It’s a new year and a new coach for Alabama State. Brian Jenkins is used to winning titles, so we’ll see if he can help ASU to the SWAC title and ultimately a bid to the Celebration Bowl.
The Hornets will have to re-configure their offense as Malcolm Cyrus, the team’s leading rusher last season, has exhausted his eligibility. Jenkins is re-tooling the team’s offense in his image, and Daniel Duhart’s two-year reign as ASU’s starting quarterback doesn’t guarantee he’ll be the guy under center when ASU meets Tennessee State on Sept. 6.
ASU has a tough start to the season, opening in Nashville and hosting Alcorn State back-to-back in Weeks Two and Three. If the team can come out of the first five games above .500, they could be okay. If not, it may be a long year in Montgomery.
Players To Watch:
WR, DeMario Bell: Bell is one of the best deep threats in FCS football, as he averaged a ridiculous 22.3 yards per catch last season. Jenkins doesn’t have the most pass-friendly offense in the world, but Bell needs to see the ball more than the 28 passes he hauled in last year.
LB Kourtney Berry: Berry is the SWAC’s Preseason Defensive Player of The Year for a good reason, as he’s been all over the field during his first two seasons. He led the SWAC last year with 128 tackles, including 12.5 for loss.
Best case scenario: 8-3
Worst case scenario: 6-5
