Four Panthers Named Preseason All-Conference During SIAC Football Media Day; Ramsey Looking Forward to New Season

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University head football coach Kevin Ramsey was full of smiles as he talked to reporters at this week's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Media Day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Ramsey's optimism permeates a Panther football program that will feature new additions to the squad, to his staff, and even to Panther Stadium.

"My message to fans is this: we have some outstanding football," Ramsey said. "Our product is going to be a product worthy of seeing. We want to get into the playoffs and make some noise. Above all to the fans, I want them to remember this is the year of the Panther."

The conference announced Tuesday that four Panthers – defensive back Quantavious Singletary, kicker Carlos Saldana, offensive lineman Jah-Mai Davidson, and wide receiver Johnathan Sanders – were all named to the Preseason All-SIAC team.

And though the Panthers finished 4-6 last season and were picked by SIAC coaches and sports information directors to finish fifth in the SIAC East this year, particularly with some key graduation losses on offense and defense, Ramsey points to a solid group returning and his new additions as a reason for his optimism.

The offense will be led new offensive coordinator Willie "Satellite" Totten. Totten, the legendary Mississippi Valley State quarterback who's main target was NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, is himself a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

He now is a veteran offensive coordinator and former head coach who promises a faster tempo on offense for CAU.

"I'm excited," Totten said. "I like the way the guys embraced the offense during the Spring," Totten said. "We did do some exciting things to bring a different tempo, no huddle offense to Clark Atlanta, and I think the guys embraced that very well."

Charles Stafford and P.J. Sanford are the top candidates to replace Johnathan McCrary at quarterback. They will have Sanders, one of the SIAC's top receivers last season, to throw to, as well as Josh Banks who is returning from injury.

On defense, the Panthers also suffered some key graduation losses, but return Singletary, defensive back Kenneth Morgan, and defensive linemen Xavier Lewis and De'Angelo Penn among others.

"It starts on the defensive side of the ball," Ramsey said. "We lost some kids. We lost a couple of linebackers. In this league, you have to be ready in all three phases of the game – special teams, offense and defense. I thought this spring was a good boost for our defense with guys flying around."

Another addition every one at CAU is excited about is a state-of-the-art video board at Panther Stadium that will significantly increase the fan experience on Saturdays.

"That's a good thing, as long as we get that thing lit up and then have a goose egg on the other side," Ramsey quipped. "Our president, Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, and athletic director J Lin Dawson did a good job in getting that video board out there. And it's sitting there facing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, so hopefully we get more fan in the stands supporting these guys. It's just another example of how great our university supports our student-athletes."

The Panthers report for fall practice in early August and begin preparations for the season-opener at Mississippi College on Aug. 30. After a trip the next week to Central State, the Panthers then open the home season against Tuskegee on Sept. 15.

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