The 2024 season for Grambling State was underwhelming.
Head coach Mickey Joseph mentioned a foul locker room tradition was an enormous cause for that.
“The chemistry was off, there have been belief points,” Joseph advised KTAL Information. “As I at all times say, elevation requires separation—so we needed to half methods with some people with a purpose to transfer ahead.”
Joseph says he now feels a stronger sense of stability throughout the crew.
“We’re returning about 88 % of our roster this yr, so we needed to go a seize our quick wants,” mentioned Joseph. “We redshirted about 45-50 % of our freshmen class, so we didn’t assume it was essential to go and usher in a heavy load of freshmen this yr, so our quick wants got here from throughout the switch portal.”
The Tigers, which completed 2-6 within the SWAC final season, return 4 preseason All-SWAC gamers, together with defensive lineman Bryce Cage and defensive again Blake Davis.
“Our children might’ve simply jumped within the portal and selected to remain right here as a result of they love Grambling State College, they love this athletic division, they love this soccer crew they usually perceive that we’re constructing one thing actual right here and that we’re going to win.”
The offense additionally added Zae Teasett, a redshirt freshman who noticed vital time for SWAC West champion Southern this previous season, who will probably be a part of a quarterback battle in fall camp.
Joseph hopes a change in perspective and personnel will translate into the Tigers being contenders in a pivotal second yr.
“I have a tendency to maneuver quietly in terms of soccer. Exterior of that, I’m outgoing, however once I’m main a program, I maintain issues near the vest—it’s solely anybody’s enterprise if I select to make it so,” Joseph mentioned. “The individuals on this constructing proper now, we’re all on the identical web page, and that’s precisely the way it must be.”
