MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama Football opened spring practice Thursday morning in preparation for the upcoming 2025 season.
The start of spring practice marks the second season under head coach
Major Applewhite, who led the Jaguars to a 7-6 record and IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl Championship in 2024.
"It was a good effort and good finish across the board," Applewhite said of the team's first practice. "We're going to put in a lot of our scheme, but how we practice is important. Just the culture part of it. Scheme is important, but style of play is more important. That's what we put the emphasis on."
Among the many spring storylines is the development of quarterback
Gio Lopez, who is going into his second year as the team's starter as a redshirt sophomore. Despite fighting a toe injury for the entirety of the 2024 campaign, Lopez threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 465 yards and seven scores.
"It felt awesome," Lopez said about getting back out on the practice field. "Just finally able to do organized team stuff and not with a towel. That gets boring. It's just fun being able to compete with your teammates and see the new players that we've got."
Of all those new players spoken of, Lopez will take a particular interest in the wide receiver position. Of 254 completed passes by the Jaguars last season, 188 of them were to players who are no longer on the roster. Lopez and the rest of the South Alabama offense will look for new pass catchers to step up in 2025, but will be blessed to retain the services of seventh-year receiver
Devin Voisin. Voisin suffered a season-ending ACL injury early during the 2023 season, then came back to catch 34 passes for 407 yards in 2024 while playing at less than 100 percent. Voisin feels he is poised to go out with a bang in 2025.
"I'm working to be elite this year," Voisin said after Thursday's practice. "I want to be the guy this year, like how it used to be back in '22. So just setting the standard for the room is what I want to do during the spring, and obviously stay healthy. Everyone needs to take care of each other, and then each day get better and don't make the same mistakes as yesterday."
On the defensive side of the ball, South Alabama will be bolstered by the return of cornerback
Ricky Fletcher. After a strong season in 2023, Fletcher missed all of 2024 due to a back injury. The redshirt junior feels he is ready to make up for lost time and make an impact this season.
"It was very tough just seeing my brothers go out there and perform the way they performed and knowing I could be out there too, but it feels terrific to be back," Fletcher said. "The first day of practice was good. It was good getting back out there and fighting with my guys. Just seeing the path we're going to be on for the season. It was great."
South Alabama will continue spring practice over the weekend. The team's spring showcase is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 with the time yet to be announced. Season tickets for the 2025 campaign are on sale now at
USAJaguars.com/tickets/football.
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