Dillard University Bleu Devils add New York/New Jersey standout Karon Blackwell to basketball program

2-Times NY/NJ All-State combo guard Karon Blackwell becomes first signee at Dillard University under new head men's basketball coach Mike Newell.  Karon is the son of former NFL Giants cornerback Kory Blackwell.  In the photo are Karon and his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Kory Blackwell.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Dillard University Bleu Devils basketball team added combo guard Karon Blackwell (pronounced Kay-Ron) The Robinson Preparatory Academy in Newark, New Jersey, to its 2015-16 recruiting class. Blackwell, a 6'3" 190 lb. native of Deer Park, New York, is an incoming freshman from

"We are excited to have Karon join our program," said head coach Mike Newell. He comes from a good program and was a major contributor to the Robinson Academy's success last season." Robinson Academy finished ranked number one in the country among prep schools.

Blackwell is a two-time All-State selection and also a three-time All-Suffolk League IV as well as two-time Long-Island selection at Deer Park High School as a senior. In his senior season, Blackwell helped lead Deer Park to an 18-4 record including a perfect 14-0 Suffolk League IV mark. He averaged 17.5 points while leading the Falcons to their second straight Suffolk County championship game appearance. Blackwell was ranked one of the top 15 players in New York City by sports fanatic website Rivals.com that year.


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"I am very excited that I got a scholarship because this is what I always wanted, a chance to go to school without worrying too much about financial issues," said Blackwell. "I have a dream to go to the [NBA] so I have to do big things in college."

It is clear to see how elated, excited and proud his family members are, especially his father.

"It means everything to me," said Kory Blackwell, who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants. "He is following in the footsteps of his father by going to college and playing a sport. It gives hope for the other youngsters," he added.

In his one season at the Robinson Prep Academy, Blackwell averaged eight points, six assists and four rebounds. Last year he was lauded as the 2014 Long Island Player of the Year and was also named as the Suffolk County Boys Basketball Player of the Year by Newsday.

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Maryland's Travis Manger Joins Morgan State Football Staff

COACH TRAVIS MANGER
Courtesy: Maryland Athletics

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University head football coach Lee Hull announced the recent hiring of Travis Manger as an assistant coach for the Bears.

Manger, who will coach the Morgan State offensive line, joins the Bears staff from the University of Maryland where he spent three seasons helping the offensive unit as a graduate assistant coach under head coach Randy Edsall.

In 2012, he assisted coach Lee Hull with the wide receivers and the development of Terps standout Stefon Diggs. He also assisted coach Tom Brattan with the offensive line during the 2013, followed by coach Greg Studrawa in 2014.

Manger was a Graduate Extern at Temple University from 2009-2012. In that role he served primarily with academics and special teams. He assisted with the Owl's defensive line (2009-10) and work with the tight ends in 2011. His duties also included study hall, organized class checks in addition to other football duties assigned by the head coach.

He launched his coaching career as a student assistant coach at Temple (2008-09) where he assisted with the quarterbacks and tight ends.

A native of Newtown, Pa., Manger was a standout quarterback at Council Rock North High School. He was a two-time first team All-Conference selection (2002 & 2003) and was an All-State honorable mention.

Manger played quarterback for a season at Millersville University before he transferred to Temple. He played quarterback and tight end for the Owls under head coach Bobby Wallace (2005), and completed his career at Temple under head coach Al Golden (2006-2007). Manger, who began as a walk-on for the Owls, earned a scholarship during the spring of 2007, and was the recipient of the Dr. Chodoff Academic Excellence Award.

Manger earned his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Temple August 2008, and earned a Master's degree in Sports Psychology from Temple in 2013. He is currently working toward completing his second Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Maryland.

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Pulley & Jordan to Represent Lincoln U. at GLVC Kickoff

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Wednesday the 18 student-athletes who have been selected to attend the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff, which will take place in Lebanon, Illinois on Friday, July 31. The GLVC contingent, highlighted by nine All-Conference returners combining for 18 career postseason honors, will participate in the fourth annual event. The 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff will take place at The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT, and will serve both the league's media members and passionate fans through several social media outlets.

The head coach and two student-athletes from each of the nine GLVC football institutions will be on hand to help promote the conference's fourth season.

Six first-team All-GLVC honorees will be in attendance, including University of Indianapolis senior defensive lineman Lee Campbell and Saint Joseph's College senior running back Braxton Shelton, who earned first-team annals at their respective positions the past two years. The remaining first-team selections in attendance include one of the nation's top wide receivers in Southwest Baptist University senior Nathan Mourik, McKendree junior linebacker A.J. Wentland, William Jewell College senior offensive lineman Brandon Klewer, and UIndy senior quarterback Connor Barthel, who was a first-team signal caller in 2013 and a second-team selection last season. Klewer and Wentland were also second-team honorees at their positions in 2013.

Quincy University senior fullback Greg Eilerman returns as a second-team offensive utility pick in 2014, while Lincoln University senior quarterback Owen Jordan was tabbed as an honorable mention.

McKendree senior running back Cameron James holds special distinction within the group, as he has been recognized every year since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2012. James earned second-team laurels at running back in 2012 and was honored at both wide receiver and return specialist following the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Also in attendance will be Lincoln senior linebacker Treston Pulley, Missouri S&T sophomore quarterback Lamar Wilkes and junior linebacker Rob Cidlik, Quincy junior defensive end Tanner Day, Saint Joseph's senior defensive back Jamyl Scott, Southwest Baptist senior defensive tackle Josh Caver, Truman State University senior offensive lineman Brad Hardin and senior defensive end Devin Gillespie, and William Jewell junior defensive lineman Aaron Neier.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the event through a variety of social media platforms, and interact with each GLVC school as they rotate through stations over the course of the 90-minute event. A complete schedule, as well as the official GLVC Football Kickoff 2014 website, will be announced on Tuesday, July 28.

Media members interested in attending the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff can apply for credentials by contacting GLVC Associate Commissioner Jeff Smith at jeff@glvc-sports.org.

LINCOLN
Owen Jordan, Sr., QB (Fort Scott, KS/Pittsburg State)
After beginning the season as the second-string quarterback, Jordan ended up starting 10 games at quarterback and throwing for 1,867 yards, completing 160 of his 288 pass attempts (.556) in the process. Jordan threw 12 touchdown passes and ended the season ranked sixth in the GLVC in average (186.7) and seventh in efficiency (115.7). Jordan also proved he could make plays with his feet, rushing for 79 yards and two scores. Jordan ended the season on the All-GLVC Honorable Mention list.

Treston Pulley, Sr., LB (Sikeston, MO/Sikeston)
One of the leaders of the Lincoln defense in 2014, Pulley made 83 tackles, including 50 solo, the second-most on the team. Pulley was also second on the squad with 14.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, forcing opponents to lose 34 yards. Pulley additionally broke up two passes.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
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Morgan State grad Greg Barnett helped negotiate K.C. Chiefs Justin Houston's record $101 million deal

GREG BARNETT
NFL Agent

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- One of the key figures behind Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston's blockbuster, $101 million six-year contract is former Morgan State strong safety and Deer Park Middle school coach and teacher Greg Barnett.

The deal is the richest linebacker contract in NFL history and includes $52.5 million in guaranteed money, $32.5 million fully guaranteed and a $20.5 million signing bonus.

An NFL agent since 2004 who also represents St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (Dunbar) and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (Mount Saint Joseph), Barnett recruited Houston out of the University of Georgia. He negotiated this blockbuster deal in tandem with powerful NFL agent Joel Segal and edged out Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt's six-year, $100 million deal that included $30.9 million guaranteed.

"It was nerve-wracking, a long day of negotiating and we've been working on this since the scouting combine," Barnett told The Baltimore Sun. "We finalized the deal Tuesday night. I was actually in the emergency room until I got my blood pressure down and had to ...

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Jacksonville Jaguars sign wide receiver Greg Jenkins, ASU

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Former Alabama State University quarterback Greg Jenkins has been signed by the Jaguars as a wide receiver.

Jenkins, 6-1, 205, has appeared in six career games since entering the league as an undrafted rookie with Oakland in 2013. As a rookie, the Alabama State product returned six punts for 49 yards (8.2 punt return avg.) and 10 kickoffs for 221 yards (22.1 kick return avg.). Jenkins recorded his only NFL touchdown on a fumble return on the opening kickoff against Dallas on Nov. 28, 2013. The Dade City, Fla. native spent part of the 2014 season on the Raiders’ practice squad.

Jenkins started for two years at quarterback at Alabama State after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As a senior, he completed 137 of 233 passes (58.8 comp. pct.) for 1,691 yards and nine touchdowns, and rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns on 121 carries (4.2 rush avg.). Jenkins attended Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County, Fla..

With the signing of Jenkins, the Jaguars now have 90 players on their roster.



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JSU opponent preview: Grambling State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Today's installment of The Clarion-Ledger's game-by-game analysis of Jackson State's 2015 schedule focuses on Grambling State, which has been held in high regard this preseason.

Grambling State rebounded from a tough 2012 season and a terrible '13 season, which included a forfeit against Jackson State after GSU players held a boycott, in a big way a year ago.

After an 0-3 start, coach Broderick Fobbs turned things around in Year 1. The Tigers were a goal-line stand by Southern away from potentially playing in the SWAC title game.

They were close to title contention last season, are the preseason favorite to win the West Division this year, and should prove to be a formidable foe for JSU.

Senior quarterback Johnathan Williams returns to lead an offense that was the No. 1 in passing in the SWAC last year.

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TSU Coach Rod Reed - John Merritt Classic Press Conference

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –  Tennessee State held its annual press conference for the John Merritt Classic football game on Friday morning at Nissan Stadium.

Long time WSMV newscaster Rudy Kalis served as the master of ceremonies, which included head coaches and athletic directors of each institution.

TSU AD Teresa Phillips opened the panel discussion with comments and was followed by ASU interim AD Melvin Hines. The Hornets first-year coach, Brian Jenkins, followed before comments from Tigers coach Rod Reed. Kalis brought the JMC committee chairman Clinton Gray to the podium before posing questions to all four members of the panel.

The 17th Annual John Merritt Classic football game on Sept. 6 will pit TSU against the Alabama State Hornets. The two teams will square off for the third time as part of the classic and for the 13th time all time.

The classic began in 1999 with a 41-8 victory for the Big Blue over the Hornets. The Tigers earned a 30-13 victory against ASU the very next season, the last time the classic featured both squads. In 2014, TSU traveled to Montgomery, Ala. and fell to ASU, 27-21.

The Tigers defeated Edward Waters College, 58-6, last year to improve to 11-5 all-time in JMC games.

TSU great, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, will serve as the honoree for the classic. Jones was a two-time All-American defensive lineman, playing on a team that only lost two games, on the way to winning the black college football national championship in 1971 and 1973. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the first overall pick in the 1974 draft.


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