By Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice, who transferred to Alabama A&M from Mississippi State, has overtaken Jimmy Richardson for a starting job at inside linebacker, linebackers coach Jay Martin said Thursday night.
Rice started in Tuesday night's scrimmage and played well enough to earn the nod over Richardson.
"It's as if he's been here his whole career," Martin said of Rice, a 6-foot, 228-pound senior. "Carlton has really adapted. He had a pretty good spring, but he's really stepped it up a notch since we started camp.
"He had a real good scrimmage. We've spent a lot of time on the board and he has picked things up extremely well."
Barring injury, Rice will start alongside Avery Moland when A&M visits Tennessee State on Sept. 1. Richardson, who can play both inside positions, will also get a lot of snaps.
"Jimmy has a lot of experience and will be very valuable to us," Martin said. "I feel good about those three guys."
Okpara may redshirt: Defensive end Justin Okpara, a former Bob Jones High standout, could likely be redshirted, A&M coach Anthony Jones said.
Okpara, who had surgery on a finger on his left hand during the offseason, is still recuperating from that and recently hurt his right hand and that has kept him out of practice for several days.
"We're trying to see if the swelling goes down where we can get him evaluated," Jones said.
Okpara, who played in nine games last season as a true freshman and finished with 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, was expected to play an even bigger role this season before sustaining the injury.
"Whenever a kid gets hurt and he has a redshirt, you've got to look at it when he's missing a lot of time due to injury," Jones said. "We won't be able to determine what we're going to do until we can have him evaluated."
Stockdale ready: Gerald Stockdale has been a bit player each of the last two seasons.
Stockdale caught 11 passes for 92 yards in 2005 and had seven receptions for 56 yards last season. A&M lost three of its top four receivers from a year ago, and as a result, the 6-2, 223-pounder will get an opportunity to play a larger role.
"I played sparingly the last two years, but I'm trying to help the team back to the SWAC championship," said Stockdale, who had an 82-yard run and catch for a touchdown in Tuesday night's scrimmage. "I want to be a factor on this team."
While Stockdale is not a burner, he's a different type of receiver because of his size.
"I try to use my size to my advantage," he said. "I'm not the fastest guy, but if I get between the defender and the ball, I'm going to make the catch."
Fan Day is Saturday: A&M fans can meet all of the fall sports teams Saturday at Fan Day. The football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be at Louis Crews Stadium beginning at 3 p.m. The New Student Orientation Committee will host a pep rally at 3:30. The A&M football team will scrimmage at 6 p.m. Fans interested in tailgating will be permitted to bring their grills and accessories.
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