Major Applewhite Retains Jared Hollins as Starting Quarterback
South Alabama head coach keeps Jared Hollins in the starting role despite the return of Bishop Davenport to availability.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football
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South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite has confirmed Jared Hollins will remain the starting quarterback for the team. Hollins stepped into the starting position in week 3 of the 2026 season following an injury to previous starter Bishop Davenport.
Why it matters
The decision provides stability at the quarterback position as South Alabama continues its campaign. Applewhite committed to the junior quarterback despite Davenport, who started every game in 2025, being cleared to return to action.
Jared Hollins enters the decision with a 2026 Pro Football Focus grade of 65.7 and 1,011 total passing yards on the season. His performance includes a 321-yard, three-touchdown outing against ULM.
The players
Major Applewhite
He serves as the head coach for the South Alabama football team.
Jared Hollins
He is a junior quarterback for South Alabama hailing from Semmes, Alabama.
Bishop Davenport
He is a quarterback for South Alabama who started every game for the team in 2025.
The details
Hollins, a 6'4, 210-pound junior from Semmes, Alabama, assumed the starting role after Davenport suffered an injury after two games. His recent contributions include guiding the team to a 56-49 victory over Arkansas State and a 41-36 win against Ohio.
Timeline
Jared Hollins did not play during his freshman season in 2024.
Hollins appeared in 3 games for South Alabama in 2025.
Hollins became the starting quarterback in week 3 of the 2026 season.
Season Trajectory
This decision marks a significant departure from the 2025 South Alabama quarterback rotation, which relied on Bishop Davenport for every game. By sticking with Hollins, the coaching staff is prioritizing current momentum over previous starting seniority.
Fantasy participants and observers should note that Hollins will continue to operate the offense for the foreseeable future. This confirms the current depth chart rotation for upcoming matchups following the injury to Bishop Davenport.
The takeaway
Maintaining continuity at the quarterback position is often a critical factor for teams navigating mid-season injuries. Fans should look for how Hollins manages the offense during the remainder of the 2026 schedule to solidify his role.
Further reading
For more updates on the program, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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