Donald Hill-Eley, third among winning coaches at Morgan State with 51 wins, enters his second decade as head coach of the Bears with goals of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and national championship caliber team in 2012.
The Bears will enter the 2012 season with plenty of veterans – in fact, the team will be comprised of the most seniors (24) Hill has ever had since taking the helm of the program in 2002.
Among the returnees are three offensive linemen (Joshua Durden, Jerry Evans and Nicholas Harris). Jorge Young will attempt to fill the void left behind by All-MEAC tight end Lamont Bryant and H-Back Jourdan Brooks (signed by the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals).
Travis Davidson will continue to be a centerpiece in the Bears' ground attack. The coaching staff expects “Juice” to continue putting up big numbers while providing leadership to a solid group of running backs.
Two receivers who will exploit opponent's secondary units -- senior Tyrone Hendrix and junior Chris Flowers – are expected to shine. Last season, the duo combined to catch 46 receptions for 513 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, the Bears lose key performers in defensive end Zary Stewart (signed by the NFL's Chicago Bears), defensive tackle Justin Young, noseguard Kevin Myrie, and free safety Reshaude Miller. Last season, the Bears made significant strides under defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee, and are expected to be one of the top defensive units this season as a result of excellent depth, experience and talent. MSU has 12 players who started in at least three games from the MEAC's No. 6 ranked defense from a season ago.
The defensive unit will be led by linebacker Allen Stephens, defensive linemen Bakari Smith and Tierney Yates, lock-down corners Joe Rankin and Kenneth Ridley, along with safety Jerry Jones.
Mix in enough other talented veterans and young players and one can see reason as to why Morgan State should field a strong and competitive team in 2012.
QUARTERBACKS
Morgan State returns sophomore quarterback Seth Higgins (6-4, 225) for his second year as the Bears' starting signal-caller. Higgins played in eight games as a freshman last season and started in seven games. He completed 97-of-186 passes for 1,116 yards, including nine touchdowns. The Edgewood, Md. native is expected to pick up where he left off and become one of the top young quarterbacks in the league.
Backing up Higgins, will be sophomore Robert “Josh” Council (6-2, 215) who played in eight games last season and threw for 372 yards and completed 26-of-58 passes with three touchdowns.
The depth at quarterback will also include Moses Skillon (6-4, 215) who participated in spring practice.
“This is the first time since the 2002 season that we've had two quarterbacks that present different problems for the defense,” said Donald Hill-Eley. “Seth [Higgins], being a true pro-style pocket passing QB that is mobile. Council is very elusive and can beat you with his feet or his arm. So we have a situation that we haven't had since [Bradshaw] Littlejohn and LeJominick [Washington].”
Once again, the Bears will go as far as their quarterback play will allow them to go.
RUNNING BACKS
The Bears' ground game should be fine. Senior Travis Davidson (6-0, 180) returns as the Bears' starting running back and is expected to be one of the top performers in the league. “Juice” rushed for a team-high 732 yards (5.1 ypc) and seven touchdowns last year. He ranked No. 4 in the MEAC in rushing by averaging 73.2 yards per game. The coaching staff will look for him to pick-up where he left off and provide senior leadership.
Tracy Martin (5-9,190) and Brian Mann (5-7, 190) will provide quality depth in the backfield. Martin saw action in seven games and had 76 carries for 317 yards (4.2 ypg) with two touchdowns. Mann, who was sidelined due to injury throughout most of the 2010 season, returns in top shape and is ready to make up for lost time.
“We have an experienced group with three seniors,” explained Hill. “Travis is the guy that can really stretch the field. You can motion him out and do some different things, as well as Brian Mann. So we have a good 1-2 punch with those running backs.“
There will also be a number of young newcomers who have the potential to contribute right away.
TIGHT ENDS
The Bears lose All-MEAC tight end Lamont Bryant, but return three letterwinners at tight end in 2012. Senior Jorge Young (6-2, 285) is expected to lead the way at the position. Young caught six passes for 46 yards with a touchdown and was a solid run-blocker in the Bears ground attack last season.
Kristian Johnson (6-3, 270) and Devonte Lindsey will provide quality depth. Johnson is an athletic tight end, while Lindsey, at 6-4, 225) will provide a big target for the Bears.
Coach Hill touched on the loss of Lamont Bryant. “Lamont is one of those rare breed tight ends that you get. You don't really replace those guys. You try to work within the confinements of what those TEs can do, and right now we don't have a guy that's a hybrid like Lamont that you can spread out and do different things with, but we do have guys that do things well.”
WIDE RECEIVERS
Gone is three-year starter Winfred Diggs and big-play target Chuka Okakpu, however, the Bears will still be loaded at the wide receiver position.
Veteran, starting wideouts Tyrone Hendrix (6-1, 190) and Chris Flowers (5-10, 150) return this fall. Hendrix is the most experienced receiver on the Bears' roster. The Tampa Bay product posted 19 catches for 315 yards in 11 games last season. Hendrix also led the Bears in kickoff returns by averaging 22.5 yards per return, including an 85-yard return at Towson in the 2011 season-opener.
Flowers will continue to provide matchup problems for opponents from his slot position. As a sophomore in 2011, the Florida speedster was the team's leading receiver with 27 receptions for 198 yards (7.3 avg). He also averaged 16.2 yards per kickoff return.
Behind the starters are a handful of talented, young underclassmen – Montrel Church (6-0, 200), Broderick Gager (6-0, 170) and Tubotein Taylor (5-11, 170).
“We lost Winfred Diggs so we're still waiting for guys to step up. One of our most explosive guys, Chris Flowers, is coming off surgery but he will be returning. Tyrone [Hendrix] can stretch the field, and now we're trying to develop an intermediate workhorse that can change the game. We hope Montrel Church can step up and do it for us.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Bears will enter the 2012 season without the services of left tackle Lawrence Brewer, but the rest of the core of linemen return with ample playing experience, in addition to a talented group of newcomers.
The Bears will be led by center Jerry “Short Dawg” Evans, with Nicholas Harris and Clarence Swain on the left side of the line, flanked by seniors Karim Barton and Joshua Durden on the right side.
Jerry Evans (6-2, 300) returns at the starting center position. Evans, who started in nine games last season, is one of the most mobile and scrappy players in the trenches and will push for postseason honors.
Harris is expected to fill the void left with departure of Lawrence Brewer. Harris is a 6-6, 320-pounder who came on strong last season as a solid run- and pass-blocker for the Bears. He is a tough young man and will be one to watch this fall.
Swain (6-2, 350) is a hard-worker who added 10 pounds since last year and has significantly improved his strength. He is expected to make an impact in the trenches and could also play center if need be.
Barton was a key contributor on the interior line last year. The 6-3, 315-pound senior returns to his right tackle position in which he started every game in 2011. He has a high IQ and will play a key role in the Bears' offense this fall.
Durden returns for his final season with the Bears. He started in every game last season at the right guard position. The 6-1, 295-pounder spent the offseason working on his blocking technique and will be very capable lineman; he will also see time in the backfield as a fullback.
“The offensive line is where the game is played,” said Hill. “If the O-Line has a bad day, the whole team has a bad day. We feel good about our offensive line and their ability to pick up the rush. We're looking forward to leaning on those guys to help us win a championship.”
Promising young linemen Tyrell Okoro (6-4, 320), Darren Pinnock (6-4, 360) and Chris Chukwuocha (6-3, 315) will compete for a starting position when training camp opens.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line will be the foundation for defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee's defense.
Gone is defensive end Zary Stewart, tackle Justin Young and noseguard Kevin Myrie, but the Bears return a talented and nasty unit that will be led by seniors Bakari Smith and Richard Ndubueze.
Smith, a 6-1, 250-pound defensive end, has a tremendous motor and is a terrific pass rusher. He has appeared in 36 games and started in 11 games last season. He finished with 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Ndubueze (6-2, 240) is a relentless pass rusher who added weight during the offseason and is expected to have a breakout season. Ndubueze posted 32 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss with four sacks in nine games in '11.
Randon Key (6-4, 330) is expected to also be a factor in the trenches at the defensive tackle position.
Chris Eugene (6-4, 225), Lucson Noel (6-3, 270) and Damarco Bisbee (6-4, 340) will be in the rotation this season. A couple of other newcomers should also factor into the rotation by fall.
LINEBACKERS
The Bears linebacker corps returns intact for the 2012 season.
All-MEAC linebacker Allen Stephens returns to anchor the unit. Stephens ranked as one of the top tacklers in the MEAC by recording 80 tackles (38 solo), to go along with 7.5 tackles for loss and a sack and interception. The 6-2, 260-pounder returns as an absolute impact player and has the potential to play on the next level.
Senior Tierney Yates (6-3, 205), Stephen Blissett (6-0, 220) and sophomore Cody Acker (6-1, 230) will also be starters. Yates was a standout performer for the Bears last season and is one of the most consistent players for the Bears. Yates was the team's second leading tackler with 64 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Blissett spent most of last season on the special teams unit and completed the season with 9 tackles in nine games. During the offseason, the junior established himself as one to watch this upcoming season and the coaching staff added him to the starting linebackers unit.
Acker is a talented young player who has a tremendous nose for the ball and enjoys making the big hit. As a true freshman last year, Acker recorded 23 tackles, three fumble recoveries and an interception in 10 games of action.
Bill Hill (5-11, 205), Ta'Quan Jackson (6-2, 220) and Calvin Fuller (6-2, 210) are very capable backups who will push for additional playing time.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Bears will once again have a very talented and deep secondary unit.
Juniors Joe Rankin (5-10, 185) and Kenneth Ridley (5-10, 190) return as two of the premier lockdown cornerbacks in the league. Rankin runs a 4.45 in the 40, making him one of the fastest athletes on the team. He racked-up 24 tackles (20 solo) with three interceptions and nine pass deflections last season.
Ridley will man the other cornerback position. Ridley emerged as a shutdown corner and had 42 tackles (23 solo) with a team-high four interceptions and 10 pass deflections. Rankin and Ridley could arguably be one of the top cornerback duos in the league.
Senior Nathan Ayers (6-0, 200) returns as the Bears strong safety. Ayers saw limited time last season, but had an exceptional spring camp. The coaching staff expects him to have a breakout season this fall.
The free safety position will be held down by Jerry Jones. The 6-3, 210-pounder is one of the biggest hitters on the team and finished 2011 with 18 tackles.
Peterson Janvier (5-10, 185), Darien Irby (5-10, 190) and Taighi Robinson (6-0, 200) will also push for playing time at the safety positions, and both will see action as a part of the special teams unit.
The secondary will be rounded out by Lafredo Brady (6-0, 170), Saquan Moody (5-10, 180) and Collin Bing (5-11, 175).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bears will attempt the fill the void left behind by punt specialist Nicholas Adams and placekicker Abraham Mercado.
Earvin Gonzalez will handle the kicking duties this fall. Gonzalez (5-11, 215) has a big leg and connected on 5-of-13 field goals, including a long of 43-yards. Gonzalez also saw time on kickoffs where he averaged 59 yards per kick.
Robert Miranda (5-11, 215) is back for long-snapper duties. The kicking game will have to come up big for the Bears to have success this fall.
