1st & 10 Club Major Applewhite Meeting Recap
On Monday, August 18th, the 68 Ventures Bowl welcomed Major Applewhite, the Head Coach of the South Alabama Jaguars, as keynote speaker at the 1st & 10 Club Meeting. This is Applewhite’s second season as head coach after spending three years as the Jags Offensive Coordinator.
Applewhite opened up by announcing that they have the privilege to award two athlete’s scholarships through a partnership with the bowls title sponsor, 68 Ventures. He understands that finances are difficult as you enter your junior and senior year, and extends great appreciation to 68 Ventures. Aside from the good news that will soon be presented to those athletes, he began to get into the logistics and outlook of the upcoming season.
“We underachieved a bit with the talent we had on the team,” Applewhite stated, but he was proud of the way the guys finished the season considering the head coaching change in January of 2024. He acknowledged that players exiting early and not playing in the bowl game can affect the team, but they stayed focused and did a great job in securing a win at the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery.
Applewhite noted that the Jags lost several starters this Spring to the transfer portal. Most of those loses were to schools paying millions of dollars, Applewhite then states that “you get what you pay for. If you want a great football team, you put your money where your mouth is.” With that being said, the South Alabama staff worked hard to find replacements for the experience and talent lost to the portal.
Applewhite is encouraged by the experience the Jags have coming back on the offensive side of the ball. As far as the defensive side “we are bigger, longer, and more athletic, we are just not as experienced.” Coach Applewhite acknowledged that they are going to have to develop more as the year goes on, but he is still impressed with their defensive playmakers. Applewhite wrapped up by touching on the preparation they are doing this week before officially getting the season underway next week. This week will be a trial run with a mock game on Friday to avoid surprises in the next twelve weeks.
The Jags will open the season by facing-off at Hancock Whitney Stadium against Morgan State on Saturday, August 30th at 6:00 P.M.
The Anchor Cares Student Athlete of the Month Awards were presented by AHSAA Radio Network Corey LaBounty. These players were selected for their high performance in the 2024 season.
Offensive Standout, Gunner Rivers. (Jr.), Quarterback, St. Michael Catholic High School
Gunner Rivers helped his team to the State 4A semi-finals last season with a 12-2 record and the school’s first ever playoff win. Gunner completed 63% of his passes for 3,947 yards and 36 touchdowns. He is ranked a top prospect in the state for the class of 2027. Through 2 seasons Gunner has 7,021 yards and 65 total touchdowns, with two seasons remaining.
Lineman Standout, Parks Glaze. (Sr.), Offensive Linemen, Fairhope High School
Towering over his competition, Parks is 6’7 and 280 lbs. Last season Parks graded at 89% blocking efficiency with 21 pancakes. Parks has committed to Troy University.
Special Teams Standout, Carter Lewis. (Sr.), Specialist, Mobile Christian
Committed to the Navy Midshipmen, Carter is a 5’10; 180 lbs. 5-star. Last season Carter averaged 55.5 yards per punt and 36 touchbacks on kickoffs. Carter has 5 second hang times on his punts and his longest field goal last year was 49 yards.
Defensive Standout, Anthony “Tank” Jones Jr. (Sr.), Edge, St. Paul
Ranked the #1 senior recruit in the state of Alabama and the 18th overall in the nation, according to the 247 composite rankings, 5-star edge “Tank” finished his junior season with 84 solo tackles, 38 assists, 18 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Tank also plays offense when needed: scoring 5 rushing touchdowns and 3 receiving. Tank has 329 career tackles, 35 sacks, and 21 touchdowns. Anthony also has the opportunity to become the saints all time leading tackler.
The next 1st & 10 Club meeting will take place on September 15th, with keynote speaker Kane Wommack, Defensive Coordinator for The University of Alabama.
