Former TSU, Prairie View stars pursuing NFL careers

Houston, TX - Former Texas Southern linebacker Dejuan Fulghum will formally begin his pursuit of an NFL career when he opens training camp with the Detroit Lions today. 

Fulghum, the 2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, signed as an undrafted with the Lions earlier this week. Fulghum, a Killeen native, was a four-year starter during his four years at TSU, helping to lead the Tigers to a 9-3 record and the SWAC championship in his final season.

In 2010, the 6-1, 220-pound Fulghum led TSU in total tackles (101), tackles for loss (18 ½), sacks (11) and forced fumbles (three).

Two former Prairie View A&M defensive stars also will be in NFL training camps. Defensive back Chris Adingupu signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive lineman Quinton Spears inked with the Miami Dolphins.

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Indianapolis Colts signs Delaware State's WR Larrone Moore

Indianapolis, IN - The Indianapolis Colts Friday officially announced the signing of Delaware State University free agent wide-receiver Larrone Moore.

Moore totaled 102 receptions for 1,236 yards and five touchdowns in 43 career games at Delaware State. In 2009 as a junior, he ranked second on the team with 33 catches and 315 yards while posting the third-highest kickoff return-yard average (25.6) in the MEAC. As a freshman in 2007, Moore led the squad with 431 kickoff return yards.

The 6'-0", 196 pound wideout and kick returner is noted for his speed, clocking a 4.38 40 yard dash at DSU's Pro Day. The Prince George's County (Hyattsville, MD) native played high school football at Northwestern High School.



Moore was the top sprinter on Delaware State’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams … qualified for 2009 NCAA Outdoor East Regional championships in the 100-meter dash (10.39) and 200-meter dash (20.75) … member of Delaware State’s NCAA championship qualifying 1600-meter relay team, which posted a school-record time of 3:05.21 at national championships … captured 2009 MEAC indoor 200-meter championship with time of 21.50 seconds … qualified for 2008 NCAA East Regional in 100 & 200 … also competed in long jump (top leap: 6.84 meters).

In other words, Larrone Moore has an excellent opportunity to become a deep threat kick returner in the NFL, as he can outright fly.

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Hampton's Brandon Peguese signed by Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Hampton University defensive standout Brandon Peguese, the team announced on Tuesday.

Peguese (Greensboro, N.C.) was a Sports Network FCS All-American and First Team All-MEAC selection last season, after finishing third on the team in tackles with 85 (38 solo, 47 assisted). He also finished third in the MEAC with 8.0 sacks in 2010, while also ranking second in the conference in tackles for loss with 23.5 for a total of 94 yards.

For his career at Hampton, Peguese tallied 179 tackles and 18 sacks. In 2009, Peguese was named Second Team All-MEAC after leading the conference with 7.5 sacks.

Peguese was one of nine rookie free agents signed by the team.

Peguese is the second Pirate to be picked up by an NFL team this season; defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft back in April by the New York Jets.

By Hampton University Athletics

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South Carolina State's Harrison signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers signee Josh Harrison
(Photo courtesy S.C. State Athletics)

Lake City, S.C. - Josh Harrison finally got the phone call he wanted.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed the former Lake City and South Carolina State offensive lineman to a free-agent contract. “I was so excited about it. I can’t put it into words,” Harrison said. “It’s been a dream of mine to play pro football and I’m excited to get the opportunity.”

Harrison will report to the Steelers’ facility Wednesday and then be with the club when it opens training camp Thursday in Latrobe, Pa. Harrison, like other undrafted free agents, has been in limbo since April until the NFL lockout ended Monday. Tuesday was the first day teams were able to sign undrafted free agents.

Harrison said he has stayed in shape by working out in Orangeburg, where he has been taking classes to finish up his degree in mechanical engineering, and at the YMCA in Florence.

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New football coaches meet ahead of MEAC Media Day

NORFOLK, Va. — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will have five new football coaches on the sidelines this season and two of them are already creating a bit of a buzz around the league because of their reputation of winning championships.

Henry Frazier, who spent the last seven seasons at Prairie View, comes into the league as head coach at North Carolina Central. Rod Broadway left Grambling State University to take over the head coaching job at North Carolina A&T.

Frazier is taking the Eagles from Division II to their first season at the Football Championship Subdivision, while Broadway's mission is to turn around an Aggies program that hasn't had a winning season under their last two coaches.

They spent Thursday in meetings with the conference's nine other coaches and commissioner Dennis Thomas. They will meet the media today and they could expect to field plenty of questions about how soon they'll make their programs winners. The same will be asked of the three other new coaches — Kermit Blount of Delaware State University, Garry Harrell of Howard University and Savannah State's Steve Davenport.

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Saint Augustine's Walter Sanders signs with Baltimore Ravens

"This is a dream come true,” Sanders said. “I proved to the non-believers I can make it happen.  I accomplished my goal - I am in the NFL from Division II."

Baltimore, MD - At about 11 a.m., Walter Sanders was watching the NFL Network in his East Baltimore home with his 2-year-old daughter, Makenzii, when his agent, Jason Sklar, called. That’s when the Baltimore native learned the Ravens planned to sign him.

“It’s a tremendous honor to sign with the Baltimore Ravens,” Sanders said. “It’s been my dream all my life to play in the National Football League, but not only the National Football League, but, in particular, with the Baltimore Ravens.“  “What more can you ask for than to play for your hometown team?”



At Mervo High, Sanders excelled in basketball and football and became a regional champion in the hurdles during spring track. The 5’10’, 227-pound back decided to continue his football career at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C.

Despite the Division-II level of competition he faced, the blazing back, who most recently clocked a 40 time of 4.39 seconds, still managed to attract attention from NFL scouts. Last year, Sanders finished his senior campaign with the first 1,000-yard rushing season for the Falcons in the modern era of college football.

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Virginia Union's David Mims Signs with the Kansas City Chiefs

Richmond, VA - Virginia Union University's David Mims has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, Mims announced on July 26. Mims announced the signing via his Twitter account.

"Happy to say that I am officially a Kansas City Chief" Mims tweeted on the morning of July 26.

Mims, a 6-8 offensive lineman from Charlotte, N.C., anchored a VUU offensive line which allowed Panther runners to rush for 1,884 yards in 2010 and set a school-record 490 rushing yards against Virginia State University in 2009.

Mims becomes the first Virginia Union football player to sign with an NFL team since Jerome Leslie signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004.

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Former FAMU Rattlers Sylvester signs with Atlanta Falcons

Marianna, FL - Former Marianna Bulldogs football star Philip Sylvester has signed a contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, and will participate in the team’s training camp in hopes of making the final 53-man roster.

Sylvester, who spent the last four seasons playing for the FAMU Rattlers, wasn’t selected in the April NFL Draft, but was offered a free agent contract by the Falcons on Monday, and then left for Atlanta on Tuesday.

Efforts to contact Sylvester were unsuccessful, but the speedy running back’s former high school coach Don Dowling said he couldn’t be happier to see the mild-mannered former Bulldog get his shot.

“It’s a big deal. Someone mentioned to me that he was my first former player to sign an NFL contract, which I thought was pretty cool,” said Dowling, now the head coach at Sneads. “He’s one of those kids who deserve it. He has worked hard his entire career, and he’s a great kid. Back at Marianna, you wouldn’t have even known he was some big-time running back in the hallways. He’s just a regular kid.

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Chowan Hawks projected fifth in CIAA-North

ETTRICK, VA. — Michael Jordan used to say about winning championships, “It’s the shoes”.

Thursday at the annual pre-season football Media Day for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) you could have said, “It’s the hair”. Or maybe, the ‘lack’ thereof.

The coaches of the four top picks to win the 2011 CIAA Football championship are: (1) from the league’s South Division, and (2) happened to have been sporting bald heads on Media Day. Members of the CIAA Football Coaches Association have picked defending 2010 champion Shaw University to repeat in 2011. Winston-Salem State was picked second, followed by St. Augustine’s College, and Fayetteville State.

Elizabeth City State edged out Virginia State to win the North Division and play November 12 in Raleigh for the league title. Meanwhile, Chowan was picked fifth in the division and ninth among the dozen league teams. The Hawks were among the teams who had to adjust their schedules...

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Tuskegee picked to win SIAC West, Miles a surprising second

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- First-year Miles College coach Reginald Ruffin said no one is surprised that Tuskegee was tabbed to be the team to beat this year in the West Division of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football.

"Tuskegee is the team," said Ruffin, a former Tuskegee assistant. "They have been the mecca of the conference, they have been the mecca in black college football. They are a big measuring stick of where you would like your program to be."

SIAC POLL
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Coaches Association released its preseason football poll on Wednesday in Atlanta.

EAST
1. Albany State
2. Fort Valley State
3. Morehouse

4. Clark Atlanta

5. Benedict

WEST

1. Tuskegee

2. Miles

3. Kentucky State

4. Stillman

5. Lane

SIAC Champion: Albany State

Source: SIAC Football Coaches Association

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Stillman picked 4th in SIAC West

Atlanta, GA - The Stillman College football team, under the direction of new head coach Teddy Keaton, has been picked to finish fourth among five teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s West Division.

Results of the preseason poll were announced Wednesday during the SIAC Kickoff Luncheon in Atlanta. The conference features two divisions this season, with the East and West winners meeting in a championship game. The title game is scheduled for Nov. 12 in Columbus, Ga., but Keaton said Stillman would not be able to participate if it qualifies because the Tigers’ homecoming game against Concordia of Selma is set for the same day.

Tuskegee was picked as the West favorite, followed by Miles, Kentucky State, Stillman and Lane. Albany State, the defending champion, was the top choice in the East. Fort Valley State was picked second, followed by Morehouse, Clark Atlanta and Benedict. Albany State was chosen to win the overall conference title.

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SportsGroove Presents CIAA 2011 Football Media Day

Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) Mark Gray report from the CIAA 2011 Football Media Day as the conference prepares for its 100th season of intercollegiate athletics with the start of the gridiron action.

HSRN Announces 2011 Football Broadcast Schedule

Hartly, DE – The Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) will broadcast 23 exciting football games including the Super 7 Series of classic events. The broadcasts will be national on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and on local stations across the country. “This will be our most exciting broadcast schedule yet. The staff is proud to present the HBCU community a national radio platform that will give all fans and alumni consistent coverage,” said HSRN CEO Omarr Bashir.

HSRN will kickoff the schedule on (Sept. 1) with the Division I FBS vs. Division I FCS match-up in Piscataway, NJ, N. C. Central and Rutgers.

The highlight of the schedule is the “Super 7 Series” which includes seven events that will bring the Major Classics to the HBCU national community. The series will open on (Sept. 3) in Nashville, TN with the John Merritt Classic featuring Tennessee State and Southern. The “Super 7 Series” will also feature (Sept. 10) Cleveland Classic – N.C. Central vs. Central State, (Sept. 24) Atlanta Classic – Florida A&M vs. Southern, (Oct. 1) Circle City Classic – Albany St. vs. Kentucky St., (Oct. 29) Magic City Classic – Alabama A&M vs. Alabama St., (Nov. 19) Florida Classic – Bethune Cookman vs. Florida A&M and (Nov. 26) Bayou Classic – Grambling St. vs. Southern.

HSRN will feature three additional classic games (Sept. 3) Battle of the First/Wade Wilson Classic – Lincoln vs. Cheyney, (Sept. 10) Nations Classic – Morehouse vs. Howard, (Oct. 1) and (Oct. 8) Morehouse/Tuskegee Classic. There will also be four double header weekends including the championship games for the CIAA and SIAC (Nov. 12).

Top non-conference match-ups this season will be the Hampton Roads, VA CAA vs. MEAC rivalry (Sept. 17) between Hampton and Old Dominion, FBS/FCS match-up (Nov. 3)) between Mississippi Valley St. and South Alabama, and (Nov. 24) Annual Turkey Day Classic – Alabama St. vs. Tuskegee.

Conference rival match-ups will include (Sept. 17) Bowie St. homecoming vs. Livingstone (Oct. 15), N.C. A&T homecoming vs. Delaware St., and (Oct. 22) Florida A&M vs. S.C. State.

Founded in 2006, HSRN was created to provide a sports voice for the HBCU community. For over 100 years HBCU's have participated in collegiate athletics with little to no media coverage. Stars like Walter Payton, Doug Williams, and Michael Strahan are just a few of the many superstars who were HBCU athletes. There are approximately 7 million fans of HBCU sports who were media orphans in search of a home. HSRN is the only national radio network dedicated to HBCU sports. Our goal is to fuse the greats of the past with the stars of today to showcase the significance of this unique colorful and underserved sports community.

HSRN 2011 Football Broadcast Schedule

Date	Game	Site	Time
09/01	N.C. Central vs. Rutgers	Piscataway, NJ	7:30pm
09/03	Lincoln @ Cheyney Battle of the First/Wade Wilson Classic	Cheyney, PA	1:00pm
09/03	$ - Southern vs. Tennessee St. John Merritt Classic	Nashville, TN	6:00pm CT
09/04	Bethune Cookman vs. Prairie View MEAC/SWAC Challenge	Orlando, FL	12:00pm
09/10	$ - Central St. vs. N.C. Central Cleveland Classic	Cleveland, OH	12:00pm
09/10	Howard vs. Morehouse Nation’s Classic	Washington, DC	3:30pm
09/17	Bowie St. vs. Livingstone	Bowie, MD	1:00pm
09/17	Hampton vs. Old Dominion	Norfolk, VA	6:00pm
09/24	$ - Florida A&M vs. Southern Atlanta Classic	Atlanta, GA	3:30pm
10/01	$ - Albany St. vs. Kentucky St. Circle City Classic	Indianapolis, IN	2:30pm
10/08	Morehouse vs. Tuskegee Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic	Columbus, GA	2:00pm
10/15	Delaware St. vs. N.C. A&T	Greensboro, NC	1:30pm
10/22	Florida A&M vs. S.C. State	Orangeburg, SC	1:30pm
10/29	$ - Alabama A&M vs. Alabama St. Magic City Classic	Birmingham, AL	3:30pm
11/03	Mississippi Valley St. vs. S. Alabama	Mobile, AL	TBA
11/05	Albany St. vs. Ft. Valley St. Fountain City Classic	Columbus, GA	2:00pm
11/12	CIAA Championship Game	Durham, NC	TBA
11/12	SIAC Championship Game	TBA	TBA
11/19	$ - Bethune Cookman vs. Florida A&M Florida Classic	Orlando, FL	2:00pm
11/24	Turkey Day Classic	Montgomery, AL	1:00pm
11/26	$ - Grambling vs. Southern Bayou Classic	New Orleans, LA	3:00pm
12/03	Pioneer Bowl	Columbus, GA	2:00pm
12/10	SWAC Championship Game	Birmingham, AL	2:00pm
	$ - Super Seven Series Schedule is Subject to Change

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