In “The Classic” Southern Had Plenty Class and the Bayou Bengals Didn’t ‘Sic ‘Em.
Every year The BAYOU CLASSIC is one of the most anticipate social events for the Deep South’s Black American community, dances reunions and an entire marketing, travel and leisure cottage industry has sprung up surrounding the game over its 34 year history. By the way there is also a football game and some great players have taken part in it, one of the reasons it is held in such esteem is for many non HBCU fans it is the one day of the year they might watch HBCU football. There is not time or space to explore the proud history of the two programs but this is the: Army vs. Navy, Ohio State vs. Michigan, Okalahoma vs. Texas, and USC vs. UCLA of HBCU football all wrapped in one game that has higher stakes in that unlike the other more well known teams [with the possible exception of Army vs. Navy] the majority of football nation will not notice them other than this game.
Southern U [8-3, 6-3 in the SWAC] faced of against Grambling [8-3, 8-1 in the SWAC] and Southern dominated the line most of the day. This was exemplified in the fact that though SU only had 152 net yards on the ground from its 40 attempts for 3.8 ypa, Grambling was restricted to a measly 58 net yards on 28 attempts. Both teams did the majority of their damage by air but Darren Coates of Southern was by far the most effective ground gainer on the day with 107 net yards on 20 carries for a 5.3 ypa average, 1 TD and a long of 24.
The Quarterbacks had to make most of the plays on offense and Grambling’s Brandon Landers was the more lauded field general entering the contest and he was productive with 36 attempts 22 completions for 192 yards 1 TD 2 INTs along of 27 yards and was sacked 1 time. Southern used two signal callers with Bryant Lee getting the ‘lion’s share’ of the snaps and accounting for 12 of 18, 120 yards and 1 score by air and 6 net yards on 4 ‘carries’ including a loss of 11 on a sack, his understudy Warren Matthews had 94 via the pass on 9 completions, 13 attempts and had the days longest connection a 32 yard catch and run to Darren Coates.
Southern’s other offensive standout was Gerard Landry who has played H-Back, TE and Fullback as well as splitting out wide to the X wide out he finished the day with 5 snags for 72 yards 14.4 ypc and a long of 27 yards.
Grambling’s other offensive bright spot was Clyde Edwards who despite a fair amount of defensive attention tallied 84 yards on 8 catches 1 TD and a long of 27 but for most of the day the Southern DBs let him catch the ball in front of them and came up quickly to stop him. As a returner he had slightly better luck with 4 PRs for 49 yards and a long of 24, as well as 2 KORs for 55 yards one or 27 and one of 28.
Turning to the defenses Grambling was led by Zaire Wilborn who had 11 tackles 6 of them solo 5 assists and 1 TFL, Jeffrey Zack had 6 solo tackles, 4 assists1 TFL and 2 PBU, Derrick Johnson had 5 solos 4 assists, 3 TFL and DeMichael Dizer had 6 solo 2 assists and 1 TFL and 1 PBU. Southern’s defensive stalwarts were spearheaded by Johnathan Malveaux who was a man possessed had 10 solo tackles, 6 assists Jarmaul George had 2 solo, 1 assists, Glenn Bell had 2 solo tackles 1 assists and 1TFL and Michael Williams had 5 solo tackles and an INT, Efe Osawemwenze had 1 INT. Southern’s punter/PK Josh Duran had a great day with 5 punts for a 48.2 ypa average and 3 downed inside the 20 yard line with no touchbacks, he also chipped with 2/2 on FGs and PATs.
Game Notes: Grambling Offensive Prospects-
# 7 QB Brandon Landers a junior Landers is only 5’11.7” 192 and is usually better outside the pocket than dropping straight back he has a decent arm but not enough to gun it into tight spots. He may also get looks as an Athlete/Projection but he is quicker than fast by my eyes he is a mid 4.6 to low 4.7 40 guy. He showed good touch on some of his passes, he stares down his receivers and can carry the ball to far away from his body when on the move.
#5 WR Clyde Edwards 5’9.7” 179 4.51 [Est] was the star on offense and special teams with 188 all purpose yards, some have compared him to Troy Brown, close but he reminds me more of Troy Edwards, he is very quick, he competes for the ball and is very good after the catch. He is not a terribly big target and he can be disrupted by physical play. His ticket might be special teams he is likely a UDFA who could become a valuable slot receiver.
Defense
#29 CB DeMichael Dizer 6’0.6” 178 4.53 [Est] played well and looked like possible prospect he has fluid hips and good feet if he trusted his instincts more he may have gotten a pick, he did not seem to want to take many risks or jump routes often. Dizer won’t be drafted and he could use refining but if he gets on a practice squad, if he gains some weight and strength he could possibly move inside.
#26 SS Zaire Wilborn 5’11.3” 202 4.59 [Est] is not just an “in the box” type mini-LB type safety he has some coverage skills and decent ball skills, he is also very physical and an above average tackler, he could use more reps against more sophisticated passing attacks but it is not impossible that an exceptional pro day could boost him into the late rounds it is more likely he’ll be a priority UDFA.
Southern Offense-
RS Sophomore #16 QB Bryant Lee 6’1.5” 197 4.67 [est]is not asked to make many difficult throws but he has a decent arm and is quite mobile, he may develop but he does not look like a future NFL QB, he could succeed in the CFL or possible the AFL.
#43 TB Darren Coates 5’11.7” 208 4.54 [est] has seemed to come from nowhere he was not on the preseason 2 deep but he has impressed me he was most evaluators radar but he is fast, shifty has good leg drive and catches the ball well he could be a real steal as a UDFA.
# 80 WR/H-Back Gerard Landry 6’1.6 236 4.66 4.66 [est] Landry is a very interesting project he could be a Tony Richardson type FB, a Chris Cooley type TE or a little of both he is now officially a WR, he has nice hands, is good in the open field and a raw but willing blocker. He is unlikely to be drafted but will be a priority UDFA whose versatility gives him a chance.
# 1 WR/KR Albert Turner 5’6.5” 158 4.49 is a tiny target and though he has good hands and leaping ability his only chance is as a returner, UDFA.
Defense
JR LB #49 Johnathan Malveaux 5’11.5” 247 4.78 [est] is a very active, instinctive and brutally effective tackler in the Jeremiah Trotter mold but quicker, if he improves his coverage skills he might be taken late in the 2009 draft.
#5 CB Glen Bell 5’8.6” 174 4.46 [est] is a classic quick corner he can be overpowered by big receivers and he peaks into the backfield but he has good recovery speed and ball skills. He might get into a camp but is likely not special enough to stick.
#35 OLB Vincent Lands 6’0.6” 234 4.65 [est] flows well to the ball and sifts throw trash well but he needs to get stronger and fight through rather than running around blocks, a priority UDFA.
#2 FS Jarmaul George 6’0.1” 186 4.58 [est] is a classic ball hawking centerfielder type safety with good range, he needs to gain upper body strength and improve his tackling but he has an outside shot at late day 2 more likely a priority UDFA.