Commanders re-sign Jeremy Reaves to 2-year deal

Jeremy Reaves is the first Commander that Adam Peters has re-signed this offseason.

The first two days of the 2024 NFL free agency cycle saw no current Commanders re-sign with Washington. But news broke Wednesday that safety Jeremy Reaves is the first of the Commanders’ current free agents to return.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s a two-year deal for Reaves, who’s coming off of a torn ACL in Week 5 last season.

Reaves wasn’t drafted, and he has been released numerous times. But he keeps battling and will again be part of the Commanders in 2024.

Reaves was excited to be the first of the current Commanders to return, and gladly broke the news (twice) on Twitter, Wednesday afternoon.

In 2022, Reaves was a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection on special teams. However, nothing has come easy for Reaves in the NFL. He is an illustration of hard work and perseverance.

Having played his college ball at South Alabama, Reaves went undrafted in 2018, and was signed by the Eagles in May. He was released by the Eagles in September.

Washington signed Reaves 10 days later, placing him on the practice squad but released him six days later. In October, they again brought him back to the practice squad and again released him in December.

The 2019 season saw Washington release Reaves during cutdowns in August, bring him back to the practice squad, and then activate Reaves to the active roster, where he went on to play nine games.

Reaves was released twice in 2020 before finally breaking through, seeing action on 262 defensive snaps and 147 special teams snaps.

Injuries limited Reaves to five games in 2021 before he excelled on special teams in the 2022 season, playing in all 17 games and being named All-Pro Special Teams performer by The Associated Press, Pro Football Focus, NFL Players Association, and Pro Football Writers Association.

Move over Travis Hunter: Alabama athlete Damarion ‘Fluff’ Bothwell has an unreal stat line on both sides of the ball

Fluff Bothwell put up an unreal stat line in Alabama over the weekend.

Damarion ‘Fluff’ Bothwell was simply unreal this weekend, the senior athlete from Alabama producing a box score that would rival that of Jim Thorpe or Colorado standout Travis Hunter.

A commit to South Alabama, Bothwell’s final stat line in Oneonta’s (Oneonta, Alabama) 62-36 win over Etowah (Attalla, Alabama) is throwback stuff. At 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, he is a physical presence on both sides of the ball and plays that way.

He certainly made his presence felt on Friday night. Check out his numbers:

  • 265 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns
  • 122 receiving yards on four receptions for two touchdowns
  • A passing touchdown
  • 17 tackles including three tackles for a loss and a sack

With the win, Oneonta improved to 5-3 and has won three straight games.

Bothwell committed to South Alabama in September. He is a three-star recruit according to 247Sports and is ranked the No. 104 running back in the nation.

He held offers from programs like Austin Peay, Eastern Michigan, Jacksonville State, Navy and North Alabama among others.

Commanders season opener in 39 days: Washington’s best No. 39

39 Jeremy Reaves days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 39 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 39?

Honestly, there has not been a great Washington player who wore No. 39 for the Burgundy and Gold.

There are, however, two who made significant contributions I’d like to recognize.

Otis Wonsley (1981-85) had been drafted by the NY Giants 229th overall in 1980. Not making the Giants, he came to Washington in 1981 and quickly made his impression on special teams and thus made the roster. Wonsley, a fullback in his five years, only totaled 61 carries for 181 yards. A highlight of Wonsley’s career was in 1984 when Joe Gibbs determined to use Wonsley in some short-yardage situations. The result was four rushing touchdowns. The other highlight for Wonsley that was significant occurred in Super Bowl XVII. Washington had the ball 4th & 1 at the Miami 43-yard line in the final quarter, trailing 17-13. We remember John Riggins ran the ball. What we’ve forgotten was every man on the left side made his block allowing Riggins to be man-on-man with Don McNeal. Those on the left side were TE Clint Didier, LT Joe Jacoby, LG Russ Grimm, and FB Otis Wonsley leading Riggins through the left side. Notice on the play Wonsley explodes forward, knocking linebacker Earnest Rhone off of his feet, freeing Riggins into the secondary. The most significant offensive play in Washington history and No. 39 reserve fullback Otis Wonsley played a “major role!”

Jeremy Reaves (2018- current) knows about living from day to day in the NFL. He was undrafted, signed by the Eagles, waived, signed by Washington, and waived. In fact, Reaves has been signed to or reverted back to the practice squad eight times in his career. But the safety from South Alabama continued to persevere. From 2018 through 2021, Reaves played in 2, 9, 9 and 5 regular season games. Then in 2022, Reaves remained on the active roster throughout the season for the first time in his career. Excelling on special teams throughout the season, Reaves was chosen to the Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams representative. He was also named a first-team All-Pro — a rarity for Washington under the previous ownership.

WKU 44, South Alabama 23 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl What Happened, What It All Means

WKU 44, South Alabama 23: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl what happened, player of the game, and what it all means

WKU beat South Alabama to win the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. What happened, who was the player of the game, and what does it all mean?


WKU 44, South Alabama 23 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl What Happened, Player of the Game, What It All Means

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R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl What Happened

WKU got hot early, put the game away, and South Alabama wasn’t able to do much to respond until it was way too late. Austin Reed threw three touchdown passes – four for the game – and receiver Dalvin Smith threw a trick play touchdown pass on the way to a 31- 3 halftime lead.

It was 41-10 WKU late in the third, but South Alabama’s Carter Bradley threw three touchdown passes including two int he last 19 minutes. It didn’t matter. WKU got enough points less than 20 minutes in.

That wasn’t the normal South Alabama team. It was brilliant all season and tight defensively, but WKU and Reed were too sharp and too good in the first half. It wasn’t a sloppy game, but two USA turnovers didn’t help and the inability to keep drives going early on was a killer.

100 Best Bowl Players | Ranking How Good the Bowls Were

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Player of the Game

Austin Reed, QB WKU
He was supposed to have transferred to Louisville, but came back and decided to stay. He completed 36-of-55 passes for 497 yards with four touchdowns and a pick. He also ran for 25 yards.

CFN Experts Picks Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Fun Stats

– WKU WR Dalvin Smith caught six passes for 145 yards and a score, and he completed his only throw for a 25-yard score. Jaylin Hall (138 yards) and Malachi Corley (114 yards) also hit the 100-yard mark.

– South Alabama WR Devin Voisin came up with a game high 11 catches for 154 yards and a score. QB Carter Bradley threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns with two picks.

– Total Yards: WKU 677 – South Alabama 421

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl What It All Means

Wow. WKU came into this a bit undermanned, but Austin Reed was there slinging it around and running the offense, and that was it. For a team that had a bit of an inconsistent season, Reed was brilliant from the start, the passing game clicked like it was supposed, and this was over fast.

Give the WKU defense a little credit, too. It held up early, got the ball back to Reed, and boom. Now that’s two straight bowl wins under head coach Tyson Helton, and he’s 3-1 in the last four years. The program has won six of its last eight since losing its first ever bowl appearance in 2012.

What was that, South Alabama? Against UCLA in a tough loss against Troy in a 10-6 battle of a loss, and in game after game, the offense found ways to keep moving early on and the defense was good at holding up in a 10-2 season. This loss doesn’t ruin a great season, but it sours it a bit.

The program still hasn’t won a bowl game – it’s 0-3 – but this was the first winning season since moving up to the FBS level in 2012. It was the first time it got past six wins. This was a special year, but the first 20 minutes of this were shocking.

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2022-2023 Bowl Schedule, Predictions

New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama, live stream, TV channel, time, how to watch

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will meet the South Alabama Jaguars in the New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday night. 

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will meet the South Alabama Jaguars in the New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday night.

Western Kentucky finished off the season with a win over FAU to give them an 8-5 season, while South Alabama comes into tonight’s game with a 10-2 record after knocking off Old Dominion 27-20 in their last regular season game.

This will be a great game tonight, here is everything you need to know to watch and stream the action.

Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama

  • When: Wednesday, December 21
  • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

NCAA Football Odds and Betting Lines

NCAA odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds were updated at 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama (-3.5)

O/U: 57.5

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South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

South Alabama College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the South Alabama season with what you need to know and keys to the season.


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South Alabama Jaguars Preview
Head Coach: Kane Wommack, 5-7, 2nd year at USA
2021 Preview: Overall: 5-7, Conference: 2-6
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Top 10 Players | USA Schedule

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022

It’s not really fair or right to tag any Sun Belt team with being the next Coastal Carolina, but there’s chance South Alabama might just be this year’s out-of-the-blue team in the conference.

The program hasn’t had a winning season since getting up to the big level and the Sun Belt in 2012 – although it has been to two bowl games – and it’s had a a few near misses, like last year’s team that had several chances to go bowling but couldn’t get that sixth win.

Head coach Kane Wommack is only 35, he’s known for his talent as a defensive coach both as a coordinator at South Alabama and then Indiana, and he’s got the guys in place to do big things in a year when all of the Sun Belt focus is on the new additions and the expected big things out of the established stars.

He’s been fantastic in the transfer portal, he’s got a good coaching staff, and this team is loaded with as much starting experience as any team in the Sun Belt.

No, this might not be a dominant force like Coastal Carolina became, but in the winnable Sun Belt West – in a year of transition for Louisiana – just coming up with a breakthrough winning season in Year Two under the rising young head coach would be more than good enough.

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Offense

The Jaguar offense might have died down the stretch when the team just needed one win in the final four games to go bowling, but it’s a LOADED group coming back full of experience and help from the transfer portal for offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to work with.

The passing attack should be fine, but the scoring has to be there after averaging under 25 points per game. The improvement has to come from …

The running attack has to take over at times. The offensive line has lots of size and plenty of experience, but it struggled in pass protection and it generated a push for just 111 yards per game on the ground.

Four starters are back up front, and now it needs to work for leading rusher Terrion Avery – who ran for just 508 yards and a score – and a ground game that averaged just three yards per carry.

The main backs behind Avery are there, and the help is coming in from the transfer portal with Marco Lee from Virginia Tech and Omni Wells from Mississippi State looking to make a push.

The star of the passing game is gone. Jalen Tolbert caught 82 passes averaging 18 yards per pop with eight scores, and now he’s a Dallas Cowboy. However, the rest of the main receivers are back led by 53-catch Jalen Wayne and speedy Caullin Lacy. All-star TE Lincoln Sefcik caught 32 passes and five scores as a short-range receiver.

Can Desmond Trotter take his game up a few notches? The veteran quarterback was good in 2020, and he’s strong at limiting the mistakes, but he only played late last year in a rough three-game road stretch and now he has to make the O sing. If he can’t, Toledo transfer Carter Bradley will get his shot.

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Defense

The defense is getting even more help from the transfer portal than the offensive side. The Jaguars get back eight starters, but the Power Five new guys are going to at least build up the depth for a defense that wasn’t bad.

The Jaguars allowed 355 yards and 26 points per game. They need a better pass rush, but the pass defense should be fine. Speaking of the pass rusher …

The Jaguars got production from a variety of spots – mostly outside linebacker – but the line has to find more from the ends. DT Charles Coleman led the team with 4.5 sacks, and the rest of the starters are back.

On the way is Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge from Oklahoma and James Miller from Indiana to try bringing some heat from the edge – if 6-7 Brock Higdon doesn’t turn out to be a star a the Bandit position.

AJ DeShazor led the team with 64 tackles, but he’s hardly alone among the inside linebacker to use in a good rotation. That includes 245-pound Quentin Wilfawn – a thumper in the middle who made 45 tackles.

The secondary has the playmakers to work around, but more of a steady pass rush would be a big help. Darrell Luter was a First Team All-Sun Belt star with a team-high four interceptions and ten broken up passes at one corner spot, and the safety combination of Keith Gallmon and Yam Banks should combine for around 100 tackles.

Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Top 10 Players | USA Schedule

South Alabama Jaguars: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

South Alabama Jaguars Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Who are the top 10 South Alabama players going into the 2022 college football season?

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?


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South Alabama Jaguars Preview 
Offense, Defense Breakdown | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Schedule 

2022 NFL draft: Jalen Tolbert scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert

A small-school stud who stood out most in big games, South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert enters the 2022 NFL draft as one of the more underrated prospects in this year’s loaded wide receiver class.

Here’s everything you need to know about this under-the-radar pass-catcher:

Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama Prediction, Game Preview

Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win this Friday.

Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama prediction, game preview, how to watch: Friday, November 26


Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: ESPN+
How To Watch: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Record: Coastal Carolina (9-2), South Alabama (5-6)
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Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama Game Preview


Why Coastal Carolina Will Win

Grayson McCall is okay?

He was supposed to be done for at least the regular season, and likely the year, with a shoulder injury suffered in late October, and then … poof. He was back and winging it around for over 300 yards in a win over Texas State.

The offense still worked without him, but the Chanticleers lost to Georgia State the week before. He returned, and five touchdown passes later all was right with the world.

The ultra-efficient passing attack might not go off on a solid South Alabama pass D, but all it has to do is be effective and consistent because …

College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 13

Why South Alabama Will Win

The South Alabama offense has hit a snag.

Granted, it’s because it had to deal with Tennessee Appalachian State, and Troy over the last three weeks all on the road, but there are issues.

The running game hasn’t been nearly good enough, but this is still the best team in the Sun Belt at controlling the clock. The Jaguars should be able to keep McCall and company on the sidelines just enough to keep this game from getting too ugly, but …

NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

What’s Going To Happen

Turnovers are going to do in the South Alabama hopes of getting to six wins and bowl eligibility.

It’ll play just well enough at home to make it a fight, but Coastal Carolina just  doesn’t make enough mistakes to matter. Just when it seems like this is going to get interesting, the downfield playmaking ability of the Chanticleer offense will take over.

College Football Schedule: Week 13 Predictions, Lines

Coastal Carolina vs South Alabama Prediction, Lines

Coastal Carolina 34, South Alabama 23
Line: South Alabama -15, o/u: 56
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2.5

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Week 13 Schedule | CFN Expert Picks
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Tennessee vs South Alabama Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee vs South Alabama prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win this Saturday.

Tennessee vs South Alabama prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, November 20


Tennessee vs South Alabama How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 20
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Tennessee (5-5), South Alabama (5-5)
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Tennessee vs South Alabama Game Preview


Why South Alabama Will Win

The offense might be struggling a bit, but the defense continues to be just interesting and good enough to have a good moments.

The Jaguars are great on third downs, the secondary doesn’t give up a ton of passing yards, and the run D is the best in the Sun Belt. The overall style of play helps.

This isn’t a team that’s going to move in a hurry – it’s going to control the clock for at least 35 minutes against the warp-speed Tennessee O. However …

College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

Why Tennessee Will Win

The South Alabama offense has stalled.

The defense might be just good enough to keep this from getting out of hand, but losing former South Carolina QB Jake Bentley to a knee injury – he’s trying to get back; he’s practicing – has been a problem. USA doesn’t have the pop to keep up.

The Tennessee passing game should keep hitting the downfield play – South Alabama’s secondary gives up lots of yards per pass, even if it doesn’t give up a ton of yards overall – and will try turning the lights out in a hurry because …

NFL Expert Picks: CFN Week 11

What’s Going To Happen

Tennessee is going to care.

If this was just a letdown game after dealing with Georgia and with Vanderbilt to close, there might be a concern against a team with a feisty defense that can keep this interesting.

However, Tennessee is bowl eligible with a win. It’s not going to want to mess around in this. It might take a half to put it away, but the O will get there.

College Football Schedule: Week 12 Predictions, Lines

Tennessee vs South Alabama Prediction, Lines

Tennessee 40, South Alabama 13
Line: Tennessee -28, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2

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1: Adele 30

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