VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State football team held its first scrimmage of fall camp in an inter-squad contest on Tuesday morning at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Similar to the spring game, the Blazers battled against one another with the red-hot Valdosta State offense taking on the black swarm Blazer defense in an 80-play scrimmage. The quarterback duo of senior Sammy Edwards and sophomore Seth Smith were firing early, scoring on the first few possessions versus the VSU defense. The defense made adjustments and responded accordingly, racking up a fumble recovery and a pick-six on two of the following drives. One of the main highlights of Tuesday's practice came from the battle at the line of scrimmage with both sides executing on all cylinders. Specifically, the offensive line did an excellent job of opening up holes for the running game while the defensive line continued to bring pressure, limiting the pass game.
 
"We were better than when we first reported. A lot of that is a credit to our guys throughout the summer" said head coach Tremaine Jackson following the scrimmage. "The offensive line played better, and we are deeper at receiver since I've been here. Defensively, we are deeper on the back end and there are a lot of guys making plays."
 
Yesterday, Valdosta State was ranked seventh in the first Division II American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Coaches Poll to open the 2024 campaign. "We appreciate that people think that about us because I am on that committee, and I certainly didn't have us in there. We are going to find out what we are on August 31, and we are going to continue to find out each Saturday" said Coach Jackson regarding their ranking. To watch the full video interview, click here.
 
The Blazers bring back many key pieces from a team that went 12-2 overall and 7-1 in Gulf South Conference play, falling short in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Quarterback Sammy Edwards is a headliner, as the senior from Saint Augustine, Fla. finished last season third in the prestigious Harlon Hill Award. Staying on the offense side, senior tight end Noah Gillan will also be returning, as he was recently named to the Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Team along with Edwards. VSU returns two important pieces at the wide receiver position, as redshirt freshman Rodney Bullard and graduate student Tyler Ajiero return after they combined for nine touchdowns in 2023.
 
On defense, redshirt junior Jordan Billups will be looking to make an impact yet again in 2024, as the defensive back enters the season following a campaign in which he recorded nine breakups to go along with one interception and 32 total tackles. Billups was excited to get to work this morning as we were able to speak to him following practice. "It definitely felt good… just to come out here in the pads felt great" Billups stated.  On the line, senior DeAndre Clifton will look to shut down opposing offenses yet again, as he ranked second on the team in sacks and first in quarterback hits last season with two and a half sacks and five QB hits.
 
VSU opens their season in less than three weeks, as they play host to rival Albany State on Saturday, August 31 at 7 p.m. at the historic Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. To view their full schedule, click here. Both season and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season. Click here to purchase tickets.