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2017 NCCU Football Season Preview
 
Expectations are soaring around the North Carolina Central University football program. Last year, the NCCU Eagles were the first outright football champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since 2012, and became the first football team in school history to win a third straight conference title.
 
With that success, NCCU joined the national FCS conversation. The Eagles were nationally ranked as high as No. 18 in 2016, and have earned a No. 22 ranking in the FCS preseason Top 25 by Street & Smith's 2017 college football preview magazine.
 
Entering 2017, NCCU has lost half of its starters and half of its letterwinners from a year ago. Of NCCU's league-high 17 all-conference selections in 2016, all six of the Eagles' First Team All-MEAC honorees have moved on, as well as three Second Team All-MEAC picks.
 
Back on the sideline for his fourth campaign at NCCU is head coach Jerry Mack, whose 24 wins are more than any NCCU football coach in their first three seasons.
 
       2016 Team Highlights:

• Captured the conference's first outright championship since 2012, after sharing the league crown in 2014 and 2015.
• Became first football team in school history to win a third consecutive conference championship.
• Beat nationally-ranked No. 9 North Carolina A&T 42-21 on Nov. 19, 2016, to cap an undefeated conference campaign.
• Earned a trip to the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
• Posted the most wins in the program's Division I era with nine triumphs.
• Broke the NCCU single-season record with 4,614 yards of total offense.
• Received first national ranking as a Division I-FCS program on Nov. 7, 2016, when the FCS Coaches Poll announced NCCU at No. 25. By the end of the regular season, the Eagles jumped to No. 18, and then finished at No. 19 in the final 2016 poll.
• Placed a league-high 17 student-athletes on the All-MEAC teams (First, Second and Third).

 
NCCU Ranked No. 22 in FCS Preseason Top 25
After a 9-3 season and a third straight conference championship, NCCU is ranked No. 22 in the FCS preseason Top 25 by Street & Smith's 2017 college football preview magazine. "We are honored to have a preseason ranking for the first time in our Division I era," said Mack. "It is truly a testament to how far we have come in the last three years." When Mack took charge at NCCU prior to the 2014 campaign, the Eagles were picked to finish eighth in the MEAC preseason poll. Now, just three years later, Street & Smith's has NCCU as the favorite to win a fourth straight league title and the Eagles are in the national FCS conversation.
 
Looking Back at 2016: Leaving a Legacy

"I thought 2016 was a very special season," Mack said. "We had a group of seniors, a lot of them who were with us for the last three championship seasons, who have left a legacy here that establishes us going forward as a legitimate Division I contender and a force to be reckoned with in the MEAC. I was really proud of those seniors and the younger guys that we developed the past few years as they came into their own last season."
 
Earning NCCU's First FCS National Ranking
"Earning the school's first FCS national ranking meant a lot to us as a program," said Mack. "We always talk about how everybody was involved in that process, whether it's our administration, our coaches and, obviously, our student-athletes. It shows what a group of people can do when they all put their minds together and decide to make a commitment to being a competitive Division I program. We've been able to see it come to fruition because of people's work over the last few years."
 
How has recent success helped in recruiting?
"Recruiting this year was obviously a lot easier than it has been the past few years, especially when you talk about our ability to entice transfers into our program," Mack said. "We have some really good young men coming from junior colleges and other Division I institutions that were able to see our success last year and our body of work over the past three years, and see they could have a chance to contribute and play at a really special university. From a high school standpoint, we are building a brand and a certain name in the state of North Carolina, and now we are increasing our notoriety outside of the state - being able to go to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and other surrounding states and get quality players out of our competitors' back yard."
 
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Experience
"The Celebration Bowl experience was extremely special for our program," said Mack. "Our student-athletes always see other institutions play in bowl games. To have our guys get the opportunity to have that same experience, going to all of the activities and events surrounding the game - they got the same kind of experience that other teams across the country always get. I was so excited to see the look on their faces because it's a compliment to the hard work that they have put forward over the past few years."
 
Celebration Bowl Loss Motivation?
"You are always trying to find an edge or something to motivate your team," Mack said. "If coming two points from being Black College National Champions doesn't light a fire under you, then I don't know what will. We were so close. We did some really good things in that game. We had some missed opportunities, and I think guys got a feel for what it takes to be highly successful on this level of football. I think it's going to motivate us… the way we practice, the way we prepare. Obviously it's a new year, a new set of players, a new set of issues, and a new set of strengths and weaknesses, but the core of the guys that participated in that bowl game are still with us. And that's what we are going to lean on a lot. For them to influence the new guys, whether they are transfers or incoming freshmen, how important it is the way you go about your business on a day-to-day basis."
 
Building A Dynasty?
"The building blocks for a dynasty have already been set," said Mack. "The culture of our football team is one where we understand what kind of work ethic we need to put in to be successful. It all starts with the culture of our program and what we are and who we are not. We must stay focused on that blueprint of being a blue collar organization, being a team that tries to out-work and out-execute people, and the way we practice, prepare and study the game week in and week out. If we stay consistent to those things that have built the foundation of our program, I do believe that we can consistently be at the top of the conference for years to come."
 
Difference between 2016 and 2017 teams?
"The 2016 team knew that they had a chance to be really good," said Mack. "A lot of those guys were with us in 2014 and 2015, and they knew going into the season that they had an opportunity to be highly successful. This year's team, there are a lot of younger guys that have a chip on their shoulder because they want to prove that they are legitimate contenders. We have some young guys that did not get a chance to play as much as they would have liked to, with a group of new guys that don't want to take a drop from what this program has done the last few years. We don't want to be the team not to win a championship. We don't want to be the senior class not to go out on top. Every recruit we've had since 2014 has won a championship. They don't want to be the group not to carry on the legacy and the tradition."
 
What the meaning of this season's theme "More Than A Game"?
"When I think about what we were able to accomplish last year – competing at a high level, beating North Carolina A&T to win the conference championship and going to the Celebration Bowl – it meant so much, not only to our university and our football team, but to the entire community," Mack said. "From a financial and exposure standpoint, the Celebration Bowl branded our university on an entirely new level. But with some of the things that happened to us last year, including the death of our Chancellor, the success we achieved really brought our university and our community together. It was about people having something to lean on in a time of mourning. It just goes to show you that although we play this game and our guys love it, it means so much more than just wins and losses on the field."
 
Goals for 2017
"We talk about either getting better or getting worse," said Mack. "We're talking about trying to compete for another MEAC championship, and hopefully compete for a Black College National Championship again this year. That's always going to remain the ultimate goal for us as a program."
 
How do you achieve those goals?
"One game, one rep, one step at a time," Mack said. "When we start fall camp, we are going to be emphasizing one rep, one practice at a time; trying to get better than the previous practice. When you talk about getting better every rep and every play, that's when you start to move the needle and get better as a program. We are going to talk about winning a national championship and a MEAC championship, because they need to understand that is the ultimate goal. But from a goal that is more tangible that you can touch on a daily basis, how can I get better as a football player every practice and every rep I take."
 
Strength of 2017 Team
"Right now, I really like our defensive line unit," said Mack. "They proved that they can play at a high level last year."
 
Where is the most growth needed in 2017?
"Our offensive line unit and our quarterback play have to make significant improvements through the preseason," Mack said. "We lost four starters up front on the offensive line and a three-year starter at quarterback, who is one of the best players in school history. So those two positions need to make a significant increase in productivity."
 
Youth with Opportunity
"We are young at some spots, but our youth has been on the roster the past few years," said Mack. "Although we are young, it's going to be about those young guys having an increased role this season. They have been waiting in the wings for their opportunity for an increased role on offense, defense and special teams. The key is, how fast can they adapt and take over their positions. Some of these young guys have helped build the culture of this football program. They have seen what it takes to win. Now they have an opportunity to go out there and do it."
 
 
OFFENSE:
Returning Starters: 4 (RB Ramone Simpson, OT Nick Leverett, WR Jalen Wilkes, WR David Miller)
Coaches: T.C. Taylor (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jason Onyebuagu (co-offensive coordinator/offensive line), Carl Funderburk (tight ends), Jordan Reid (running backs), Jermaine Gales (wide receivers), Quinn Billerman (offensive assistant)
               2016 NCAA Division I-FCS Rankings
               #18 – Passing Yards per Completion (13.89 avg.) - #1 in MEAC
               #22 – Team Passing Efficiency (141.3) - #1 in MEAC
               #33 – Red Zone Offense (85.0%) - #1 in MEAC
               #43 – Scoring Offense (28.9 points per game) - #2 in MEAC
               #50 – Passing Offense (223.3 yards per game) - #1 in MEAC
               #58 – Total Offense (384.5 yards per game) - #2 in MEAC
 
"I still see an opportunity to be a highly explosive offense," said Mack. "In 2016, we broke the school record for total offensive yards, and I can see us doing similar things this year with the ability that our skill guys have. If we can get some consistency out of our offensive line and quarterback play, I think our receiver and running back positions are good enough to provide some of that explosiveness that we had last year."
 
Quarterback
Naiil Ramadan (R-So., 6-0, 185, Charlotte, N.C.): Appeared in five games with no starts as a redshirt freshman in 2016. Completed 13 of 19 passes (68.4%) for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. "Naiil had a really good spring and was able to take a majority of the reps in spring practice," said Mack. "He had a great spring game, throwing for a few touchdown passes and a significant amount of yards. Naiil has the most experience among our quarterbacks, and he won a game for us last year at Morgan State, throwing the game-winning touchdown."
Micah Zanders (So., 6-1, 195, Jacksonville, Fla.): Transfer from Hinds Community College. "Micah is a transfer that's going to be able to compete for the starting job. He is a highly-accurate passer who can stretch the field vertically with a big-time arm."
Chauncey Caldwell (Fr., 6-3, 225, Durham, N.C.): Rated a 2-star recruit by Scout.com. Earned all-conference honors in 2016 at Mallard Creek High School. In 2015 at Hillside High School, passed for more than 2,500 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushed for more than 400 yards with seven touchdowns. "Chauncey is highly-touted out of high school and presents a really good dual threat."
Dominique Shoffner (Fr., 6-0, 210, Apex, N.C.): Combined for 3,400 total yards of offense and 51 touchdowns as a senior at Middle Creek High School. Completed 203 of 309 passes for 2,952 yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 448 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns. "Dominique has been in a system similar to us, so he'll have an opportunity to come in and run a similar offense to what he ran the last 3-to-4 years of his high school career."
"We are going to have an open battle at quarterback throughout fall camp," Mack said. "Obviously, Naiil Ramadan has the most experience, but the other quarterbacks are highly touted coming out of junior college and high school."
 
Running Back

Ramone Simpson (R-Jr., 5-10, 185, Wilmington, N.C.): Second Team All-MEAC in 2016. Rushed for 632 yards (5th in MEAC) and five touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Added 20 receptions for 238 yards (11.9 yards per catch). "Ramone did a great job last year," Mack said. "I don't think anyone expected him the have the type of season he had, except him. We always knew Ramone was a highly competitive young man and he was going to out-work people. When he got his opportunity to go into games, he showcased what we always knew he could do. He did a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield, which I think is one of his strengths. And I think he really grew as a runner last year because he got a lot of opportunities."
Dorrel McClain (R-Jr., 5-10, 190, Cary, N.C.): Collected 453 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 2016, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. "Dorrell fought the injury bug a lot last year, but the games he was healthy and could contribute, he did some good things. He was the MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2015 and we feel he will be back 100 percent healthy. We're looking forward to getting Dorrel back on the field at 100 percent."
Torri Cotton (R-So., 5-8, 160, Panama City Beach, Fla.): Rushed for 201 yards (3.8 avg.) in first college season in 2016. "Torri did some really good things for us in certain situations last year. He was overshadowed at times by Ramone and Dorrel, but there's no doubt he can be an explosive player for our football team."
Isaiah Totten (R-Fr., 5-9, 175, Apex, N.C.): Redshirted in 2016. "Isaiah had an extraordinary spring and was able to get acclimated to the system. He showcased that if given the ball in certain situations, he's a home run threat for us."
"We're really excited about all four of our running backs right now," said Mack.
 
Wide Receiver

Jalen Wilkes (Jr., 6-2, 190, Greenville, S.C.): Second on team with 31 receptions for 516 yards in 2016, and tied for team-high with five receiving touchdowns. Topped team with an average of 16.6 yards per reception. "Jalen is our top returning receiver," said Mack. "We were able to play him in the slot and outside last year. Jalen has all-conference potential written all over him."
David Miller (R-Sr., 6-0, 175, Wilmington, N.C.): Caught 23 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns in 2016, averaging 15.8 yards per reception. "David made some explosive plays down the field for us last year. He's a guy that can stretch the field."
Jacen Murphy (Sr., 5-10, 185, Wilmington, N.C.): Recorded 10 receptions for 122 yards last year. "Jacen is one of our slot receivers that had an outstanding spring practice and came up with some big-time plays in critical situations for us last year."
Xavier McKoy (So., 6-3, 190, Charlotte, N.C.): Tallied two catches for 13 yards as a true freshman in 2016. "Xavier played sparingly last year, but he had a great spring and has shown that he can stretch the field vertically."
Jordan Fieulleteau (R-Sr., 6-3, 210, Raleigh, N.C.): Transfer from UNC. "Jordan is going to have a chance to get in the mix and really make a name for himself in that receiver corps."
Eric Saintil (R-So., 6-2, 185, Homestead, Fla.): Transfer from Shasta College, where he earned all-league honors with 35 catches for 798 yards and five touchdowns in 2016. "Eric is going to have a chance to contribute on the outside."
"Nique Martin (Fr., 6-1, 190, Winston-Salem, N.C.) and Chance Kennedy (R-Fr., 5-8, 160, Charlotte, N.C.) are young guys that have shown big-play ability at the receiver position and in the return game."
 
Offensive Line

Nick Leverett (R-So., 6-4, 290, Concord, N.C.): Third Team All-MEAC in 2016. Started all 12 games in first season of college football. Achieved grade of 84 percent on blocking assignments from his tackle position, while adding 35 pancake blocks. "Nick started to grow and get better each game last season," said Mack. "We're excited about his development and where he could potentially end up as he continues to move forward."
Twishawn Glenn (So., 6-3, 275, Daytona Beach, Fla.): Appeared in 10 games as a true freshman in 2016. "Twishawn showed promise last season and throughout the spring. He shows flashes of potentially being an all-conference caliber player."
Steven Perry (R-Jr., 5-11, 265, Durham, N.C.): Played in 10 games last season. "Steven is a legacy. His dad was a player here and he's continuing that tradition."
Andrew Dale (R-Fr., 6-0, 280, Morehead City, N.C.): "Andrew is going to have a chance to really make an impact on the offensive line."
"Jaylin Barrington (R-So., 6-3, 280, Riverdale, Ga.) and Marley Conley (Jr., 6-5, 280, Fayetteville, N.C.) have been on the roster for a couple years and are now coming into their own. They finally have their opportunity to contribute and make a name for themselves."
"True freshmen Jose Jeanty (Fr., 6-4, 260, Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Somadina Okezie-Okeke (Fr., 6-3, 290, Woodstock, Ga.) will have a chance to contribute early this season, as well."
 
Tight End
Josh McCoy (Jr., 6-3, 230, Sharon, S.C.): Transfer from ASA College.
Zach Kellum (Fr., 6-3, 230, Winston-Salem, N.C.): Highly recruited out of East Forsyth High School. Two-time all-conference and all-area. Recorded 29 catches with 471 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, averaging 16.2 yards per catch.
"Both of these young men will have a chance to compete for our starting tight end position," said Mack. "Both have great size and great skill set as far as pass receiving and being an inline blocker."
 
DEFENSE:
Returning Starters: 7 (LB Reggie Hunter, DE Antonio Brown, DB Alden McClellon, DT Ja'Quan Smith, DB Nolan Corpening, DB Davanta Reynolds, DB Jaquell Taylor)
Coaches: Granville Eastman (defensive coordinator/safeties), Kenyatta McCoy (cornerbacks), Jason Blalock (linebackers), Jon Bradley (defensive line), Chris Schultz (defensive assistant), Rahmann Lee (defensive assistant)
               2016 NCAA Division I-FCS Rankings
               #6 – Team Tackles for Loss (8.4 per game) - #2 in MEAC
               #14 – Team Sacks (2.75 per game) - #2 in MEAC
               #16 – Passing Yards Allowed (179.6 yards per game)
               #17 – Fumbles Recovered (11) - #3 in MEAC
               #18 – Fourth Down Conversion Defense (38.1%) - #1 in MEAC
               #27 – Scoring Defense (22.9 points per game) - #1 in MEAC
               #28 – Total Defense (344.0 yards per game)
               #29 – Red Zone Defense (76.3%) - #2 in MEAC
 
"Overall, we have a good core returning," Mack said. "We were able to finish as one of the best defenses in the MEAC last year, and we were able to consistently apply pressure, which is something we always focus on trying to do. Our defensive line unit has continued to get better over the years and we have some continuity with that group. We have guys that have played a lot of football up front, so we're excited about getting those guys amped up. We've added a few pieces to the puzzle because we lost some guys, but we really feel like the guys that are coming into the door will have a chance to enhance our unit and make them even better than they were last year."
 
Defensive Line

Antonio Brown (R-Sr., 6-3, 260, Jacksonville, Fla.): Second Team All-MEAC in 2016. Ranked third in MEAC with 8.0 sacks and fourth with a team-high 14.5 tackles for a loss. Collected 56 total tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. "I'm really excited about what Antonio can bring to the table," said Mack. "He has the chance to play beyond college football if he has a breakout year."
Ja'Quan Smith (R-Sr., 6-2, 300, Miramar, Fla.): Third Team All-MEAC in 2016. Accumulated 58 tackles from his interior lineman position to place fourth on the squad, as well as 7.5 stops for a loss with 3.5 sacks. "Ja'Quan has been a staple on our defensive line since the time he stepped foot on this campus. He has made a lot of plays for us over the last three years. We're excited about him as a graduate student going into his final season to leave it all out on the field for us."
Roderick Harris (R-Sr., 6-1, 280, Simpsonville, S.C.): Collected three tackles and a fumble recovery in 10 games last season. "Roderick has emerged as a starter going into his senior year. He's been a back-up for the last few years, so he is finally going to get his opportunity to take an increased role this upcoming season."

Randy Anyanwu (R-Jr., 6-2, 245, Lovejoy, Ga.): Transfer from the University of Buffalo, where he played 21 games in two seasons. Rated as a 2-star recruit by Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247sports.com coming out of Lovejoy High School. "Randy showed flashes of greatness in the spring. Being able to have a guy of his caliber coming off the edge will definitely help us."
Kawuan Cox (So., 6-2, 230, Summerville, S.C.): Amassed 35 tackles (23 solo), including 5.5 takedowns for a loss with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a team-high five quarterback hurries as a true freshman in 2016.
Tavon Lofties (So., 6-5, 245, Baltimore, Md.): Collected three tackles and a fumble recovery last season.
"Kawuan and Tavon both got significant playing time as freshmen last year. We feel they will contribute significantly to the defensive line position."
Jason Cascen (Fr., 6-3, 290, Charlotte, N.C.): Two-time all-conference at Vance High School. Recorded 74 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during junior year. "Jason has a chance to get on the field and get some playing time on the interior of the defensive line."
Chris Burton (R-Sr., 6-2, 295, Danville, Va.): In three seasons (2014-16) at the University of Cincinnati, recorded 44 total tackles with 4.5 hits for a loss and 2.5 sacks in 36 games played. Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com coming out of George Washington High School. "Chris will be able to come in and give us added depth or maybe even be heavy in the rotation up front this season."
 
Linebacker

Reggie Hunter (R-Sr., 6-0, 225, Henderson, N.C.): Second Team All-MEAC in 2016. Ranked second in MEAC with team-best 84 tackles, tied for third with team-high four interceptions, and 10th with 12.0 tackles for a loss. "I'm excited about Reggie going into his senior season," said Mack. "He is what being a college football player is all about. He came to NCCU as a walk-on, earned a scholarship and now he has worked his way into being an all-conference linebacker. Reggie showed that he will be more vocal for us this season, having to make checks and direct traffic on the defensive side of the ball. Reggie is going to continue to play at a high level."
Kenneth O'Neal (R-Sr., 6-1, 225, Grand Prairie, Texas): Collected 23 tackles, including 2.5 hits for a loss with a sack, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick a year ago. "Kenneth is going to have a chance to play an increased role, going into camp as a starting linebacker."
William Lulu (Jr., 5-11, 220, Homestead, Fla.): Transfer from Mt. San Jacinto College. Recorded 65 tackles in 10 games, including eight stops for a loss with 1.5 sacks in 2016. "William is going to have a chance to come in and get into the rotation."
Jarrett McCarter (R-So., 6-2, 225, Durham, N.C.): Did not play in 2016 due to injury. "Jarrett will try to get back into the flow of things the way he was last year. If he didn't get hurt last year, he would have been a contributor for us at the linebacker position."
De'Niro Laster (R-Sr., 6-4, 240, Cleveland Heights, Ohio): Transfer from the University of Kentucky, where he tallied 14 tackles in limited action last season due to injury. "De'Niro adds depth to a quality group of linebackers. He's a talented player that has been a contributor on the FBS level. We're looking forward to having him in the program."
"We're excited about some of the freshmen we are bringing in," said Mack. "Branden Bailey (Fr., 6-0, 225, Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Patrick Connor (Fr., 6-0, 225, Greensboro, N.C.) are two young freshmen that are going to come in and have a chance to contribute right away."
 
Cornerback
Nolan Corpening (Sr., 5-10, 180, Charlotte, N.C.): Topped last year's team with nine pass break-ups, while adding 25 tackles and a fumble recovery. "Nolan has played a lot of football in his time here," said Mack. "He's highly competitive and we're looking forward to him going out with a bang his senior year."
De'Mario Evans (R-Jr., 6-0, 175, Columbia, S.C.): Made nine tackles in 2016. "De'Mario has shown flashes of greatness. He can return kicks and punts, but we feel he can be a special player at the cornerback position."
Jamarcus Johnson (Sr., 5-10, 180, Greensboro, N.C.): Contributed two tackles in four games last season. "Jamarcus has played some quality ball for us the last few years, so he's finally getting the opportunity to be more embedded in the rotation."
Alphonso Carter (R-Sr., 6-3, 205, Fort Washington, Md.): Transfer from University of Louisville. "Alphonso will have a chance to compete for a starting job and be heavy in the rotation."
 
Safety

"Davanta Reynolds and Alden McClellon are returning starters that have played a lot of football in their time here," said Mack. "We've been able to win some quality games and conference championships with them. They are going to serve as the heart and soul of the safety position for us."
Davanta Reynolds (R-Jr., 5-10, 200, Tucker, Ga.): Collected 38 total tackles (24 solo), including 5.0 hits for a loss, and two pass break-ups last season. "Davanta's intelligence is what separates him from a lot of safeties. He can play weak, strong or free safety for us because he is highly competitive and has a high football IQ."
Alden McClellon (Jr., 5-11, 190, Lake Butler, Fla.): Second Team All-MEAC in 2016. Second on team with 79 total tackles, including 7.5 hits for a loss, 2.0 sacks, five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. "The name of his game is physicality. Alden is a very aggressive tackler. He understands his position. For a guy of his size, he throws his body around violently. Alden is one of our hardest hitters on the defensive side of the football."
Jaquell Taylor (Jr., 6-1, 185, Raleigh, N.C.): Amassed 52 tackles, including 3.5 hits for a loss, with two pass break-ups, an interception and a forced fumble in 2016. "Jaquell has moved around and played some different spots in the backend, whether it be cornerback or safety."
Ruben Saunders (Sr., 6-1, 185, Wilmington, Del.): Tallied 13 tackles and a pass break-up last year. "Ruben has really come into his own after spring practice, understanding what we require at the free safety position. So we're excited to give him the opportunity to be a starting free safety."
Anthony Sherrill (R-So., 6-0, 180, Cornelius, N.C.): Made seven tackles in eight games a year ago. "Anthony played a lot of special teams for us last year, but now will have a chance to play a lot of snaps on the defensive side of the ball."
 
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Returning Starters: 3 (P Nathaniel Tilque, KOR De'Mario Evans, LS Erik Schlecker)
Coordinator: Chris Schultz
               2016 NCAA Division I-FCS Rankings
               #4 – Punt Returns (20.06 yards per return) - #1 in MEAC

 
Nathaniel Tilque (Sr., 6-2, 190, Charlotte, N.C.): Ranked third in the MEAC in punting, averaging 41.2 yards per punt (57 punts for 2,350 yards) with long punt of 58 yards. "Nathaniel has been a consistent punter for us the last three years," said Mack. "He's a quality young man, highly intelligent and has been a staple for us."
"There will be a competition between Adam Lippy (Fr., 6-0, 205, Tucker, Ga.) and Aedan Johnson (Jr., 5-8, 160, Chula Vista, Calif./transfer from Southwestern College) for the place-kicking duties."
Erik Schlecker (Jr., 6-0, 230, Sunrise, Fla.): Returning as the starting long snapper. "Erik is a very consistent and reliable long snapper."
"We will have an open competition for the return positions," said Mack, featuring De'Mario Evans (R-Jr., 6-0, 175, Columbia, S.C.), Isaiah Totten (R-Fr., 5-9, 175, Apex, N.C.) and Jacen Murphy (Sr., 5-10, 185, Wilmington, N.C.) at kickoff return, and Murphy, Alphonso Carter (R-Sr., 6-3, 205, Fort Washington, Md.) and Chance Kennedy (R-Fr., 5-8, 160, Charlotte, N.C.) at punt return.