The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser’s Josh Moon laid out the sad situation when he recently wrote: “It has probably been said at least a hundred times this year, but it’s worth repeating once more: The SWAC is down this year."
Perhaps the biggest out-of-conference win was for the entire league? (Alabama State’s 17-13) win over Division II Tuskegee. So why has SWAC football declined? The most obvious reason is that many of the players who used to play for SWAC schools now play in the Big 12, Big East, SEC, Sunbelt or C-USA.
The NFL draft is evidence of that. In the late 60's and early-to mid 70's the SWAC produced first-round NFL draft picks almost every year. Only one SWAC player was selected in the 2008 NFL draft, however.
Another problem is the SWAC Championship Game itself. The SWAC has never won an NCAA playoff game!
Grambling and Southern have skipped the playoffs for years, preferring instead to cash in with the Bayou Classic. That cost the SWAC its automatic berth in the playoffs.
Subsequently the entire SWAC has decided to opt out of the playoffs totally and play the championship game instead. This self-imposed exile from the playoffs has obviously hurt the league in recruiting and scheduling.
Since coming to JSU, Comegy has said he would like to play in the I-AA playoffs. Here’s hoping he gets a chance one of these days. JSU coach Rick Comegy led the Tigers to the SWAC title game for the second time in his three years in Jackson. Greg Dillon threw three touchdowns and rushed for another score as Grambling State defeated Jackson State 41-9 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.
This year's game was a rematch of the 2007 title game. JSU won that one, 42-31, giving the Tigers their 16th SWAC crown and first since 1996.
JSU struggled early in the season, stumbling to a 1-4 start. During that slump, JSU lost 14-5 at Grambling. The Tigers have won six straight since.
The Tigers’ improvement has been tied to the progress of Mississippi State transfer quarterback Trae Rutland. In JSU’s first four games, Rutland threw three touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s thrown just one interception since. Rutland has suffered from shoulder tendinitis, which forced him to sit out the second half of JSU’s game against Alcorn State. The Tigers’ offense went nowhere without him.
Neither JSU nor Grambling is an offensive juggernaut. Both rank in the bottom half of the SWAC in total offense. But they are outstanding on defense. JSU leads the SWAC in total defense, giving up an average of 233.5 yards per game, and third in scoring defense, allowing an average of 18.8 points. Grambling is third in total defense (266.8 ypg) and second in scoring defense (13.4 ppg).
Grambling has now won 10 consecutive games since a 1-2 start. And the G-Men’s regular-season victory over the Tigers wasn’t necessarily a sign of things to come. Grambling won 2007’s regular-season meeting, as well.
Dillon was 12-of-17 passing for 137 yards and one interception. Dillon was named the offensive most valuable player despite compiling modest passing stats, but the quarterback did set the tone for the game in the first quarter, when he went 5-for-5 passing for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
The Grambling State quarterback connected with Kiare Thompson for a 5-yard touchdown pass midway through the opening quarter, and then lofted a 39-yarder to seldom used Fullback Dante Cheek with 1:39 remaining in the first to give his team a 13-0 lead that held up until halftime.
Jackson State managed only 56 yards rushing on 30 carries, and a 66-yard touchdown pass from Michael Mosley to Carlos Everett was Jackson State's only real offense. A Grambling State fumble early in the third quarter set up a 42-yard Eric Perri field goal that made the score 13-3. But David Stuckman returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 20-3 Grambling State lead.
Grambling State got the ball back moments later on an interception by T.J. McCord, setting up a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dillon to Thompson that extended the lead to 27-3.A fumbled snap off a punt by Jackson State late in the third quarter gave Grambling the ball at the 18-yard line and led to a 1-yard touchdown run from Dillon, giving Grambling State a 34-9 lead. Kenneth Anio Jr. closed out the scoring with an 85-yard interception return with 3:09 to play.
That proved to be enough for the Grambling State (11-2, 7-0) defense, which forced five Jackson State (7-5, 6-1) turnovers.
Grambling Offense
#7 QB Brandon Landers 5'11.7 192 4.67- DNP Academics: The decorated RS senior who threw for 2,603 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior in 2007 was ruled ineligible after receiving poor grades in a summer history course and missed this season. His only real chance to play QB is in Canada.
#61 C Revay Smith RS junior 6'0.4" 306 5.36 Is an unsung hero, having moved over from OG and taking a leadership role on the team. Beyond his top-notch intangibles, he has graduated with a Criminal Justice BA at mid-year and still has a year of eligibility left, he is a good reader of games up front, he can stymie big DTs one on one, get out on combo blocks and double teams and hit moving targets. He is not a great athlete and he needs to work on burst, power and agility. He is the type of UDFA who O-Line coaches think won't make it at 1st blush but the prospect's IQ, character and improvement wins him over. Priority UDFA if he comes out, if he returns next year and steps up he might be a late day 2 pick in 2010.
#82 WR Nick Lewis 5'10.7 194 4.75 Solid but unspectacular possession receiver who had 5 catches for 77 yards and a long of 29 yards. Unlikely to even be invited to a camp, just lacks the measurable physical talent.
Others:
QB #1 5'11.6" 201 4.61 Sophomore Greg Dillon after sharing snaps with RS sophomore and Missouri Transfer JP Tillman, Greg Dillon took control of Grambling’s quarterback position in the month of October and has had a memorable first year with 1,242 yards passing, 686 rushing yards, 15 touchdown passes and three rushing touchdowns. He is similar to Brandon Landers, the player he supplanted, though he is a more powerful runner and much less polished as a passer. He has a decent arm, throws well on the run and can create plays down field while scrambling. He has a chance as a Seneca Wallace type if he improves his reading of defenses and ball placement.
Sophomore WR Kiare Thompson 5'11.3 184 4.52 was in my mind the offensive player of the game though his game tally of 3 snags for 17yards, 2 TDs with a long of 7 fails to tell the story of just how impressive he was. Both scoring snags were crisply run routes including an acrobatic effort on a corner route to beat double coverage and every catch was made with his fingers. If he continues to develop he could be a Priority UDFA or late rounder.
Sophomore TB #23 Frank Warren 4.49 had 10 treks for 89 yards including a 29 yarder that showed his potential as a change-of-pace back at the next level. When compared to Will Ford, Warren is less explosive and elusive, however if he works on becoming a factor in the passing game and gaining strength he could be a Priority UDFA or late round pick.
Defense
#65 DT Melvin Matthews 6'3.7" 303 5.17 Had 2 solos including a TFL, he is able to get upfield with a good first step, quickness and explosion. Priority UDFA who may actually get picked due to weakness in the DT crop.
#44 OLB Keefe Hall 6'1.1 221 4.83 Plays much faster than he times, is good in space and is 10lbs and a 1/10 of a second from even a camp invitation. He tied for top tackler with 4 solos plus 4 assists.
#4 CB/Rover Jeffrey Jack 5'10.5 208 4.77 is in many ways the SWAC version of Jamie Silva, a play maker often around the ball but betrayed by his body. Jack posted a PBU, 3 solos and 5 assists. He was a highly rated prep CB who was reportedly dismissed from LSU in 2005 he has played multiple positions, he is currently playing CB having switched positions in the secondary this season. Jack is a solid tackler and better in coverage than his 40 time would indicate but he will need to impress a special teams coach to find a spot an NFL roster as an UDFA.
#94 DT Otis Young 6.3.2 301 5.08 was far more disruptive than his stats: 2 solos and 1 'me too,' but he "blew up" 6-8 plays by beating his blocker, he got consistent push up the field all game. I wish "blow ups," penetrations or disrupts were statistics I could quote. A true sleeper but the kind who could either be a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT, think of a 'poor man's Brodrick Bunkley, UDFA with a shot at sticking.
Others
#90 Junior DE Christian Anthony 6.3.6 246 4.86 had a great game and a big senior year might move him out of the middle rounds and close to day 1. He is a solid framed pass rusher who makes a lot of plays in the backfield. May project as a 3-4 OLB in the Joey Porter mold. On the day he had 4 solo tackles, 3 assists including 2 solo TFL, 2 solo sacks and 2 assists on sacks. This despite the fact that he drew more than his share of attention from blockers but he showed he can split or elude double-teams or combination blocks.
JSU
Offense-
#8 TE Marcel Frost 6'3.7 263 is a 6th year player who transferred to Jackson State after being suspended from Ohio State in August 2006 for violating team rules. Frost was part of the heralded 2003 Ohio St. recruiting class that included Ira Guilford and Eric Haw, [Haw also transferred to JSU] injuries have largely dreailed Frost's career. Still he is big, blocks fairly well and has good hands, some of his once impressive speed seems to have been lost. Nonetheless he got free down the seam about 4 times and would have had a chance at a big play, however either the QB did not see him, threw the ball but missed him or the ball was deflected. Though Frost was bagelled it was clear he was a difficult match up and JSU wanted to exploit the advantage but failed.
Others
QB #7 Trae Rutland 6'2.2" 234 4.66 was ineffective: but you could see why the MSU transfer was such a prized recruit, he is like a much less finished and confident version of Ryan Perrilloux, [who was wooed by JSU when he left the bayou] Rutland is big, strong and mobile. He has a plus arm but is inconsistent in his delivery, does not decieve defenders with his eyes and is slow to unload the ball. With intensive coaching you could have something.
RS Jr. QB #13 6'1.7" 216 4.59 Michael Mosley the Louisiana Tech transfer is also a mobile strong-armed QB, but he also stares down his targets, struggles with touch as well as reading defenses, however his 66 yard bomb was the only impressive moment for the JSU offense. His career 38.7 completion percentage belies his innate skills and explains why he was granted his release in order to transfer Mosley signed with Tech out of Landry High School as a quarterback, but was moved to wide receiver permanently following the 2007 season. If he truly has a strong desire to play quarterback he needs to work VERY hard to improve.
Mosley completed 33-of-69 passes for 422 yards and three scores during his limited time under center during his two years at LA Tech.
#3 Junior WR 6'1.5" 194 Carlo Everett is the brother of former UF linebacker Earl Everett and was an NC State commitment out of high school, but attended Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi and re-opened his recruitment due to the change in the NCSU coaching staff. The offensive star he had 3 grabs for 93 yards, JSU's 1 TD with the 66 yard bomb included.
RS Junior WR #4 Carlos Simpson 5'8.6" 191 4.57 is a transfer from Cincinnati, another Troy Brown type, he was a very good point guard and a solid dual-threat prep QB. He only had 1 catch for 33 yards but his elusiveness was apparent. If the QB play was solid the WR talent at JSU would shine.
Defense-
CB #6 Domonique Johnson 6'1.6" 192 4.42 The Missouri transfer is being projected as a late 3rd rounder in some places. I can only assume that's due to his size/speed ratio. He possesses talent and upside but his technique is raw, he's no Rodgers-Cromartie, he takes false steps and depends on his physical ability to bail him out. But he is an athletic and confident play maker who looks the part. He was avoided most of the day he had 3 solos and 1 pick where he cam of his man and under cut a deep flag route.
#80 DE Marcus Benard 6'3.6 272 4.79 A junior college transfer out of Grand Rapids Community College, he had 19 sacks over his first two seasons of college football. That gives him 42 in the last four years. He was facing coverage that was shifted his way in the passing game and he was the focus of blockers even on plays run away from him.
#56 LB Marcellus Speaks 6'0.5" 232 4.84 Very instinctive plays with anticipation, diagnose plays well. Speaks had 5 solos 2 assists and for the season he had: 115 tackles (54 solo; 20.5 for loss), along with 5.0 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick. The Delta State transfer has much in common with former VPI LB Ben Taylor.
Others:
#19 Junior LB Marcus Jamison 6'0.1" 223 4.78 plays fast, is comfortable in space brings his legs when he tackles, he needs 10-15 lbs of muscle and to learn to shed blockers if he wants to play at the next level. He posted 5 solos 2 helpers including 1 TFL.