Hampton's defensive tackle in demand

Massive Hampton defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis worked out for the New England Patriots today (March 25, 2011), according to his agent, Howard Shatsky.

Ellis is also is drawing serious interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation. The 6-foot-5, 346-pounder has drawn second-round grades from several draft analysts.

Per a source, Ellis interviewed well at the NFL scouting combine and was accountable for past transgressions that got him dismissed from South Carolina (reportedly failed drug tests) before transferring to Hampton and being suspended for one game.

"We like the kid," an NFL source said. "We were impressed with him." Ellis addressed the off-field problems at the NFL scouting combine during an interview with a crowd of media.


Videographer:ckparrothead; DT Kenrick Ellis at the 2011 NFLPA All Star Game

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Hampton U's Rose gets multi-year extension

Hampton University Pirates Coach Donovan Rose

Hampton University has announced a multi-year contract extension for football coach Donovan Rose, who is 11-11 in two years as the Pirates' head coach and coming off a 6-5 season. The university wouldn't release terms or length of the contract.

Rose, an 18-year assistant with the Pirates and a 1979 graduate of HU, replaced Jerry Holmes before the 2009 season. Holmes, another former Pirates assistant, went 6-5 in one season after replacing longtime coach Joe Taylor, now the head coach at Florida A&M who was 136-49-1 in 16 seasons at Hampton, winning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships from 2004-2006, before leaving in 2007.

"Coach Rose has worked relentlessly to return our football program to its glory years, and ...

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Dallas Cowboys' Marcus Dixon 'to make an impact'

IRVING, Texas -- Marcus Dixon (Hampton University) knows all about wanting -- and waiting -- to prove himself. After spending parts of his first two seasons on the practice squad, the Dallas Cowboys defensive end has high hopes to make it on the 53-man roster. "He's really reshaped his career as a football player," coach Wade Phillips said. "The first day he came in, two years ago, he couldn't run one lap without collapsing. Now he's on special teams runs and he's up to 294 now, and he was 270 when he came in."

Dixon will have steady competition for an end spot that is occupied by starters Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky. The backups are Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen. Spears, Hatcher and Bowen are currently in the final year of their contracts. It's something Dixon has noticed. "My mindset is it's got to be my year," Dixon said. "This is a league of 'What have you done for me lately?' I know the coaches and the owner like me and they kept me, but it's still a league of 'What have you done for me lately?' I've been here. I got to show them something. I got to get this done and stay healthy, and I got to showcase my talents because I want to be here."

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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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New HU assistant has 'unbelievable heart'

One thing is certain about Hampton University's new recruiting coordinator: He knows how to keep a clear head. On Dec. 6, Stephen Field, then in his second season as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami, was driving near a busy interchange with I-95 when he saw a car smashed into a tree. He broke the car's windshield with a hammer and pulled the driver, a man whose identity was not released, free of the smoking car. So the coach now charged with convincing recruits to come to Hampton can tell them he's a bona fide hero, right?

"There were, like, 1,000 articles, and that's what they said," said Field, who didn't want to say much else about the rescue. Clint Hurtt, the Hurricanes' defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, wasn't as reticent."It didn't surprise me. That's the kind of heart he has," Hurtt said. "When Coach Field first got the GA job down here in Miami, he didn't have a place to stay, so I let him come stay with me. He's a great person, a great guy with an unbelievable heart. ... He's the kind of person, if you call him at 2 o'clock in the morning and you have an issue, he's going to roll right out of bed to do whatever he can to help you out."

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Hampton signees

STEVEN ROBINSON RB 6-2 220 Georgia Military/Milledgeville, Ga. Second-team All-American had more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in two years at Georgia Military.

DARYELL WALKER DE 6-5 225 Bethel High School/Hampton. Second-team all-district pick had 50 tackles and two sacks as a senior.

LANCE HAWKINS DT 6-2 310 Atlantic Shores High School/Virginia Beach. First-team all-state as a senior and as a junior.

ANTONIO McCLOUDE RB 5-7 175 Glades Central High School/Belle Glade, Fla. All-state pick and team MVP as a senior; played in the Outback Steakhouse all-star game.

RAY RIJOS OG 6-2 330 Bayside High School/Virginia Beach. Second-team All-Tidewater pick as a senior; two-time All-Beach District selection.

DENZEL BONNER C 6-2 305 Godby High School/Tallahassee, Fla. Second-team all-area and all-state pick; played in the Florida-Georgia Border War all-star game.

VINCENT HARPER FB 6-0 260 Glades Central High School/Belle Glade, Fla. All-area pick voted "Toughest Player in the Area"; had 50 pancake blocks as a senior.

GABRIEL SMITH FB 5-11 250 Friendship Collegiate High School/Washington, D.C. All-conference pick and an all-independent-school selection by The Washington Post.

JORDAN DAVIS QB 6-0 180 William Penn/York, Pa. County player of the year and all-state honorable-mention selection.

JAMIE SLAUGHTER DT 6-3 280 Hazelwood East High School/St. Louis. First-team all-state selection in Missouri.

Hampton U. gears up for new transition

The Pirates move forward with Donovan Rose after the unexpected dismissal of Jerry Holmes.

Donovan Rose has known Jerry Holmes since 1986, when the two played against each other in the NFL. So when Rose learned that Holmes had been dismissed as Hampton University's football coach, and that he would be replacing him, he reached for the phone. "I wanted to call Jerry," said Rose, a defensive back with the Miami Dolphins when Holmes was a cornerback with the New York Jets. "It was in my heart. ... I said, 'You gonna be all right?' He said, 'Yeah. I'm good, I'm good.' Jerry, he's a realistic guy. He's fine. "I'm glad that I spoke to him. That took a load off, just being able to speak to him."

Rose, Hampton's secondary coach for 17 seasons before taking Holmes' defensive coordinator spot when Holmes became the Pirates' head coach last year, was introduced officially as Holmes' replacement Wednesday. Holmes, who went 6-5 in his one season, was fired Monday, after athletic director Lonza Hardy said his planned job interviews with NFL teams were hurting the program.

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A transfer of power: HU speeds past NSU

HAMPTON, VA - It was just one of three big scoring plays Hampton University used to defeat Norfolk State 35-17 on Saturday, but for Damon McDaniel, it was the sweetest. Early in the second quarter, with the Pirates up just 7-0 and facing third-and-27 from their 30-yard line, HU quarterback Herb Bynes launched a deep ball in McDaniel's direction. Norfolk State defensive back Don Carey was in front of McDaniel and in prime position to knock the ball down, but instead he went for the interception.

But a gust of wind blew the ball through Carey's hands and into the waiting arms of McDaniel, who turned to see a completely clear path to the end zone and a two-touchdown lead that gave the Pirates the momentum for good. The TD also provided some redemption for McDaniel, who transferred to Hampton from Florida State but had to sit out the Pirates' first four games because of NCAA penalties related to last year's academic scandal at FSU.

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Attendance: 12,034 (70.8%) at Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA (Capacity: 17,000).
Season Record: Hampton Pirates, 5-1, 4-0 MEAC); Norfolk State Spartans, 2-5, 1-3.

Hampton University suspends three football players

Quarterback T.J. Mitchell is among three Hampton University football players suspended from the team.

HAMPTON, VA - – Hampton University announced the suspensions on Monday of three football players, including starting quarterback T.J. Mitchell. A release issued by the school did not specify a reason, but sources said they were suspended for their involvement last week in a fight on campus.

The others suspended are punter Jahmal Blanchard and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy said that the players' futures will be determined following an internal hearing at the university.

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Gallery: ALL MEAC DE Kendall Langford, Hampton University Pirates

Photo Gallery: Kendall Langford, All-American/All-MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (preseason), #98, 6-6/294 DE, Sr. Petersburg, VA, Petersburg H.S.

What are they saying about this big guy....

• Hampton's top tackler, 39 in six games.
• Plays with passion of a "big cat" that will not be denied at 6-6/294 and runs with speed and power.
• Made 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks against rival Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay game last week.
• Enough speed to run down running backs from behind.
• Consistent performer and leader of Hampton's defense; can beat double and triple team and impossible to stop one-on-one without illegal holding.
• NFL Pro scouts have discovered him and projects a possible 3rd or 4th round draft position.
• Solid student, outstanding player, excellent All-MEAC performer that is taking care of business in the classroom and on the football field.
  
  Definitely a division I level talent that selected Hampton University for academics first, and football. Kendall Langford may surprise all of us and get drafted higher by a smart NFL general manager. He is traveling the same path as last year's 3-Time All-MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jacksonville Jaguars ILB, Justin Durant (Hampton University), who was drafted #48, NFL second round pick.
  
  --beepbeep

Final: Hampton University 31, Howard University 24

WASHINGTON--T.J. Mitchell passed for 310 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference three-time defending champion Hampton to a 31-24 victory over Howard in their season opener Saturday.

Mitchell completed 19 of 36 passes with no interceptions. Kevin Teel had four receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Jeremy Gilchrist added 93 yards and a touchdown on eight catches for Hampton (1-0, 1-0).

Brian Johnson completed 21 of 37 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns for Howard (0-1, 0-1). He also ran for 79 yards on 14 carries. Jarahn Williams, who missed last season because of injury, had nine receptions for 101 yards in Howard coach Carey Bailey's debut.

With the score tied at 10, Hampton scored twice in a span of 3:22 early in the fourth quarter to take control.

Mitchell completed a screen pass to Van Morgan, who scampered 33 yards for a touchdown and a 17-10 lead with 11:36 remaining.

On the Pirates' next possession, Mitchell connected with Teel, who broke two tackles near midfield on a 78-yard touchdown reception for a 24-10 lead.

Karlos Whittaker, who rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries, scored on a 10-yard touchdown run that pulled Howard to 24-17 with 6:24 left.

Gilchrist's 21-yard touchdown reception from Mitchell gave the Pirates a 31-17 lead with 3:29 left.

Hampton 31, Howard 24
Team Stat Comparison

1st Downs 19 21
Total Yards 405 405
Passing 310 244
Rushing 95 161
Penalties 10-59 7-45
3rd Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
4th Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
Turnovers 1 0
Possession 26:27 33:33

Individual Leaders
Hampton Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
T. Mitchell 19/36 310 3 0
Howard Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
B. Johnson 21/37 244 2 0

Hampton Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
K. Beverly 11 39 1 --
Howard Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
B. Johnson 14 79 0 --

Hampton Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
J. Gilchrist 8 93 1 --
Howard Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
J. Williams 9 101 1 --


Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER Score
TD 09:09 Kevin Beverly 7 Yd Run (Carlo Turavani Kick) 7-0
FG 01:18 John Mendoza 23 Yd 7-3
SECOND QUARTER Score
FG 05:13 Carlo Turavani 20 Yd 10-3
THIRD QUARTER Score
TD 00:09 Jarahn Williams 1 Yd Pass From Brian Johnson (John Mendoza Kick) 10-10
FOURTH QUARTER Score
TD 11:36 Van Morgan 38 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 17-10
TD 08:14 Kevin Teel 78 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 24-10
TD 06:24 Karlos Whittaker 10 Yd Run (John Mendoza Kick) 24-17
TD 03:29 Jeremy Gilchrist 19 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 31-17
TD 01:45 Arlandus Hood 16 Yd Pass From Brian Johnson (John Mendoza Kick) 31-24