Post by Aggie One on Sept 2, 2015 18:22:10 GMT -5
BDV 2015 Sneak Preview - Part Two
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Welcome to Bluedeathvalley.com for another exciting year of N.C. A&T football from the diehard fan’s prospective. The Aggies surpassed most prognosticator’s expectations by grabbing a share of the 2014 MEAC title after being picked third in last season’s preseason polls. A&T had a shot at winning the title outright on the last game of the season but a disappointing 21-14 road loss to rival NCCU dropped the Aggies into a 5-way tie for first place.
Still, considering where this program was just four years ago to where it is today, head coach Rod Broadway and his staff have made literally unbelievable strides bringing the program from somewhere beyond dead last to being picked as the MEAC’s odds on favorite to take it all in 2015.
The program has been rebuilt from the ground up and the right way, not with shortcuts or gimmicks, but buy investment of capital resources, recruiting character student athletes, and having a fan base that for the most part has stayed in touch with reality and has been realistic in their expectations throughout the entire revitalization process.
.
Now we’ll find out not only if A&T will be rewarded with a second straight conference championship but this time with the added bonus of a December holiday trip to Atlanta, a nationally televised Bowl Game, and a half million dollar purse to boot.
This is the second installment of our annual sneak preview look at the Aggies by position as we countdown toward an September 5th home and season opener against CIAA opponent Shaw University in Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, NC.
Today we look at the A&T offense so let’s get a straight in-depth look into Aggie Football. Enjoy!
OFFENSE
Despite being the highest scoring team in the MEAC in 2014 at just over 33 points per game, gone in the early offseason was former offensive coordinator Ricky Bustle. Enter Chip Hester, the very successful former head coach at D-II Catawba College, who last year worked with the A&T receivers which translated a break out year for them as a group. Now Hester steps into the role of offensive coordinator with just one item on his agenda. Open up the offensive bag and get the ball to A&T’s many playmakers in open space as often as possible.
Quarterbacks
Over the last decade or so A&T’s quarterback situation has always been one of having a player “winning” the job by default. That’s not a knock on any previous quarterbacks to hold the job but just there just hasn’t been any truly intense competition for that starting job in seasons past. That is no longer case. The incumbents will have to not only compete for the starting quarterback spot but they’ll have to maintain a higher level of performance than normal to hold on to it. A&T has the somewhat enviable problem of having some real quality and decent numbers at the most important single position on the football field.
The incumbent is veteran Kwashaun Quick, a third team all-MEAC performer from a year ago, who had a solid year in his first year as the full time starter despite his mobility being limited late in the season from a mid-year leg injury. The 6-0, 185 pound senior put up some very comforting numbers in 2014 by hitting on 124-213 attempts for 1418 yards with 13 touchdowns against just six interceptions. His 52.8 percent was only for fourth place in the MEAC but his TD to interception ratio was the best among all quarterbacks in the conference. His passes, while not necessarily works of art, are extremely efficient and the senior doesn’t make many errors in his reads. Quick was a big reason of the offense accounting for 2028 yards in total offense (184ypg.) and 20 total touchdowns.
The one big attribute that certainly sets Quick apart from most other quarterbacks is his mastery of the read option and his ability to create and produce huge plays out of the running game. The Laurinburg, NC native rushed 121 times for 610 yards for a 5.0 yards per carry average and six touchdowns. That added dimension of Quick’s feet, excellent play faking, and three years of invaluable game experience makes A&T a very difficult opponent to prepare for because it’s another whole element, aside from the usual suspects, that an opposing defense must account for. Under normal circumstances that alone would lead one to believe that Quick would be the logical defacto choice.
That would have been the case back last winter before some off the field shenanigans reared their ugly heads and which lead to Quick being suspended from the team last semester and missing all of spring practice. That series of events opened the door for red shirt freshman Lamar Raynard (6-5,185) to get in a starter’s share of reps, film study, and plenty of face time with new quarterback coach Chris Barnette. Raynard was a standout high school quarterback for powerful High Point Andrews as they marched to a state championship in 2013. Raynard is a tall, lanky quarterback with very large hands, good throwing mechanics, adequate arm strength, impressive touch, and a quick release. He showed a small glimpse of what he is capable of in this year’s spring game when he went up against a pretty good Aggie defense and produced un-freshman like numbers going 22-36 for 230 yards and two touchdowns despite having an injured finger on his throwing hand.
His physical development and field maturation made him the number one quarterback coming out of the spring just ahead of strong armed Femi Barimo (6-4, 210, R-So.) who seemingly has found his calling looking much more like the quarterback recruited three years ago out of Coolidge High School in Washington, DC. Barimo red shirted as a true freshman in 2013 then toiled away as a reserve tight end last season. The changes that were placed into the offense this spring by Hester have greatly benefitted Barimo’s pocket quarterback skill set and necessitated his moving back under center. His spring game performance caught the attention of many with a 13-26 effort for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for a guy whose just getting reacquainted with his first love after a two year hiatus. Now with Quick’s off the field troubles having resolved themselves in the best possible way, a battle royal has been settled over these last few weeks of the preseason and Raynard is now the resident in the starter’s role and will get his first taste of college football against Shaw University.
Two good looking quarterback specimens for the future will most likely be red shirted this year. Kylil Carter blew up all kinds of passing and rushing records for a quarterback at Southwest Cobb County HS in Georgia while gaining all-state honors at the coveted 6-A level. Isaiah Hicklin spent most of his high school career leading Porter Ridge deep into the state playoffs twice as a dual threat quarterback before transferring to Sun Valley his senior season where he duplicated that feat once again, this time for a program in the midst of rebuilding.
Receivers and Tight Ends
As interesting as the quarterback competition may be there is perhaps a little less tension at the wide receiver posts. A&T will have two very large targets available at wide out that will be hard to miss and extremely difficult for the average sized defensive secondary to contend with. Denzel Keyes heads into his junior year as the Aggies’ premier receiver and probably the most difficult receiver in the MEAC to cover in the red zone. The 6-5, 220 pound possession receiver from Kinston had a coming out party last season with a stellar 24 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns. Keyes is like a bull in a china shop. His sheer physical strength and leaping ability makes it almost mandatory to double him in short yardage situations. Being a possession receiver, defenses often single cover him but his deceptive speed can burn a defense as it did FAMU last season when Keyes erupted for 129 yards and three touchdowns on just five receptions.
If Keyes is the bull then Kevin Francis (6-6, 212) is the long framed gazelle that will stretch defenses over the top. The senior receiver has the one intangible that just can’t be taught. Speed. Francis qualified for the NCAA Eastern Regionals in the 110 meter hurdles and is athletic as they come with 103 inch reach and a 4.52 40-yard time. Francis had spent a couple of seasons at tight end but has permanently moved to wide receiver in the spring so expect his numbers to sky rocket in his final season as more defenses concentrate on Keyes.
The slot receiver spot is open and a couple of sophomores who played a great deal last season are expected to step into that slot. Slot receivers generally need to have good hands and have the type explosiveness that can take short seven yard slants or quick crossing five yard route in front of a linebacker and create 40-yard game changing play. Khris Gardin (5-7,160, So.) spent most of last year lighting up special teams with his death defying punt returns. With the exit of Darren Bullock, Gardin should get a chance to big his playmaking ability and sub 4.4 track speed to full bore in the modified passing attack.
Caleb Gabriel may be the best route runner of all the receivers and he too brings his NCAA championship qualifying relay team track speed to the table. The 5-9,165 sophomore played mostly on special teams last year ranking second in individual tackles but he completed one touchdown pass off a trick run pass option, along with 12 receptions for 91 yards in a reserve role, and three kickoff returns for 63 yards. Gabriel had a solid spring practice and has an impressive 10.29 speed over 100 meters.
With preseason injuries to veteran starting wide out Xavier Griffin and top reserve Mike Weaver, the spot light now focuses on several newcomers to the Aggie program. Shawn Barnes (6-4,180, Fr., Fayetteville, NC) is a tall gifted wide receiver with great hands and athleticism, Malik Wilson (6-0, 175, 4.4, So.) Burlington, NC), an extremely quick red shirt freshman who hits the field after a stellar prep career at Eastern Alamance, Javius Nixon (5-10,190, Fr.) a flash of a slot receiver and kick returner from Wilson Beddingfield and Kannapolis native Keenan Medley (5-10,175, R-So.) who has performed well in early August workouts.
That also opens the door just a bit for speedy Old Dominion transfer Kevin Privott (6-3, 189, 4.4). Privott was originally a 2013 signee for the Monarchs and was red shirted that year and did not participate in football at all in 2014. The former 2-star Hertford product now looks to get his career back on track with A&T who had recruited him previously out of high school.
Tight ends have not traditionally gotten a lot of love in the passing game but are an integral part of A&T’s blocking schemes. Back is starter 6-1,230 pound senior Dequan Swann who has 10 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown a year ago. He’ll have additional some help with the moving of Justin Smith from a reserve fullback to tight end in the off season. Smith has really good size and quickness at 6-2, 245 and 4.6 speed. It remains to be seen how much face time these two will get as legitimate pass catchers under a new offensive coordinator.
Running Backs
Whatever improvements come out of the passing game it will certainly pale in comparison to the A&T running game which is the bread and butter of a Rod Broadway offense. And why shouldn’t it considering the Aggies have what may be the best running back in all of the FCS in Tarik Cohen. Cohen has had a whirlwind of publicity surrounding him after his appearances on ESPN that had him catching two footballs at once while doing backflips on national television without seemingly no effort. Though he only stands a mere 5-6, 170, he is a perhaps the finest athlete on this football team.
The 2014 co-offensive player of the year has been named to no less than a half dozen preseason All-American teams and is practically everyone’s choice as not only the top player in the MEAC but one of finest football players in the country. Blessed with unbelievable speed, uncommon strength and a running style that allows him to be a punishing runner in spite of his diminutive size, he led the MEAC in rushing (1340 yds.) and scoring (15 TDs) for a very impressive 6.8 yards per carry and 121.8 yards per game average a year ago. He also was second on the team in receptions with 25 catches for 237 yards and was second in total individual offense behind quarterback Kwashaun Quick.
A&T has made some considerable improvements to its depth behind Cohen with the development and growth of redshirt freshmen Amos William (5-9, 180) and Cameron Hill (5-9, 200,) in spring practice. Williams is from Defuniak, Fla. where he was an all-state option quarterback with blazing 4.33 speed while Hill was a two way starter at Hendersonville High School near Asheville and is a more power between the tackles back. Danny Robinson (5-8, 195, R-So.) is working himself back into game shape after suffering a preseason leg injury a year ago that sidelined him for the season.
A lot of buzz was created when Wilmington Hoggard standout Keevin Thompson (5-9,195, 4.5) inked his letter of intent with A&T in April. Thompson ran up video game type numbers against solid 4-A competition; 2503 yards (178.8 ypg.) and 35 touchdowns as a senior while being named the conference offensive MVP and one of the top ten running backs in NC at year’s end by Max Preps. Another solid freshman is 2,000 plus yard and plus 30 TD rusher Kris Curry, a big powerful back from Northside High in Jacksonville, NC. The 6-2, 245 pounder along with his twin brother Korey Curry, who will be a defensive lineman, both signed on with A&T during the later spring period.
The lead blockers at fullback at fullback may see a few more carries and catches than normal because of a concentrated effort to become more balanced offensively. Anthony McMinn (6-2,240, R-Jr.) returns as the starting fullback and is very quick on getting out in front on plays with power. He is the most experienced fullback on the roster with 21 games and nine starts under his belt.
LaMarc Watlington (5-11, 200, R-Fr.) has an opportunity to play at either fullback or running back because of his versatility after a solid stint at Greensboro Dudley. One of the strongest players on the squad is Corbin Martin (6-0,230, Jr.) who should see extensive special teams time. The coaching staff is very high on the future of 2-A all-state William Hollingsworth (5-10, 245, Fr.) from Plymouth, NC.
Offensive Line
If there is any rebuilding to do, or in A&T’s case reloading, it will be along the offensive front where replacements will need to be found for two three year starters and graduating All-Americans in guard William Robinson Jr. and center Ron Canty. Stepping in over center will be senior Nick Dease (6-1, 325) who was a part time starter at guard and backup center in 2014. His experience and improved bench press of 400 pounds makes him very solid and reliable in the middle. The guards are well stocked as starter Wes Cole moves from right tackle to the inside at right guard.
Cole, a 6-6, 335 junior, is a preseason second team all-MEAC pick. Cole worked his way slowly through the early season last year as a first time starter getting his feet wet as a young lineman. Each week he picked up his game and got better in engaging more aggressively each time out. By season’s end Cole had established himself a consistent run blocker who could be counted on in short yardage and red zone situations. The challenge for him now will be to elevate his foot work on pass protection and to turn up the aggression knob up even further to make the transition from a good player to a great player.
The Aggies have gotten a big boost from the return of highly regarded Darriel Mack back to the lineup. Mack (6-3,295. R-So.) who is from Clio, SC (Marlboro County), was slated to start last year but had to sat out last season because of a broken foot suffered just before the opener. Mack broke into the starting lineup at season’s end back in 2013 and if early indications hold true, he will be a major force in the offensive line for the foreseeable future. His return to the position at left guard bodes well for the offense and the depth there should be better because of upperclassman Josh Mattocks (6-3,315, R-So.) who played a great deal as a freshman and was the first reserve lineman in the rotation. Now the Aggies can add in highly regarded freshmen Arlander Cherry (6-1,280), Micah Shaw (6-2,276), and Sylvester Smith (6-1,250) to the interior.
Sophomore left tackle Brandon Parker is a preseason first team All-MEAC pick after gaining second team year end honors last season. Parker’s has really good size at 6-7, 280 pounds but more importantly he has great foot speed with a 4.8 time in the forty and possesses an eye popping 107 inch reach. It is that kind of athletic size and speed that is catching early looks from pro scouts as a future NFL prospect. A red shirt freshman will be given his first shot at the big time as former New Bern star Shawn Best (6-6,320) will most likely get the first nod at right guard.
He’ll have plenty of competition to help push him at every turn. Marcus Pettiford (6-4,270, Durham Hillside) was a Shrine Bowl pick, Calvin Trotty (6-3, 285, Spring lake, NC)) was NCHSAA East-West All-Star pick and Malik Johnson (6-4, 305, Arden, NC) was chosen as NCISAA all-state and none of the three are bashful. The Aggies are sporting some real girth and a good deal experience but like all successful offensive lines or entire teams for that matter, the key to this season really will be to remain reasonably healthy in key spots so that there is consistency and cohesion within what should be again one of the better and more potent offenses in the MEAC.
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Welcome to Bluedeathvalley.com for another exciting year of N.C. A&T football from the diehard fan’s prospective. The Aggies surpassed most prognosticator’s expectations by grabbing a share of the 2014 MEAC title after being picked third in last season’s preseason polls. A&T had a shot at winning the title outright on the last game of the season but a disappointing 21-14 road loss to rival NCCU dropped the Aggies into a 5-way tie for first place.
Still, considering where this program was just four years ago to where it is today, head coach Rod Broadway and his staff have made literally unbelievable strides bringing the program from somewhere beyond dead last to being picked as the MEAC’s odds on favorite to take it all in 2015.
The program has been rebuilt from the ground up and the right way, not with shortcuts or gimmicks, but buy investment of capital resources, recruiting character student athletes, and having a fan base that for the most part has stayed in touch with reality and has been realistic in their expectations throughout the entire revitalization process.
.
Now we’ll find out not only if A&T will be rewarded with a second straight conference championship but this time with the added bonus of a December holiday trip to Atlanta, a nationally televised Bowl Game, and a half million dollar purse to boot.
This is the second installment of our annual sneak preview look at the Aggies by position as we countdown toward an September 5th home and season opener against CIAA opponent Shaw University in Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, NC.
Today we look at the A&T offense so let’s get a straight in-depth look into Aggie Football. Enjoy!
OFFENSE
Despite being the highest scoring team in the MEAC in 2014 at just over 33 points per game, gone in the early offseason was former offensive coordinator Ricky Bustle. Enter Chip Hester, the very successful former head coach at D-II Catawba College, who last year worked with the A&T receivers which translated a break out year for them as a group. Now Hester steps into the role of offensive coordinator with just one item on his agenda. Open up the offensive bag and get the ball to A&T’s many playmakers in open space as often as possible.
Quarterbacks
Over the last decade or so A&T’s quarterback situation has always been one of having a player “winning” the job by default. That’s not a knock on any previous quarterbacks to hold the job but just there just hasn’t been any truly intense competition for that starting job in seasons past. That is no longer case. The incumbents will have to not only compete for the starting quarterback spot but they’ll have to maintain a higher level of performance than normal to hold on to it. A&T has the somewhat enviable problem of having some real quality and decent numbers at the most important single position on the football field.
The incumbent is veteran Kwashaun Quick, a third team all-MEAC performer from a year ago, who had a solid year in his first year as the full time starter despite his mobility being limited late in the season from a mid-year leg injury. The 6-0, 185 pound senior put up some very comforting numbers in 2014 by hitting on 124-213 attempts for 1418 yards with 13 touchdowns against just six interceptions. His 52.8 percent was only for fourth place in the MEAC but his TD to interception ratio was the best among all quarterbacks in the conference. His passes, while not necessarily works of art, are extremely efficient and the senior doesn’t make many errors in his reads. Quick was a big reason of the offense accounting for 2028 yards in total offense (184ypg.) and 20 total touchdowns.
The one big attribute that certainly sets Quick apart from most other quarterbacks is his mastery of the read option and his ability to create and produce huge plays out of the running game. The Laurinburg, NC native rushed 121 times for 610 yards for a 5.0 yards per carry average and six touchdowns. That added dimension of Quick’s feet, excellent play faking, and three years of invaluable game experience makes A&T a very difficult opponent to prepare for because it’s another whole element, aside from the usual suspects, that an opposing defense must account for. Under normal circumstances that alone would lead one to believe that Quick would be the logical defacto choice.
That would have been the case back last winter before some off the field shenanigans reared their ugly heads and which lead to Quick being suspended from the team last semester and missing all of spring practice. That series of events opened the door for red shirt freshman Lamar Raynard (6-5,185) to get in a starter’s share of reps, film study, and plenty of face time with new quarterback coach Chris Barnette. Raynard was a standout high school quarterback for powerful High Point Andrews as they marched to a state championship in 2013. Raynard is a tall, lanky quarterback with very large hands, good throwing mechanics, adequate arm strength, impressive touch, and a quick release. He showed a small glimpse of what he is capable of in this year’s spring game when he went up against a pretty good Aggie defense and produced un-freshman like numbers going 22-36 for 230 yards and two touchdowns despite having an injured finger on his throwing hand.
His physical development and field maturation made him the number one quarterback coming out of the spring just ahead of strong armed Femi Barimo (6-4, 210, R-So.) who seemingly has found his calling looking much more like the quarterback recruited three years ago out of Coolidge High School in Washington, DC. Barimo red shirted as a true freshman in 2013 then toiled away as a reserve tight end last season. The changes that were placed into the offense this spring by Hester have greatly benefitted Barimo’s pocket quarterback skill set and necessitated his moving back under center. His spring game performance caught the attention of many with a 13-26 effort for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for a guy whose just getting reacquainted with his first love after a two year hiatus. Now with Quick’s off the field troubles having resolved themselves in the best possible way, a battle royal has been settled over these last few weeks of the preseason and Raynard is now the resident in the starter’s role and will get his first taste of college football against Shaw University.
Two good looking quarterback specimens for the future will most likely be red shirted this year. Kylil Carter blew up all kinds of passing and rushing records for a quarterback at Southwest Cobb County HS in Georgia while gaining all-state honors at the coveted 6-A level. Isaiah Hicklin spent most of his high school career leading Porter Ridge deep into the state playoffs twice as a dual threat quarterback before transferring to Sun Valley his senior season where he duplicated that feat once again, this time for a program in the midst of rebuilding.
Receivers and Tight Ends
As interesting as the quarterback competition may be there is perhaps a little less tension at the wide receiver posts. A&T will have two very large targets available at wide out that will be hard to miss and extremely difficult for the average sized defensive secondary to contend with. Denzel Keyes heads into his junior year as the Aggies’ premier receiver and probably the most difficult receiver in the MEAC to cover in the red zone. The 6-5, 220 pound possession receiver from Kinston had a coming out party last season with a stellar 24 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns. Keyes is like a bull in a china shop. His sheer physical strength and leaping ability makes it almost mandatory to double him in short yardage situations. Being a possession receiver, defenses often single cover him but his deceptive speed can burn a defense as it did FAMU last season when Keyes erupted for 129 yards and three touchdowns on just five receptions.
If Keyes is the bull then Kevin Francis (6-6, 212) is the long framed gazelle that will stretch defenses over the top. The senior receiver has the one intangible that just can’t be taught. Speed. Francis qualified for the NCAA Eastern Regionals in the 110 meter hurdles and is athletic as they come with 103 inch reach and a 4.52 40-yard time. Francis had spent a couple of seasons at tight end but has permanently moved to wide receiver in the spring so expect his numbers to sky rocket in his final season as more defenses concentrate on Keyes.
The slot receiver spot is open and a couple of sophomores who played a great deal last season are expected to step into that slot. Slot receivers generally need to have good hands and have the type explosiveness that can take short seven yard slants or quick crossing five yard route in front of a linebacker and create 40-yard game changing play. Khris Gardin (5-7,160, So.) spent most of last year lighting up special teams with his death defying punt returns. With the exit of Darren Bullock, Gardin should get a chance to big his playmaking ability and sub 4.4 track speed to full bore in the modified passing attack.
Caleb Gabriel may be the best route runner of all the receivers and he too brings his NCAA championship qualifying relay team track speed to the table. The 5-9,165 sophomore played mostly on special teams last year ranking second in individual tackles but he completed one touchdown pass off a trick run pass option, along with 12 receptions for 91 yards in a reserve role, and three kickoff returns for 63 yards. Gabriel had a solid spring practice and has an impressive 10.29 speed over 100 meters.
With preseason injuries to veteran starting wide out Xavier Griffin and top reserve Mike Weaver, the spot light now focuses on several newcomers to the Aggie program. Shawn Barnes (6-4,180, Fr., Fayetteville, NC) is a tall gifted wide receiver with great hands and athleticism, Malik Wilson (6-0, 175, 4.4, So.) Burlington, NC), an extremely quick red shirt freshman who hits the field after a stellar prep career at Eastern Alamance, Javius Nixon (5-10,190, Fr.) a flash of a slot receiver and kick returner from Wilson Beddingfield and Kannapolis native Keenan Medley (5-10,175, R-So.) who has performed well in early August workouts.
That also opens the door just a bit for speedy Old Dominion transfer Kevin Privott (6-3, 189, 4.4). Privott was originally a 2013 signee for the Monarchs and was red shirted that year and did not participate in football at all in 2014. The former 2-star Hertford product now looks to get his career back on track with A&T who had recruited him previously out of high school.
Tight ends have not traditionally gotten a lot of love in the passing game but are an integral part of A&T’s blocking schemes. Back is starter 6-1,230 pound senior Dequan Swann who has 10 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown a year ago. He’ll have additional some help with the moving of Justin Smith from a reserve fullback to tight end in the off season. Smith has really good size and quickness at 6-2, 245 and 4.6 speed. It remains to be seen how much face time these two will get as legitimate pass catchers under a new offensive coordinator.
Running Backs
Whatever improvements come out of the passing game it will certainly pale in comparison to the A&T running game which is the bread and butter of a Rod Broadway offense. And why shouldn’t it considering the Aggies have what may be the best running back in all of the FCS in Tarik Cohen. Cohen has had a whirlwind of publicity surrounding him after his appearances on ESPN that had him catching two footballs at once while doing backflips on national television without seemingly no effort. Though he only stands a mere 5-6, 170, he is a perhaps the finest athlete on this football team.
The 2014 co-offensive player of the year has been named to no less than a half dozen preseason All-American teams and is practically everyone’s choice as not only the top player in the MEAC but one of finest football players in the country. Blessed with unbelievable speed, uncommon strength and a running style that allows him to be a punishing runner in spite of his diminutive size, he led the MEAC in rushing (1340 yds.) and scoring (15 TDs) for a very impressive 6.8 yards per carry and 121.8 yards per game average a year ago. He also was second on the team in receptions with 25 catches for 237 yards and was second in total individual offense behind quarterback Kwashaun Quick.
A&T has made some considerable improvements to its depth behind Cohen with the development and growth of redshirt freshmen Amos William (5-9, 180) and Cameron Hill (5-9, 200,) in spring practice. Williams is from Defuniak, Fla. where he was an all-state option quarterback with blazing 4.33 speed while Hill was a two way starter at Hendersonville High School near Asheville and is a more power between the tackles back. Danny Robinson (5-8, 195, R-So.) is working himself back into game shape after suffering a preseason leg injury a year ago that sidelined him for the season.
A lot of buzz was created when Wilmington Hoggard standout Keevin Thompson (5-9,195, 4.5) inked his letter of intent with A&T in April. Thompson ran up video game type numbers against solid 4-A competition; 2503 yards (178.8 ypg.) and 35 touchdowns as a senior while being named the conference offensive MVP and one of the top ten running backs in NC at year’s end by Max Preps. Another solid freshman is 2,000 plus yard and plus 30 TD rusher Kris Curry, a big powerful back from Northside High in Jacksonville, NC. The 6-2, 245 pounder along with his twin brother Korey Curry, who will be a defensive lineman, both signed on with A&T during the later spring period.
The lead blockers at fullback at fullback may see a few more carries and catches than normal because of a concentrated effort to become more balanced offensively. Anthony McMinn (6-2,240, R-Jr.) returns as the starting fullback and is very quick on getting out in front on plays with power. He is the most experienced fullback on the roster with 21 games and nine starts under his belt.
LaMarc Watlington (5-11, 200, R-Fr.) has an opportunity to play at either fullback or running back because of his versatility after a solid stint at Greensboro Dudley. One of the strongest players on the squad is Corbin Martin (6-0,230, Jr.) who should see extensive special teams time. The coaching staff is very high on the future of 2-A all-state William Hollingsworth (5-10, 245, Fr.) from Plymouth, NC.
Offensive Line
If there is any rebuilding to do, or in A&T’s case reloading, it will be along the offensive front where replacements will need to be found for two three year starters and graduating All-Americans in guard William Robinson Jr. and center Ron Canty. Stepping in over center will be senior Nick Dease (6-1, 325) who was a part time starter at guard and backup center in 2014. His experience and improved bench press of 400 pounds makes him very solid and reliable in the middle. The guards are well stocked as starter Wes Cole moves from right tackle to the inside at right guard.
Cole, a 6-6, 335 junior, is a preseason second team all-MEAC pick. Cole worked his way slowly through the early season last year as a first time starter getting his feet wet as a young lineman. Each week he picked up his game and got better in engaging more aggressively each time out. By season’s end Cole had established himself a consistent run blocker who could be counted on in short yardage and red zone situations. The challenge for him now will be to elevate his foot work on pass protection and to turn up the aggression knob up even further to make the transition from a good player to a great player.
The Aggies have gotten a big boost from the return of highly regarded Darriel Mack back to the lineup. Mack (6-3,295. R-So.) who is from Clio, SC (Marlboro County), was slated to start last year but had to sat out last season because of a broken foot suffered just before the opener. Mack broke into the starting lineup at season’s end back in 2013 and if early indications hold true, he will be a major force in the offensive line for the foreseeable future. His return to the position at left guard bodes well for the offense and the depth there should be better because of upperclassman Josh Mattocks (6-3,315, R-So.) who played a great deal as a freshman and was the first reserve lineman in the rotation. Now the Aggies can add in highly regarded freshmen Arlander Cherry (6-1,280), Micah Shaw (6-2,276), and Sylvester Smith (6-1,250) to the interior.
Sophomore left tackle Brandon Parker is a preseason first team All-MEAC pick after gaining second team year end honors last season. Parker’s has really good size at 6-7, 280 pounds but more importantly he has great foot speed with a 4.8 time in the forty and possesses an eye popping 107 inch reach. It is that kind of athletic size and speed that is catching early looks from pro scouts as a future NFL prospect. A red shirt freshman will be given his first shot at the big time as former New Bern star Shawn Best (6-6,320) will most likely get the first nod at right guard.
He’ll have plenty of competition to help push him at every turn. Marcus Pettiford (6-4,270, Durham Hillside) was a Shrine Bowl pick, Calvin Trotty (6-3, 285, Spring lake, NC)) was NCHSAA East-West All-Star pick and Malik Johnson (6-4, 305, Arden, NC) was chosen as NCISAA all-state and none of the three are bashful. The Aggies are sporting some real girth and a good deal experience but like all successful offensive lines or entire teams for that matter, the key to this season really will be to remain reasonably healthy in key spots so that there is consistency and cohesion within what should be again one of the better and more potent offenses in the MEAC.
