his first with the program — the strength of the unit at this point comes from the group that he will oversee this season.  "That would have to be the four guys who played a lot last year, their understanding of the coverage concepts and the checks within the coverages," he explained.  "They are really, really comfortable, it's like tying their shoes now.  That's a good thing for me; when you play 12 games like those guys did at a higher level as the season went along, I want them to come in with that same intensity and same drive."

The four Pearson referred to are the projected starters in the secondary.  Terrell Brigham has started the last two seasons, racking up 136 stops in that span at free safety, while Qudarius Ford and Montell Garner each had a total of eight passes defended in their first year starting at cornerback in '13.  Roman Buchanan didn't start with that trio as a true freshman, but he did see action in all 12 games and finished with 35 tackles and three passes broken up.

It's up front where the Jaguars have production to replace.  The trio of Romelle Jones, Pat Moore and Alex Page departed after combining to record 41 stops behind the line of scrimmage with 20½ sacks during their senior seasons, with Jones and Page earning first-team all-conference honors at the end of the year.  Montavious Williams also contributed four sacks last fall on the interior in his final season with the program.

Jesse Kelley is the lone returning starter on the defensive line, posting 34 tackles — 6½ of those were for loss — from the nose tackle position, although Jerome McClain matched that total including collecting 4½ stops behind the line backing up Jones at defensive tackle.  Theo Rich was hurt at the start of the season, but did record 15 tackles in nine outings upon returning, and DeMarion Harper played in five contests as well.

"Jerome and Jesse are solid, and I expect nothing different from those two," observed Pearson.  "DeMarion Harper is coming around and Jacob Chaffin is trying help fill those roles, and we are trying to find one or two more to build depth."

Maleki Harris will look to pace the linebacking unit — which lost the defense's leading tackler, Enrique Williams, due to graduation — after finishing with 63 tackles, 8½ stops for loss, seven passes broken up and a pair of fumble recoveries.  Desmond LaVelle had 27 stops as a junior, while Davin Hawkins intercepted passes twice last week in practice having joined the group prior to the start of spring drills.

With the defense losing five starters and 16 letterwinners from the 2013 squad, there is a leadership void that Pearson and Jones are looking to be filled in the spring.  The three individuals the former recognized for taking steps to fulfill the Jags' need in that area all will be seniors in the fall.

"When you talk about leadership, everybody doesn't lead verbally.  A lot of people lead by example on the field, and I think Jesse Kelley has become one of those guys," Pearson stated.  "Maleki Harris has also stepped up and become more of a leader.  I want those guys to understand that when you are a leader out here, it travels to the locker room and classroom also — that's character.  I think those two guys have demonstrated good character and have stepped up, along with Montell Garner.

"You're always looking for those guys who the young men will follow."

At Monday's workout, USA's first of three practices this week, the defense focused on pass pursuit, coverage installation and reviewing blitzes before going through three stations as part of a tackling circuit.  Following another 10-minute teaching period, the first-, second- and third-team offensive units each ran eight inside runs against the defense, with the group facing 32 more snaps as part of 7-on-7 skeleton passing drills.

During two team periods covering 25 minutes, the offense faced situations attempting to move the ball against the defense, in the red zone and executing third-down plays.

"They are progressing well I would say," Pearson said of his unit's progress since the start of spring practice.  "Today the kids came in with a great attitude and got better.  We saw some things during the team periods where I really thought the kids were understanding the concepts of the defense and were trying to do the things that we are asking them to do."

"The defense is really showing a lot of passion about how they're playing every day, they're playing hard and I really like what I see, especially from that first group," added Jones.  "Now we've got to develop some depth — I'm a little concerned with depth right now with the defensive front and linebacker — but that first group is looking really good."

The Jaguars will have one more practice prior to their first full scrimmage of the spring, which is slated to start at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.  The scrimmage — which will be conducted on the practice fields on campus — will begin Saturday at 3 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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