Tigers back in action

GRAMBLING – Mickey Joseph isn’t going to cut corners as fall camp begins for the Grambling State Tigers. And he doesn’t want to shy away from challenges.

The first-year head coach took the field with the Tigers at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium Wednesday morning to open fall camp, with over 100 players working through special teams, ball protection, and tackling drills alongside him, wearing sunglasses and a pull-over sweater (temperatures in the mid 80s by the way). He may have been sweating under his gray GSU sweater, but he wasn’t letting the small stuff go by unnoticed. Within the first 20 minutes of practice, Joseph could be heard yelling from across the field and directing assistant coaches in proper technique. Before punch-out drills, Joseph cracked smiles and talked with players one-one-one before intensity cranked up.  He wanted to make it clear yet again this brand of GSU football isn’t going to be the same as recent seasons. And all for the better.

“It feels good. We have everyone healthy and ready to go and we’re excited,” Joseph said. “We want to improve every time we hit the field. We want to have the structure going and making sure we clean up the penalties and that we’re sound in everything we do.”

The penalty issue – leading the FCS in total infractions over the last two seasons – is top priority for Joseph. But Hue Jackson said the same thing before he was fired. How does Joseph plan to fix the issue? He wants to get as close to live situations as possible and walk through how each penalty decreases chances to be successful.

“I think you have to put them in those situations, in 1st and 10 and say we can’t have a non-moving penalty here,” Joseph said. “Football’s a situational game. As coaches, we want to put them in those situations and when they get a penalty we explain why and why it hurts us and give them the percentages of 1st and 15 and getting the first down from that. And it lowers the number. I want them to be mentally sound. I want them to be mentally sound with everything we do on this field.”

Aside from mental preparation, Joseph began fall camp with optimism in Grambling’s wide receiver options.

If Myles Crawley is going to live up to the potential of SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year like the Tigers hope, he’ll need playmakers around him. Joseph believes GSU has plenty to spare.

“Right now, I couldn’t give you one name. But that’s a talented room,” Joseph said. “We have about 10 to 12 kids I’m comfortable with. If we had to play today, there’s 10 to 12 I’d be comfortable playing within a game.”

GSU’s top returning receivers include 2023 SWAC Freshman of the Year Javon Robinson (30 catches, 368 yards, 2 TD) and Nae’Saan Dickerson (13 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD), along with JR Waters (6 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD).

Newcomers include Jalen Johnson from McNeese State, Jacoby Bellazar from Mississippi State, and Patrick Williams of Arizona State.

Johnson played three seasons at McNeese with 30 catches for 299 yards, while Bellazar played in just two games with the Bulldogs after transferring up from the junior college level. Williams, originally from Wossman High School, left the Sun Devils after not seeing the field in his two seasons.

After playing as the No. 3 scoring offense in the SWAC (28.7 ppg) and No. 2 total offense (377 ypg) last fall, Joseph knows the Tigers need pass catchers to step up for Crawley to keep the offense among the best in the league.

“I gotta know who’s going to be my go-getter, my Justin Jefferson, my Ja’Marr Chase, my Terrace Marshall. And the time comes for that,” Joseph said. “The studs rise up and they’ll do it.”