Date: 8/29
Position: Offensive Line
Position Coach: Mike Bangtson

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Roy Albriton (12 games played, 6 games started), Brian Ankerson (12 GP, 12 GS), Max Charite (11 GP), Hadon Merchant (12 GP, 12 GS), Troy Thingstad (12 GP, 12 GS)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Ryan Alexander (12 GP, 11 GS), Ben Becker (2 GP), Rowan Godwin (12 GP, 6 GS), Kevin Haas (10 GP, 1 GS)

Redshirt / Squad Members (Yr., Hometown, Previous school): Travis Bird (R-Jr., Valencia [Calif.] College of the Canyons [Calif.]), Kent Foster (R-So., Pell City [Ala.] Dodge City [Kan.] CC), Tyler Jernigan (R-Fr., Bay Minette [Ala.] Baldwin County HS), Wyatt Green, R-Fr., Hurley [Miss.] East Central HS), Josh McColloch (R-Fr., Houston [Texas] Aldine Benjamin Davis HS), Braden Moody (R-Fr., Vicksburg [Miss.] Warren Central HS), Trey Simpson (R-Fr., Mobile [Ala.] McGill-Toolen Catholic HS), Reggie Smith (R-Fr., Pensacola [Fla.] Escambia HS),

Newcomers (Yr., Hometown, Previous school): Jacob Shoemaker (Jr., Gulfport [Miss.] Mississippi Gulf Coast CC), Connor Estes (So., Moss Point [Miss.] Mississippi Gulf Coast CC), Mekel Dennis (Fr., Pleasant Grove [Ala.] Ramsay HS), John Gill (Fr., Pensacola [Fla.] Pine Forest HS), Jacob Herrington (Fr., Madisonville [La.] Northlake Christian School), Bryson Norris (Fr., Crestview [Fla.] HS), Max Smith (Fr., Loganville [Ga.] HS)

Miscellaneous Notes
- Ankerson, along with Thingstad and Merchant started all 12 games on the offensive line for the Jaguars during the 2018 season.
- In his first season as a starter last fall, Ankerson was credited with an overall grade of 73 percent and an assignment mark of 87 percent — both team highs — to go along with 31 pancake blocks.  He graded out at 70 percent or higher on nine occasions during the year while earning a grade of 80 percent or higher on assignments in all but one outing.
-Earlier this summer, Ankerson was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List and was also the Jaguars' nominee for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.
-Thingstad earned an 86 percent assignment grade while recording 21 knockdown blocks, and was called for just two penalties and only had two missed assignments on 586 snaps.
-Merchant finished second on the team with 39 knockdown blocks, and Albritton started the last six games of the 2018 season, earning an 83 percent assignment grade for the year, posting a mark at or above 80 percent on seven occasions.
-Charite appeared in all but one contest his first season with the program and earned an 85 percent assignment grade. He had 17 knockdown blocks and allowed just a half sack while taking part in 363 plays.
- Shoemaker, a JUCO transfer, joined the program at the start of the spring semester and was chosen preseason fourth-team all-Sun Belt Conference by Phil Steele Publications. He received three stars coming out of junior college from 247Sports.com, with the organization considering him among the top 12 guards in the country.
- McColloch played in four games as a true freshman, but was able to redshirt as he didn't exceed the NCAA's new threshold. Jernigan played in one game.

Assistant Coach Mike Bangston
- On the difference coaching this offensive line compared to last season's: "They have a better understanding of the position and they are a really fun group to be around because they are very eager to learn. They've been in our system for a while now. We've had a few tweaks and changes, but they've done a great job of wanting to learn. They've taken a lot of steps in their understanding of the offense and the different schemes. It's really started at the top with our older guys who have held the younger guys accountable. It's a fun group to be around, because they want to get better and be as good as they can be."
- On the development of the chemistry of the group: "We're a much tighter knit group on the offensive line this season. During fall camp, we go and eat at the 'Cafe' every day, and every time I went over there to get some food, all those guys were sitting together and that was good for me to see. They want to be around each other and we [as a staff] want to be around guys like that. I believe that makes you accountable to the group, because you don't want to let your brothers down. It's very important to have that type of chemistry in the offensive line. I feel we are really developing and I'm excited to see how much closer and tight knit we can get as the season goes on."
- On the strength of the position group: "These guys have a very blue-collared approach and they want to put the work in every, single day. They don't take days off and that's been one of the biggest changes from a year ago. Everyday, they've come out here and put the work in. It's been hot and they've brought the 'Juice' and the energy. Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it, especially when you're a 350-pound guy out in a 100-plus heat index. That mindset really started with our upperclassman leadership, which has filtered down to our younger guys."

Brian Ankerson
- On developing into the player he is now: "I've worked really hard in the weight room and on the field. I've done extra studying in the film room and just tried to work on my craft as much as possible."
- On how his expectations differ this season entering his second season as a starter: "Last year, I didn't really know what to expect because I had never started a game at this level before. This season, I feel more ready for the game speed and feel like I understand it better. The goal this year is to go win a bowl game and a conference championship."
- On the chemistry of the offensive line this season compared to last season: "I feel that we have a much better chemistry this year than we did last year. We spend a lot more time together and are always cutting up with each other. Our communication has improved tremendously as compared to last year."

Jacob Shoemaker
- On what he has done to put himself in a position to start: "I've worked hard on learning the playbook and made sure to learn every, single play. I came in and worked hard out on the field and pushed myself trying to earn the starting spot."
- On what strengths he brings to the offensive line: "I'm a vocal person and I try to make everybody play fast. I also try to give off a good vibe."
- On the chemistry of the offensive line "I love the chemistry that we have. I've never had a connection like I do here at South with this group. It's awesome."

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