USA Preview: Four Players to Watch as the Jaguars Head to Stillwater

Heading into game No. 2 of Oklahoma State’s 2018 season, I wanted to take a look at four key players, two on each side of the ball, to watch for on this South Alabama squad coming to town this weekend.

Let’s begin with the Jaguar offense.

Jamarius Way | WR | 6-4, 220 | Sr.

South Alabama returned their leading receiver from a year ago in former junior college transfer Jamarius Way. The senior wideout had 762 yards receiving on 47 receptions along with 3 touchdowns in 2017. This included a 66-yard performance at home last season against the Cowboys. At 6-4, 220 pounds, the USA starting X-receiver is tough to bring down for opposing defensive backs, as he showed a couple of times last week against Louisiana Tech.

Way finished with only two catches for 31 yards last week against the Bulldogs, and even though this yardage total led the team, it’s definitely a sub-par performance for the veteran receiver. However, some of this can be attributed to the quarterback issues the Jaguars have had. Way has the size and athleticism to take over games for USA… if someone can just get the football somewhere in his general direction.

Kawaan Baker | WR | 6-1, 210 | So.

The former high school track star had only seven catches for 102 yards in 2017, but if last week’s game is any indication, Baker is set for a breakout year. The redshirt sophomore tied a school record against LA Tech with three total touchdowns, showcasing his skills in both the rushing game:

and the receiving game:

The South Alabama coaching staff gave their talented H-receiver the ball on jet sweeps and used him as the pitch man on the option as he racked up 51 yards on six carries. If the Jaguars can find some consistency this season with one of the three quarterbacks they used last week, the combination of Way and Baker at the receiver spots could be a dangerous one-two punch.

Now, let’s move onto the defense. Yesterday, Thomas Fleming covered several key players on USA’s defense in his position battle post. Below I’m going to touch on a couple of others guys to watch for on the Jaguar defense.

Tyree Turner | DT | 6-1, 285 | Jr.

Turner, along with Way, was a 2018 preseason All-Sun Belt selection. The Georgia product tied for first on the team in sacks a year ago with 3.5 and was third in tackles for loss with 4.5. Turner isn’t a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle, but his quick first move and upper body strength make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman. He’s great lining up in a 3-technique, on the outside shoulder of the weak-side guard, and he was all over the place last week against Louisiana Tech. Turner had seven total tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.

As you can see above, he’s got a lot of speed at the tackle spot and the Cowboy O-line will need to keep him out of the backfield.

Nigel Lawrence | S | 5-11, 205 | Sr.

The senior safety is the leading returning tackler on the team with 82 total takedowns a year ago. South Alabama lost possibly their best all-around defender in Jeremy Reaves and they’re expecting Lawrence to step up this season in his absence. He’s extremely versatile playing cornerback and both the boundary and rover safety positions during his tenure with the Jaguars.

Last week against the Bulldogs, Lawrence got the start as the boundary safety and led USA in total tackles with 12. Although he only stands 5-11, 205 pounds, he plays very physically at the safety position and has forced three fumbles in his college career. He had four tackles against Oklahoma State in 2017 and expect the veteran safety to be all over the field this Saturday in Stillwater.