Football 2025: JAMES CLEMENS JETS

Matthew Evers

Nearly 60 years ago a one-hit-wonder music group recorded one of the most enduring songs in rock and roll history titled “96 Tears.” The mysterious group was known as “? And The Mysterians and their name could easily be associated with the 2025 James Clemens football team.

The “?” is Juan Johnson, first-year head coach who replaced Chad McGehee, who retired from coaching and ventured into the real estate business at the completion of the 2024 season where the Jets finished 6-5 and were second in Region 4 (5-2), but lost four of the last five and five of the last seven games falling in the first round of the state playoffs. The “Mysterians” are multiple faceted for the Jets in the areas of new assistant coaches and the decisions to be made on who will receive playing time on the field at quarterback, offensive line and special teams.

In other words, 2025 is a mystery waiting to be solved.

According to Johnson, who took the position at James Clemens after one season as head coach at Baker High of west Mobile where he guided the Hornets to a 9-3 record and the program’s first playoff victory in 40 years, “If we take care of the ball, we have a chance to win.” But Johnson is well aware of the short, but rich history of the Jets’ program. “This team even with the questions within should be highly competitive with high energy. We want to try to play up to our standards here at James Clemens.”

OFFENSE
With only four starters returning, The Jets’ coaching staff have had to find the identity of the squad. Even at quarterback there are decisions that have to be made as returning starter Matthew Evers (QB, Jr.), a junior, is being pushed by others for playing time. Those in the mix to take snaps as signal caller are Wyatt Willis (QB, Jr.) and Konnor Erskine (QB, 5-10, 164, Sr.) and Johnson is not counting out a possible two-quarterback system when the season kicks off Aug. 22 on the road versus Gardendale.

“Evers has been in the fire last year and does a good job leading by running the offense,” explained Johnson. “Willis is a lefty, has a quick trigger and comes from a background of very high level of football and is quarterback smart. For Erskine, when the ball is in his hands he makes things happen. We’re blessed to have this array of talent.”

There should be no questions at running back as junior M.J. Gideon (RB, 5-11, 195, Jr.), the team’s leading rusher of a season ago with 114 attempts for 824 yards and 13 touchdowns, is the one Johnson will look towards to carry the load for the Jets. “We ask him to do more and he can do so as he just has to sharpen his skills,” said Johnson. “We also have a transfer from Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Christian Richey (RB, Jr.) who is dynamic athlete, a 2024 Second-Team All-State kid who has the ability to break tackles as he’s shifty. He’s being highly recruited.”

Alex Lively (WR, 5-8, 169, Sr.) returns to lead the group of athletes at wide receiver. In 2024, he had 16 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns which was tied for the team’s best. Others expected to pay big dividends for the Jets at wide receiver include Aaron Gonzalez (WR, 5-9, 160, So.), Konnor Erskine (QB/WR, 5-10, 164, Sr.) and Jermoney Toney (WR/CB, 5-8, 150, Sr.), all of which are solid at their positions. The tight end will feature two new players on the roster, Eric Christiansen (TE/RB, 5-11, 190, So.) and Ryan Queen (TE/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.).

The offensive line is where the real question marks arise for the coaching staff. According to Johnson, only three-year starter Malikai Cooper (OL, 6-1, 256, Jr.) is solid at a starting position. Johnson added, “The remainder of the offensive line is full of moving parts as we have about eight, mostly sophomores, who are in a battle for playing time and it may be game time before we settle for a starting grid.” Karter Grace (OL, 6-2, 275, So.) who as a sophomore is already making his presence known after having good performances in summer camps.

DEFENSE
Last year’s defensive squad gave up 24 points per game, which isn’t a bad average, but the offense could only muster 25 points per outing. In 2025, the Jets can again have a good defense if all the parts fall into place with six starters returning.

The defensive line is where the “heat” will originate for the Jets as two returning starters and four additional players will put their bodies literally on the line in battle. Tank Ezell (DL/LB, 5-7, 222, Sr.) and James Hollins (DL, 6-1, 215, Sr.) are the leaders of the group who Johnson called “The most impressed of any group since I’ve been here.” Hollins was the leading tackler last year with 77 tackles including 10 for a loss while Ezell was fourth on the team with 57 take downs.

Jocq Dennis (LB, 6-1, 202, Sr.), as Austin Peay commit, provided 50 tackles a season ago as a starter and will lead the corps of big hitters at linebacker that Johnson spoke of, “They have the knack to find the ball, the ability to make tackles. They’ve been the best group in adjustments to our new system.” Returner Eric Young (LB, 5-9, 197, Jr.) is what you would call an “up and comer” for the linebackers. Kaleb Pryor (LB/RB, 5-8, 180, Jr.) a junior for the Jets is also expected to step up to provide a few good hits during the season.

Johnson is excited to see how his senior-heavy list of defensive backs will perform. Three-year starter Mason Rose (DB/RB, 5-6, 178, Sr.), with 31 tackles and two interceptions last season, is the leader of this senior led squad. Others expected to standout are Christian Wyatt (DB, 5-9, 174, Sr.), who had 39 tackles in 2024, Trevor Caudle (DB, 5-11, 155, Jr.) and Myles Yarbrough (DB, 6-0, 164, Jr.). Johnson said, “I expect a lot from this group.”

SPECIAL TEAMS
The all important long snapper of both place kicks and punting plays is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The coaching staff is looking at as many as 10 players within the team who can perfect the unique skills of a long snapper. That position is also a game-time-type choice.

The actual kicking duties is a battle between two players, both of whom came to putting on football pads from the school’s soccer program. Senior Colton Culligan (K/P, 5-10, 135, Sr.) was on the squad a season ago in a backup role and is being pushed for playing time by newcomer Jace Yamaguchi.

The 2025 schedule will feature three non-regional contests with Gardendale (Class 6-A, 5-5) to open the season and Homewood (Class 6A, 9-3) to end the regular season with Spain Park (Class 6A, 12-1) thrown into the middle of the 10-game schedule. Johnson indicated, since his arrival, three major changes have taken place with the James Clemens football program: a high-tempo offense on the field, one half of his coaching staff is new and some ideas of improving the facilities on the ground with a new Athletic Director on board.

One of those new hires among the staff for Johnson is Riley Niblett, a highly experience coach who made stops at some highly successful schools like the IMG Academy and Valdosta High of Georgia. He and Johnson agreed on a very potent offense will be the type of action fans will see once the team hits the field.

FUN FACTS:
• Anthony Gideon is the defensive coordinator whose son, M.J., is one of the top players for the Jets
• Several players have received college communications and should provide the team a boost on the field
• Team colors are Carolina Blue, Navy and White
• This is season No. 14 for the newest high school in Madison and the previous teams have won 57-percent of its games