Morehouse gains more exposure with playoff run, pro prospects

The Morehouse football program, under coach Rich Freeman, continues to build a higher Division II profile. After offensive tackle Ramon Harewood was selected in last year's NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, the Maroon Tigers made the first playoff appearance in school history.

The pros have shown interest in at least five more Maroon Tigers, who are considered late-round draft picks or possible free agents, and 11 teams have been in contact with defensive tackle Derrin "The Freight Train" Nettles, the SIAC defensive player of the year.

"I hadn't heard a whole lot lately," Freeman said. "We spoke with someone from the Saints earlier. They were real high on him. I really think that Nettles, if he doesn't get drafted, he'll get into somebody's camp. We are talking about kid who bench-presses 500 pounds."

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Ravens' Harewood a long way from home

OWINGS MILLS, MD - Ramon Harewood was ambling through a college fair in his native Barbados six years ago as a high school senior, pondering his future when he was discovered by Atlanta track and field coach Michael Grant.

The chance meeting between a towering, hulking teenager and Grant ultimately created a historic path that guided Harewood to the Baltimore Ravens as the first player from Barbados to reach the NFL.

Harewood had the brain of a rocket scientist and a body frame that approached the height and bulk of former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown. "I'm looking at him from a recruiting standpoint, going, ‘Oh my God,'" Grant said. Grant couldn't believe his eyes.

Harewood was academically gifted with a 1370 SAT score. He was 6-foot-6 and well over 300 pounds. And the young man was athletic enough to excel on junior national teams in rugby, track and field, and volleyball. He also played a mean game of cricket.

Grant went to work on Harewood, convincing him to enroll at Morehouse after he first attended the University of West Indies. "He saw me at a rugby game and some track meets and was like, ‘Dude, I'm telling you, you need to be overseas playing sports," Harewood said.



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Frank Walker Annual Tuskegee Football Camp June 29-30

The Annual Frank B. Walker Football Camp will be held on Tuesday, June 29, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 30 from 8 a.m.-noon. The camp will be at the Tuskegee University football field, Abbott Memorial Stadium. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The camp and lunch is free to all participants. Sponsored by Love Life Foundation.

Walker, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee (Alabama) and Tuskegee University, plays corner back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National  Football League. Walker previously played for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. The 5-11/200 athlete was originally drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He signed with the Ravens on March 13, 2008, and will be playing his 9th season in the NFL in 2010/11.

Walker plays in the third corner spot behind Pro Bowl starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle.

Baltimore Ravens/Morehouse College OT Ramon Harewood on the mend

OWINGS MILLS, MD – Baltimore Ravens rookie offensive tackle Ramon Harewood’s patience has been tested as he continues to recuperate from an injury to his right knee suffered last month during Mini-Camp. The sixth-round draft pick from Morehouse College incurred soft tissue damage. Although Harewood has returned to individual drills, he hasn’t been cleared medically for the passing camp.

“I feel a lot better,” Harewood said. “I have decent range of motion back. I can put weight on it now. We’re just waiting until it’s 100 percent. I don’t think it’s quite there yet.” The 6-foot-6, 341-pound Barbados native has been putting in extra time rehabilitating his knee and studying his playbook, remaining at the Ravens’ training complex until 5:30 p.m., every day to go over the plays with offensive line coaches John Matsko and Andy Moeller.

Harewood is the first NFL player from Barbados.

“It’s easy to learn it in the classroom,” said Harewood, an honors student at Morehouse. “It’s different under fire on the field. I guess that’s what the biggest setback for me. I’ve been in the books. I’m doing what I need to do. Right now, it’s a little bit of hard work and perseverance."

“Ramon Harewood is a huge man,” said Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz. “He’s a giant. He can knock down his side of the line of scrimmage. He’s raw, and he needs a lot of developmental work with technique, but he’s got foot speed – he ran a 5.08 [40-yard dash] at his pro day. He’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s got the passion and drive to get better.”

See the incredible CNN story of Ramos Harewood, who came to Morehouse College on an academic scholarship, majoring in Engineering--having never played American football to becoming a 6th round NFL draft pick from the Division II, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Morehouse honors student.