Quintin Richardson to Transfer from South Carolina to Hampton University

Columbia, SC -- In a prepared statement, former Gamecock offensive lineman Quintin Richardson announced that he was leaving the University of South Carolina to pursue an education at Hampton University. He called his time as a Gamecock, "the most rewarding experience of my life." Richardson said that he would continue to pursue his collegiate football career at Hampton University.

Richardson was suspended from the football team on Aug. 20, 2010, but officials with the team would not say why. Previous Coverage:Quintin Richardson Suspended from USC Football Team

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Steve Robinson is ready to be the man for Hampton University in the backfield

The proof of the larger role Hampton University expects Steve Robinson to play this season is right there in the glossy photograph. Robinson, a senior who rushed for 510 yards and four touchdowns after transferring to HU from Georgia Military College last season, clutches his helmet and stares confidently at the camera as one of four players on the cover of the Pirates' 2010 media guide.

"I've been waiting ever since last year to show my skills," Robinson said. "I knew my role last year, (but) this year, I'm looking to make big plays for the team." Last year, Robinson's role was backing up LaMarcus Coker, who led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with 1,027 yards on the ground and rushed for six TDs. Robinson, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds...

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Hampton University head coach Donovan Rose is ready for CMU

In the 20 years Hampton head coach Donovan Rose has been associated with Hampton University he has never had the opportunity to play a D-1 team. Rose will get his chance when he steps into Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on Sept. 2nd to take on the reigning Mid American Conference champions, the Central Michigan Chippewas.

In only his second season as the head coach, Rose is looking to improve upon a 5-6 campaign last year by catching newly minted CMU head coach Dan Enos off guard.

Rose admits the task of beating the Chips' won't be easy; he fully expects them to unleash their full arsenal of weapons...

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Video: Hampton University preps for 2010 season

Delaware State Hornets vs. Hampton Pirates kickoff changed for ESPNU

DOVER, DE -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced that the 2010 Delaware State University vs. Hampton University football contest has been moved to Thursday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. at DSU's Alumni Stadium. The contest, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, will be televised live on ESPNU as part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference television agreement with ESPN.

This will mark the second national television appearance for the Hornets during the 2010 season. Delaware State will kick off the upcoming season against Southern University in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be televised live on ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN3.com at 12:00 p.m.

This year's DSU/Hampton contest will also mark the second Thursday night game at Alumni Stadium. The Hornets defeated Florida A&M 35-28 in overtime in the first Thursday night Alumni Stadium contest in 2008.

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Five questions as Hampton University opens preseason practice

After Donovan Rose's first season as head coach at Hampton University ended in a 5-6 mark and the Pirates' first losing record since 1996, a few shakeups took place. Most notably, a new, yet familiar, offensive coordinator is now calling plays in one of several changes on Rose's coaching staff. The tweaks will be tested right away, as HU opens the 2010 season at I-A Central Michigan on Sept. 2. Here are five key questions going into that game:

Who is the Pirates' starting quarterback? Herb Bynes, HU's starter in 2008, split time behind center with Syracuse transfer David Legree last season. But the ankle injury that hampered Bynes throughout 2009 required offseason surgery, curtailing his participation in spring practice and effectively handing the offense to Legree, who threw for 803 yards and seven touchdowns last year to Bynes' 987 yards and eight TDs. Legree will begin the year as the Pirates' starter, with Rose hoping Bynes is healthy enough to provide an experienced option. "We've got two experienced guys, and we'll see what happens," Rose said. "Starting off, it will be David, and hopefully Herb will be back in his raw form. But I think it's a great situation to have two quarterbacks that can come in and control the team."

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S.C. State, Pirates' Sanchez cited in improving MEAC

NORFOLK, VA - South Carolina State is the clear favorite to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football champ, but league coaches say that if the Bulldogs win the title they will have earned it. The word "parity" was heard quite often Friday at the MEAC's football media shindig, where league coaches voted S.C. State quarterback Malcolm Long and Hampton linebacker Julio Sanchez preseason players of the year.

"I'd say this is the best it's ever been," said Norfolk State's Pete Adrian, who is in his 13th year in the conference as a head coach and assistant. "There might have been better teams, … but out of the original members that are here, every one of them can beat you. You have to be ready to play."



Florida A&M was picked to finish second. Adrian's Spartans, on paper he said the best returning team he's had, were voted third. Hampton University was picked fourth.

"That's what the coaches around the league think, but that's not something we use as a measuring stick," said Pirates coach Donovan Rose, who overhauled his staff after a 5-6 record and uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the conference.

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TUESDAY: 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp Meet & Greet

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick

For all Hampton Roads/Hampton University Pirates football and Michael Vick/Philadelphia Eagles fans, the 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp Meet and Greet will be held tomorrow, June 22, 2010 from 4-6 p.m., at the NASCAR Sports Grille in Hampton, Virginia. The 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp will be taking place on the campus of Hampton University from June 23-25. The three-times NFL Pro Bowler and Hampton University's football Coach Donavan Rose will conduct a question and answer session regarding the camp.

So far, two current NFL players with ties to Hampton University--Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Justin Durant and Miami Dolphins defensive end, Kendall Langford are confirmed for the event. Plus Aaron Brooks (University of Virginia), retired NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and Vick's second cousin will be there.

Michael Vick and Coach Donovan Rose are hosting the meet and greet and it will be broadcast on the Tony Mercurio (aka "The Blastman") show as he will be at the Sports Grille too. The Blastman program is on ESPN Radio 94.1 FM (Hampton Roads) between 3 and 7 weekday afternoons, and is where listeners turn for sports talk.

The event is free and open to the public. The NASCAR Sports Grille is located at 1996 Power Plant Parkway, Hampton, VA 23666, Telephone:757.224.5802. Stop by after work for some sports talk and fun.

Fred Kraiss: Back home at Hampton University

Baltimore, Maryland native Fred Kraiss is Hampton University Pirates new offensive coordinator. Coach Kraiss previously served as OC at Tennessee State University (2006-2009; 1997-1999, special teams and WR coach); Hampton University (OC, 2001-2006); 1993 special teams coach, Southern University; and Morgan State University (1992), OC, quarterback and receivers coach.

Fred Kaiss didn't want to leave Hampton University to begin with, but getting him back didn't prove to be a hard sell. Kaiss, the Pirates' former offensive coordinator who left the school in 2006 after clashing with then-coach Joe Taylor, is back on the HU sidelines for longtime assistant Donovan Rose's second season as head coach. "I’ve known him, and I’ve always been cordial with him," Rose said. "When he left, that was between him and Coach. I don’t have anything to do with that. I had no problem. His wife and my wife are friends. It was a real good relationship. I called him, and he said, 'Hey coach, I’d love to work with you.'"

It wasn't the first call Kaiss received from Hampton. "(Former HU coach) Jerry Holmes had called me numerous times, and I love (Holmes), but the timing wasn’t right," said Kaiss, who was in his second stint at Tennessee State when Rose called. "It just wasn’t right. It was imperative that I bring certain assistants with me and I get certain things promised." Those assistants - offensive line coach Charles Huff and quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris - are now at HU with Kaiss, and the new OC is expecting big things for a program that has fallen from the heights of three straight MEAC championships from 2004 to 2006.

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Early Impressions of Hampton University Spring Football

Jeremiah Schwartz, a transfer from Iowa State, is in the Pirates RB mix. The 5-11/232 redshirt sophomore had 71 carries, 274 yards (3.7 avg) and 1 reception, 30 yards in eight games with the Cyclones. He was number two on the depth chart at RB for ISU. At Orlando Edgewater High School, Schwartz rushed for over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, with more than 100 yards receiving ... received all-metro, all-county, and Florida Sports Writers Association first-team Class 6A all-state honors for his senior campaign ... sixth-rated back according to Scout.com ... Florida 6A Player-of-the-Year finalist ... honor roll student ... commited to Iowa State over Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia and Colorado.

The quarterback competition isn't much of one right now because of a lingering injury, the starting running back job is wide open, and the many new faces include a handful of transfers and a revamped coaching staff. There are plenty of questions greeting the start of spring football at Hampton University, but also a sense of optimism that filled the air like the abundant sunshine on Wednesday afternoon.

Under head coach Donovan Rose's watchful gaze, players ran agility drills on the turf at Armstrong Stadium. Quarterback Herb Bynes, who had offseason surgery on the ankle that bothered him all of last year, was on the field wearing a red jersey, but David Legree, who split time behind center last season, did almost all of the throwing. "He practices as he can," Rose said of Bynes, who threw for 987 yards and eight touchdowns after setting school records with 2,713 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.

"No hitting drills. Every now and then he’ll throw, but we don’t give him a lot. ... David right now is the guy. He’s healthy and he’s taking all the reps basically. Herb is hurt still, but I think he’ll be healthy when he comes back (in the fall). To me, the best guy plays, and I think it’s good that both of them are strong candidates." Legree, a transfer from Syracuse threw for 803 yards and seven TDs last year.

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Hampton Pirates Signs a Load of Football Talent

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team, under the direction of second-year head coach Donovan Rose, welcomed in a new class of Pirates on Wednesday, National Signing Day. The Pirates signed eight transfers, as well as 12 other recruits. Four of Hampton’s recruits hail from the Hampton Roads area – including two athletes who went to high school in the city of Hampton. Five transfers are coming to Hampton from FBS (Formerly Div. I-A) schools, and the Pirates’ high school recruits have won a combined five state championships and six all-state honors.

“I feel really good about this class as it is my first full class as a head coach,” said Rose. “We are trying to get back where we once were here at Hampton and with these additions I feel that we can get there. It was not that long ago when Hampton won the MEAC and made it to the playoffs year after year and it is my task to get us back there and this is a major step in that direction.”

Hampton University Football Class of 2010 Signees

FBS Transfers
1. Jamal Lewis (Sr., OG, 6’4”, 310, Huntsville, Ala.): transfer from Middle Tennessee State; an All-Metro and All-State selection in high school.
2. Rafael Vazquez (Jr., OT, 6’6”, 320, Orlando, Fla.): transfer from Tulane University; All-District and All-County in high school.
3. Jeremiah Swartz (So., RB, 5’11”, 238, Orlando, Fla.): transfer from Iowa State University; rushed for 264 yards on 71 carries in 2009, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
4. Marell Evans (Jr., LB, 6’3”, 230, Richmond, Va.): transfer from the University of Michigan; two-time All-State, Player of the Year in high school.
5. David Luckett (So., OC, 6’2”, 270, Waldorf, Md.): transfer from Winston-Salem State University; All-County, All-Conference and All-State in high school.
6. Nu’Keese Richardson (So., WR, 5’10”, 170): transfer from the University of Tennessee; caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in 2009 for the Volunteers – including three receptions for 54 yards and a score against Memphis.
7. Donte’ Davis (Sr., WR, 6’1”, 185, Chantilly, Va.): transfer from Syracuse University; caught 24 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown in 2009; named All-Big East as a freshman.
8. Lance Hawkins (R-Fr., DL, 6’2”, 315, Virginia Beach, Va.): All-state selection who redshirted as a walk-on for the Pirates.

High School Signees
9. Courtney Hunter (LB, 6’3”, 215, Middleton HS, Tampa, Fla.): Hillsborough County All-Star.
10. Andre Griffin (WR, 5’11”, 175, Phoebus HS, Hampton, Va.): played on three state championship teams, including the last two.
11. Leron Thomas (QB, 6’2”, 185, Belle Glades Central HS, Belle Glades, Fla.): All-State, All-County and All-Conference, 26-1 as a starter, threw for 70 career TDs and 6,791 yards.
12. John Dougherty (DE, 6’2”, 230, Milford Academy, Harrisburg, Pa.): All-State and All-Conference.
13. Greg Reese (TE, 6’6”, 220, Woodview Wilson HS, Camden, N.J.): All-Conference.
14. Delbert Tyler (LB, 5’11”, 225, Gateway HS, Pittsburgh, Pa.): All-Conference.
15. Norman Booker (OL, 6’2”, 265, Berkmar HS, Atlanta, Ga.): Preseason All-State selection.
16. John Rose (ATH, 5’10”, 190, Holy Cross HS, Jamaica, N.Y.): All-League CHSFL.
17. Rodrigo Hernandez (K, 6’1”, 155, Miami Springs HS, Miami Springs, Fla.): Second Team All-County.
18. Lorenzo Shinhoster (WR, 5’7”, 170, Miami Northwestern HS, Miami, Fla.): state champion as a sophomore, caught 33 passes for 655 yards and eight scores in 2009.
19. Robert Copeland (DL, 6’3”, 220, Bethel HS, Hampton, Va.): Second Team All-District, Second Team All-State.
20. Donte Dotson (ATH, 5’9”, 170, Deerfield HS, Deerfield, Fla.): named All-State, also set the 4x100-meter relay national track record.

Ex-Crabbers receiver returns to play for HU

Reginald "P.J." Hicks' long football road has brought him back home. Hicks, a former wide receiver for Hampton High, will play next season for Hampton University, completing a two-year odyssey that took him to Kansas and California. After concentrating on basketball for most of his high school career, Hicks played one season for Crabbers football coach Mike Smith, catching 23 passes for 458 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2006. The Crabbers went 9-1 in that regular season but lost their playoff opener.

"(Football) was just always something my mama always wanted me to do," Hicks said, and it ended up being his path to college — albeit a winding one. Hicks, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, first went to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, but couldn't find a spot on a roster crowded at his position. So he ended up at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif., where he played for one semester.

Hicks is one of four additions to the Pirates' 10-member 2009 signing class announced Feb. 4. The others are T.J. Patterson, a 5-11, 180-pound athlete from Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont, Texas; Jordan Stovall, a 6-2, 185-pound kicker/punter from River View High School in Elgin, S.C.; and Ken Overstreet, a defensive back from West Los Angeles College.

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