Hampton University Lady Pirates win sixth straight MEAC Track Title, HU men finish third

Photo: Francena McCorory, sophomore, Hampton, VA Bethel H.S.

Hampton University sophomore Francena McCorory clocked the fastest collegiate 400-meter time in nation this season on Saturday, when she ran 51.54 seconds to win the event at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference track and field meet in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, MD – The Lady Pirates did it again!

For the sixth consecutive year, the Hampton University women’s track and field team captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship. This time around, they did it in a dramatic fashion.

Sitting in fifth place after the first two days of the championships, which were being contested at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Morgan State University, the Lady Pirates slowly edged their way into the lead over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore but found their margin at a mere three points entering the meet’s final event, the 4x400 meter relay. In that decisive event, Hampton rolled to a first place victory, leaving no doubt that the league’s powerhouse program still resides in Hampton, Virginia.

“Entering the championship, we did a quick score projection and figured we’d win by 13 or 15 points,” said HU head coach Maurice Pierce, “but we made some mistakes. It was a dogfight throughout the meet. Winning it is a sign of us being a true champion and of the great track and field teams in this conference.

CONTINUE READING , VIEW COMPLETE MEET RESULTS - CLICK BLOG TITLE.

HU Rookie DE a free spirit for Dallas Cowboys

Faith and prayer carried Marcus Dixon through prison, and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime

IRVING, Texas – An elaborate tattoo stretches from the top of Marcus Dixon's left shoulder nearly to his elbow and contains a passage from Revelations 20: 1-3. On the inside of Dixon's left forearm, Psalms 91 is tattooed in cursive.

If you had been to hell and back like Dixon, you'd understand why he's permanently engraved religious passages on his body. You'd understand why he reads Psalms 91 every morning before he brushes his teeth. And you would understand why the defensive end from Hampton University spends his free time reading the Bible.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Alcorn State Coach Accepts Internship with the Houston Texans

Alcorn State Head Football Coach Ernest T. Jones, has accepted an internship with the Houston Texans. His duties will be coaching the entire offense in addition to attending meetings with the actual coaching staff of the professional football team.

Jones stated that he is “elated to have another opportunity to bring exposure to Alcorn State University and is proud to represent his alma mater.” He also said he is excited about working with 3rd round draft pick Steve Slayton and veteran quarterback Matt Schaub.

Jones will report to his internship on July 20, 2008 and end on August 3, 2008.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SSU down to three AD finalists

Savannah State University has narrowed its search for an athletic director to three finalists, all of whom are scheduled to visit campus early next week. SSU's finalists are:

Bart Bellairs, Virginia Military Institute assistant AD for operations and marketing, who will visit Monday.

Keshia Campbell, NCAA assistant director of championships, who will visit Tuesday.

Leonard Clark, Wichita State assistant AD for corporate relations, who will visit Wednesday.

SSU vice president for administration Claud Flythe, who oversees the athletic department, said he hopes to reach a decision by May 9 and announce a hire May 10.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Delaware State Hornets extend Lavan's contract

DOVER, DE -- Al Lavan took the Delaware State football team to its first NCAA Division I-AA playoff game last fall. On Thursday, he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension through the 2012 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Lavan had been earning $200,000 annually after signing a one-year extension last spring. DSU athletic director Rick Costello said Hornets coaches typically receive a 5 percent annual raise.

Costello would not say if Lavan's assistant coaches also would get a raise. "It's well-deserved and he's done a super job as coach, and the faculty and administration is certainly happy to have him as our football coach," Costello said of the new deal. Since his arrival in 2004 from Eastern Michigan University, Lavan has compiled a 29-16 record. Last year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship was the school's first since 1991.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

COMMENTARY : Small schools can produce big-time players

Photo: Hampton University's DE, Kendall Langford #98 was selected in the 2008 NFL Draft 3rd Round by Bill Parcell to help rebuild the Dolphins defense. Here he crushes Norfolk State's QB Casey Hansen in backfield for another sack.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hampton, Georgia Southern and Idaho. What is this ? Ohio State’s 2007 nonconference football schedule ? Delaware, Maine and Montana. Must be the top of the NCAA Division I-AA hockey poll, right ?

OK, you’ve probably figured it out by now. All of these low-profile schools, plus Portland State and Toledo, are represented on the Miami Dolphins’ new roster as part of Bill Parcells’ brawny draft weekend haul.

The guy from Hampton (enrollment 6,000 ) is defensive end Kendall Langford, the 66 th overall pick in the NFL Draft, and he’s just one of four Miami draftees from non-Bowl Championship Series schools.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

South Florida loaded with RB talent

As we get ready for this month-long spring practice, Miami Killian's Lamar Miller and Palmetto running back Jaamal Berry aren't the only Class of 2009 running backs to watch. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach is loaded with quality runners.

In the Miami area, Northwestern boasts a pair of game breakers in Daquan Hargrett (5-9, 180) and Tyresse Jones (5-9, 185). Branden Oliver (5-7, 185) out of Southridge and Darian Mallery (5-8, 170) from Gulliver are also rising athletes.

In Broward, Deshaun Sands (5-9 175), the son of former St. Thomas and University of Kansas standout, ''Tuxedo'' Tony Sands, is one of the area's best .....

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

FCS (1-AA) Football: A major road to the NFL

When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was taken as the 16th pick of the NFL draft on Saturday, it was a fitting culmination of a journey that began on what might have looked like a bumpy, unpaved road to nowhere. Rodgers-Cromartie wasn't on the college radar when he was graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2004. He decided to play for Tennessee State University, a Division I-AA program in Nashville.

Not a bad choice. Division I-AA may not be the big time, but it has a long history of pumping star players into the NFL. Many of the cornerbacks that signed with Division I-A schools that year will be watching Rodgers-Cromartie play football on Sunday this fall.

Doesn't matter where you play your college ball. As the list of Division I-AA alumni in the NFL proves, talent is a difficult secret to keep.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Bethune-Cookman Corrals USF Bulls, 10-3

Photo: BCU Coach Mervyl Melendez.

Wildcats improve winning streak to five games

Tampa, Fla. - José Lozada was 4-for-5 at the plate including a homerun to push Bethune-Cookman University past the University of South Florida, 10-3 on Wednesday night in a non-conference baseball contest at Red McEwen Field in Tampa, Fla.

After dropping a month's worth of midweek contests, B-CU (30-17) is back in full gear as they were in the beginning of the year ... injury free, and looking to roll into the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament as the three-time defending champs. And they look every part the champs of old, if not better.

Junior pitcher Chris Chapman toed the rubber on Wednesday for the Wildcats and he was a stud--as preseason reports predicted, as he limited the Bulls of USF (25-21) to just three runs on seven hits in six frames on the bump. He evened his record at 2-2 on the campaign.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

MEAC Track and Field Championships Return to Morgan State May 1-3

BALTIMORE, Md. - Morgan State University will host the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Track and Field Outdoor championships this weekend at Hughes Stadium on Thursday, May 1 through Saturday, May 3 at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Morgan State. The championships will host some of the best athletes in the country as 51 individual, and 9 relays are nationally ranked.

On the men’s side, Norfolk State will try to pursue its third straight outdoor title and fifth overall. The Spartans are led by Marlon Woods, whose leap of 7-feet in the long jump ranks him in the top five, while his jump of 25-feet in the high jump ranks 10th in the nation. Woods is also ranked in the top five in the triple jump. Also headlining the men’s individual events will be North Carolina A&T’s Calesio Newman, who is ranked fifth and seventh nationally and #1 ranked in the MEAC in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

The women’s team title is going to be a cat fight as favored Hampton will compete for its third straight MEAC Outdoor title and sixth overall, however North Carolina A&T, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Morgan State are all capable of dethroning the champs. The premier events should be the women’s 100 hurdles, as the top five competitors are only separated by 2/10 of a second, the 400, and the 4x400 relay, which the host Lady Bears are currently No. 1 ranked.

Thursday’s competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the women’s heptathlon and the men’s decathlon events. Friday’s competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the conclusion of the women’s heptathlon and men’s decathlon events and will continue with field events along with the 5,000m run. Semifinal races will wrap up Friday’s action.

The MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. on the field with the men’s and women’s triple jump, men’s shot put, men’s pole vault and women’s discus. Teams will move back to the track for the 110m hurdles, 400m, 100m, 800m, 400m hurdles, 200m, and 3,000m steeple chase finals. The championship will conclude with the women’s and men’s 4x400m relays. In case of rain, Sunday, May 4, has been designated as the rain date. A complete schedule of events is available on http://www.meacsports.com/ .

Admission for the 2008 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships is $3 for children, students and senior citizens and $5 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the Hughes Stadium box office the day of the event.

This release is courtesy of the Morgan State track and field office and meacsports.com

HU wins nationally televised softball game during sweep

In softball Wednesday, Hampton University swept host Norfolk State 5-4 and 10-7 on a day in which Game 1 was televised nationally on ESPNU.

Game 1 winner Amanda Black pitched a complete game and went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI for HU (28-15), which scored the winning run on a throwing error in the sixth inning. HU's Angela Balser was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

In Game 2, HU had several offensive contributors and overcame a 5-2 deficit with a five-run fifth. Poquoson's Evelyn Garcia was 1-for-2 with a run and two RBI, Britta Davis was 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, and Tiffa Brents was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Coppin State Earns Split With Georgetown, Lose 14-2, Win 10-8

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University baseball team split a doubleheader with Coppin State on Wednesday, losing the first game, 10-8, and winning the second contest, 14-2, at Shirley Povich Field. The Hoyas fought back from a six-run deficit to make things interesting late in game one and used a nine-run second inning to coast in game two. Sophomore Billy Concannon earned his first win as a Hoya and eight players recorded multi-hit games during the nightcap.

Game 1
Trailing 8-2 going into the top of the seventh inning, the Hoyas mounted a comeback that almost saw them draw even. With one out, junior Greg Pustizzi singled to left field and sophomore Tom Elliott was hit by a pitch. After a fielder's choice resulted in the second out, sophomore Chip Malt singled to right field to bring home one run, while an errant throw by the Coppin State rightfielder resulted in a second run crossing the plate.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Update: MEAC/SWAC - NFL Free Agent Signings

Photo: Morgan State University All-American RB, Chad Simpson signs a free agent contract with the Colts.

The 2008 NFL Draft is not an exact science; the reason for all the free agency signings after the big two day draft party. Like always, the majority of the MEAC and SWAC players that are provided an opportunity to make the league are picked up on the cheap at the day after signing party. This year is no different than prior years, with the exception that a few of these players will make the final rosters.

The 2008 free agent signings that will be reporting to mini-camps are:

Jacksonville Jaguars
Clyde Edwards, WR; Grambling State University
Brian Witherspoon, CB, Stillman College**

Arizona Cardinals
Thaddeus Coleman, T, Mississippi Valley State University
Jason Banks, DT, Grambling State University

Seattle Seahawks
DeMichael Dizer, CB, Grambling State University

Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Dixon, DE, Hampton University

Indianapolis Colts
Curtis Johnson, DE, Clark-Atlanta University**
Chad Simpson, RB/KR, Morgan State University

Cleveland Browns
James Lee, OT, South Carolina State University
DeShawn Baker, RB, South Carolina State University

Detroit Lions
Rudy Hardie, DE, Howard University
Bobbie Williams, DB, Bethune Cookman University
Jeremy Breath, OL, Delaware State University

Philadelphia Eagles
Shaheer McBride, WR, Delaware State University

Buffalo Bills
Jason Jones, WR, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

St. Louis Rams
Vernon Bryant, DT, Hampton University

Washington Redskins
Bryan Wilson, LB, Morgan State University

Tennessee Titans
Eddie Williams, WR, Lane College**

San Diego Chargers
Lamar Divens, DT, Tennessee State University

New York Giants
Kelly Rouse, DE, Delaware State University

Cincinnati Bengals
Russell Reeves, LB, Delaware State University

New Orleans Saints
Cleve McCoy, WR, South Carolina State University
(Has contract offer from Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a QB, his college position. CFL Team approved tryout with Saints).

2008 NFL - HBCU Draft Picks

Arizona Cardinals
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State University
1st Round, #16

Miami Dolphins
Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton University
3rd Round, #66

Tennessee Titans
William Hayes, DE, Winston Salem State University
4th Round, #103

Minnesota Vikings
Jaymar Johnson, WR/KR, Jackson State University
6th Round, #193

Cleveland Browns
Alex Hall, DE/OLB, Saint Augustine's College*
7th Round, #231

* CIAA
**SIAC

DSU players to attend NFL minicamps

DOVER, Delaware -- Kelly Rouse, meet Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. And welcome to the NFL. Rouse, a former Delaware State defensive end, has an imposing task ahead -- making an impression on the Super Bowl champion New York Giants at next week's minicamp.

"Anytime you're going to camp, it's tough," Rouse said, "but I'm going to a Super Bowl team where there's a Pro Bowler [Umenyiora] and future Hall of Famer [Strahan] ahead of you. I just have to stay humble and get it done."

Rouse was among three former DSU players to be invited Tuesday to NFL minicamps. Linebacker Russell Reeves is heading to the Cincinnati Bengals and offensive lineman Jeremy Breath will get a shot with the Detroit Lions. Wide receiver Shaheer McBride signed a free-agent contract Monday with the Eagles and will report to minicamp Friday.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SCSU tennis teams hope for happier ending at Chapel Hill

The postseason plans for the South Carolina State tennis teams might as well been scripted by a wedding planner - something old, something new and something (powder) blue.

On Thursday, the men’s and women’s teams learned their reward for winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles was another trip down Tobacco Road to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For the second time in three years, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will face the University of North Carolina on its homecourt at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center next weekend.

The SCSU women (13-3), will face the 15th-seed Lady Tar Heels (17-8) on May 9 starting at 10 a.m. The following day, the SCSU men (18-3) will face 12th-seed UNC (19-5) at the same time.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Coppin State Lady Eagles reloads with Endia Word

Photo: Endia Word (photo: courtesy Danville Register & Bee)

CHATHAM, Virginia — Chatham’s Endia Word has found her new family. A day after teammate Kelly Montgomery committed to Gardner-Webb University to play softball, the second of the Cavaliers’ five senior basketball players put pen to paper on Wednesday. Word signed a full scholarship to play basketball for Coppin State University in Baltimore.

The 6-foot-2 center averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game and blocked 41 shots for Chatham in 2007-08. And now she takes her size and low post ability to the Eagles (23-12), who were knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament last month by Maryland. “I am elated,” Word said. “This has pretty much been all excitement for me.”

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Grambling signs Missouri's Darwin Price

Photo: Normandy's Darwin Price competes in the 1600-meter run at last Saturday's Marion Freeman Invitational. (photo: Paul Kopsky/STLtoday Prep Sports)

It's hard to know where to start when writing an article about Saint Louis, Missouri Normandy High School senior Darwin Price.

Price, one of the top amateur boxers in the country, is competing in track and field. Perhaps it's more accurate to say he's dominating track and field - at least the long-distance events.Heading into this past weekend, Price, the North Suburban Journals Athlete of the Week, had the best St. Louis area times in the 800 meters (1:54.57), 1600 meters (4:17.50) and the 3,200 meters (9:24.66).

His next big challenge will be college. Thanks to his 3.875 grade point average, Price earned a scholarship to Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he plans to compete in cross country, track and field and somehow also try to keep his boxing skills up. "I'm very excited," he said of going to Grambling. "I'm ready to go. No offense to my family, but I'm ready for something new."

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

FAMU's Joe Taylor announce expected football starters

Photo: FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor.

Potential players are still calling FAMU football coach Joe Taylor, but they'll have to wait in line unless they bring what it takes to upend projected starters. But for now, Taylor is comfortable with the two players he's determined fit the play each position on defense and offense.

On Tuesday, Taylor released a two-deep chart which he hopes will stay intact when his players return in August (see below). "I'm excited," he said. "When you see them bonding and pushing each other that's a sign that they're making progress.

He also said there are about 35 players who are attempting to join the team. Most of them will be competing for just under three remaining scholarships this fall.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

FAMU’S TWO-DEEP TEAM CHART

Offense

LT -(a) #51 Kwame Akkebela, 6-4/255, JR, Orlando, FL - Jones HS
(b) #76 DeWayne Lanier, 6-7/315, RS JR, Aurora, CO - Grandview HS

LG -(a) #60 Anthony Collins, 6-3/355, RS JR, Miami, FL - Pace HS
(b) #78 Franklin Carter, 6-3/370, SO, Orlando, FL - Dr. Philips HS

C - (a) #64 Steve Brazzle, 6-4 /328 SR, Coatesville,PA - Coatesville HS
(b) #51 Kwame Akkebela, 6-4/255, JR, Orlando, FL - Jones HS

RG – (a) #61 Javier Wallace, 6-3/270, SR, Austin, TX - LBJ HS
(b) #79 Gerald Poke, 6-6/270, RS SO, Orlando, FL - Boone HS

RT – (a) #75 Robert Okeafor, 6-4/295, JR, Jacksonville, FL - Wolfson HS
(b) #73 Christopher Sands, 6-8/315, RS SO, Tallahassee, FL - Leon HS

X – (a) #80 Isaac West, 6-2/200 SO, Tallahassee, FL - Lincoln HS
(b)#15 Javares Knight, 6-4/190 RS JR, Tallahassee, FL - FAMU DRS

QB- (a) #8 Eddie Battle, 6-2/215, RS SO, Titusville, FL - Astronaut HS
(b) #6 Robert Love, 5-11/190 RS SO, Pahokee, FL - Pahokee HS

Z – (a) #5 Kevin Elliott, 6-3/195, SO, Orlando, FL - Colonial HS
(b) #87 Adrian Smith, 6-2/175 RS JR, Lakeland, FL - Kathleen HS

TB – (a) #30 Philip Sylvester, 5-10/185, SO, Marianna, FL - Marianna HS
(b) #23 Demitric Henry, 5-9/175, JR, Gifford, FL - Vero Beach HS

FB – (a) #43 Mykel Benson, 6-0/240, JR, Palm Bay, FL - Bayside HS
(b) #39 Kalum Harris, 5-10/215, SR, Miami, FL - Southridge HS

TE –(a) #82 Taj Jenkines, 6-4/225, SR, Jacksonville, FL - Clarksville HS
(b) #11Tobias Lee, 6-4/215, SO, Troy, AL - Pike County HS


Defense

DE – (a) #99 Joseph Wims, 6-5/250, RS JR, Miami, FL - Carol City HS
(b) #81 Max Purcel, 6-2/240, SO, Orlando, FL - Edgewater HS

NT – (a) #71 Cameron Houston, 6-0/285, SO, Rockledge, FL - Rockledge HS
(b) Ronald Jackson

OT – (a) #63 Demetris Lane, 6-2/295, RS JR, Hollywood, FL - Pace HS
(b) #93 Lymon Reed, 5-11/271, RS JR, Tampa, FL - Chamberlain HS

DE – (a) #97 Kendrick Washington, 6-5/245, SO, Sebastion River (HS), FL
(b) #91 Marquiste Ramos, 6-5/245, JR, Bayside, FL - Bayside HS

CB – (a) #1 Qier Hall, 6-2/175, SO, Cocoa Beach, FL - Cocoa HS
(b) #18 Gregory Clark, 5-8/180, RS SO, Tampa, FL - Durant HS

S – (a) #57 Bryan Parker, 6-3/220, RS JR, Randlestown (HS), MD - Ariz. Western JC
(b) #94 Dozell Varner, 6-1/225, RS JR, Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Plantation HS

MLB –(a) #44 Vernon Wilder, 6-0/248, RS SR, Miami, FL - Carol City HS
(b) #41 Alvis Graham, 6-2/225, SO, Orlando, FL - Colonial HS

MLB – (a) #55 Alphonso Walker III, 6-2/215, SO, Eustis, FL -Eustis HS
(b) #51 Darious Nobles, 6-2/210, JR, Lynn Haven, FL - Mosley HS

CB – (a) #24 Curtis Holcomb, 5-10/170, SO, Miami, FL - Southridge HS
(b) #12 Donovan Johnson, 5-11/181, SR, Miami, FL - B. T. Washington HS

FS – (a) #38 Fabian Wilson, 5-11/180, SR, Bushnell, FL - South Sumter HS
(b) #48 Victoriano Arboleda, 5-10/190, SR, Tampa, FL - Middleton HS

SS – (a) #31 Greg Harvey, 5-10/185 SO, Largo, FL -Largo HS
(b) #21 Michael McCreary, 5-9/180, JR, Deerfield Beach, FL - Deerfield Beach HS


Rattlers fans: Each player class ranking shown is projected for Fall 2008. We are currently seeking information on NT Ronald Jackson as he is not showing on previous Rattlers football rosters. This should give you a little more insight on our size for next season for the (a) starters and (b) back ups.

-beepbeep

Atlantic hoops star, C.J. Reed to play for father at BCU

PORT ORANGE, Florida -- The son has officially joined his father's program.

C.J. Reed, the three-year starting guard from Atlantic's boys basketball team, signed to play for Bethune-Cookman. He will suit up for his father, Clifford Reed, who just happens to be the Wildcats' head coach. The younger Reed's final decision came down to either B-CU, Wofford or Mercer.

"It had nothing to do with staying home, it was just that I wanted to help my dad win and put (Bethune-Cookman) over the top," C.J. Reed said. "I would love the idea of being the first Cookman team in history to win the MEAC and make the NCAAs."

While visiting Wofford, Reed had a chance to watch some of Davidson's run through the NCAA tournament. Since Wofford actually plays in the same conference as Davidson -- and its national star, Stephen Curry -- it was tantalizing to Reed, but in the end, family ties helped make the decision for him.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Bethune Cookman signs N.J. combo guard, Stanley Elliot

Stanley Elliot had lost some promising offers for unspecified reasons, but never lost hope. His faith and persistence will be rewarded today when the the 6-3 guard from Science Park in Newark signs a national letter of intent to attend Bethune-Cookman in Daytona, Fla., on a basketball scholarship.

Elliot, a forward at Science Park but projected as a combo guard in college, had been passed over in recent months by the likes of LaSalle, Bowling Green, Hofstra and LIU. Elliot chose Bethune-Cookman ahead of Central Arkansas, Western Illinois and Lock Haven after making an official visit to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school last weekend.

Elliot averaged almost 12 points a game last season to help Science Park (29-3) win the Group 1 championship and reach the Tournament of Champions final, where it bowed to St. Anthony of Jersey City. Colleges likely backed off once they'd signed bigger guards and forwards. But once Bethune-Cookman coach Clifford Reed saw tapes, he continued to reach out to Elliot because of his versatility and athleticism.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

NFL After-Party Signings

Photo: Morgan State University All-American RB, Chad Simpson signs a free agent contract with the Colts.

The 2008 NFL Draft is not an exact science; the reason for all the free agency signings after the big two day draft party. Like always, the majority of the MEAC and SWAC players that are provided an opportunity to make the league are picked up on the cheap at the day after signing party. This year is no different than prior years, with the exception that a few of these players will make the final rosters.

The 2008 free agent signings that will be reporting to mini-camps this Friday are:

Jacksonville Jaguars
Clyde Edwards, WR; Grambling State University
Brian Witherspoon, CB, Stillman College

Arizona Cardinals
Thaddeus Coleman, T, Mississippi Valley State University
Jason Banks, DT, Grambling State University

Seattle Seahawks
DeMichael Dizer, CB, Grambling State University

Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Dixon, DE, Hampton University

Indianapolis Colts
Curtis Johnson, DE, Clark-Atlanta University
Chad Simpson, RB/KR, Morgan State University

Cleveland Browns
James Lee, OT, South Carolina State University
DeShawn Baker, RB, South Carolina State University

Detroit Lions
Rudy Hardie, DE, Howard University
Bobbie Williams, DB, Bethune Cookman University

Philadelphia Eagles
Shaheer McBride, WR, Delaware State University

Buffalo Bills
Jason Jones, WR, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

St. Louis Rams
Vernon Bryant, DT, Hampton University

Washington Redskins
Bryan Wilson, LB, Morgan State University

Tennessee Titans
Eddie Williams, WR, Lane College

San Diego Chargers
Lamar Divens, DT, Tennessee State University

NCCU Basketball signs 6-10 JUCO Center

Worah-Ozimo of TCI College Nation's Fourth-Leading Rebounder in 2007

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Stevy Worah-Ozimo, a 6-10, 220-pound center from TCI College of Technology, has signed a national letter of intent to become a part of the North Carolina Central University men's basketball program.

A native of Gabon, West Africa, Worah-Ozimo ranked fourth in the nation among NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division I programs with an average of 12.7 rebounds per game during his rookie campaign at TCI (Technical Career Institute).

During his two seasons (2006-08) at TCI, located in New York, N.Y., Worah-Ozimo amassed 392 points (7.7 points per game) and 551 rebounds (10.8 rpg), while shooting 57.2 percent (170 of 297) from the field. In 51 games, he collected double-figure rebounds 37 times, including eight contests with 15 boards or more and two outings with 20 or more.

"Stevy is a blue-collar guy and a team player," said NCCU head coach Henry Dickerson. "He's a rebounder and shot blocker that can get out and run on the break. Stevy is the kind of young man that will do whatever he can to help us win. The more he plays, the better he'll get.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Hampton's Vernon Bryant Signed by Rams

The St. Louis Rams announced on their official website Monday that they have signed Hampton University defensive tackle Vernon Bryant to a free-agent contract.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available. Bryant, 6-foot-2/285 pounder, had 47 tackles last season as Hampton went 6-5, and finished his career as a Pirate with 100 tackles and 11 sacks. He recorded a career-high nine tackles - seven assisted - in the 2007 season finale, a 45-27 loss to Southern Illinois.

The Rams had the No. 2 overall pick in the draft on Saturday, taking University of Virginia defensive end Chris Long. Should Bryant make the team, he could find himself on the same defensive line as Long and 2007 first-round pick Adam Carriker.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Bryant is from Courtland, Virginia, Southhampton High School.

S.C. State Bulldogs McCoy has a decision to make

Most of the 25 athletes that showed up for South Carolina State’s Pro Day had ducked away into the Bulldogs’ locker room or headed home, but Cleve McCoy and a handful of receivers stayed behind.

With a New Orleans Saints scout looking on, the former South Carolina State quarterback tossed a few balls to the receivers just after noon on March 25 before they too were sent on their way. The Saints’ scout then turned to the 6-2, 225 pound McCoy and started running him through routes -- tossing him some balls. In total, McCoy hauled in around 20 passes without a drop. Flash forward to Sunday, and McCoy figured that workout was his best chance at getting a shot in the NFL. So, as the draft progressed into it’s latter stages, he waited patiently, hoping his phone would ring. It didn’t, and McCoy headed home -- a little bummed -- with the idea that he would sign an offer from the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Then, around 11 a.m. Monday, McCoy’s agent called. “He said, ‘We have us a deal,'” McCoy said.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

NFL's Bills Sign UAPB Receiver Jason Jones, to Free Agent Contract

by UAPB Sports Information

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Former University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff wide receiver Jason Jones confirmed that he will sign a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills later this week.

The Forrest City native averaged 20.8 yards per reception during his career at UAPB, setting both school and Southwestern Athletic Conference career records. He is one of only four other DI-AA wide receivers to catch at least 100 passes and average 20 yards per catch during their careers.

UAPB Jason Jones Highlights


Jones also holds the UAPB school record for both receiving yardage with 2,227 and touchdown catches with 22. His 13 TD receptions during the 2006 season set another Golden Lion record single-season record and his 98-yard touchdown reception against Southern Illinois in 2006 was another university record.

"The Bills were actually in touch with me before the draft was over," Jones said. "They didn't draft many wide receivers and Coach Tyke Tolbert [the Bills' wide receivers coach] told me I would have the opportunity to come in and play immediately. I leave Thursday for rookie camp and I'm excited about the opportunity. I can't wait to get up to Buffalo."

UAPB Jason Jones Pro-Day Workout 4/3/2008