Jacksonville State University Athletics

• 2023 All-CONFERENCE USA

JAX STATE CAREER:
2023: A First Team All- CUSA selection on the Defensive Line, solidifying himself as one of the top defenders in the league … named the CUSA Defensive Lineman of the Year by College Football News … the top pass rusher on one of the best pass rushing defenses in the nation, starting every game on the defensive front … on a team that leads CUSA and is 10th nationally in sacks, is the team leader in sacks with 8.5, which also ranks 18^th nationally … CUSA individual leader in total sacks with 8.5 and in sacks per game with 0.71 … the Gamecocks’ leader in TFL with 16.0, pacing a defense that leads CUSA and ranks 13th nationally in total TFL … also has an interception that he returned 58 yards for a score against MTSU, putting the come-from-behind win away for Jax State … was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week twice – after his performance against Eastern Michigan and again after his efforts against MTSU … against EMU, had five tackles, including 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup … to go along with his interception return in the MTSU game, also had six stops that included two sacks and 4.5 TFL for a loss of 23 yards … had a season-high nine tackles twice – at Coastal Carolina and at Sam Houston … had multiple sacks four times.

2022: Started all 11 games as a defensive end registering a career-high 40 tackles…set his single-game high with six tackles in an overtime win over Kennesaw State on Oct. 1 where he also forced his first fumble…led JSU’s defense with 5.5 sacks for a loss of 35 yards…racked up 15.5 tackles for loss with at least one in all but two games…led the Gamecocks to a 9-2 mark and ASUN Conference championship in Jax State’s last season in FCS. 

2021: Appeared in all 11 games across the JSU defensive front line…made 26 tackles with 4.5 coming for a loss of 12 yards…led the Gamecocks with seven quarterback hurries…recovered a fumble against North Alabama on Sept. 18 and forced a loose ball at Eastern Kentucky in the season finale…matcheed his career best with five tackles at Lamar on Nov. 13. 

FALL 2020/SPRING 2021: Made two starts in 12 appearances in his second year at defensive lineman with the Gamecocks…made the first start of his career in the upset win over Florida International on October 23…recorded 34 tackles on the year, including 16 unassisted stops and was second on the team in tackles for loss with 11 for -47 yards…also second on the team in sacks with seven for 38 yards lost, including 2.5 coming against Tennessee State on March 7…finished the year with 11 quarterback hurries. 

2019: Made one appearance in his first year at JSU against Austin Peay before being given a redshirt…picked up two tackles in his first game including his first solo stop.

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-sport star at Vincent High School in Vincent, Ala…starred at two positions for the Yellow Jackets…an all-county performer for two-straight years, ran for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back, while amassing 53 tackles, 12 for a loss, and five sacks on the defensive front…as a junior in 2017, ran for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns…swept first team all-state, all-region and all-district honors during both his junior and senior seasons…was named Vincent’s MVP in both basketball and football in 2019…was a Blue-Gray All-Star and O.D. All-American…was named the Shelby County Star Player and WBRC Player of the Week…also a star basketball player, averaging 12.8 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, and track athlete for VHS.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 13, 2000 in Vincent, Ala…son of Katrina Pope…mother played basketball at Huntingdon College…majoring in communications at JSU.