Iowa

BCU ranked 17th in Lindy’s Preseason Top 25

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LeBrandon Richardson -HailWildcats.com

LeBrandon Richardson -HailWildcats.com

Bethune-Cookman picked up its first national ranking of the 2013 season when Lindy’s Magazine ranked the Wildcats 17th in their initial FCS Preseason Poll.

BCU finished 9-3 last season (8-0 in MEAC play) securing its fifth MEAC title and an FCS playoff berth in the process.

Eight offensive starters return from last year’s squad including 1,000 yard rusher Isidore Jackson, leading receiver Eddie Poole and All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney.  The Wildcats lead the MEAC in total offense (4,665 yards), rushing offense (2,928 yards), and points per game (29.4) in 2012.

Seven starters, including leading tackler Jarkevis Fields and top sack man LeBrandon Richardson, return to the defensive unit.  Last year BCU caused an FCS best 36 takeaways and ranked 7th nationally in total defense (301.42 yards per game).

The Cats open up the 2013 campaign with a trip to Nashville to face off against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Sunday, September 1st.  Other marquee games include a September 14th matchup with Florida International, a first ever engagement with Florida State on September 21st, a homecoming showdown with South Carolina State on October 26th, and the Florida Classic on November 23rd.

Lindy’s Top 25:
1. North Dakota State 2. Georgia Southern 3. Montana State 4. South Dakota State 5. Wofford 6. Eastern Washington 7. Central Arkansas 8. Towson 9. Villanova 10. Sam Houston State 11. New Hampshire 12. Appalachian State 13. Northern Iowa 14. Stony Brook 15. Coastal Carolina 16. Northern Arizona 17. Bethune-Cookman 18. Eastern Illinois 19. Youngstown State 20. Chattanooga 21. Richmond 22. Illinois St 23. Montana 24. Wagner 25. Tennessee State

NFL Draft Zone Spotlight: David Blackwell

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David BlackwellDraft Zone Spotlight: David Blackwell, QB/WR, Bethune-Cookman University

When you think of complete football players, if you don’t have David Blackwell in that list then you missed a player.  Blackwell originally signed with Iowa out of school, but would eventually play for Iowa Western a JUCO school.  He was a triple threat for the school and would play WR, QB and LB.  David rushed 33 times for 188 yards and one TD while throwing for 132 yards and one score for Iowa Western which would eventually land him on Bethune Cookman’s roster in Daytona Beach. David played a couple games last year at QB for Bethune and he was a beast at the helm. He threw for a total of 409 yards with three touchdowns on 22-of-38 passing, with only one interception on the year. Last year David played wide out as well.  Keep an eye on this athlete, because he could be a huge asset to some team looking for a dual threat player.

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

I had about 20 offers like LSU, Syracuse, Iowa, UCF, Arkansas, Ole Miss

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

It was St. Louis Rams. Player: Torry Holt

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

I peak at pre-snap and post-snap coverage and also look for different techniques and tendencies to determine play.

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