South Alabama lost three multi-year contributors at inside linebacker after the 2023 season, but middle of the Jaguars’ defense might be in good hands after all.

Junior Khalil Jacobs is in line to start at Mike (strong inside) linebacker after emerging as one of the top young defensive players in the Sun Belt Conference in 2023. And then there is redshirt sophomore Blayne Myrick, a former Fairhope High School star who played mostly on special teams last season, but is currently working with the first team at Stinger (weak inside) linebacker during the first week of 2024 spring practice.

“He’s physical, loves football, high output, low maintenance,” head coach Major Applewhite said. “He’s just one of those great guys to coach. When his mouth’s open, he’s asking a question or he’s telling you the answer. He’s the ideal from a physical standpoint, a great special teams player. I love Blayne Myrick.”

Jacobs and Myrick are now the young veterans on a South Alabama defense that lost multi-year starters James Miller, Trey Kiser and Quentin Wilfawn (a two-year starter at inside linebacker who played mostly outside as a senior) to graduation after last season. That trio combined for 219 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2023.

Also almong those competing for playing at inside linebacker this spring are former outside linebackers Gavin Forsha and Dalton Hughes, as well as walk-on Emauri Sibley. But it’s Jacobs and Myrick who are being counted on as the position group’s leaders.

“It feels good,” Myrick said of his increased role this spring. “All the linebackers are working real hard. We’ve got a lot of young guys in that room and I just feel like we’re all locked into coach Applewhite’s program and we’re all just trying to get better.”

Myrick was part of a local recruiting focus by former South Alabama Kane Wommack, who pledged to sign at least five players in each class from Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Myrick played mostly safety, wide receiver and running back at Fairhope, but Wommack and his staff saw a future linebacker in the then 6-foot-3, 215-pound three-sport letterman.

Myrick said he played in only one game at linebacker in high school, so moving to the position at the college level was an adjustment. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2022 (though he did see action in one game) before getting on the field on kick coverage and on defense in a reserve role this past season.

“It helped me learn the speed of the game and I think it helps me a lot in practice just knowing how fast I need to go, to be able to compete at the level that we’re playing,” Myrick said. “At safety (in high school), I was back there just kind of watching like a receiver almost and I could go all over the field. Now I’ve got more of a specific job to do and more rules for sure.”

The redshirt year also allowed Myrick to bulk up for his new position. He now checks in at 238 pounds, having gained around 25 pounds of muscle since his high school days.

Myrick hasn’t lost his speed and athleticism, however. Jaguars inside linebackers coach Cam Cleminson called him a “freaky athlete.”

“You look at the guy, he’s thick through the chest and he’s quicker than you think, and he understands how to leverage his body,” Cleminson said. “He understands how to be violent with his hands. Each day he’s getting better and that’s what good linebackers do. And everybody in the room is getting better every day. I’m really proud of his work through OTAs and work through spring and I can’t wait to see the finished product in the fall.”

Myrick played in 11 games in 2023, getting on the field defensively quite a bit in the Jaguars’ season-ending victory in the 68 Ventures Bowl. He totaled four tackles and one tackle for loss in that game, which South Alabama won 59-10 over Eastern Michigan to finish the season at 7-6.

Though he’s now taken on a leadership role with the South Alabama defense, Myrick still has the reputation of choosing his words carefully. But he’s not afraid to speak up when necessary, Cleminson said.

“He’s direct, man,” Cleminson said. “He’s not just gonna talk to talk, he talks when he needs to talk. But you see him on the field and someone’s misaligned, he’s gonna go down there and … I call it running the show. He’s not afraid to open his mouth and get a guy in position and execute. So he’s quieter, but when he needs to talk, he does and it means more. Because you don’t hear him a lot. When he opens his mouth, people listen.”

South Alabama is back on the practice field Thursday morning. The Jaguars’ spring game is set for April 20.