SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • 6 PM NORFOLK STATE VS ELIZABETH CITY STATE
DECEMBER 18, 2021, NOON ET ON C M E R C E D E S - B E N Z S TA D I U M
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AT L A N TA , G A
GAME PREVIEW ABOUT THE GAME The Spartans play their first game in nearly two years this week when they welcome Elizabeth City State for their first home game of 2021. After sitting out the 2020 season due to the pandemic, NSU takes to the Dick Price Stadium field for the first time since November of 2019 this week. The game also marks the first home contest in the Spartan coaching career of Dawson Odums. SCOUTING THE SPARTANS NSU enjoyed one of its better showings ever against a Division I FBS team last week, but ended up on the losing end of a 41-16 score at Wake Forest. In their first-ever game against an ACC opponent, the Spartans amassed 336 yards of total offense and 16 points, their second-most ever against an FBS foe. Juwan Carter led the NSU offense with 195 passing yards and two touchdowns, covering 10 yards to Rayquan Smith and 3 to Anthony Williams. Carter also ran for 37 yards. Carter was named MEAC Player of the Week and Jalen Powell was selected Offensive Lineman of the Week. Redshirt Da’Quan Felton and Justin Smith both posted 66 yards receiving. It was a career game for Felton, who also snared six receptions. Carter has thrown three touchdown passes in two weeks, tied for first among MEAC players. He was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week and left guard Jalen Powell was selected Offensive Lineman of the Week. SCOUTING THE VIKINGS Elizabeth City State also enters this week with an 0-2 record. The Vikings opened the year with a 47-6 loss to Fayetteville State on Sept. 4, then dropped a 35-27 decision to Bluefield State last Saturday. Against Bluefield State, ECSU held a 27-21 late in the third quarter, but BSC outscored the Vikings 14-0 in the fourth quarter to come away with the win. ECSU passed for 259 yards, 185 by De’Abrie Smith. Zion Riddick caught eight passes for 91 yards.
ECSU is allowing 41 points per game. The Vikings have also committed six turnovers so far. ECSU was picked to finish fifth in the CIAA North Division and seventh overall in the CIAA standings. SERIES HISTORY Norfolk State has faced Elizabeth City State more than any other foe in its history. This year’s game marks the 57th meeting all-time, with NSU holding a 33-22-1 edge in the series. The teams last met in the season opener in 2016, with NSU coming away with a 20-12 win. LAST MEETING Greg Hankerson threw two touchdown passes and Quintreil Chung tallied 81 yards and a TD on the ground to lift Norfolk State to a 20-12 win over Elizabeth City State on Sept. 4, 2016, at Dick Price Stadium. Senior James Church and redshirt freshman George Wahee both caught their first career scoring passes for the Spartans (1-0), who won their seasonopener for the first time since defeating Virginia State in 2012. The game – the first meeting between the schools since 1996 – was delayed a day due to the effects of Hurricane Hermine. NSU held ECSU scoreless in the second half. Leading 14-12 at the break,
NSU went ahead by eight on a 12-yard TD pass from Hankerson to Wahee with 2:50 left in the third quarter. The Spartans rushed for 170 yards in the game, with Hankerson rushing for 54 to go with his 151 passing. Daquan Neal threw for 238 yards for ECSU. PRESEASON PREDICTIONS NSU was picked to finish second in the new-look, six-team MEAC this year. South Carolina State was the preseason favorite according to the poll of head coaches and sports information directors. Quarterback Juwan Carter was voted the preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and was one 14 Spartans named to the preseason All-MEAC teams, most in the conference. Carter, running back Kevin Johnson, wide receiver Da’Kendall James, offensive lineman Jalen Powell and OL Justin Redd were among those voted to the preseason All-MEAC first-team offense. Also voted to the preseason All-MEAC first team were defensive linemen De’Shaan Dixon and Chris Myers, defensive back Devyn Coles, kicker Josh Nardone and punter Ryan Richter. Receiver Justin Smith and defensive back Brandon Savage were secondteam selections.
Running back Rayquan Smith scored on a 10-yard reception at Wake Forest last weekend. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)
GAME PREVIEW ALL EYES ON THE SPARTANS Several Spartans were named to preseason national watch lists. Quarterback Juwan Carter was selected to preseason watch lists for the Walton Payton Award (the FCS Offensive Player of the Year), College Football Performance Awards FCS Player of the Year, and the Black College Football Player of the Year. Receiver Da’Kendall James, running back Kevin Johnson, defensive lineman De’Shaan Dixon and defensive back Devyn Coles were also members of the Black College Player of the Year watch list, giving NSU five players on that list most among HBCUs. Dixon was also selected to the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl big board. Additionally, punter Ryan Richter is on the FCS Punter of the Year watch list. SPARTANS IN THE PROS Norfolk State is represented in the NFL by undrafted defensive back Bobby Price of the Detroit Lions. Price was a two-time All-MEAC safety for NSU who started 37 games between 2016 and 2019 for NSU. Price spent much of the 2020 NFL season on the Lions practice squad, but was activated for two games late in the year and made one tackle.
NSU ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER Ten of NSU’s 11 games this year will be broadcast on one of the ESPN family of networks. The opener at Toledo and the contest at Howard will air on ESPN3 and the Wake Forest game be carried by the ACC Network Extra. The Hampton game will be seen on ESPN+. NSU’s home game with Elizabeth City State and five MEAC games will be broadcast on either ESPN+ or ESPN3. In addition, games with Howard, NCCU and South Carolina State may be chosen for re-broadcast on ESPNU later as part of the MEAC’s yearly TV agreement. ALL GAMES ON HOT 91.1 FM, SXM Campus radio station WNSB Hot 91.1 FM will serve as the carrier of all 11 Spartan football games this fall, plus any potential postseason games, for the second year in a row. Fans can also listen to the games online at www.tunein. com, or through the TuneIn Radio app by searching for WNSB 91.1 FM. NSU’s football broadcasts will be available on SiriusXM for the first time throughout the 2021 season. The SXM App is free for most subscribers, and anyone who is not yet a subscriber can download the SXM App and get a free, limited-time preview. Select games will also air on a SXM channel. Check the athletics web site for weekly updates.
MEAC at a Glance 2021 Standings North Carolina Central Delaware State Norfolk State South Carolina State Morgan State Howard
Conf. Overall W-L W-L 0-0 1-1 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-2
Last Week’s Results Maryland 62, Howard 0 Wake Forest 41, Norfolk State 16 Marshall 44, N.C. Central 10 Clemson 49, S.C. State 3 Georgetown 20, Delaware State 14 (OT) Tulane 69, Morgan State 20 This Week’s Games Hampton at Howard.............................. 12 p.m. Morgan State at Sacred Heart ...............1 p.m. Elizabeth City State at Norfolk State...6 p.m. Winston-Salem State at N.C. Central ..6 p.m. Delaware St. at E. Tennessee St.......7:30 p.m. S.C. State at New Mexico State .............8 p.m. Preseason MEAC Poll (First-place votes in parentheses) 1. South Carolina State (5) ............... 118 2. Norfolk State (2)..................... 96 3. North Carolina Central (2) ........... 78 4. Delaware State (1).......................... 56 5. Morgan State (1)............................. 48 6. Howard (1) ........................................ 36 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year QB Juwan Carter, Norfolk State Preseason Defensive Player of the Year DB Decobie Durant, S.C. State
Wide receiver Da’Kendall James is one of five Spartans named to the preseason Black College Player of the Year watch list. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)
HEAD COACH ASSISTANT DAWSON COACHES ODUMS ranked 20th in the FCS Top 25 Coaches Poll. Defensive end Jordan Lewis brought distinction to the Jaguars by winning the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the Division I FCS. Lewis, who led the country in sacks and tackles for loss, also won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Southern posted top-20 total offenses in 2015 and 2016 and a No. 13 mark in rushing offense en route to a SWAC West title in 2019. Odums’ squads ranked in the top 10 in the FCS in punt return average four times, including leading the country in 2017, and also ranked top-10 in kickoff return average twice.
Dawson Odums Head Football Coach awson Odums, a championship coach with a track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the field during his collegiate coaching career, is in his first year as the head football coach at Norfolk State University. He was named the 18th head coach in Spartan history on April 21, 2021.
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A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, Odums enjoyed a stellar 10-year run in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Odums directed Southern to a winning record in each of his eight full seasons at the helm of the program, including a 5-1 mark in the abbreviated 2021 spring season. In his last five seasons, the Jaguars posted a 29-6 SWAC record. His overall record on the field with the Jaguars was 63-35. After joining the Jaguars as defensive line coach in 2011, Odums was elevated to interim head coach two games into the 2012 season before earning the permanent head coach position following the year. On the field, Odums led Southern to a 53-17 SWAC mark over the last nine seasons. His ledger includes one SWAC championship (2013), one SWAC Coach of the Year honor (2013) and four SWAC West Division titles (2013, ‘14, ‘18, ‘19). Odums’ teams at Southern excelled in all three phases of the game. In the 2021 spring season, Southern ranked first nationally in blocked punts, second in third-down conversions, fifth in sacks and eighth in scoring offense. Southern finished the year
The 2013 season was a special one for Odums. His first full year as head coach at Southern culminated in a double-overtime SWAC championship game victory over Jackson State. The win made Odums just the second coach in Southern history to win a SWAC divisional title, outright SWAC championship and SWAC Coach of the Year honors in his first year as head coach. The Jaguars went 9-4 that year, one of four seasons in which they won at least eight games on Odums’ watch. They also won nine games and captured the divisional title the following year, 2014. Six players coached by Odums have signed with teams in the NFL or CFL. That list includes SWAC all-time leading rusher Lenard Tillery and Southern’s all-time leader in receiving yards and return touchdowns, Willie Quinn. Former Jaguars defensive back Danny Johnson is on the roster of the Washington Football Team. Jaguar student-athletes have also performed well in the classroom. Fifty-seven Southern players earned Dean’s List honors during the fall 2020 semester. Under Odums’ guidance, Southern’s APR score has steadily risen, reaching a multi-year rate of 952 in the last NCAA report of his tenure there. Odums’ other coaching stints include a pair of stops in the MEAC. He spent three seasons at North Carolina A&T (2008-10), serving first as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator and then as defensive coordinator. The Aggies’ special teams units thrived under his leadership, returning four kicks for touchdowns and blocking three kicks in 2010. That came on the heels of a 2009 season in which the Aggies blocked five kicks. In 2010, Brandon Jackson became the first Aggie in five seasons to record more
than 100 tackles in a season, finishing with 106. D’Vonte Graham led the MEAC in interceptions with seven. The year prior saw Jarrell Herring earn first-team All-MEAC honors at defensive end. Odums’ first stint in the MEAC came as defensive line coach at Bethune-Cookman from 2005-07. Over Odums’ three-year span there, the Wildcats run defense was among the stingiest in the MEAC. In 2007, the Wildcats defense ranked third in the conference in rush defense and third in total defense. Odums also worked with the Wildcats special teams units and scouted opposing teams’ special teams personnel. Prior to arriving at Bethune-Cookman, Odums spent three seasons at Division II Clark Atlanta. He served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 200203, then as interim head coach in 2004. Odums’ other stints at the Division I level include two years at Georgia Southern and one at Gardner-Webb. In his first year at GSU in 2000, Odums coached the linebackers while helping the Eagles win the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship. He then mentored the defensive ends in his second year. Odums played linebacker and quarterback at Crest High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, before competing collegiately at North Carolina Central. A defensive lineman at NCCU, Odums was a team captain and All-CIAA selection as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1997. A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Odums participated in the NCAA Coaches Academy in Indianapolis in 2010. Odums and his wife, Audrey, have two daughters, Jasmine and Jaiden.
NORFOLK STATE ROSTER NO. NAME
POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
NO. NAME
POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
1
Marcque Ellington
WR
6-6 210 R-Sr. Neptune, N.J./St. John-Vianney HS
58
Terique Miles
LB
6-3 210 Fr.
Norfolk, Va./Palmetto Prep
2
Kevin Johnson
RB
6-0 175 R-So. Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS
59
Javoni Hales
LB
5-11 210 Fr.
Newport News, Va./Menchville HS
3
Justin Smith
WR
6-2 180 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Benedictine Preparatory
60
Dyral McMillan
OL
6-3 295 Fr.
Charlotte, N.C./Jireh Prep
4
Anthony Williams
TE
6-3 235 R-Sr. Norfolk, Va./Maury HS
64
Kole Williams
LB
6-0 215 Fr.
Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS
5
Devyn Coles
DB
5-11 175 R-So. Highland Springs, Va./Highland Springs HS
65
Jalen Powell
OL
6-3 280 R-Sr. Temple Hills, Md./Hampton (Va.) HS
6
Da’Kendall James
WR
6-1 190 R-So. Chesapeake, Va./Coastal Carolina
66
Taro Lipscomb
OL
6-3 290 R-Sr. Washington, D.C./Friendship College
7
Tayvion Land
DB
5-8 190 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Liberty
69
Jeff Woods
OL
6-6 265 R-Fr. Fayetteville, N.C./UConn
8
Juwan Carter
QB
6-0 175 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS
70
Justin Redd
OL
6-5 315 R-Jr. Hampton, Va./Hampton HS
10
Tremayne Talbert
WR
5-9 170 R-So. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS
71
Ian Williams
OL
6-2 285 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Benedictine Preparatory
11
Shaviaea Williams
DB
5-11 195 R-Jr. Norfolk, Va./Granby HS
73
Silas Fitzgerald
OL
6-5 290 R-Fr. Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley HS
12
Jonah Fitzgerald
QB
6-4 205 R-So. Roanoke, Va./Old Dominion University
74
Colby Byrd
OL
6-3 290 R-Jr. Virginia Beach, Va./Virginia Union
12
Christopher Price
QB
6-0 185 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS
76
Andrew Nickens
OL
6-3 300 Fr.
13
Cameryn Brent
RB
5-8 200 R-Sr. Atlanta, Ga./Holmes CC
78
Josh Culberson
OL
6-3 295 R-Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Fork Union Military
15
J.J. Davis
RB
5-9 170 R-Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/University of Cincinnati
79
Desmond Kelly
OL
6-4 290 Fr.
16
Christian Ruffin
DB
5-11 175 Fr.
Raleigh, N.C./Southeast Raleigh HS
80
Noah Spencer
WR
6-2 190 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Old Dominion
16
Bobby Dunn
QB
6-1 180 Fr.
Richmond, Va./Varina HS
81
Ademola Faleye
TE
6-7 225 Fr.
17
Kyler Davis
QB
6-0 210 R-Fr. Fayetteville, N.C./Fork Union Military
82
Kevin Gayles
WR
6-0 195 R-Fr. Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS
18
De’Shaan Dixon
DL
6-5 260 R-Sr. Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS
83
Da’Quan Felton
WR
6-4 185 R-Fr. Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS
19
Tyler Long
LB
5-11 210 R-So. Cincinnati, Ohio/Lackawanna College
84
Tavian Morris
WR
6-2 175 R-Fr. Prince George, Va./Prince George HS
20
Stuart Anderson Jr.
DB
6-3 210 R-Jr. Mathews, Va./Mathews HS
85
Vincent Jarvis
WR
6-0 180 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS
21
Brandon Savage
DB
5-10 170 R-Jr. Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill Academy
86
Jayden Kelley
TE
6-1 200 R-Fr. Hopewell, Va./Hopewell HS
22
Cameron Foreman
DB
6-2 180 R-So. Mechanicsville, Va./Fork Union Military
87
Lukai Hatcher
WR
6-0 160 Fr.
23
Rayquan Smith
RB
5-9 210 R-So. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS
88
Shawn McFarland
TE
6-3 235 R-Sr. Selden, N.Y./Monroe College
24
Chris Butler
WR
5-11 200 R-Fr. Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen HS
89
Demani Ward
WR
5-9 165 Fr.
25
Collis Pride
WR
6-3 180 R-Fr. Dinwiddie, Va./Bluefield College (W.Va.)
90
Remy Feltes
DL
6-4 320 R-Jr. Solingen, Germany/New Mexico Military
26
Sivon Pleasants
RB
5-10 160 R-Fr. Doswell, Va./Caroline HS
91
Mac Petit
DL
6-2 275 R-Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Westlake HS
27
Shamar Hill
DL
6-3 210 R-Fr. Kissimmee, Fla./Orlando Christian
92
Ikeem Wright
TE
6-1 220 R-Fr. Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
28
R.J. Coles
DB
5-10 190 R-So. Richmond, Va./Varina HS
92
Noah Wallace
DL
6-1 280 Fr.
Chesapeake, Va./Indian River HS
29
Justin Toler
DB
5-10 165 R-So. Falmouth, Va./Stafford HS
94
Luca Weber
K/P
6-0 170 Fr.
Norfolk, Va./Maury HS
31
Ryan Richter
P
6-1 190 R-Jr. Temecula, Calif./Reedley College
95
Levontae Jacobs
DL
6-3 255 Fr.
Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan HS
32
Lex Henry
RB
5-8 175 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS
96
Matthieu Watts
DL
6-3 215 Fr.
Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
33
Steve Ashby
DB
6-0 175 Jr.
96
Reggie Wilson
TE
6-2 230 R-Jr. San Antonio, Texas/Southern Univ.
34
Josh Nardone
K/P
5-11 200 R-Sr. Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS
98
Chris Myers
DL
6-6 245 R-Sr. LaVergne, Tenn./Middle Tennessee
35
Shawn Johnson
DL
6-2 235 R-Fr. Bronx, N.Y./Jireh Prep (N.C.)
99
Amadeu Vital
DL
6-3 265 R-Jr. Silver Spring, Md./Glenville State
36
Devon Allen
DB
6-0 170 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS
Jaylin Barmer
DL
6-0 240 R-Jr. Baltimore, Md./USAG Humphreys
37
Johnathan Gregory
DB
6-2 185 R-Jr. Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
Tristan Brooks
WR
5-11 170 So.
38
Jeff Foster
DB
6-1 175 Fr.
Jordan Bryant
WR
5-7 165 R-Fr. Bryans Road, Md./Henry E. Lackey HS
39
Imani Bey
DL
6-3 240 R-Jr. Washington, D.C./VMI
Miles Fludd
DL
6-2 315 R-Fr. Lynchburg, Va./Brookville HS
40
Pierre Royster
DB
6-1 185 Fr.
Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
Jonathan Hall
LB
6-2 225 R-So. Courtland, Va./Old Dominion University
41
Jayden Smith
DB
6-1 180 Fr.
Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS
Bernard Heath
DL
5-11 250 Fr.
43
Zion Lewis
DB
6-2 170 R-Fr. Farmville, Va./Prince Edward HS
Anthony Hill
DL
6-1 250 R-So. Upper Marlboro, Md./Hutchinson CC
44
Jaylen White
DB
5-9 185 Fr.
Shy’Keem Hussey
WR
6-2 205 R-So. Pinetops, N.C./Louisburg College
45
Brent Stratton
RB
5-10 170 R-Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Nansemond River HS
Chris Jones
OL
5-9 270 R-Fr. Windsor, Va./Windsor HS
46
Zac Denton
LS
5-10 185 R-Jr. Fishersville, Va./Georgia Prep Sports Ac.
Zane Killgo
WR
5-10 170 R-Jr. Arlington, Va./Millersville University
47
Kameron Lewis
DB
6-2 170 Fr.
Justis Monsanto
DL
6-2 220 R-Fr. Prince George, Va./Prince George HS
48
Sage Beuchert-Irvine DL
6-1 205 R-Fr. Reston, Va./South Lakes HS
Omar Morrisey
OL
6-0 275 R-So. Queens, N.Y./Eagle Academy
49
Ricky Harleston
DB
5-10 190 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./James Madison
Bryce Stratton
TE
6-2 215 So.
50
Matt Hodges
LB
6-0 220 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Bishop Sullivan Catholic HS
51
Mark Brown
LB
5-10 190 R-Jr. Reston, Va./Centreville HS
52
Anthony Blume
DL
6-2 265 R-Fr. Edgewood, Md./Edgewood HS
53
D’Montre’ Smith
OL
6-5 320 R-So. Columbia, S.C./Keenan HS
Steve Adams (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, LB Coach), Vincent Marshall (WR
54
D.J. Djonkam
DL
6-3 260 R-So. Springfield, Va./Fork Union Military
Coach, Special Teams Coordinator), Skyler Jones (DL Coach/Recruiting Coordinator), Brandon
55
Baron Franks II
OL
6-4 285 R-Fr. Greenville, S.C./Greenville Sr. HS
Torrey (OL Coach), Tanner Cotman (Safeties Coach), LaQuaid Manago (TE Coach), Dwayne Taylor
56
Marquis Hall
LB
6-2 230 R-Jr. Woodbridge, Va./Potomac Senior HS
(CB Coach), Ryan Meyers (QB Coach)
57
Demetrius Johnson
LB
6-1 210 Fr.
Los Angeles, Calif./West Los Angeles CC
Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS
Norfolk, Va./Maury HS
Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor HS
Chicago, Ill./Thornton Township HS
Brockton, Mass./Brockton
Arlington, Va./Wakefield HS
Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS
Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS
Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra
Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS
Head Coach: Dawson Odums Assistant Coaches: B.T. herman (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/RB Coach),
ELIZABETH ASSISTANT CITY STATE COACHES ROSTER NO. NAME
YR.
0
Brandon Joyner
Grad. WR
1
Taeyonn Reynolds
Grad. DB
2
John-Anthony Snowden R-Sr.
3
Juanya’ Majette
Jr.
LB
5-10 230 Hampton, Va../Hampton HS
55 Zaire Edwards
Jr.
DL
6-1
275 Kinston, N.C./Goldsboro HS
4
Melvin Smalls Jr.
R-Jr.
RB
5-11 170 SaVa.nnah, Ga./Jenkins HS
56 Mathew Weatherford
R-Jr.
OL
6-2
255 Greensboro, N.C./NE Guilford HS
5
Brandon Fla.int
Grad. RB
5-8
57 Arthur Little
Fr.
LB
6-2
200 Havelock, N.C./Havelock HS
6
Devan Joslin
Fr.
5-10 180 Mooresville, N.C./Mooresville HS
58 Tori Robinson
Fr.
LB
5-10 200 Buford, Ga./Mountain View HS
7
Raevon Freeman
R-Fr. DL
6-0
59 Leslie Farley
Fr.
DL
5-10 200 Youngsville, N.C./Rolesville HS
8
Kevin Caldwell
R-Sr. QB
5-11 210 Philadelphia, Pa/Ben Franklin HS
61 Shawn Jones
Fr.
OL
6-0
270 Chase City, Va./Shenandoah University
9
DeAbrie Smith
R-Sr. QB
6-2
205 Palatka, Fla./Mesabi Range College
63 Arthur Stone
Fr.
OL
6-5
300 Woolwich, N.J./Kingsway HS
Fr.
6-5
215 Wake Forest, N.C./Wake Forest HS
64 Jaylan Jones
Fr.
OL
5-10 260 Raleigh, N.C./Rolesville HS
10 Noah Douglass
POS. HT.
TE
DB
QB
NO. NAME
YR.
POS. HT.
WT.
180 Fairbanks, Ala./Cheyney University
52 Rodriquez Moore
Fr.
DL
230 Washington, N.C./Washington HS
6-2
205 Virginia Beach, Va../Salem HS
53 David Jefferson
Fr.
LB
6-2
190 Jacksonville, N.C./Northside HS
6-5
245 Washington, D.C./Fullerton College
54 Joshua Joyce
Fr.
DL
6-0
215 Pilot Mountain, N.C./East Surry HS
6-3
WT.
HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
195 Raleigh, N.C./SE Raleigh HS
200 Mathews, N.C./Butler HS
6-3
HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
11 Khalil Turner
R-Fr. DB
6-0
170 Charlotte, N.C./Rocky River HS
65 Jashone Sellers
Fr.
OL
6-4
340 Paterson, N.J./DePaul Catholic HS
12 Terron Simpson
Fr.
DB
6-2
180 Knightdale, N.C./Knightdale HS
66 Isaiah Williams
Fr.
OL
6-1
270 Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS
13 Cameron Saunders
Fr.
WR
5-11 175 Charlotte, N.C./NW Cabarrus HS
67 Joshua Barco
Fr.
OL
5-11 270 Raleigh, N.C./SE Raleigh HS
14 Nathaniel Gedeus
R-Sr. WR
5-9
70 Zayvion Davis
Fr.
OL
6-4
15 Shai Wheeler
Fr.
5-10 180 Charlotte, N.C./Independence HS
71 Randy Yelverton
R-Fr. OL
6-5
315 Pikeville, N.C./Wayne Early Middle College
16 Josiah Hayes
R-Fr. WR
5-9
175 Portsmouth, Va./IC Norcom HS
73 Jayden Hayes
Fr.
6-2
315 Suffolk, Va./Kings Fork HS
WR
170 Miami, Fla./L.A. Pierce College
OL
320 Winston, N.C./Mount Tabor HS
18 Dajuan Thomas
Fr.
QB
6-4
180 Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield HS
74 Cameron Wilcher
Fr.
OL
6-4
330 Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS
19 Jordan Barnes
R-Sr. WR
6-1
195 Philadelphia, Pa./Goose Creek HS
77 Ja’Quon Franks
Fr.
OL
6-4
280 Havelock, N.C./Havelock HS
20 Allen Boykins
So.
LB
6-2
200 Portsmouth, Va./IC Norcom HS
80 Tamon Reed
Fr.
WR
5-11 165 Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS
21 Carlton Hunt
Fr.
DB
5-9
170 Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge HS
81 Courtenay Jackson
Fr.
WR
5-11 165 Hartford, Conn./Hartford HS
22 Javon Rodriquez
R-So. DB
5-9
170 Hampton, Va./Hampton HS
82 Darrell Austin
Fr.
WR
6-1
190 Charlotte, N.C./East Mecklenburg HS
23 Zion Riddick
Jr.
WR
5-9
170 Ahoskie, N.C./Hertford Co. HS
85 Dameir Burns
Fr.
WR
6-2
190 Camden, N.J./Camden Business
24 J’lan High
Fr.
DB
6-0
170 Raleigh, N.C./Heritage HS
87 Drevien Dunn
Fr.
WR
5-11 185 Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford HS
25 Tyquan Mercer
R-Fr. RB
5-11 210 Elizabeth City, N.C./Northeastern HS
88 Darrien Dalton
Fr.
WR
6-2
26 Odis Gadson IV
R-Fr. DB
5-10 185 Charlotte, N.C./Rocky River HS
90 DiQuinn Ryals
Jr.
DL
6-2
270 Durham, N.C./Louisburg CC
27 Wynton Ruth
R-Jr.
RB
5-10 215 Little Rock, Ark./Arkansas-Pine Bluff
91 Omar Richardson
R-Fr. DL
6-0
245 Rocky Mount, N.C./Nash Central HS
28 Arin Cuffee
So.
DB
5-9
175 Norfolk, Va./Atlantic Shores Christian HS
92 Jalen Thompson
Fr.
P/FB 5-10 240 Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford HS
29 Carelton Thomas
R-So. RB
6-0
190 Silver Springs, Md./J.H. Blake HS
93 Kamani Larmouth
Fr.
DL
30 Marlon Darby
Fr.
RB
5-9
180 Greensboro, N.C./Dudley HS
95 Jelani Smith
31 Kaezahn Johnson
Fr.
DB
5-11 170 Norfolk, Va./Maury HS Kinesiology
96 Eric Chandler
32 Elijah Baliff
R-Jr.
DB
6-2
175 Forestville, Md./Riverdale Baptist HS
97 Treye Parker
33 Ja’Ree Pitt
Jr.
RB
5-9
210 Ahoskie, N.C./Methodist University
98 Daniel Ocean
34 Eric Phelps
So.
DB
35 Erick Mejia
R-So. LB
5-11 190 Edenton, N.C./John A. Holmes HS 5-8
175 Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams HS
180 Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford HS
6-0
210 Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Poly Tech HS
R-So. DL
6-2
245 Fayetteville, N.C./North Carolina Central
R-Fr. DL
6-0
240 Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS
R-Sr. DL
6-3
300 Fort Worth, Texas/Tremble Tech G
R-Fr. DL
6-0
240 Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage HS
99 Jarvis Higgins-Simmons Fr.
DL
6-3
245 Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford HS
Jackson Roberson
Fr.
QB
6-1
190 Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill HS
Tesean Jones
Fr.
QB
5-11 170 Chesapeake, Va./Bluefield College
36 Jordan Woodard
R-So. RB
5-10 225 Brooklyn, N.Y./Tilden HS
37 James Matheny
Fr.
PK
6-3
170 Taylorsville, N.C./Alexander Central HS
38 Traquan Wilson
Fr.
DB
6-0
180 Chesapeake, Va./Deep Creek HS
39 Adonis Davis
Fr.
DB
5-8
170 Willingboro, N.J./Burlington Township HS
40 Dallas Newkirk
R-So. LB
6-1
175 Clementon, N.J./Timber Creek Regional
41 Keyshawn Harris
R-Fr. LB
5-10 200 Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan HS C
Marcus White (Defensive Coordinator), Rashawn Spencer (LB Coach), Clarence Barnes (DL Coach)
42 Trevon Howard
Fr.
LB
6-0
43 Christian Sellers
Fr.
LB
5-11 200 Charlotte, N.C./Mount Island Charter
215 Newburn, N.C./Newburn HS
44 Diante Isom
R-Fr.
LB
6-1
200 Raleigh, N.C./Knightdale HS
45 Gregory Miller
R-Sr. LB
6-1
235 Philadelphia, Pa./Valley Forge Military
46 Neil Hunt
Fr.
LB
5-10 200 Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge HS
47 Joshua Anderson
So.
LB
6-2
210 Wilmington, N.C./New Hanover HS
48 Tobias Winder
R-Fr. FB
6-0
230 Fayetteville, N.C./E.E. Smith HS
49 Ethan Nowlin
Fr.
FB
5-10 210 Charlotte, N.C./Mount Island Charter
50 Joshua Hunter
So.
DL
6-1
230 Enfield, N.C./SE Collegiate Prep Academy
51 Enrique Espinoza
Fr.
LB
6-2
190 Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown HS
Head Coach: Anthony Jones Assistant Coaches: Keith Saine (Assistant Head Coach/RB Coach), Nicholas Sanders (Defensive Backs Coach/Recruiting & Special Teams Coordinator), Maryland Bright (WR Coach),
PROJECTED LINEUPS When Norfolk State Has the Ball NSU OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME
HT.
WT. YR.
ECSU DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME
ZWR TE LT LG C RG RT SWR XWR QB RB
6-1 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-0 6-0
190 235 265 280 290 315 290 210 180 175 175
DE DT NG DE Vik. MIKE WILL CB S S CB
15 4 69 65 74 70 66 88 3 8 2
Da’Kendall James Anthony Williams Jeff Woods Jalen Powell Colby Byrd Justin Redd Taro Lipscomb Marcque Ellington Justin Smith Juwan Carter Kevin Johnson
R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-So.
7 55 97 52 20 3 45 28 1 32 31
HT.
WT. YR.
Raevon Freemon 6-0 200 R-Fr. Zaire Edwards 6-1 275 Jr. Treye Parker 6-3 300 R-Sr. Rodriquez Moore 6-3 230 Fr. Allen Boykins 6-2 200 So. Juanya’ Majette 5-11 255 So. Gregory Miller 6-1 225 Jr. Arin Cuffee 5-9 175 So. Taeyonn Reynolds 6-2 205 Gr. Elijah Baliff 6-2 175 R-Jr. Kaezahn Johnson 5-11 170 R-Fr.
When Elizabeth City State Has the Ball ECSU OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME LT LG C RG RT TE QB RB FB WR WR
77 70 56 65 63 2 9 4 49 0 23
HT.
Ja’Quon Franks Zayvion Davis Mathew Weatherford Jashone Sellers Arthur Stone
6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-5 John-Anthony Snowden 6-5 DeAbrie Smith 6-2 Melvin Smalls Jr. 5-11 Ethan Nowlin 5-10 Brandon Joyner 6-3 Zion Riddick 5-9
WT. YR.
NSU DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME
HT.
WT. YR.
280 320 275 340 300 245 205 170 210 180 170
DE NG DT DE MLB WLB CB ROV FS NI CB
6-5 6-4 6-2 6-6 5-11 6-3 5-11 5-10 6-3 5-8 5-10
260 320 265 245 210 210 175 190 210 190 170
HT.
WT. YR.
Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Jr. Fr. Gr. Jr.
NSU Special Teams
18 90 52 98 19 58 5 28 20 7 21
De’Shaan Dixon Remy Feltes Anthony Blume Chris Myers Tyler Long Terique Miles Devyn Coles R.J. Coles Stuart Anderson Jr. Tayvion Land Brandon Savage
ECSU Special Teams
POS. NO. NAME
HT.
WT. YR.
POS. NO. NAME
PK P KO LS Hold KR PR
5-11 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-2
200 190 190 185 210 175 180
K P LS KR KR PR
34 31 31 46 20 2 3
Josh Nardone Ryan Richter Ryan Richter Zac Denton Stuart Anderson Jr. Kevin Johnson Justin Smith
Subject to change
R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Jr. R-So. R-Jr.
R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr.
37 0 7 23 1 16
James Matheny Brandon Joyner Raevon Freeman Zion Riddick Taeyonn Reynolds Josiah Hayes
6-3 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-2 5-9
170 180 200 170 205 175
Fr. Gr. R-Fr. Jr. Gr. R-Fr.
ASSISTANT COACHES UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by its major accrediting body, The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This reaffirmation underscores the University’s strength, stability, and forward momentum. Enrollment increased to a six-year high in 2019, to 5,600 students. This included the largest freshman class in many years, 1,200 freshmen (FY20). The University has realized record high operating revenues 104% above projection, the highest in the history of Norfolk State. A new 740-bed state of the art residence complex was opened.
Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. President Norfolk State University
D
r. Javaune Adams-Gaston is the seventh President of Norfolk State University. She began her tenure on June 24, 2019. As President, she is committed to ensuring that Norfolk State University fulfills its mission as an HBCU for the modern world, a university grounded by its heritage, focused on the future, and deeply committed to student success. Her vision is student success, opportunity access and affordability, and growth and sustainability. A strong advocate for collaboration and developing strategic partnerships with local, regional, and state stakeholders, Dr. Adams-Gaston is committed to cultivating strong connections with alumni and the community. During her first year at Norfolk State University, the COVID-19 pandemic created multiple challenges for the nation and the world. President. Adams-Gaston worked together with her team to continue to move the institution forward despite the issues created as a result of the pandemic. This led to the university achieving multiple successes. The goals of access, opportunity, and success for NSU students remained her focus even during these unprecedented times. Under President Adams-Gaston’s management, Norfolk State University has successfully achieved the status of a U.S. News and World Report 2021, Top 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) designation. Attained
Since President Adams-Gaston’s arrival Norfolk State University has also expanded its online academic program curriculums to include a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and has been recognized nationally and been designated as a Department of Defense Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity and Department of Energy Cybersecurity Consortium Leader. Under her leadership, the online Master’s degree in Cyber Psychology launched in Fall 2019, is the first of its kind in the nation. The University also opened the NSU Innovation Center in Downtown Norfolk, VA, March 2019, a learning space that integrates pedagogy and technology to help grow and serve as a channel for minority entrepreneurs. Norfolk State University has developed the Center for African American Public Policy, a first of its kind in Virginia which “serves to educate the public at large, empower minority communities and assist lawmakers on alternative ideas of how to solve issues that communities of color face”. Norfolk State University has received national recognition and visibility for the International Cyber Psychology Conference, the Voice of America’s 1619 Commemoration radio broadcast, the US Senatorial Debate and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Tech Talent Pipeline initiative and students are participants in the Virginia College Affordability Network. Dr. Adams-Gaston has been successful in acquiring multiple donations including a transformational gift of over $40 million from Mackenzie Scott, the largest single donor gift in the history of NSU. In addition, this year, the University has secured grants in excess of over $7.8
million for scholarships and financial support to enhance student success. Some of the partnerships include Sentara HealthcarePublic Health Program, Appalachian School of Law 3+3, Academic Partnerships, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, USAA, and the Black Ambition Prize and many others. President Adams-Gaston is a higher education professional and scholar with more than 30 years of experience at nationally known research universities. Prior to joining Norfolk State University, Dr. Adams-Gaston served as senior vice president at The Ohio State University and led 40 departments in the Office of Student Life annually impacting over 60,000 students. With her selection in 2009, Dr. Adams-Gaston became The Ohio State’s first female African American Vice President for Student Life. She came to The Ohio University State from the University of Maryland, where she served in a variety of administrative and faculty positions. Her experience included serving at University of Maryland, College Park as associate dean of academic affairs, faculty member, executive director of the Career Center, equity administrator, psychologist and first UMCP African American female assistant athletic director (Division 1) and as an Athletic Certification Peer Reviewer for the NCAA. Trained as a psychologist, Dr. Adams-Gaston spent more than 25 years in private practice. She also served as a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. She was an affiliate assistant professor at The Ohio State University. Dr. Adams-Gaston earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, and general science, at the University of Dubuque; a master’s degree in psychology at Loras College; and a Ph.D. in psychology at Iowa State University. She considers her greatest achievement to be her family. She is married to Dmitri Gaston, MCRP, who served as a planner and management analyst in Washington, D.C. for over 25 years and as a planner, including creating diversity and inclusion education at The Ohio State University. They have three adult children, and they are extremely proud of them.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS including the Division I championship in 2025. Student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom as well, with the department posting an overall GPA of 3.15 after the spring semester, the highest ever.
Melody Webb Director of Athletics
M
elody Webb was appointed to the position of University Athletics Director on July 1, 2020 after serving for six years at NSU as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration/Senior Woman Administrator. She became the ninth athletics director in the history of Norfolk State, and the first female to hold the role. “Ms. Webb will lead Spartan Athletics to excellence both on and off the field of competition while also increasing NSU’s visibility and competitiveness,” NSU President Dr. Javaune AdamsGaston said. “She is an exceptional administrator and is well respected within the field of intercollegiate athletics.” In her first season leading the Spartans in 2020-21, both the men’s basketball and baseball teams captured MEAC titles. NSU men’s basketball defeated Appalachian State in the NCAA Tournament First Four after winning its second-ever MEAC Championship. Spartan baseball, meanwhile, made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing its very first MEAC Championship. Norfolk State was also selected to host four NCAA Track & Field Indoor Championships from 2023-26,
Webb joined the NSU staff in April of 2014. In that role as Associate AD, she oversaw the business office, facilities, game operations and external relations, which included media relations, ticketing, marketing, promotions, fundraising, and corporate partnerships. Webb helped to provide strategies that drove revenue streams while increasing brand management and awareness to support the mission and vision of NSU athletics. Under her leadership, Webb oversaw more than $2 million in facility upgrades and renovations, including the installation of video scoreboards, locker room renovations, replacement of the original court in Joseph G Echols Hall, and new artificial turf at Dick Price Stadium. Prior to NSU, Webb was the Associate Commissioner for Business Operations at the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association (CIAA), where she oversaw financial support to 13 institutions, 3,500 students and more than 5,000 participation opportunities in 14 different championships. Of the 14 championships produced by the CIAA, its annual basketball tournament is one of the nation’s premier sporting events, attracting over 190,000 fans during the course of the week, and was ranked as the third-highest attended basketball tournament among all NCAA divisions. Before the CIAA, Webb served stints as the assistant athletics director for business at George Washington University, business manager at University of Maryland and associate athletics director/SWA at Elizabeth City State University. At George Washington, she was responsible
for administrative oversight of a $22 million budget. She assisted with the financial management of a $55 million budget at Maryland and oversaw the administrative operations for athletic financial affairs, purchasing and accounts. At Elizabeth City, she provided fiscal management and operational oversight of all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics and sports programs. In each position, Webb was responsible for external and internal reports to university administrators, the Department of Education and the NCAA. Webb currently sits on various committees and boards and is a part of the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA), Minority Opportunity Athletic Association (MOAA), National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Webb earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Savannah State University, where she was a four-year letter winner in volleyball, serving as team captain for three years. Webb also competed in basketball and track and field where she also received conference honors. After completing her undergraduate degree, she then earned her master’s in public administration with a focus in public policy and management from Bowie State University. Webb is pursuing a Doctorate of Education from the United States Sports Academy.
NEVER GRADUATE.
ESPNU is the nation’s top institution for College Football. With a curriculum featuring top games, wall-to-wall highlights, and expert analysis, you’ll want to be a student forever.
2021 SCHEDULE 09/04
7 PM
AT TOLEDO
09/11
12 PM
AT WAKE
09/18
6 PM
09/25
12 PM
10/02
2 PM
10/16
2 PM
FOREST ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT ST. FRANCIS (PA) AT HAMPTON VIRGINIA–LYNCHBURG
10/23
2 PM
AT HOWARD *
10/30
2 pm
MORGAN STATE*
11/06
2 pm
AT NORTH
11/13
1 pm
11/20
2 pm
HOMECOMING
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY
CAROLINA CENTRAL* AT DELAWARE STATE* SOUTH CAROLINA STATE* MILITARY APPRECIATION/SENIOR DAY
GOLD DENOTES HOME GAME *DENOTES MEAC GAME SUBJECT TO CHANGE