The hay is mostly in the barn, so to speak, for South Alabama’s preseason football camp after the completion of Saturday night’s second and final scrimmage.

The Jaguars will practice three more times this week before a “mock game” scrimmage on Friday, but that event is mostly a walkthrough to instruct players on proper pre-game, halftime and post-game protocols for the Sept. 2 season-opener at Tulane. Nearly all of South Alabama’s live contact work is done for the preseason after scrimmages were held on Aug. 12 and Aug. 19.

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South Alabama’s defense performed well in the second scrimmage, bouncing back after the offense largely dominated the first scrimmage. With the standard caveat that it is still nearly two weeks from the Sept. 2 season-opener at Tulane and thus preseason depth charts are a fluid thing, here are some position-by-position observations as the countdown toward the 2023 season continues:

Quarterback

No real drama here, as Carter Bradley maintains a firm grasp on QB1 duties, and Desmond Trotter remains one of the more capable and experienced back-ups at the Group of 5 level. Freshman Gio Lopez worked quite a bit with the second team on Saturday, indicating he’s ahead of Utah State transfer Bishop Davenport for the third-team spot. That stands to reason given that Lopez was here in the spring and Davenport was not.

Running back

Braylon McReynolds appears to have held off Kentrel Bullock for the second-team spot behind returning All-Sun Belt selection La’Damian Webb, though Bullock will certainly play quite a bit. Burly senior Marco Lee gives the Jaguars a fourth option in the running game, particularly in short-yardage situations. Freshmen Jarvis Durr and PJ Martin continue to make plays in practice and scrimmages, however, and could force coaches to make a decision on them in terms of redshirting this year.

Wide receiver

Devin Voisin began to emerge as Bradley’s favorite target midway through last season, and it seems as if he’s taken an additional step forward heading into 2023. Caullin Lacy and newly christened scholarship recipient Jamaal Pritchett are excellent second and third options, and boast plenty of speed. Javon Ivory appears to be the fourth receiver, and adds an element of size to the picture. It looks as if freshman Anthony Eager and walk-on Jeremiah Webb (a productive player on the FCS level at South Dakota before joining the Jaguars last season) are the next in line.

Tight end

Outside of maybe the defensive line, no South Alabama position group has more quality depth than tight end. Veterans Lincoln Sefcik, Brandon Crum, Jacob Hopper and DJ Thomas-Jones have split first- and second-team reps throughout camp, and coaches know they can count on all four to get the job done when in the game. Freshman Trent Thomas has also shown flashes in the preseason, but will have a hard time cracking this lineup in 2023.

Offensive line

The first-team lineup of Josh McCulloch at left tackle, James Robinson at left guard, Reggie Smith at center, Dontae Lucas at right guard and Adrein Strickland at right tackle has remained largely unchanged throughout preseason camp. The second unit has mostly included Malachi Carney at left tackle, Reid Gavin at left guard, Kenton Jerido at center, Reed Buys at right guard and Jordan Davis at right tackle. True freshman John Ward has been impressive as well, and has worked some with the second team at guard.

Defensive line

Again, this is a deep, veteran group where any of eight or nine players has and will see playing time. The first-team unit continues to be Jamie Sheriff at Bandit end, Wy’Kevious Thomas at nose tackle and Charles Coleman at defensive tackle. Brock Higdon has been a situational pass-rusher in the past, and is a capable No. 2 behind Sheriff. Jamall Hickbottom, Carlos Johnson, Maurice Strong and Ed Smith will all play at one or both of the two interior positions. A relative newcomer who showed up in Saturday’s scrimmage was sophomore Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, a 6-foot-6 Oklahoma transfer who has the attributes to be an asset as a pass-rusher.

Linebacker

James Miller and Trey Kiser continue to hold down the two inside positions, though veteran Ke’Shun Brown and especially sophomore Khalil Jacobs are not far behind. Redshirt freshmen Chrystyile Caldwell and Blayne Myrick have had their moments in camp as well. The transition of Quentin Wilfawn from inside linebacker to outside pass rusher at the Wolf position might be the key to the entire defense. He’s stayed healthy so far, which is a big plus. Sophomore Lamondre Brooks and Kansas State transfer Gavin Forsha are also likely to get some game reps at the Wolf position.

Defensive backs

Sophomore Ricky Fletcher appears to have solidified a first-team cornerback position alongside returning starter Marquise “Cuddie” Robinson, though veteran Dallas Gamble and junior-college transfer Reggie Neely will play quite a bit. Junior-college transfer Brian Dillard and Oklahoma transfer Jamarrien Burt — Dillard’s younger brother — could be in the mix as well. Husky (nickel) safety Yam Banks is one of the best players in the country at his position, with well-regarded walk-on Christopher Wallace looking like the top backup at the moment. Keith Gallmon, Jaden Voisin and Jalen Jordan will all play in various combinations at the Rover and free safety positions. Sophomore Rickey Hyatt, Baylor transfer Mike Harris and Mississippi State transfer Wesley Miller form the next group.

Special teams

Diego Guajardo is back for his third season as the primary kicker on field goals and extra points, and long snapper Travis Drosos also returns. Punter remains a competition between veteran Jack Martin and newcomers Aleksi Pulkinnen and David Delgado (the educated guess here is that Martin starts the season as both the main punter and holder, roles filled by the departed Jack Brooks a year ago). Lacy is back to handle punt returns once again, with McReynolds and some combination of Lacy, Pritchett and Devin Voisin on kickoff runbacks. Jacob Meeks will once again be the primary kickoff specialist.

South Alabama is back on the practice field Tuesday morning.