Jackson State Football: Can the Tigers compete for a SWAC title?
By Dante Pryor
How will the new faces on defense impact the Tigers this fall?
The story of the defense is similar to that of the offense. The defense looked impressive against the weaker part of the schedule and struggled against the better part of the schedule. While Jackson State football shut down Edward Waters and Mississippi Valley State, Alabama State, Southern, and Alabama A&M had their way with the Tigers’ defense.
Aubrey Miller, Jr. and Niles Gaddy return to anchor the linebacking corps. Sanders and the staff bring in a load of new faces this fall, flipping some players from Power Five schools. East Mississippi JUCO standout Tredarius Carr gives the Tigers much-needed physicality in the middle of the defensive line.
The big signing on the D-line is Auburn transfer, Coynis Miller. He, along with Carr, could be trouble for the interior of any offensive line in the SWAC.
Of course, Sanders addressed the secondary. Shiloh Sanders transferred in from South Carolina, and Isaiah Bolden comes in from Florida State. Sanders and the defensive staff also add JUCO standout and former Georgia recruit De’Jahn “Nugget” Warren.
The talent is there for Jackson State football to hold up against Alabama State’s rushing attack and Alabama A&M’s spread passing game. They are fast enough to deal with Florida A&M and Alcorn State’s speed.
Defense usually congeals faster than offense, and the Tigers should have one of the better defensive units in the SWAC this fall.