Saturday, August 18, 2007

They'll be speedy Pirates--Hampton University


Photo: Kevin Teel, WR/KR, Junior, Bowie HS, Bowie, MD, 4.21 40 dash

BY MARTY O'BRIEN , Daily Press

With 34 players running 4.7 or faster in the 40, Hampton University's team is faster than ever.

If Hampton University coach Joe Taylor ever tires of chasing a Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) title, he might consider pursuing an NCAA track and field title. He could recruit from his 2007 football team, which will showcase speed never before seen in the program.

Since preseason camp opened Monday, the list to run better than 4.7 seconds in 40-yard dash on the Armstrong Stadium track has swelled to 34 players. That includes 12 recruits and transfers, most of whom are expected to start or contribute immediately.

"This is it," Taylor, the Pirates' 16th-year coach, said Saturday during media day. "We've never had this kind of speed during my time here. "It's not just on offense and defense, either. We have lots of kids who can return the football and lots who can get down the field on kickoffs.

That's important because (the NCAA) moved the kickoffs back from the 35- to the 30-yard line."

True freshman wide receiver Reggie Dixon ran a 4.22 40, just a shade faster than the 4.23 run by Jackie Bates, a University of Oregon transfer expected to start at cornerback.

True freshman cornerback James Butts from Maury High in Norfolk flashed 4.28 speed. Wide receiver Kevin Teel, second nationally last season with a 31.2-yard kickoff return average, is the fastest of the bunch at 4.21.

"We're going to put Reggie Dixon back there with Kevin Teel on kickoffs," Taylor said. "Jackie Bates and James Butts can return punts, and we've already got (returning punt returner) Jeremy Gilchrist, who has 4.4/4.5 speed.

"One of those guys is going to come off the edge on our extra-point block team. We've blocked eight extra points in (assistant coach) Tim Edwards' four seasons here. Our speed can make us more explosive than ever in that phase."

While 13 Pirates are listed at 4.4 seconds or faster, it was a guy who ran a 4.9 40 who impressed Taylor more than any other: Kevin Burke, a transfer from West Virginia. Burke's time raised eyebrows because he is a 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle.

"It makes no sense to run that smooth and be that big," Taylor said.

Burke is strong and agile as well. He benches 475 pounds, runs a 4.56 20-yard shuttle and has a vertical jump of 26 inches. Coaches already are scheming to get him on the field next to returning defensive tackle Vernon Bryant.

"The 40 speed helps me chase down a quarterback or running back faster," Burke said. "The 20-yard shuttle helps with my side-to-side quickness."

The vertical-jump competition almost was as intense as the 40. Reggie Dixon also figured in the mix there, leaping 39 inches.

"As a receiver, you always want to catch the ball at it's highest point," he said. "Because I'm 5-foot-9, it's important I can get up there."

Senior strong safety Henti Baird got up a little higher, jumping a team-high 40 inches. Baird has led the Pirates in that competition two consecutive seasons.

"I was a little nervous when he jumped so close to me," Baird said. "But really, I'm excited to see so many freshmen and newcomers in who are able to perform."

NOTES The Pirates spent most of the week measuring players' physical skills and doing walk throughs of the various offensive, defensive and special teams schemes. Taylor said the intensity of practice increases on Monday, as the Pirates prepare for their Sept. 8 opener at Howard.

Taylor said the tailback Dennis Mathis from Phoebus and linebacker Jacobi Fenner from Hampton have been impressive thus far, and that he expects both to play some this season. Taylor said predicts the speedy, hard-hitting Fenner (4.5 40) will star on kickoff coverage teams. … Cornerback Sam Pope has transferred to Hampton from South Carolina. Pope spent the spring at South Carolina after graduating from Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Taylor said that Pope told him he transferred to Hampton because coaches at South Carolina wanted him to play safety and he wants to play cornerback. Pope ran a 4.30 40 last week, fifth fastest on the team.

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