HU Juniors filling two huge holes impressively

Photo: Van Morgan, #27 RB, 6-0/218 Sr., New Smyrna Beach H.S., Florida

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

Thursday Night game
WHO: Morgan State (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) at Hampton (2-0, 2-0).
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU.

Wakeem Goode and Van Morgan are trying to replace two of HU's greatest players.

Wakeem Goode and Van Morgan might have the toughest jobs on Hampton University's football team. How much fun can it be following in the footsteps of players considered the best in school history at their respective positions?

Goode stepped into the starting middle-linebacker spot vacated by Justin Durant. Durant, the three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Defensive Player of the Year, started last weekend for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.

Morgan will start at tailback for the second consecutive game when the Pirates (2-0, 2-0 MEAC) host Morgan State (1-2, 0-0) tonight at 7:30.

He succeeds Alonzo Coleman, the MEAC's all-time leading rusher, now employed on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

By the looks of it, neither appears to be intimidated by the challenge, or even worried about it because they took advantage of the time spent as back-ups to learn from the men they would be replacing.

Photo: Wakeem Goode, #49 LB, 5-11/227 Jr., Benedictine H.S., Cleveland, Ohio

Goode, a 5-foot-11, 227-pound junior, made a team-high 19 tackles the first two games. Morgan, a 6-0, 218-pound junior, started for the first time last Saturday and had 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Pirates' 59-14 win at North Carolina A&T.

"They were in backup roles in the past, but they never had any problem (waiting)," Pirates coach Joe Taylor said. "You can see how good they are. Usually those kinds of kids want to play quickly and ask, 'Why am I not playing more?'

"They just waited their turns and kept on working and working. When they got their opportunities, they made the most of them."

While waiting, they filled in capably as part-time players. Morgan, for instance, became the ball-carrier in the second half of the 2006 opener against Grambling State because Coleman was sidelined by cramps.

He employed his power running style to gain 82 yards on 14 carries, helping the Pirates edge the Tigers 27-26. But he left the game late in the fourth quarter with a deep thigh bruise that limited his playing time the remainder of the season.

When he returned to action he dedicated himself to contributing on special teams and to learning everything he could from Coleman.

"What impressed me most about Alonzo was his attitude toward the game," Morgan said. "He played with an attitude I had never seen before. He approached everything with toughness and had confidence in everything he did.

"I picked up on the focus and fearlessness he carried into every game."

Goode adopted Durant as his role model and shadowed him to the film room regularly. When Durant missed the Norfolk State game last season with a sore back, Goode replaced him. He made six tackles, including three sacks, to earn defensive player of the game honors.

"I learned a lot from Justin," Goode said, "He reacted to things so quickly. Watching film with him he taught me about reacting to the ball before things happened."

Taylor sees a similarity between Goode and Durant because both possess non-stop motors.

"You look at Wakeem's body and you'd say he's too short or not the fastest," Taylor said. "But if you see him in the weight room, you'd understand why he moves so well. He's a tremendous worker.

"He always working some kind of move, a swim technique or a rip technique. That's what allows him to break free of blockers and stay on his feet."

Goode says that he feels no pressure to be another Durant, a sentiment Morgan echoes when asked about Coleman. Then again, both understand they'd better come close or someone on the roster will be ready to step in.

"Expectations are always going to be high because there are so many athletes in this program," Morgan said. "We've had Ardell (Daniels) and Alonzo (Coleman) and Kevin Beverly all do well.

"I feel like any running back in our program could do the same thing, because we know what the expectations are."