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HBCU Football: Where do the Southern Jaguars fit in the SWAC?

By Jarrett Hoffman

Southern defensive back Jordan Lewis (32) sacks Alabama State quarterback Ryan Nettles (13) at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Alabama State and Southern are tied 7-7 at halftime.
Southern defensive back Jordan Lewis (32) sacks Alabama State quarterback Ryan Nettles (13) at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Alabama State and Southern are tied 7-7 at halftime. /
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MEMPHIS, TN – SEPTEMBER 7: Ladarius Skelton #8 of the Southern Jaguars runs with the ball against Sanchez Blake Jr. #41 of the Memphis Tigers on September 7, 2019 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – SEPTEMBER 7: Ladarius Skelton #8 of the Southern Jaguars runs with the ball against Sanchez Blake Jr. #41 of the Memphis Tigers on September 7, 2019 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

Southern storylines heading into the 2021 season

  • Can the Jaguars win the SWAC through their run offense?

The Southern Jaguars have finished with a record above .500 in every season since 2013. This is due in part to the success they have had on the ground.

Southern Jaguars has ranked in the top three in the SWAC in rushing for each of the past six seasons leading the conference in the last two seasons.

On the other hand, while their passing game has not been significantly bad or has held them back in any way, it has been a weakness for the team in years past.

In each of the past four seasons, Southern has ranked in the bottom half of the SWAC in passing. This includes a 2019 season in which they had the second-worst passing attack in the conference averaging 174.8 passing yards per game.

While Southern’s passing game has not caused them as many problems in the past decade appearing in four SWAC championship games winning one, they could have so much more success by making the necessary improvements.

  • Do the Jaguars have the best defense in HBCU football?

When people think of the Southern Jaguars’ defense, most will automatically think of reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Jordan Lewis. That is warranted as Jordan Lewis is coming off a spectacular season.

In five spring games, Jordan Lewis recorded 10.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss leading the conference in both categories by a wide margin. To put his stats into perspective, the SWAC’s leader in sacks during the 2019 season recorded 9.0 in 11 games while the leader in tackles for loss recorded 16.5 in 11 games.

However, only looking to Jordan Lewis when discussing the Southern Jaguars defense would be doing the team a huge disservice.

Last season, Southern led the SWAC in points allowed per game (19.6), and were second in total sacks. Also, while they ranked in the bottom half of the conference in interceptions, they were one of only two teams to return one for a touchdown.

If Southern is able to keep up that level of production over the course of a 10-game season, this defense could be in the discussion for the best in all of HBCU football.

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