Panthers rejoice! Byers is

Virginia Union University football fans can take a deep breath. Jada Byers is staying put.

Resisting any temptation to venture elsewhere, the running back is committed to VUU and helping Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers return to the NCAA playoffs.

“Jada is the face of our program, the team spokesman and involved in helping our recruiting,” said Coach Parker. “He’s a staple; he’s not going anywhere.”

The swift, elusive Byers is arguably the top attraction in all of Division II football. As a sophomore, the New Jersey native rushed for 1,920 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning CIAA Player of Year and first-team All-American honors.

In two seasons on Lombardy Street, Byers has 2,830 yards on the ground with 31 rushing TDs. He would have been an attractive addition for just about any school in the nation.

The extremely active NCAA portal now allows athletes to transfer without sitting out a season. That makes it easy to jump ship, but Byers likes life at Hovey Field. It also helps

VUU will return most of the stalwarts from last year’s powerful offensive line.

“Jada was third in the Harlan Hill voting (for top player in Division II) and the two ahead of him have graduated,’ said Coach Parker.

“That says to me he’s the best player in the country.”

It helps that Byers has received an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal at VUU, providing compensation beyond room, board and tuition.

Other Panthers with NIL’s include All-CIAA offensive lineman Justin Meade (from J.R. Tucker High) and place kicker extraordinaire Brady Myers from Florida.

Time to pop pads: VUU will conclude spring drills Saturday, April 15, with the annual “Panthers vs. Union” intrasquad game at Hovey.

Coach Parker guarantees victory.

Returning from last year’s 9-2 squad will be seven starters on both offense and defense and both kickers (Myers and punter Marvin Holmes).

There is a hole to fill at quarterback. Jahkari

Grant has moved on after passing for 1,916 yards and 18 TDS in 2022. Grant also ran for 346 yards before sack deductions.

Likely replacements include Christian Reid from Georgia and Floridian R.J. Rosales. Filling in for Grant last year, Reid hit eight of 12 passes for 74 yards and four TDS.

Other QB candidates, including transfers and incoming freshmen, could enter the fray when summer drills begin in August.

Denmark to Richmond: Among the freshmen will be 6-foot-5, 300-pound Mathias Nielson from the Scandinavian nation.

Coach Parker alluded to “a lot of connections along the way” in luring the offensive lineman to Virginia.

“People are going to be surprised to see him,”

Coach Parker said.

National exposure: The Panthers will open their 2023 season Sept. 3 (a Sunday) against Morehouse College of Atlanta in the NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The HBCU contest will be televised on the NFL Network. VUU’s home opener in 2023

Rams lose their ‘Ace’ in the hole

The arrival of several new VCU players is imminent

The Ace Baldwin era is over at VCU. The Rams’ star point guard is heading to Penn State to join former VCU Coach Mike Rhoades. Others could follow.

Baldwin was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of Year while helping the Rams win the A10 regular season and tournament titles and qualify for the NCAAs.

Coach Rhoades left VCU after six seasons and has been replaced by former Utah State Coach Ryan Odom.

At Big 10 Conference Penn State, Coach Rhoades follows Micah Shrewsberry, who left to take the Notre Dame post. VCU’s roster is in flux.

In addition to Baldwin, Jalen DeLoach, Jayden Nunn, Nick Kern and Jamir Watkins put their names in the NCAA transfer portal following the coaching change.

Seniors Brandon Johns and David Shriver have completed their eligibility. Before the change, Josh Banks and Jarren McAllister had filed for the portal.

All still have the opportunity to return.

Three of Coach Rhoades’VCU assistants, Jamal Brunt, Jimmy Martelli and Brent Scott, have followed him to Penn State.

With Baldwin gone, the likely VCU point guard will be Zeb Jackson, a transfer from Michigan who averaged 5.2 points this past season filling in for Baldwin and Nunn in the backcourt.

Until further notice, VCU freshman Alphonzo Billups (Varina High), Christian Fermin and Toibu Lawal are scheduled to return.

Stay tuned for the arrival of several new players at VCU through the portal and via Coach Odom’s contacts at Utah State.