A Birthday Win for Coach Woodie: Wildcats Rally Past Grambling 24-21 in Thrilling Comeback
Credits: BCU Athletics
If you’ve ever spent time around Coach Raymond Woodie or listened to one of his interviews, you know he’s usually all business — calm, collected, and focused on the task at hand. But after Bethune-Cookman’s thrilling comeback victory over Grambling, Woodie’s usually stoic demeanor gave way to something rare: a big ear-to-ear, cheeseburger smile. This win was a great reminder of the team’s resilience and loyalty to their leader.
Coach Woodie stated in his postgame interview that all he wanted for his birthday was a win. The players seemed determined to grant that wish, and rallied from two 14-point deficits to defeat Grambling 24-21. For a team that’s endured a tough season, this win felt like a gift they had given to one another and their coach.
A Shaky Start and Early Deficit
The game didn’t begin in the Wildcats’ favor. Grambling struck first with a long, 8-play, 89-yard drive that ended in a 22-yard touchdown run by Keilon Elder, putting BCU in an early hole. The situation quickly worsened in the second quarter as Grambling’s Javon Robinson returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. To make matters even more challenging, starting quarterback Luke Sprague went down with a leg injury, thrusting backup Cam Ransom into the spotlight.
Ransom and his teammates rallied together and showed they weren’t about to let Coach Woodie’s birthday wish slip away.
Ransom and the Wildcats Find Their Rhythm
Ransom orchestrated a 7-play, 66-yard drive late in the second quarter connecting with senior Thomas Nance on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7 just before halftime.
After halftime, Grambling managed one more score on a 9-yard run by Deljay Bailey, stretching the lead back to 21-7; but that would be the last time Grambling would see the end zone. From that point on, BCU’s defense locked down.
The Comeback Begins
Midway through the third quarter, Cade Hechter’s 40-yard field goal brought the Wildcats back within striking distance at 21-10. Then, just minutes later, Ransom struck again. This time on a 58-yard touchdown pass down the seam to senior Darnell Dees. The Wildcats closed the gap to 21-17, and the energy on the sideline went through the roof. It was the most juice we have seen from BCU’s sidelines all season.
Sealing the Win in Style
As the third quarter wound down, Dennis Palmer delivered the final blow. Palmer broke free on a 42-yard run, the first of his collegiate career. His touchdown put BCU ahead for the first time, 24-21, and that’s where the score would stay.
Ransom finished the day 18 of 20 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats were led defensively by Adrian Hall Jr who had 8 total tackles including 1 for a loss. Orin Patu joined in with 6 tackles, a sack, and 2 tackles for loss. Joshua Thornhill and Caleb Blake each had interceptions, Thornhills killed off the game with 40 seconds remaining in the contest.
Team Stats Recap:
• Total Yards: Grambling 328, BCU 315
• Passing Yards: Grambling 206, BCU 235
• Rushing Yards: Grambling 122, BCU 80
• 3rd Down Conversions: BCU 5-13, Grambling 2-12
• Time of Possession: BCU 30:39, Grambling 29:21
A Birthday to Remember
The Wildcats may not be headed to the postseason play, but they’ve shown they still have plenty of heart and fight. And on this night, they gave Coach Woodie a birthday he — and the fans — won’t soon forget.
November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football
Bethune-Cookman football is entering a defining chapter, as November stands to be an evaluation and culture-shaping month that could impact the program for years to come.
The little private school on “Da Beach”, who thrives on overcoming obstacles and doing more with less, is facing one of the toughest stretches in its 101-year history of playing football. In fact, you would have to look back almost 40 years to find a low point even close to what Wildcat fans have witnessed over the past 4 seasons.
This article will try to highlight why the next four games represent not only an opportunity for redemption for the current coaching staff and squad; but a potential beachhead from which the Wildcats can launch as they attempt to ascend to the top of the mountain that is HBCU football.
A Historic Struggle with Consequences
The Wildcats are spiraling in one of the worst four-year runs that Bethune-Cookman football has ever endured and everyone feels the weight of this moment. The stakes are higher than ever for the coaching staff to chart a new course and improve on its 1-7 record.
A former Bethune-Cookman football player recently shared some valuable insight with me. He pointed out that this season’s lineup of games offers some uniquely relevant comparisons. BCU has played or will play 10 games this year against SWAC, FCS, and Division II competition. 8 of those 10 matchups will be against teams with first- or second-year head coaches. When you consider Coach Raymond Woodie Jr. is in his second year, it presents a fair basis for comparison to measure the development and progression of this year’s Bethune-Cookman team against those other squads with first and second year guys.
Reasonable conclusions can be drawn when you consider the shared realities between BCU and so much of its competition this season. To take it a step further, it would be irresponsible to not have reasonable expectations or hold this program accountable for their performances when the like for like comparisons are so abundant.
The Revenue Angle
Despite BCU’s lackluster on-field performance, the program isn’t operating without resources. Could things be better…well course. Could they be worse? That’s also true. But this current team has the luxury of a brand new on-campus artificial turf practice field. They have a new on-campus locker room. And they have access to the same on-campus grass practice field that Wesley Moore, Alvin Wyatt, and Brian Jenkins’ championship teams practiced on.
According to the July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 EADA report, BCU’s athletic department generated $13,636,502 in revenue. This figure is the fifth-highest in the SWAC and trailed only Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M during the same timeframe. The financial report at least suggests that there are enough raw resources to work with to be competitive.
This is especially true when comparing BCU to fellow SWAC programs like Jackson State ($12,821,652) and Florida A&M ($13,172,315), and even MEAC powerhouses like North Carolina Central ($11,339, 477) and South Carolina State ($13,271,355) —all of whom generated less revenue during the same timeframe but achieved better results on the field.
When analyzing Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 EADA, the overall department revenue dropped precipitously from the year prior. Football specific expenses dropped from $5,270,780 in 2023 to $4,683,961 in 2024 which represents an 11.13% decrease.
Despite the decrease in football expenses, BCU still outspent Jackson State ($2,867,733) by almost $2 million in 2024.
November to Remember: Head to Head Evaluations Against First-Year Head Coaches in the SWAC
Considering BCU Athletics’ revenue is commensurate with its SWAC counterparts, let’s rule out the lack of resources as a factor in the team’s ongoing struggles. Instead, we can turn our attention to the field and make evaluations based on a) how this team has looked so far this season; and b) how the guys in maroon and gold will close out the year against similarly suited teams given the fact that all four games in November are against SWAC foes with first year head coaches:
• Grambling State: Head Coach Mickey Joseph
• Southern: Head Coach Terrence Graves
• Texas Southern: Head Coach Cris Dishman
• Florida A&M: Head Coach James Colzie.
The indictment against the Wildcats heading into these four contests is that the first year guys at GSU (4-4), SU (4-4), TxSU (3-4), and FAMU (4-3) have all won multiple games and are all floating around .500.
Considering this, the logical question is why does Bethune only have one win to this point?
With each passing week, the doubts surrounding this coaching staff, this team, and this program will only grow more and more if the team continues to struggle to find success.
On the other hand, winning a few of these last games would do more than boost this year’s record; it would send a message that Bethune-Cookman can compete with programs under similar rebuilding timelines and lay a foundation for a culture of competitiveness for the future. Even a few close losses could help build the case for Coach Woodie and his staff.
Transfer Portal and Roster Revamp: A Double-Edged Sword
Another crucial aspect of BCU’s rebuilding process that’s under the microscope is its utilization of the transfer portal. With 24 transfers on the roster this season, Coach Woodie has tapped into the potential of the portal to expedite a roster overhaul. However, the lack of return on that investment raises questions: has this transfer infusion truly moved the needle, or are we still looking for players to buy into the program’s culture and vision? What’s a reasonable amount of time supporters should expect for players to create cohesion, a shared sense of purpose, and a belief that winning here is possible?
That brings us to a hard lesson from earlier this season: Division II Clark Atlanta, winless in 2023, came into Daytona under a first-year coach, Teddy Keaton, and they walked away with a victory. Clark now sits at 5-2-1, and are assured of a winning record. This moment should serve as both a wake-up call and a challenge for BCU: if Clark can build a winning culture in such a short period, Bethune-Cookman supporters have every reason to demand the same.
What Needs to Happen in the Next Four Games
So, what does BCU need to accomplish over the next month to steer the program toward a stronger future?
1. Competitive Performances: The Wildcats need to play these next four games with consistent intensity and execution. They can’t just play well for a play, or a series, or a quarter, or a half. Football is a 60 minute game so play well to the end.
Close games, even if they end in narrow losses, will show that the team is competitive and progressing. Blowouts, however, would be another setback and may undermine the confidence of players and fans alike.
2. Defensive Accountability: The Wildcats have given up a staggering amount of yardage this season and rank last in the conference in total defense (490 ypg). To frustrate matters, a huge part of playing well on defense is effort and intensity; and effort and intensity are not something you can have questioned as a football team. To stand a chance against these upcoming SWAC teams, and to begin to rewrite the narrative around this program, the defense must prioritize tackling, play with some passion, and limit explosive plays. Or as Coach Woodie often states: play with technique, fundamentals, and attention to detail.
3. Offensive Improvement: The Wildcats’ offense looked as good as it had all season this past Saturday in the first half of the Jackson State game. Build on that. Play that way for 4 quarters and the offense should be fine. Quarterback Luke Sprague, running back Dennis Palmer, and wide receiver Lorenze Jenkins have all shown flashes recently. All three skill players are eligible to return next season. Couple that with several freshmen offensive linemen who have made their way into the starting lineup and you’re starting to create a foundation for the future on offense.
4. Cultural Cohesion: A consistent challenge for programs in rebuild mode is achieving cultural buy-in from players, especially with so many new faces. The next four games should reveal whether the team has developed any resiliency and buy-in; or if there is more work to do in bringing this roster together.
5. Winning at Least Two Games: BCU needs to demonstrate progress with wins. Capturing at least two victories over the next four games would signal the Wildcats are building forward momentum. Coach Woodie led BCU to 3 wins in his first season so anything less has to be considered a failure. A couple of wins against these SWAC foes would resonate through recruiting pipelines, fan engagement, and player morale, setting the tone for next year.
Building for the future
These next few matchups are more than just a series of games—they are a critical moment to shape the program’s identity and trajectory for years to come. It is an honest opportunity to assess where BCU stands relative to programs dealing with similar realities. Now is the time for the Wildcats to demonstrate that they are capable of competing and winning consistently.
This November will be remembered. The question is will it be remembered as the month BCU football began its resurgence or as another missed opportunity and setback for the program. Let’s hope that we can look back and say it was the start of something great. The future of Bethune-Cookman football is now, and it’s time to seize it.
After three days of processing, grieving, giving and receiving emotional support hugs; I think I am finally ready to talk about this past Saturday’s loss to Clark Atlanta so here goes. I am….
Embarrassed. Pissed. Frustrated. Devastated. Apoplectic. And I ain’t the only one.
Bethune-Cookman fans have spent the past few days asking “what the heck (WTH)”. Well, I have asked what the heck. Many Wildcat fans have substituted heck with more colorful language when contemplating BCU’s unthinkable collapse this weekend.
This isn’t the first time Wildcat fans have been stunned by a huge upset loss. In 2009, Coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt’s squad fell 9-20 to Division II Shaw University. But we knew Coach Wyatt committed to a youth movement at that time and was prepping for the future and providing valuable snaps to future BCU legends like Ryan Davis, Ryan Lewis, and Reggie Sandilands who were all young players at the time.
The 2016 loss to Savannah State was a WTH moment too but even then, SSU was a FCS program and Terry Sims’ squad was missing 16 starters due to injury when they lost that game.
Saturday’s loss just felt different. BCU blew a 24-point lead to Division II Clark Atlanta and lost 37-38 in a game that can only be described as embarrassing and borderline unforgivable. The Wildcats came into this matchup hoping for a confidence-boosting victory but left with their heads hanging low, and now staring down four straight losses as SWAC play looms.
To give credit where it’s due, Clark Atlanta Head Coach Teddy Keaton and his staff deserve all the praise for their team’s preparation and resilience. Keaton’s men orchestrated an amazing come from behind upset, and played Bethune-Cookman off the field in the second half. His players, many of whom hail from the State of Florida, and who according to Coach Keaton were grossly overlooked in the recruiting process, proved they belonged on the same field as their FCS counterparts.
Clark Atlanta’s quarterback David Wright III and wide receiver Armone Harris grew up together and were teammates at Tampa Bay Tech. Wide Receiver Jamal Jones played on the same high school team as BCU quarterback Cam Ransom. By night’s end, Wright finished the game 30/49 for 374 yards passing and 4 touchdowns, Harris hauled in 6 catches for 94 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Jones finished with a game high 10 receptions for 127 yards. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but hats off to Coach Keaton and his players for a remarkable effort.
As for the Wildcats, this loss is hard to sugarcoat. Surrendering a 24-point lead to a lower-tier Division II opponent is an issue unto itself. That would be enough to make your head spin but it borders on the absurd when you consider the Wildcats:
surrendered 3 scoring drives of 98 yards or more in the contest; including a 99 yard scoring drive that ended with a 55 yard Leonardo Cabrera field goal as time expired;
the offense had minus 6 yards rushing in the second half and managed to score just three points after halftime;
the 12 penalties for 117 yards including a few unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that extended drives. Yes, one of those unsportsmanlike penalties set the Panthers up for the game winner;
the two loss fumbles.
As I said earlier…WTH? What kind of strange hoodoo is plaguing our favorite team?
Fans have overrun social media with questions about the team’s mental toughness, concerns about coaching, discipline, and execution. After four straight losses, including this devastating one, how can you blame them? These are fair questions at this point. Yes, it was an embarrassing loss. Yes, Clark Atlanta made the better coaching adjustments over the course of the games. Yes, the Wildcats were outplayed for the last two and a half quarters.
But having said all of that, it is far too early in the season and too soon in Raymond Woodie Jr,’s head coaching career to dismiss this team and/or coaching staff.
Coach Woodie and his staff have a lot to figure out this week. Whether it’s scheming better on defense, getting more consistency from their offense, eliminating self-inflicted mistakes, or simply instilling some belief in this battered team. What’s clear is that something has to change. That’s for dang sure. I won’t begin to pretend that I have any answers; what I do know is something has to change and change quickly.
The road doesn’t get any easier from here, but the Wildcats still have a chance to make something of their season. Alabama State roll into town this Saturday. If BCU finds a way to win this contest, they exit Saturday sitting atop the SWAC East Standings and everything is just fine. However, if they lose to the Hornets; they will have to relive the Clark loss all over again. And the Mercer loss. And the 8 losses from last year. And the 9 from the season before. You get the point. Losing begets losing and in many ways, that’s the greatest hurdle for this team right now.
They just don’t know how to win.
Since Woodie’s arrival, BCU often find themselves in a position to win games. But as coach expressed again on Saturday, “they just have to find a way to finish.”
It’s almost as if the guys can taste victory so they just start pressing a little too hard. A dropped pass here. A fumble there. Sprinkle in a few blown coverages and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and BAM; you’re staring 0-4 in the face.
On a positive note, all of these things are correctable and within your control.
Another positive to take away from Saturday’s contest is BCU’s offense easily had their best game of the season racking up season highs in total yards (477), passing yards (382), and points (37). Most of this production occurred in the first half where BCU scored on all five of its possessions. The offensive production gives you something to build on and feel good about moving forward.
SWAC play begins this week and presents an opportunity for redemption, but only if Bethune-Cookman can find answers quickly. Let’s pray that they do because I want to leave Daytona Stadium with that “Old BC Spirit” and not the WTH spirit if you know what I mean.
Mercer, Mercer Me…Things Ain’t What They Use to Be. Wildcats Blasted 31-2 by the Bears.
Remember the good old days when Bethune-Cookman was a perennial Top 25 program and frequent visitor to the FCS playoffs? The days when the Wildcats would roll into your trap and take over your trap. Well these ain’t them days. At least not at this early juncture of the season they are not.
Saturday’s contest against the Mercer Bears, who won a FCS playoff game last season and are currently ranked 24th in FCS Coaches’ Poll, was the first genuine opportunity of the Raymond Woodie era to see how close the BCU football program was to returning to those former days of glory. The test results were emphatic—BCU still has a ways to go to close the gap on the top teams at this level.
Heck, if you’re just looking at the 31-2 scoreline, it would suggest BCU failed the first early season test miserably. But football is a situational game and a play or two here or there changes the entire complexion of the contest. After watching that game live on Saturday, and re-watching it online two additional times on Sunday, my conclusion is this: there is no need to hit the panic button, but there are reasons to be concerned.
So how did we get here? How did this Cookman team, who had elevated expectations coming into the season, end up on the wrong side of a completely lopsided scoreline?
Well for starters, Mercer is a really good football program. Like really, really good. Much respect to the coaching staff and players from the Middle Georgia school. Bethune won’t be the only team on the wrong side of the win/loss column against Mercer.
The Bears demonstrated what good football programs do.
They make the critical plays when they are there to be made.
They weather adversity.
They make the right adjustments.
They win the situational game.
The Wildcats did none of these things quite so well on Saturday.
Mercer quarterback, DJ Smith connected with slot receiver Bryden Smith on a wheel route for a 50-yard touchdown at the 6:06 mark of the second quarter to open the game’s scoring.
Smith’s, bubble screen to Parker Wroble ended as a 14-yard TD with 1:25 left in the second quarter. And 23 seconds later, Mercer turned a BCU interception into a 21-0 lead when Smith tossed his third TD pass of the half to wideout Kelin Parsons.
If you are keeping up at home, the score went from 0-0 to 21-0 in 4:41 of game time. YIKES. And that still only reveals a part of the story.
Too Aggressive, Too Soon
Trailing 14-0 with 1:20 left in the half, BCU took over at its own 29 yardline. The Wildcats were still very much in the contest and playing well at this point. Conventional wisdom say you play the percentages, take a knee, and get to halftime trailing by only 2 scores. This is specifically true since BCU was set to receive the ball to begin the 3rd quarter. However, the Wildcats threw caution to the wind and came out aggressive. Mercer made BCU pay for the decision by intercepting a Cam Ransom pass and returning it BCU’s 15 yardline.
The Bears scored on the next play pushing the lead to 21 and killed off the game at that point.
42-point swing
As wild as it sounds, BCU could have just as easily taken a 21-point lead into halftime instead of trailing by as many.
On its opening possession of the game, the Wildcats drove the ball to the Mercer 6-yard line before fumbling it away on 2nd and goal. It was an 100% avoidable error by the BCU offense. The ball was not stripped, it was simply bad ballhandling by QB Cam Ransom.
Let’s assume BCU scores a TD on that drive. That’s 7 points you left on the field.
On the next possession, Ransom found Lorenzo Jenkins on a deep post and 5 yards behind the nearest defender. Unfortunately for BCU, Jenkins dropped what would have been a certain 87-yard TD reception.
To add to the missed opportunities, on BCU’s first possession of the second quarter, Ransom found Corey Turner streaking down the middle of the field and delivered a perfect pass into the hands of Turner. Actually, he delivered a perfect pass through the hands of Turner who was about 7 yards behind the nearest defender when he dropped a surefire touchdown. When that ball hit the turf, so too did the air from the team and the 8,484 Wildcat fans in attendance.
There are not very many teams who are good enough to overcome squandering three gimmie touchdowns. Mercer went on to score on their next three possessions of the first half.
Speaking of Mercer’s first half touchdowns, on each of those scores, you can clearly see blown coverages by BCU’s safeties who were way out of position and their eyes locked in the backfield.
The bad news is the six plays I just described saw a 42-point swing in the game. Instead of nursing a 3-score lead, the Wildcats entered halftime chasing a 21-point deficit.
The good news is that each of those six plays are easily correctable. All six were unforced errors by BCU. But that’s the difference between being a playoff team and a team still finding its way at this level. The Mercer type teams make those plays and punish other teams’ mistakes, while teams who are in a bad run of form like Bethune-Cookman come up just short.
Some things are easily correctable, others not so much!
I don’t know the analytics on this but I will go on record as saying that teams with a 42-point swing in their favor win more than 90% of those games. Wildcat fans can take some solace in that fact knowing that they were a half dozen plays away in this contest. What’s worrisome for BCU fans is a) they are not making those plays; and b) the overall lack of production of the offense.
Cookman ran the ball 26 times for 29 yards in the contest. That’s a dreadful 1.1 yard per rushing attempt. DREADFUL! I don’t know how you fix that but offensive coordinator, Joe Gerbino, is going to have to figure it out real soon if BCU is to have their first winning season in 4 years.
And just to stress the point, it’s not like the running stats were low because the passing game was clicking. The Wildcats only completed 48% of their pass attempts and only managed 127 yards through the air. They were 0 for 12 on 3rd down conversions and only eclipsed the 100 yards of total offense mark on the 2nd to last play of the game. BCU ended the night without an offensive score and they are still looking for their first offensive touchdown of the season. The lone Wildcats score of the night came on an Orin Patu sack which ended in a safety.
So I’ll say it again, DREADFUL! I don’t know how you fix that but offensive coordinator, Joe Gerbino, is going to have to figure it out real soon if BCU is to have their first winning season in 4 years.
It is still early in the season. All of BCU’s season goals are still in front of them so the panic button is safely locked away. The Mercer test was a bit too much to overcome but there is plenty of time to improve that grade. If BCU can make the plays when they are there to be made, correct the alignment and eye discipline miscues on defense, and get some production from its offense, they will be fine. If not, then just play the Marvin Gaye tunes because things just ain’t what they use to be.
It’s game week Wildcat fans and we are more excited than “a single woman sitting in the front row at an Usher concert”. To say that there is a sense of renewed optimism in Daytona Beach headed into the 2024 season is an understatement. Bethune-Cookman enjoyed a successful offseason bringing in a highly rated recruiting class to go along with key returners from last year’s squad. This, along with several other intriguing storylines, has fans believing the Wildcats can turn things around this season.
A Quick Look Back: The 2023 Season
The 2023 season was one of rebuilding and recalibrating for Bethune-Cookman. Despite flashes of promise, the Wildcats struggled to find consistency, particularly on offense. The team averaged just 18.5 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the SWAC in most offensive categories. Defensively, the unit showed promise but often found itself on the field too long due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives.
Nonetheless, the silver lining came in the form of BCU’s competitiveness and emergence of young talent. One possession losses against Alabama State and Jackson State on the road; and Preseason 2nd Team All -SWAC honors for guys like Dearis Thomas attest to these facts.
A Strong 2024 Recruiting Class
Coach Raymond Woodie and his staff had a heck of an offseason and did an amazing job of upgrading the talent on this roster. The Wildcats secured a top-tier 2024 recruiting class, featuring several players who are expected to contribute right away. One late addition to the squad is that of transfer quarterback Micah Bowens from Oklahoma/Charlotte, who brings a dual-threat skillset with him, and has fans excited about the potential for a more dynamic offense. Other notable additions include the likes of Raymond Woodie III, Orin Patu, Dallaz Corbitt, and Trey Mejia-Paster, all of whom add playmaking ability to a defense that showed flashes of potential last year.
Top 5 Storylines for the 2024 Season
1. Quarterback Play: Who Will Take the Helm?
Bethune-Cookman enters the 2024 season with a crowded quarterback room. Luke Sprague, Walt Simmons, Tylik Bethea, and Cam Ransom all return from last year’s squad. Simmons, however, has switched positions to wide receiver, adding versatility to the offense. The big addition to the QB room is Bowens, a transfer who brings experience from Power 5 programs. The battle for the starting job will be one of the most closely watched through the first four games as BCU tune up for SWAC play. We expect that the job is Luke Sprague’s unless someone else can wrestle it away. Sprague is a capable starter who returns for year two in this offense. Sprague’s 2023 season was derailed and ultimately ended prematurely after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Miami game and then re-aggravating the injury in the Southern game. Whoever wins the job will need to improve upon last year’s offensive struggles but there certainly are options at the QB position this time around.
2. More Offensive Woes 🫣 or New Offensive Whoas 🙌?
The Wildcats’ offense was their Achilles’ heel in 2023. Ranking near the bottom of the SWAC in total yards and points per game, improvement is critical if Bethune-Cookman is to compete this year. The good news is that the offensive line returns four starters, providing stability up front. Additionally, the running back room has been bolstered by transfers Courtney Reese (UNLV) and Cross Patton (Nevada); as well as the return of JoJo Bazil from an early season injury which caused him to miss the bulk of the 2023 campaign. If the line can gel and the running game can take off, it could open up opportunities for the rest of the offense. The bad news is last year’s struggles are still fresh in mind so the offense will need to prove early that it can consistently move the ball and score points to eliminate doubt from creeping in.
3. Newcomers on Offense and Defense: Immediate Impact?
In addition to some of the names mentioned earlier, guys like Surafel Seyfu and Cameron Vaughn will look to strengthen the offensive line. Caleb Blake (Missouri State) and Andrew Volmer (Louisiana Monroe) were starters at the Group of Five level before transferring to BCU and both will look to help fortify the defensive secondary.
Wide receiver is perhaps the position group that is most in need of an emerging star. Quite a few guys showed flashes in Fall Camp, including a couple of true freshmen. However, we still don’t have a good handle on who will emerge as the top pass catcher or playmaker among the receivers.
4. 7 Wins in 3 Years: Could This Year’s Team Match That Total?
BCU has won just seven games over the last three seasons. (Ouch!) However, there’s a growing belief that this year’s squad could perhaps match that win total in one season alone. The combination of returning talent, impact transfers, and a full offseason under the leadership of Coach Woodie gives the Wildcats a realistic shot at a winning season. If the team can stay healthy and the newcomers contribute as expected, the Wildcats could be in for a significant turnaround.
5. New Excitement: A Buzz Around the Program
There’s a renewed excitement around Bethune-Cookman football heading into 2024. From the energy of the new recruits to the potential of a retooled offense, fans have reason to be optimistic. Head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. has emphasized a culture of competition and accountability, and it’s clear that this year’s team has bought in. The Wildcats will have opportunities early in the season to prove they’re a different team from last year. After the season opener against South Florida, BCU hosts Mercer in Daytona Stadium. Mercer not only made the FCS playoffs a season ago; they also won a playoff game. If Cookman can find a way to beat Mercer and prove to themselves that they can win games against quality opponents, the boost in confidence could translate into the type of season that fans have been longing for since joining the SWAC. Two weeks after the Mercer contest, BCU face DII Clark Atlanta before entering conference play against Alabama State. It is not realistic to believe BCU could enter SWAC play at 2-2 on the season.
Conclusion
Simply put, the 2024 Wildcats have the potential to exceed expectations and make a statement in the league. While challenges remain, the pieces are in place for a successful campaign. In a few short days, we will get our first glimpse into what this year’s version of Bethune-Cookman football has in store.
The 2024 season is fast approaching, and the excitement is palpable among Wildcats fans as we anticipate the resurgence of our beloved football program. While we’re still waiting for the official roster and two-deep depth chart from the university, the HailWildcats.com squad has been hard at work analyzing returning players from last season, Spring football highlights, and Fall camp reports to give you our best projection of who might emerge as the starting 11 on both sides of the ball.
Let’s be extremely clear about this, this list is purely speculative and not an official depth chart. What it is is a glimpse into some of the guys that we expect to make a strong impact on the 2024 season of Wildcat football based on the potential and progression we have observed.
The great news is that we only have a few more short weeks before we all get to see how these talented players, as well as others not named on this list, will step up and make their mark on the field of play.
Offense:
Quarterback (QB): Luke Sprague
Running Back (RB): Courtney Reese/ JoJo Brazil
Wide Receiver (WR-X): Jalen Brown
Wide Receiver (WR-Z): Lorenzo Jenkins
Wide Receiver (WR-Y): Omari Stewart
Left Tackle (LT): Cam Vaughn
Left Guard (LG): Surafel Seyfu
Center (C): David Poutasi
Right Guard (RG): Christopher McAlpin
Right Tackle (RT): Trevaris Hammond
Tight End (TE): Thomas Nance
Defense:
Defensive End (DE): Dallaz Corbitt
Defensive Tackle (NT): Adrian Hall
Defensive Tackle (DT): Dario Melendez
Edge: Orin Patu
Linebacker (LB): Dearis Thomas/ Kevin Washington
Linebacker (LB): Trey Paster
Cornerback (CB): Andrew Volmer
Strong Safety (SS): Joshua Thornhill / Shawn Russ
Free Safety (FS): Raymond Woodie III
Cornerback (CB): Johnnie Harris
Nickle (STAR): Stephen Sparrow
Specialists:
Punter: Max Tulen
Kicker: Anthony Frédérique
Long Snapper: Clayton Thomas
Kick Returner: Darnell Deas
Punt Returner: Ray Woodie
Stay tuned for updates and let’s get ready to cheer on the Wildcats! 🏈 #AllHail
National Signing Day 2024 is right around the corner, and you would be hard-pressed to find another HBCU program that’s riding a higher wave in recruiting than the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are at this moment.
Credits: BCU Athletics
It’s quite amazing when you consider that at this time last year, BCU was the only Division One program in the country who entered National Signing Day without a head coach in place. One full rotation around the sun and Head Coach Raymond Woodie is absolutely crushing it with his first recruiting class.
Coach Woodie has addressed every checkbox on a recruiter’s wish list – from injecting speed into the squad to locking up players with significant size, college playing experience, and winning high school pedigrees. The Wildcats have successfully landed talented players from the transfer portal, JUCO, and high school ranks, some of whom boast impressive star ratings for those who appreciate such metrics. On top of this, Coach Woodie and staff have done an amazing job of recruiting their current roster and have had very few key players from last year’s squad jump in the portal.
Ahead of National Signing Day, let’s take a closer look at the promising 2024 recruiting class. The list below is unofficial and based on information gathered from various official and unofficial sources.
The Wildcats are expected to land 28 new arrivals on Signing Day – 14 Transfer/JUCO players and 14 high schoolers. 14 of the new additions also hold star ratings from national recruiting services – 4-four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 7-three stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️, and 3-two stars ⭐️⭐️.
The positional breakdown is as follows: thirteen (13) defensive players(6 defensive backs, 5 defensive linemen/edge, 2 linebackers); and fifteen (15) offensive players(8 offensive linemen, 1 quarterback, 3 running backs, 3 wide receivers).
Bethune-Cookman 2024 Signing Class
Transfer Portal (10)
Position
School
Rating
Raymond Woodie III
DB
California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shawn Russ
DB
Arizona State
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terrance Alexander
DB
Jacksonville State
Dallaz Corbitt
DL
UCF
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thomas Nance
DL
USF
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Orin Patu
Edge
Arizona
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trey Paster
LB
Colorado State
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lorenzo Jenkins
WR
Pittsburg
⭐️⭐️
Maleek Huggins
WR
Gardner-Webb
Courtney Reese
RB
UNLV
⭐️⭐️⭐️
JUCO (4)
Surafel Seyfu
OL
Contra Costa CC
Isaiah Maumaianga
OL
Ellsworth
⭐️⭐️
Dario Melendez
DL
Myrtle Beach
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kevin Washington
LB
Fresno City College
⭐️⭐️
High School (14)
Nahseem Deas
QB
Lincoln (Queens, NY)
Jaylen Booker
OL
Trinity Christian
Melvin Puckett
OL
Monarch
Truth Moody
OL
Spruce Creek
William Roberts III
OL
St. Thomas Aquinas
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vernon Clarke
OL
Norland
Tremayne Carson
OL
Northwestern
Kenny Jackson
WR
Mission Oaks, CA
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Juan Rodriguez
RB
Norland
Alvin Johnson
RB
Venice
Cornelious Bass
Edge
Edgewater
Gabriel Cash
DB
Norland
Jayden Cummings
DB
Hillsborough
Matthew McKenzie
DB
Benjamin School
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Immediate Impact Signees
Here is our best guess at the guys who will have the greatest opportunity to see the field next year.
Defensive Backs
The Wildcats graduate three of their starting defensive backs from a season ago leaving a huge hole on the backend of their defense. The most glaring loss is that of 3-time All-SWAC First Team cornerback, Omari Hill-Robinson. We expect Ray Woodie III, Shawn Russ, and Terrance Alexander to compete for playing time immediately in the secondary. Woodie, as I am sure you know, is the son of the head coach bearing the same name. The 6’0”, 200-pound safety transfers to BCU from Cal-Berkley. Woodie was a 4-star recruit out of high school and originally signed with Florida State and has made starts for both the Seminoles and Cal Bears. Woodie has proven to be both an active run defender and viable in pass defense in his 44 collegiate games played.
Shawn Russ transfers in from Arizona State after one year with the Sun Devils. While he doesn’t have as many collegiate snaps as Ray Woodie, his upside is tremendous. Russ is another 4-star addition to BCU’s defense and was one of the top defensive players in the State of Florida as a prep player at Dunbar High School. He checks all of the boxes athletically and can be a big playmaker much like the aforementioned Omari Hill-Robinson.
Joshua Thornhill, Nick Rawls II, Johnny Harris III, and Steven Sparrow return to bolster the BCU secondary, and all have started in multiple contests for BCU. Add Anthony Alonzo into the mix as a returning player who showed promise last season.
Matthew McKenzie from The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens is 6’3”, 200 pounds and can play corner and safety. His size and athleticism will allow him to compete physically from day one. Rather he finds his way onto the field as a freshman is yet to be seen but the lack of physicality won’t be an issue in that decision.
Linebackers
Dearis Thomas was the leading tackler on the squad last year and was flanked by Shelton Quarles Jr. at the other linebacker position in Robert Wimberly’s 4-2-5 scheme. Both Thomas and Quarles return this season and will be joined at the position by new arrivals Trey Paster from Colorado State and Kevin Washington Jr. from Fresno City College. Paster and Washington add much needed size to the linebacker core for Bethune; yet both have shown on film they are athletic enough to make plays in space. Both Paster and Washington play violently, and we mean that in the best football way possible.
Defensive Line
The defensive line was objectively BCU’s best positional group on either side of the ball in 2023; yet it is highly possible that that unit may be even better in the 2024 campaign. Amarie Jones, Adrian Hall, Ejike Brown, Ebenezer Dibula, Jeffson Lafontant, Payton Doucet, and Jeremy Graves all return along the defensive front. Four-star Edge defenders Orin Patu (Arizona) and Dallaz Corbitt (UCF); along with three-star defensive lineman Dario Melendez will look to elevate and already stout defensive front. Melendez is a “twitchy” interior lineman who possess the skillsets you look for in a 3 technique. Patu and Corbitt are explosive Edge players with the requisite athleticism to run down backs and quarterbacks.
Running Back/Receivers
Explosive plays were scarce to nonexistent for Bethune last season, and as a result, the Wildcats ranked near the bottom of the SWAC in most significant offensive categories. The good news is BCU return 4 starting offensive linemen as well as their top 4 signal callers.
Maleek Huggins transfers in from Gardner-Webb and immediately provides BCU with a big play option. Huggins is a legitimate 4.4 guy and can stretch the field vertically or take a dump off, make a guy miss, and flip the field for you. Courtney Reese is a similar type option at the running back position. Reese, a three-star transfer from UNLV, demonstrated his big play ability when he rushed for 142 yards on 11 carries against Notre Dame in 2022. One of Reese carries was a 74-yard burst that setup the Running Rebels first score against the Fighting Irish.
Kenny Jackson is another incoming freshman who was highly recruited and possess the physical qualities necessary to compete for snaps immediately. Jackson is a 6-foot, 190 pound three-star athlete who holds offers from San Jose State and Fresno State. When you put his game film on, you can’t help but think of Deebo Samuels. No, we are not saying Jackson will be a NFL Pro Bowler, however, his size and playing style are very reminiscent of the 49er’s superstar.
Offensive Line/Quarterback
As mentioned earlier, Bethune returns 4 starters along the offensive line and its top 4 quarterbacks from a season ago. This year’s signing class seems to focus on building depth at the offensive line position and securing their quarterback for the future in Nahseem Deas.
Deas picked up All-State honors in the State of New York and chose BCU over several MAC schools including Bowling Green and Toledo.
Isaiah Maumaianga and Surafel Seyfu join the Wildcats from the JUCO ranks and have the best chance of making an immediate impact in the trenches.
Did we miss someone? Are you eyeing another potential immediate impact guy? Are you still unsure about this signing class? We would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via our socials. You are also welcome to join us on @HailWildcat Spaces this upcoming Monday night, February 5th at 7:30pm to discuss this year’s signing class in more detail.
Bethune-Cookman is off to a slow start in conference play, and if you listen closely, you can already hear the troubling winds of murmuring and doubt beginning to blow among the Wildcat faithful. The goal for Coach Raymond Woodie and his staff is to find a way to secure a win at this week’s homecoming clash against Texas Southern and help prevent that doubt from creeping into his football team.
Photo by David Campbell/Alabama State University
There were high hopes for this program at the onset of the season. Coach Woodie brought with him an enthusiasm this program has been missing for years. Along with him came over 50 new players, a brand new coaching staff, and the promise of a return to BCU’s winning ways. Yet the Wildcats find themselves in a challenging spot, having begun conference play 0-2.
The first blow came from Jackson State on the road, where despite a strong defensive performance and a chance to get the ball back and take the lead in the waning moments of the contest, the Wildcats failed to make the plays necessary to win and succumbed 22-16 to the reigning conference champs.
Their subsequent game against Alabama State in Montgomery was a rinse and repeat of the JSU game. BCU had the ball first and goal from the 10 yard line and trailed by just 5 points with under 2:00 left in the game. Yet again, the Wildcats could not find the right ingredients to close out the game and fell 14-19 to the Hornets.
So here we are; scratching our heads and wondering “is this last year, again”? Are the Wildcats destined for another historically bad season? Is the rebuilding process still on track and did someone put a “Color Purple”, Ms. Ceile curse on the Wildcats due to all the negativity surrounding the university?
Whatever is going on right now, the product on the gridiron needs some immediate attention. A win this weekend for the Wildcats, in front of a homecoming crowd, keeps the rebuild on schedule and cools the feelings of discontentment. A loss this weekend and…well let’s just say BCU will have BIG PROBLEMS.
BCU’s Defensive Dominance
One thing that cannot be denied is BCU’s formidable defense. The Wildcats rank first in pass defense, giving up just 146 yards per game against conference opponents. They are also limiting SWAC opponents to just 20.5 points a game. The stout defensive performances have kept BCU competitive in every conference game they’ve played. Linebacker Dearis Thomas leads the team in tackles (43) and tackles for loss (7).
Offensive Struggles
On the flip side, the offense has been a sore point. In last week’s contest against ASU, Bethune managed to pass for a measly 75 yards and were held to a pedestrian 198 yards of total offense. In the game prior, BCU passed the ball a little better gaining 176 yards through the air but only managed 58 rushing yards against JSU’s defense.
The Wildcat offense simply has not been good enough to win games at this level. Period. There is no way to sugarcoat it.
Injuries haven’t helped the cause on offense. Starting running back, Jouvensly Bazil, went down midway through the first half against JSU and the Wildcats are depleted along the offensive line. But the biggest blow has come at the quarterback position, the pivotal role for any football team’s offensive success.
QB1, Luke Sprauge, and QB2, Talik Bethea, both suffered shoulder injuries in the Miami game and neither has taken a snap against SWAC opponents this season. The injuries have forced the Wildcats to go with third string quarterback Walter Simmons. Most teams in the country struggle playing with their 3rd string QB and the Wildcats are no different. Bethune’s offense has struggled through the injuries and rank last in passing offense, last in offensive efficiency, last in first downs gained, last in 3rd down conversions and next to last in total offense.
Yikes!
Perhaps the question we hear most murmured from Wildcat fans is “when is Luke returning?” There is a strong feeling among the Wildcat faithful that Bethune would be 2-0 in SWAC play if they had the full service of starting quarterback Luke Sprauge. We think so too but we don’t know that for sure. We also do not know when Luke will return. Therefore the onus is on offensive coordinator, Joe Gerbino, to come up with a scheme that fits the personnel he has at his disposal.
For as much as BCU’s offense has struggled with Simmons at QB, I do not place all of the blame at Simmons’ feet. Coach Gerbino has to do a better job of tailoring the offense to match his quarterback’s skillset. Simmons’ running ability is his strength. Asking him to read the entire field and go through 4 or 5 progressions just isn’t his game. Trying to force Simmons to run that type of offense is more of a failure of the offensive coaching staff than it is the player.
I know coaches tend to get very defensive when fans, journalists, and bloggers report on what’s not working; but you don’t need a bunch of talking heads to state the obvious. Just check the results and stats for all the proof you need. BCU ranks at the bottom of the league in virtually every offensive category. Gerbino has to either tailor his offense to the guy that is available to him under center; or put someone else out there who can operate this offense more efficiently.
The Road Ahead
A win is crucial to keep Coach Woodie’s rebuild project on the right trajectory. And look at what the Lord ordered up for the Wildcats; a Texas Southern team who are also struggling this season. TSU is without their All-Conference quarterback Andrew Body. The Tigers have been as bad on defense as the Wildcats have been on offense. Like BCU, TSU has failed to win close games against conference opponents and secured their lone win of the season against a Division 2 foe.
If there were ever a perfect opponent for a get right game, this is it. The problem is, both teams are thanking Jesus for this gift and think they have found the perfect opponent to get things back on track.
Cookman has the fortune of playing this game in front of a homecoming crowd. A win on homecoming can rally the fans and players and restore belief in the direction of the team. A loss would stir the already troubled waters and cast shadows over the future of the program.
The time for excuses is over, Wildcats. It’s time to get it done. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm. The game can also be viewed on HBCUGo.
Raymond Woodie was all smiles after collecting his first career win on Saturday night against Savannah State.
The normally stoic Woodie couldn’t quite hide the huge grin on his face in the postgame presser after Bethune’s commanding 31-6 triumph over SSU. Yet, staying true to his humble nature, he deflected the limelight onto his squad when asked to describe the emotions of his first collegiate victory as a head coach.
“It feels good, especially to get the first win at home (but) I am happy for the players. It is all about the players” he remarked.
While the night ended in warm fuzzies for Woodie and the maroon and gold faithful, it certainly did not begin that way. The Wildcats got off to a sluggish start managing to register no points and only 2 first downs through the first quarter and a half of the contest. With the score still locked at 0-0, Woodie made the decision to pull starting quarterback Walter Simmons and replace him with Luke Spraugue. The Wildcats looked like a completely different team after that tactical change.
Sprauge, who led the National JUCO Association in yards and completions last season, directed the BCU offense on 5 scoring drives on the team’s next 6 possessions. BCU opened the game’s scoring on a 12 play, 80 yard drive which ended in a 13 yard Jouvensly Bazil touchdown run.
Savannah State scored a pair of field goals on the last possession of the first half and the first possession of the second half to cut the lead to 7-6. Those two field goals would be the Tiger’s only and last points of the contest as Bethune would score 24 unanswered from that point forward.
Bazil scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a 22 yard scamper to push the lead to 14-6 early in the third quarter. Sprague found Dacarri Allen-Johnson in the back of the south end zone at the 1:44 mark in the third to stretch the lead to 21-6. And after a 45 yard Cade Hechter field goal in the final frame, Sprague connected with Allen-Johnson for the game’s final score, this time in the back of the north end zone.
For those keeping score at home, that’s 2 passing touchdowns for Sprague, 2 rushing touchdowns for Bazil, and 2 receiving touchdowns for Allen-Johnson. Sprague’s final stat line was 23 for 29 for 223 yards.
Linebacker Dearis Thomas led the way defensively with 9 total tackles and 1 sack.
Woodie and the Wildcats won’t have very long to celebrate this win as they travel south on I-95 to take on the University of Miami this Thursday night.
Hello Wildcat Nation! After a rather eventful offseason, the 2023 college football season is finally here.
Before we jump in head first, I need you to do me a huge favor. Take a deep breath in, now exhale.
That feels good right? It feels almost like a slice of normalcy. And haven’t we missed normalcy over these past nine months.
Let’s all hope that we can get use to some “good normalcy” around our football program. If judging by some of the things happening around the program as of late, there just might be some light on the horizon for “Dear ‘Ol Bethune-Cookman”.
Our own Wildcat alumnus, Head Coach Raymond Woodie, is now in charge of the football program.
The new turf practice field is nearing completion.
The upgrades to the stadium were recently finalized.
But let’s keep it real, or as my college aged kids say, let’s keep it a buck, while we appreciate the changes AROUND the program, what we are truly eager for is progress WITHIN the program.
The Wildcats are unveiling a fresh look, with 19 new starters taking the field against the The Memphis Tigers this Saturday at 7:00pm.
Meet the Starting Line-Up:
Offense: QB Tylik Bethea (Delaware State grad transfer), RBs Jaiden Bivens & Jimmy Robinson III, TE Kahlil Overton, WRs Daveno Ellington, Dacarri Allen-Johnson, and Tink Boyd (Va Tech transfer), OL Miguel Sahagun, Antuan Wells, Christina Loving, Jahmari Sylvester (FIU transfer), and Trevaris Hammond.
Defense: DL Eddie Walls III, Andrian Hall, Deonte Washington (Texas St transfer), and Amarie Jones. LBs Dearis Thomas (FAU transfer) and Shelton Quarles Jr. (Samford transfer), and Secondary Stephen Sparrow, Iverson Clement (Temple transfer), Ja’Bari Joudon, Johnny Harris III, and Omari Hill-Robinson.
Although the Week One depth chart offers a glimpse into guys who should see regular playing time, it’s essential to avoid making too many assumptions based on the current depth chart. There are a few names not currently listed but who may emerge as significant contributors this season. Here are a few.
Quarterback Cam Ransom: The McNeese State/Georgia Southern transfer showcased leadership and skill during Fall Camp, but rumor has it that he’s awaiting the NCAA’s verdict on his pending waiver for immediate eligibility after transferring to his second school.
Jaylin Terzado: This 3-star wideout transfer from Western Carolina showed immense promise in Fall Camp. However, the speedy receiver is currently nursing an injury. We’re rooting for a quick recovery.
Eddie Walls III: Speaking of immense promise, no one had a better Fall Camp than the 6’3”, 250lb defensive end from South Ft. Myers High School. Walls showed flashes last season but is looking even more formidable this year coming off the edge.
LaQuan Johnson: A late addition to the Bethune-Cookman roster is a high motor defensive end transfer from Central Michigan. He, along with Walls, may provide the level of disruption from the Edge position that has been missing from the Wildcat defense over the past two seasons.
Cornerback Dynamics: With two time All-SWAC performer Omari Hill-Robinson and Temple University/University of Florida transfer Iverson Clement, Cookman might just have one of the best cornerback tandems in the conference.
Anticipation is building, and the clock’s ticking down to the season’s first kickoff at 7:00pm. As always, a contingent from HailWildcats.com will be in the house. If you can’t join us in Memphis, TN, the game’s airing on the ESPN network. For those looking to join HailWildcats.com at the game, visit letsgowildcats.org for travel details.
Finally, The HailWildcats Gridiron radio show will resume this Thursday, August 31st, from 8:00pm-10:00 on Joy 106.3 FM and Joy1063FM.com. Join us live to talk Bethune-Cookman football.
HailWildcats.com 