Football 7/30/2018 9:53:00 AM MSU Athletic Communications

2018 MSU Football Season Preview

Preseason Prospectus (pdf)

A new era of Morgan State Football begins in 2018, as Ernest T. Jones enters his first full season at the helm.

Jones will now get to share his knowledge and passion with every member of the Bears football team as he enters his first season as interim head coach.

Morgan State finished with a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference mark in 2017. The Bears completed the season with four student-athletes recognized to the All-MEAC Team and nine selected to the MEAC's All-Academic Team.

Despite the record, last year's squad showed that it was competitive more often than not, dropping three contests by a combined total of 19 points.

As defensive coordinator during the last two seasons, Jones has helped mold a talented and experienced unit. While there is a change at the top, the goal of the team remains the same.

"I think we'll be good," said Jones. "I think what will be different is that we'll have an identity -- in the past we didn't. An identity simply means that we know who we're going to be on offense and on defense."

"We're going to be a physical team on defense, trying to stop people from running the football and we're going to be aggressive with our play calls trying to get after offenses on defense."

"On offense, we're going to run the football, which is going to be something different. We're going to run the ball hard and be physical. We're going to have a physical demeanor on offense and then we'll take our chances with throwing the ball, but we'll just put the ball in the hands of our playmakers and let them go make plays."

"You can expect to see a good fundamentally sound team and a physical team on both offense and defense," Jones said regarding his philosophy for the team. We'll be a hard-nosed tackling defense and running offense."

MSU has 37 returning players and 16 returning starters on its roster heading into the 2018 season. Of those 37 returnees, there were 24 who started at least one game or were considered a starting specialist last year. MSU has 25 players on last year's roster that are no longer with the team, with 13 of those having started at least one game last season.

Coach Jones' coaching staff includes: assistant head coach/co-special teams coordinator/wide receivers coach Ron Dickerson Jr., co-defensive coordinator, co-special teams coordinator, linebackers coach Antonio James, co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach Aaron Kelton, co-offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach Travis Manger, inside linebackers coach, recruiting coordinator Benjamin Thomas, safeties coach Nate Ayers, running backs coach Jordan Hopgood, tight ends Josh Firm, defensive line coach Logan Williams, and run game coordinator, offensive line coach Isaac Williams.

"I feel really good about our coaching staff," said Jones. "We were able to go out and get some outstanding coaches and very good recruiters that have seen success at a different level. We have a diverse staff that will provide great experiences for our young men moving forward."

"I'm looking forward to the contributions they'll make on our football team improving for the 2018 season."

Coach Jones and his staff put the returning players through a rigorous offseason program, which included spring drills, giving the staff an opportunity to evaluate the returning talent, install new schemes, identify playmakers and infuse the philosophies and principles that will define Bears Football for the upcoming season.

THE OFFENSE
Seven (7) starters return on offense from 2017: quarterback DeAndre Harris, wide receivers Manasseh Bailey, and William King, and offensive linemen Cooper Clarkin, Adrien Allen, Matthew Thompson and Joshua Miles. Others back with starting experience are offensive lineman Mike Lynn, and wideout Daylen Baldwin.

The Bears averaged 19.5 points and 360 total yards last year. Jones returns what ranked among the top offenses in the conference, especially in total offense (360.6 avg; No. 3), rushing offense (156.6 avg.; No. 3), pass offense (204.0 avg; No. 6), sacks allowed (14; T-No. 2), third down conversions (37.9%), and first downs (18.7 avg.; No. 3all ranked toward the bottom half among conference teams. The team will look for continued improvements across the board with turnovers (33; No. 11), penalties (77.9 avg; No. 5) and red zone offense (57%; No. 11).

"Our offensive philosophy will be to run the football in every way that you can run the football. We're going to jump into multiple formations and we're going to run the football. We're not going to try and fool anybody. We're not going to be a trick team; we're not going to try and beat you with a snap count. We're going to lineup; you're going to know that we're getting ready to run the football and we're going to the football. We're going to be physical, we're going to be aggressive, and we're going to run the football. If you're looking for 30 or 40 passes and 60 or 70 points, that probably won't happen unless we can get it by running the football."

QUARTERBACKS

Starters Returning: DeAndre Harris
Starters Lost: Elijah Staley
Redshirt: Dion Golatt Jr., Anthony Butler
Newcomers: Tyler Holley, Jared Lewis

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	TD	Int
DeAndre Harris	10	62	106	781	10	8

Right now it appears that all eyes will be on junior DeAndre Harris. The 6-4, 210-pound quarterback from Washington (Ga.) split time with Elijah Staley last year and should take over the duties full-time in '18. He saw action in 10 games and started in three (Rutgers, Delaware State and Norfolk State). He completed 62-of-196 passes for 781 yards, with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 58.5 percent of his passes and his ability as a runner can't be understated either having added 253 yards on 63 carries (4.0 avg) and ran for a pair of TDs.

Harris will be challenged for the starting position by redshirt-freshman Dion Golatt Jr. (6-3, 230).

"DJ and DeAndre went back and forth in the spring and they both bring something different to the table. DeAndre is athletic and can run with the football, and he has a big arm. He is a slimmer, faster, quicker basketball-type playing quarterback."

"On the other hand, DJ has a big arm but he's also like a running back. He is a big, fit, thick, tough and physical runner."

The decision as to who stats will go down to the wire.

"There will be a lot of competition this summer to figure it out who our starter will be."

Depth will also come from redshirt-freshman Anthony Butler (6-4, 225, Philadelphia, Pa.) and talented true freshmen Tyler Holley (6-4, 180, Nottingham, Md.) and Jared Lewis (6-3, 220, Baltimore, Md.).

RUNNING BACKS

Starters Returning: --
Starters Lost: Eric Harrell, Herb Walker Jr.
Redshirt: Josh Chase, Demerius Goodwin
Newcomers: Jalen Jackson, Jordan Riggins

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Rushing	GP	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
Joshua Chase	5	16	66	4.1	0

Among the many position battles confronting the Bears this offseason, none may be more interesting than the running backs. With the loss of a pair of talented backs in Eric Harrell and Herb Walker Jr., the coaching staff will rely on several young backs who will have an opportunity to jostle for the starting position.

The frontrunner for the starting job looks to be talented redshirt-freshman Josh Chase(6-1, 210, Severn, Md.). Behind Chase is 5-6, 175-pound speedy redshirt-freshman Demerius Goodwin (Cleveland, Ohio) who had a solid spring and will also provide competition in the backfield throughout preseason.

"I believe in big and physical backs. Because of the way we're going to run the football we need guys who can not only take those beatings, but can also dish out the punishment to defenders as well."

"We recruited a couple of good guys in this signing class that we think will help us. Jordan Riggins is a big 6-foot, 200-pound running back out of Florida, and we got Jalen Jackson out of Detroit, Michigan (Martin Luther King HS) who's another big 200-pound running back. So, we're going to have some big 200-pounders who can run physically through the hole."

"Right now, Josh Chase is penciled in as the starter, but once we get our recruits in here I think it'll be very competitive at the running back position."

Returning senior William King (5-8, 175) will be featured as a 'slash-type' player for the Bears offense. He will play some running back and wide receiver this season. He had a solid spring and the coaching staff looks forward to him making contributions in the backfield – catching the ball out of the backfield and getting out on the perimeter and downfield.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Starters Returning: Manasseh Bailey, Daylen Baldwin, William King
Starters Lost: Amonta Poteat, DuShon David
Redshirt: Charles Kelly
Newcomers: Corey Holmes, Brendan Easley, Jordan Cofield

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Receiving	GP	No.	Yds	Avg	TD
Manasseh Bailey	11	37	610	16.5	6
Torrance Little	8	14	216	15.4	0
Daylen Baldwin	11	16	181	11.3	1

"Our wide receiver group is the deepest on the entire team. We can go about eight deep over there. They are very, very talented."

The Bears will be led by junior speedster Manasseh Bailey (6-0, 185). Bailey returns as not only the fastest player on the team, but also as one of the most dangerous outside threats in the league. The Capitol Heights (Md.) native caught 37 passes for 610 yards and scored six touchdowns in 2017. "He's absolutely electric with the ball in his hands." Much more will be put on his shoulders this fall and he should contend for postseason honors.

Sophomore Daylen Baldwin (6-3, 210) is another player who has game experience and is also expected to step into a leadership role. He's a big receiver who can run and catch and the coaching staff is looking for him to be more consistent and make plays for the Bears offense to have success.

Joining the Bears as the elder statesman in the wide receiver corps will be Notre Dame transfer Corey Holmes (6-1, 185, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). He's expected to make an immediate impact.

"Corey is a big and fast kid that just brings something special to our team because he's played at a Power Five level school for the last three years."

Redshirt-sophomore Deontaye White (5-8, 180, Baltimore, Md.) is a possession-type receiver, who's strength is finding the seam and settling in for the catch. He had a good spring and is eagerly awaiting his turn to make an impact this season.

"We can go pretty deep. We have a bunch of receivers over there and we're probably going to run them all in and out. It's going to be the receivers who can block on the perimeter, in case our backs cut it loose, and then we need some guys who we can put the ball in their hands and they can go score a touchdown. We are not going to be out there trying to make them run past anybody. We're going to throw the ball out, put it in their hands and they are going to go score a touchdown. We feel pretty good about our receivers."

Fresh competition will also come from newcomers Brendan Easley (6-5, 190, Orlando, Fla.), Xavier Gravette (6-4, 190, Nottingham, Md.), Jordan Cofield (5-8, 145, Owings Mill, Md.), Charles Kelly (6-1,190, Forestville, Md.), Juane Robinson(6-0, 180, Baltimore, Md.) to contribute.

TIGHT ENDS

Starters Returning: Idahota Akojie
Starters Lost: Brandon Jones, Dushon David
Redshirt:--
Newcomers: --

The Bears are looking for versatile tight end Idahota Akojie to take over as a starter. The 6-3, 235 pounder saw action in three games a season ago, but the coaching staff feels he will play a pivotal role as a big target in the passing game and in opening holes in the Bears ground attack this Fall.

Mujahid Fricke (6-3, 225, North Brookside, N.J.) will also be in the mix and will battle for starting playing time this fall. The duo both have the size, speed and ability to be impact players.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters Returning: Joshua Miles, Adrien Allen, Matthew Thompson, Bruce Trigg
Starters Lost: Ehijele Ubuane, Cooper Clarkin
Redshirt:--
Newcomers: Tarik Johnson, Dallas Caporaletti

Isaac Williams joins Jones' staff as offensive line coach – formally at Northern Colorado -- he'll be charged with developing what is typically the foundation of the team albeit minus two starters, including center Cooper Clarkin and right tackle Ehijele Ubuane. The men up front for the Bears helped produce almost 4,000 yards of total offense, including over 1,700 on the ground last season.

Adrien Allen (6-3, 290) returns and has started in every game at either guard or center. Joining Allen is left guard Stefan Touani (6-4, 310) who started in every game last season, along with left tackle Joshua Miles (6-6, 310) who returns to his starting position after being sidelined during the 2017 season. Matthew Thompson (6-4, 335), who was a 2014 Freshman All-American, will handle right guard duties, while Bruce Trigg (6-4, 300) will work at right tackle.

Mike Lynn (6-0, 280) has been a solid backup, starting in five games last season and will compete for a starters job during the preseason. Depth will also come from Zario Dorismond (6-3, 270), Tarik Johnson (6-4, 300) and Dallas Caporaletti (6-4, 260).

THE DEFENSE

The Bears return eight (8) defensive starters from 2017, including a pair of All-MEAC performers in defensive linemen Malachi Washington, linebacker Rico Kennedy and defensive back Carl Garnes. Jones will look for the Bears defense to make considerable improvement this Fall.

The Bears ranked No. 4 in the league by recording 24 sacks, yet had low rankings among a number of other MEAC statistical categories: scoring defense (33.6 avg; No. 9), total defense (390.5 avg; No. 8); rushing defense (190.8 avg; No. 7); opponent first downs (20.9; No. 9), opponent third down conversions (42%; No. 9), opponent fourth down conversions (69.2%; No. 11).

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters Returning: Ayodeji Agbelese, Antoine McCray, Malachi Washington
Starters Lost: Jai Franklin, George Ramos
Redshirt: Willie Mabry, Colby Warrior, Zario Dorismond
Newcomers: Bryan Giron, Saleem Lockett, Marvin Francois

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Tackling	GP	Tkl	TFL	Sks	QBH
Malachi Washington	11	39	16.5	8.0	4
Antoine McCray	11	17	3.5	2.0	0

Malachi Washington and Ayodeji "A.J." Agbelese will be veteran fixtures for the Bears at both ends spots. Washington led the Bears on defense as one of the league's premier pass rushers. As a junior, he was an elite pass rusher coming off the edge. He ranked No. 3 in the league with eight sacks and ranked T-No. 3 in the tackles for loss (17; ranked T-No. 8 in FCS). He completed the season with 39 tackles, including a forced fumble and fumble recovery and was named to the All-MEAC Second Team. The explosive pass rusher has been exceptional so far, but should hit another level as he closes out his senior season this Fall.

Agbelese returns to his starting DE position after suffering a season-ending injury last fall. The 6-3, 265-pounder is an intense, tough football player who is a tremendous pass rusher and is expected to lead alongside Washington and push for postseason honors.

Antoine McCray (6-3, 345) returns as a leader in the trenches for the Bears. McCray saw action in every game last year and posted 17 tackles with three tackles for loss and had a pair of sacks. His powerful, thick lower body allows him to drive and reestablish the line of scrimmage against the run and push the pocket against the pass. His production will likely improve this year and he is expected to be an impact player for the Bears this fall.

Julian Jacobs, a 6-3, 250-pound sophomore with good quickness, will provide solid depth, along with 6-2, 285-pound sophomore Gerald Crowley.

The Bears coaching staff also signed a couple of newcomers who they feel can make immediate contributions: Willie Mabry (6-3, 250, Upper Marlboro, Md.), Colby Warrior (6-2, 225, Tyrghe, Ga.),
6-3, 270-pound newcomer Zario Dorismond (Hialeah, Fla.).

LINEBACKERS

Starters Returning: Rico Kennedy, Damare' Whitaker, Brandon Griffin, Ian McBorrough
Starters Lost: Eric Alvis Jr.
Redshirt: Asadiq DeJesus
Newcomers: Detrick Washington

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Tackling	GP	Tkl	TFL	Sks	Int
Rico Kennedy	11	70	19.5	7.5	0
Ian McBorrough	11	45	6.5	2.0	1
Brandon Griffin	11	35	3.5	1.0	1

The Bears return a bounty of standout LBs in Rico Kennedy, Damare' Whitaker, Brandon Griffin and Ian McBorrough.

All-MEAC First Team selection Rico Kennedy returns to anchor the Bears talented linebacker corp. The 6-3, 210-pounder is coming off a brilliant sophomore campaign in which he started all 12 games and led the team with 70 tackles and ranked No. 5 in the MEAC with 7.5 sacks. The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) product also led the league with four forced fumbles and finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation (FCS) with 19.5 tackles for loss. Kennedy is a tackling machine and he's only expected to get better this year.

Seniors Brandon Griffen (5-11, 230) and Damare' Whitaker (6-1, 230) will be in the rotation as starters. Griffen started in 11 games and accounted for 34 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He also recorded an interception. Whitaker, the Bears' second leading tackler (59) in 2016, returns to the field after missing the 2017 season due to being ineligible.

Junior Ian McBorrough (6-2, 220) is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he started in every game at outside LB and was the Bears second leading tackler with 45 tackles (30 solo), with 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sack and recorded an interception. He is a fast, fluid athlete who is an excellent tackler.

Senior John Honeycutt (6-1, 245) saw action in all 11 games and finished the season with 28 tackles (15 solo) and a sack. He has a great combination of size, explosiveness and instincts. He emerged from spring drills as a potential starter at middle linebacker.

Redshirt-senior Jordan Cry (6-1, 200) returns as an experienced veteran for the Bears. Cry posted 27 tackles and had three tackles for loss last season and will push for additional playing time this fall.

Joining the group looking for playing time will be William White (6-0, 220), Lamont Hill (5-11, 225), and 6-2, 220-pound newcomer Chris Fatogoma (6-1, 270).

"The thing about us is we're going to be competitive because we had a lot of injuries a year ago so a lot of our young guys got to play and now that some of those veteran guys are back healthy those young guys are ready to compete. We a have a lot of good guys in that unit. We have Damare' Whitaker and Rico over there. You have Ian and there are some young freshman that are pretty good. I like Rico, Ian, and Damare' -- they're pretty good, and they'll be as good as any linebackers in the league."

SECONDARY

Starters Returning: Carl Garnes, Darius Johnson, Donte Small, Corvon'Tra Revell, Malcom Harley
Starters Lost: Terry Harris, Cravon Rogers
Redshirt: Marquise Thorns, Ahmari Benjamin, Malachi Jenkins,Haraan Ransom
Newcomers: -Marcus Parker Jr., Jordan Presley, Eric Roy, Tariq Irving

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Tackles	GP	Tkl	TFL	INT	PBU
Carl Garnes	10	38	4.0	--	5
Darius Johnson	7	27	0.5	--	2
Corvon'Tra Revell	11	22	0.0	1	4

The Bears have some skilled and experienced athletes returning here. Carl Garnes and Darius Johnson return to their starting safety positions and will provide leadership to a Bears secondary unit that will look to rank among the top in the conference.

Garnes, a 6-1, 200-pound strong safety, saw action in 10 games and started in seven last year while battling through nagging injuries during the season. The Columbus, N.J. native ranked fourth on the team with 38 tackles and completed the season with four tackles for loss and 10 pass defenses.

Johnson (6-1, 175) returns as the Bears' starting free safety and the coaching staff expects for him to contend for postseason honors this fall. He started in the first seven games of the season before being sidelined due to injury. He recorded 27 tackles (21 solo) and forced a fumble.

"With Carl and DJ coming back those are two all- conference caliber players that have been two and three year starters on our defense playing at the safety position."

At the cornerback positions the Bears have two gifted young players with Corvon'Tra Revell (6-1, 190) and Donte Small (6-0, 195). Tra' has the most experience and is a hitter and a playmaker. He saw action in 10 games a season ago at corner and finished with 22 tackles, nine pass defenses and an interception. He also recorded three blocked kicks as a member on special teams.

Small started as a true freshman last year and played in every game. He collected 17 tackles, with six pass defenses and a tackle for loss. He has tremendous cover instincts and is a superb athlete.

"We feel really good about those four guys on the backend, because all of those guys played and started for us a year ago. So we're pretty set with our secondary."

Malcom Harley (6-0, 175) saw action in nine games and started at cornerback in eight last year as a sophomore. He completed the season with nine tackles and had two tackles for loss.

Several other defensive backs are looking forward to challenging for playing time in 2018: Marquise Thorns (5-9, 165), Ahmari Benjamin (6-2, 180), Haraan Ransom (6-0, 200), Randolph Brent (5-8, 165) and Malachi Jenkins (6-1, 185).

THE KICKING GAME

Starters Returning: Alex Raya, William King
Starters Lost: Lucas Uransel, Eric Alvis Jr.
Redshirt: --
Newcomers: Nicholas O'Shea, Zachary Castano

There was nothing special about the last season's effort by the Bears' special teams. This Fall should be different.

Alex Raya (5-11, 180) will be relegated solely to placekicking duties this season, while newcomer Nicholas O'Shea will be assigned the punting chores. Raya struggled to balance all the kicking duties a season ago, and the coaching staff feels that they have addressed the issue by having kickers who specify in one job.

"Alex is a returner, but he'll be pushed by the recruits that we brought in here. Kicking has been our nemesis for years as we've struggled to make field goals and not making extra point attempts. So we feel good about where we are now."

"We went to Detroit and got Nick. He's one of the top kickers and punters in the nation and he'll make it competitive for us. We also added Zachary Castano (6-0, 190)who joins the Bears as an outstanding long snapper. So we went out and got people who are specialists in their position."

The dynamic William King, who averaged 14.6 yards per kickoff return and 13 yards per punt return in 2017, will highlight the return game.

THE SCHEDULE
Morgan State's 2018 football schedule has been announced and it features five home games in Hughes Stadium, including a home opener matchup against Towson.

Coming off a 1-10 season (1-7 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) in 2017, Morgan State will open their 2018 campaign at home against Towson on Sept. 1 in the Battle for Greater Baltimore at Hughes Stadium. It will mark the 24th meeting between the teams and their 10th time facing each other in a season opener since 1979. Last year, Towson outlasted the Bears 10-0 at Unitas Stadium.

MSU's next three contests will be on the road beginning with an FBS matchup at Akron on Sept. 8. It will mark the third meeting between the teams since 2009, with the Zips posting a 66-6 win at InfoCission Stadium in 2012. Next, the Bears will face CAA member Albany on Sept. 15 in New York. The Bears will look to avenge last season's 26-0 home loss in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

The Bears will head south to challenge the reigning MEAC champion Aggies of North Carolina A&T on Sept. 22 in Greensboro, North Carolina. It will mark the Bears first trip to Aggie Stadium since suffering a 45-0 loss to the Aggies in 2014. The Aggies finished the 2017 season ranked No. 7 in the STATS FCS Poll.

Following a bye, the Bears will open MEAC conference play when they host South Carolina State for Homecoming on Oct. 6. The Bulldogs will be making their first trip to Baltimore since falling to the Bears 24-21 during the 2014 MEAC Championship run.

MSU will travel to Savannah State on Oct. 13 for the Tigers' homecoming festivities, followed by a home matchup to square-off against Beltway rival Howard on Oct. 20.

The Bears travel to Florida A&M on Oct. 27 for their first meeting in Tallahassee since suffering a 22-21 loss in 2016.

The Bears entertain Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 3, followed by a home finale matchup with Delaware State on Nov. 10 for 'Senior Day'.

MSU concludes its 2018 regular season when Norfolk State hosts the Bears in Dick Price Stadium on Nov. 17. The Bears will attempt to post its first win against the Spartans since 2006 – Norfolk State will enter the contest holding an 11-game winning streak against the Bears.

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Players Mentioned

#31 Eric Alvis Jr.: LB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#75 Cooper Clarkin: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#89 DuShon David: WR; 6' 3"; Junior

#55 Jai Franklin: DL; 6' 3"; Senior

#4 Eric Harrell: RB; 5' 9"; Senior

#27 Terry Harris: DB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

#88 Torrance Little: WR; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#14 Amonta Poteat: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

#98 George Ramos: DL; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#69 Ehijele Ubuane: OL; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#31 Eric Alvis Jr.
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

#75 Cooper Clarkin
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#89 DuShon David
: 6' 3"; Junior
: WR

#55 Jai Franklin
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DL

#4 Eric Harrell
: 5' 9"; Senior
: RB

#27 Terry Harris
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: DB

#88 Torrance Little
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: WR

#14 Amonta Poteat
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#98 George Ramos
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: DL

#69 Ehijele Ubuane
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OL