Date: 8/28
Position: Defensive ends / Outside linebackers
Position Coach: Freddie Roach
Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Will Thompson (2012 stats – 12 GP, 9-7—16 TT, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF); Theo Rich (9 GP, 12-3-15TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF)
Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Pat Moore (12 GP, 14-21—36TT, 13.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 4 PBU, 2 FF); Alex Page (12 GP, 24-27—51 TT, 14 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU)
Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Caleb Butler (Fr., Enterprise [Ala.] HS); Wade Forde (R-Fr., Vanguard [Fla.] HS); Jimmie Gipson III (Jr., East Mississippi CC); Akeem Lewis (Jr., Los Angeles Harbor CC);
Miscellaneous Notes-Two Jaguar defensive ends return for their respective senior campaigns after missing the 2013 season. Ridge James, a senior from Richardson, Texas, redshirted last year while Will Thompson missed the entire season after suffering an injury early in fall camp.
-USA must replace 2013 first-team all- Sun Belt Conference selection Alex Page, who left as the program's all-time leader in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (33.5).
-Page and Pat Moore combined for 13 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in 2013.
Freddie Roach-On the defensive ends and outside linebackers: "I think we have the most athletic unit, as a whole, on this team. They work hard and I stay on them, but they respond and can take coaching pretty well. We're at the point now that when our ones come off the field, we're just as good with our twos. I feel like we have four older guys who can help us, and we have some younger guys who are coming along and picking it up so I am fairly pleased with where we are at this point."
-On the depth at defensive end: "We lost two really good ones in (Alex) Page and Pat (Moore). We may be a more athletic, but we are lacking the experience those guys had. We were able to build depth. Those twos can come in and contribute, and hopefully the ones will set the bar high and keep improving."
-On how his playing experience has helped as a coach: "I just try to make them aware of where they are on the field as far as rushing the passer is concerned. That was something that (defensive coordinator) Coach (Travis) Pearson and I talked about, and it was something we talked about at Alabama – not by the quarterback. We call it the 'cliff.' Those guys have done a good job of that. They are aware of their surroundings and where they need to be. We are maturing at that position, especially the guys who have been here and you can't really ask for much more than that."
Theo Rich-On playing for Freddie Roach: "I have learned a lot from Coach Roach as far as hand placement, footwork and pad level. He teaches us to just explode through the opponent."
-On challenges facing the defensive line after losing Page and Moore: "I think we are pretty solid as far as the ones go up front. As long as we keep pushing and improving, then hopefully the twos will as well and we'll be able to build some depth."
-On the defense's progression: "I feel like we'll be ready to go next week. We play hard and we're aggressive. We get to the ball."
Will Thompson-On camp: "I had a year off because of my injury, so getting back into it was pretty tough mentally and physically. But I honestly feel blessed to be out here and continue to do this. I'm just taking it day by day."
-On being a leader: "I'm not too much of a vocal leader. I leave that up to Jesse Kelley. But I do take it upon myself to set a good example as far as doing the right things and showing them (younger guys) how things should be done."
-On challenges facing the defensive line after losing Page and Moore: "We had experience on our side last year. We had people who knew what to do, and how to prepare for games. This year we are younger and a lot newer, we just have to close that knowledge gap and we should be fine."
-On the defense's strengths: "Our defensive line is one strength. Jesse Kelley and Jerome McClain are probably the backbone of the D-line. We are good in our pass rush, and we can stop the run as well but we just have to be consistent and play at a high level each week."
-On his personal goals: "I would enjoy becoming a vital part of this team. I want to be all-conference and one day play in the NFL, but it's just day-by-day for me and I set new goals every day."
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