Last year was another step in the right direction for the young South Alabama program picking up their second ever bowl win under head coach Major Applewhite. However, it was definitely not the ending the Jags had hoped for in a year where they were only a few missed plays away from their first West Division title.
After a slow start, South Alabama finished the 2024 season 7-6 with their second-straight bowl win coming in the Salute To Veterans Bowl in Montgomery. In addition to the bowl win, South Alabama was also able to end a six-game losing streak to in-state rival Troy and set a Sun Belt record for most points in a game (an 87-10 victory over Northwestern State). South Alabama also handed Louisiana its only conference loss in 2024.
The biggest standouts for the Jaguars individually last season included wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett, who had 91 receptions for 1126 yards (1st SBC) and nine touchdowns. Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 2559 yards, 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Defensive back Jaden Voisin had a tremendous year in the secondary, tied for the Sun Belt lead with five interceptions.
However, it was not all good for the Jags.
South Alabama had a serious penalty issue, finishing 130th in the FBS in penalties per game. No doubt that this was a factor in a couple of bad losses that derailed conference championship aspirations. A loss to North Texas to open the season saw the Jags lead by 15 at the half. A loss against Georgia Southern that South led 30-16 entering the fourth quarter. A last-second field goal by Arkansas State also stands out as a game that the Jags really wish they could have back.
“We’ve got to do the right things consistently, eliminating our own mistakes,” said Coach Applewhite about last year at Sun Belt Media days.
Roster Turnover
The regular season may have ended on a high note with the bowl victory, but the offseason did not get off to a great start.
South Alabama was ravaged by the transfer portal, losing star quarterback Gio Lopez and top running back Fluff Bothwell. Including these two, South lost 11 starters and 19 players in total to the transfer portal.
In addition, South Alabama also lost several key players to graduation, such as wide receivers Jeremiah Webb and Jamaal Pritchett.
“Big shoes to fill. That is sports,” Coach Applewhite said on the portal losses. “Next man steps up.”
South Alabama would hit the portal hard in return though bringing in 23 transfers to fill many gaps not filled by returning players. Despite a lot of new faces South Alabama brings in a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, however they do have some depth concerns heading into the 2025 season.
Bishop’s ball ♟️ pic.twitter.com/pIVwyru2qd
— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) August 22, 2025
South Alabama will also have a new starting quarterback, as Bishop Davenport being named as starter for the 2025 season. Bishop, who appeared in 11 games last year primarily served as the backup to Gio Lopez. Bishop threw for 606 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 167 yards and one house call.
Schedule Breakdown
A tough nonconference and an easier conference schedule for the Jags are the main story when looking at the 2025 schedule.
South Alabama opens the year with a home game against FCS Morgan State. Following that, the Jags host American conference powerhouse Tulane in the first half of a scheduled home and home between the two nearby teams. Tulane is interestingly led by head coach Jon Sumrall, a former Troy coach who has never lost to Jags. After this South Alabama will hit the road for the first time. In week three the Jags will travel to Auburn for the first ever meeting between the two in-state teams.
South Alabama returns to Mobile in week four where they will meet Coastal Carolina to kick off Sun Belt conference play. Then the following week South Alabama will close out the nonconference slate with a road game against North Texas.
The rest of the season will highlight the battle for the belt in Week 6, the first meeting in five seasons between South and Georgia State on Oct. 23, and the homecoming game against Louisiana on Nov. 1.
Projected 2025 Record
Floor: 4-8
Ceiling: 10-2
Prediction: 7-5
Story To Watch
South Alabama looked to be the team to beat in the Sun Belt west heading into 2025 before the transfer portal hit. Despite the losses, there is a lot of talent on this team, but the outlook has drastically changed. This team now having a lot of question marks heading into the 2025 season, but two stand out:
Can someone step up at the quarterback position? Bishop Davenport will be the guy to start the season, and he played well in the bowl game. However, it remains a competition even as we approach the preseason with a lot of questions about Bishop’s ability to replace Gio Lopez.
Have the penalty issues and late game issues been fixed? There are many reasons for the late-game struggles South Alabama had, time management, play calling, penalties, and just players making mistakes. Has discipline been a focus and have late-game situations been a focus?
The talent is in place for the Jags to have a big year in 2025 and while there ultimately could be depth concerns and questions about certain positions, the expectation is this for South Alabama:
Make another bowl game, contend for the West Division title.
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