STANDING OUT: Former WSSU star catches scouts' eyes

Safety Nate Biggs has kept a low profile since exhausting his eligibility at Winston-Salem State last fall. But after his performance at an NFL pro day at East Carolina earlier this month, scouts are starting to take notice.

Biggs (6-1, 190) was a four-year starter for the Rams and had eight career interceptions, including three last season to tie for the team lead. He also had 230 career tackles, including 72 last season to finish second on the team.

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FAMU begins spring with high-tempo practice

Each player on FAMU's practice field earned every minute of the short water breaks they were granted Monday afternoon. An extra gulp wouldn't have been too much for a group of linebackers stationed at the sled.

One by one, they took a rapid-fire approach as they slammed into the padded metal sled, jerking it back with every contact. Linebackers coach Earl Holmes wouldn't let a man let up. "Grab and control," Holmes bellowed after every strike. "Run through it. Bring your hips with it."

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Excellent article and comments by Coach Joe Taylor and A.D. Bill Hayes.

SCSU Bulldogs Pro Day: Three Men and a Dream

Photo: Former SCSU QB Cleve McCoy prepares for NFL Pro Day tryouts, today at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at 10 a.m.

Eight grueling weeks of learning, preparing and getting ready to make a push toward a dream that has been in his heart and mind since he was a little boy growing up in Hollywood, South Carolina. Over the span of those past 56-or-so days, Cleve McCoy signed with an agent, took a ride to Charlotte, reunited with former backfield mate and former South Carolina State star Deshawn Baker, and sat about the task of making himself into an NFL prospect.

There were plenty of runs through the 40-yard dash for the pair, plenty of "how many times can you rep out 225" going on and plenty of drills. Six days a week, every week, Baker and McCoy trained alongside the likes of former Louisville tailback Eric Shelton, a second-round draft pick out of Louisville by the Carolina Panthers in 2005and current member of the Washington Redskins. The work is behind them now.

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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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Please meet Corey Phillips

The long, slow ascent to 498 pounds started when Corey Phillips broke his ankle.

Bones cracked and ligaments tore while playing defensive tackle for Florida A&M, leaving him to haul his 6-foot, 6-inch, 320-pound frame around on crutches for nine months.

But while he wasn't working out like a football player anymore, he continued to eat like one. He got married, had four sons, and in October found himself at nearly 500 pounds.

A sturdy wood chair led him to the scale.

"I sat down in a chair and it broke," Phillips said. "That was the chair that broke the fat man's back. That was it, man."

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Great for Corey! Hope his story serves as an inspiration to others.

Night sessions on tap for WSSU football team

Photo: Winston Salem State University head football coach Kermit Blount

Rams will conduct their first spring practice tonight

Sitting in his new office among the many boxes that have yet to be unpacked, Coach Kermit Blount of Winston-Salem State was looking forward to getting back on the field. Blount’s office, as well as the offices of his assistant coaches is in the new field house adjacent to Bowman Gray Stadium.

“We’ve settled in here pretty well,” Blount said about the new digs, , which cost nearly $3 million to build. “But we have to get down to business with practice cranking up.”

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Florida A&M University announce football signings

Florida A&M first day national letter of intent signings are as follows:

1. Joseph Hall, DE/T, 6-2/265, Metuchen, NJ
2. Corey Dawe, OG/OT, 6-3/275, Orlando Dr. Phillips
3. Lavontae Page, RB, 5-11/215, Douglas Ga.
4. Oye Ojo, FS/WR, 6-4/190, Florida High, Tallahassee,FL
5. Bryant Frazier, LB, 6-2/230, Meadowbrook HS, Chesterfield, Va.
6. Martin Ukpai, QB, 6-3/180, Fort Lauderdale High, Coral Spring, FL
7. Michael Greene, DB, 6-1/183, Lovejoy HS, Hampton, Ga.
8. Kevin Noble, LB, 6-3, 218, Burlington HS, Burlington, N.C.
9. Jerrell Steward, CB, 5-9/165, Deerfield Beach, FL
10. Nicardo Blake, K, 5-10/160 Boyd Anderson HS, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
11. Derrick Warthen, CB/RB, 5-10/175, Boyd Anderson, Lauderdale Lakes FL
12. Sean Rush, SS, 6-1/203, Otay Ranch HS Chula Vista, California

Michael Greene is rated a two-star player by both both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Greene was a quarterback up until this season, when he was moved to safety. He had 60tackles this season after throwing for 925 yards and rushing for 404in 2006. He also finished second in the high jump in the Class AAAA state meet last spring with a jump of 6 feet, 6 inches.

Bryant Frazier, DL, Meadow brook: Monarchs' DE was Central District player of the year. Had 51 tackles, including 17 for losses and six sacks. Contributed two blocked kicks and 11 QB hurries.

Martin Ukpai is a dual threat quarterback that is rated 2-stars by Rival.com; Brantley and Greene are rated 2-starts, also.

Delaware State signs Maryland All-State quarterback recruit

Photo: Quarterback Nick Elko, the Capital-Gazette Newspapers' Player of the Year, committed to Delaware State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Elko attended a camp at Delaware State this past summer and caught the attention of the coaching staff. Assistant coach Ray Petty, who recruits the Anne Arundel County, Maryland area, kept tabs on Elko and formally offered a scholarship in October.

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Elko will join 19 other recruits and 9 transfers that are already enrolled at Delaware State for the 2008 class. DSU Coach Al Lavan also signed Football Bowl Championship transfer quarterback Anthony Glaud (Sicklerville, NJ), who played at Bowling Green State University of the Mid-American Conference.

Elko should not have to play right away with starting quarterback Vashon Winton returning for his senior year. However, he will need time to learn the complex DSU offense, how to read more FCS defenses and adjust to the speed of the game, especially against programs at Hampton University, Florida A&M, South Carolina State, Bethune Cookman and Norfolk State that have some of the fastest defensive players in the conference.

Hopefully, Coach Lavan can develop Elko to be a solid 1-AA level quarterback in a highly competitive league. You never know how these young kids will grow when they step up in competition. Elko has a great foundation but will have to work extremely hard to become the type of championship player expected at DSU. But more importantly, he will be surrounded by the best talent we have seen recruited at Delaware State during the Lavan era.

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Nike Elko #12--- Maryland 2007 4A Championship Game Highlights: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1185218742?bctid=1336721443

Maryland State Public School Records set by Elko and his team.

Team
Most Passing Yards, Season: 3,251 – Arundel, 2007
Most Passed Attempted, Season: 456 – Arundel, 2007
Most Passes Completed, Season: 277 – Arundel, 2007

Individual
Most Total Offensive Yards, Season: 3,933 – Nick Elko, 2007
Most Passing Yards, Season: 3,091 – Nick Elko, 2007
Most Passes Attempted, Season: 430 – Nick Elko, 2007
Most Passes Completed, Season: 260 – Nick Elko, 2007
Most TD passes, Season: 43 – Nick Elko, 2007
Most Receptions, Season: 103 – Brandon Johnson-Farrell, 2007
Receiving Yards, Season: 1,394 -- Brandon Johnson-Farrell, 2007
Most Receiving TD’s, Season: 23 -- Brandon Johnson-Farrell, 2007
Most Receptions, Career: 174 – Brandon Johnson-Farrell, 2005-2007

Transfers put NSU ahead of the recruiting curve

Photo: Norfolk State University Quarterback Dennis Brown is from Miami, Florida.

NORFOLK, VA - Dennis Brown stepped out of the car after driving 10 hours from Storrs, Conn. He had never set foot on Norfolk State’s campus but wasn’t in the mood for a tour. He wanted to watch film, maybe lift some weights. He asked football coach Pete Adrian for keys to the weight room. “Dennis, let’s get you settled in a room first,” Adrian recommended.

Don’t blame Brown if he’s a little overeager. The former Connecticut quarterback said it feels as if he has waited forever for an opportunity to show off his arm strength and athletic ability. “I was out running the stadium stairs at 7 the next morning,” said Brown, 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds.

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Recruiting: Diversity on Their Fields - HBCUs

Photo: Native Washingtonian and Florida A&M University Head Football Coach Joe Taylor.

Some Historically Black Colleges Are Recruiting More White Players for Football.

It's definitely a trend," said Florida A&M University Coach Joe Taylor, who spent 16 years as head coach at fellow MEAC member Hampton University before joining the Rattlers in 2007. "If you look at the sidelines and the coaching staffs, you see a trend where diversity is very prevalent."

Players and coaches said there are several reasons for the increase in white players at some HBCUs: more comprehensive recruiting efforts because of an increasing pressure to win; the rising level of play in historically black college football; and a generally more diverse society. "Athletics does more for our society in terms of transcending social ills than anything else," Taylor said. "It is about having bigger minds, broader minds, more open minds. If you love the sport, if you have a passion for it, really color tends not to be an issue."

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Football scheduling mix-up costs Alabama State Hornets

Photo: Alabama State University Hornets Interim Athletic Director Ron Dickerson.

Alabama State interim athletic director Ron Dickerson likes to map his days out weeks in advance and hates surprises. Unfortunately, his school's 2008 football schedule -- which Dickerson finalized months ago -- is in shambles now with the discovery of two games both scheduled for Sept. 6, 2008. It will now cost the university several thousand dollars to resolve the problem.

Part of the problem stems from the Southwestern Athletic Conference's decision in spring of 2006 to go from a nine-game mandate within conference -- meaning every SWAC team was forced to play each other -- to a seven-game mandate.

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It is great to see that FAMU is moving away from the classic games. The Rattlers are already committed to two of the largest--the Florida Classic with Bethune Cookman and the Atlanta Football Classic with Tennessee State. We would prefer to see FAMU play the Florida FBC teams like Miami, Central Florida, South Florida and Florida that can pay the $350,000-$400,000 market rate guarantee for an FCS game.

South Carolina State is playing at Central Florida and Clemson this season. Norfolk State is playing at Kentucky and Delaware State is playing for the second consecutive season at Kent State. It's all about the money for MEAC programs and a few are moving in the right direction in scheduling games with the FBC teams for the big payouts and the higher grade competition.

NFL Pro Bowl Bound - Antoine Bethea, Colts safety/former Howard Bison

Photo: Former Howard University safety Antoine Bethea(41) intercepting a pass intended for Ravens Heap at the Colts’ 1-yard line.

Colts Safety Antoine Bethea to Make First Pro Bowl Appearance
INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts' defense emerged as one of the NFL’s best units this past season, and a big reason was the development of a young secondary. On Friday, yet another member of that secondary earned one of the league’s most-prestigious honors.
Antoine Bethea, a second-year safety who started 13 games for the Colts this past season, has been named as an injury replacement to the 2008 AFC Pro Bowl roster, the league and the Colts announced Friday morning.

It will be Bethea’s first Pro Bowl appearance.

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Amazing story! An undersized walk-on at Howard University will be in the NFL Pro Bowl just 6 short years later. Let us not forget that Bethea won a Super Bowl with the Colts last season.
Bethea is also the 11th NFL draft pick in Bison football program history. He was selected in the 2006 NFL Draft in the 6 round, 207 overall choice by the Indianapolis Colts.

DSU Coach Al Lavan leads Northeast All-stars to Heritage Bowl Win

Photo: Delaware State University head football coach Al Lavan has won both the Black College National Championship and the American Heritage Bowl in the same season.

Fullerton, CA – Delaware State head football coach Al Lavan guided the Northeast All Star squad to a 24-7 win over the Southwest in the American Heritage Bowl last night. The Southwest squad was coached by Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy.

Chris Wallace (UAPB) threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Arkansas-Pine Bluff teammate Jason Jones for one score. Jones also had a 24-yard reception and was honored as the offensive player of the game, which featured seniors from historically black colleges and raised funds for severely injured military personnel.

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South Carolina State to host 15 football recruits today

Photo: Head Bulldog Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough is ready to reload the program with talent to win the elusive MEAC title.

A larger, more heralded group of high school seniors are making a football recruiting trip to South Carolina State University this weekend.

A total of 15 prospective recruits will tour the campus and meet with the Bulldog coaching staff who find themselves -- in a couple of cases -- competing against Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the Carolinas. One of those recruits, running back Martin Ward (5-10, 190 lbs.) out of Mount Zion High School, had the University of South Carolina atop his list of college choices after decommitting from the University of Georgia.

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Two Defenders and Star RB make Verbal Commitments to NSU

Photo: Norfolk State Head Football Coach Pete Adrian is making his mark in Tidewater region with topnotch recruits for 2008.

NORFOLK - A pair of defensive players from Indian River High School made verbal commitments to Norfolk State on Wednesday. First-team All-Tidewater defensive end Terrence Pugh and outside linebacker Frank Clemmons said they will play for the Spartans this fall.

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NSU has struck gold in the commitment of Central Virginia's all-time rushing leader, Takeem Hedgeman, Monticello High School (Virginia) star running back. He is a 5-10, 195-pounder with speed, durability and great vision. (See Takeem profile below and view his highlights video.

WARNING: This posted video has offensive Rap music lyrics and you should TURN OFF your computer speakers if you do not want to hear the negativeness and profanity in the audio. The audio/video highlights were prepared and distributed by the player and his advisers and is not the product of MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street, Norfolk State University, the MEAC and The Virginian-Pilot. This audio is highly offensive to some listeners and to children. So, just turn off the music/audio!!

The player's video highlights are awesome.

Video Hightlights-- Running back Takeem Hedgeman, 8 minutes 30 sec.


Norfolk State pipeline is doing a great job in getting information out to the press on their football commitments. If you have noticed, only a few schools have allowed their commitments to speak with the press, alerting us who is on the radar for the respective programs. However, some in the MEAC are silent on this issue until National Signing Day, February 6.

So far, here are the commitments and transfers the have been documented for NSU Spartans:

1. Michael Alphonse LB 6-0 233 Miami, FL (Rivals 1 star)- Transfer from Akron
2. Dennis Brown QB 6-3 196 Miami, FL (Rivals 2 stars)- Transfer from UConn
3. Devon Lesesne OL 6-2 313 5.2 - Washington, D.C.
4. Marquis Cuffee DB 5-10 170 4.55 Virginia Beach, VA
5. Eric Hitch FB/LB 6-2 235 4.75 Virginia Beach, VA
6. Marcus Cooperwood 5-foot-10 175 4.6 Hampton, VA
7. Joey Christine, 6-2/300 OL/DL, Stephen City, VA
8. Blake Matthews, 6-4/295 OT, Manassas, VA
9. Terrence Pugh, 6-4/205 OLB, Chesapeake, VA
10.Frank Clemmons, 6-3/210 LB, Chesapeake, VA
11. Takeem Hedgeman, 5-10/195, Charlottesville, Virginia

Takeem Hedgeman, a.k.a. "The Dream," a.k.a. "Sonic," finished the 2007 season with 400 carries for 2,992 yards and a state-record 51 touchdowns. He holds two VHSL state football records -- 51 touchdowns in a season; and 310 points scored. Hedgeman is said to be a patient, smooth, durable running back and is Central Virginia's all-time rushing leader. He has Division I football talent and the speed to run away from tacklers as showed on the highlight video.

Norfolk State was selected over offers from Hampton University and Rhode Island.

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Hampton University Langford brings excitement to Senior Bowl practice

Photo: Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford, 6-6/294 defensive end.

Senior Bowl Update, Mobile, AL:

The practice had a little extra excitement when a fight broke out between defensive lineman Kendall Langford, Hampton University, and 332-pound offensive lineman Heath Benedict of Newberry College. Action on the field stopped and their teammates watched, with no one stepping in to break it up. It didn't last long and both were wise enough not to take off their helmets.

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Photo: Heath Benedict, Newberry College/Tennessee, 6-6/335 OL.

This would be a rumble of major proportion--we'll take Langford in two rounds to drop the 335 pound tackle.

A Howard Bison's fast track to the Super Bowl

Photo: Former Howard University Bison Geoff Pope will play in the Super Bowl for the NY Giants as a rookie cornerback, 6-0/186, from Detroit, MI.

How was it that, he, Geoff Pope, cornerback from Howard University, undrafted by every NFL team, cast away by the worst club in the league, told years ago by the football coach at Eastern Michigan that he wasn't even good enough to play there, wound up on the New York Giants? On the field? Going to the Super Bowl?

"It's certainly a rush," Pope said that evening as he sat in a Starbucks near downtown Bethesda, Maryland. He wore a gray pinstripe suit, purple tie and a Giants playoff cap. Across the table sat his business manager, Omar Sillah. And they had put together an ambitious agenda for this first Tuesday of his Super Bowl life with the stock exchange visit in the morning, then some television interviews in New York, a flight to Washington and more television appearances before resting here while a car service waited on the street outside.

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Pope has his head screwed on correctly--"Yesterday, he planned to stop by Howard University and meet with school officials to figure out how he could finish the 20 credits he needs to complete his degree in advertising."

Great motivational story and outstanding advertising for Howard University and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. We only wish that more of us would take the initiatives of Pope when someone tells us--"You will never be good enough to play or perform at this level."--just prove them 100% wrong!

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I-A Transfers gives Delaware State Hornets depth at quarterback and wide receiver

Photo: RS-Freshman quarterback transfer (Bowling Green State University) Anthony Glaud, 6-3/212, Winslow Township H.S., Sicklerville, New Jersey.

Glaud leaves Bowling Green to join MEAC champs

DOVER -- In November, there was little doubt about who was the starting quarterback at Delaware State. It was three-year starter Vashon Winton, a Chicago native who would lead the program to its first-ever NCAA Division I-AA playoff game against the University of Delaware.

Whether Winton is the starter in 2008 has suddenly become a question with the team's addition last week of Bowling Green transfer Anthony Glaud. Glaud has enrolled at DSU and will be able to play next season. Coming with Glaud is his teammate at Bowling Green, sophomore wide receiver Zach Charles, who also transferred to DSU. Charles can also play immediately.

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Photo: Sophomore transfer wide receiver (Bowling Green State University) Zach Charles, 5-10½/179, Winter Haven H.S., Winter Haven, Florida.

DSU Coach Al Lavan is not making it easy for the traditional MEAC powers, which is great for the growing positive reputation of the conference. We are not surprised by these latest developments, especially with the Hornets expectations of playing two Division I-A opponents in Kent State and Akron or Pittsburgh. This is the way to go if you are going to raise capital and improve your strength of schedule for an at-large bid to FCS playoffs. There is not much difference in the lower level of the MAC and the top level of the MEAC. Smart move by DSU to schedule a Division 1-A program that they can possible beat and be competitive.

The wire is reporting DSU has the following players in the commitment pipeline.

1. Anthony Glaud - RS-Freshman QB transfer, Bowling Green
2. Zach Charles - Sophomore WR transfer, Bowling Green
3. Jamil Heath - DE, Dover, DE
4. Carl Hinton - LB/DE, Georgetown, DE
5. Keith Hunt DE 6-1 225 - 5.1 Paterson, NJ (Rivals 2 stars)

For Delaware State, playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge may be a great experience for a program that highest attended games are at the opponents facility. Jackson State would have much difficulty in beating a Delaware State in this game. Go for it!

The skinny on Glaud ( pronounced: GLAWD)

In 2007, he was 23-of-36 for 266 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Glaud passed for 10-of-15 for 126 yards and a score versus Boston College and was 3-of-5 for 67 yards and a touchdown versus Miami. He redshirted in 2006.

Glaud is a 2006 graduate of Winslow Township High School in New Jersey ... a three-year letterwinner for the Eagles ... named Elite Recruits' #2 Quarterback in New Jersey ... elected to play in the New York/New Jersey Governor's Bowl ... compiled 2,349 passing yards with 23 touchdown passes as a senior ... also rushed for 386 yards and three touchdowns in 2005 ... coached by Felton Jones.

The skinny on Zacharri "Zach" Charles

Zach Charles grew up and attended school in same county in Florida as Coach Al Lavan.

2007: Played in all 13 games ... had seven catches for 52 yards at Minnesota and three receptions for 50 yards at Boston College ... had a career-long 49-yard reception at BC as well.

2006: Played in and started the first five games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending injury ... totaled 14 catches for 50 yards on the season ... recorded at least two receptions in all five games ... snagged four balls in back-to-back games against Buffalo and at Florida International ... also returned a punt for nine yards against Buffalo.

High School: A 2006 graduate of Winter Haven High School in Florida ... a three year letterwinner for the Blue Devils ... named All-State, All-District and All-County in 2005 ... selected to participate in the Florida-Cali All-Star game ... led the Blue Devils to the regional finals and a 9-4 record as a senior ... caught 26 passes for 550 yards in 2005 ... gained 450 yards on 20 catches in 2004 ... was a captain in 2005 ... coached by Charlie Tate ... also earned letters in track ... named track captain as a junior and senior ... was a regional track participant in the 100 meter and 4x100 meter relay in 2004.

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Norfolk State football racks up player commitments

Sherando’s Christine commits to Spartans

Norfolk State received verbal commitments from two linemen on Tuesday.

Joey Christine, a 300-pound guard from Group AA Division 4 runner-up Sherando High School in Stephens City, and Blake Matthews, a 295-pound tackle from Osbourn High in Manassas, said they will sign with the Spartans on National Signing Day in early February. Christine was all-state as an offensive guard and was selected first-team all-region on both the offensive and defensive lines. Matthews was a three-year starter at Osbourn and was a key player on the team that won the Group AAA Division 6state championship in 2006.

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It is much too early to give the top MEAC recruiting class trophy to the Spartans, but based on the verbal commitments from these players, it does appears that they will be near the top of the MEAC heap. Let's just watch and see how many players stay true to their word and sign the national letter of intent on February 6.

Here are the names of the eight players that have committed and are expect to sign with Norfolk State University:

1. Michael Alphonse LB 6-0 233 Miami, FL (Rivals 1 star)- Transfer from Akron
2. Dennis Brown QB 6-3 196 Miami, FL (Rivals 2 stars)- Transfer from UConn
3. Devon Lesesne OL 6-2 313 5.2 - Washington, D.C.
4. Marquis Cuffee DB 5-10 170 4.55 Virginia Beach, VA
5. Eric Hitch FB/LB 6-2 235 4.75 Virginia Beach, VA
6. Marcus Cooperwood 5-foot-10 175 4.6 Hampton, VA
7. Joey Christine, 6-2/300 OL/DL, Stephen City, VA
8. Blake Matthews, 6-4/295 OT, Manassas, VA

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FAMU Ernest Williams to play in American Heritage Bowl

Compiled by beepbeep

Who is this player--Florida A&M University #25 Ernest Williams?

For starters, Williams is a 5-11/205 red shirt senior defensive back from Tallahassee (FL) Lincoln High School, who has been selected for the American Heritage Bowl All-Star game. This game is for potential NFL draftees and preferred invitees to showcase their talents for NFL scouts.

The American Heritage Bowl is the first football game ever to assemble the HBCU's top senior players in an all-star event. Rick Comegy of Jackson State University will serve as head coach of the Southwest Marines team pitted against the Northeast Navy all-stars coached by Delaware State's Al Lavan. Former Los Angeles Rams great Leroy Irvin will act as honorary coach.

Williams played strong safety for the Rattlers last season and finished with 58 tackles (30 solos, 28 assists), three and one-half tackles for a loss of seven yards, one forced fumble, two fumble returns, and one interception return for 19 yards.

During the Rattlers 2006 season, he recorded a season high 11 tackles against Morgan State and had 10 tackles against Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman. Williams finished his career at FAMU with 171 career tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss of 39 yards, seven pass breakups, one forced fumbles and three fumble returns.

Williams is the lone Florida A&M University invitee that will play in this year's American Heritage Bowl. The game is to be played at Cal State Fullerton Titan Field on January 26 at 6:15 p.m. Pacific Time in Fullerton, Califorinia. The game itself will not air live, but will be taped to air on the ESPNU networks on February 8, 1 p.m. PST.

Playing in the game is a tremendous honor for Ernest Williams and FAMU. Williams get to play one more time and prove what he can do out there on the field against other equally talented players. He is our only hope this year to prove that FAMU has athletes that are worthy of playing in the NFL or any other league beyond college.

Williams selection reaffirms the fact that if you have football talent, the NFL will find you at Florida A&M University or at any HBCU. The game and its practices give professional scouts another chance to take a look at prospective talent. Players were selected by a committee that looked at the player's stats and made the selections.

Williams is assigned to the Southwest Roster with players from the SWAC and SIAC schools located in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. He will be playing under Coach Comegy and the Jackson State University football staff.

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