(STATS) – The big word across the Big South is “change” – not just this season, but in recent years as the teams have shuffled around.
Back to only six teams with Liberty’s departure to the FBS level this year, the Big South will welcome in Hampton and North Alabama in 2019 after spending this season as FCS independents (their teams are previewed below as well).
What the Big South doesn’t want to see change is its gaining multiple qualifiers for the FCS playoffs – basically the norm in recent seasons. Last year, conference champ Kennesaw State and Monmouth were in the postseason, and those two are joined by another realistic hopeful, Charleston Southern, the 2015 and ’16 Big South champ.
Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2018 Big South race and STATS’ predicted order of finish:
1. Kennesaw State
2. Monmouth
3. Charleston Southern
4. Gardner-Webb
5. Campbell
6. Presbyterian
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TEAM CAPSULES=
1. KENNESAW STATE OWLS=
LOCATION: Kennesaw, Georgia
STADIUM: Fifth Third Bank Stadium
HEAD COACH: Brian Bohannon (26-10, three seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 12-2, 5-0 Big South (1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (9 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Chandler Burks, QB, R-Sr.; Darnell Holland, RB, Sr.; Shaquil Terry, RB, So.; Jake McKenzie, RB, Sr.; Justin Sumpter, WR, R-Sr.; C.J. Collins, C, R-Sr.; Joseph Alexander Jr., OL, R-Sr.; Desmond Johnson, DL, R-Jr.; McKenzie Billingslea, DL, Sr.; Bryson Armstrong, LB, R-So.; Jace White, DB, Sr.; Dorian Walker, DB, Jr.; Justin Thompson, PK, Sr.; Drew McCracken, LS, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Izzy Sam, LB; Keon Roman, DB; Taylor Henkle, DB
OUTLOOK: The defending Big South champion Owls, who enter just their fourth season as a program, are ranked fifth in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25, their sights set on surpassing last year’s surprising run to the national quarterfinals. There’s little reason to doubt their triple option offense will lead the FCS in rushing again with the return of fourth-year QB Burks, the 2017 Big South offensive player of the year, and RBs McKenzie, Terry and Holland – a foursome that combined for 3,367 rushing yards a year ago. The defense got better throughout last season, allowing just 15.5 points per game to rank seventh nationally. Disruptive LB Armstrong became the first defensive player to win the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award.
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2. MONMOUTH HAWKS=
LOCATION: West Long Branch, New Jersey
STADIUM: Kessler Field
HEAD COACH: Kevin Callahan (144-118, 25 seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 9-3, 4-1 Big South (2nd)
STARTERS RETURNING: 16 (10 offensive/6 defensive)
KEY PLAYERS: Kenji Bahar, QB, R-Jr.; Pete Guerriero, RB/KR, So.; Eric Zokouri, RB, So.; Reggie White Jr., WR, R-Sr.; Jake Powell, TE, Sr.; Ryan Wetzel, OL, R-Sr.; Russ Clayton, OL, R-Sr.; Vinny Grasso, WR, R-Sr.; Gerron Pendarvis, DT, Sr.; Erik Massey, DL, So.; Diego Zubieta, LB, Sr.; Solomon Manning, LB, R-Jr., (Rutgers transfer); Marcus Leslie, DB, R-Sr.; Tymere Berry, DB, R-Jr.
THREE KEY LOSES: Alex Thompson, OL; Mike Basile, S; Teddie Martinez, S
OUTLOOK: Despite season-ending blowout losses to Kennesaw State and Northern Iowa, the Hawks were one of the nation’s bigger surprises and made the playoffs for the first time. There should not be a drop-off this season, with Callahan set to collect his 150th career win. QB Bahar will direct a balanced offense that features RB Guerriero (128 all-purpose yards per game, 10 TDs) and WR White (178 career receptions). The loss of four-year safety Basile, the 2017 co-Big South defensive player of the year, is significant, but the return of Berry will help settle the secondary. The Hawks have home games against Charleston Southern and Kennesaw State on back-to-back weeks to open November.
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3. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS=
LOCATION: Charleston, South Carolina
STADIUM: Buccaneer Field
HEAD COACH: Mark Tucker (6-5, one season)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 3-2 Big South (3rd)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (8 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: London Johnson, QB, Jr.; Ronnie Harris, RB, R-Jr.; Terrence Wilson, RB, So.; Taz Lindsey, RB/RS, Sr.; Kameron Brown, WR, R-Jr.; Brackin Smith, OT, R-Jr.; Stephen Haralambis, OG, R-Jr.; Solomon Brown, DE, R-Sr.; Johnny Robinson, DT, Sr.; J.D. Sosebee, LB, R-Jr.; Shadarius Hopkins, CB, Sr.; Brandon Rowland, S, Sr.; Tyler Tekac, PK, Sr.; Kyle Reighard, P, R-Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Frank Cirone, OL; Jackson Williamson, OL; Anthony Ellis, DE
OUTLOOK: The strong running games of Kennesaw State and Monmouth last season resembled what Charleston Southern had from 2013-16 while it won a combined 35 games. The Buccaneers want to get back to similar dominance in Tucker’s second season, but their running backs need to take a step forward. Last year’s quarterback, Shane Bucenell, transferred out of the program, but Johnson returns will a lot of experience. The bigger loss is DE Ellis, the 2017 co-Big South defensive player of the year. Yet the defensive line is always fierce, and this year Solomon Brown (a former linebacker) and Robinson will power it. The first three games – at Florida, at The Citadel and versus Elon – are a bear.
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4. GARDNER-WEBB RUNNIN’ BULLDOGS=
LOCATION: Boiling Springs, North Carolina
STADIUM: Spangler Stadium
HEAD COACH: Carroll McCray (21-36, five seasons; 37-75 overall)
2017 RECORDS: 1-10, 0-5 Big South (6th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (9 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Jordan Smith, QB, R-Fr.; Jaylen Myers, QB, R-Fr.; Jayln Cagle, RB, Jr.; Brody Rollins, WR, Sr.Will Millikan, LT, Sr.; Charlie Eudy, RT, R-Sr.; Kendall Bailey, DE, R-Fr.; John Singleton, DE, R-Fr.; Josh Ramseur, NG, R-Sr.; Corey Horne, ILB, Sr.; Malachi Buckner, FS, Fr.; Triston Dozier, CB, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Tyrell Maxwell, QB; Kenyatta Dunbar, LB; Thomas Adams, SS
OUTLOOK: After a surprisingly poor season – with only a win over Division II Shorter – the Runnin’ Bulldogs will rebuild with a lot of freshmen and sophomores in the two-deep. That includes at quarterback, where the mobile Smith has a slight edge over fellow redshirt frosh Myers. RB Cagle (479 yards) is coming off an encouraging rookie season and all five starters return on the offensive line, averaging 6-foot-3, 304 pounds. The defense has senior leaders in NG Ramseur and ILB Horne. The Runnin’ Bulldogs should improve by a couple wins this season.
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5. CAMPBELL FIGHTING CAMELS-
LOCATION: Buies Creek, North Carolina
STADIUM: Barker-Lane Stadium
HEAD COACH: Mike Minter (24-32, five seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 5-3 Pioneer League (Tie/3rd)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (8 offense/7 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Daniel Smith, QB, R-So.; Rocky Reid, RB, R-Jr.; Bryant Barr, RB, R-Fr.; Aaron Blockmon, WR, R-Sr.; Jaquan Brooks, WR/PR, R-Jr.; Caleb Snead, WR, R-Fr.; Shuler Littleton, OT, R-Sr.; Damien Dozier, DE, R-Jr. (Marshall transfer); Isaiah King, DT, R-Sr.; Jack Ryan, MLB, R-Sr.; Ray Miller, LB, Jr.; Deontae Henderson, DB, R-Jr.; Darion Slade, CB, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Brian Stryffeler, OG; Emmanuel Olenga, DE; Carlos Merritt, DB
OUTLOOK: Campbell makes the jump to the scholarship level from the Pioneer Football League, picked to finish fifth out of six teams in the Big South’s preseason poll. It’s clearly a transition season for a program that doesn’t have a win over a Division I scholarship program (0-16) as it enters its 11th season since returning to football. Minter said he expects to have 55-57 scholarships this season, his roster led by dual-threat QB Smith (3,158 total yards, 30 total touchdowns). Smith has a go-to receiver in Blockmon. The defense will be deeper, but has to become more consistent. MLB Ryan racked up 103 tackles last season, while transfer Dozier should make an impact following the offseason loss of stud DE Olenga.
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6. PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HOSE=
LOCATION: Clinton, South Carolina
STADIUM: Bailey Memorial Stadium
HEAD COACH: Tommy Spangler (46-31, seven seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 4-7, 1-4 Big South (5th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 9 (4 offense/5 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Jarius Jeter, RB, Fr.; Quasim Potter, RB, Fr.; DaShawn Davis, WR, Sr.; Keith Pearson, WR/KR, So.; Drew Johnson, WR, So. (East Tennessee State transfer); Riley Hilton, TE, R-Sr.; Eli Teeselink, C, R-Jr.; Jake Locklear, OL, Fr.; Gyasi Yeldell, DE, R-Sr.; Nick Chiaravalloti, DE, So.; Dirk Cureton, CB, So.; Michael Fisher, DB, R-Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Torrance Marable, RB; Grant Beidel, LB; Rock Ya-Sin, CB
OUTLOOK: The roster looks so different from a year ago after a number of key players left while Presbyterian continues to relinquish scholarships prior to its move to the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League in 2021. The two-deep will be full of younger players and the Blue Hose are playing only 10 games. QB Ben Cheek wasn’t among the transfers, but he isn’t using his final season of eligibility. There’s a large competition at the position with fifth-year senior John Walker the most experienced option. On defense, the Blue Hose will get beat up, but DE Yeldell returns as their top-returning tackler (47). It’s growing pains galore.
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INDEPENDENTS=
HAMPTON PIRATES=
LOCATION: Hampton, Virginia
STADIUM: Armstrong Stadium
HEAD COACH: Robert Prunty (first season)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 5-3 MEAC (Tie/4th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 12 (7 offense/5 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Delmon Williams, QB, Sr.; Shai McKenzie, RB, Sr.; Ronald Bell, WR, Jr.; Wesley Wolfolk, WR, Jr.; Malik Mackey, OL, Jr. Myles Farrell, OL, Jr.; Oral Varcciann, DB, Sr.; Robert Scott, DB, Jr.; Davonte Spruill, DE, Sr.; Jayso’n Davidson, LB, Sr.; Dereon Carr, DB, Sr.; Oral Varcciann, DB, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Yahkee Johnson, RB; Owen Obasuyi, DE; Steven Smith Jr., DE/LB
OUTLOOK: Prunty, whose stops this decade have been at Texas Tech, Cincinnati and East Carolina, faces an odd first season at Hampton. The Pirates’ transition from the MEAC to the Big South turned messy this offseason, so MEAC opponents pulled out of scheduled games, forcing the one-year independent to schedule five sub-FCS programs. The Pirates are particularly strong in the skills positions with QB Williams (1,757 yards, 13 TDs), TB McKenzie and WR Bell (60 receptions). The rebuild is on defense, which lost some standouts, and will seek balance across the unit. The easier schedule should lead to at least seven wins, but there won’t be enough against Division I teams to put the Pirates in the mix for an at-large playoff bid.
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NORTH ALABAMA LIONS=
LOCATION: Florence, Alabama
STADIUM: Braly Municipal Stadium
HEAD COACH: Chris Willis (5-5, one season)
2017 RECORDS: 5-5, 5-3 Division II Gulf South
STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (6 offense/7 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Rico Bruton, QB, Sr.; Austin Hicks, WR, Sr.; Alex Norwood, WR, Sr.; Devin McCallister, OL, Sr.; Frank Williams, DE, Sr.; Eddquerion Harris, DT, Sr.; Maurice Burton, DL, Sr.; Christon Taylor, LB, So.; Joshua Amanfo, LB, Sr.; Chris Johnson, S, Sr.; Dwain Smith, CB, So.; Chandler Carrera, PK, Sr.; Joe Gurley, P, So.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Dre Hall, WR; Freddie Reed, DL; Maurice Carnell, CB
OUTLOOK: The Lions are transitioning to the FCS from Division II, set to join the Big South in 2019. Two years ago, they were the D-II runner-up, but last year Willis’ first team needed a season-ending win to avoid the Lions’ first losing record since 2002. After playing in a number of low-scoring games, the defense will be strong again. Johnson, who had six interceptions, is an NFL prospect. Up front, Burton also was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior. The offense needs to get better behind QB Bruton. The only Big South team on the Lions’ schedule is Campbell, with Big Sky co-champ Southern Utah (Sept. 1) and FCS champ North Dakota State (Sept. 15) two of the first three games.
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