Plus Added Revelations from Butch Jones’ Pre-Oklahoma Presser

“JT will be our starter for Oklahoma,” said Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones, making official what most expected at the pre-Oklahoma presser on Tuesday. JT Shrout, a transfer via Tennessee and Colorado, beat out sophomore Jaxon Dailey and true freshman Jaylon Raynor.

“All three quarterbacks have done a really good job. They have great competitive character. I expect Jaxon (Dailey) and Jaylon (Raynor) to keep on competing. It was as close a competition I have been a part of.” Jones cited Shrout’s game-time experience as a contributing factor to his being named starter.

Coach Jones made it clear that while Shrout was indeed the starter, the role of starter at any position is fluid at Arkansas State. “We call it an organization chart. A depth chart doesn’t mean anything. All it means is who’s going to take the first rep. You need more than 11 individuals on both sides of the ball to play winning football.”

Arkansas State opens against #20 Oklahoma on Saturday, one of two Sun Belt teams opening against AP Top 25 teams. “First games are the games of the unknown,” said Jones, who said the game against Oklahoma will go a long way to exposing who on the team is ready to accept their roles going deeper into the season. “Our toughness. Our connectivity. All will be tested going into Norman.”

Butch on the Roster: “I hope this is the last time we have this conversation, but we’re the third youngest team in America.”

Butch on Oklahoma: “All we can control is what we can control, and that is our preparation and mental disposition.”

Butch Jones on Sophomores and Freshmen: Butch had praise for his freshmen and sophomores, specifically mentioning offensive lineman Elijah Zollicoffer, tight end Miller McCrumby, defensive end Keyon Crawford and TE Tyler Little, a 6’4″ 245-pound freshman.

Butch on Running Backs: “I think we’re in a much better place, but not where we need to be. I think the addition of Zac Wallace was crucial. He’s a leader on the field and the locker room. He owns that locker room.”

You can review the Red Wolves Week One depth organizational chart here.

PHOTO CREDIT: Belongs to me