HBCU Football Camp Report – As of Aug. 9, 2010

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Mon, Aug 9, 2010 > 2:28pm

Football fans across the country really enjoy the anticipation of the upcoming season each year, whether it is recreation, high school, college or professional. The Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) staff is also excited about the upcoming 2010 season; we are embarking on a 20 game broadcast schedule. This schedule will give fans across the country a platform on national radio (Sirius XM) to follow HBCU football like never before.

In order for us to prepare for the season, we are following the updates that have been sent to us about pre-season camp progress. This blog is an update from around the HBCU football community on what is happening in camps, which we believe our fans would like to know. These are some of the updates we have received so far….

• Alabama State Hornets – According to ASU media relations, head coach Reggie Barlow is please in what he has seen. “Our practices have been good so far. The guys have been practicing hard and showing a lot of energy. They have also been competing hard and that excites me,” Barlow said. This is after the fourth day of practice and second day in shoulder pads. Special teams was a major focus as they open practice with that, and worked on seven-on-seven drills, along with passing drills featuring one-on-one man coverage. Last season the Hornets finished fourth in the SWAC East (1-6/4-6) and the defense only allowed 3.4 yards per rush. This season the coaching staff is working to improve and for that number to be lower. Barlow is impressed with the line so far in pre-season. “Our whole defensive line has been doing some good things. Sejean Hart is one of the defensive linemen that has worked hard and shown some improvement over last season. The Line is looking as if they are coming together and playing as a team.” Coach Barlow also mentioned wide receiver Charles Payne. I like what receiver Charles Payne has done so far. He is showing some potential to make some plays this season.” Two-a-days are scheduled to begin today, Monday August 9, 2010.

• Grambling State – The G-Men had 82 student athletes report to campus this past weekend and following a team meeting where they met various officials, the athletic trainers and completed paperwork the stage was set for their pre-season camp. They held their first full practice Sunday (Aug. 8) morning at 9am. Head Coach Rod Broadway stated, “We have a good idea of who did what and are pleased for the most part. The Tigers will open the season September 4th, hosting Louisiana Tech in the inaugural Port City Classic in Shreveport, LA.

• Mississippi Valley State – Seventy-five players reported to campus last Wednesday. Pre-season drills started Thursday morning with conditioning test and the official practice started Thursday evening. First year Coach Karl Morgan stated, “Thursday was a good day, but a learning day. We finally got a chance to see the players on the field and to see exactly what we are working with. There are a number of players looking to make the squad and there are a number of positions that are still up for grab. While starting positions are not won on day one, a number of players did show some promise today. Friday’s practice continued in helmets and shorts as mistakes and miscues were corrected and new ideas were put into action. The front end of practice focused on special teams, an area that Morgan and the staff view as critical to the team’s success. Saturday saw the team put on shoulder pads and jerseys for the first time during camp. A lot of the focus during Saturday’s practice was on the passing game, an area that the Delta Devils struggled in last season. Monday’s (Aug. 9) session the team first day in full pads.

• South Carolina State – This past Saturday was Press & Picture day for the SCSU Football team. After winning back to back MEAC titles, it’s clear the team has set their goals on a national championship. Head Coach Buddy Pough has 14 starters returning, including their entire offensive line and their whole linebacker corps. Also returning is senior QB and MEAC Pre-season Offensive Player of the Year Malcolm Long. “My approach to the offense this year is to become a better leader and get the team in the right position, right plays, at the right time in the game,” said Long. At the linebacker position, All American David Erby, Julius Wilkerson and Donovan Richard have been tagged the “Three-headed monster”. Adding former All-MEAC stand out linebacker Marshall McFadden, who missed the 2009 season due to injury, will give the Bulldogs added depth at that position. McFadden stated, “After the loss we suffered last year in the playoffs, you know I’m on the sideline knowing that I could have played and I didn’t, so you know I think we can take it to the next step.” Coach Pough spoke on the pre-season, “Right now you are really just trying to make it through two-a-days and all that kind of stuff, so if we can get our team going and get into the actual preparations, we’ll start thinking about GA. Tech.” SCSU will open their season Sept. 4th at GA. Tech.

• Southern – First year head coach Stump Mitchell and staff welcomed 90 players to campus this past weekend. After picking up equipment and finishing up with physicals, the team will go thru compliance meetings and will get introduced to the SU Athletic Department Staff. They will go thru weight lifting and conditioning test Wednesday morning, before hitting the practice field Wednesday afternoon. “For us, as coaches, it’s the most important time of the year – other than when you’re trying to recruit the players here,” Mitchell said. “Our goal is to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and Black College National Championship, point blank.” The Jags will open the season on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 12noon in the Citrus Bowl against Delaware State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

• Prairie View – The Panther coaching staff welcomed players back to campus on Sunday (Aug. 8) and spent their first day taking care of administrative duties, followed by their first team meeting. Today (Monday, August 09, 2010) the team will take part in another round of meetings throughout the afternoon before officially hitting the field at 7pm. The defending SWAC Champs will open their season on Sept. 5th in Houston against Texas Southern in the 26th Labor Day Classic at Reliant Stadium, kickoff is 4pm CST.

• Tennessee State – First year head coach Rod Reed welcomed over 70 veterans and newcomers on Sunday (Aug. 8) and will begin practice on Monday, August 09, 2010. They are welcoming back 49 lettermen, including 15 returning starters (8 offense, 7 defense). The Tigers will begin one-a-day practice today and two-a-day drills on Saturday, August 14th. Pre-season drills will end on Sunday, August 30 and the Tigers will open the season hosting Alabama A&M in the John Merritt Classic on Sept. 4th at LB Field.

If you’re favorite team was not listed in our first report, many have just began and as soon as we hear from your campus we will make sure everyone is updated. We have only heard from the Div. I FCS teams so far. Don’t forget to leave us your comment on how you feel your favorite team will do in 2010. You never know, that comment has a chance to be used on our broadcasts this season. Maybe there are some camps that are still unsure about 2010 and are trying to keep it under wraps…. Just an added touch of fun for our fans….