University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Quarterbacks Size Up Start of Spring Ball
3/26/2019 7:48:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- On the day that Golden Eagle gridiron legends Brett Favre and Reggie Collier were announced as honorary coaches for the annual Black and Gold Spring Game (April 19), three of Southern Miss' current quarterbacks discussed their transition into the Spring 2019 slate, from veterans transitioning with new personnel to freshmen getting their first taste.
Redshirt-junior Jack Abraham returns after starting nine games and completing 73 percent of his passes for 2,347 yards. Tate Whatley also had quality time as a true freshman, playing six games and starting against Marshall, UAB and Louisiana Tech. He went 42-for-75 for 451 yards and four touchdowns, but also flexed his dual-threat abilities with 162 rush yards and three scores.
Southern Miss also signed four-star prospect Jaden Johnson in the offseason out of Memphis, Tenn., who was also rated the No. 20 pro-style quarterback in the country.
Jack Abraham
On what offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has added to the offense
"I would say more tempo and the way we are calling and running plays. The coaches are expecting a lot out of us. We had a year with some positives and negatives, but I think this year they expect an experienced group to go out and do a few things.
On what he wants to do to improve his game in the fall
"Just limiting my mistakes and not forcing a lot of things, and letting the game come to me. I think last year I let that affect myself and tried to make big plays happen when not a lot was there. It's something we look at in film. I'll keep working on my leadership, accuracy and decision-making. So far, we've had some ups and downs in practice but that happens with a new offensive staff and some new players.
Tate Whatley
On what he wishes to learn in spring practice
"Everything. I'm learning from a great and experienced guy in Jack. We got a new offensive coordinator, so I'm doing what I can to learn the system and the playbook every day."
On how he has adjusted to the new offense
"I love it. It's got great tempo with some good plays. I love everything Coach Faulkner tells us and what we can do out there... Explosiveness is one word to describe it so far."
Jaden Johnson
On what he has seen from the college game
"It's very different. The speed is much faster than high school. It's mainly about adjusting on the run. It's a process in learning it day-by-day and getting better. I'm adjusting very well even though there's a lot to learn. You have to take what you learn in the film room and translate it to the practice field."
