North Carolina A&T is barely a week away from opening its 2012 football season; it’s second under Rod Broadway, with both everything and nothing at stake. Strange statement depending on how you want to view things, the Aggies are ineligible for the MEAC championship and the FCS playoffs this year because of previous problems with over the APR scores incurred during the horrific days of the Lee Fobbs era when the Aggies suffered a record three long winless streak.
Even though A&T will have to endure this disappointment along with the continuation of reduced practice time and no spring football in 2013, Broadway and his staff became the beneficiary of regaining all of school’s football scholarships restored.
Primarily through the efforts of second year athletic Director Earl Hilton, who presented a comprehensive academic improvement plan to the NCAA, that one change of fortune has had an immediate impact on the school’s football program.
The Aggies were extremely competitive last season with only 33 scholarship athletes having four of its six losses decide by touchdown or less while still ending up .500 in the MEAC and stayed within the conference race for nearly eight weeks before very close losses to Howard, SCSU, and FAMU finally took its toll because of a lack of depth.
This season the Aggies will sport more far more talent than a year ago and return 17 starters including ten from the nation’s eighth best defense in the FCS from 2011.
A solid year of recruiting and the addition of a few D-I transfers, the return of some key red shirt players who sat out last year, and a very favorable home schedule of seven games may just put A&T well on a road to capture its first winning season since 2003.
So let’s get down to the business of dissecting the 2012 A&T football squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Rod Broadway will tell you the key to winning football games is to keep the opponent out of the end zone, which the Aggies did fairly well a year ago.
The biggest difference in A&T’s resurrection to respectability started with development of a defensive line that was built around speed rather than pure brute strength. Although A&T is not a large team up front, they will have better size in 2012 and retains all of the speed that disrupted most every team’s running game from a year ago.
The entire front four returns led by senior tackles Brandon Young (6-3,260) and Xavier Robinson (6-3,265) and defensive ends Chris Neal (6-0, 260,Sr.) and preseason all MEAC pick Tony Mashburn (6-0,240, Sr.). Having four tested seniors across the front four will be a distinct advantage in close ball games when facing crucial third down situations this year.
What really makes this line so successful despite a lack of large bodies is that all four run 4.9 or better in the forty -yard dash and that is huge when it comes to getting penetration at the point of attack.
Last year A&T couldn’t go much further than those four along the front but now major contributions are expected from reserve tackles Marquis Boone (6-2,260,R-So.), James Morris (6-1,290, R-Fr.), ends Mike Brown (6-4,240, R-Fr.), Ed Hill (6-2,230, Sr.), and junior Tyree HearnS (6-2,245).
A&T also added three more new bodies of promise in Brandon Rome (6-1, 235, R-Fr.), Mike Neal (6-1,263, Fr.) and Daniel Pinnix (6-2,240, R-Jr.) from High Point, NC. Once again the Aggies place speed and conditioning at a premium over great overall size along their defensive front.
LINEBACKERS
One reason the Aggies don’t rely a great deal on size along the front because of the size they do have at the linebacker spots. A&T plays a variety of defensive sets out of its base 4-3 alignment and they do carry linebackers that can play a down technique as well as they do as standups.
Fans may see any one of a dozen linebackers start at one time or another because of the depth in that area. Two big guns that return this year are at rover back In senior Brandon Hover (5-11,210) and Bryson McCall (6-1,215, Jr.)
Perhaps the best outside backer in the league and one of the nation’s best is sophomore D’Vonte Grant (6-0,218) who led the team in tackles a year ago. He will have plenty of help from seniors Devin Ray (5-11,235) and Jeremy Days (6-1,220).
The middle of the A&T’s run defense was nothing short of being formidable and the crop of this solid group returns intact and has perhaps even improved over last season. Senior Dareon Mays (5-11,245) and junior Tony Clodfelter (5-11,235) are both strong and very fast to the ball.
The Aggies have added former Fayetteville State starter and transfer Bryan Houston (6-0,238, Jr.) and Titus Moore (6-1,235, R-So.). Freshmen Angelo Keys (6-1,240) and Dudley product Denzel Jones (6-0,235) will add even more depth in the inside gaps and are extremely active and physical.
SECONDARY
The single most improved part of the A&T defense will be what defensive coordinator Sam Washington called potentially the finest and deepest group he has ever had as a coach – the A&T secondary.
The big equalizer to any standout receiver will be the return of former MEAC performer and red shirt junior cornerback D’Vonte Graham (5-9,180) who sat out last season after leading the MEAC in interceptions in 2010.
The 4.4 sprinter will team well senior Terrence Webb (6-2,195) who matured immensely as the season progressed last year. Travis Crosby (5-10,205) is a preseason All-MEAC pick at strong safety with five picks in 2011. He will have plenty of backup with Jermarion Pegues (6-1,190, Sr.)
Two major transfers may just completely take away the passing game of most of A&T’s opponents with acquisition of former Colorado teammates in Ayodeji Olatoye (6-2,190) and Markari Pugh (5-11,210) who both can also play either corner or even linebacker if needed.
The Aggies also have a wealth of younger players that will see plenty playing time in corners Chris Attison, Tajir Wharton, Nick Macklin, Isaiah Martin, and Don Mattocks. as DC Sam Washington called it last,” This is by far the deepest and the most talented group I’ve ever had around me since I’ve been coaching.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Sunblock is an aid to be put on one’s skin when on the beach or out in the woods to protect you from blistering sunlight. Someone forgot to tell that to Offensive Line Coach Keith Wagner who believes in sunblock along his offensive front as well to protect his quarterbacks and running back and the Aggies are definitely filled with size in 2012.
The experience of playing so many young players along the front line last year made a lot of young inexperienced potential grow up very quickly last season and from the BCU game to thee season end in the final against NCCU it became apparent that that the “babies” had indeed grown up.
Now out of diapers, the starting front line might be one of the better units in the league and certainly one of the largest. The Aggie front will be led by returning starters right tackle Armon White (6-5,300), left guard William Robinson III (6-4,305,R-So.) and left tackle Nathan Isles (6-5,330, Jr.).
The Aggies have gotten back the services of red shirt senior right guard Joey Sunkins (6-4,320) from academics while Ron Canty (6-2,275, R-So.) and sixth year senior Thomas Hearns (6-0,290) from a medical red shirt will be the centers and play some backup guard.
Reidsville native and former walk-on Danye Gorrell (6-5, 315, OG/OT, Jr.) will play a huge role in short yardage situations after a strong spring and fall camp after moving over from the defense.
The Aggies will have seven vets in the starting rotation but they also expect some positive production out of some impressive first year players in freshmen Lashon Hudson (6-4,325,OG) who already bench presses over 425 pounds, Olin Leak (6-4,315,OT), highly recruited Major Kay (6-5,320,OT), David Bennett (6-3,290,OG), and future center Jakeem Forester (6-2,265).
Finding holes to run through should not be a problem nor protecting the quarterback this fall. The key factor for A&T’s offense is not have a huge number of disabling injuries in that rotation that forces too many youngsters into the fire far too early.
RECEIVERS/TIGHTENDS
How do you replace a 1,000 plus yard receiver, an all-MEAC selection, and literally a quarter of all your offensive production? Wallace Miles is now gone on to the NFL and left his mark in the A&T history book.
When you talk to offensive coordinator Joe Pizzo, the A&T passing attack just might be better off despite the loss of Miles. “What we have now is a large group of talented guys that no one has seen and that anyone of them is capable of turning in the big play and will give our quarterbacks a lot more options to choose from,” said Pizzo.
When you really look down the roster and take in a few practices, you will immediately notice that A&T receivers are a much taller and far more physical bunch than a year ago.
Larry Raper (5-10,175, Sr.) started slowly last fall but by season’s end, he found himself and grew into that big homerun receiver that everyone thought he could be by the end of his junior year.
Besides Raper, the Aggies will have another senior in Torrain Warren (6-3,190), who is out for two more weeks with a broken collarbone but should be back by the conference opener on Thursday night on ESPNU against Morgan State. Donta Prince (6-4,210, R-Sr.) may step into Warren’s shoes until he returns.
Starting is less of an issue at this position since the quantity is abundant with possession receivers Demonta Brown (6-1,180), Christian Carver (6-1,190) and red shirt freshmen Dominique Jones (6-2,190) and Trey Long (6-0,200).
When it comes to adding speed three names stand out and the four are all freshmen in Dequan Swann (6-1,205), all-state recruit Marquis Gorman (5-10,180), Seyan Moody (6-4,190) and Darren Bullock (6-0,180) all who are 4.5 guys or better and serious deep zone threats.
A&T has not used the tight end as a key part of their offense in quite a few years. A&T shifted over linebacker Tevin Williams (6-1,220, Sr.) and placed junior John Stanfield (6-1,230) at the position to give extra blocking power to the running game.
One bright surprise has been the emergence of a skinny undersized TE prospect in 6-5,200 pound Kevin Francis (R-Fr.) who is an outstanding pass receiver that has the speed to go deep and has great hands.
RUNNING BACKS
If you thought that A&T would suddenly become an “air it out” offense and forsake the running game, then guess again. The Aggies are flat loaded at the running back positions and especially at tailback in their pro set offense. The goal this year will be to shoot 200 yards plus rushing yards each week as a group.
If there is a year for reclamation of the title of “Tailback U’, this would be it as the stable is filed to the brim with four excellent tailbacks the least of which is returning All-MEAC and co-Offensive player of the year in senior Mike Mayhew.
The 5-9,200 pound Charlotte native needs only a 140 yards to become A&T’s all-time leading rusher and can become just the third back in MEAC history to string together three 1,000 yard seasons in a row if he is able to three peat his past performances of the last two years.
Mayhew is a combination of power, quick cuts, good hands out of the backfield with just enough burst to get himself into the secondary if given just a small crack at the line of scrimmage. What sets him apart from most backs is his toughness and the ability to break tackles. He’s not flashy nor would you call him the exciting back in the world but when the fourth quarter rolls around, he always seems to find that extra gear when defenses become weary.
Hot on his hills is a back of a different sort, a game breaker who in a flash can be in the end zone if you blink twice. Ricky Lewis, Jr. (5-10, 185,R-Jr.) is a burner, plain and simple. After spending two years playing backup quarterback, wide out, a return man, he is now playing his most natural position as the deep speed back out of the Power-I.
Third on the list in junior Dominique Drake (5-11,210) who has stepped in for Mayhew when hurt and put himself on the map in a couple of key wins last year with his bruising style of between the tackles style. A strong offseason conditioning program has made him the most improved runner in the A&T backfield and consequently he will see plenty of action this fall.
The wild card coming in may be one of the fastest runners to ever put on the Blue and Gold in East Carolina transfer Desmond Lawrence (6-0,190, R-Fr.,4.42 forty). Lawrence is a former Southern Durham star tailback who won the National High School Track championships in 2010 in both the 60 and 100 meters and is aching to get to the playing field after an eye popping fall camp.
Lawrence sat out last year at ECU and is now immediately eligible. His speed and elusiveness will most likely change the outcome of game or two in his first season.
Fullback is held down by two-year starter Devin Moore (6-1,270) who is excellent lead blocker and pass catcher of swing passes and screens. Incredibly strong, Moore will most likely carry the ball a lot more in 2012.
He will backed by highly thought of freshman Anthony McGinn II (6-3,230) who just may see split playing time at both fullback and at tight end. McGinn is a very quick and versatile athlete and an excellent student from Hendersonville, NC.
QUARTERBACKS
Lewis Kindle enters his junior year as one of the four top quarterbacks in the MEAC. The Atlanta native threw for 2,000 yards and 16 TDs and rushed for nine more TDs. The biggest improvement will measured on how well he can cut down on his interceptions 11 after his first full season under center after a preseason ACL injury in 2010.
Kindle spent a lot of time trying to create plays last year when Mayhew was only half speed midway through the year that forced him to often to trying to create offense on his own but he clearly has the arm strength and the mobility to take another step forward in his development.
With increased weapons around him and a year of being completely healthy, his fall drills have been on target and far ahead of schedule skill development wise.
Three freshman will back up Kindle this season and the nod for number two has seemingly gone to Kwashaun Quick (6-3,200) who held slight edge over Femi Bamiro (6-5,210) and Dorian Belcher (6-2,210) primarily because he has picked up the offense more quickly and his overall athleticism.
Quick, a former Shrine Bowler, led his Scotland County squad to a perfect 15-0 record and a 4-A State Championship and was named the MVP of that game and while passed for over 2,500 yards and 32 TDs and rushed for over 1,100 yards and nine more scores as a senior.
Barimo is a pure pocket passer and probably the most accomplished in that area of the three. The Washington, DC (Coolidge HS) made a mark as a QB as senior after being primarily a free safety in high school.
Barimo was adept enough to make the move and excel at the position as a natural passer enough to be named as a second team all-Metro selection after only being a starter in only eight games as a senior. His huge frame is built perfectly for a pro set quarterback and but he will still have to learn how to incorporate the run into his overall college level game.
Belcher comes into this season learning a much different style than what he was used too in the spread option of his high school days. There is no question of Belcher’s talent level or arm strength but playing under center versus exclusive shotgun is a totally new experience for him.
That is where Quick may hold the edge over him along with his ability to use his 4.53 speed makes him far more mobile and gives him escape ability out of the pocket while Bamiro learns that aspect of the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
If ever there was an Achilles heel to A&T’s season it was in the Norfolk State and Howard games, games where A&T dominated, but for an extremely poor punting performance against the Spartans and a breakdown on kickoff coverage from a very short kickoff to the Bison, A&T’s season could have been much different.
To remedy that problem, A&T spent a great deal of time and effort in recruiting one of the Southeast’s finest kickoff and placekickers in Zach Cimaglia from Charlotte’s Myers Park High School. Cimaglia scored 62 points as a senior as he connected on 47 extra points, made five field goals as a senior, kicked the ball off 66 times for an average of 51.9 yards per kick off. He recorded 27 touchbacks on his 66 kickoffs.
His range in practice and camp has consistently exceeded 50 plus yards on field goal attempts including a booming 54-yarder in the final preseason full contact scrimmage last weekend.
To finish it all off, he won the national completion in both Charlotte and Tampa of the prestigious NCP Camp and was rated one of the top five prospects in the country at the famous Dan Orner Kicking School. The big piece of the missing pie is that he averaged 45.2 yards per punt as a senior as well.
Now, all the chips aren’t just riding on the one freshman. Jose Garcia-Comacho had fine rookie season with his place kicking. Comacho appeared in all 11 games and kicked off 51 times for an average 54.3 yards per kickoffs, attempted eight field goals and was successful on six (6 for-6 when the distance was 20-39 yards).
The sophomore has added about 20 pounds of bulk to his frame over the summer and has increased field range to beyond 45 yards, which is 15 more yards over last year.
Aggie fans will be happy to see D’Vonte Graham and freshman All-state kick returner Marquis Gorham from Greenville Rose. Graham holds the A&T record for the longest punt return for a TD with a 98 yarder in 2010.
Gorham was nothing short of brilliant during his high school career running back six kickoffs for touchdowns, four punts with the same result and nine receptions for scores as a wide receiver. Both players run sub 4.4 forties and will present major headaches for opposing coverage teams.
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So there you have it. A complete top to bottom look into the 2012 N.C. A&T’s football team.
On paper, A&T should be greatly improved and in practice they have been coming along nicely even based upon always notorious lowered expectations of Coach Rod Broadway who believes and now says he may just have a pretty good football team this season if the proper work is put in this season as the Aggies head into opener on the road at Coastal Carolina next Saturday night.
