North Texas will be without Jamel Jackson, one of its most electrifying special teams players, when it opens the season on Saturday at Kansas State.

DRC/Gary Payne

North Texas receiver Jamel Jackson, left, tries to get the ball back after defenders break up a pass during the UNT spring game in April.

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Jackson had worked his way into the Mean Green’s depth chart both as a kick returner and wide receiver. The Northwestern State transfer broke his collarbone in practice Saturday and will be out five weeks.

Jackson is the second player to break his collarbone since the Mean Green started two-a-days, joining wide receiver Forrest Rucker.

Jackson was expected to return kickoffs in addition to providing depth at wide receiver.

“We were really happy with some of the things with Jamel was doing offensively,” UNT coach Todd Dodge said. “He has some speed and could come back and help us.”

Jackson was listed as Sam Roberson’s backup at one outside receiver position. UNT’s coaches gave Jackson extra time in practice at receiver to see if he could work his way into the depth chart and contribute on more than just special teams.

UNT will turn to defensive backs John Shorter and James Hamilton to fill the void left by Jackson on special teams. Dodge said UNT could also use starting running back Micah Mosley and Lance Dunbar, a backup running back, to return kickoffs.

Dunbar suffered an ankle injury during two-a-days, but is expected to return to practice early this week.

Hill to be in mix at cornerback

Royce Hill took to heart what head coach Todd Dodge said about freshmen being able to compete for starting jobs this season.

Dodge said Tuesday that Hill is locked in a tight battle with junior college transfer Adryan Adams for a starting job at cornerback and will play regardless of whether he starts against Kansas State on Saturday.

“Royce Hill has just done a lot right,” Dodge said. “Whether he takes the first snap or not, he is going to play a whole bunch. We talked a lot to our kids when we recruited them that we are not going to be hung up a lot on chronological age. That is why we recruited so many defensive backs, to up our talent level.”

Of the nine players listed on UNT’s depth chart at defensive back — including three players at one cornerback spot — six are newcomers to the team.

Hill, backup safeties John Shorter and Darien Williams, and backup cornerback DaWaylon Cook are all freshmen.

Dawson lands at outside LB

Germaine Dawson appears to have found a home on UNT’s depth chart again.

The senior has played linebacker and safety in his career and started 11 games in 2006 as an outside linebacker. He was a defensive back who was not on the two-deep depth chart at the end of last season.

Dawson missed a large portion of two-a-days with a hamstring injury, but ended up as the backup for sophomore A.J. Penson at one outside linebacker spot heading into UNT’s game at Kansas State this week.

“Germaine is one that is so versatile and has put on some size,” Dodge said. “He has settled in at linebacker now. His biggest upside is his ability is to rush the passer off the edge.”

Dodge said Dawson (6-1, 210) would be involved in UNT’s blitz packages because of his speed.

Women’s basketball

UNT releases Green, who will sign with UTA

Ryan Green has been released from her scholarship at UNT and is in the process of enrolling at UT-Arlington.

Green was one of four players who signed with the Mean Green in November during the early signing period for the Class of 2008.

The former Crowley forward committed to UNT while the Mean Green was under the direction of former head coach Tina Slinker, whose contract was not renewed after last season. Green said she wishes UNT well this season, but decided the school was not the right fit for her after the coaching change.

“I wish Ryan the best in her future endeavors,” new UNT head coach Shanice Stephens said.

Green said she is in the process of finding out if she will have to sit out the upcoming season at UTA.

“UTA was the other school I was looking at when I signed with North Texas,” Green said. “When I was released, that was the first team I thought of. They had a scholarship open for me.”

Soccer

Mean Green aims to add offensive punch

UNT head coach John Hedlund is looking for an offensive spark heading into the Mean Green’s season opener against Louisiana Tech at home on Friday.

The Mean Green battled Texas Tech to a scoreless tie in an exhibition game to open its preseason schedule. Senior midfielder Brittany Cleveland scored the only goal in the team’s annual Green and White Game on Saturday.

“We have always been an offensive-minded team, an attacking team,” Hedlund said. “We are trying to free Kendall Juett up on the outside and get Kelsey Perlman up high more where we can play balls in to her.”

UNT will turn to Perlman and fellow freshman forward Kara Brooks to try to spark its offense. Freshman defender Shannon Gorrie is also expected to play a major role.

“Kelsie and Shannon are playing at an extremely high level,” Hedlund said. “I feel extremely lucky to have them. They could play for anybody in the country. They are both attacking style players with a lot of confidence.”

Players returning from injuries add to depth

UNT will have one of its deeper teams this year, thanks in part to a trio of players coming off knee injuries that prevented them from playing late last season.

UNT lost Kelli Lunsford, Lindsey Lackore and Jacy Wicker before conference play in 2007.

“We have more depth on this team than we have had in recent years,” Hedlund said. “We can bring seven or eight players off the bench, take our starters off the field and then bring them back at the end of the game where they are strong. That is one thing Denver has had on me the last couple of years. They could bring eight or nine off the bench.”

Hedlund said he only had a few players he felt comfortable bringing off the bench last season.

Volleyball

Headrick happy with newcomers

UNT coach Cassie Headrick has 10 new players on her roster this season on what amounts to a rebuilt team.

So far, Headrick has liked what she has seen from those players.

“We have been really, really happy with what we have seen in the first two weeks of practice,” Headrick said. “We have some newcomers who are going to make an impact and some players who have really improved.”

Headrick called this season’s team one of the most athletic she has had in her nine years at UNT.

The problem the Mean Green faces now is trying to develop chemistry with all of the new players on its roster.

“It will take some time, but not many coaches get the opportunity to build a team,” Headrick said. “We are going to look at it as a positive with all of our recruits being trained in our system that has changed a little over the last two seasons.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .