NCAA Division II Football Championship Selections Announced

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The NCAA Division II Football Committee announced Sunday the field of 24 teams for the 2011 NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Eight first-round games will be conducted on the campus of one of the competing institutions. In addition, two teams per super regional have earned first-round byes. The first-round winners will all advance to face a bye team in their super regional in the second round on the campus of one of the competing institutions. Second-round winners will meet in the quarterfinals at various campus sites. Quarterfinal winners will advance to play in the semifinals on the campus of one of the competing institutions. Six teams selected per super regional make up the field of 24 teams.

2011 Division II Championship
Interactive Bracket
Printable Bracket
Championship Information

Dates, sites and pairings
Nov. 19 at Livingston, Ala.
North Alabama (8-2) at West Alabama (8-3)

Nov. 19 at Tigerville, S.C.
Albany State (Georgia) (8-3) at North Greenville (9-2)

Nov. 19 at St. Joseph, Mo.
Northwest Missouri State (9-2) at Missouri Western State (9-2)

Nov. 19 at Topeka, Kan.
Abilene Christian (8-2) at Washburn (9-2)

Nov. 19 at California, Pa.
Elizabeth City State (8-3) at California (Pa.) (9-2)

Nov. 19 at Kutztown, Pa.
Concord (7-3) at Kutztown (10-1)

Nov. 19 at Duluth, Minn.
Saginaw Valley State (7-3) at Minnesota-Duluth (9-2)

Nov. 19 at St. Cloud, Minn.
Wayne State (Michigan) (8-3) at St. Cloud State (9-2)

Super Regional/School

Super Regional One
Winston-Salem State (11-0)
New Haven (10-1)

Super Regional Two
Delta State (9-2)
Mars Hill (8-2)

Super Regional Three
Colorado State-Pueblo (11-0)
Nebraska-Kearney (10-1)

Super Regional Four
Midwestern State (10-0)
Pittsburg State (9-1)

Institutions earning first-round byes in each super regional will host a second-round game on Nov. 26, 2011.

All contests shall start at noon local time. Other times may be established if approved by the committee.

Minnesota-Duluth defeated Delta State in the 2010 national championship game to claim last year’s NCAA title.

The championship game will be played Dec.17, at 11 a.m. ET at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala., and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com.

Courtesy NCAA.com

Ax falls on another Aggie coach

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In the end, it was about confidence. No matter how hard N.C. A&T coach Lee Fobbs tried to restore the confidence of those around him -- his football players, his assistant coaches, the athletics department and fans -- the damage done by under performing players and all those losses was simply too much to repair.

















Finally, N.C. A&T athletic director Wheeler Brown makes the right decision to send Lee Fobbs packing with his 2-28 career record and with $200,000 remaining on his contract to be paid.

That, more than anything else, was the reason A&T athletics director Wheeler Brown offered for firing Fobbs on Monday after just 21/2 seasons as the Aggies' head coach. Fobbs' dismissal took effect immediately. Minutes after informing Fobbs he was being let go, Brown met with assistant coach George Ragsdale and named the former Aggies running back interim head coach for the remaining four games.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Fobbs latest victim of A&T football coaching carousel
NC A&T fires football coach
Sources: A&T will fire Fobbs
NC A&T makes coaching change

Southern ready for cat fight in Houston

Storm or no storm, the Southern Jaguars are ready to take the field against the Houston Cougars this weekend.

VIEW VIDEO: CLICK BLOG TITLE.

NCCU Eagles eager to fly

N.C. Central begins second season as FCS program

DURHAM - Coach Mose Rison walked out to N.C. Central's practice field late Monday evening, thinking he would arrive ahead of players for the first preseason football practice. It was 8:40 p.m., almost an hour before practice was scheduled to begin under the new practice facility lights. Players buzzed about as if they had discovered gold buried in the end zone.

Eagles head football coach Mose Rison is preparing for a strong second season at the NCAA FCS Division I level.

"They were juiced," Rison said on Tuesday evening before the team's second practice, which was open to the media and just as euphoric. Added sophomore running back Tim Shankle: "It was a lot of smiles on people's faces."

A new season has arrived for the Eagles, and Rison and his players are ecstatic about their second year as an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) program.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SWAC coaches passed over by I-A schools

JSU head football coach Rick Comegy

Coaches at HBCUs have trouble attracting attention to their skills

In the hunt for qualified black coaches at the NCAA Division I-A level, a seemingly logical place to begin looking would be the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a Division I-AA league that is home to 10 historically black universities. But Floyd Keith, the president of the Black Coaches and Administrators, said that hasn't been the case.

"I don't think the guys in the SWAC or any other historically black conferences get a fair look," Keith said. "A lot of it is a lack of awareness. People who hire simply aren't paying attention to HBCUs. They battle that stigma that there's not good coaching at those schools."

Jackson State coach Rick Comegy needed just two years to turn the Tigers around from a doormat to champions. He was also a big winner for years at Tuskegee before coming to Jackson, but the 54-year-old has gone largely ignored by Division I-A schools.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Very timely and partially true article. The issue here is how you measure success in the eyes of mainstream America. Until the SWAC participates in the NCAA FCS playoffs, beating up on other SWAC teams will never be a total gauge for measuring coaching success.

Last season, James Green, former head basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University left the Delta Devils to become the head coach at Jacksonville State University Gamecocks of the Ohio Valley Conference. This move was made after a sub-par overall season record of 17-16, but MVSU won the SWAC tournament and got stomped by UCLA 70-29 at the big dance. Green's potential for success at Jacksonville State is equal to what he had at Division I Mississippi Valley State.

Can Green and Comegy coach? Obviously they can--but why do we need PWCU administrators to validate this fact by hiring away our best and brightest from HBCU institutions. The solution here is developing a realistic 10-15 year plan to migrate the strongest SWAC and MEAC schools to the NCAA Division I Football level.

From my view point, the SWAC and MEAC institutions are nearly equal to lower mid-majors and others like the MAC in football. With strong planning and fundraising, there are no reasons that the SWAC cannot be a 1-A or Football Bowl Championship Conference. Eddie Robinson never made excuses about the lack of--so why should SWAC coaches today, complain. The glass is not half empty--it's half full and opportunity is there for the taking with our OWN programs.

I would like to see our coaches focus on building butt kicking programs at HBCUs that win consistently in the NCAA playoffs and that can win a national championship like University of Maryland - Eastern Shore did this past season in bowling. No one gave the Hawks a chance, but an unknown black female coach, Sharon Brummell, believed that it could be done and built the top competitive bowling program in the MEAC and NCAA Division I, in spite of "lack of." No one now questions the capability of MEAC Bowling programs and the only validation needed is the 2008 National Championship trophy held by UMES.

I see the greater opportunity for black coaches advancement at HBCUs, not at directional state PWCUs with no winning history or traditions. If you open your eyes, you will see a migration of some black assistant coaches leaving the Division I ranks of PWCU to take top positions at HBCUs to gain head coaching career experience. The doors are not completely open at the NCAA Division I level for black coaches.

This is a good thing for us as some of our potentially future best coaches are now at: Alcorn State--Earnest Jones, head football coach, Larry Smith, men basketball and Tonya Edwards, head women basketball coach; Mississippi Valley State, Sean Woods, head men basketball coach; Rod Broadway, head football coach, Donnita Drain, women basketball coach and Rick Duckett, men basketball coach, Grambling State University; Henry Frazier III, head football coach and Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, head women basketball coach, Prairie View A&M University; and Monte Coleman, head football coach, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, just to name a few of the new rising stars of SWAC major sports teams.

However, the road is a two-way street with an HBCU like Savannah State University hiring a somewhat poorly-qualified head football coach in Robert "Robby" Wells, who happened to be white. The question run both ways--Are HBCUs prepared to lose critical sports leadership positions in the SWAC, MEAC and HBCU Independents, to perceived lesser qualified candidates of the white race?

Perception appears to be the greatest obstacle facing the SWAC and HBCU sports, not the talent level of our coaches seeking Division I positions at PWCU. I think Floyd Keith misses the point-- I-A are not seeking black coaching talent no more that HBCUs are seeking white coaching talent.

I just wonder if Mississippi Valley State University would have hired Coach James Green, coming from a Jacksonville State of the Ohio Valley Conference, with the same record and credentials he had at MVSU?

I am sure this article could have been written regarding any mid-major, 1-AA, Division II or Division III conference coaching plight in moving up to glorified 1-A programs. The SWAC and MEAC does not have exclusivity with this problem.

-beepbeep

Time Out: SWAC teams get most out of schedule

Once again, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, seven means seven, for sure, but not necessarily just seven. The 10-team Southwestern Athletic Conference is returning to its seven-game format this season — going away from making teams play all nine conference teams.

Seven games — with four against teams in one’s own division and three against the five teams from the opposite division — will be used to determine a team’s run at the division title. However, teams are allowed to schedule conference opponents as non-conference games.

Grambling, Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State will play a full nine games against SWAC opponents, with just seven of those counting toward conference standings. Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jackson State and Prairie View will play eight. Alabama A&M, Alabama State and Texas Southern play just the seven required.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

FAMU's Coach Taylor happy with RBs, defense

Photo: Quarterback Eddie Battle #8, comes out of the first week of spring practice holding on to the starting position. The 6-2/215 redshirt junior is from Titusville, FL/Astronaunt H.S.

After reviewing the film from Saturday's scrimmage, Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor was pleased with his team's ability to run the ball and pointed to the receiving corps as an area in need of improvement.

"The running game I was very satisfied with," Taylor said. "We just need to find the top three or four receivers and give them some more reps. I was also impressed with the special teams. We need to work on our punt team, but our kickoff return was good."

Taylor was also pleased by the play of his defense, which has so far had the better end of the stick in 11-on-11 drills.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Southern's Michael Williams: Going through it all

Photo: SU Michael Williams #7 (5-11/195 DB, Natchez, LA/Natchez H.S.) makes open field tackle on FAMU Rattlers' sensational TB Philip Sylvester #30 (5-10/185, Marianna H.S./Marianna, FL) in last season's MEAC/SWAC Challenge, won by the Jaguars 33-27.

Southern DB keeps up solid play despite adversity

Michael Williams will graduate at Southern with his concentration in early childhood education and child development on May 9.

He’s not going anywhere right away, though. Williams will return in the fall to enter graduate school for administration and supervision and he has his final year at cornerback, where he’s started the past three seasons after redshirting in 2004.

“I’ve seen it all,” Williams said. “I’ve seen the good times and bad times. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go.”

CONTINUE READING, CLICK ON BLOG TITLE.

Alabama State's NCAA case still ongoing

The longest NCAA rules investigation in history still has no definite end in sight.

Alabama State's rules infraction case, which began when the school submitted a self-report to the NCAA in July 2003, is still ongoing, with an investigator requesting an interview in the case within the last month. In the meantime, the three coaches at the heart of the investigation have new college jobs, several key figures have passed away and a mountain of paperwork in the case continues to grow by the day.

"Honestly, this case might not be wrapped up in a year or a year and a half," said Montgomery attorney Don Jackson, who has represented several witnesses in the case and reviewed numerous documents. "If (the NCAA) sent out a notice of allegations (the next step in the process) next week, you're still looking at this case not going before the NCAA Committee on Infractions for a hearing until February at the earliest."

CONTINUE READING, CLICK ON BLOG TITLE.

NCAA considers creating a Division IV

When the National Collegiate Athletic Association talks about change, I begin to worry.

This is the same NCAA that is unable to assemble a football bowl series playoff system, and also is thinking about splitting Division II football into two classifications according to the number of football scholarships schools offer.

The have and have-not divisions, if you will.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Jackson State signs Pascagoula back touted as gamer

Photo: Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy is finding the players to keep the SWAC Championship trophy permanently in Jackson.

Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy said he'd be signing up to three more recruits after the Feb. 6 signing day passed last week. However, he didn't plan on finding one of those guys at the grocery store.

"I was shopping one day and met a guy who coached over at Millsaps," Comegy said. "He said, 'Coach, have you heard of this guy Vick Ballard?' I said no. "He said, 'Man, I'm telling you coach. ...' "

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

How does a back/receiver that is rated a Rivals Two Star get overlooked by Mississippi Valley State University and Alcorn State University, programs that need a serious upgrade in talent? This 5-foot-11, 189-pounder out of Pascagoula is now a JSU Tiger. Ballard ran for 1,028 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He also caught 15 passes for 529 yards.

Sounds like a every down running back/receiver to us. Great signing class, JSU.

Prairie View A&M University signs 20 on national signing day

Photo: Prairie View A&M University head football coach Henry Frazier III.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – After the first day of signing football players to National Letters of Intent, the Prairie View A&M University list of commitments currently sits at 20. The Panthers have inked 16 student-athletes from high school, three junior college transfers and one division one transfer.

“As a staff we’re extremely pleased with our 2008 recruiting class, said Prairie View A&M head coach Henry Frazier III. “As a team we were able to address many of our needs. We were able to bring in a solid group of student-athletes that will be the foundation of Panther football in years to come.”

Highlighting the list of transfers and recruits is Russell Ball a 5-9, 170 pound transfer from Florida State University. Ball's presence in the Panthers backfield should provide an immediate impact.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

2008 PVAMU FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Deon Jones DT 6-1 285 Garland, TX North Garland

Damon Grant LB 6-1 225 San Antonio, TX Robert Cole

Anthony Wilson OL 6-2 260 Flower Mound, TX Flower Mound

Langston Patterson OL 6-2 300 Houston, TX Langham Creek

Elton Holmes LB 6-0 225 Bryan, TX Bryan

Randle Cole OL 6-2 260 Katy, TX James E. Taylor

Ryan Love DT 6-1 310 Houston, TX Langham Creek

Christopher Stanley OL 6-3 280 Jacksonville, Fla. Sandalwood

Antonio Morales OL 6-2 312 Galena Park, TX Galena Park

Spencer Nelson ATH 5-9 170 Jonesboro, Ga. Lovejoy

Marquis Hollie ATH 5-9 175 San Antonio, TX Earl Warren

Joshua Mack LB 6-3 230 Visalia, Ca. College of Seqouias

Anthony Banks OL 6-1 280 Baton Rouge, La. Glen Oaks

Dwayne Chappell DL 6-1 260 Washington, D.C. Dunbar

Charles Alston Jr. DE 6-4 280 Visalia, Ca. College of Seqouias

Russell Ball RB 5-9 170 La Marque, TX Florida State

Jermaine Bluford OL 6-3 320 Compton, Ca. Compton CC

Leighland Koonce WR 6-2 200 San Diego, Ca. St. Augustine

Duriel Harris WR 6-5 205 Channelview, TX Channelview

Thaddeus Wesley OL 6-4 310 Houston, TX Nimitz

UAPB Coach Coleman targets offensive linemen

Monte Coleman is a former Washington Redskin with three Super Bowl rings and plenty of name recognition. That combination certainly helped as he worked to secure his first recruiting class in his first season as Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s head coach.

The Golden Lions signed 22 players Wednesday on the first day of the national signing period, including six from Arkansas. Coleman said he expects to sign 30 players before the signing period ends. “ I am extremely pleased with this class, ’’ said Coleman, who served as UAPB’s defensive coordinator for two seasons before taking over head coaching duties for Mo Forte in November.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Alabama State's Barlow Announces 19 New Hornets

Photo: Head football coach Reggie Barlow, Alabama State University.

Offensive and defensive line form core of signing class

Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow announced 19 student-athletes have signed national-letters-of-intent to play football for the Hornets. "I am very excited by this class," Barlow said. "We added a lot of talent to our team, and made ourselves much deeper at some very important positions."

12 of the signees are either offensive or defensive lineman, a point Barlow emphasized.

"We really wanted to improve our team on both sides of the ball," Barlow said. "We have good players returning, but we were able to bring in a great deal of size and talent with this group."

The Hornets are only losing seven starters from last year's team, which for Barlow means he'll have two things going for him: experience and competition.

"That (competition) is always great," Barlow said. "The guys here are working very hard with Matt Turner, our new strength and conditioning coach. So I expect them to be in great shape and ready to go. And they should be, because the new players coming in here will be definitely committed to challenging for playing time right away."

The Hornets open spring football practice on March 11.

2008 Alabama State University Football Signees

Jerome Adams WR 6'0 185 St. Jude Montgomery, Al
Explosive receiver that picked up almost 2,000 yards during dynamic high school career. 43 receptions for 733 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. Back-to-back All-State selection. Led state with 9 interceptions on defense - including three for touchdowns - as a junior. Also, made All-Metro as a basketball and baseball player.

Charles Alford DL 6'1 218 Valdosta Valdosta, Ga
Speed rusher terrorized quarterbacks in one the nation's most competitive high school conferences. Accounted for 9 ½ sacks as a senior and 18 in his career. Named 1st team All-Region as a senior. Honored by coaches as most dedicated player.

Nicholas Andrews WR 5'9 170 Maplesville Maplesville, Al
Dynamic wide receiver with game changing ability. Outstanding prep career included more than 2,500 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Also had 21 interceptions - including two for TDs - on the defensive side of the ball. 4-sport star whose accomplishments include 1,000 points in basketball, North-South All-star in baseball and second place as a long jumper in the state track meet. Maintained a 3.9 grade point average. Younger brother of current ASU receiver John Andrews.

Brandon Butler DE 6'2 230 Northview Dothan, Al
Dominant pass rushing defensive end from traditional powerhouse Dothan-Northview. Selected as team captain and team defensive most valuable player. Bryant-Jordan Award nominee. Turned down scholarship offer from Louisville to attend Alabama State.

Kynjee Cotton DL 6'0 260 Daphne Daphne, Al
Powerful pass rusher that piled up six sacks and 63 tackles as a senior. Picked to the Mobile Press-Register All-Region and the Alabama North-South all-star team. Led team to two region titles and an appearance in the state championship game. Tied strength record set by former Alabama star Kenny King with 625 pound squat. Nominated as Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.

Christopher Dunning OL 6'2 315 Pine Forest Pensacola, Fl
Team captain on Florida Class 3-A state runner-ups. Anchored an offensive line that produced three of the top 10 rushers in the region. Named 2007 Pensacola News-Journal Super Senior and All-State, as well as played in the North-South Florida All-Star game.

DreQuay Everett OL 6'1 260 Peach County Fort Valley, Ga
Leader on dominant offensive line that captured back-to-back state championships, and three consecutive region titles. Team was top offensive unit in the region, averaging more than 40 points and 430 yards per game. Outstanding student as well as athlete.

Christopher Forney OL 6'3 280 Hightower Houston, Tx
Tough lineman whose quickness and strength will allow him to play inside or at tackle. Excelled against some of the nation's top talent. Equally adept at run and pass blocking.

Saterro Hardy LB 6'0 220 Eufaula Eufaula, Al
Sure tackler who was a member of the state's most electrifying defensive units. Can cover sideline-to-sideline. Has speed and savvy to play multiple positions on the college level.

David Hate, Jr. OL 6'2 290 Rutherford Panama City, Fl
Anchored offensive line with superior run blocking skills. Named All-County in 2006 and 2007. Also awarded All-District in junior and senior seasons. Earned All-Nike Camp honors at Florida State in 2007. Voted team's most valuable offensive lineman in 2007.

Bernard Key DB 6'0 195 University of Memphis Montgomery, Al
Impressive athlete that will make immediate impact in the defensive backfield. Regarded as potential "shut-down" cornerback. Returning home to Montgomery; had excellent high school at Sidney Lanier high school.

Jake King K 5'11 185 Tyler Community Tyler, Texas
Extremely accurate place kicker. Made 12-13 field goal attempts and 21-22 extra point attempts in 2007. Excellent in kickoffs, with ability to directionally place the ball.

Lionel Mapp OL 6'7 360 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Massive size allows him to simply overwhelm defenders. However, is athletic enough to handle outside speed rushers at left tackle position. Rejected several offers from FBS (formerly Division 1-A) for Alabama State.

Donovan Masline DB 5'8 160 Raines Jacksonville, Fl
Speedy, ball-hawking cover corner who totaled 10 interceptions in 2007. Showed versatility by returning four kicks for touchdowns. Named to the All-Gateway Conference and All-Northeast Florida teams. Honored as a student-athlete of the month by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's "Play it Smart" program.

Timothy Moore OL 6'3 285 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Center and leader of offensive line. Fires off ball extremely quickly and is a student of the game. Has thorough understanding of each offensive lineman's responsibilities, allowing him to coordinate and change protections.

Courtney Senior OL 6'4 320 Edgewater Orlando, Fl
Huge offensive lineman named All-Central Florida, All-Florida District and All-Academic teams. Described as a powerful blocker who creates "daylight" for runners. Played tackle in high school, but talented and mobile enough to move inside as well.

Aaron Wheeler OL 6'4 305 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Will immediately challenge for starting right tackle. Powerful and agile, especially in the run game. Outstanding athlete for his size, and can play number of positions.

Jakari Wilcoxson DE 6'4 250 East Gadsden Quincy, Fl
Explosive pass rusher who earned All-County honors in 2006 and 2007, picking up six sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior season. Equally strong again the run, Wilcoxson totaled 55 tackles in 2007. Also earned 1st team All-Big Bend in talent rich north Florida.

Vernon Williams LB 6'1 180 Gadsden Gadsden, Al
Hard-hitting linebacker that wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. Totaled an amazing 113 tackles in senior season. Strong blitzer that made 20 sacks in 2007. Also forced four fumbles.

Grambling State signs 21 football standouts

Photo: Grambling State University head football coach Rod Broadway.

by Grambling State Sports Information

Grambling State University head coach Rod Broadway announced today that a total of 21 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football for the Tigers next season.

GRAMBLING, La. – Grambling State University head coach Rod Broadway announced today that a total of 21 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football for the Tigers next season.

With a focus of recruiting in the state of Louisiana during the offseason, the coaching staff went out and signed 10 recruits from the state. Grambling State continued its presence in the state of Alabama and nabbed six standouts in addition to signing three players Georgia and one each from Texas and Virginia. Several players in the class are also highly decorated as eight of the 21 signees earned all-state honors.

Broadway said additional players will be signed through the duration of the signing period.

Sanford Banks OL 6-5 303 Columbus, Ga. (Carver)
Anchored the offensive line on a team that captured the Class AAA State Championship with a 15-0 record…named to the News3 All-Area High School Football Team…earned a one-star rating by Scout.com.

Chris Bearden OL 6-7 330 Stone Mountain, Ga. (Towers)
Participated in the DeKalb County Coaches Association All-Star Football Game…earned a one-star rating by Scout.com…one of two signees from the state of Georgia.

Nico Brown WR 6-1 173 Hodge, La. (Jonesboro-Hodge)
Named Honorable Mention All-State by the LSWA…caught 48 receptions for 479 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.

Brendan Crawford QB 6-5 205 El Paso, Texas (Chapin)
All-State performer who transferred into Chapin High School before the start of the 2007 season and made an immediate impact…passed for 2,207 yards and 20 touchdowns…also rushed for 266 yards and nine touchdowns and averaged 40.6 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards.

Maurice Crawford DL 6-2 245 Smiths, Ala. (Glenwood)
Selected to the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State First team…participated in the AISA All-Star Game…a finalist for the ASWA Mr. Football honor…also a member of Glenwood’s basketball team.

Elijah Duzart WR 6-1 195 Alexandria, La. (Peabody)
Earned back-to-back honorable mention LSWA All-State honors…a member of the school’s nationally ranked basketball team…finished the 2007 season with 38 catches for 500 yards…also scored nine touchdowns.

Michael Harris DE 6-2 240 Bastrop, La. (Bastrop)
Hails from one of the most successful football programs in the state of Louisiana…helped his team capture three consecutive Class 4A Louisiana State Championships…recorded 72 tackles and three sacks as a senior.

Justin Higgins QB 6-2 185 Rayville, La. (Rayville)
One of the top athletes in the state of Louisiana who’ll play quarterback for Grambling State…named to the 2007 Class 3A LSWA All-State Team as an athlete…named as the LSWA’s Outstanding Offensive Athlete as a junior in 2006…passed for over 6,000 yards, rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and surpassed the 60-touchdown mark in his high school career...also was a standout linebacker in high school.

Myron Hobbs WR 6-3 195 Marrero, La. (John Ehret)
Named a 2007 Class 3A LSWA All-State honorable mention…hails from one of the most dominant programs in the state of Louisiana…earned a No. 13 ranking and a six star Super Combine Freak rating by Maxemfingerrecruiting.com…recorded 732 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior campaign.

Devyn Hyrd DL 6-2 260 Pineville, La. (Pineville)
Named a 2006 Class 4A LSWA All-State honorable mention… earned special mention honors on Jim Stefani’s Class of 2007 Underclassmen Recruiting Blog…hails from a strong high school program.

Sirderrick Landreth DL 6-2 310 Huntington (Shreveport HS)
Earned a one-star rating by Scout.com…one of three players to sign with Grambling State from the city of Shreveport…helped lead his team to the LHSAA Class 5A Playoffs.

Stephan McCord DB 6-2 180 Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen)
Starter on the state’s top-ranked defense…earned honorable mention all-region honors last season in which he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a single game…a special teams standout and also plays basketball…brother of current GSU defensive back T.J. McCord.

Greg McGrue OL 6-8 260 Birmingham, Ala. (Huffman)
Massive offensive lineman who earned All-State, All-Metro and All-City honors by the Birmingham News…earned a two-star rating by Scout.com and national ranking of 88… named as one of 10 players who could emerge as a major college player and Class of 2008 Sleeper by the Birmingham News.

Donovan Moss TE 6-4 240 Irondale, Ala. (Shades Valley)
High school teammate of fellow signee Van Phillips…a key member of his school’s basketball team…projects as a blocking tight end for the Tigers…continues the long line of talented players from the state of Alabama.

Van Phillips WR 6-2 205 Irondale, Ala. (Shades Valley)
Four-sport athlete…caught 56 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns in his senior campaign…continues the long line of talented players from the state of Alabama…began his high school career as a tight end before switching to wide receiver…earned All-Metro and All-City honors by the Birmingham News…named as one of 10 players who could emerge as a major college player and Class of 2008 Sleeper by the Birmingham News.

Rodale Pippen ATH 6-0 185 South Boston, Va. (Halifax County)
Athletic player who played both quarterback and wideout…dual threat athlete who’ll play all over the field for Grambling State…recorded nearly 5,000 yards of total offense throughout his career with 2,000 yards passing in 2006.

Demetrius Porter OL 6-5 280 Marksville, La. (Marksville)
Named to the 2007 Class 3A LSWA All-State Team…participated in the 2007 Baton Rouge NIKE Rivals.com Combine…ranked as the 37th best prospect in Louisiana by Dandy Don’s Football Recruiting web site.

Quint Roberts OL 6-6 325 Anniston, Ala. (Anniston)
A member of one of the top offensive lines in the state of Alabama…continues the long line of talented players from Alabama… participated in the 2007 Atlanta NIKE Rivals.com Combine.

Darius Rose OL 6-6 250 Shreveport, La. (Captain Shreve)
One of two players from Captain Shreve to sign with Grambling State…earned All-District 1-5A Honorable Mention honors for his performance after the 2007 campaign.

Naquan Smith SS 6-1 185 Atlanta, Ga. (Mays)
Named Honorable Mention All-Area by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…tallied 54 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a senior…also nailed 7-of-8 PATs.

Julian Wyndon OL 6-3 315 Shreveport, La. (Captain Shreve)
One of two players from Captain Shreve to sign with Grambling State…earned All-District 1-5A honors for his performance after the 2007 campaign…helped lead his team to the LHSAA Class 5A Playoffs.

Alcorn State Announces 2008 Recruiting Class

Photo: Alcorn State University head football coach Ernest T. Jones.

Alcorn State, MS—With the first home game a little over six months away, Alcorn State has announced its 2008 recruiting class. The Braves have recruited three (3) linebackers, one (1) middle linebacker, five (5) offensive linemen, three (3) defensive ends, two (2) defensive backs, two (2) quarterbacks and one (1) running back. Alcorn State also has four mid-year recruits from community colleges and universities. This is the first class of recruits for Coach Jones.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY 2008 SIGNEES

NAME POS HT WT HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOL

1. D’Angelo Buckner DB 6’0 185 Clinton, MS Clinton HS.

2. Josh Cragin* LB 6’2 225 Fort Walton Beach, FL Arizona Western CC.

3. Artis Evans LB 6’2 220 Pahokee, FL Pahokee HS.

4. Cedric Everson* DB 6’0 175 Detroit, MI University of Iowa.

5. Nathan Fears OL 6’5 240 Arlington, TX Bowie, HS.

6. Shavikia Gaines MLB 6’3 230 Fayette, MS Jefferson County HS.

7. John Hughes DE 6’3 225 Tuscaloosa, AL Northridge HS.

8. Obie James DE 6’1 225 McComb, MS McComb HS.

9. Stephen Johnson OL 6’4 265 Crystal Springs, MS Crystal Springs, MS.

10. Antoine Mason DB 6’1 190 Oak Park, MI Oak Park HS.

11. Brandon Morris DE 6’2 240 Arlington, TX Sam Houston HS.

12. Michael Mosley* TE 6’1 240 Cleveland, MS MS Gulf Coast CC.

13. Kenny Roby LB 6’2 225 Macon, MS Noxubee County HS.

14. Ke’onn Rutley RB 5’10 180 Tuscaloosa, AL Northridge HS.

15. Willie Ryas OL 6’4 285 Indianola, MS Gentry HS.

16. Jerry Salas OL 6’3 265 Arlington, TX Sam Houston HS.

17. Aaron Shavers QB 6’0 185 Detroit, MI Inkster HS.

18. Michael Simmons* WR 5’10 185 Jackson, MS Northeast MS CC.

19. Percy Turner QB 6’1 185 Fayette, MS Jefferson County HS.

20. Kavon Tyson LB 6’2 200 Delray Beach, FL Atlantic HS.

21. Isaac Williams OL 6’2 280 Clinton, MS Clinton HS.

* Denotes Mid-year Signees

New contract, new QB make JSU Comegy happy

Photo: Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy.

The Jackson State football community got a double-dose of good news on Wednesday's National Signing Day. Head coach Rick Comegy pulled in a recruiting class that he rated an 8.0 on a scale of 10 - a class that includes standout quarterback Dominick Britt.

He also received a contract extension through the 2011 season, pending IHL approval. His original four-year deal was set to expire after the 2009 season. Comegy led the JSU to its first SWAC title since 1996. Athletic director Bob Braddy would not release the details of the contract. "I was really pleased and honored," Comegy said. "It brings some security and stability."

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND TO VIEW JSU UPDATED LISTING OF FOOTBALL SIGNEES.

Howard University signs 21 to NLI

Photo: Carey Bailey, head football coach Howard University Bison

Coach Carey Bailey, who completed his first season as head coach, announced 21 recruits for the upcoming season. Howard signed seven offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, three running backs, three linebackers, one quarterback, two defensive backs and two wide receivers. The players are broken down geographically as South Carolina (6), Texas (3), Florida (2), Georgia (2), New York (2) and one each from New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, DC, Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio.

"Overall, I am pleased with the class we were able to bring in," said Bailey. "We were able to get a bunch of East Coast kids as well as some local kids. We have a combination of some older players from the JC's and other transfers who will help the maturation of some of the younger players."

Bison 2008 Signees

1. Aramide Adefemiwa DL 6-6 310 Commack, NY/Nassau CC
2. Jahmaine Rodriguez RB 5-10 190 Commack, NY/Nassau CC
3. Bruce Cabell S 6-0 190 Joliet, IL/Joliet JC
4. Davin Morris OL 6-4 315 Houston, TX/Yates HS
5.Quintin Powell WR 6-3 180 Houston, TX/Yates HS
6. Willie Carter WR 6-2 180 Denmark, SC/Denmark-Olar HS
7. Jeramen Bennette DL 6-4 280 St. Matthews, SC/Calhoun County HS
8. Kashin McElveen OL 6-4 320 Salters, SC/Denmark-Olar HS
9. DeAngelo Moody LB 6-3 225 Denmark, SC/Denmark-Olar HS
10. Terrell Hawkins OL 6-4 320 Temple Hills, MD/Friendly HS
11. D'Angelo Lucas OL 6-6 360 Washington, DC/H.D. Woodson HS
12. Brandon Drayton RB 5-9 170 Miami, FL/Northwestern HS
13. Terell Killings OL 6-4 290 Miami, FL/Northwestern HS
14. Jarad Dorsey QB 6-2 180 Ellenwood, GA/MLK Jr. HS
15. Glynn Jones LB 5-10 215 Kennesaw, GA/North Cobb HS
16. Keith Pough LB 6-2 220 Orangeburg, SC/Scotts Branch HS
17. DeCarlos Knight S 6-0 190 Nashville, TN/Pearl-Cohn HS
18. Ashton Wilder DL 6-4 290 Newark, NJ/Malcolm X Shabazz HS
19. Jarrett Ford OL 6-3 280 Cincinnati, OH/Harmony Community HS
20. Charles Brice RB 6-0 180 Columbia, SC/Keenan HS
21. Quindarole King OL 6-4 310 Texas City, TX/Lamarque HS

FCS (1-AA) shows argument for football playoffs isn't all academic

Either Ohio State or Louisiana State will claim the Bowl Championship Series title tonight, a designation drenched in ambiguity no matter who wins. For years, division I-A football officials have opposed the kind of playoff format that would avoid such murkiness, using final exams as part of the reason for favoring the current bowl structure. Players shouldn't have to balance football and academics when both become most demanding, the argument goes.

And yet, division I-AA players do it every season. Kenneth Peacock, the chancellor at three-time defending I-AA champion Appalachian State, meets annually with the presidents from his league, the Southern Conference. The topic of football distracting from academics -- or vice versa -- has never been brought up. "It's never been an issue," he said.

PLEASE CONTINUE READING THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

Ex-Husker coach Wagner to lead Western Carolina

Compiled by beepbeep

Dennis Wagner was hired yesterday as Western Carolina’s 12th football coach.

Wagner is a former offensive line coach at Nebraska and a former head coach at Wayne State College of Nebraska. Prior to Wagner’s four-year stint at Nebraska, he served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach for seven years at Fresno State.

The 49 year old coach was the head coach at Wayne State College from 1989 to 1996, leading the Wildcats to a 44-37-1 record while guiding the team from NAIA to NCAA Division II classification. His 1993 team led NCAA Division II in total offense at 581.5 yards per game.

Wagner, who has seven years of head coaching experience, will be formally introduced at a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Western Carolina University.

Western Carolina committed more than three-quarters of a million dollars with the hope that Wagner can turn the Catamounts' program around, too. Wagner agreed to a contract worth at least $830,000 over the next five years.

Wagner's contract will pay him $100,000 for the first season, $180,000 for each of the second through fourth seasons and $190,000 for the fifth season. Smith said the contract includes incentives for beating an NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision team, winning a conference championship, winning playoff games and attaining certain academic progress achievements.

WCU athletic director Chip Smith said the contract's lower first-year salary was requested by Wagner's agent and is not related to the fact that WCU still owes former coach Kent Briggs $110,823 annually over the next two years.

Photo: Western Carolina new head football coach Dennis Wagner brings seven years of head coaching experience at NAIA and Division II levels.

Former Hampton coach Joe Taylor was offered the position but he elected to take the Florida A&M job instead.

Western Carolina did not win a Southern Conference game while going 3-19 overall the last two seasons under WCU graduate, Kent Briggs, who was fired on November 12, 2007.

Briggs was moved to another job at the university after the 1-10 season of 2007, and an overall six-year record of 22-43.

Bill Callahan brought Wagner to Nebraska shortly after he was hired in 2004.

Wagner last month was one of seven assistant coaches that Bo Pelini chose not to retain after replacing Callahan as the Nebraska Huskers' head coach.

The Catamounts will open the 2008 season at Florida State University.

WCU annually play reigning FCS champion Appalachian State and Georgia Southern in the Southern Conference and they played at Georgia and Alabama in 2007.

READ MORE ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA COACHING HIRE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

The Dennis Wagner Profile
Age: 49.
Birthplace: Waverly, Iowa.
Education: Utah, bachelors in psychology, 1982; St. Cloud State, masters in athletic administration, 1987.
Playing experience: Drake, 1976; Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College, 1977; Utah, 1978-79.
Coaching experience: Luther College (assistant coach/offensive line), 1980; UNLV (assistant coach/tight ends), 1981-82; William Penn (head track and field coach), 1983; UNLV (assistant strength coach), 1984; St. Cloud (Minn.) State (offensive coordinator/offensive line), 1985-88; Wayne (Neb.) State (head coach), 1989-96; Fresno State (assistant head coach/offensive line), 1997-2003; Nebraska (assistant coach/offensive line), 2004-2007.