College football’s national signing day has lost some of its luster with the early signing period and transfer portal reshaping the recruiting landscape.
But one aspect remains: It gives programs a chance to connect with their fans and the hopes of a coming season.
Southern coach Eric Dooley will make that connection Wednesday when he announces his second recruiting class at the school’s recruiting bash at TJ Ribs.
Dooley said high school signees will number no more than “two or three,” but there's room to add between now and the summer. He also will announce a 15-player transfer class that could also grow before summer workouts.
“We were very selective to continue to build some experienced depth,” said Dooley, who has needs on the offensive and defensive lines and at quarterback. “As we move forward, we’ll get back into the high schools. The transfers we have — be it a four-year school or junior college — those guys would have two or three years remaining. Then we can go get the younger players and compete with what everybody has today.”
Dooley said he likes to build the program from the ground up with high school players but acknowledges he can’t ignore the transfer portal, which allows for more movement between schools. The portal offers immediate help and depth.
“We filled spots we needed, but there’s room for more,” he said. “There’s always going to be another wave. You have to understand the recruiting cycle and don’t try to jump out at everything. If there’s something you need, go get it, but there could be something coming as well. There’s going to be another wave of transfers after spring.”
Dooley said his program has suffered some attrition after the team went 7-5 last season and won the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title, but a majority of the losses were walk-ons and others who didn’t play much. The most notable losses are quarterback BeSean McCray, defensive back Joshua Short and kicker Luke Jackson, the latter of whom transferred to Jackson State.
Dooley said he could bring in as many as three quarterbacks to join holdovers Harold Blood, Noah Bodden and Chris Jackson. One is Dylan Mehrotra, a former Episcopal High School player who spent two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham and will transfer in.
Spring football set
Dooley said Southern will open spring practice on March 8, and the Blue-Gold spring game will be held on Saturday, April 1, at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Legacy Bowl picks
Four former Jaguars will play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl where Dooley will serve as one of the coaches. Quarterback Bubba McDaniel, defensive end Jordan Lewis, defensive back Corione Harris and defensive tackle Jason Dumas will join Dooley for the game scheduled for Feb. 25 at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium.
Coaching carousel
The SWAC will have four new head coaches in 2023 once Bethune-Cookman finds a replacement for Ed Reed, who talked himself out of the job. Arkansas-Pine Bluff has hired UL-Monroe assistant Alonzo Hampton; Jackson State picked T.C. Taylor from its own staff; and Mississippi Valley also promoted from within by hiring assistant Kendrick Wade.
Lagniappe
Jaguars defensive end Ckelby Givens was named to the Phil Steele Freshman All-America team. He had 21 tackles, 10 for loss, and 5½ sacks last season.