Jacksonville State football: Zion Webb, PJ Wells building strong connection in spring

JACKSONVILLE — Trust and timing.

Those are the two biggest keys for a quarterback and receiver to build a strong connection.

It is something Jacksonville State quarterback Zion Webb has worked on with his receivers, especially former Westbrook Christian star PJ Wells.

The strong connection between Wells and Webb was on display during the JSU spring game Saturday, despite an uneven performance from the offense.

Wells hauled in at least five passes from Webb during the hour-long contest.

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"Me and Zion, we have been clicking,” Wells said. “I know he’s one of our leaders, so I have been trying talk to him and get our chemistry down. All in all, he’s been connecting well with everybody. He’s just a savvy quarterback and knows where everyone is.”

Wells caught 37 passes for 574 yards last season as a redshirt freshman. He had just one catch for minus-2 yards in his prior two seasons (fall 2020 and spring 2021) with the Gamecocks.

Webb said he has seen considerable growth from Wells from when the two last took the field together in the spring.

"Just his IQ of the game, knowing where to be and when to be there,” Webb said “He’s grown tremendously and growing into his body and getting into his routes.”

Webb did not play last fall after suffering an ACL tear during the quarterfinals of the 2021 spring season.

"It’s been good, not only just with PJ, but with all of my receivers," Webb said. "We get together throughout the week and throughout the spring. We have been working to get down the timing of our routes."

While Webb showed strong chemistry with Wells on Saturday, he has been working with his other receivers as well. Ahmad Edwards led the team with 45 receptions, 561 yards and five touchdowns last season.

"It’s good seeing him back,” Edwards said. “The leadership from him is great. He knows how to take control of the offense.”

Isaiah Montgomery, who caught nine passes for 67 yards last season, agreed.

"It's good to see Zion back," Montgomery said. "He's been looking very good. He's making reads and good throws. I am proud of him."

Webb played in a non-contact black jersey in Saturday's spring game.

"We’re playing it safe,” he said. "I’m 100%. I’m back and ready to go. We just have to be safe and ready to go for the season."

Webb, who is entering his sixth year with JSU, was playing in his first spring game since 2019.

"It feels good to get out here and compete," he said. "I love to compete."

Webb is in competition with Matthew Caldwell for the starting quarterback job, heading into the summer.

Coach Rich Rodriguez said he has seen improvement from Webb throughout the spring, but there are still things to work on.

Signee Te'Sean Smoot and NC state transfer Aaron McLaughlin could factor into the positional battle during the summer and fall.

"We still have moments where we say we have to get that corrected (with Zion),” Rodriguez said.

Contact Ehsan Kassim at 256-300-5313 or ekassim@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State football: Zion Webb, PJ Wells building connection