2017 Opponent Preview: Jacksonville State Special Q&A W/ Chris Allen Brown

For this week’s preview, we are joined by a special guest. Last year I met Chris Allen Brown through Twitter as we were both preparing for the first of a home-away agreement between Jacksonville State and the Flames. To take a break from the routine, I asked Chris if he would join us for a brief question and answer session. He eagerly accepted the offer.

First off, tell our readers a little about yourself, Chris:

Uh … let’s see here … my name is Chris Allen Brown and I spend more time than I should on Twitter, follow me at @ChrisBrown_AL. I’m in my fourth year as a sports writer for The Anniston Star and I’ve done everything from covering prep sports to Jacksonville State to local golf. I’m a senior at Jacksonville State, hopefully graduating in December if everything goes as planned. If it wasn’t for sports, I’d probably be spending my days eating Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries while sitting in a beanbag chair.  As outgoing as I seem on social media, I’m the most awkward person anyone can ever meet.

Q: After steering the ship for the last four years, QB Eli Jenkins is now in the NFL. What is the post-Jenkins era going to look like? Who is slated to take command?

A: In my opinion, the post-Eli Jenkins Era won’t look much different. A stat that is rarely ever talked about: With Eli Jenkins as the starting quarterback, Jacksonville State did not lose a regular season game to a non-FBS opponent. Now I’m not guaranteeing that same streak over the next four years, but I believe JSU will win more games than lose in the future. Who is taking over for Eli? That’s the million-dollar question. Bryant Horn and Kendrick Doss appear as the front-runners. Taylor Hayes, who was one of the most decorated multi-sport prep athletes in Alabama, and Zion Webb are incoming freshmen who have the tools to succeed. Actually, there have been a lot of people who believe Zion is the next “Eli Jenkins,” but there are some who aren’t sure a true freshman will get the starting nod over Horn and Doss.

Q: How often do people think the team is from Florida?

A: As often as people compare LeBron James and Michael Jordan. It’s a shame, too, because Jacksonville State was on the verge of upsetting Christian Ponder and Florida State in 2009, before knocking off Jeremiah Masoli and Ole Miss in double overtime to open the 2010 season. Who can forget when the Gamecocks, a five-touchdown underdog, took then-No. 6 Auburn to overtime on Sept. 12, 2015? The funny thing about the unwanted connection, though, is JSU played Jacksonville (FL) University on Sept. 7, 2013, which was the first home game I was around Jax State athletics. In that game, JSU ran for 523 yards on 70 attempts as four different players rushed for over 100 yards, which in a NCAA record.

Q: Jacksonville State has maintained an impressive dominance in the FCS for some time now, including four straight trips to the FCS Playoffs. Though they seem few and far in-between, what are some weaknesses of this 2017 squad?

A: Special Teams —mainly field goal unit — has been the only rough spot in recent years. If I HAD to try to find something else, I’d say maybe the depth. Granted there are players to play, but the quality drop-off from starters to second and third team, at certain positions, can be a big problem. Now with the upcoming season and having graduated a lot on both sides of the ball, there may be a few more question marks but no one will know where they are until the season starts.

Q: The team has a number of preseason FCS All-Americans. Who are some players Liberty fans should look out for come September?

A: In numerical order: Joel McCandless (LB), Justin Thomas-Thornton (DE), Roc Thomas (RB), Darius Jackson (DE), Marlon Bridges (S), Justin Lea (OL), Jamari Hester (WR), Randy Robinson (DL) to name a few. McCandless is the most motivational player I’ve ever met. JTT is every bit of 6-foot-5 and lackey off the edge. Roc, if healthy, is the most explosive offensive player in the OVC, following the graduation of Eli. Darius is the reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year. Bridges, only a redshirt-sophomore, is the reigning OVC Freshman of the Year and is on pace to be one of the best secondary player in school history. Justin is solid glue on the offensive and has started every game since 2014. Jamari is only a redshirt-sophomore receiver, but he’ll be one of the top targets down the field. Enough can’t be said about Randy, because the interior of the defensive line is often overlooked but this guy is a stud.

Q: Any cool things to do/places to eat for Liberty fans traveling to the game?

A: As a guy who loves to eat, no one can go wrong with ole reliable — Waffle House — but there’s also Momma Goldberg’s (sandwiches), Struts (wings), Jefferson’s (wings), Coop DeVille (wings) … do you see a trend developing? Jack’s is a place you can’t get outside of Alabama and it’s legit. Baja California Grill and Loco Mex are the Mexican places everyone hits up. I’ve only been once, but I’ve heard very good things about Yamato Steak House of Japan, too. Outside of those places, there are your traditional McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen and every pizza place you can think of. In terms of things to do, there’s a mountain people go sit and look out on and a movie theater about 30 minutes down the road. Outside of that, there’s not really much to do … maybe that’s why there are always so many people at football games.