The Grambling State football program enters a new era this fall Hue Jackson calling the shots for the black and gold.
Jackson brings a new attitude and approach than his predecessor, Broderick Fobbs. What that looks like for the Tigers this fall should make for an interesting season.
Based on results from Jackson’s past and from the early camp releases, here are three bold predictions for how the 2022 campaign will play out.
1. Quarterbacks are on a short catch this season.
Grumbling soccer coach Hue Jackson make no bones about it, he was made to do it brooding to win. He’s made it known he means business by bringing in five new quarterbacks to run his system and compete for starting position. Transfers include Kajiya Hollawayne (UCLA), Chance Amie (Syracuse), Amani Gilmore (North Texas), Julian Calvez and Quaterius Hawkins (Jones College). Look for Jackson to name a starter soon to give the No. 1 enough first-team reps. Jackson could play multiple quarterbacks given the closeness of the race at camp.
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Jackson has the NFL coaching pedigree and wants to show he can be a successful football coach, which his NFL-level record doesn’t show. In his only season with the Los Angeles Raiders, Jackson’s best record was 8-8 in 2011. He spent last season as offensive coordinator at Tennessee State on Eddie George’s staff. Wherever Jackson has trained, his teams have been ranked at the top of the league in offense and scoring. Addressing the quarterback fight at SWAC Media Day, Jackson said, “Whoever gets under center on the first snap of the season is going to be the guy who gives us the best chance of winning.”
2. Grambling become street fighters to start the season
The planners didn’t do the Grambling any favors. The key to the season will be the first game when they face Arkansas State. Grambling plays his first four of five games away before returning home for three home games. This team will be young and will need to assert themselves on the offensive side of the ball. Offense needs to score and defense needs a breather, which they couldn’t get enough of last year. On the street, they have a secret weapon in the leg of punter/field goal kicker Garrett Urban, who ran all conferences last season. The special teams are looking good and have speed in Ryan Peppins who had a good bearing giving them a punt return and break threat with every touch to score. Something they didn’t have last season.
3. Defense must cover the path until offense catches up
For Grambling, their season will depend on how their defense plays. Defense must keep them in play until Jackson’s system is captured by offense. Upfront is where the Tigers make their money. It starts with defenseman Sundiata Anderson, who is on Reece’s Senior Bowl watch list. The team hopes he can take his game to the next level and be mentioned under FAMU defender Isaiah Land. The junior can man two offensive linemen while clearing another defender to go to quarterback. Linebackers Joshua Reed and Bryan Powell play with an advantage and fly around the ball. The secondary seems to be defense strength. It will be solid and the defensemen will be coached by former NFL players Saeed Lee and Tim McTyer.
Jimmy Watson covers sports in Louisiana. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
JT Keith contributed to this report
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