Thursday, November 30, 2017

SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp submitted his letter of resignation; league may reconsider football championship

HOUSTON, Texas -- With some member institutions concerned about the direction the Southwestern Athletic Conference was headed under his leadership, commissioner Duer Sharp submitted his letter of resignation.

The SWAC is holding its winter meetings in Houston, where school presidents and chancellors met Thursday morning. Southern director of athletics Roman Banks said the council of presidents accepted Sharp's resignation.

It is not yet clear whether Sharp's resignation is effective immediately, or if he will stay in his post throughout the remainder of his contract, which is set to expire this summer. As of Thursday night, the SWAC office had yet to issue a statement regarding Sharp's future.

Banks said there was no official record of who was or was not displeased with Sharp's performance as commissioner, adding that the point was made moot when Sharp submitted his resignation.

But, Banks said, there was "unanimous concern" about the SWAC's stability and the direction the league was taking.

"All had a concern about the last few years," Banks said. "What is our position, where we're going."

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Larry Robinson Named FAMU’s 12th President by Board of Trustee

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Today, the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) unanimously voted to name Larry Robinson, Ph.D., the 12th university president, subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.

“I am humbled and overjoyed to have this opportunity to help move this University forward. I understand the awesomeness of this responsibility,” Robinson said, accepting the nomination. “I feel very, very fortunate to be a part of your team. I want to emphasize that our No. 1 priority will be student success – fully understanding that a key element of our student success is the great work of our faculty and staff.”

Board Chair Kelvin Lawson underscored the collective support from the BOT and FAMU community to name Robinson FAMU’s next permanent leader.

“We based our decision on data and followed our process thoroughly,” Lawson said. “We all, collectively, feel good about where we are, and we feel extremely well about our new leader – President Robinson.”

Robinson has served as the University’s interim president since September 2016. He also serves as a distinguished professor and principal investigator in the School of the Environment. He previously served as interim president from July 2012 to April 2014, director of FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Institute from 1997 to 2003, provost and vice president for Academic from 2003 to 2005, interim president in 2007, and vice president for Research in 2009.

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Alcorn, Grambling meet in final SWAC championship game



HOUSTON, Texas – The final SWAC championship game has received the best possible matchup – a rubber game between Alcorn State and Grambling State.

Alcorn beat Grambling State in the 2015 title game before the Tigers returned the favor last year.

They’ll face off again Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, with East Division champion Alcorn (7-4) seeking to win the championship game for the third time in four years and West Division winner Grambling (10-1) trying to add to its record seven titles.

There’s a bittersweet feeling surrounding the showdown. The 10-team SWAC has the only conference championship game in the FCS, but it will discontinue the 19th annual event, which began in 1999, after Saturday’s matchup. Beginning next year, the conference’s Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl bid will go to the regular-season champion.

Saturday’s Alcorn-Grambling winner will still decide who represents the SWAC against MEAC champion North Carolina A&T in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 16 in Atlanta.

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Search committee for next FAMU head football coach named, players want Pata

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The process that’ll end with the selection of Florida A&M’s next head football coach is officially underway.

A nine-person search committee came together Tuesday night and is set to meet again next week, said interim Athletic Director John Eason.

The committee members are: Eason, former FAMU trustee Spurgeon McWilliams, FAMU National Alumni Association President Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, Rattler Boosters Treasurer Selvin Cobb, FAMU professor Ebenezer Oriaku, FAMU linebacker Elijah Richardson, 220 Quarterback Club President Eddie Jackson, SBI Dean Shawnta Friday-Stroud and FAMU’s director of track and field Darlene Moore.

Eason said there’s no timeline to hire the next head coach. Outgoing Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. said the job will be posted Thursday.

Eason officially starts Friday.

“No timeline,” Eason said. “I want to make sure that I get the right person. I don’t want to rush through the process. Teams are still playing. A lot of Power Five schools are making changes right now. I want to let that dust settle and then go from there.

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MEAC Announces 2017 Football Post-Season Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia -- North Carolina A&T State University led the way in this year's All-MEAC voting as the Aggies had 12 student-athletes named to the first team. The team is voted on by the MEAC's head football coaches and sports information directors.

North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker made history as the first player to be named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year for three consecutive seasons. Howard University freshman Caylin Newton was tabbed as the league’s Freshman of the Year while North Carolina A&T State’s Rod Broadway was selected as Coach of the Year.

In a partnership with the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame, the league’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced as part of the festivities surrounding the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will be televised live on ESPN3 at 9 a.m.



Parker capped off his final season in dominating fashion as he was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week seven times while serving as the anchor of an offensive line that allowed the least amount of sacks in the MEAC. The Aggie offense put together one of their finest offensive seasons in university history as they led the MEAC in scoring offense (36.4 ppg), pass offense (257.5), first downs (231), 3rd down conversions (42.9%), 4th down conversions (61.5%) and time of possession (32:57). The Kannapolis, N.C. native and Walter Payton Award nominee finished the season without allowing a sack as N.C. A&T finished the regular season with eight games over 400-plus yards of offense.

Newton stepped onto the college football scene in style as he helped lead Howard to its first-ever FCS win at UNLV in his collegiate debut. From that point, Newton couldn’t be stopped as he guided the MEAC’s top-rated offensive unit (447.8 ypg) and rushing offense (217.4 ypg). Newton was the first freshman in MEAC history to surpass 3,000 yards of total offense (3,185) as he averaged 289.5 yards of offense per outing. The Jerry Rice Award nominee also led the MEAC in scoring as he combined for 25 touchdowns en route to leading Howard to its best finish and record since 2012.

All Broadway did in 2017 was win as the Aggies capped off their best regular season in school history with a perfect 11-0 (8-0 MEAC) mark. The Aggies are one of only two undefeated teams in FCS play and are the 2017 MEAC champions for the third time in four years. For the first time in 14 years, the Aggies are the outright conference champions. The Eddie Robinson Award nominee became the school’s second all-time winningest coach this season and has reached 50 wins faster than any other coach in school history, getting his 50th win at N.C. A&T in 72 games coached.

Broadway has one more game remaining as the Aggies will play in its second Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. No MEAC team has finished the season with both a perfect regular season and postseason mark.

Listed below are the 2017 All-MEAC teams:

2017 MEAC Football All-Conference Teams

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T State
Rookie of the Year: Caylin Newton, Howard
Coach of the Year: Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T State


FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QBLamar RaynardR-Jr.North Carolina A&T StateHigh Point, N.C.
RBMarquell CartwrightJr.North Carolina A&T StateHigh Point, N.C.
RBAnthony PhilyawSr.HowardLos Angeles, Calif.
WRElijah BellSo.North Carolina A&T StateWheeling, W. Va.
WRJequez EzzardSo.HowardCollege Park, Ga.
TETrey ScottGr.North Carolina A&T StatePowder Springs, Ga.
CDarriel MackSr.North Carolina A&T StateClio, S.C.
OLBrandon ParkerR-Sr.North Carolina A&T StateKannapolis, N.C.
OLGerald WrightSr.HowardMiami, Fla.
OLMarcus PettifordSo.North Carolina A&T StateDurham, N.C.
OLDwayne BrownJr.Bethune-CookmanIndianapolis, Ind.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DLDarryl JohnsonSo.North Carolina A&T StateKingsland, Ga.
DLKawuan CoxSo.North Carolina CentralSummerville, S.C.
DLStefen BanksJr.Savannah StateColumbus, Ohio
DLChris LeeSr.Norfolk StateWoodbridge, Va.
LBDarius LeonardR-Sr.South Carolina StateLake View, S.C.
LBReggie HunterSr.North Carolina CentralHenderson, N.C.
LBJeremy TaylorSr.North Carolina A&T StateKinston, N.C.
DBDavanta ReynoldsJr.North Carolina CentralTucker, Ga.
DBFranklin (Mac) McCain IIIFr.North Carolina A&T StateGreensboro, N.C.
DBDiquan RichardsonSr.Bethune-CookmanAllen, S.C.
DBTimadre AbramJr.North Carolina A&T StateLakeland, Fla.
PNathaniel TilqueSr.North Carolina CentralCharlotte, N.C.
PKUriel HernandezJr.Bethune-CookmanHomestead, Fla.
RSKhris GardinJr.North Carolina A&TMorganton, N.C.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QBCaylin NewtonFr.HowardAtlanta, Ga.
RBYahkee JohnsonSr.HamptonRichmond, Va.
RBIsaiah TottenR-Fr.North Carolina CentralApex, N.C.
WRJacen MurphySr.North Carolina CentralWilmington, N.C.
WRRonald BellSo.HamptonFort Washington, Md.
TEJosh McCoyJr.North Carolina CentralSharon, S.C.
CChris AdamsSr.Bethune-CookmanDayton, Ohio
OLMarley ConleyJr.North Carolina CentralFayetteville, N.C.
OLNick LeverettSo.North Carolina CentralConcord, N.C.
OLObinna NwankwoSo.Florida A&MMiramar, Fla.
OLRyan GouldSr.HamptonClemmons, S.C.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DLTodney EvansJr.Bethune-CookmanDelray Beach, Fla.
DLAntonio BrownSr.North Carolina CentralJacksonville, Fla.
DLMalachi WashingtonJr.Morgan StateWaldorf, Md.
DLTy CravensSr.South Carolina StateAustell, Ga.
LBDayshawn TaylorR-Sr.South Carolina StateLincolnton, Ga.
LBAnthony SmithR-Sr.Norfolk StateNorfolk, Va.
LBRaheim HuskeyJr.HamptonGaffney, S.C.
DBJason BaxterGr.South Carolina StateManning, S.C.
DBBryan CookFr.HowardCincinnati, Ohio
DBAlden McClellonJr.North Carolina CentralLake Butler, Fla.
DBKeyjuan SelbyJr.Delaware StateBear, Del.
PFidel Romo-MartinezSo.Delaware StateBanning, Calif.
PKAedan JohnsonJr.North Carolina CentralChula Vista, Calif.
RSMarcus TaylorJr.Norfolk StateHighland Springs, Va.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QBLarry Brihm, Jr.Sr.Bethune-CookmanDelray Beach, Fla.
RBDevin BowersJr.Florida A&MSt. Petersburg, Fla.
RBJamurez TompkinsSr.Bethune-CookmanTampa, Fla.
WRKyle AnthonySo.HowardMiramar, Fla.
WRMarcus TaylorJr.Norfolk StateHighland Springs, Va.
TEBrandon JonesJr.Morgan StateSalt Lake City, Utah
COsman AguileraSr.Florida A&MMiami, Fla.
OLPhillip NormanJr.Bethune-CookmanSebastian, Fla.
OLJustin EvansSr.South Carolina StateFlorence, S.C.
OLKenneth KirbySo.Norfolk StateNewport News, Va.
OLMalik MackeySo.HamptonAtlanta, Ga.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DLNigel ChavisR-So.Norfolk StateRichmond, Va.
DLBrandon CarswellJr.Savannah StateMount Vernon, Ga.
DLElijah PriceSr.Florida A&MJacksonville, Fla.
DLSteven SmithSr.HamptonVirginia Beach, Va.
LBMarcus AlbertSr.North Carolina A&TCollege Park, Ga.
LBRico KennedySo.Morgan StateFort Lauderdale, Fla.
LBKyle ArchieSr.Norfolk StateVirginia Beach, Va.
DBJ.T. WaheeSo.Norfolk StateNorfolk, Va.
DBCarl GarnesJr.Morgan StateColumbus, N.J.
DBBrendan ColeSr.HamptonHampton, Va.
DBDevondre PowellSr.South Carolina StateMiami, Fla.
PChris FaddoulFr.Florida A&MWesley Chapel, Fla.
PKTyler ScandrettSr.South Carolina StateBarnesville, Ga.
RSJaMichael BaldwinFr.Savannah StateConyers, Ga.




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Head Baseball Coach Jason Beverlin Departing from Bethune-Cookman Championship Program

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- After spending just over six years at the helm of the Bethune-Cookman Baseball program, Jason Beverlin has decided to step down as head coach of the Wildcats program in Daytona Beach. An acting head coach for the program will be announced in the coming days by Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Beverlin, the 2014 recipient of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Giant Steps Award, compiled a record of 179-176 in six seasons with the Maroon and Gold. He leaves as the only coach in school history to compete for an NCAA Regional title – facing eventual national champion University of Florida in the final game of the NCAA Gainesville [Fla.] Regional in 2017 at McKethan Stadium.

The Royal Oaks, Michigan native is set for a new challenge as he departs BCU to become a regional scout for the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball (MLB). In his new job, Beverlin will scout the areas of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectfully.



MEAC CHAMPION COACH BEVERLIN TAKES POSITION WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TORONTO BLUE JAYS

"I want to thank Bethune-Cookman University, Lynn Thompson, Interim President Grimes and the baseball staff and student-athletes for everything," said Beverlin. "For just around seven years, I didn't just come to work each day. I had a family at my job each day. Everyone is family here at Bethune-Cookman, and they will always be a part of my life.

"This was certainly not an easy decision to make. It was one that I prayed on and spoke with my family about a lot about over the past few days. In the end, it was ultimately, the best choice for me right now, even though there's never a 'perfect' time for any change in collegiate coaching."

Beverlin helped the Wildcats win the 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament titles in his stint with the BCU program. He was also responsible for the development of 2014 ABCA All-Atlantic and MEAC Pitcher of the Year – Montana Durapau. Additionally, in 2016 and '17, respectively, Beverlin was instrumental in coaching first baseman Danny Rodriguez (2016) to being named as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, as well as pitcher Anthony Maldonado (2017) being selected to the Collegiate Baseball News Freshman All-American Team.

In 2017, Beverlin won his second, third and fourth NCAA Regional contests with the Wildcats, after becoming just the second coach in school history to win an NCAA Regional game when the Cats defeated Columbia in the NCAA Coral Gables [Fla.] Regional in an elimination game back in 2014. Last year, he helped the Cats defeat the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional host Florida Gators for the first time in school history.

"We want to thank Jason Beverlin, his wife Heather, and his two boys, for being a part of our family for just over six years," said Vice President Thompson. "I have been blessed to have a wonderful coach take our program to another level, and it was left in a great state by former head coach Mervyl Melendez, who is also family at BCU. Jason took what Mervyl established and continued to push forward.

"I am happy for the chance he has to be a father and husband more so than ever. He has been a father figure and raised so many kids in his time at BCU as a baseball coach. Now, he gets to see his oldest son finish high school, and watch his youngest son start high school – and be a dad first and foremost. We wish him well. But we know he will always be a part of our family."

Beverlin is a father to Cole (18) and Lucas (13). Less than a month ago, oldest son Cole signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate baseball at Florida State University.

Beverlin spent time in Major League Baseball with organizations such as the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A's, Anaheim Angels (now Los Angeles Angeles) and his hometown Detroit Tigers. After eight long seasons in the minors, Beverlin cracked the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians in 2002. Adding more diversity to his experience, Beverlin played three years professionally in Japan for the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama Baystars of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He was selected as an All-Star in 2004.

"The true measure of the job I've done building the program will be in the professionalism that our coaches and players show throughout the upcoming season," added Beverlin. "I know they will continue to give everything they have on a daily basis to become champions."

Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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XULA will try to keep good things going against LSUA

NEW ORLEANS — Both Xavier University of Louisiana basketball teams will put winning streaks on the line Wednesday when they meet LSU-Alexandria in a doubleheader at the Convocation Center.

The women's game will tip off at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7.

Not only have the Gold Nuggets (2-2) won their last two games, but they also led wire-to-wire in both. The first of those victories was an 84-68 victory Nov. 8 at LSUA. That's the Generals' only regular-season game, although they've also lost six exhibitions to NCAA Division I opponents.

XULA junior guard Mikayla Bates has a unique distinction; she's the only Gold Nugget of the last 14 seasons to reach 25 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in the first four games.

In the men's game, the Gold Rush (6-3) will seek to extend a four-game home winning streak that includes three victories this season. But to accomplish that they'll have to snap a three-game skid against the Generals (3-2), the NAIA's second-ranked team and a national tournament semifinalist last season.

LSUA defeated the Gold Rush 92-65 three weeks ago and by 17 and 15 points last season.

Leading season scorers for each team are Essence Wells (9.0 points per game) of the XULA women, Lillie Snowden (19.0) of the LSUA wo
men, Virgil Davison (13.4) of the XULA men and Jordin Williams (17.8) of the LSUA men.

The Generals will be the highest ranked team to play the Gold Rush in the Convocation Center since No. 1 Talladega defeated XULA in the championship game of the 2015 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournement.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XULA earns Accusplit award for NAIA's best relay time

NEW ORLEANS — For the first time ever, Xavier University of Louisiana track and field has been named an Accusplit Top Relay Team after posting a No. 1 time in the NAIA during the 2017 outdoor season.
     
The XULA women's 800-meter relay team of Janelle JonesTramaine ShannonClarke Allen and Ry-Anne Riley earned that distinction with the NAIA's fastest 2017 time in that event — 1 minute, 42.01 seconds — at the McNeese Cowboy Relays in Lake Charles, La., March 11.
     

Shannon and Jones are from Baton Rouge, La. Shannon, who completed her XULA eligibility this past season, is a McKinley High School graduate; Jones graduated from Episcopal. Allen is from Mendehall, Miss., and Mendenhall High School, and Riley is from New Orleans and Lusher Charter School. Allen is a senior on the 2018 XULA roster, Jones a junior and Riley a sophomore.
     

XULA's Joseph Moses and other head coaches at the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA levels will receive Accusplit awards Dec. 13 during an afternoon general session of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XULA Tomasoni voted to AVCA NAIA All-Southeast Region team

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Juliana Tomasoni has been named to the 2017 American Volleyball Coaches Association NAIA All-Southeast Region team.

Tomasoni — a senior outside hitter from Nova Trento, Brazil, and a mass communications major at XULA — led the Gold Nuggets this year with 280 kills and 57 aces. She was second on the team with a .285 hitting percentage and 364 digs. She was first-team All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and GCAC Tournament MVP, both for the second straight year.

For the seventh straight year XULA won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship. The Gold Nuggets finished 23-3 and set a school record for season winning percentage.

Tomasoni is the fourth Gold Nugget to be named all-region first team. Previous recipients were Kimberlee Rock (2004), Taylor Reuther (2013) and Claudia Haywood (2015).

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

A Ripple Effect: Hampton’s move to the Big South will affect the historically black Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.



WASHINGTON, D.C. --  Hampton University’s decision to leave the historically black Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has prompted questions about the ripple effect on the league, its institutions and HBCU athletics as a whole.

Last week, Hampton announced it would join the more visible and wealthier Big South Conference in July 2018, a change intended to raise the athletic profile of one of the most academically successful historically black colleges and universities. News reports indicated that the university has been in talks with the Big South for years, and Hampton's president, William Harvey, has been characterized as long wanting to advance the profile of Hampton athletics and the institution over all.
Hampton officials said the move would cut down on travel time and expenses for Hampton's athletics department and its players, citing the fact that Big South institutions are located in Virginia -- as is Hampton -- as well as North Carolina and South Carolina. The Mid-Eastern league spans the East Coast, from Delaware to Florida, but Big South members are also located in New Jersey and Georgia, too. 

With the shift, MEAC loses one of its most well-funded members -- Hampton’s athletics budget, $13.8 million in the 2015-16 academic year, more closely resembles those of potential rivals in the Big South. And Hampton has some of the better facilities in the MEAC.
Hampton also has established rivalries with Howard University and Norfolk State University that generate big revenue for the conference ...


A School-Record 12 North Carolina A&T Aggies Make First-Team All-MEAC

A&T ALL-MEAC PHOTO GALLERY
GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T football team got some early returns off the No. 12 ahead of their Celebration Bowl clash against the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion on Dec. 16 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Aggies, who are seeking to finish the 2017 season 12-0 with a Celebration Bowl win, had 12 players named first-team All-MEAC on Tuesday. Senior linebacker Marcus Albert (5-foot-10, 205, College Park, Ga.) was a third-team selection. In addition, All-American left tackle Brandon Parker (6-7, 309, R-SR, Kannapolis, NC) was named offensive lineman of the year by the conference for the third straight year. The Aggies 12 first-teamers is a school record, dwarfing the seven players they placed on the first team last year.


“That’s half the (first team), isn’t it?” asked N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “I think it’s very well deserved. Record-wise, we’re the best team in the league. Record-wise, we’re the best team in the history of the university, so I think it’s only fitting that we have a large number of guys on the team. I think it says a lot about our players and of course, the job that the staff has done developing these guys.”

Broadway earned his first-ever MEAC Coach of the Year accolade. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) named Broadway coach of the year twice (2005, ‘06) during his time at North Carolina Central. Also at NCCU in 2006, he was named Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year. He was named coach of the year by the SWAC in 2008 when he was head coach at Grambling State. That same year, the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., made him their coach of the year for a second time. Following N.C. A&T’s black college national championship season in 2015, Broadway was named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year by American Urban Radio Network.

“This thing is not about me. It never has been and hopefully, it never will be,” said Broadway. “When you have 12 players on the all-conference (first team), that’s all you need to say. We’ve got 12 players on the team, so it’s about them. I just happen to be the coach. And please give my coaching staff credit too. They’ve done an outstanding job. Not just this year but last year and the year before that. We’ve gotten better as a staff. The chemistry has gotten better.”  

FIRST-TEAM ALL-MEAC AGGIES

Timadre Abram (5-10, 168, JR, defensive back, Lakeland, Fla.) 
Stats: 28 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 8 pass breakups; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod
Why is he a first teamer?: Look no further than the opposite side of the field. The Aggies other starting cornerback, Mac McCain, got off to such a torrid start, it made opponents look more in Abrams direction. He held his own, helping the Aggies rank second in the conference in passing yards allowed.  

Breakout Game: The Aggies toughest challenge in the conference all season was the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Abram broke up three passes in the game against quarterback Larry Brihm who threw for 376 yards versus the Aggies in 2016.  

Broadway’s Take: He’s sort of a quiet guy, but he comes to work every day to work hard. He is steadily starting to get better. He’s starting to understand how to do things now and as a result, he had a really good year. His recognition is well-deserved.”

Elijah Bell (6-1, 221, SO, wide receiver, Wheeling, WVa.) 
Stats: 54 rec., 858 yards, 11 TDs; 2nd first-team all-conference nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: Have you seen him play? If not, you’re missing a treat. He can make the jump-ball catch, the acrobatic catch, the one-hand catch and he is a big-time physical receiver. The scary part is he is still improving as a route runner. He broke the Aggies single-season TD receptions record (11), and he already has 19 career TD catches in just two years.  
  
Breakout Game: If there was any question of a sophomore jinx, the 2016 MEAC Rookie of the Year, Elijah Bell removed those doubts quickly in the 2017 season opener against Gardner-Webb. He caught five passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns, but the big takeaway was the 35-yard catch and run TD he had against GWU when he ran through two Bulldog defenders like they weren’t there. He also had a two-point conversion in the game.   

Broadway’s Take: “Elijah is a special talent and a heckuva player. You can cut it anyway you want to, he’s a playmaker. Some guys can make plays and some guys are playmakers. He is one of those playmakers, and he’s made so many big plays for us throughout the course of the year. He’s just a sophomore, so he’s only going to get better and better and better.”

Marquell Cartwright (5-8, 201, R-JR, running back, High Point, NC) 
Stats: 224 carries, 1,080 yards, 13 TDs; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: Well, let’s start with this. He had to replace a legend, and he did so by having a 1,000-yard rushing season, the seventh for an Aggie in the last eight years. Give him props for that alone. How much did the Aggies coaching staff trust Cartwright’s ability to take over the running back duties after Tarik Cohen was drafted by the Chicago Bears? In 2016, Cohen carried the ball 212 times. In 2017, Cartwright has 224 carries.   
 
Breakout Game: Early in the game against Morgan State on Sept. 23, Cartwright, known for being a bruiser at running back, broke through a big hole and showed off his tremendous speed with a 72-yard touchdown run. He had a career-best 176 rushing yards in the Aggies win.   

Broadway’s Take: “I said before the season that we’re losing an All-American, but we have all-conference running back right here on campus. I love the way that guy plays the game. It’s downhill and it’s physical. He brings a totally different element to the way we play this game. We have those big offensive linemen upfront that can get on top of people, then Cartwright shows up and moves everything forward. You know, I think he can be an All-American player for us. He was so close on so many plays of breaking a big run. I think if he relaxes a little bit and let the game come to him instead of always trying to be a home run hitter, he can get even better.”

Khris Gardin (5-7, 185, SR, return specialist, Morganton, NC) 
Stats: 26 punt returns, 353 yards, 13.6 per return, 1 TD; 14 kickoff returns, 376 yards, 26.9 per return; 2nd first-team All-MEAC nod, third overall (2nd team in 2016) 
 
Why is he a first teamer?: A) Teams do not like to punt the ball to him, yet he is still successful, and B) The Aggies are not required to kick off often, so he had and did make the best of his opportunities. In fact, Gardin has had three kickoff returns for touchdowns called back or we could be talking about another guaranteed All-American recognition. Gardin has the second-most punt return yards in NCAA FCS history (1,576).    

Breakout Game: Gardner-Webb decided to challenge the 2017 preseason All-American, and Gardin showcased why so media outlets were high on him coming into the season. He returned five punts for 150 yards including an 88-yard punt for a touchdown in the third quarter. 
  
Broadway’s Take: “What Khris has done in his career is amazing. I think he has had six kicks (for touchdowns) brought back in his career. We’ve just received some untimely penalties on a lot of his returns or who knows where he would be in the NCAA record books. I can remember the first punt he ever caught. He fumbled it in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. He came to the sideline with eyes as big as Coke bottles. I put my arms around his neck and said to him, ‘Let it go. We’re gonna need you’. And of course, it’s been history after that.”

Darryl Johnson, Jr. (6-5, 226, R-SO, defensive lineman, Kingsland, Ga.) 
Stats: 38 tackles (24 unassisted), 15.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod    

Why is he a first teamer?: He has been a nuisance all season for opponents. His long reach gets him to ball carries quicker, it’s hard to get out of his swipe range for causing fumbles and his ability to rush the passer is not bad either. He was fourth in the nation in forced fumbles and 22nd in tackles for loss.   

Breakout Game: Johnson had three unassisted tackles against Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 21. All three were made in the BCU backfield including two sacks. His sack with 13 seconds remaining sealed the Aggies 24-20 win over the Wildcats.  
 
Broadway’s Take: “The way we play defense, we’re going to have one or two defensive linemen on the all-conference team every year. He is another one of those guys who has reaped the results of the effort, the energy and the work he put in to getting better. Darryl is a hard worker with a high motor. He’s long, has an outstanding reach and can knock balls out of the air. He does it all for us.”

Darriel Mack (6-2, 300, R-SR, center, Clio, SC) 
Stats: 641 snaps, 42 knockdown blocks, 83.4 average grade, 4,725 yards of total offense 2nd first-team All-MEAC nod  

Why is he a first teamer?: Mack’s average grade and knockdown block count for the season is close to his All-American teammate Brandon Parker who is slated to be drafted by an NFL team in the spring. That is good company to be in and that will get you recognized by and votes from MEAC head coaches.   
 
Breakout Game: Mack’s highest grade of the season was a 90 against Division II Mars Hill. While it may be easy to scoff at, he followed that with an 86 against the Charlotte 49ers, an FBS school out of Conference-USA. The Aggies collected 420 yards of offense in the 35-31 upset. 

Broadway’s Take: “Mack’s personality has really blossomed since he’s been here. You know, as a person, he’s really come a long, long way. He’s a joy to be around. He’s a joy to coach. Football-wise, he gets it. He understands his role, how to do things, and you know, I think that’s what happens when you have someone four years in your program. He’s just got better and better and better. He missed some time early in his career because he had some injuries. He’s gotten those things worked out and over the last couple of years, he’s been productive.”  

Franklin (Mac) McCain III (5-11, 174, R-FR, defensive back, Greensboro, NC) 
Stats: 46 tackles (33 unassisted), 5 INTs, 274 INT return yards, 3 INT returns for TDs; 8 pass breakups; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: His first four games were about as an impressive as a collegiate debut can be. Twenty-seven tackles, five interceptions, three pick-6’s and three pass breakups will get people’s attention. 
   
Breakout Game: The breakout game was Charlotte. The sequel to the breakout game was Morgan State. McCain had the game-winning INT return for touchdown. Within minutes, a Charlotte Observer reporter tweeted out that he was the grandson of civil rights icon Franklin McCain. He then returned two pick-6’s the following week against Morgan State including a 100-yard return and the media interview requests flooded in from there. 

Broadway’s Take: “He could be another great one at this university. He has a bright future if he develops the right work ethic, the right attitude and really dedicates himself to becoming a great player. He can run. He has a pretty good feel for where he is on the field, he’s just got to continue to study the game, understand the game and understand his role. But the sky is the limit.”

Brandon Parker (6-7, 309, R-SR, offensive lineman, Kannapolis, NC) 
Stats: 656 snaps, 48 knockdown blocks, 84 percent average grade, 4,725 yards of offense; 3rd first-team All-MEAC nod; fourth overall (he was a third-team selection in 2014) 

Why is he a first teamer?: With the spotlight on him all season, something most offensive linemen are not used to, he did not crack under the pressure. In fact, despite having NFL scouts at practice every week, he took it in stride and picked up another MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award, the third of his career.   
 
Breakout Game: South Carolina State’s defensive line has notoriously given the Aggies fits over the past few seasons. But Mr. Parker kept quarterback Lamar Raynard upright for the vast majority of the game as the Aggies compiled 425 yards of offense. Parker had a season-high seven knockdown blocks in the game and graded out with an 82. 

Broadway’s Take: “Well everybody knows about Parker, and all the scouts rave about him. He’ll be on somebody’s NFL roster next year. He has had made tremendous growth during his time as a player here.   He put in the time, and he put in the work, so now he is starting to see the results of all those workouts and all that weightlifting he has done throughout his career. And for people to say you’re the best offensive lineman in your league for three straight years – that’s big.”

Marcus Pettiford (6-3, 274, R-SO, offensive lineman, Durham, NC) 
Stats: 519 snaps, 22 knockdown blocks, 83.3 percent average grade, 4,725 yards of offense; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: His presence made the Aggies offensive line the envy of the league. Opponents could not take for granted that the Aggies wanted to run behind Parker on the left side because N.C. A&T was more than comfortable letting the athletic and agile Pettiford take the lead on the right side.  
    
Breakout Game: The N.C. A&T vs. Bethune-Cookman game Oct. 21 was a grueling contest that the Aggies pounded out on the ground with 55 yards rushing in the fourth quarter. Pettiford graded out at 87 percent and had five knockdown blocks in the game. 

Broadway’s Take: “If he dedicates himself to hard work like Brandon (Parker) did, he could also be an All-American. He’s so athletic and light on his feet. I can say this about Marcus, he’s changed. He’s starting to develop, and I hope the light goes off and he realizes how important it is to really work and develop because if he does, he can be a great one here.”

Lamar Raynard (6-4, 200, R-JR, quarterback, High Point, NC) 
Stats: 186-for-285 (.653), 26 TD passes, 5 INTs, 2,707 yards, 171.6 QB efficiency, 51 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod, second overall (named second-team All-MEAC in 2016) 

Why is he a first teamer?: There was a time when Alan Hooker’s records were believed to be written in ink because the Aggie quarterbacks who followed him had a hard time exceeding his marks. Not Lamar. He toppled Hooker’s more than 30-year old single-season records for completions, touchdown passes and touchdowns responsible for (29). For good measure, he took down Maseo Bolin’s single-season passing record as well. He is even after his own record. If he has a good Celebration Bowl he will break the single-season mark for best passing percentage he set last season at 64.6 percent. 

Breakout Game: N.C. A&T fans quickly realized that an upgrade of Lamar Raynard had been downloaded after he went 19-for-22 for 321 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Aggies 45-3 season-opening win over Gardner-Webb.  

Broadway’s Take: “Raynard has really grown as a quarterback. He is getting to where he is getting the ball out of his hand and making good, sound decisions and not turning it over too much. I think he has also grown as a leader. He’s got this quiet demeanor about him, but he has a competitive drive that I think drives him to be an excellent quarterback.”

Trey Scott (6-1, 220, GR, tight end, Powder Springs, Ga.) 
Stats: 24 rec., 347 yards, 3 TD’s 

Why is he a first teamer?: He is the best tight end in the MEAC. In fact, the Aggies may have the two best tight ends in the league considering junior Leroy Hill was a first-team All-MEAC selection in 2016. In a college football world where the tight end is used less and less, the Aggies have figured out to utilize the position.   

Breakout Game: He only had 40 yards receiving but all four of his catches went for first downs as Morgan State became victim to the drag route that made Scott so effective during the 2017 season in a 49-17 Aggies win.   

Broadway’s Take: “We already had an all-conference tight end. That’s amazing. Trey came in and had the ability to get the ball in the open field and make some dazzling moves. I’m happy for Trey. He is a graduate student who came in and go on a good football team – a winning program – and had a big year. He really contributed to our season this year.”

Jeremy Taylor (5-11, 190, R-SR, linebacker, Kinston, NC) 
Stats: 65 tackles (46 unassisted), 7.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 5 INTs, 133 INT return yards, 8 pass breakups, one pick-6 

Why is he a first teamer?: Because there are not many things he is incapable of doing on the defensive side of the football. He is a good tackler, he is good in coverage and he is good at taking the ball away from the other team. He leads the team in tackles and is tied for the team league in interceptions and pass breakups.   

Breakout Game: His versatility was on full display on Sept. 30 at S.C. State when he made three tackles, forced two fumbles, picked off one pass and broke up another in the Aggies 21-7 win over the Bulldogs.  
  
Broadway’s Take: “Jeremy’s a playmaker. I don’t know man, he just makes plays all over the place. Let me repeat myself. He makes plays, he makes plays, he makes plays. He is one of the guys you can depend on to do the right things on the field and to be in the right spot.”


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