After three straight losing gridiron seasons, including a 3-8 record a year ago, North Carolina Central University turned to Henry Frazier III, who has established a reputation for turning challenges into victories, as its new head football coach.
Frazier welcomes the return of 53 letterwinners, including 13 starters, and feels the Eagles have what it takes to be a winning program in 2011.
“We are going to be competitive and play extremely hard,” Frazier said. “Our goal is to have a winning season. It’s going to take some hard work, but it is something that is attainable.”
As far as the keys to turn the program around, Frazier mentioned several on-the-field benchmarks that have proven to be a recipe for success during his career. “We want our offense to score 24 points a game, execute 65-75 plays and limit turnovers to one per game,” he said. “We want our defense to give up less than 17 points per game and create three or more turnovers a game. Those are general things that we talk about all the time, which if you do you’ll win most of the time.”
OFFENSE:
NCCU averaged 307.0 yards of total offense per game last season by rushing for 1,559 yards and passing for 1,818 yards. However, after exploding for 59 points in a 2010 season-opening shutout of former CIAA foe Johnson C. Smith, NCCU’s offense committed 26 turnovers and managed just 17.9 points per game the rest of the season.
With eight starters returning on offense, Frazier is confident about his squad’s ability to run his up-tempo, multiple system. “I expect the offense to score some points,” he said. “We have enough weapons to be a true multiple offense and have true balance. I expect us to take care of the ball and take what the defense gives us. We are not going to force things. We may force tempo, but we won’t force plays.”
The Eagles boast eight years of starting experience with their four returning offensive linemen, which is a solid foundation for the wall up front. However, depth is a concern. “We have 5-6 solid offensive linemen, but we need to add depth at that position,” said Frazier. “We lost a few older guys and that really affected our depth. We have some good young players coming in, but I don’t want to rely on them to play. The starters will be fine. I am concerned about our depth.”
Dominique Moore (Sr., 6-3, 300, Roanoke, Va.) has two years of starting experience and provides flexibility on the line with the ability to play both guard and tackle positions. “He is one of the most athletic offensive linemen we have,” Frazier said. The new coach is also impressed with three-year starting center James Frye (R-Sr., 6-3, 325, Catawba, N.C.). Although banged up in the spring, Timothy Charity (R-Sr., 6-0, 288, Manteo, N.C.) is likely to return to the starting line-up for a third straight season. “We’ll be able to depend on him,” Frazier said about Charity. After transferring from Winston-Salem State University, Julian Gray (R-Sr., 6-4, 280, College Park, Ga.) earned a starting role last season and is expected to return to that role again in 2011. Joseph Figueroa (Jr., 6-1, 290, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) gained valuable playing experience last season and may become a regular starter for the Eagles up front. “I like Joe Figueroa’s effort,” Frazier said. “He works extremely hard.”
The Eagles have three returning letterwinners at the tight end position. Part-time starters Detwan Robinson (Jr., 6-3, 246, Lewisberry, Pa.) and DeMarcus Hill (Sr., 6-0, 224, Charlotte, N.C.) are back, along with Joe Hutchinson (R-Jr., 6-2, 250, Charlotte, N.C.), who Frazier said “really surprised me” with his play-making ability in the spring. Frazier also spoke highly of incoming freshman Nathan Scruggs (Fr., 6-2, 215, Jacksonville, Fla.), who “could be a game-changer” at tight end. “I am excited about what he brings because of his ability to stretch defenses,” Frazier said. “He’s like a big receiver.”
Speaking of receivers, Frazier is pleased with the group of returners in the receiving corps. “We’ve got some good ones,” he said. “I am excited to work with these guys. They are nice-sized, talented receivers.”
Geovonie Irvine (R-Jr., 5-7, 156, Durham, N.C.) led the Eagles with 53 catches for 758 yards and five touchdowns in 2010. Although he is only 5-foot-7, Irvine stands tall when it comes to making big-time plays. “Geovonie plays so big, even though he is a short guy,” Frazier said. Another returning starter, Corey Harris (R-Sr., 6-4, 206, Chesapeake, Va.), had 19 receptions for 231 yards and a score last season. Stanley Wright (R-So., 6-0, 206, Charlotte, N.C.), who made four grabs for 75 yards with a touchdown last year, “just seems like he’s a physical, all-around solid football player,” according to Frazier. Demario Lackey (Sr., 6-1, 195, Solon, Ohio) also impressed the new coach during spring practice. Andrew Johnson (R-Jr., 6-2, 176, Fayetteville, N.C.), who missed last season due to injury, and Marvin Poole (R-So., 6-3, 185, Columbia, S.C.) are also among the 12 receivers Frazier is expected to bring into fall camp.
NCCU’s top two rushers in 2010, Tim Shankle and Tony McCord, were both seniors, leaving the Eagles without 68 percent of the team’s ground attack. That leaves the door wide open for the squad’s third-leading rusher Arthur Goforth (Jr., 5-7, 165, Columbia, S.C.), who recorded 192 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries last season for an average of 5.1 yards per rush. Goforth will have some competition, however, most notably from red-shirt freshman Andre Clarke (R-Fr., 5-10, 220, Mauldin, S.C.). “Andre Clarke has the complete package – size, strength, can catch the ball,” said Frazier. “He is a big-time running back.” Frazier also sees promise in Kevin Thompson (Fr., 5-11, 170, Washington, D.C.), saying he could be the fastest player on the team. “He is explosive,” the coach said. “Hopefully, we will red-shirt him, but he is going to be able to do a lot of things for us.”
There will be three main contenders at fullback. Justin Manning (Sr., 5-9, 241, Raleigh, N.C.) took advantage of his playing time last season by running for a touchdown and catching three more to finish as the team’s fifth-leading scorer. Red-shirt freshman Jordan Toomer (R-Fr., 6-2, 235, Gastonia, N.C.) and true freshman Kevin Staton (Fr., 6-1, 250, Washington, D.C.) will also be in contention at fullback.
With a new fast-paced, no-huddle offensive system in place, the role of the on-field signal caller is crucial. After going through spring workouts, Frazier feels comfortable about his options at quarterback. “I think we’ve got some good ones,” Frazier said.
With three seasons under his belt, veteran quarterback Michael Johnson (R-Sr., 6-2, 222, Durham, N.C.) ranks seventh on NCCU’s career passing list with 3,627 yards and 30 touchdowns through the air. Johnson was a bit banged up last season, yet managed to complete 57 percent of his passes for 1,179 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. “He’s been battling injuries, but I think a focused Michael Johnson is a pretty good quarterback,” said Frazier, a former college quarterback himself who led Bowie State University to a CIAA title and the NCAA playoffs. Jordan Reid (R-So., 6-1, 198, High Point, N.C.) made seven appearances and a start in his first year at NCCU, completing 55 percent of his pass attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns. “Jordan is the complete package. He can run, he can throw, he’s smart and charismatic,” Frazier said. “He is going to pose major problems for opposing defenses.” Rookie Quenton Rucker (Fr., 6-2, 215, Atlanta, Ga.) “has a lot of those same characteristics to be a really good quarterback, but we’ll hopefully red-shirt him,” according to Frazier.
DEFENSE:
NCCU’s defense had its share of difficulties last year. After holding Johnson C. Smith scoreless in the first game of the season, the Eagles’ defense surrendered 359.2 yards of total offense and 26.1 points per contest, including an average of 15.5 points before halftime. Add on to the fact that five of the top six tacklers from a year ago were seniors, and the outlook may seem to be a bit gloomy.
However, NCCU does return five starters to the defensive side of the ball and has a host of other hungry letterwinners returning to the mix.
So, what does Frazier expect out of this season’s defensive unit? “I want an attacking defense - playing aggressive, flying around, getting after people,” he said. “We run multiple sets, but we still attack in each one of them.”
The Eagles have three returning starters and a wealth of veterans on the defensive line. According to Frazier, up front it starts with John Drew (Jr., 6-2, 334, Columbus, Ga.). “He is a special football player,” Frazier said. “He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players in the conference.” Xavier Proctor (R-Jr., 6-6, 272, Ellicott City, Md.) gathered 34 tackles, including 4.0 hits for a loss, last year from his defensive end position. “I am expecting good things from Xavier Proctor,” said Frazier. “He is a big, physical guy who uses his hands well and works extremely hard.” The Eagles’ top returning tackler, Roger Stewart (Sr., 6-1, 226, Charlotte, N.C.), who amassed 50 stops (32 solo) with a team-high 11.0 tackles for a loss, will move from linebacker to the defensive line as part of the switch to a 4-2-5 base defense. “Roger Stewart has a motor,” Frazier said. “He is constantly going.” Expecting to make an immediate impact as a transfer from Independence Community College in Kansas is Aaron Wallace (Jr., 6-2, 300, Washington, D.C.). “He is a wide body that can command a double-team,” said Frazier.
“We have good depth up front,” said Frazier, rattling off the names of returners Chase Tripp (Jr., 6-2, 259, Chocowinity, N.C.), Charles Goodwin (R-So., 6-6, 260, High Point, N.C.), Tyrone Jackson (Jr., 5-9, 294, Fayetteville, N.C.), Mark Blakeney (R-Sr., 6-0, 270, Charlotte, N.C.), Sam Battle (R-Sr., 5-11, 238, Rocky Mount, N.C.), Chris Drew (R-Jr., 6-2, 246, Columbus, Ga.), Darian Pearson (Jr., 6-2, 241, Morganton, N.C.), and Willie Warren (Jr., 6-1, 235, Faison, N.C.); and newcomers Stephen Young (Jr., 6-2, 265, Woodbridge, Va./Winston-Salem State University), Joshua Wade (Fr., 6-1, 245, Washington, D.C.), Avery Johnson (Fr., 6-5, 300, Columbus, Ohio), Ledell Pleasure (Fr., 6-1, 250, Miami, Fla.), and Neil Williams (Fr., 6-2, 215, Chester, S.C.). “Whoever the four are that are out there, they will be good.”
Frazier admits that the linebacker position is difficult to evaluate, since three of the top returners missed most, if not all, of spring practice due to injuries. Eliezer Sandifer (Sr., 5-11, 244, Miami, Fla.) is the position’s top returning defender with 28 takedowns in 11 games, including five as a starter. Brandon Outlaw (Sr., 5-11, 222, Atlanta, Ga.), Allonte Tuppins (R-So., 6-0, 234, Matthews, N.C.) and Elroy Powell III (R-Jr., 5-11, 230, Atlanta, Ga.) each appeared in 10 contests last season, but did not start. Frazier likes what he saw of Demontray Ryland (R-Fr., 6-1, 235, Portsmouth, Va.), Ty Brown (R-Fr., 6-4, 210, Charlotte, N.C.) and Kimani Jones (So., 5-11, 195, Fayetteville, N.C.) during spring practice, “but we are going to have to count on our older guys to step up for us,” he said. Frazier is also looking forward to the speed and strength rookie Prince DeJesus (Fr., 5-11, 210, Miami, Fla.) brings to the position, calling him “a tackling machine.” Entering fall camp, the new NCCU coach said, “The linebacker position is wide open.”
The top returning cornerback is David Ingram (R-Sr., 5-8, 176, Waldorf, Md.), who tallied 27 tackles and six passes defended (3 interceptions, 3 pass break-ups) last season to break into the top 10 of NCCU’s career leaders in passes defended with 33. Malik Cromartie (R-Jr., 5-9, 160, Elizabethtown, N.C.), who had 15 stops and four passes defended last year, captivated coach’s attention with a strong spring camp, including two interceptions in the “Maroon vs. Gray” game. Frazier said he is interested in seeing what Brian Frierson (Sr., 5-8, 174, Hertford, N.C.) and Fred Ominde (Sr., 6-0, 183, Bloomington, Minn.) are going to do in the fall, calling them “big and physical.” The new coach is also open to the idea of rookies such as Theo Livingston (Fr., 5-11, 185, Fayetteville, N.C.) and Ryan Smith (Fr., 6-0, 170, Upper Marlboro, Md.) competing for the job, stating, “I am not afraid to put a freshman at cornerback.”
As the last line of defense, Frazier ideally sees the safeties as the vocal leaders of the defense because they have the whole field in front of them. “I like having smart safeties that are able to think and make adjustments,” he said. “They need to do a better job of communicating, but they are still learning.”
Marc Lewis (Jr., 6-1, 185, New Bern, N.C.) and James Reese (Sr., 5-11, 200, Durham, N.C.) both have starting experience at safety. Lewis, who led the position with 37 takedowns and four passes defended (2 INT, 2 PBU) in 2010, had a “very good spring,” according to Frazier. The coach also said he was “impressed” with Reese, who recorded 31 tackles and four pass break-ups last season. Tyrique Williams (R-So., 5-11, 193, McDonough, Ga.) will also contend for time at safety. “We’ll have six safeties in camp,” said Frazier. “There is going to be some competition at safety. “
SPECIAL TEAMS:
With last season’s place-kicker and punter Frankie Cardelle transferring to be closer to home, the NCCU kicking game will be revamped. Still, Frazier is confident about the special teams unit. “I think we have upgraded,” he said, referring to two key special teams newcomers.
Taking over the place-kicking duties will be freshman Oleg Parent (Fr., 6-0, 170, Lake Forest, Calif.), who kicked seven field goals and 29 extra-points for the Trabuco Hills High School Mustangs as a senior, while also blasting 35 of his 50 kickoffs for touchbacks. “I think Oleg Parent is going to be a lethal weapon for us,” said Frazier. “I know he can punt too, but we want him to focus on extra points, kickoffs and field goals.” Matthew Cornelius (R-So., 6-0, 158, Charlotte, N.C.), who saw some action last year, will be the Eagles’ punter.
Last season, Arthur Goforth (Jr., 5-7, 165, Columbia, S.C.) led NCCU’s return game. He averaged 14.2 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards per kickoff return, including a pair of touchdowns. Goforth will have some help and competition this season from rookie Dequadis Tucker (Fr., 5-7, 165, Atlanta, Ga.), who returned five kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns as a senior. Tucker also proved himself as the fastest high school sprinter in Georgia by running the 100-meter dash in 10.6 seconds to win the state championship. “Dequadis Tucker is special,” said Frazier. “He does some things on the football field that you just can’t coach.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
As NCCU’s new head coach, Frazier is looking at his squad with a fresh perspective and feels the competition at each position will make the Eagles a better team. “When we come to camp here in the fall, all spots are open,” he said. “The best guys that can play and learn the system are the ones that are going to play.”
Regardless of who steps on the field for the Eagles, Frazier knows what fans can expect to see from the NCCU football program on game day. “You can expect discipline,” he said. “We will be extremely aggressive, we’ll play hard for a full 60 minutes and we will represent the university with a lot of pride.”
