The Southern University Jaguars are gearing up for a new season of sports, with both the football and volleyball teams looking to make an impact in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The football team is coming off a 7-4 record in 2022, while the volleyball team finished 9-17. Both teams have high hopes and expectations for 2023, as they prepare to face their rivals and contenders.
Football Team Aims for SWAC Championship
The Jaguar football team has a lot of talent and experience returning from last year, including senior quarterback Ladarius Skelton, who was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Skelton threw for 2,169 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,001 yards and 14 scores. He led the Jaguars to a second-place finish in the SWAC West Division, behind only Prairie View A&M.
Skelton will have plenty of weapons to work with, such as senior wide receiver Jalen Williams, who led the team with 49 receptions for 764 yards and six touchdowns. The Jaguars also have a strong running game, featuring senior Devon Benn, who ran for 853 yards and nine touchdowns. The offensive line is anchored by senior center Jaylon Brinson, who earned All-SWAC First Team honors in 2022.
The defense is also loaded with talent, especially in the secondary, where senior safety Jakoby Pappillion and junior cornerback Chase Foster return as starters. Pappillion led the team with four interceptions, while Foster had three. The Jaguars also have a formidable pass rush, led by senior defensive end Jordan Lewis, who had 10.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2022. The linebacking corps is led by senior Calvin Lunkins, who had a team-high 86 tackles.
The Jaguars have a tough schedule ahead of them, starting with a road game against Troy on September 2. They will also face Louisiana Tech, Florida A&M, Jackson State, and Alcorn State in non-conference games. The SWAC West Division title will likely come down to the showdown with Prairie View A&M on November 4 at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Volleyball Team Looks to Improve Under New Coach
The Jaguar volleyball team has a new head coach in Vanessa Jacobs, who was hired in January after serving as an assistant coach at Grambling State for four years. Jacobs inherits a young and talented roster that includes six returning starters from last year.
The Jaguars are led by junior outside hitter Arabella Hall, who was named to the All-SWAC Second Team in 2022. Hall had 287 kills and 238 digs last season, ranking second on the team in both categories. She also had 40 blocks and 25 service aces. Hall will be joined by sophomore outside hitter Brianna Hawkins, who had 215 kills and 181 digs as a freshman.
The middle blockers are sophomore Jada Carter and freshman Kyla Manning, who both showed promise in their debut seasons. Carter had 113 kills and 58 blocks, while Manning had 98 kills and 60 blocks. The setters are sophomore Paige Hall and freshman Taylor Reuther, who split time last year. Hall had 392 assists and Reuther had 375 assists. The libero is sophomore Diamond Williams, who led the team with 321 digs.
The Jaguars have a challenging schedule ahead of them, starting with a tournament at Louisiana-Lafayette on August 25-26. They will also compete in tournaments at Southern Miss, Nicholls State, and Texas Southern. The SWAC regular season will begin on September 24 with a home game against Grambling State. The Jaguars will also face Alabama State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, and Jackson State in conference play.
