WSSU Defense Beefs Up

[Aggie One]

Strength: After getting pushed around, WSSU's Ward got stronger by spending time in weight room

By John Dell

JOURNAL REPORTER

Published: August 12, 2009

Akeem Ward loves to talk about fishing almost as much as he loves to talk about chasing quarterbacks.

Ward, a sophomore defensive lineman at Winston-Salem State, has a passion for football. But casting a hook into a quiet pond is a close second.

"I love fishing," Ward said. "I went fishing on my birthday during summer school with a couple of other guys from the team, and we went to the Yadkin River off of I-40 and that was fun."

Ward also had fun last season as part of a young defensive line that played above its head most of the year. Although the Rams finished 3-8 -- their worst record since a 3-7 finish in 1982 -- the line was a bright spot.

Although freshmen Stephen Young and Josh Newkirk also started on the defensive line last season, it was the quiet Ward who turned heads. He didn't have gaudy statistics like the others, but the year of experience should make him better this season.

Defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum raves about Ward's work ethic in the weight room. When Ward, 6-4, arrived at WSSU, he could bench press 280 pounds. Now, he's up to 330 pounds.

"He has probably made the biggest gains for us in the offseason, and you can just tell by looking at him," Ketchum said. "He has gained so much strength, but at the same time he hasn't lost any speed, which is one of his best assets."

Ward weighs 290 pounds, about 10 pounds more than he weighed after finishing high school at Apex Middle Creek.

For the rest of the story:
www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/aug/12/after-getting-pushed-around-wssus-ward-got-stronge/sports-college-team-pages-winstonsalem-state/

[oleschoolaggie]

i think their defense will be pretty good. it could come down to a defensive battle when we play them this year. but i think our offense will be better than theirs and i think our defense will be better than their defense too.

well, i guess you know who i think will win that game... ;D

[numberonebrave]

{ think their defense will be pretty good...........}. Talented and experience-laden defense to be strength of 2009 Rams


Aug. 26, 2009


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It's easy to win football games if you can stop your opponent from scoring. Ask the Steelers' "Steel Curtain" defense of the 1970's that led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl titles. Look no further than the 2000 Baltimore Ravens' defense that set NFL records for the fewest points allowed in a 16 game season (165) and for fewest rushing yards allowed (970) en route to a Super Bowl title. The 2009 Winston-Salem State University Rams' defense may not draw comparisons to the record-setting Ravens or the shutdown Steelers, but Defensive Coordinator Mike Ketchum's unit is easily the most talented squad in the Division I history of WSSU football.

"The biggest difference between this year and last year is our unit's overall versatility" Ketchum commented.

"In the past few seasons we certainly have had talent. We were fortunate enough to have players like Michael Helton, a player who started every game of his WSSU career, and William Hayes who is continuing his stellar career with the Tennessee Titans. However, now, instead of one or two supremely talented players, we have a whole lot more guys that can make plays" Ketchum said.

Ketchum, WSSU's fifth-year defensive coordinator has assembled a talented unit that boasts the services of 12 upperclassmen. With eight seniors and four juniors gracing the defensive two-deep, Ketchum has the talent and experience to improve upon a 2008 season that saw the Rams hold a talented Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and two non-conference opponents to only 22.7 points per game.

The Rams return the services of Akeem Ward at the left defensive end position as the talented 6-4, 260-pound sophomore looks to improve upon a true freshman campaign in which he recorded 23 total tackles and 1.5 sacks as well as tallying a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.





At nose tackle Kevin Dorsey, Jr. returns for his final season as a Ram. The 6-3, 275-pounder will add experience to the Rams' defensive front and is coming off of a season in which he ranked 10th on the team in total tackles with 34 and was second on the squad in tackles for loss with seven.

The Rams will boast the services of sophomore right defensive end Joshua Newkirk as the true sophomore returns to the WSSU lineup, much to the chagrin of every MEAC opponent that WSSU will face in 2009.

An athletic marvel, Newkirk is one of the hardest working WSSU student-athletes, both on the field and in the weight room. The 6-2, 240 pounder plays well beyond his years as he looks to improve upon a first-year campaign in 2008 that saw him place third on the team with 48 total tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Newkirk will be backed up by Stephen Young, another true sophomore who turned in a stellar year-one campaign in 2008. Young, who will start as the Rams' fourth down lineman in situations that call for added pressure on the defensive front, is one of WSSU's most versatile defensive players.

A former state champion wrestler, the 6-3, 280-pound Young is another of WSSU's talented youngsters. He is coming off of one of the most impressive freshman seasons as a true freshman in the history of WSSU football, a season that saw him place tied for sixth in tackles with 41 including a team-leading 10 tackles for loss with a team-high five sacks. Young also added a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 2008 and will undoubtedly bring his aggressive style of play back to the Rams' defensive front in 2009.

Three seniors will highlight the Rams' linebacking corps, a trio of talented and experienced student-athletes that will prove to be the strength of Mike Ketchum's defensive unit.

Seniors Juan Corders, Chedrick Marshall and Mario Dawson will be the de facto leaders of the WSSU defense as the three seniors will complete their collegiate football careers looking to shut down opposing offenses.

Corders, a 6-2, 250-pound linebacker from Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS) is coming off of a junior season in which he placed second on the team with 58 total tackles including four tackles for loss and two sacks as well as tallying a blocked kick. An inspiring student-athlete, Corders excels both on the field and in the classroom as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee member will return his services to the Rams' talent-laden lineup.

Chedrick Marshall, a fifth-year senior will return to the lineup as a starting inside linebacker as the 6-1, 235-pounder returns his services after a 2008 season in which he placed eighth on the roster in tackles with 39 including 5.5 tackles for loss including 4.5 sacks. A speedy, smart linebacker, Marshall possesses a bevy of skills and a textbook technique that allows him penetration into opposing teams' backfields.

Rounding out the linebacking corps will be Mario Dawson. Another fifth-year senior, the 5-11, 230-pound Dawson returns to the Rams' lineup fresh off of a breakout season that saw him tally 32 total tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack. A raw athlete, Dawson possesses both the speed and strength to create matchup problems for opposing offenses.

The Rams will again employ the services of a "Rover" as Marcus Coates, the Rams' leading tackler from 2008 will be allowed the freedom to move around the Rams' defense and exploit mismatches in his effort to make plays.

Coming off of a season in which he led the team with 60 total tackles including a team-high 42 unassisted tackles, Coates will use his supreme athleticism to continue to expose weaknesses in opponent's offensive fronts in an effort to improve upon a 2008 season in which he recorded 3.5 tackles for loss as well as one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The Rams defensive backfield will finally be solidified in 2009 as what once proved to be a liability will now become one of WSSU's most impressive assets.

Jaquin Sessoms looks to have won the starting strong safety job as the 5-10, 205-pound redshirt junior will undoubtedly improve upon a 2008 season which saw him record only three total tackles.

The free safety position is one that will see a familiar face in a new place as Tienne Jefferson has won the starting spot following his move from quarterback. Jefferson started three games under center for the Rams in 2008 and will now move to the Rams' defensive backfield as he will utilize his athleticism and speed to terrorize opposing offenses.

Alex Chandler has earned the starting job at the right cornerback position and Marvin Bohannon has locked up the starting spot at the left corner.

Chandler and Bohannon, a pair of fifth-year seniors are the key to the Rams' success in the defensive backfield as the duo brings experience to Mike Ketchum's unit.

Chandler, a 6-1, 180-pound speedster, and Bohannon, a 6-2, 190-pound hard-hitter bring not only speed but size to the Rams' unit, a size that has been lacking in years past.

"Moving [Marvin] Bohannon from strong safety to corner has really helped us solidify our two cornerback positions" Ketchum commented.

"Both he and Chandler bring all the tools that we need to our corner positions. They are both fast and like to hit, but they have both closing speed and excellent stride length that enable them to keep up with the fast receivers we face in the MEAC. Their height is the key factor for us as they both are over six feet tall and with the trend towards taller receivers these days, that increased height is definitely an asset for us" Ketchum said.

With a talented and experience-laden defense the Rams look poised for continued success in 2009 as they prepare to break fall camp in preparation for the season kickoff versus North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

For additional information on WSSU football, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at [phone] or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com.