The MEAC Football Conference represented the HBCU with the most draft picks for the 2011 NFL Draft with three players being selected: Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton going third round to N.Y. Jets, J.C. Culbreath, OT, SC State going to Detriot Lions in 7th round and Curtis Holcomb, CB, FAMU also going 7th round to San Francisco 49ers.
The 2011 HBCU All-Star Bowl Game Watch List has been compiled and while there may not be anyone in this years class as highly regarded as Ellis was around this time last year. The MEAC still have plenty of intriguing 2012 NFL Draft Prospects that scouts will be taking notice of for this college football season.
Senior Prospects to watch:
South Carolina State: returns a couple of Seniors from the MEAC top ranked defense that will be on the radar of NFL scout such as: DL Pat Washington; LB Donovan Richard; SS Christian Thompson (Auburn Transfer) and FS Dominique Ellis (NC State Transfer). SC State also returns First Team All-MEAC TE Antwanne Kerr. Richard is an very active LB and Washington is a versatile and productive DL.
Bethune Cookman: the 2010 MEAC Co-Champions returns top players mostly on defense in DE Ryan Davis, LB Ryan Lewis, LB Reggie Sandilands and DB Michael Williams. Davis is their best player and is a terror coming off the edge. Williams received a sixth year and will lead a young secondary. All-MEAC OL Natiel Curry will anchor the offense.
Hampton: was 6-5 in 2010 and return some key senior starters. Leading the way is senior QB David Legree (Syracuse transfer) has an impressive arm but needs to improve his accuracy. Senior WR Isaiah Thomas will be his top target. Senior LB Julio Sanchez returns after missing all of 2010. DB Micah Pellerin (Souther Miss transfer) is a ball hawk and will lead the secondary along with FS James Butts.
Howard: had a down year in 2010 but return a couple of players that should turn things around in 2011 and catch the eye of NFL scouts. All-MEAC WR Willie Carter is probably the most talented receiver in the conference but last year suffered from bad QB play and a run style-option offense. OT Corey Gwinner is an underrated prospect that can rise with a standout senior year. On defense, Howard return DT Sackie Kerkulah and DE Corey Berry that should contend for all conference honors. Kerkulah is a returning All-MEAC performer and impressed on film last year.
Florida A&M: the 2010 MEAC Co-Champions graduated a heavy senior class last year but returns some prospects that will keep them competitive in 2011. Senior WR Kevin Elliot is a player with nice size and should be their top target, while OL Brandon Curry will lead them up front. Senior DT Jerry Willis is a decent player and their best DL. FAMU also return active LB's in Alvis Graham and Demarius Folsom.
North Carolina A&T: returns the MEAC Conference leading returning rusher in Senior RB Mike Mayhew who shows real good instincts. They also return the conferences most exciting player in return specialist/DB Justin Ferrell as he made First Team All-MEAC as a CB and returner in 2010. He is on the small school prospect list of NFL Scouts to evaluate this fall.
Norfolk State: have several senior prospects returning that should have them contending for the conference championship with QB Chris Walley and OL Kendall Noble leading the offense. WR Victor Hairston will be Walley main target and Noble is one of the top returning lineman in the conference. On defense, DL Josh Turner and LB Corwin Hammond are the top standouts coming back on defense. Turner is a undersized DT that plays bigger than his size. Hammond is a sleeper and has potential as a weakside LB at the next level. DB Ricardo Volcin is an intriguing DB with nice size.
Morgan State: is lead by all conference Senior OL Lawrence Brewer on offense. They also return TE Lamont Bryant who showed a lot of promise since arriving but has dealt with some character issues. Senior DB Reshaude Miller is the leader on defense and one of the top free safeties in the conference.
Delaware State: has one of the better LB's in the conference in Brandon Harvey who registered 85 tackles in 2010. Senior WR Darius Jackson is a small size receiver that has shown the ability to make plays from the slot position.
North Carolina Central: is moving up to Division I this year with their first year in the MEAC. The Eagles have a couple of seniors to look out for in LB Roger Stewart, DB David Ingram, WR Corey Harris and OL Julian Gray. Stewart makes plays in the backfield with leading the team in tackles for loss in 2010. Ingram is small but is their best cover corner and led the team with 3 int's last year.
-Press Releases for the 2011 HBCU Bowl All-Star Game (www.hbcubowl.com) will be coming soon. New updates regarding TV broadcast production, coaching staffs, website, entertainment events and apparel, etc. are on the way!!
