Most college football players are a bit sad and disappointed to see any season end, but that was especially the case with South Alabama’s DJ Thomas-Jones as 2023 came to a close.

The Jaguars’ tight end was playing far and away the best football of his career last season wound down, scoring all five of his touchdowns in the season’s final two games. The former Saraland High School star got into the end zone three times in a shootout loss to Texas State in the regular-season finale, then scored twice in a 59-10 blowout of Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl.

“I can’t complain about the opportunities I got at the end of the year last year,” Thomas-Jones said. “I was blessed to have played that well in those last few games. It did kind of give me a little boost going into the offseason. It allowed me to see that the work that I’d put in didn’t go unnoticed.”

Though he possesses the speed to get down the field, the 6-foot-2, 259-pound Thomas-Jones has been used mostly in short-yardage and red zone situations during his two years at South Alabama. In 23 games with the Jaguars since transferring from Ole Miss prior to the 2022 season, he has totaled 47 receptions for 419 yards (an 8.9-yard average per catch) with eight touchdowns.

South Alabama often uses two tight-end sets, with Jones in the slot or on the wing and another player as the “in-line” tight ends. Jones might be used more at the latter spot in 2024, head coach Major Applewhite said.

“The No. 1 thing is the experience he’s bringing,” Applewhite said. “There’s a lot of know-how now. You can just kind of tell when the signal is given, there’s very little consternation as to ‘What exactly do I have? What exactly is his call? What are we trying to get done?’ I see it on special teams, and he’s doing a great job on special teams with us.

“I like that he’s creating value for himself as a player, understand what to do. He’s obviously a great athlete, route-runner, catcher. He’s learning how to play on the end of the line of scrimmage and block people and he’s got tremendous strength and bend. He’s trying to complete his game.”

1/23

Rob Ezell was the Jaguars’ tight ends coach from 2021-23 before replacing Applewhite as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach when the latter moved up to the head coach’s office. Ezell said Thomas-Jones was a joy to work with as his position coach, and he’s often used him as an example for South Alabama’s younger offensive players to follow.

“He’s really taking on a leadership role,” Ezell said. “We do have a young offense, especially at different positions. But he’s been setting the standard. We’ve been showing clips to the offense and the team of some of his extra effort plays last year that maybe go unnoticed. And obviously his ability to make plays is gonna be huge.”

Though Jones was one of four experienced tight ends on the 2023 South Alabama team, he’s now the only one remaining after Lincoln Sefcik, Brandon Crum and Jacob Hopper were lost to graduation. Veteran walk-on Todd Justice and redshirt freshman Trent Thomas also return from last year, but Applewhite and his staff spent the offseason adding several new faces to the position.

Bowling Green transfer Andrew Bench joined the team prior to spring practice, and looks to be ticketed for major playing time this fall. Over the summer, freshman signee Will Loerzel and Texas Southern transfer Rod Gibbs also came aboard.

But leadership hasn’t always come easy for Thomas-Jones, who is known by friends as “Ghost” for his habit of fading into the background during social situations. Being more vocal is something he’s definitely had to work at, he said.

“I’m used to being in the shadows last year and the last few years that I’ve been here,” Thomas-Jones said. “But now I’m embracing that role and getting out of my comfort zone, being able to speak to the team and pull guys along, especially the young ones. “It’s definitely been a transition to make. But I had guys before me who were there for me, and that gave me a chance to sit back and see what I should be doing. I got to learn from those guys and now I’m doing it myself.”

South Alabama returns to the practice field on Saturday morning before taking Sunday off. The Jaguars open the 2024 season at home Aug. 31 vs. North Texas.