Three Jackson State football players who impressed at Blue and White Game

Three Jackson State football players who impressed at Blue and White Game

Jackson State football has a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball in 2026.

The Tigers lost 40 players to graduation and the transfer portal, including 19 starters. During the Blue and White Game on April 11 at the Walter Payton Center, JSU gave its first on-field preview of what the team could look like in the 2026 season. Here are several players who stood out during the live seven-on-seven and scrimmage periods.

Jackson State quarterback Caron Tyler (16) throws during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Jackson State linebacker Keith Bass Jr.(38) intercepts the pass to wide receiver Brendan Brown (88) during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The Sonic Boom of the South performs during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Jackson State head coach T.C. Taylor watches from the sidelines during the Jackson State TigersÕ spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Jackson State defensive back Mike Smith III (4) warms up before the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Jackson State quarterback Jared Lockhart (11) gets a fist bump during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State quarterback Caron Tyler (16) throws during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State quarterback Caron Tyler (16) throws during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State linebacker Keith Bass Jr.(38) intercepts the pass to wide receiver Brendan Brown (88) during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

The Sonic Boom of the South performs during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State head coach T.C. Taylor watches from the sidelines during the Jackson State TigersÕ spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State defensive back Mike Smith III (4) warms up before the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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See photos of JSU Tigers spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, MS

Jackson State quarterback Jared Lockhart (11) gets a fist bump during the Jackson State Tigers' spring game at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

RB Nate Blount IV

Blount was the most impressive player on the field on offense. In the past two seasons, he has rushed for 75 yards on 17 carries, but the redshirt sophomore from nearby Brandon, Mississippi, is expected to carry a heavy load for the Tigers in the backfield.

In the first scrimmage play, he exploded for a large gain, taking the ball across the 50-yard line and into the red zone. When taking handoffs, the 5-foot-10, 214-pound Blount bounced off defenders, proving to be a difficult force to stop.

"Nate Blount ran the ball well today," coach T.C. Taylor said. "He's going to be a problem . . . He's just been waiting his turn. I challenged Nate to change his body. You can see he looks like a machine right now. You see the explosion out of him. What you've seen today is just over the years of work and him developing here at Jackson State."

LB Micah Gay

Jackson State lost both of its starting linebackers but picked up Micah Gay from Tennessee State, where he finished second in tackles last season with 61. Roving the center of the field on April 11, Gay showed how much of an impact he can make in leading this defense as an experienced FCS starter.

"When you lose Reid Pulliam, Ashton Taylor, those guys that's kind of been anchoring that box for so many years, you saw where he's going to come in and fill that gap," Taylor said. "So, we're very pleased to get him from TSU."

WR Jabari Jones

Like Blount, Jones is another returning player getting a chance to step up. As a freshman in 2025, Jones saw limited time at receiver but showed off his speed as a punt returner, picking up 104 return yards on seven kicks.

In the scrimmage, not only was he quick, but he also proved his athleticism in other ways. He made one of the most eye-catching plays of the day when he sprang forward and completely laid out for a diving catch that drew considerable cheers from the fans in attendance.

"Jabari really stepped up," Taylor said. "He made the great explosive play. He's catching the ball with his hands. Played a little bit for us last year, but he knows he'll have a bigger role this year."

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X@tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Three standouts from Jackson State football 2026 Blue and White Game