Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WSAV) — One look at the Jaguars’ 92-man roster reveals a lot of new faces, but really a lot of rookie faces, especially on the offensive side of the ball. At the skill positions, three of the six running backs are rookies. Then at wide receiver, seven of the 14 players are fresh out of college.
In an environment where every rep is filmed, reviewed and critiqued by coaches, it is important to get off to a strong start by learning the system. Usually, rookies have a learning deficit as they transition and try to learn the current system. However, the advantage veterans typically enjoy is wiped out this season as all offensive players try to grasp offensive coordinator Grant Udinski’s schemes.
Jaguars first-year head coach Liam Coen spoke on rookie development on the offensive side of the ball.
“They’re doing a ton of extra,” Coen said. “You walk out here I think it was about seven this morning I got finished working out and I saw Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter out here walking through. That’s just one example. You see the rookies, they do development periods every day right at the end of practice, which is why we kind of leave 15 minutes per day at the end is for them to go in and get developmental work.”
One more thing I want to mention. The NFL no longer conducts a series of cuts during the preseason. Now, teams need to cut the roster down to 53 by the Tuesday before the first week of the regular season.
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