South Alabama Jaguars: 2026 offense preview — position by position

Major Applewhite takes back the play-calling duties he held as offensive coordinator from 2021-23, with a mandate to make the Jaguars more balanced and more aggressive on offense.

Analysis reflects preseason roster evaluation and early fall camp reporting. Position battles are ongoing. Check back for updates as camp continues.

Conference: Sun Belt (West Division)

Head coach: Major Applewhite (Year 3 — also calling plays as OC in 2026)

2025 record: 4-8

Key 2025 offensive numbers: 26.5 ppg (7th SBC), 199.7 rush ypg (4th SBC), 181.2 pass ypg (11th SBC)

THE PICTURE

South Alabama went 4-8 in 2025. That record deserves context.

Three games were decided by a score or less — a two-point loss to College Football Playoff participant Tulane, an overtime defeat at archrival Troy and a heartbreaker to Arkansas State on a last-second field goal. The defense was gutted by portal losses before the season started. Then Gio Lopez, who had won the starting quarterback job in spring, left for North Carolina after spring practice for a reported $4 million NIL offer. A 4-8 team that was competitive in most of those losses is not the same thing as a 4-8 team that was overmatched.

What Applewhite did about it tells you where this is headed. He overhauled the coaching staff on both sides of the ball, brought in Todd Orlando — his former partner at Houston — to run the defense and made the most significant offensive decision of his tenure: he is calling the plays again.

The numbers explain the move. When Applewhite was the offensive coordinator from 2021-23, the run/pass split was 469-428 — a balanced, diversified attack. Under Paul Petrino in 2025, it tilted to 531 runs and 310 passes. The running game was fine — 199.7 yards per game, fourth in the Sun Belt, 30 rushing touchdowns, third in the conference. The passing game was not. At 181.2 yards per game, it ranked 11th in the league, and fans spent most of the season complaining about the lack of imagination in the play-calling. Applewhite heard them.

Four Jaguars earned second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition on offense: running back Keenan Phillips, wide receiver Anthony Eager and offensive linemen Kenton Jerido and Ethan Hubbard. The talent is concentrated, not deep. Phillips is the lead back after Kentrel Bullock's departure. Eager is the only proven receiver on the roster but missed the entire spring with a hand injury. Jerido and Hubbard are the anchors of an offensive line where everyone else is competing for a job.

As fall camp opened, Applewhite said day one felt "much more like practice 16 or 17 than it did practice one." He credited schematic retention and energy from a roster that has been together since January. The quarterback competition between Bishop Davenport and Jared Hollins is technically open, but Davenport won the spring outright and starts camp as the clear front-runner.

The margin between 4-8 and a winning season was thin in 2025. Whether Applewhite's return to the headset closes that gap depends on whether the pieces around him hold together.

QUARTERBACK

Bishop Davenport | 5th Yr. | 6-2, 210 | 200-294, 2,072 yds, 12 TD, 6 INT; 116 att, 326 rush yds, 9 rush TD (2025)

Jared Hollins | Jr. | 6-4, 210 | 12-16-0, 101 yds, 1 TD in 4 GP; bigger arm, less mobile

What we know:

Davenport is the clear starter. He started all 12 games in 2025 after Gio Lopez departed for North Carolina following spring practice. Davenport completed 68% of his passes and accounted for 21 total touchdowns. He makes plays with his legs and is accurate enough to manage the offense, but his arm talent has a ceiling. He is a throw-on-the-run quarterback more than a pocket passer, and this offense needs him to push the ball downfield more than he did a year ago.

Doug Konkel of Jags Jungle reported that Davenport was "unquestionably the better performer through spring practice, although the competition will still be open when the preseason begins." Applewhite is keeping the competition officially open heading into fall camp but made clear at Sun Belt Media Days that having two quarterbacks ready is a requirement in this league.

Hollins is the interesting name behind him. He has the bigger arm, but he is not the threat in the running game that Davenport is. His four appearances in 2025 produced encouraging flashes — 12-for-16 passing with a touchdown and no interceptions.

What they said:

At Sun Belt Media Days:

"The development of Bishop has been mainly with his feet and his eyes. Making sure our eyes are where they need to be. We accelerate our eyes through our reads. ... Tremendous athlete. Great character, understands what we're trying to do." — Major Applewhite

At fall camp:

"What we need our quarterbacks to do is very simple. We need them to take care of the football. We need them when there are throws that are to be made, we need them to make those throws, and then we all know you have to be able to make plays off schedule. ... In this league, you have to have two ready. You do. ... We're blessed to have two. We just got to do a good job of developing." — Major Applewhite

The question: Can Applewhite's direct hand in the offense unlock enough downfield aggression from Davenport to keep defenses honest — or will Hollins force a change at some point?

RUNNING BACK

Keenan Phillips | Jr. | 5-10, 185 | 126 att, 607 yds, 4.8 avg, 3 TD; Preseason All-Sun Belt (2nd)

PJ Martin | Sr. | 5-10, 205 | 60 att, 326 yds, 5.4 avg, 2 TD; limited in spring (injury)

Trae'von Dunbar | Jr. | 5-10, 205 | Transfer from West Virginia; 3 att, 41 yds, 1 TD; strong spring

What we know:

This room lost Kentrel Bullock, who set the program's single-season rushing record last year. That is a significant departure, but the cupboard is not bare.

Phillips is the projected lead back. He is the Jaguars' top returning rusher from 2025 and earned second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition. He is a slasher with legitimate speed who catches the ball out of the backfield and returns kicks. He ran for 607 yards, posted a season-high 104 rushing yards against Coastal Carolina and added 10 receptions for 58 yards. As the primary option, the volume goes up.

Martin is a solid veteran option who averaged 5.4 yards per carry — the best rate in the backfield — but was limited in the spring as he recovered from an injury.

Dunbar, a transfer from West Virginia, is the pure talent in this room. He has size and true breakaway speed, and he turned heads in the spring. Konkel reported that he "turned some heads" and brings a blend of speed and physicality. If Dunbar delivers on his spring billing and Martin stays healthy, this operates as a genuine three-man committee with different looks for the defense. If Martin misses time, the margin thins fast behind Phillips.

The running game averaged 199.7 yards per game in 2025, fourth in the Sun Belt, and the unit produced 30 rushing touchdowns (third in the conference). It is the engine of this offense.

What they said at media days:

"On offense, we going to start fast and we going to stay fast." — Kenton Jerido

The question: Martin's health is the wild card. A healthy three-back rotation gives this offense real depth. A two-man backfield needs Phillips to carry a heavier load than he has ever shouldered.

WIDE RECEIVER

Anthony Eager | Sr. | 6-1, 185 | 40 rec, 339 yds, 1 TD; Preseason All-Sun Belt (2nd); missed spring (hand injury)

Micah Woods | 5th Yr. | 6-0, 190 | 11 rec, 113 yds, 1 TD; extra year of eligibility; regained speed

Brendan Jenkins | Sr. | 6-0, 195 | 9 rec, 117 yds, 1 TD; transfer from Samford

Jeremiah Jones-Thomas | So. | 5-11, 180 | 3 rec, 18 yds; drew rave reviews in practice

Khatori Marion | Fr. | 5-11, 180 | Early enrollee from Baker HS (Mobile); spring standout

Dominic White | Fr. | 6-1, 190 | Early enrollee from Minor HS (Birmingham); spring standout

What we know:

This room is thin — and that may be generous.

The top two receivers from 2025 are gone. Devin Voisin, a seven-year fixture in the program, graduated. Jeremy Scott transferred to TCU after his breakout season. South Alabama has historically produced NFL-caliber receivers — Jalen Tolbert, Kawaan Baker, Caullin Lacy. That pipeline is dry right now.

Eager is the breakout pick and earned second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition. He led the Jaguars with 40 receptions in 2025, posted a season-high eight catches at Auburn and has been a key offensive piece for two years. Konkel projects an all-conference caliber season if the play-calling takes advantage of his size and speed. The problem: he missed the entire spring with a hand injury. His availability is not guaranteed.

Woods gained an extra year of eligibility and seemed to have recaptured the blazing speed he possessed before a serious knee injury at Buffalo. Jenkins had modest production in his first year after transferring from Samford but has the tools to be a solid possession receiver. Jones-Thomas had minimal stats as a freshman, but the rave reviews from practices suggest he is one to watch.

True freshmen Marion and White both enrolled early and stood out in spring practices. Konkel singled out Marion as "particularly effective." Whether that reflects their talent or the depth behind them is a fair question — probably both.

Applewhite hired Tim Rattay — a record-setting quarterback at Louisiana Tech and longtime NFL player — as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, in part to bring new ideas to the passing game. The schematic upgrade matters, but he needs players to execute it.

What they said at media days:

"Tim [Rattay] has got a lot of things that he can do for us. ... The schematics of the passing game, another set of eyes for me that if I need to bounce something off of — hey Tim, I'm not sure about this right here with this quarterback. What do you see? Having another guy that you can bounce things off of has been a tremendous asset for our offense." — Major Applewhite

The question: Can Eager stay healthy and produce at the level this offense needs him to — and can Rattay's coaching get enough out of a group that may be leaning on true freshmen by midseason?

TIGHT END

Rod Gibbs | Sr. | 6-4, 250 | 6 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD (2025); solid blocker with receiving ability

Everett Hunter | 5th Yr. | 6-4, 250 | Transfer from Nicholls; 24 rec, 283 yds, 3 TD in 12 GP (2025)

Maddox Lynch | So. | 6-5, 240 | Young prospect; may not be available (spring injury)

Julius Mathis | Fr. | 6-4, 230 | Primarily a big-play receiver in high school

What we know:

Tight end was a centerpiece in the passing game for the first decade-plus of the South Alabama program — Gerald Everett was a second-round NFL Draft pick out of this room — but last season was the culmination of a trend that saw the position mostly used as an additional blocker. That may change in 2026.

Gibbs is a solid blocker who has shown the ability to catch the ball. He had six receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown in 2025 and is the most experienced option in the room.

Hunter is the addition that could revive the position's role in the passing game. He caught 24 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games at Nicholls in 2025. Konkel described him as "an effective receiver throughout his college career." If Applewhite's play-calling features the tight end more, Hunter could become a legitimate weapon.

Lynch has shown potential but may not be available this season due to a spring injury. Nate Forystek provides depth as a blocking option. Mathis, a true freshman, was primarily a big-play receiver in high school and could factor into the passing game early.

With wide receiver this thin, the tight ends need to give Davenport reliable intermediate targets. This could quietly become the most important position group on the roster.

The question: Can the tight end group give Davenport reliable intermediate targets and compensate for depth problems at wide receiver?

OFFENSIVE LINE

Kenton Jerido | 5th Yr. | 6-3, 340 | 12 GP; all 5 OL positions; Preseason All-Sun Belt (2nd); starts at C

Ethan Hubbard | Sr. | 6-6, 295 | 11 GP; right tackle; Preseason All-Sun Belt (2nd); elected to return

Shalik Hubbard | 5th Yr. | 6-4, 330 | Transfer from Monmouth; expected starter at right guard

Jamal Siler | Jr. | 6-4, 310 | 10 GP; getting first shot at left guard

Reese Osei-Wusu | Sr. | 6-4, 310 | 7 GP; getting first shot at left tackle

Devon Waller | Sr. | 6-3, 290 | JUCO transfer (Coffeyville CC); center/guard; spring injury

What we know:

South Alabama lost multiple starters up front, and for a stretch it looked like the losses might be catastrophic. New offensive line coach Bryant Ross — who recently held the same position at Georgia State and has extensive Sun Belt experience as the assistant offensive line coach at Louisiana-Lafayette — received welcome news when both Jerido and Ethan Hubbard elected to return for 2026.

Jerido is the emotional and functional leader of this entire offense, not just the line. He has played all five offensive line positions in his career, including an emergency start at left tackle when the starter went down during pregame warmups against Louisiana-Lafayette — at 6-3, not a prototypical left tackle, but he went out and did it without practicing there all week. He is the longest-tenured player in the program, earned his degree in criminal justice and is working on a master's in sport management. Both he and Hubbard earned second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition.

Jerido will begin the year at center, though he could shift as the season moves along. Hubbard anchors the right side at tackle. Together, they appeared in 23 of a possible 24 games in 2025. The rest of the line is a construction project.

Shalik Hubbard, a transfer from Monmouth, was one of the better offensive linemen in the FCS ranks last season and should start at right guard. Siler and Osei-Wusu get the first shots at left guard and left tackle. Waller, a JUCO transfer from Coffeyville CC, can contribute at center or guard once fully healthy after a spring injury.

This unit paved the way for 199.7 rushing yards per game and 30 rushing touchdowns in 2025, ranking 20th nationally in rushing offense. The Jaguars also signed an outstanding group of freshmen linemen who are already showing up on preseason practice depth charts — don't be surprised to see some young faces in the rotation as the season goes along. The talent up front is concentrated in two players. The depth behind them is the concern, but the young reinforcements could accelerate that timeline.

What they said at media days:

"It's more of just being reliable and having my coach be able to trust me to go out and try new things. I'm a guard and center, so I'm used to that. But then we had our left tackle go down against Lafayette during warm-ups, and coach was like, 'Hey, you want to try it?' So, I was like, 'Might as well see what I can do.' ... You got to build value for yourself." — Kenton Jerido

The question: Can this staff piece together a functional five from a group where two veterans anchor the right side and everyone else is competing for a starting job?

OFFENSIVE IDENTITY

Applewhite will keep running the football an essential part of South Alabama's identity in the coming year, but he understands better than anyone that the offense will only break out of the middle of the Sun Belt's offensive pack if they can make opponents respect the passing game, especially by taking more deep shots to loosen up the defense. If the offensive line and receiver corps develop well, there is every reason to expect that this offense can rise up the conference rankings and get closer to producing the numbers it did back when Applewhite previously called the plays.

"Got to take care of the ball better. We've got to take the ball off of people more and we've got to be more aggressive on offense. From a passing game standpoint, to be more explosive. ... Too many times we were clawing back, and we need to come out of the gate faster." — Major Applewhite, Sun Belt Media Days

Breakout pick: Anthony Eager, WR. Eager led the Jaguars with 40 receptions in 2025 and earned Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition. If healthy — he missed the entire spring with a hand injury — he could be the difference between an offense that grinds and one that threatens.

The bottom line: The running back room is deep enough to carry stretches of the season. Everything else on offense is a question mark. The wide receiver room is thin. The offensive line has two anchors and a lot of unknowns. And Davenport is a competent starter who may not be enough if the pieces around him don't come together. Applewhite calling his own plays gives him maximum control in a year where the margin for error barely exists.