As preseason practice opened Monday, 12 Jackson State linebackers began trying to fill some big shoes.
The past two seasons the Tigers’ linebacker room has had the SWAC defensive player of the year in Aubrey Miller Jr. in 2022 and replaced him in 2023 with All-SWAC second-team selection Isaac Peppers, who was a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Jackson State’s defense needs to find linebackers who will step up to bring the leadership — and the thump — that Peppers and Miller provided.
Miller was third in the SWAC in tackles with 92 and No. 1 in forced fumbles with five in 2022. He also was named an American Football Coaches Association FCS All-American.
Peppers had 68 total tackles and 4.5 sacks and finished ninth in the SWAC in tackles for loss.
Last season, the linebackers were coached by TyQuan Hammock, who also coached special teams. Hammock has moved on to become the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach of Long Island University. Jackson State coach T.C. Taylor thought the attention to detail was so vital to the linebacker position that he hired two coaches ahead of the 2024 season.
Former Jackson State two-time All American Javancy Jones will oversee the outside linebackers and special teams. Former Carolina Panthers player Chris Orr will coach the inside linebackers.
The biggest challenge for Jones and Orr about this group of linebackers is only four players have seen game action as a Tiger. Only one, graduate senior Allen Walker, has played in double-digit games.
JACKSON STATE HAS FIVE PLAYERS ON SWAC Jackson State football places five on All-SWAC team, including first-team lineman Deontae Graham
Here are the JSU linebackers, according to the football website:
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Jaylin Acker is a 6-foot-1, 217 redshirt freshman.
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Jamarion Davis is a 5-11, 199-pound freshman.
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Austin Edmonds is a 6-1, 231-pound senior who started 11 games at middle linebacker at FCS member Bryant in 2023.
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J’Cori Hargon is a 6-1, 215-pound sophomore who transferred from NCAA Division III member Mary Hardin-Baylor.
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Javarian Jenkins, is a 6-3 , 215-pound senior who played in six games and made 11 total tackles in 2023
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Daved Jones Jr. is a 6-1, 228-pound senior who transferred from Cincinnati.
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Bryce Owens is a 6-foot, 225-pound freshman from Jackson Academy.
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Reid Pulliam is a 6-3, 230-pound sophomore who played at Trinity Valley Community College in 2023.
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Ashton Taylor is a 6-2, 215-pound redshirt sophomore. He played in five games in 2023 and had one tackle. He played on special teams.
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Allen Walker is a 6-2, 234-pound graduate senior who played in 11 games last season and had 15 tackles.
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Jace Ward is a 6-3, 220-pound redshirt freshman who played in one game last season.
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Jaeden Ward is a 6-1, 230-pound redshirt senior who played three seasons at Northwestern State.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Here are Jackson State football’s candidates at linebacker in 2024
The Clarion Ledger
