Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Big-time transfers boost Hampton University football















The Pirates of Hampton University (2-0, 2-0 MEAC) are set to take on the Bears of Morgan State University (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) live on ESPNU on Thursday, September 20th at 7:30 pm. The match-up is set to take place at Armstrong Stadium on the campus of Hampton University.

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

HAMPTON - Hampton University used to reload primarily with freshman recruits. Graduating high school seniors still are the staple of the Pirates' recruiting classes, but never before have Division I-A transfers been so visible in the football program.

The Pirates' I-A transfers have their fingerprints all over the season-opening victories at Howard and North Carolina A&T. Jackie Bates, formerly a starting cornerback at Oregon, will increase that I-A influence when he debuts in the Pirates' nationally televised (ESPNU) home game Thursday against Morgan State.

The Pirates' roster includes seven I-A transfers. All of them, save Bates, have made significant contributions this season. HU coach Joe Taylor is especially happy to have them because 14 senior starters graduated from the 2006 team.

"Sometimes you need to get more maturity in the lineup when you lose more seniors," Taylor said. "But you have to be certain that a transfer is the right fit for the program.

"I'm not so sure that we recruited them as much as they recruited us. Three consecutive (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) championships, five guys in the (NFL) combine and several guys in the pros has created more visibility."

Below is an update on the I-A transfers through two games. Former colleges are listed in parentheses.

T.J. Mitchell (West Virginia): Starting QB has thrown for 520 yards and six touchdowns.

Kevin Beverly (Kent State): Starting tailback ran for 39 yards and a TD in a half at Howard, but hasn't played since because of an ankle injury and likely will miss the Morgan State game.

Jeremy Gilchrist (Virginia Tech): Starter leads HU with 14 catches, 205 receiving yards and two TD receptions.

Sam Pope (South Carolina): Starting cornerback has nine tackles, two pass breakups and a pass block.

Vaughn Mansfield (Utah State): Reserve free safety returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown at A&T.

Kevin Burke (West Virginia): Reserve defensive tackle had a tackle for a loss among his four stops at A&T.

Jackie Bates (Oregon): Hamstring pull sidelined the starting cornerback the first two games, but Taylor says he'll play Thursday.

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