Spring Watch: JP Mikhael Steps Into Leadership Role as Tight Ends Begin Spring Work
3/6/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO – The Eagles returned to the field Tuesday, March 3, for the opening week of spring practice as they begin preparations for the 2026 season. With changes in the tight end room, redshirt junior JP Mikhael has taken on a larger leadership role.
With several new faces on the coaching staff and roster, there's plenty of anticipation surrounding the upcoming season. That energy was evident on the field during the opening days of practice, particularly in the tight end room, which is adjusting to the departure of veteran Ahmon Green and welcoming freshman JQ Crosby and new position coach Taylor Reed.
"It's really exciting to be back out here with the guys, especially with a new tight ends coach," Mikhael said. "We're really starting to develop what our identity is going to be this year as a group, and it's been great seeing the young guys, Henry (Gregory) and JQ (Crosby), develop over these first couple of days."
A familiar face around the Ted Smith Family Football Center, Reed begins spring practice leading the tight ends after transitioning from his role as running backs coach during the 2025 season. Mikhael said Reed's football IQ and approach have already made an impact on the group.
"The first week, he had us over to his house to watch the national championship, and we got to meet his wife and kids and see what things are like for him at home; that was really awesome," Mikhael said. "On the football side of things, he's got an offensive coordinator mindset, and he's putting in a lot of great stuff for the tight ends and giving us some opportunities this spring that we haven't had before."
As spring practice gets underway, the team is focused on building chemistry and maximizing the potential of a roster with several new additions while preparing for the challenges of the fall season.
For Mikhael, the spring is an opportunity to prepare for the physical and mental demands that come with playing tight end.
"For myself, I've been getting my body prepared to handle the kind of reps that Ahmon (Green) took, because I think he did a great job with that," Mikhael said. "He was never injured, he never went out, and that takes a lot of intentionality in how you prepare your body. Everything you do is about being able to withstand the reps, the workload and the impacts we take in the box, and carrying that preparation from the spring all the way into the fall and the season."
After adding nearly 15 pounds of muscle, Mikhael has continued preparing for the physical demands of the tight end position with help from the strength and conditioning and nutrition staff. Now, he's also focused on sharpening the mental side of his game with Reed.
"Coach Reed is definitely helping with that," Mikhael said. "He's helping me with coverage identification, learning the plays and making the signals to make sure we're ready for those checks. A lot of it is pre-snap identification and recognizing tendencies…just watching a ton of film."
After appearing in 12 games and logging more than 300 snaps last season, Mikhael said veterans like Green and River Helms played a key role in shaping how he's preparing for the 2026 season.
"Definitely the importance of preparing your body, but also understanding what's going on across the whole field," Mikhael said. "Not just knowing what I have to do, but seeing what the defense is doing – how the safeties are lined up, making those pre-snap identifications and recognizing tendencies. It's about understanding what's most likely to happen based on where players are lined up and being prepared for that before the play instead of just going out there and only knowing my assignment."
With a new, but experienced, quarterback in Max Johnson and a wave of new wide receivers, there's already been a noticeable shift in energy throughout the offense and the team as a whole. Mikhael said the biggest difference so far has been the group's chemistry.
"I'd definitely say we're the closest we've ever been," Mikhael said. "As a team and as an offense, we're spending a lot of time together. We've already hung out more than we ever have with previous teams. A lot of the wide receivers have been at other schools, and even if they haven't gotten a ton of reps, they know the process. They have the maturity to come in, put their heads down and go to work without looking for extra attention. It's the same with the quarterbacks. Max, being in his seventh year, brings a ton of experience to the room, and I see him helping guys like Charlie (Johnston), giving them tips and things they can take with them."
With the annual Blue-White Spring Game, presented by Morris Bank, Southern Exchange and Savannah/Hilton Head International, set for April 4, Mikhael is encouraging fans to come out and get an early look at what he believes will be an explosive team.
"I'd say if you come out here, it's going to be a bang," Mikhael said. "There's going to be a lot of competition and a lot of explosiveness on both sides of the ball. The defense is building some really good juice, especially today, and our offense is coming out here to take over. And I'd also say keep an eye on the 2026 tight end group."
With several new faces on the coaching staff and roster, there's plenty of anticipation surrounding the upcoming season. That energy was evident on the field during the opening days of practice, particularly in the tight end room, which is adjusting to the departure of veteran Ahmon Green and welcoming freshman JQ Crosby and new position coach Taylor Reed.
"It's really exciting to be back out here with the guys, especially with a new tight ends coach," Mikhael said. "We're really starting to develop what our identity is going to be this year as a group, and it's been great seeing the young guys, Henry (Gregory) and JQ (Crosby), develop over these first couple of days."
A familiar face around the Ted Smith Family Football Center, Reed begins spring practice leading the tight ends after transitioning from his role as running backs coach during the 2025 season. Mikhael said Reed's football IQ and approach have already made an impact on the group.
"The first week, he had us over to his house to watch the national championship, and we got to meet his wife and kids and see what things are like for him at home; that was really awesome," Mikhael said. "On the football side of things, he's got an offensive coordinator mindset, and he's putting in a lot of great stuff for the tight ends and giving us some opportunities this spring that we haven't had before."
As spring practice gets underway, the team is focused on building chemistry and maximizing the potential of a roster with several new additions while preparing for the challenges of the fall season.
For Mikhael, the spring is an opportunity to prepare for the physical and mental demands that come with playing tight end.
"For myself, I've been getting my body prepared to handle the kind of reps that Ahmon (Green) took, because I think he did a great job with that," Mikhael said. "He was never injured, he never went out, and that takes a lot of intentionality in how you prepare your body. Everything you do is about being able to withstand the reps, the workload and the impacts we take in the box, and carrying that preparation from the spring all the way into the fall and the season."
After adding nearly 15 pounds of muscle, Mikhael has continued preparing for the physical demands of the tight end position with help from the strength and conditioning and nutrition staff. Now, he's also focused on sharpening the mental side of his game with Reed.
"Coach Reed is definitely helping with that," Mikhael said. "He's helping me with coverage identification, learning the plays and making the signals to make sure we're ready for those checks. A lot of it is pre-snap identification and recognizing tendencies…just watching a ton of film."
After appearing in 12 games and logging more than 300 snaps last season, Mikhael said veterans like Green and River Helms played a key role in shaping how he's preparing for the 2026 season.
"Definitely the importance of preparing your body, but also understanding what's going on across the whole field," Mikhael said. "Not just knowing what I have to do, but seeing what the defense is doing – how the safeties are lined up, making those pre-snap identifications and recognizing tendencies. It's about understanding what's most likely to happen based on where players are lined up and being prepared for that before the play instead of just going out there and only knowing my assignment."
With a new, but experienced, quarterback in Max Johnson and a wave of new wide receivers, there's already been a noticeable shift in energy throughout the offense and the team as a whole. Mikhael said the biggest difference so far has been the group's chemistry.
"I'd definitely say we're the closest we've ever been," Mikhael said. "As a team and as an offense, we're spending a lot of time together. We've already hung out more than we ever have with previous teams. A lot of the wide receivers have been at other schools, and even if they haven't gotten a ton of reps, they know the process. They have the maturity to come in, put their heads down and go to work without looking for extra attention. It's the same with the quarterbacks. Max, being in his seventh year, brings a ton of experience to the room, and I see him helping guys like Charlie (Johnston), giving them tips and things they can take with them."
With the annual Blue-White Spring Game, presented by Morris Bank, Southern Exchange and Savannah/Hilton Head International, set for April 4, Mikhael is encouraging fans to come out and get an early look at what he believes will be an explosive team.
"I'd say if you come out here, it's going to be a bang," Mikhael said. "There's going to be a lot of competition and a lot of explosiveness on both sides of the ball. The defense is building some really good juice, especially today, and our offense is coming out here to take over. And I'd also say keep an eye on the 2026 tight end group."
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