Unpacking whether Jackson State football upgraded — or downgraded — roster after Colorado defections

The window to enter the NCAA transfer portal closed Jan. 18, meaning Jackson State football portal departures should slow until it re-opens April 15.

The slower activity will give prognosticators and football fanatics a chance to evaluate the team, including the Clarion Ledger.

Let's take a look at how first-year coach T.C. Taylor did with his transfer portal additions. Are the Tigers better or worse after their transfer portal picks?

Here's a position-by-position breakdown.

Quarterback: Upgrade

JSU lost everything when Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Shedeur Sanders went to play quarterback for his dad, Deion Sanders, at Colorado. There was no backup plan, and it showed. The cupboard was bare. Whoever earns the job during the spring will have to keep it during summer camp. Taylor brought in three quarterbacks with playing experience: Zy McDonald is 5-foot-10, 185-pounder who played for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Jason Brown is 6-2 and 205 pounds; he played at Virginia Tech and started games at South Carolina. Local product is quarterback Phillip Short, who played his high school football at Madison-Ridgeland Academy and at Holmes Community College. Shedeur Sanders had more top-end talent, but the Tigers will be deeper at the position in 2023.

JSU SIGNS NIREEK SHARPE FROM POWER FIVEJackson State football beats out Power 5s for cornerback Nireek Sharpe

Running back: Upgrade

JSU will gain some depth here. Look for Sy'veon Wilkerson to continue to be the bellcow but have fewer carries on the season. JSU picked up former running backs Irv Mulligan from Wofford University and Oregon running back Seven McGee. Both players have speed to take it the distance from anywhere on the field.

Wide receiver: Downgrade

Taylor did not address the wide receiver position in the portal. He signed Brandon Johnson, a 6-4, 215-pound receiver from Idaho State. JSU lost Dallas Daniels, Travis Hunter, Shane Hooks and Kevin Coleman Jr. If Willie Gaines is returning, he will help fill a void as a receiver and special teams player. Taylor compared Johnson to former JSU star Shane Hooks and could pair nicely with Rico Powers.

T.C. TAYLOR DREAM JOB BRINGS PRESSUREFor Jackson State football's TC Taylor, 'dream job' brings pressure with Deion Sanders gone | Keith

Tight end: Downgrade

D.J. Stevens has a chance to make an NFL roster in the fall. Jace Ward was not in the portal, and he is the only tight end listed in their recruiting prospectus. Ward is 6-2 and 220-pounds.

Offensive line: Upgrade

During Taylor's speech on signing day, the one thing he stressed is not wanting his offensive line to be beaten up again as they were in the last two Celebration Bowls. So, Taylor recruited a lot of size in the portal. Maximus Gibbs is a 6-7, 390-pound transfer from Southern Cal. Cameron Jones is 6-8, 290 pounds from Minnesota. There is more size in the recruiting class with a couple of players with a chance to contribute immediately. JSU will need it after losing All-American Tyler Brown.

TAYLOR HIRES FOUR ASSISTANTS FROM TREEJackson State football coach T.C. Taylor to have four assistants from his coaching tree

Defensive line: Downgrade

It is hard to upgrade a defense that gave up 13.5 points a game and was the No.1 defense in the SWAC. JSU did not address the defensive line in the portal and must replace Jason Mercier, J.T. Ragin. The Tigers have All-SWAC defensive end Nyles Gaddy returning.

Linebacker: Upgrade

If JSU can replace the emotional leadership of All-American Aubrey Miller Jr., then this defense can be special. With LSU transfer linebacker Phillip Webb, who at 6-3, and 224 pounds has a chance to be special. He can play inside, outside and with his hand in the dirt coming off the edge.

Defensive back: Downgrade

The defensive backfield lost four starters or key contributors in Isaiah Bolden, De'Jahn Warren, Shilo Sanders and Travis Hunter, the No.1 recruit in the 2022 class. The defensive backs received help when Ke'Vric Wiggins withdrew his name from the portal.

JSU recruited seven defensive backs with Josh Shorts, a player from Southern University, coming in. Keydrain Calligan, played at Louisiana-Monroe and Tim Steward played at Troy. Until it is done on the field, it is hard to say this position is an upgrade.

Kicker: Downgrade

Taylor addressed a key loss on special teams by adding long-snapper Avery Salarno from Chowan University. But he did nothing to replace Alejandro Mata, who went to Colorado with Sanders. Look for Glenn Misiak or Sam Johnson to handle kicking duties.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How we graded T.C.Taylor, Jackson State football in transfer portal