Competitive scrimmage pleases A-State’s coach

While Butch Jones found flaws to fix, Arkansas State's head coach had no issues with how the Red Wolves competed in their first spring football scrimmage Saturday.

The offense was the winner on the scoreboard with a strong finish in the red zone work that ended practice.

"Overall, it's probably the most competitive scrimmage we've had since we've been here. I thought our kids were engaged," said Jones, who is entering his second season at ASU. "It was very, very competitive."

The Red Wolves worked a variety of situations, including live work on special teams. While senior quarterback James Blackman was off limits for contact, redshirt freshman Wyatt Begeal and true freshman Jaxon Dailey took snaps during possessions where the defense was allowed to hit the quarterback.

Blackman threw three touchdown passes during red zone work, two to sophomore wideout Reagan Ealy and another to sophomore tight end Seydou Traore.

Ealy continued a productive spring catching a touchdown pass from Blackman during a session inside the 10-yard line, then took a short toss from Blackman 18 yards to the end zone during red zone work.

Jones said Ealy, who earned playing time last fall as a walk-on, has been ASU's most consistent receiver this spring.

Several running backs made plays. Johnnie Lang Jr. found room on a 15-yard punt return and broke for a 30yard with the offense backed up inside the 5-yard line.

Jones said Lang, who transferred to ASU last year from Iowa State, is arguably ASU's most improved offensive player.

Sharpe, an early enrollee from Pinson, Ala., joined other freshmen in making plays in the scrimmage.

Tight end Miller McCrumby caught a two-point pass from Begeal to end the day. Dailey threw a touchdown pass during red zone work.

"I think as a coach you have to keep it in perspective. These are individuals who should be getting ready to go to the prom, and instead they're here," Jones said.

Begeal threw a touchdown pass in the red zone. He displayed his running ability late in the scrimmage, carrying multiple defenders to the end zone for the last eight or nine yards of a 20-yard touchdown run.

Jones said Begeal and Dailey will continue to get some fullcontact work.

Sophomore safety Taylon Doss intercepted Blackman's pass in the end zone early in the scrimmage. Sophomore linebacker Ethan Hassler knocked a pass down and also got a hand on a punt.

Senior lineman John Mincey made a tackle in the end zone for a safety.