For the first time in several years, South Alabama does not have a quarterback battle in spring practice.

Carter Bradley is the unquestioned starter under center after a record-setting 2022 season with the Jaguars, his first after transferring in from Toledo. Such stability at the game’s most vital position naturally leads to peace of mind for South Alabama coaches and fans, but Bradley isn’t looking to join them in their contentment.

“Coming in last spring and comparing it to this spring, I’m a lot more comfortable, but I use ‘comfortable’ very lightly,” Bradley said. “I’m trying to push myself every day. The guys are trying to push me. … Going into this year, knowing the offense, knowing where I need to go with the ball, I definitely feel a lot more confident in myself. But ‘comfortable’ is used lightly.”

The son of longtime NFL coach Gus Bradley (now defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts), Carter Bradley re-wrote the South Alabama passing record book last season. In leading the Jaguars to a 10-3 record and their first bowl berth in six years, Bradley completed 276 of 427 passes for 3,343 yards and 28 touchdowns — all program single-season records.

Bradley also set numerous South Alabama individual game records, including 36 completions on 53 attempts in the New Orleans Bowl vs. Western Kentucky and 420 yards against Louisiana-Monroe. He tied a school record with four touchdowns passes vs. Texas State.

South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack and offensive coordinator Major Applewhite specifically targeted Bradley when he entered the transfer portal after the 2021 season, when he lost his starting job to a younger player at Toledo. Safe to say, the strong-armed Bradley met — if not wildly exceeded — their expectations.

“You see Carter’s confidence in what we’re doing, his comfortable mindset of knowing what we ask him to do, doing it at a high level,” Wommack said. “I think it’s allowing him to lead at a higher level right now, just in terms of the way that he challenges his teammates, holds people to the standard. And then obviously just the timing and operation right now looks really good.

“He’s making some great throws. We all know he’s got a phenomenal arm talent, but just his decision-making right now and how quickly he’s working through his progression, I think it speaks to him going through this in Year 2 of our program.”

Unlike several South Alabama quarterbacks before him, Bradley made it through the 2022 season without missing a game due to injury. He had a few close calls, however, including a hard hit to his left (non-throwing) arm against Southern Miss that forced him to the sideline for much of the second quarter.

Bradley was sacked 23 times last season, and is also not afraid to take off and run when the situation calls for it. To that end, he’s worked on adding 15 or so pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame, and is looking to begin the 2023 season at close to 230.

“You lose so much (weight) during the season,” Bradley said. “I want to have some more on me so I’m able to take those hits, be able to stay in the pocket strong. So it’s going well with that.”

Though Bradley remains the first-teamer, South Alabama’s quarterback group got a big boost in the offseason. Backup quarterback Desmond Trotter — the Jaguars’ primary starter for much of 2019 and 2020 — elected to return to the Jaguars after exploring his options in the transfer portal.

Trotter, the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome, played in place of injured starter Jake Bentley for three games in 2021. Most notably last season, he filled in for Bradley during the Southern Miss game and led a field goal drive that was part of a 27-20 victory.

“He’s come so far,” Applewhite said. “Some of the stuff that he’s already done this spring camp, we just look at each other and kind of smile. That’s what happens when you put in the work and you’ve got the kind of attitude Dez does. He just opens himself up to coaching. He doesn’t ever say, ‘Coach, I got this.’ He opens himself up every day and just says, ‘Tell me what to do.’ He’s just going to continue to get better.”

Bradley and Trotter are both out of eligibility after the 2023 season. Redshirt junior Tanner McGee is back after serving as the third-string quarterback last season, but the Jaguars’ quarterback of the future is freshman Gio Lopez.

Lopez enrolled at South Alabama in January, and has been taking some second-team reps in practice along with Trotter. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound left-hander out of James Clemens High School in the Huntsville area gives the Jaguars a run-pass dimension they haven’t had in recent years.

“No. 1, he’s accurate, he can throw the football — he can make all the throws that your offense requires,” Applewhite said. “And then No. 2, he’s just a very fluid athlete. This position nowadays is getting to where it needs to have … somebody that can move around. And so he’s got ability to move his arm angles, he’s got ability to run the football.

“He’s not a tall guy, but he’s not a small guy. He’s got a Baker Mayfield-kind of build to him where he’s got some girth in his torso, strength so he can really rip the ball. I’m very encouraged by him thus far.”

South Alabama practiced Friday morning before taking the remainder of the weekend off. The Jaguars return to the field on Monday.