Hampton’s Pirates Bitten By S.C State Bulldogs 28-24[size="4"][/size]
This past Saturday in HU’s Armstrong Stadium and on there Homecoming weekend the Bulldogs of South Carolina State came and “reigned” on the HU parade. The game was generally trench warfare, occasionally enlivened by a quick strike or critical mistake.
Hampton won the Time of Possession: 32:45 battle to 27:15 and had had ½ as many penalty yards 47 to 94 assessed against SCSU, but the struggle on the frontline was clearly won by the Bulldogs who at 4-3 and 3-1 in conference keep their MEAC title hopes alive while the Pirates 4-3 and 3-3 in conference saw theirs dashed.
The story of the game was simply physical play the defense of S.C State was for stout against the run and allowed only 91 net yards on 44 attempts while the vaunted Hampton front 7 with 3 prospects believed to have a shot at collecting an NFL paycheck, and 1 of whom Kendal Langford is believe by some to be a day 1 draft choice, however the Offensive Line of the Bulldogs opened holes and negated attempts at penetration to the tune of 290 net yards on 50 attempts, both QBs made some plays in the passing game with HU’s Mitchell going 19 for 41 for 223 yards but threw one bad pick on an overthrow of an open receiver. S.C State’s QB Cleveland McCoy ran the Bulldogs “Ride and Decide” option set well and passed for 126 yards on 8 of 18 passing.
Hampton has been a perennial MEAC title contender and entered this season with quarterback as just one of many positions the Pirates have had to fill after an exodus of quality players, [5 made to the last combine!] TJ Mitchell has raw talent and is gaining experience after filling in while Princeton Shepherd was injured a year ago. The fact that he was recruited to WVU and likely would be #3 on their depth chart is a fair illustration of his talent level.
OFFENSE Notes: On the day the RS sophomore was 19 for 41 and 9 more yards on 7 carries, [as we all know sacks count against rushing in college] losing 14 yard to a TFLs. If he continues improves he should be watched for next year’s CDS AU Team. The lanky [6’2.3” 198] 4.61 [est] signal caller reminds me of former Texas A&M QB Kevin Murray, and like Murray he has a baseball player’s release. He can be a bit wild like most young QB’s and he stares down his primary receiver but he has real talent.

Kevin Teel #16 5’8.7” 168 4.44 [est]: WR 16 Junior- Was a real deep threat and is also a dangerous returner and sprinter on the HU track team. Teel had 3 snags for 54 yards and 1TD and a long of 30 yards and 5 KO returns for 114 yards. If he continues to improve his routes and hands he could find his way into a camp as a returner and eventually become a slot receiver. He showed the kind of short area quickness that could make him a KR/Slot at the next level. Think Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.

WR #19 5’9.7” 180 4.49 [est.] Jeremy Gilchrist a Junior transfer from VA Tech makes a potent 1-2 punch with the faster Teel. He posted 110 yards on 10 catches and reminds me of Fred “Fred Ex” Mitchell. He also had 2 punt returns for 75 yards and 1 TD; he has a very good sense of coverages and how to exploit them and above average hands.

DEFENSE
SS #23 Henti Baird 6’0.6” 204 4.47 [est.] Baird is probably the 3rd best known prospect on The Pirates Squad after the DE bookends and is one of the most versatile athletes on the squad having played LB and WR in the past. Baird has all the attributes: smart, aggressive, strong, fast and he is solid in coverage and even better in run support he moves easily from boundary to boundary, has room on his frame to grow and easily play at 210-215. He was quiet however against SCSU with 1 PBU, 1 solo tackle and 4 assists. He reminds me a little of a taller Blaine Bishop. Baird’s potential could get him drafted in the mid to late 2nd day.

DE #98 6’5.4” 297 4.97 [est.] Kendal Langford DE is the most highly rated HU prospect since Mathis day may be selected on day 1. He had but 3 tackles, 1 assist and only 1 TFL with no sacks, he did have 1 crucial forced fumble that almost gave the Pirates a chance to win the game, and despite that he was facing the best of SC State’s OTs James Lee he did show flashes of his power and up field speed that has drawn the attention of scouts. He could go as early as the late 3rd; I think he’s worth a mid to late 4th.

DE #94 6’3.6 299 5.04 [est.] Marcus Dixon the controversial former Vandy recruit was solid but unspectacular with 3 TTLs, 2 solo and 1 assist but none behind the line. He might have to move to DT at the next level or perhaps a 3-4 DE. Think Kindal Moorehead. I’d take him early in the 6th if he was there.

DT #97 6’2.1” 285 4.89 [est.] Vernon Bryant like the rest of the HU D-Line got handled by SCSU’s offensive front, that combined with the option kept him from doing much damage with 2 solo, 2 assists and 1 TFL. He has upside but he needs more strength, to play with more consistent leverage and to improve conditioning. Looks like a priority UDFA.

P #29 Jahmal Blanchard had 5 punts 236 yards 47.2 2 inside the 20 and 2 touchbacks and though his mechanics are raw his leg is clearly very strong. Possible camp invite who could stick if he learns quickly.
SCSU Notes: The Bulldogs most exciting offensive weapon as sophomore TB #28 William Ford 5’10.2” 185 4.46 [est] he showed very good vision, explosion, change of direction and surprising strength for his size. On the day he had 23 carries for 122 net yards and since his longest run was 14 he was getting 4-8 yards on about ¾ of his carries, he is not a weapon in the passing game yet, reminded my of Joe Cribbs.
C#55 6’1.4” 276 4.96 [est.] Junior Raymond Harrison showed heart and hustle, on one play in particular he ran 30+ to throw a block that helped spring a big play. He needs 15-20 pounds of muscle and to keep his hustle, reminds me a bit of a Mike Elgin finesse center. A possible camp body that could impress enough to make a practice squad, he’d be well-advised to learn to LS.
Offense- OT #78 6’4.6 305 5.27 [est] James Lee looked like the best prospect on either team, he showed power and quickness spending most of the day nullifying Langford, and he also handled twists and stunts, hit moving targets on the second level and opened holes in the running game. I think he could play OG and either OT position he reminds me of Mike Otto, but I think he might be a bit quicker. He will need to get stronger and work on pass protections, but he looks like he can learn. Anywhere in the draft from the 6th on he would be a STEAL!
OT#71 6’3.7” 318 5.49 [est] Nathaniel Richardson has played LT and played well but he does not have the feet or length to do so, he will need to get into better shape, improve footwork and play OG, he is Barry’s brother. Not yet draftable could be a camp body.
QB #19 61.6 218 4.67 [est] Cleveland McCoy has drawn some comparisons to Syvelle Newton, they are not wholly misdirected but he is used very differently, his runs come from speed read options and his passes are almost all dump offs to backs, he has a good arm but is asked to do very little reading or going downfield except on “Go” routes. McCoy could be an UDFA who will need to find a position.
DEFENSE
Notes: Sophomore CB #11 Markee Hamlin 5’11.7 178 4.51 [est] is still listed as a WR on the SCSU roster but he and Rafel Bush, also listed at WR 5’.9.5 “181 4.48 [est.] played like mini-LBs though both gave up a few big plays against the pass they both made plays against the run Bush had 4 solos and 2 TFL, and Hamlin had 1 pick 4 solo tackles and 2 assists.
#91 Junior James Simmons an undersized DT 5’11.7 257 4.83 [est] was a disruptive force and tabulated 3 solos, 2TFL and a sack and was very quick, he’ll need to do what Bruschi did [and few others have] and show he can be an ILB, he is the kind of prospect who will need to make a team by producing on special teams as an UDFA.