Greenwood’s Kwadra Griggs had far more highs than lows last season as the Southern Miss quarterback, but he and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson know there’s significant room to grow in 2018.
There’s hope that a fully healthy season will deliver even better numbers after he tossed for 1,879 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 games (seven starts) a year ago.
After missing significant practice and game time in his first two seasons at USM, Griggs was all smiles Friday afternoon as he addressed the media following the first practice of fall camp. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Greenwood native hopes a healthy Achilles heel will help him retain his status as the team’s starter and allow him to top last year’s performance.
He missed spring practice after having surgery on the heel.
“It felt good,” Griggs said Friday. “Last year, it was hurting pretty bad. I had the surgery and I feel pretty good. It’s a little sore, but I’m recovering from it.”
When asked if he expects to be a little quicker on his feet this season after the surgery, Griggs showed some confidence with a quick one-liner.
“I’m ready to get that 4.1, baby,” he said with a laugh.
The area where Griggs needs to show the most progress is in his completion percentage after hitting on just 55.6 percent of his passes one year ago.
“I had a lot of incomplete balls last year,” he said. “I was going to the right spot, but I was throwing all over the place.”
Griggs wasn’t the only Golden Eagle who had a nice day throwing the ball Friday morning. Redshirt sophomore Jack Abraham made some impressive throws into the end zone during drills, and redshirt freshman Marcelo Rodriguez again showed off his strong arm.
Head coach Jay Hopson said that whoever wins the starting job will have to show that they can best run the offense.
“You have to make sure you’re executing the right plays and putting the ball where it’s supposed to be,” He said. “We have guys that are talented.”
