Date: 3/18
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Place: Campus practice fields
Practice attire: Helmets and shorts, no pads

Offensive Player of the Day: Xavier Johnson, R-Fr., RB, Tampa, Fla.
-Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent on Johnson: "I thought he caught the ball well out of the backfield, he had a really good burst.  And he showed great effort and energy.  His run reads were very strong, his vision looked good and he tried to finish every play."

Defensive Player of the Day: Roman Buchanan, So., S, Enterprise, Ala.
-Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson on Buchanan: "It's always good to see him out there.  Our offense moves really fast so our kids have to adjust on the fly, and we have a lot of new bodies out there.  Roman is doing a good job of helping those guys out.  We just have to keep him coaching on the field, and I'll coach them off it."

Play of the Day: On the opening offensive series of the team period, Hunter Vaughn hit Danny Woodson II a step inside the sideline, with the junior wide out breaking free from the defensive back in coverage on the play to go untouched after turning the corner.

Team period highlights: The practice included one 20-minute team period, with the offense running plays to move the ball against the defense facing normal downs and distances.  The first-team unit had three five-play possessions, with the second- and third-teams on the field for two drives each.

Miscellaneous Notes
-Prior to the start of 7-on-7 passing drills, the Jag defense worked on a takeaway circuit as part of individual drills and reviewed blitz packages.
-For the second time in as many practices, both special teams periods were devoted to punt coverage.
-Terrance Slaughter recorded the lone takeaway for the defense with an interception on a deep ball during the second-team offense's first possession.
-Christian Pearsall made four catches working with the offense's third unit during the team period.
-After starting the spring campaign with back-to-back sessions in just helmets and shorts, USA won't practice again without pads until Wednesday, April 8, the team's final workout prior to the annual Red-Blue Game.

Head coach Joey Jones
-On the Jaguars' second day of spring practice: "There was great tempo, the guys on both sides of the ball are getting lined up and paying attention to detail.  We're rotating a lot of guys in — we're going three deep — and getting to look at everybody on film.  I'm pleased overall; obviously we're not ready for a ball game yet, but I don't expect us to be."
-On what the coaching staff looks for when practicing in just helmets and shorts: "You can evaluate the skills players better when you're not in pads.  You can't evaluate a lineman, and it's hard to judge linebackers unless you're looking at pass coverage.  But with receivers and defensive backs, you can evaluate them because that's what they do; there's not a whole lot of collisions going on.  But we can look at the skill guys and see what they can do outside."
-On how much practice will change when wearing shells on Friday: "It makes all the difference in the world because you find out who the real football players are.  They can come out here in shorts and look real pretty, but until you hit somebody or take a hit you can't play the game of football."

Up next: Practice 3-5 p.m. Friday at the campus practice fields

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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