Alabama A&M's McCants hopes for grand ol' homecoming

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Bulldog grew up in Nashville following Tennessee State

Growing up in Nashville, Kevin McCants rooted for Tennessee State. He lived 10 minutes from campus and attended most of the Tigers' big games. He believed he was going to be a Tiger.

But when it came time to go to college three years ago, McCants picked Alabama A&M over TSU.

"My family and I both made the decision," McCants said. "We met the coaches and we really liked the program and the atmosphere."

Saturday night, McCants will be back in Nashville as A&M's starting fullback when the Bulldogs visit the Tigers in the John Merritt Classic in the season opener for both teams. Kickoff is at 6 at LP Field.

A 5-foot-10, 201-pound redshirt sophomore, McCants played mostly on special teams in last year's game. He had one carry for 4 yards as A&M won 27-20. McCants hopes to play a bigger role this year.

"I'm very excited," he said. "This is what I've been waiting for since I came to A&M. I looked at the schedule and saw Tennessee State on there and that's a team I've been watching for years.

"I never thought I'd be playing against them ... let alone in Nashville. I've got so many high school teammates and friends that play for them, and I'm ready to go out there and compete against them."

McCants follows a long line of outstanding fullbacks for the Bulldogs. Over the past five years, Jonathan Rowland, Jacques Pyant and Trevis O'Neal have played major roles in A&M's offense.

"I know how good those guys were," said McCants, who will split time with redshirt freshman Generion McWhorter. "I want to keep the production going. There's a legacy there and we've definitely got to keep it rolling."

Nobody knows the importance of the fullback better than A&M coach Anthony Jones.

"Without a good fullback, we're not going to be very successful," he said. "Our fullbacks have been key components to us having success. They don't get a lot of publicity because it's not a glamour spot, but they play an important role on our football team."

Jones says McCants has put in the time to become a good player. He's eager to see how he responds.

"McCants is a kid that has always worked hard," he said. "He comes from a family that has spent some time with his upbringing and now it's time to turn all of that into being a good football player. Each one of the fullbacks we've had brought a little something different to the table, and what McCants has to do is understand what he can do to help this football team and do that.

"Is he going to be a big bruising fullback? No. He has to understand what he can do and do that to the best of his ability and make sure he's ready to perform at a high level."

McCants says he's ready.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I know the

B-CU walk-on gets his chance to run

By BRENT WORONOFF, Staff Writer

DATONA BEACH -- Senior Justin Brannon has patiently waited four years to become the starting running back for Bethune-Cookman University, and it's hard to determine who's more excited about it, the player or his coach.

"He's going to be our workhorse," said B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt. "He's built low to the ground, he's strong in the legs, holds onto the football and he has that burst of speed. He's going to make a difference for us."

Brannon, whose first game as a starter will be in the Wildcats' season opener against Jacksonville on Saturday at Municipal Stadium here, is grateful to finally have a featured role four years after deciding to walk on to the team.

"You've got to pay your dues," he said. "I've had people here in front of me, people who were recruited out of high school on scholarship. Being a walk-on I had to work a little harder, but it wasn't a problem."

As a high school junior at Jacksonville Englewood, Brannon knew he wanted to play football at B-CU, and he knew his coach, Lamonte Jones, would help get him there.

"I had been (to B-CU) for some of the high school camps they hold, and I knew this was where I wanted to play," Brannon said. "My name wasn't very big, but the coach I had, he could get you into school."

But Jones left Englewood before Brannon's senior season, and the running back fell through the cracks. He enrolled at B-CU on his own and showed up unannounced at the field for spring practice during his freshman year in 2004.

"You've got at least 50 walk-ons coming out every spring, and I believe it was just me and one other guy who made it to (preseason) camp," Brannon said. "To be singled out of that large a number, somebody had to be on my side."

Brannon believes coach Jeff Fagan, then the running backs coach who now coaches B-CU's offensive line, was instrumental in getting him invited back that summer. From there, Brannon did all the work himself, steadily moving up the ladder.

"He's paid his dues," Wyatt said. "He's been very patient, and I think he's going to have a great year for us."

As a third-string running back last season, Brannon rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries (5.7 ypc). He was second on the team in rushing behind quarterback Jimmie Russell (427 yards).

With the Wildcats committed to returning to the option this year after passing for an unusually high 2,230 yards last season, Brannon will be counted on to provide what had been the missing ingredient.

"We haven't had a consistent runner out of that B-back position since Jay Rogers was here (1998-2002)," Wyatt said. "You look at the great Georgia Southern teams of the 1990s, they had Adrian Peterson rushing for 1,600 yards out of that position."

Running the same kind of option offense, the Wildcats' quarterbacks have always carried the load running the ball. This year B-CU is looking to spread the ball around more, but the B-back is always the first option.

"We need to feature Justin, it's the only way we're going to have success," Wyatt said.

Said Brannon: "I hope to be the guy that receives a lot of carries and has that workload on my back. I feel like I can handle that."

Jumbo Williams shores up JSU O-line

The moment mammoth freshman offensive lineman Terrael Williams stepped on Jackson State's campus, there were plenty of guesses regarding his weight.

The Jackson State media guide lists him at 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds. Coach Rick Comegy says it's closer to 390. Williams says it's probably somewhere in between.

Whatever it is, Williams has shown a good enough combination of strength and agility to be listed as a starter for JSU's opener at 6 p.m. on Saturday against visiting Delta State.

"It's certainly a thrill, but I'm not trying to be a big shot," Williams said. "I'm just glad the coaches feel I can help the team by being on the field."

The offensive line has been in a state of flux all month, but the first team has become clearer over the past few days. The most recent depth chart had Michael Smith listed at left tackle, Eric Jones at left guard, Lorenzo Breland at center, Mikael Harshaw at right guard and Williams at right tackle.

"I'm sure there will be some growing pains with Terrael, but he's been too good to leave off the field," JSU coach Rick Comegy said.

WILL HULL BE ELIGIBLE?

Eligibility concerns continue to surround senior running back Cody Hull, who has also occasionally worked out at receiver during fall practice.

JSU running backs coach Greg Ruffin said he hoped to hear from the NCAA today about a ruling for Saturday's game.

"That's a guy we'd really like to have," Comegy said. "He's running the ball maybe the best out of anybody on this team."

INJURY REPORT

Fullback Edward Lee (ankle) practiced on Thursday, but coaches said he'd be used sparingly on Saturday.

- David Brandt

Tenneessee State University sneak peek

Ohio Valley Conference capsules

COACH: James Webster (8-14 in 2 seasons, both at TSU)
2006: 6-5, 5-2 OVC.

RETURNING STARTERS: Seven on offense and five on defense.

KEY STORYLINE: The Tigers are making the type of progress Webster had in mind when he began his rebuilding process three years ago.
REVEALING STAT: Antonio Heffner (passing and rushing) and Javarris Williams (rushing) combined for 3,073 yards and were responsible for 25 of TSU’s 30 TDs last season.

KEY RETURNEES
QB Antonio Heffner: Can be a playmaker if he overcomes shoulder injury.
RB Javarris Williams: One of TSU’s best ever wants another 1,000-yard season.
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: An exceptional athlete who was third in the nation with six interceptions last year.

TOP NEWCOMER
WR Jonathan Moore. Former Maplewood standout already has impressed coaches with his intense work ethic.

SCOUTING QUICK-HITTERS
Rodgers-Cromartie could be one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. The offensive line welcomes back tackle Avern Alexander from an ankle injury, but lost three key contributors. LB Kalvin Baker had 47 tackles last year.


— MIKE ORGAN

FAMU Backup QB Camel gets a strange shave

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Senior quarterback Leon Camel is one of the smallest players on the team, but he made a big statement with his haircut at Thursday's practice.

Camel, who is the unofficial team barber, had the school's Rattler head logo design cut into the back of his head.

"I guess he got a design based on his personality," FAMU coach Rubin Carter joked at Thursday's practice. "He's a barber, but I don't think he did it himself with mirrors. Then again, it kind of looks like he did it with mirrors. It adds a little spice to his life.

"I want the players to have fun as long as it is not anything that is degrading. It looks like a road map from where I'm standing. He must have went on the Internet and got some directions to Birmingham and got somebody to put it on his head. "

Photo: QB Leon Camel

Making an adjustment

Redshirt sophomore Joseph Wims has been moved from defensive end to tackle. Wims, 6-5, 250 pounds, came to FAMU two years ago from Miami City Carol High School as a physical specimen.

Coaches had high hopes that Wims would make an instant impact as a pass rusher at end, but a knee injury derailed his freshmen year.

Last year Sims was a reserve at end, but was unable to work his way into one of the starting spots.

"We put Wims inside to put him in a spot where he would feel more comfortable and allow him a chance to use his natural ability," Carter said. "Joe has adjusted extremely well to the position itself. He's getting better."

Eligibility and injuries

Defensive back Donovan Johnson, linebacker Bryan Parker, defensive end Marquis Mathews and receiver Ronald Wright will not play in Saturday's game because of eligibility issues.

Defensive tackle Demetris Lane (finger) and running back Anthony Edwards (conditioning) will not play in Saturday's game because of injuries.

FAMU Chester should be ready

Photo: FAMU QB Albert Chester II--#2

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

It looks like Florida A&M will have its starting quarterback for Saturday's season opener against Southern. The same can not be said for one of the Rattlers' starting cornerbacks.

Redshirt-senior quarterback Albert Chester II participated in all of Thursday's practice after complaining of a painful tingling sensation in his right arm, which forced him to sit out the second half of Wednesday's practice.

While the news appears good for Chester, it wasn't so good for sophomore cornerback Donovan Johnson, who did not make the trip to Birmingham with the team Thursday afternoon.

Carter said Johnson, a starter last season as a true freshman from Miami Booker T Washington High School, wasn't cleared to play before the team left Thursday.

Johnson is one of a handful of players who won't be traveling to Birmingham with the team because of eligibility issues.

Carter said those players may still be able to return to the team if they can get their eligibility issues resolved.

"The thing is we're not alone in this type of thing occurring during this time of the year," Carter said. "Usually you have an extra day. You don't leave on Thursday.

"That allows you to have until Friday to be able to assess your team and for the kids to get issues resolved academically. We're a day short and this is what has occurred with our football team. We'll weather the storm and get ready for the game Saturday."

Redshirt-sophomore Gregory Clark, and freshmen Qier Hall and Curtis Holcomb, are the top candidates to step in for Johnson across from sophomore cornerback Michael Creary, who has missed the last two practices with a hip flexor.

Creary, a preseason All-MEAC first team selection, is expected to start against Southern.

"Mike is making progress and it appears that he will be ready to go," Carter said. "He's a fierce competitor and he wants to be out there for the first game of the season."

FAMU, Southern have long history

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M and Southern had two of the premier programs in Black College Football during the mid to late '90s.

When those teams faced each other then, sparks flew and the scoreboard lit up. Some of the classic battles during that era include Southern's two wins during the 1995 season, a 52-38 win in Tallahassee and a 30-25 win at the Heritage Bowl in the Atlanta Georgia Dome.

Then there was the 50-48 shootout at Southern, when the Rattlers escaped with a victory in 1998. The Rattlers repeated the feat in 2000, escaping Baton Rouge, La. with a 50-49 victory.

Florida A&M and Southern haven't played each other since the 2001 season, meaning the history of this series may be lost on the current players who are set to face each other Saturday at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.

"I really don't think they understand," said Southern head football coach Pete Richardson about his current players' understanding of the history of this series. "We haven't played FAMU in fives years. This game means a lot to each school and the fans."

This game also means a lot to both programs - which are in rebuilding modes. This is year three in the rebuilding process for FAMU under head coach Rubin Carter, while Southern is trying to pick up the pieces from a 5-6 finish in 2006.

"I think their coach (Carter) has built their program back up and they appear ready to go," Richardson said. "They have some outstanding receivers and they have a huge offensive line as usual. Defensively, they are attacking. They also have an All-America kicker. Those are going to be the challenges for us."

Like most head coaches, Richardson is more concerned about what his team is or isn't doing than what the opponent has waiting for them.

One of Richardson's concerns heading into Saturday's game is the state of the Jaguars' running game.

"That was our nemesis last year," Richardson said. "I think running the ball will be important for our quarterback. He is young and we want to take some of the pressure off of him."

Last year's leading rusher Kendall Addison is gone, leaving redshirt-sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee as the Jaguars' leading returner (302 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns).

Senior Darren Coates, who rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown in 2006, is listed as the Jaguars' starting running back.

If you think Carter has any sympathy for Southern's rushing issues, think again - especially after seeing his defense give up more than 250 yards rushing a game in 2006.

"We definitely want to make sure it doesn't happen on us," Carter said about Southern running the ball. "I believe we'll be more organized as far as the schemes are concerned defensively against the run.

"The players will be more in sync with a year of experience. We had a lot of young players that didn't understand their responsibilities or their roles. They were just trying to make plays."