Added value
- Updated: May 14, 2016
Oxford’s Britt doesn’t disappoint in dual role, gives college scouts something to think about as he plays a little tight end
Jordan Swain (8) gave Oxford some hard running in its spring game. On the cover, Kenney Britt Jr. made nine tackles and played tight end on offense. (Photos by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – College recruiters from at least three Southeastern Conference schools were on the sideline Friday to watch one of the top targets on their wish lists in the flesh.
They were expecting to see Oxford’s Kenney Britt Jr. as his usual impactful self at linebacker in the Yellow Jackets spring game with Rhea County (Tenn.). Imagine their surprise when they saw the Yellow Jackets’ rising senior open the game at tight end.
Britt didn’t catch a pass or run the ball in the varsity’s 14-14 half against the Golden Eagles at JSU Stadium, but he sure gave everyone something to think about with his positioning on offense.
“Kenney probably played better tight end than he did linebacker tonight,” Oxford coach Ryan Herring said. “Georgia came by today and I told him I know everybody likes him at linebacker, but you’re probably going to be more impressed with that tight end tonight, because he’s playing tight end and we’re going to run him a lot.”
It wasn’t just a spring game ploy. Expect to see more of it, Herring said, because Britt is too valuable to have standing idly on the sideline.
Scouts from Georgia, Auburn and Mississippi State were in the stadium to watch him, but he just went about his business with his usual focus on helping his team win.
In the part of his game everyone wanted to see Britt didn’t disappoint. He made six solo tackles and had three assists. His first hit was a loud one, head-on with Rhea running back Eddie Davis.
“It felt good, it felt natural again,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to get back in the swing of things. It’s always good to get back on the gridiron.”
Abe Peoples played quarterback the whole varsity half for Oxford because Herring didn’t want to tax Brody Syer’s arm so soon after the end of baseball season. Both will play during the season.
Peoples scored the Jackets’ first touchdown on a 34-yard run.
Jordan Swain was their main running threat in the game. He didn’t play one snap there last season, but the safety was thrust into the role this spring to fill in for injured Tyetus Smith Lindsey (thumb) and gave his team some hard running.
He picked up two fourth-down conversions in the varsity’s final two possessions to keep drives alive in the red zone. He had six of the last eight carries in the Jackets’ game-tying drive, including the touchdown but not including his game-tying conversion.
He also had the ball on the final play of the half as the Jackets tried to score the game-winner in the final 10 seconds.
“Jordan did an excellent job,” Herring said. “We ran him a lot in practice; he took a beating, but never complained. Out here he ran hard, so we’re real happy with Jordan at the end of spring. He definitely showed me enough that he’s going to … run the ball next year.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login