GAME PREVIEW
ABOUT THE GAME
The Norfolk State football team plays its final home game of the year this Saturday, hosting the Eagles of North Carolina Central. The game has been designated Military Appreciation Day and is also Senior Day for NSU.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Norfolk State dropped to 1-8 on the season with a 49-24 loss at North Carolina A&T last Saturday in Greensboro.
The Spartans fell behind 21-0, but battled back to within a touchdown with a strong showing in the middle quarters. Jaylan Adams scored on a 2-yard run and Otto Kuhns threw a 41-yard TD pass to Collis Pride to bring NSU within 21-14 in the second quarter. In the third, Kuhns scored on a 1-yard run and Grandin Willcox kicked a season-long 46-yard field goal to keep NSU in it.
But the Aggies outscored NSU 14-0 in the fourth quarter to seal it. Bhayshul Tuten scored four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving, for N.C. A&T.
Pride had four catches for a career-high 78 yards for the Spartans. Linebacker Marquis Hall registered two tackles for loss, including one sack, and forced a fumble for the Spartan defense.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
North Carolina Central (7-2, 3-1 MEAC) handed Howard its first MEAC loss by a 50-21 score last week in Dur ham, putting the Eagles in the driver’s seat for the MEAC’s Celebration Bowl bid. With a win this week, NCCU will clinch no worse than a share of the MEAC regular-season title, and regard less of what Howard does next week, NCCU would represent the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl.
Quarterback Davius Richard passed for 281 yards and three touchdowns and added 104 rushing yards with two more trips to the end zone against How ard. He threw TD passes of 73 yards to E.J. Hicks and 64 to Devin Smith.
Richard, the preseason All-MEAC first-team quarterback, leads the con ference in total offense (289.9 ypg) and
passing yards (221.8 ypg) and is third in rushing (68.1 ypg). He has accounted for 31 touchdowns - 20 passing and 11 rushing.
As a team, NCCU also ranks second in the MEAC in total defense and first in rushing defense.
SERIES HISTORY
NCCU leads the all-time series with NSU, 11-7. The former CIAA rivals will be meeting for the ninth time as D-I oppo nents this week.
After splitting their first 10 meetings in Division II, NCCU has won six of the eight meetings since 2013.
NCCU won the teams’ last meet ing, 38-36, in two overtimes last year in Durham. NSU led 21-0 early in the sec ond quarter, but the Eagles scored the game’s next 24 points to take control. A 32-yard Josh Nardone field goal with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter sent the game into overtime.
Both teams scored two touchdowns in OT, but the Eagles stopped NSU’s two-point try in the second overtime while converting their own to win it.
J.J. Davis ran 18 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns for NSU.
SENIOR SWAN SONG
Today marks the final home game for eight Spartan seniors. They are:
• DB Stuart Anderson Jr. - Fifth-year
Spartan and Mathews, Virginia native has played in 44 games in his career with 74 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two interceptions and four pass breakups. He was an AllMEAC third-team pick last season.
• OL Egan Atkins - First-year Spartan is a transfer from Grambling State. He has played in two games for the Spartans this year and is an INT major.
• OL Jeremiah Bolling-Farrar - Anoth er first-year Spartan, Bolling Farrar has started twice and been a special teams mainstay this year on the offensive line.
• DL Imani Bey - A native of Washing ton, D.C., Bey has amassed 21 tackles, four for loss, and 2.5 sacks over two years with NSU since transferring from VMI.
• OL Colby Byrd - A preseason All-MEAC first-team pick and last year’s All-MEAC first-team center, Byrd has started all but two games over the last two sea sons while serving as an offensive cap tain.
• LB Marquis Hall - Hall has ranked among the MEAC’s top 10 in tackles each of the last two years. He was a pre season All-MEAC first-team selection this year and was voted to the All-MEAC second team last year. His career totals include 162 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
• DB Brandon Savage - Savage is a fifthyear Spartan who was an All-MEAC firstteam selection last year. The Baltimore
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Marquis Hall, who had two tackles for loss and a sack last week, is one of eight seniors who will be recognized during Senior Day festivities. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)
GAME PREVIEW
native has played in 39 career games at NSU with six interceptions, 122 tackles and 13 pass breakups.
• DB Justin Toler - A native of Falmouth, Virginia, Toler was a preseason All-MEAC second-team selection. Toler tied for second in the MEAC with three inter ceptions last season. In his career, he recorded 55 tackles, three interceptions and three pass breakups.
GETTING HIS KICKS
NSU freshman kicker Grandin Will cox has made the most of his opportuni ties in the kicking game this year. In ad dition to making all 16 of his extra point tries so far, he is also 3-of-4 on field goals this year. That includes a career-long 46-yarder last week at N.C. A&T, the lon gest field goal by a Spartan since Cam eron Marouf hit a 51-yarder in 2014.
TYLER TALLIES TACKLES
NSU junior Tyler Long has been racking up the tackles of late. More on the standout linebacker:
• Long is second in the MEAC and 42nd in all of the Division I FCS with 79 total tackles in nine games.
• He has reached double figures four times, with 11 at Marshall, a then ca reer-high tying 12 against St. Francis, a career-high 13 at Sacred Heart and 10 against Howard.
• Long also leads NSU and is 10th in the MEAC with 3.0 sacks on the year.
YOUTH IS SERVED
After losing more than 30 letterwin ners from last year’s team, the Spartans have welcomed in more than 40 new comers this season. That has led to a youth movement for the Spartans.
• To date, 15 true freshmen and 13 red shirt freshmen have played in at least one game for NSU.
• Four true freshmen have started so far in OL Vincent Byrd Jr. and Lamar Rob inson, RB Jordin Lennon and CB Emile Sancho.
• Redshirt freshmen to start so far include TE Ikeem Wright, OL Baron Franks, DL Levontae Jacobs and DE T.J. Steven
son.
• True freshman Jordin Lennon (289 yards) is NSU’s leading rusher and tied for first among Spartans in touchdowns scored, with three. All told, one-third of NSU’s touchdowns this year have been scored by freshmen.
UP NEXT
NSU concludes its 2022 season with a road game at South Carolina State next Saturday. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hot 91.1 FM.
MEAC at a Glance
2022 Standings Conf. Overall W-L W-L
North Carolina Central 3-1 7-2 Howard 2-1 3-6 Delaware State 2-2 5-4 Norfolk State 1-2 1-8 Morgan State 1-2 3-6 South Carolina State 1-2 3-6
Last Week’s Results
N.C. A&T 49, Norfolk State 24 Stony Brook 24, Morgan State 22 Delaware State 27, S.C. State 24 (OT) N.C. Central 50, Howard 21
This Week’s Games
S.C. State at Howard ................................. 1 p.m. Morgan State at Delaware State 2 p.m. N.C. Central at Norfolk State 2 p.m.
Preseason MEAC Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Carolina State (8) 123
2. North Carolina Central (1) 92
3. Norfolk State .......................... 80
4. Delaware State (1) 58
5. Howard (1) ........................................ 52
6. Morgan State (1) 26
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Preseason Offensive Player of the Year RB J.J. Davis, Norfolk State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year DL Jeblonski Green, S.C. State
Grandin Willcox kicked a career-long 46-yard field goal at North Carolina A&T last weekend. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)
Dawson Odums Head Football Coach
DawsonOdums, 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 second year as the head football coach at Norfolk State University. He was named the 18th head coach in Spartan history on April 21, 2021.
Odums led NSU to a successful campaign in his first season in charge. The Spartans went 6-5 in 2021, which included a six-game winning streak that was the program’s longest since 1984. Officially, the 2021 season marked NSU’s first winning ledger since 2007.
A balanced, high-powered offense was NSU’s calling card in 2021. NSU averaged 33.2 points per game, most in its Division I history and third-most in school annals, while averaging a MEAC-high 440.5 yards per game – another school D-I record. That included 212.2 rushing yards per game, second-best in program history and the most since 1984.
The Spartans had a school-record 18 players earn All-MEAC honors following the 2021 season. That included NSU capturing three of the MEAC’s top awards – Offensive Player of the Year (Juwan Carter), Rookie of the Year (J.J. Davis) and Offensive Lineman of the Year (Justin Redd).
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 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 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.
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.
Seven 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. That list includes two-time All-MEAC defensive end De’Shaan Dixon,
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.
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.
Odums and his wife, Audrey, have two daughters, Jasmine and Jaiden.
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who signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars last year after finishing his career as a Spartan.
HEAD COACH DAWSON ODUMS
NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
0 Stuart Anderson Jr. DB 6-2 219 Gr. Mathews, Va./Mathews HS
1 D.J. Djonkam DL 6-3 275 R-Jr. Springfield, Va./West Springfield HS
2 Brandon Savage DB 5-11 165 R-Sr. Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill Academy
2 Izayah Whiteside QB 6-2 164 Fr. Columbia, S.C./Irmo HS
3 Ja’Len Morrison DB 5-11 150 Fr. Manassas, Va./Unity Reed HS
4 Otto Kuhns QB 6-3 194 So. Columbus, Ohio/Eastern Illinois
5 Da’Quan Felton WR 6-3 205 R-So. Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS
6 Darren Castor DB 6-0 170 Fr. Brockton, Mass./Brockton HS
6 Justin Toler DB 5-10 175 R-Jr. Falmouth, Va./Stafford HS
7 Tayvion Land DB 5-8 180 R-Jr. Virginia Beach, Va./Liberty
8 Kyler Davis QB 6-1 206 R-Fr. Fayetteville N.C./ Seventy First HS
9 Jaylan Adams QB 5-10 184 R-Jr. Johnson City, Tenn./The Citadel
10 Tremayne Talbert WR 5-8 183 R-Jr. 42Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS
11 Tyler Long LB 5-11 222 R-Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Lackawanna CC
12 T.J. Stevenson DL 6-4 228 R-Fr. Hampton, Va./North Carolina
13 Kevon King RB 5-11 200 Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith HS
15 J.J. Davis RB 5-9 172 R-So. Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati
16 Christian Ruffin DB 5-11 180 So. Raleigh, N.C./Southeast Raleigh HS
17 Joseph White DB 6-1 174 R-Jr. Virginia Beach, Va./University of Virginia
18 Christopher Price QB 6-1 182 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS
19 Daylan Long LB 5-11 190 R-Fr Cincinnati, Ohio/Miami (Ohio)
20 Jason Wonodi WR 5-11 161 Fr. Brockton, Mass./Brockton HS
21 Devon Allen DB 6-0 177 So. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS
22 Cameron Foreman DB 6-2 183 R-Jr. Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee HS
23 Ricky Harleston DB 5-10 195 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood HS
24 Christian Butler WR 5-11 200 R-So. Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen HS
25 Collis Pride WR 6-2 180 R-So. Dinwiddie, Va./Bluefield College
26 Shaviaea Williams DB 5-11 196 R-Sr. Norfolk, Va./Granby HS
27 Jordin Lennon RB 5-10 211 Fr. Yorktown, Va./York HS
28 R.J. Coles DB 5-10 193 R-Jr. Richmond, Va./Varina HS
29 A.J. Williams DB 6-3 177 Fr. Hampton, Va./Hampton HS
30 Noah Spencer DB 6-3 208 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Old Dominion
31 Christian Parham DB 6-0 179 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Green Run HS
32 Lex Henry RB 5-8 189 So. Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS
33 Pierre Royster DB 6-2 198 So. Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
34 Kameron Lewis DB 6-0 194 R-Fr. Woodbridge, Va./ Forest Park HS
35 Jamarei Ashby-Phan WR 5-8 170 Fr. Phoenix, Ariz./Chaparral HS
36 Emile Sancho DB 6-0 164 Fr. Ocala, Fla./Vanguard HS
37 Kaleb Broadbent DB 5-11 196 Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS
38 Nyamusa Njoka DB 5-10 181 R-So. Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch HS
39 Imani Bey DL 6-2 235 R-Sr. Washington, D.C./VMI
40 D.J. James III RB 5-8 170 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS
40 Isaiah Stevens DB 5-9 166 Fr. Stafford, Va./North Stafford HS
41 Jayden Smith DB 6-1 178 So. Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS
43 Elijah Smith WR 6-1 180 Fr. Newport News, Va./Warwick HS
44 Jaylen White RB 5-10 185 R-Fr. Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
45 Toby Willis LS 6-3 211 Fr. Lancaster, S.C./Lancaster HS
46 Zion Lewis DB 6-1 174 R-So. Farmville, Va./Prince Edward HS
47 Zion Porter-Ervin WR 5-9 170 R-Fr. Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
48 Sage Beuchert-Irvine DL 6-3 244 R-So. Reston, Va./South Lakes HS
49 Michael Vinson LB 6-2 240 Fr. Baltimore, Md./Saint Frances Academy
50 Marvin Dozier LS 6-0 225 Fr. Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community
51 Marcus Triggs LB 5-11 209 Fr. Hampton, Va./Hampton HS
52 Anthony Blume DL 6-1 268 R-So. Edgewood, Md./Edgewood HS
NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
53 Javari Rice-Wilson DL 5-11 251 So. Kings Mountain, N.C./Fordham
54 Javontay Martin LB 6-3 181 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside
55 Baron Franks OL 6-5 264 R-Fr. Greenville, S.C./Greenville Senior
56 Marquis Hall LB 6-3 230 R-Sr. Woodbridge, Va./ Potomac Senior HS
57 Jalen Swindell DL 6-2 308 Fr. Charlotte, N.C./Wake Forest
58 Jonathan Hall LB 6-2 212 R-Jr. Courtland, Va./Old Dominion
59 Javoni Hales LB 5-11 238 R-Fr. Newport News, Va./Menchville HS
60 Dyral McMillan OL 6-2 284 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte HS
61 Grandin Willcox K/P 5-11 220 Fr. Ocala, Fla./Vanguard HS
62 Jaden Bryant OL 6-4 389 Fr. Norfolk, Va./Norview HS
63 Christopher Jones OL 5-7 320 R-Fr. Windsor, Va./Windsor HS
64 Juwuan Carbonell OL 6-2 342 R-Fr. Newport News, Va./Heritage HS
65 Michael Tamakloe OL 6-2 276 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville HS
66 Vincent Byrd Jr. OL 6-3 306 Fr. Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge HS
67 Garrison Wheatley OL 6-4 361 So. Johns Island, S.C./Hocking College
68 Julian Soriano OL 6-6 283 R-Fr. Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS
69 Jeff Woods OL 6-6 293 R-So. Fayetteville, N.C./UConn
70 Tynique Breathwaite OL 6-5 228 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood HS
71 Egan Atkins OL 6-3 323 Sr. Tampa, Fla./Grambling
73 Silas Fitzgerald OL 6-4 264 R-Fr. Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley HS
74 Colby Byrd OL 6-3 297 R-Sr. Virginia Beach, Va./Virginia Union
75 Evan Gregory OL 6-4 308 R-Jr. Brandywine, Md./Maryland
76 Andrew Nickens OL 6-3 325 R-Fr. Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor HS
77 Jeremiah Bolling-Farrar OL 6-7 290 R-Sr. Hopewell, Va./Wagner
78 Lamar Robinson OL 6-4 289 Fr. Alexandria, Va./Hayfield Secondary
79 Dorian Stitmon DL 6-0 265 Fr. Suffolk, Va./Churchland HS
79 Jeremiah Martin DL 6-1 261 Fr. Leonardtown, Md./Showtime Prep
80 Corie Addo WR 5-10 185 Fr. Richmond, Va./Clover Hill HS
81 Ademola Faleye TE 6-7 235 So. Brockton, Mass./Brockton HS
82 Kevin Gayles WR 6-0 201 R-Fr. Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS
83 Clifton Davis WR 6-2 179 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./North Stafford HS
84 Tavian Morris WR 6-0 180 R-Fr. Prince George, Va./Prince George HS
85 Jayden Hargett DL 6-4 221 Fr. Norfolk, Va./Maury HS
86 Mark Williams TE 6-2 219 R-Jr. Ashburn, Va./Kent State
87 Lukai Hatcher WR 6-2 170 R-Fr. Arlington, Va./Wakefield HS
88 Ikeem Wright TE 6-1 244 R-Fr. Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
89 Michael Curry TE 6-2 198 Fr. Brockto n, Mass./Brockton HS 90 Shawn Johnson DL 6-2 272 R-So. Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Carroll 91 Isaiah Sephens TE 6-2 259 Fr. Empria, Va./Greensville County HS 91 Carson Wilt K/P 5-8 186 R-Fr. Lake Worth, Fla./Southern 92 Cameron Curry DL 6-5 217 Fr. Chantilly, Va./Chantilly HS 93 Jaylen Williams DL 6-5 227 Fr. Ocala, Fla./Vanguard HS 94 Tyler Johnson DL 6-5 251 R-So. Glen Allen, Va./Glenville State 95 Levontae Jacobs DL 6-3 285 So. Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan HS 96 Matthieu Watts DL 6-4 212 R-Fr. Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS
97 Jordyn Heath DL 5-11 246 R-So. Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra 98 Shamar Hill DL 6-0 226 R-So. Kissimmee, Fla./Orlando Christian Prep 99 Amadeu Vital DL 6-1 270 R-Jr. Silver Spring, Md./Glenville State
Head Coach: Dawson Odums
Assistant Coaches: Steve Adams (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, LB Coach), Ryan Meyers (Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach), Vincent Marshall (WR Coach, Special Teams Coordinator), LaQuaid Manago (OL Coach), Dwayne Taylor (CB Coach), Trumaine Watson (TE Coach), Mark Thurston (DL Coach), Bobby Blizzard (RB Coach), Kresean Reed (Safeties Coach), Jamal Williams (Defensive Assistant), Hudson Alexander (Offensive Assistant), Matthew Kooiman (Director of Operations)
4 NORFOLK STATE
ROSTER
NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS
SCHOOL
0 Quantez Mansfield DL 6-2 295 Jr. Greensboro, N.C. / Southeast Guilford HS
1 Andrew Smith WR 6-1 200 So. Cary, N.C. / Cary HS
2 Brandon Codrington DB 5-9 180 Jr. Raleigh, N.C. / Broughton HS
3 Walker Harris QB 6-0 180 So. Rolesville, N.C. / Heritage HS
4 E.J. Hicks WR 5-11 180 R-Sr. Rolesville, N.C. / Rolesville HS
5 Latrell Collier RB 5-10 200 R-Jr. Bluefield, W.Va. / Marshall Univ.
6 Omari Smith QB 6-1 175 R-Fr. Durham, N.C. / Southern HS
7 JaJuan Hudson DB 5-10 175 Jr. Camden, N.J. / Bowling Green State Univ.
8 Tamaurice Smith DB 5-9 185 R-Sr. Mobile, Ala. / Southern University
9 Marvin Reed DB 6-1 170 So. Richmond, Va. / Life Christian Academy
11 Davius Richard QB 6-3 215 Jr. Belle Glade, Fla. / Glades Central HS
12 Quentin McCall WR 6-4 195 So. Charlotte, N.C. / Ardrey Kell HS
13 Quest Powell QB 6-2 195 R-Fr. Woodbridge, Va. / Freedom HS
14 Arin Mannery DB 6-0 170 R-Sr. Riverside, Calif. / Portland State Univ.
15 Matthew Leavelle DL 6-4 235 R-So. Williamston, N.C. / Riverside HS
16 Makai McCall DB 6-4 195 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga. / Univ. of Virginia-Wise
17 Kole Jones DB 5-10 190 So. Chesapeake, Va. / Oscar Smith HS
18 OrTre’ Smith WR 6-4 225 R-Sr. Mount Pleasant, S.C. / South Carolina
19 Justin Nicholson DB 6-0 195 R-Sr. Concord, N.C. / Concord HS
20 Khalil Baker DB 6-0 185 Jr. Winston-Salem, N.C. / East Forsyth HS
21 Josh Pullen RB 6-1 225 R-So. Rolesville, N.C. / Fort Scott CC
22 Devin Smith WR 5-10 185 So. Durham, N.C. / Riverside HS
23 Manny Smith DB 6-0 195 R-Jr. Laurel Hill, N.C. / Scotland HS
24 Romeo Stancil DB 6-1 175 R-Jr. Clayton, N.C. / Clayton HS
25 Twan Anderson LB 6-1 235 Fr. Fayetteville, N.C. / Westover HS
26 Twan Flip Jr. WR 5-8 160 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. / Myers Park HS
27 Colby Warrior DL 6-2 245 R-Sr. Fayetteville, Ga. / Morgan State Univ.
28 Jason Chambers DB 6-0 185 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. / Butler HS
29 Jared Stephens DB 5-9 160 Fr. Atlanta, Ga. / Westlake HS
30 Zavion Hamilton RB 6-2 200 R-Jr. Winston-Salem, N.C. / Lenoir Rhyne
31 Arthur Rodgers RB 5-10 210 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga. / Marshall University
32 Jessie Malit DL 6-3 250 R-Sr. Concord, N.C. / NC State Univ.
33 Christopher Rollinson DB 5-11 170 R-Fr. Aldie, Va. / Champe HS
34 Cameron Saunders WR 5-11 170 R-So. Fort Mill, S.C. / Fort Mill HS
35 Chris Mosley RB 5-11 180 Jr. Fort Worth, Texas / Cisco College
36 J’Mari Taylor RB 6-0 200 So. Charlotte, N.C. / West Mecklenburg HS
37 Nasheed Peoples DB 5-11 170 R-Sr. Lexington, N.C. / NC Wesleyan
38 Jelani Vassell DB 5-11 185 So. Tampa, Fla. / Jireh Prep (NC)
39 Kaleb Washington WR 6-1 195 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. / Mallard Creek HS
40 Matthew Brown TE 6-2 235 R-Jr. Guyton, Ga. / University of Georgia
41 Isaiah Lawson DB 6-1 200 So. Queens, N.Y. / Butler HS
42 Jayden Flaker LB 6-4 215 Fr. Scarborough, Maine / Scarborough HS
43 Cameron Brewington TE 6-4 255 R-Sr. Charlotte, N.C. / South Mecklenburg HS
44 Albert Redd LB 6-2 230 Fr. Kernersville, N.C. / Glenn HS
45 Jaki Brevard LB 6-0 210 So. Durham, N.C. / Southern HS
46 Malcolm Reed DB 6-3 180 Fr. Raleigh, N.C. / Cardinal Gibbons HS
47 Mykah Stone LS 6-0 210 Jr. Charlotte, N.C. / UNC-Pembroke
48 Solomon Sutton LB 6-0 215 So. Charlotte, N.C. / Zebulon B. Vance HS
49 Corey Peterson LB 6-1 215 So. Wake Forest, N.C. / Heritage HS
50 Thomas Johnson DL 6-3 235 Fr. Lawndale, Calif. / Lawndale HS
51 Corey Bullock OL 6-4 315 Jr. Accokeek, Md. / Gwynn Park HS
52 Xi Simpson OL 6-2 290 R-Sr. Chester, S.C. / Wingate University
53 Deontrae Brown DL 6-6 210 Jr. Durham, N.C. / Hillside HS
54 Max U’Ren LB 6-2 225 R-Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C. / Mount Tabor HS
55 Robert Mitchell OL 6-3 305 R-Sr. Millsboro, Del. / Lackawanna College
NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
56 Darrin Johnson DL 6-0 285 R-Fr. Lithonia, Ga. / Tucker HS
57 Carlos Beltran-Rodriguez PK 5-9 175 Jr. Burlington, N.C. / Hugh M. Cummings HS
58 Marshall Jean LS 5-9 215 Fr. Garner, N.C. / Garner HS
59 Juan Velarde P 5-10 190 So. Anderson, S.C. / T.L. Hanna HS
61 Torrie Ferguson OL 6-1 265 Fr. Greensboro, N.C. / Southern Guilford HS
62 Noah McKinney OL 6-4 295 Fr. Duncan, S.C. / Byrnes HS
64 Camaury Jones OL 6-4 320 R-So. Winston-Salem, N.C. / Reagan HS 65 Trevon Humphrey OL 6-4 250 Fr. Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley HS 66 Kideam Diouf OL 6-5 295 R-Sr. Elkton, Md. / Arkansas State Univ. 67 Brian Hardy OL 6-2 285 Fr. Greenville, N.C. / South Central HS 68 Sirr Green OL 6-3 285 So. Virgin Islands / Camden Military Academy 69 Jordan McGill OL 6-4 285 R-Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla. / Clay HS 70 Chris Escalera OL 6-2 305 Jr. Lexington, N.C. / North Davidson HS 71 Da’Quan Thomas OL 6-2 275 R-So. West Palm Beach, Fla. / Florida 72 Ziair Parker OL 6-4 260 R-Fr. Fayetteville, N.C. / Hough HS 73 Farrell Opoku OL 6-2 340 Fr. Stafford, Va. / Fork Union Military
74 Taleem Thompson OL 6-5 290 R-Jr. Salem, N.J. / Los Angeles Pierce College 75 Taron Williams OL 6-8 330 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. / South Mecklenburg HS
76 Torricelli Simpkins III OL 6-5 310 So. Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
77 Seven Warren OL 6-3 320 Fr. Newport News, Va. / Warwick HS
78 Jaden McGee OL 6-4 295 Jr. Keller, Texas / Navarro College
79 Brendin Benoit DL 6-0 240 Fr. Playa del Rey, Calif. / Corona HS
80 Marseille Miller WR 6-1 170 So. Jacksonville, N.C. / Northside HS
81 Tyler Barnes TE 6-4 235 Sr. Charlotte, N.C. / West Mecklenburg HS 82 Connor Powe WR 6-3 175 Fr. Wilmington, N.C. / Laney HS 83 Luke Bracey TE 6-6 255 Fr. Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS 84 Kyle Morgan TE 6-2 230 So. Holly Springs, N.C. / Holly Springs HS 85 Chauncey Spikes WR 6-2 200 Fr. Burtonsville, Md. / Rock Creek Christian 86 Tynez Warner WR 5-8 160 Sr. Ridgely, Md. / North Caroline HS 87 Aaron Gilbert TE 6-4 270 R-Sr. Upper Marlboro, Md. / St. Vincent Pallotti HS 88 Joaquin Davis WR 6-4 190 So. Durham, N.C. / Charles E. Jordan HS 89 Adrian Olivo PK 5-10 185 Jr. Plant City, Fla. / Armwood HS 90 Dalvin Hall DL 6-2 345 So. Jacksonville, N.C. / Wallace-Rose Hill HS 91 Christian Smith DL 6-2 275 So. Jacksonville, N.C. / Northside HS 92 Reggie Jarrett DL 6-2 215 Fr. Raleigh, N.C. / Broughton HS 93 Kenneth Royster DL 6-4 280 So. Charlotte, N.C. / Rocky River HS 94 Dajour Dixon DL 6-2 255 Jr. Lancaster, Calif. / College of the Canyons 95 Jalen Thompson DL 6-4 245 R-Fr. Mount Olive, N.C. / Southern Wayne HS 96 Kendrick DuJour DL 6-5 230 Fr. Jonesboro, Ga. / Mundy’s Mill HS 97 Jaden Taylor DL 6-1 280 R-So. Durham, N.C. / Mercer Univ. 98 Jaden Mack DL 6-2 235 Fr. Pearland, Texas / Willowridge HS 99 Jeremy West-Pirtle DL 6-2 210 Fr. Daytona Beach, Fla. / Seabreeze HS
Head Coach: Trei Oliver
Assistant Coaches: Matt Leone (Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach), Courtney Coard (Defensive Coordinator/DL Coach), Cedric Williams (Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach), Kevin Maurice (RB Coach), Claude Clayborne (LB Coach), Pete Bennett (WR Coach), Tony Spencer (TE Coach), Mike Sewell (Safeties Coach), Tony McRae (Cornerbacks Coach), Dalton Gifford (Offensive Assistant), Jamari Tansmore (Defensive Assistant)
5
N.C. CENTRAL ROSTER
PROJECTED LINEUPS
When Norfolk State Has the Ball
NSU OFFENSE
POS. NO. NAME
HT. WT. YR.
XWR 5 Da’Quan Felton 6-3 205 R-So.
YWR 10 Tremayne Talbert 5-8 183 R-Jr.
LT 78 Lamar Robinson 6-4 289 Fr.
LG 66 Vincent Byrd Jr. 6-3 306 Fr.
C 74 Colby Byrd 6-3 297 R-Sr.
RG 75 Evan Gregory 6-4 308 R-Jr.
RT 55 Baron Franks 6-5 264 R-Fr.
TE 81 Ademola Faleye 6-7 235 So.
ZWR 25 Collis Pride 6-2 180 R-So.
QB 4 Otto Kuhns 6-3 194 So.
RB 27 Jordin Lennon 5-10 211 Fr.
When N.C. Central Has the Ball
NCCU OFFENSE
POS. NO. NAME
HT. WT. YR.
WR 4 E.J. Hicks 5-11 180 R-Sr.
LT 51 Corey Bullock 6-4 315 Jr.
LG 52 Xi Simpson 6-2 290 R-Sr.
C 75 Torricelli Simpkins III 6-5 310 So.
RG 55 Robert Mitchell 6-3 305 R-Sr.
RT 71 Da’Quan Thomas 6-2 275 R-So.
TE 81 Tyler Barnes 6-4 235 Sr.
WR 22 Devin Smith 5-10 185 So.
WR 88 Joaquin Davis 6-4 190 So.
QB 11 Davius Richard 6-3 215 Jr.
RB 5 Latrell Collier 5-10 200 R-Jr.
NSU Special Teams
POS. NO. NAME
K 61
HT. WT. YR.
Grandin Willcox 5-11 220 Fr.
P 61 Grandin Willcox 5-11 220 Fr.
LS 45 Toby Willis 6-3 211 Fr.
HLD 0 Stuart Anderson 6-2 219 Gr.
KR 44 Jaylen White 5-10 185 R-Fr.
PR 10 Tremayne Talbert 5-8 183 R-Jr.
NCCU DEFENSE
POS. NO. NAME
HT. WT. YR.
DE 53 Deontrae Brown 6-6 210 Jr.
NG 97 Jaden Taylor 6-1 280 R-So.
DT 91 Christian Smith 6-2 275 So.
DE 27 Colby Warrior 6-2 245 R-Sr.
WLB 45 Jaki Brevard 6-0 210 So.
MLB 54 Max U’Ren 6-2 225 R-Fr.
CB 7 JaJuan Hudson 5-10 175 Jr.
SS 17 Kole Jones 5-10 190 So.
ROV 23 Manny Smith 6-0 195 R-Jr.
FS 20 Khalil Baker 6-0 185 Jr.
CB 2 Brandon Codrington 5-9 180 Jr.
NSU DEFENSE
POS. NO. NAME
HT. WT. YR.
DE 48 Sage Beuchert-Irvine 6-3 244 R-So.
NG 95 Levontae Jacobs 6-3 285 So.
DT 52 Anthony Blume 6-1 268 R-So.
DE 39 Imani Bey 6-2 235 R-Sr.
WLB 11 Tyler Long 5-11 222 R-Jr.
MLB 56 Marquis Hall 6-3 230 R-Sr.
SAM 7 Tayvion Land 5-8 180 R-Jr.
CB 33 Pierre Royster 6-2 198 So.
ROV 0 Stuart Anderson 6-2 219 Gr.
FS 17 Joseph White 6-1 174 R-Jr.
CB 36 Emile Sancho 6-0 164 Fr.
NCCU Special Teams
POS. NO. NAME
HT. WT. YR.
PK 89 Adrian Olivo 5-10 185 Jr.
P/KO 59 Juan Velarde 5-10 190 So.
LS 47 Mykah Stone 6-0 210 Jr.
HLD 3 Walker Harris 6-0 180 So.
KR 22 Devin Smith 5-10 185 So.
PR 2 Brandon Codrington 5-9 180 Jr.
6
Subject to change
Dr. 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.
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
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, Norfolk State launched the online Master’s degree in Cyber Psychology, the first of its kind in the nation. 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.
Upon taking the helm as President in 2019, she successfully continued the work already in progress towards achieving the 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. That same year, the continued efforts of student recruitment increased enrollment to a sixyear high in fall 2019, to 5,600 students. This included the largest freshman class in many
years, 1,200 freshmen (FY20). In a passing of the leadership torch, the university was also able to complete the construction of and opening of two new residence halls to accommodate the growing enrollment. Fiscal year 2020 also saw the University realize record high operating revenues (104% above projection), the highest in the history of Norfolk State.
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 in 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 a program for diversity and inclusion education at The Ohio State University. They have three adult children, and they are extremely proud of them.
7
Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. President Norfolk State University
Webb Director of Athletics
Melody 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, 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.
The championships kept coming in 2021-22. NSU won five MEAC championships, including the second straight title for NSU men’s basketball, both men’s and women’s cross country championships and a sweep of the MEAC men’s track titles. At the conclusion of the year, the Spartans won the MEAC’s Talmadge Layman Hill Award for all-around excellence in men’s sports.
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.
8 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Melody
