Previews arranged in HBCSports Press Association predicted order of finish
All coaches interviews done by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW host Donal Ware

Delaware State (10-2, 8-0)
Coach Al Lavan and the Hornets return 13 starters from last year’s MEAC championship squad but none is more important to the team’s success than QB Vashon Winton. The conference’s fourth-best passer last season, Winton will look to build on his 59% completion percentage, more than 1,600 yards passing and career-best 12 touchdowns. However, he’ll have to do so without his favorite target Shaheer McBride, Delaware State’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Vying to fill his very big shoes are senior Derrick McNeil (23 catches, 313 yards in 2007) and junior Larrone Moore, a sprinter on the Hornets’ track team, who caught 13 passes for 152 yards last season. Bowling Green transfer Zacharri Charles is also expected to make an impact on the flank. Last year’s top two rushers return to join Winton in the backfield. Kareem Jones, a 215-pound senior, finished eighth in the MEAC in 2007 with 700 yards and two TDs on 165 carries (4.2 ypc). Redshirt senior Chris Strother also returns and, at 185-pounds, provides DSU a change of pace back. Whoever lines up in the backfield will benefit from the return of four starters on the offensive line, the lightest of which is 290-pound junior Mike Maloney. Defensively the Hornets return six linemen who have played in at least 10 games, led by 305-pound senior Ronn Spinner, Jr. (47 tackles, 3.5 sacks), a preseason all-MEAC selection. Also returning along the line are Fabian Dunn, Alimayo Wilder, Joe Mendes and Akiel Russell. Joining Spinner on the preseason all-conference team is the leader of the linebacking corps, junior Josh Pope. With 23 career starts under his belt, Pope hopes to build on his 57 1/2 tackles of a year ago. Senior Jackie Watkins also returns to the unit and together the two hope to fill the void left by last year’s MEAC defensive player of the year, Russell Reeves. The front seven will need to be solid from day one, as all four starters in the secondary need to be replaced. Junior Brandon Hudson and senior James Romain return as the most experienced defensive backs. Place-kicker Peter Gaertner and punter Josh Brite also need to be replaced.

South Carolina State (7-4, 6-2)
The Bulldogs are the team MEAC coaches have chosen to finish the season on top of the standings and rightfully so. After finishing last season tied for second place, SCSU returns 16 starters from that team and are certainly one of a handful that can challenge for the conference crown. Offensively, seven starters return from a unit that led the conference in rushing and total offense. However, before the Bulldogs can attempt to build on last year’s success they’ll first need to replace QB Cleveland McCoy. Malcolm Long, a 6-3, 235 pound sophomore was McCoy’s backup last season and will be given the first shot at replacing him, but redshirt freshman DeWain Clark and true freshman Derrick Wiley will also push for playing time. Fortunately for SCSU, preseason all-MEAC offensive player of the year Will Ford returns at running back. Ford was the MEAC’s second-leading rusher in 2007 with 1,389 yards and four TDs on 210 carries (6.6 ypc). Junior Travail Johnson and Auburn transfer Anthony Campbell will spell Ford when necessary while another transfer, Zach Middleton from the Naval Academy, will start at fullback. Last season the Bulldogs amassed just 138 yards per game through the air, but that may change this year as six returning receivers recorded at least five catches a year ago, led by senior Dustin Dubose (25-302-2 TDs) along with juniors Oliver Young (16-370-2) and Terrance Smith (15-243-4). The offensive line will have to replace three starters, but returns preseason all-MEAC center Raymond Harrison as well as guard Devon Dawson. Coach Buddy Pough’s defense returns nine starters and the defensive line returns full or part-time starters Keyon Brooks, a preseason all-MEAC first team selection; Cedric Lloyd, a second team selection, Marcus James, Xavier Littleberry and James Simmons; though the unit is undersized it also contains some of the best athletes on the team. Linebacker LaTravis Henderson is gone but preseason first-teamer Tony White returns to his weakside spot, while sophomore Julius Wilkerson emerged from the spring as the starter in the middle. Wilkerson, however, could be pushed by 2006 starter David Erby who missed all of last season due to injury. Safeties Markee Hamlin and Rafael Bush return, as do cornerbacks Terrence Allen and Phillip Adams. Additionally, 2007 preseason all-MEAC safety Marshall McFadden returns after missing the last nine games of last season with an injury. The league’s second-leading punter, Aaron Haire, returns with his 41.9 yards per punt average.

Hampton (6-5, 5-3)
Former defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes takes over as head coach following Joe Taylor’s departure to Florida A&M and the Pirates’ worst season since 1996. Fortunately for Holmes a good mix of experience and speed can be found among the 15 returning starters. Before the Pirates can embark on the task of righting their ship, they’ll have to figure out whether or not all-MEAC QB T.J. Mitchell will take the field. Following the spring semester there was a possibility Mitchell, a junior, might sit out the 2008 season to focus on academics. However, at press time Mitchell had begun two-a-days with his teammates, a good thing since he led the conference with nearly 210 passing yards per game. Should he be forced to miss time at any point during the season Hubert Bynes, a 6-5, 236-pound sophomore, will fill in under center. Whichever signal-caller is in the game will have a bevy of targets as the Pirates expect to utilize more four and five-receiver sets. Leading the charge are last season’s top two wide receivers, seniors Jeremy Gilchrist (69 catches, 1,043 yards, 9 TDs) and Kevin Teel (33-433-4). Another senior, Justin Brown (6-2, 200) caught 28 passes for 483 yards and two TDs in 2007. Lining up behind the QBs will be sophomore Dennis Mitchell (59 carries, 219 yards) and 240-pound fullback Ralph Steward. The unit will only go as far as the offensive line takes them, and with all five starters returning, the Pirates expect to go pretty far. The defensive line, however, is another story as starters (and stars) Kendall Langford, Marcus Dixon and Vernon Bryant need to be replaced. Still, Holmes is excited about the players returning, led by ends Charles Young and Drefus Lane and tackles Dan Allen and Franklin Frazier. The defensive line will be much smaller in size than last year’s edition, but the added speed will allow Hampton the ability to give offenses different looks. An experienced group of linebackers, led by seniors Wakeem Goode (52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, int.), Charles Robinson (58 tackles, 5 sacks, int.) and junior Michael Swett (26 tackles, 3 sacks), won’t hurt either. When teams decide to throw the ball they’ll have to deal with a secondary that includes five cornerbacks who saw action last season, led by returning starters Sam Pope (5 ints.) and Jackie Bates (2 ints.). Tobin Lyon returns to his free safety position while Darrell Harris takes over at strong safety. Both place-kicker Carlo Turavani and punter Jahmal Blanchard return while Gilchrist is expected to continue returning kicks and punts.

Norfolk State (8-3, 6-2)
After tying South Carolina State for second in the conference, the Spartans look to build on their most successful season in 23 years led by 16 returning starters and another 21 redshirt freshmen, many of whom are expected to contribute this season. QB Casey Hansen has departed, but Norfolk State believes they have a capable replacement in Connecticut transfer Dennis Brown. The Miami native started twice for the Huskies as a freshman. Senior backup Korey Jones also returns ready to go should Brown falter. In addition to Hansen, the Spartans must fill another void in the backfield as bruising running back Daryl Jones also needs to be replaced. Sophomore DeAngelo Branche was slated to split carries with Jones last season after rushing for more than 300 yards as a reserve in 2006, but academic issues forced Coach Pete Adrian to redshirt him. Branche returns to the field in good academic standing and ready to shoulder the load. Senior Andre Cook and 220-pound junior R.J. Waters will also compete for playing time while 250-pound sophomore Tommy Moore will start at fullback. The talent at receiver should lighten the load on the backs as the top three from last season return, including preseason all-conference selection Jamar Johnson, a 6-2, 220 pound senior. His 42 receptions for 565 yards and six TDs in 2007 ranked third in the MEAC and he’s joined by last year’s sixth-leading receiver, junior Dario Walker (39-495-1 TD), and senior Jeremy Wicker (25-466-3). The offensive line returns four starters including seniors Jamien Banks, Brandon Nance and Andrew Ramer. Defensively the Spartans will need to replace five starters from a unit that allowed FCS opponents just six second-half touchdowns in 2007. Senior Dennis Marsh, (6-5, 300) returns as the lone starter on the line, but tackle Ray Jennings and end A.J. Harris were part of a seven-man rotation last season. Marshall transfer Shane Moore should also see playing time. The Davis twins, Marquez and Maguell, are gone but junior Shawn Childress is poised to take over one of the inside linebacker spots. Marcellus Jackson was slated to be the other starter, but after an ACL tear during the spring, Akron transfer Michael Alphonse is expected to fill in. Seniors Jason Dent and Donte’ Hodge will start on the outside. In the secondary, four players with at least four starts under their belts return to a unit that ranked fifth in the FCS in pass defense. First team all-MEAC safety Terrell Whitehead (6 ints.) spearheads the unit and will be joined by Don Carey, Dustin Johnson and Jamie Short. Junior place-kicker Jimmy Castellat also returns.

Morgan State (5-6, 4-4)
The Bears enter the season with high expectations despite the loss of MEAC Player of the Year Chad Simpson and QB Byron Selby to graduation. Senior Mario Melton is slated to start at QB after seeing action in ten games each of the last two seasons. At 225 pounds he has the ability to make things happen with his arm and his legs, as evidenced by his 758 yards through the air and 227 on the ground. He also scored a combined five TDs. Meanwhile, junior Devan James and redshirt freshman Keith Lee will combine to fill Simpson’s shoes. As the primary backup last season, James amassed 366 yards and two TDs and his speed and agility have head coach Donald Hill-Ely and the MSU coaches expecting very little drop-off in production between he and Simpson. Lee, meanwhile, is a 220-pounder who is expected to provide a change of pace to wear defenses down. Returnees at receiver include juniors Edwin Baptiste (29-314) and Robert Surratt (27-340-2) while Miami of Ohio transfer Edward Morton-Green will provide match-up problems for defenses with his 6-4, 215-pound frame. Four starters return on the offensive line, including tackles Dakari Grimsley and Dwayne Delaney and guard Robert Norris, all of whom weigh well over 300 pounds. Likewise, all four starters return on the defensive line: Ends Clarence McPherson (26 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and Sheldon Jacques (12 tackles) along with tackles Lonnie Harvey (36 tackles, 3 sacks) and Justin Lawrence (29 tackles, 4.5 sacks). They, like the Bears’ offensive line, are huge and will need to protect a group of linebackers that returns just one starter, senior Jerrell Guyton (62 tackles, 3.5 sacks). After starting in the middle last year he was moved to the outside, where he’ll be joined by fellow senior Gregory Onyuike (50 tackles). Junior Troy Leftwich (17 tackles, fumble recovery) will start at middle linebacker. Darren McKhan (23 tackles, 3 ints.) and William Hardemon (19 tackles) return at CB, as does free safety Chris Williams (43 tackles, int.).

Florida A&M (3-8, 2-6)
The Joe Taylor era begins in Tallahassee and the former Hampton head coach will lead 17 returning starters as the Rattlers look to bounce back from a 3-8 campaign in 2007. Leading the charge offensively for FAMU is sophomore RB Phillip Sylvester, last year’s conference rookie of the year. In ten games last season Sylvester rushed for 858 yards and seven TDs on 5.7 yards per carry, numbers that placed him fifth in the conference. Junior Demitric Henry also returns after missing last season with injury, giving the Rattlers a talented and speedy tandem in the backfield. And that’s a good thing, since their QB situation could be up in the air throughout the season. Redshirt sophomore Eddie Battle saw action in six games last season, completing 58.7 of his 80 pass attempts for 537 yards, four TDs and three interceptions. He’ll open the season as the starter but will be pushed by redshirt freshman Tobias Lee, a 6-4, 225-pounder who holds a 3.5 GPA in the classroom. Taylor and his staff considered moving Lee to tight end, but prefers his combination of athleticism and intelligence under center. Sophomore Robert Love could also figure in the mix after missing last season due to academic troubles. Sophomore Jarvis Funderburk, the team’s leading receiver with 23 catches, 258 yards and a TD will be the leading target for whichever signal-caller is in the game. He is joined by junior Javares Knight (10-146-1), sophomore Isaac West (6-56) and redshirt freshmen Adrian Smith and Kevin Elliot, both of whom are more than six-feet-tall. First team All-MEAC selection tight end Taj Jenkins (17-138-1) returns as well. The offensive line will be led by junior G Anthony Collins, sophomore C Steve Brazzle and junior Robert Okeafor. Defensively, senior and all-MEAC MLB Vernon Wilder returns after leading FAMU with 87 tackles and five sacks in 2007. After playing numerous freshmen and sophomores the past two seasons, the unit is expected to be among the best in the conference. Junior Cameron Houston (61 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) returns on the interior line as does part-time starter from a year ago Lymon Reed (45 tackles, 4 sacks), but the Rattlers have to find a replacement for all-everything end Tyrone McGriff. Undersized LB Victor Arboleda (44 tackles, 1.5 sacks) returns but may be moved to the secondary while six other players, most of whom are sophomores, will vie for playing time at linebacker. Third-leading tackler Jason Bach (62 tackles, int.), who graduated last spring, returns to the secondary which also returns starters Donovan Johnson and Michael Creary. All-conference punter/kicker Wesley Taylor will be replaced by redshirt freshman Troy Walker.

Bethune Cookman (5-6, 3-5)
Alvin Wyatt’s Wildcats enter the 2008 campaign needing to replace their starting QB, receivers and a host of defensive players, but rest assured the talent pool in Daytona Beach remains adequately stocked. In the offseason B-CC’s staff installed a revamped version of the "Wyattbone" offense, one that is said to feature equal parts running and passing. Whatever the case, there’s no doubt that Corey Council will be involved. Playing the versatile A-back position Council ran for 151 yards while gaining 141 yards and a touchdown through the air. He’s joined at the position by the equally talented Phillip Kirkland (296 yards rushing, 91 receiving), but the success of both hinges largely on the development of senior QB McKinson Souverain. Wyatt calls Souverain a mix between former Wildcat QB Pa’Tell Troutman and Allen Suber. After transferring from Florida Atlantic prior to last season Souverain should have a better grasp on the offense after posting respectable numbers as a backup last year (30-63, 402 yards, TD, 3 ints.; 185 yards and a TD rushing). While starting only five games, last year’s leading receiver Joe Singleton (24 catches, 339 yards, TD) returns, as do Jeff Pope (5-95) and sophomore Jean-Gardy Fanor (3-44). Seniors Deron Barnes and Reubin Mordecai return for the offensive line. The Wildcats’ defense will rely more on the overall speed of the unit than in years past, but first and foremost they have to find replacements for Dennis King, Josh Balloon and Rodney Hughes along the line. The Wildcats are attempting to install a 3-4 defense to mask this weakness and returning rotation players Dexter Jackson (31 tackles, sack, fumble recovery), Chris Dirksz (33 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries) and Fred Brown (17 tackles, sack) will be counted on to make an impact on day one. Should they be able to do that they’ll make the job easier for a talented group of linebackers. Ronnie McCullough is gone, but Brandon Odom (4th on the team with 57 tackles) and sophomore Nick Myant (19 tackles, blocked kick) lead a group poised to pick up where last season’s left off. South Florida transfer Joshua Smiley could also contribute. While the secondary lost all of its starters Travis Roland returns after missing last season and is joined by the twin corner combination of Antwane and Antonio Cox. Junior Brent Davis (18 tackles, forced fumble) was moved from linebacker to safety to assist the unit.

Howard (4-7, 2-6)
Coach Carey Bailey and the Bison lost just eight starters from a year ago, a good thing since they’re hoping to get off to a fast start after losing their final three games of the season. But first they’ll have to replace last year’s starter at QB, Brian Johnson. Junior Floyd Haigler will assume Johnson’s role after throwing a total of just 29 passes last season (144 yards, 2 TDs). The main backups, Troy Jackson and Jerard Dorsey, have never taken a snap. Thankfully Haigler will have plenty of experience joining him in the offensive backfield as RBs Terry Perry and Karlos Whitaker return. Despite playing in just seven games last year the pint-sized Perry (5-8, 175) amassed 432 yards and two TDs on 96 carries, second on the team behind Johnson. Whitaker finished a close third with 412 yards and 5 TDs on 106 carries. The tandem will be counted on to produce early since the Bison lost their top two receivers from a year ago, Jarahn Williams and Larry Duncan. Third-leading receiver Arlandus Hood (23-295-2) returns to lead an experienced group that includes just one other senior. Fortunately for the Bison tight ends Brian Blake (19-109) and Xavier Fowler (4-113-1) are back. The offensive line figures to be much improved and led by center Sean Wolford and guard Michael Russell. Howard’s defense should also be improved with LB Endor Cooper leading the way. The preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year led the team with 78 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Robert Parker (55 tackles, 2 sacks, int.) started all eleven games at defensive back last year will be moved to outside linebacker and, though he only weighs around 200 pounds, his speed should be an asset. The linemen in front of them will be led by James Carter (27 tackles, sack) and James Robinson (17 tackles, 1.5 sacks) who was having a solid season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The secondary will be young but talented, with Martin Decembert (42 tackles) and Martin Corniffe (24 tackles, sack) the only returnees with experience. Punter Patrick Wolff returns, as do kickers Dennis Wiehberg and John Mendoza. Clemson transfer Ray Ray McElrathbey should compete to return kicks and punts.

North Carolina A&T (0-11, 0-8)
Following back-to-back winless seasons, coach Lee Fobbs and the Aggies wanted nothing more than to move forward and into the offseason. Then, during spring conditioning drills, starting offensive lineman Chad Wiley collapsed and later succumbed due to a heart ailment. If there were ever a time to find a silver lining amongst the clouds, its now. Fortunately for N.C.A&T running back Michael Ferguson returns, and after rushing for 1,169 yards last season (and 4 TDs) the senior needs just 906 yards to break the school’s all-time record held by Maurice Hicks. The MEAC’s third-leading rusher in 2007 will need to be at least as good this season, though he’ll be joined in the backfield by junior QB Herb Miller. After splitting time with Shelton Morgan last season (who also returns) Miller enters the year alone atop the depth chart. Playing in ten games he completed nearly 53% o f his passes for 588 yards and five TDs with six interceptions. The 6-2, 200-pounder was also third on the team in rushing with 192 yards and three touchdowns. The Aggies graduated their top two receivers, but senior Chaz Dawson (12-149-TD) returns, as does 6-4 junior Giorgio Lowrance (5-66-1). Backup RB David Robinson (82 carries, 208 yards) also contributed to the passing game last year, catching nine passes for 63 yards. Three-year starter Juan Williams returns on the offensive line, as does Jonathan Carter who missed the final five games last year due to injury. Eight starters return defensively, led by lineman Tyre Glasper and LB Andre Thornton. Last year Glasper recorded 33 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery while Thornton led the team with 82 tackles and two forced fumbles. Glasper, a senior, is the sole returning starter on the line while Thornton is joined at LB by Brandon Long, a talented senior who has not yet played a full season due to various injuries, junior Jamison Hedgepeth (36 tackles, sack, fumble recovery) and senior Tim Shropshire (32 tackles). Brandon Crowley returns to the secondary after finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 47. He’ll be joined by senior and second-leading tackler Brandon Colbert (63, 2 ints.), sophomore DaShaun Graham (16 tackles) and senior Ihsan Shaheed (25 tackles, 3 ints.)

Winston Salem State (6-5)
The Rams look to build on last year’s winning season as they enter their third season as a member of the MEAC, but aren’t eligible for conference play until 2010. They’ll have to do so without 13 starters from last year, including QB Monte Purvis and RB Jed Bines who accounted for 25 of the Rams’ 32 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Tienne Jefferson emerged from spring practices atop a list of very inexperienced contenders to replace Purvis. Only junior Jarrett Dunston (0-5, int.) and sophomore Omar Kizzie (0-1) have attempted passes previously for the Rams. Luckily, whoever starts under center for WSSU will be joined by an experienced pair of backs. Backing up Bines, senior Roderick Fluellen rushed for 553 yards and 3 TDs while junior Brandon McRae amassed 114 yards and two TDs. Coach Kermit Blount hopes the two combined can make up for the more than 1,500 combined yards gained on the ground by Bines and Purvis last season. Lightening the load for the backs will be the return of eight of the Rams’ top nine receivers from a year ago, including seniors Bryant Bayne (25-320-5 TDs), Michael Scarbrough (13-225-TD) and Brent Thomas (11-144-TD). Tackle Joseph Blanks and center Michael Helton return to the line. Though the offense will have to make do without key stars, their plight is nothing like the defense’s as they replace all but one starter from a year ago. The strength of the unit will be the secondary where four players--David Irizarry (41 tackles, int.), Marvin Bohannon (31 tackles, int.), Alex Chandler (30 tackles, int.) and DeRon Middleton (17 tackles) started at least three games in 2007. The experience in the secondary is a good thing, as just two letter winners return to the defensive line, senior Quentin Jones (32 tackles, sack) and junior Kevin Dorsey, Jr. (11 tackles). Chedrick Marshall (55 tackles) and Juan Corders (27 tackles, 2 sacks) each saw time in all 11 games last season and are slated to start, though Corders is recovering from a foot injury suffered late in the season. The third starter at LB will probably be sophomore Shawn Kearny who hopes to be healthy after playing in just four games last year.