The Southern football team's excitement is palpable.
It's not because of its favorite role in the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division or No. 4 ranking in the preseason HBCU poll.
It's because coach Terrence Graves and his staff like what they have in their locker room as they inch closer to their season opener against North Carolina Central at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23 in Atlanta. There is excitement around established stars flexing their leadership ability and intrigue about talented transfers.
Just as thrilling are the less experienced players who returned to Baton Rouge and are showcasing their improvement at practice. Here are five returning players worth watching this season for the Jaguars.
Kobe Brown, WR
The playmaking talents of Brown have opened eyes. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound sophomore could be a big part of a confident receiving corps.
Southern wide receiver Kobe Brown (14) makes the catch during practice, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.
“A lot of people didn't know about him until he played, and I think he's going to be very good for us this year,” offensive coordinator Mark Frederick said.
After Brown received his opportunity to touch the field in Week 6 vs. Texas Southern last season, the coaching staff felt comfortable playing him the rest of the year. In seven games, he had 13 catches for 100 yards, including three straight contests with three receptions.
“Smart football player, high football IQ, shifty, very crafty receiver,” Frederick said. “He runs great routes to get in and out of his breaks, and he's just a playmaker. You put the ball in his hands and he goes.”
Barry Remo, RB
First-year running backs coach Marcus Bradley has a glut in his position group. With LSU transfer Trey Holly; 6-2, 225-pound power back Mike Franklin; and four more transfers in the fold, it’s easy for a player to get lost in the shuffle.
One of the returners who has excelled in the competitive environment is 5-9, 195-pound sophomore Barry Remo.
Southern running back Barry Remo (35) carries the ball up field during a night practice on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We brought in some new guys, and he didn’t shy away from the competition in the room,” Bradley said. “Those guys help him elevate as well as him helping those guys elevate.”
Remo is a downhill runner who had 10 carries for 27 yards and two touchdowns last season. His familiarity with the rushing scheme also helps him.
“One thing that’s great about him, man, is he locks into the details and he tries not to be a repeat offender in terms of making the same mistake twice,” Bradley said.
Jermaine Minor, TE
The 6-5, 225-pound Minor appears ready to become the No. 2 tight end behind graduate student Dupree Fuller, who made the preseason All-SWAC second team.
Minor is a redshirt junior who has been with the Jaguars since 2023 after starting his career at Arkansas Tech.
Last year, he had 16 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown in 11 games. Frederick said Minor should have an even larger role this season.
“He's long, he's athletic and he's physical,” he said, “so we're looking for some great things from him to help us in the run game and the passing game.
Markeis Batiste, LB
The Jaguars return their top linebacker in Vincent Paige, who had a team-high 84 tackles last season. Batiste is ready to assert himself next to Paige.
Southern defensive coordinator Henry Miller said the redshirt sophomore has a contagious disposition that shows up on film.
“He's young, energetic, smart,” Miller said. “He's that Energizer bunny. He played with a motor, and when you get a young guy that plays with a motor, we love him.”
Batiste totaled eight tackles in eight games last season, but his mind for the game portends more production.
“Not only does he play with a motor, he's smart,” Miller said. “So all you got to do is give him an opportunity, put him out there, get a role for him.”
Jayden Rogers, DT
It isn’t a secret that the defense is built around senior defensive end Ckelby Givens, the FCS leader in tackles for loss (27½) last year.
The team wants players on the defensive line to take advantage of opportunities when Givens is double-teamed. At 6-2, 375 pounds, Rogers could be that after moving from his offensive line position last season. He might even demand some double teams himself.
“He's in better shape, and he's strong,” Frederick said of the redshirt sophomore. “He's very physical. He's a load in the inside, and that'll take some pressure off of Ckelby, and so we're looking for some more one-on-one matchups from that D-line spot to free Ckelby in pass-rush situations.”