Date: 8/23
Position: Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers
Position Coach: Larry Hart

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Riley Cole (12 games played, 29-26—55 TT, 2½ TFL); Sean Grayer (12 GP, 7-13—20 TT, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT); Chris Henderson (11 GP, 3-6—9 TT, 2½ TFL, 1½ sacks, 1 FF); Rocel McWilliams (12 GP, 14-9—23 TT, 2½ TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FR); Chason Milner (10 GP 6-6—12 TT, 1 sack, 1 PBU); Taji Stewart (12 GP, 10-5—15 TT, 1 TFL)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Jimmie Gipson III (10 GP, 11-10—21 TT, 2½ TFL, 1½ sacks, 1 PBU); Finessé Middleton (11 GP, 10-16—26 TT, 4 TFL, 3½ sack, 1 FR)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Jalon Sheffield (R-Fr., Tallahassee [Fla.] Leon HS); Charles Coleman III (Fr., Huntsville [Ala.] Mae Jemison HS)

Miscellaneous Notes
-Middleton was an honorable mention all-Sun Belt Conference selection his final season after tying for the team lead with 3½ sacks; he had eight sacks in two years at South, a total that stands ninth on the program's all-time list in the category.
-Cole's 55 total stops a year ago were the most recorded by an individual in the group, although he primarily played inside linebacker last fall.
-Grayer has started on 21 occasions his first three seasons with the program, the most of any defensive player on the roster this year.
-He is also a candidate for both the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® and the Wuerffel Trophy for his contributions off the field.
-Milner has recorded 38 tackles over the last three years, with all three of his stops behind the line of scrimmage quarterback sacks.
-Henderson was credited with 2½ stops for loss among his nine total tackles in 2017.
-After collecting 15 total stops last fall as a sophomore, Stewart lettered for the first time since joining the program.
-McWilliams is expected to miss the season after suffering an injury the day before the first scrimmage of fall camp.
-Sheffield earned three stars coming out of high school from both Scout.com and 247Sports.com.
-Following a season in which he posted 63 tackles — with that total including 13 behind the line — and a forced fumble, Coleman III was named second-team all-region last fall.

Larry Hart
-On the strength of the group: "I am fortunate to have a couple of seniors in Sean and Chason, they are great leaders who come to work every day.  We have leadership, and I also think we have athletic ability; Riley, Chris and Taji are probably as talented as a group in our conference.  We have a great mix of talent and experience — I think that is going to be a big tool for us throughout the season — and we are as athletic as any group out there, I really believe that."
-On how he is preparing the group for the fall: "I tell the guys every day that playing hard is the number one thing, and after that it is all about technique and fundamentals.  When we do those things — when we focus on the root, not the fruit — and concentrate on the process of coming to work every day, that's what is going to translate into explosive plays and wins in the fall."
-On his focus to help the position contribute this season: "They have bought in to what we are trying to teach.  With Sean's experience, he understands the game and that allows him to make plays.  Chris, Taji and Riley, with the athleticism that they have and will bring to the game I think that they are going to make a bunch of explosive plays."

Sean Grayer
-On goals for the upcoming season: "The overall goal for the group is to lead the conference and be top 10 in the nation in sacks.  The last couple of years pass rushing and getting to the quarterback has been our biggest weakness so that is the main focus this season.  Personally, I am trying to be the top guy in sacks."
-On what he has focused on entering his senior year: "I've been working on my ability to get off the ball and being physical at the point of attack.  There's been a slight adjustment with the new coaching staff, Coach Hart has been pushing us to make our moves and come off the ball faster; I believe these techniques will help us a lot."
-On what excites him about the position group: "All of the guys have their own personalities, but we are just really energetic and there is so much talent from top to bottom.  One thing I like is that all of these guys are playmakers, they can make a play at any point in the game."

Chason Milner
-On entering his senior season: "I'm definitely very excited, I have high expectations for the defense as a whole as well as this team.  We haven't had a winning season since I've been here, that's one huge goal that I am really focused on and I know a lot of the other seniors are as well."
-On differences working with a new coaching staff: "There have definitely been slight adjustments technique-wise and in the scheme overall.  Other than that, the transition has been pretty smooth."
-On his strengths on the field: "It is definitely my ability to get off the ball, and my stance and alignment.  When I focus on those little things that [head] Coach [Steve] Campbell talks about and zone in, that's usually when I am playing my best."

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

Join the Jaguar Athletic Fund (JAF) Priority Fund, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the Priority Fund directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/priorityfund

—USA—