NSU's whitehead tabbed as top defensive player

NEWPORT NEWS

The preseason honors continue to roll in for Norfolk State's Terrell Whitehead.

Already tabbed as a first-team preseason All-American, Whitehead was selected as the MEAC preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.

"It's a team award," said Whitehead, a senior safety from Kempsville High. "It's my teammates pushing me hard to be the best."

Whitehead led NSU with 83 tackles in 2008 and had four interceptions and 11 passes broken up.

Transfers bolster Spartans' secondary

With Whitehead and three other players with starting experience returning, the secondary already was shaping up as strength for the Spartans. With the addition of two recent transfers, the unit looks even stronger.

Cornerback Dante Barnes, a former teammate of Whitehead's at Kempsville, has transfered from Akron and will have two years of eligibility. Barnes was recruited by NSU out of high school but wanted to get away from home, he said. He redshirted in 2006, played on special teams in 2007 and missed last year because of an injury.

He opted to transfer after the coach who recruited him left, he said.

"He'll probably be the fastest guy on the team," coach Pete Adrian said. "He's got legitimate 4.3 speed and has that big corner size (6-2, 190) that you like to see."

Also expected to join the team is Davon Smart, a former reserve defensive back at Rutgers who has a year of eligibility and will play as a graduate student. Smart played in 26 games in 2007 and 2008, making 32 tackles.

Norfolk State picked to finish in middle of pack

The Spartans were picked to finish fifth, just behind Bethune-Cookman and just ahead of Morgan State. Defending champ South Carolina State was picked to repeat, followed by Florida A&M and Hampton.

Adrian, who believes his team can contend for the conference title, said he doesn't put much stock in preseason predictions.

"It's where you finish," he said. "But I was pleased we got seven players on the all-conference teams."

Joining Whitehead on the first team are tight end Sherron Childress, linebacker Mike Alphonse and kicker Justin Castellat. Tailback DeAngelo Branche, defensive lineman Ray Jennings and returner Dwight Fluker-Berry were selected to the second team.

Taylor's proteges running MEAC programs

Already acknowledged as the dean of MEAC coaches, Florida A&M's Joe Taylor felt like a proud father Friday. Seated to his left was new Hampton coach Donovan Rose, a former longtime assistant under Taylor with the Pirates. Across the room were new North Carolina A&T coach Alonzo Lee, who played for Taylor at Eastern Illinois; and Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley, who also was an assistant under Taylor at Hampton.

"It's humbling," he said. "I feel like I've been truly blessed."

After 16 years at Hampton, Taylor took over the task of rebuilding FAMU last year. He led the Rattlers, who'd gone 3-8 in 2007, to a 9-3 record, raising expectations for this year.

"Last year, out guys stepped out on faith," he said. "This year, they're stepping out on belief. That's the big difference."

First result of season already is in the books

North Carolina A&T's Lee has not yet coached a game, but he's already 1-0, the result of a forfeit win over Delaware State. The Hornets were forced to forfeit after scheduling a game with Michigan on Oct. 17, the day they originally were scheduled to play the Aggies. The teams attempted to move the game to Nov. 14 but needed Norfolk State to reschedule its game with Delaware State to do so. The Spartans refused.

So, Lee has his first win.

"I'll take 'em any way I can get 'em," he said, laughing.

Delaware State coach Al Lavan was philosophical about starting 0-1.

"I'm aware of it, but I don't dwell on it," he said.

Lavan added that he hasn't mentioned the forfeit to his players.

"It's of no value," he said.

- Ed Miller