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.
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.
The only saving grace of this sweltering August heat is that it signifies the end of ‘Silly Season’. You know what Silly Season is right? It’s the time between the end of Spring football and the launch of the new season. It’s the time when the information void gets filled with guesswork, misguided enthusiasm and exaggerated claims of how good the home team will be; while the other squads are vilified and damned.
Let me phrase it this way. My high school football coach was also a hunting enthusiast. He would often say “when the tailgate drops, the bullspit stops”; except he didn’t say “spit” if you know what I mean. It became a rally call for us; kinda like that black hat that brother threw 20 feet in the air on a Montgomery Riverfront but I digress.
Here is what he meant by it.
On a typical hunting trip, the guys would load up a pickup truck with the dogs and essential equipment. They would share laughs and jokes along the way. The dogs were still treated like pets and extensions of the family. However, once they reached the hunting grounds, the atmosphere shifted. The laughter ceased and the dogs stopped being family pets and gave way to their primal instincts. Once the tailgate drops the guns, the boars, the untamed wilderness all become real.
King Robert Baratheon would have never been fatally injured by a boar and lost the Iron Throne had he embraced this principle more seriously.
I know college football isn’t exactly “Game of Thrones” but the point is still valid. The tailgate is just about ready to drop and it is time for the bullcrap to stop!
Once it does, all of the expert prognostications, star ratings, and preseason rankings won’t matter. The players who feel like they have been slept on, disrespected, and overlooked will soon have the opportunity to prove it outside of social media and on the gridiron. The stage is almost set for real games, with real opponents, and real consequences.
A glance at the SWAC landscape reveals a ton of unpredictability, not the least of which is a shortage of proven quarterbacks throughout the league. That’s not to say that there aren’t talented guys vying to be their squads’ top signal callers. There are plenty of talented players, including quarterbacks, in this league; but being proven and being talented are two completely different phenomenons. The real question is who can translate talent into performance. FAMU’s Jeremy Moussa and Texas Southern’s Andrew Body have proven their worth at the position. Everyone else is hoping that they have found their guy.
To muddy things up even more in the SWAC East, half of the division welcomes first year head coaches (BCU, JSU and MVSU); and all of the schools in the East added at least 20 new players through the transfer portal.
When you sum all of these things up, I think it is next to impossible to truly predict how this season is going to play out. About the only thing that I am willing to bet on is that the SWAC will be full of surprises. The good news is that in less than 30 days, questions will be answered the only place that really matters: ON THE FIELD.
Summer is officially upon us and the weather is not the only thing heating up in Daytona Beach. Bethune-Cookman University’s new head football coach, Raymond Woodie, has been working feverishly to restore his alma mater’s winning ways. With a focus on revamping the roster, Woodie is assembling an impressive group of talented players that have fans buzzing with excitement.
BCU held the dubious distinction of being the only Division One Football program who did not have a head coach when National Signing Day 2023 rolled around. As a result, only twelve players signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Wildcats back in February. However, Coach Woodie’s reputation as a top-notch recruiter has attracted the attention of talented athletes from across the country who are eager to be a part of his vision for the program. Since National Signing Day, more than 30 players have been brought in to help overhaul Bethune-Cookman’s roster.
Woodie’s first wave of additions include a mix of FBS/FCS transfers, JUCO standouts, and highly-rated high school recruits, all of whom bring unique skills and experiences to the team. Let’s take a closer look at each group.
FBS/FCS transfers:Woodie wasted no time in bolstering the roster with Division I talent, specifically talent from around “The Sunshine State”. 10 of BCU’s 14 Division One transfers are either from or played college football in the state of Florida. Former University of Florida running back, Iverson Clement, headlines this group. Clement is a former 4⭐️ recruit who made a stop at Temple University before announcing his commitment to BCU.
Cam Ransom helped lead Florida powerhouse Seffner Armwood to the state championship finals before signing with Georgia Southern. Ransom and Delaware State transfer Tylik Bethea will look to take charge of an inexperienced quarterback room and add stability and depth to the position.
In one of the coolest stories in the country, Aaron Overton Jr. transfers in from Nevada and will join his older brothers Kahlil and Cameron on Bethune’s roster.
Tink Boyd transfers in from Va Tech and is one of 8 new wide receivers.
3⭐️ Jaylin Terzado, WR, 6’0”, 175, Western Carolina
2⭐️ Baba Conate, LB, 6’2”, 230, FIU
Aaron Overton, DL, 6’3”, 285, Nevada
Tink Boyd, WR, 5’11”,185, Virginia Tech
Tylik Bethea, QB, 6’6”, 215, Delaware State
Kiwon Harris, DB, 6’1”, 210, WKU
Hallston Fergilus, OL, 6’4”, 310, Delaware State
JUCO standouts: In addition to the FBS/FCS transfers, Woodie has also targeted standout players from the junior college ranks from as far away as California and Australia. JUCO standouts often bring a level of maturity, experience, and proverbial ‘chip on the shoulder’ that can be invaluable to a team. With their experience and skill set, they will provide depth and competition at key positions, pushing the entire team to elevate their game.
JUCO Signees:
Johnny Harris III, DB, 6’3”, 180, Garden City CC
Chris McAlpin, OL, 6’3”, 300, Chabot JUCO
Miguel Sahagun, OL, 6’5”, 285, OL, College of San Mateo
Ebenezer Dibula, DL, 6’3”, 285, Minn St. JUCO (Prior Bethune-Cookman player)
Jalen Brown, WR, 6’6” 220, Louisburg CC
Cade Hechter, P/K, Pro Kick Australia
Highly touted high school signees, including a few 3 star recruits, will look to contribute early and help with the rebuild. Several of the high school signees chose the hBCUroute over larger FBS programs. Donteye Drew held offers from schools like Appalachian State, Ja’Vieane Stephens held offers from UCF, Kyon Calhoun held offers from USF amongst others.
High School Signees:
3⭐️ Ja’Vieane Stevens, LB, 6’0” 205, Dunbar
3⭐️ Anthony Alonzo, Athlete, 5’11”, 185, Oakland Technical, CA
3⭐️ Kyon Calhoun, WR, 6’5”, 200, Cocoa HS
Donteye Drew, DL, 6’1”, 275, Tampa Bay Tech
Sir Bo Reed, WR, 6’4, 205, Booker T Washington (Pensacola)
Brandon Armenteros, WR. 6’3”, 200, West Broward HS
Jayson Edwards, OL, 6’7”, 330, Spruce Creek
Payton Doucet, LB, 6’3”, 200, Ridge Point, (Missouri City, TX)
The impact of this talent infusion may not be felt immediately as it often takes time for players to adjust to the college game and develop chemistry with their teammates. What is already being felt is a new energy and enthusiasm around the team as the Wildcats look to reestablish their winning tradition.
Count us among those who are excited to see what the team will achieve under Woodie’s guidance.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University Director of Athletics Reggie Theus announced today (February 6, 2023) the appointment of Raymond Woodie as Head Football Coach. Woodie, 49, becomes the 16th head coach of Bethune-Cookman Football.
Raymond Woodie Jr. -Credits The Atlantic
“A new era at Bethune-Cookman University begins today,” said Interim President Lawrence M. Drake II, Ph.D. “Word of our pending new leadership has been hard to contain, so we are thrilled to officially welcome Raymond back home to Bethune-Cookman University. Throughout our search process, we stressed the need for a leader who understands our university’s history, traditions, and values, in addition to possessing firm athletic leadership prowess. Coach Woodie embodies each of these qualities.”
Woodie, a four-year letterwinner as a linebacker and 1996 graduate of Bethune-Cookman College, takes the helm of Wildcats Football following an impressive career as an assistant coach at numerous Power 5 schools including Florida Atlantic University (2020-22), Florida State University (2018-19), the University of Oregon (2017) and the University of South Florida (2013-16).
“We are elated to have Raymond Woodie, Jr. return to Bethune-Cookman University to lead our storied football program,” Director of Athletics Reggie Theus said. We felt confident in his experience, his leadership, and his ability to embrace the spirit of our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in this 100th year of B-CU football. We are locked in the vision for providing a championship culture through his detailed plan for recruiting academically talented student athletes, along with a sustained desire to provide a high-level experience. It’s evidently clear why Coach Woodie has had terrific success in his journey; and we look forward to his return to Daytona Beach and starting this new era.”
Woodie has been recognized as one of the premier recruiters in college football, serving as an assistant under Head Coach Willie Taggart across multiple coaching stops. He has recruited seven players that were eventually selected in the NFL Draft.
“As a parent, Coach Woodie is the type of person you want your son coached by,” said Leslie Frazier, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. “He is a tremendous leader, person of integrity, and will do the right thing at all costs. Your son will be mentored and treated in the right way. He’s the ideal choice and I look forward to him having much success at his alma mater, Bethune Cookman.”
During his time with Oregon in 2017, Woodie was named the No. 1 recruiter in the PAC-12, as well as No. 13 in the nation by 247 Sports. Woodie led the way in signing the American Athletic Conference’s top-ranked classes in 2014 and 2015, in addition to the top class in the Sun Belt Conference in 2010 and 2011. Woodie was named AAC Top Recruiter by Rivals in 2014, and Sun Belt Recruiter of the Year by Scout/FoxSports.com in 2012.
“Coach Woodie is an unbelievable recruiter and an even better person,” said Forrest Lamp, NFL offensive lineman and one of Woodie’s recruits at Western Kentucky. “Coach Woodie hasn’t coached me in 10 years but has stayed in contact the entire time. I think that says more about the man than any stat could. He truly cares and always has the kids’ best interest in mind. I am so excited to see what the future holds for Coach Woodie and the Wildcats!”
Most recently, Woodie served as Associate Head Coach at Florida Atlantic, where he worked primarily with special teams and oversaw all aspects of recruiting in the role of recruiting coordinator for the Owls.
“I am extremely happy for Raymond Jr. and Stephanie,” Said Coach Willie Taggart. “Bethune Cookman University is getting a man of God, and a leader of men. He is an outstanding recruiter and a coach that will get the best out of his student athletes and staff, on and off the field. Raymond Jr. will make the Wildcat nation proud!”
In his time as a student-athlete at Bethune-Cookman, Woodie was a two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) First Team Defense selection, as well as a two-time Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) All-America selection. He was also the first Bethune-Cookman student-athlete to be named a GTE Academic All-American and have $25,000 donated to the University in his name.
Darryl Powell hauls in a catch vs UCF
Photo Credits: Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel
This will sound a little bonkers to you if you only casually followed Bethune-Cookman football through the first two weeks of the season but hear me out. Despite their 0-2 record and despite yielding 1,141 yards of total offense in those two games, Bethune-Cookman has shown me enough to believe they will fair well in SWAC play this season.
I fully admit I often see-through maroon and gold lens. Fair enough. But I am offering an objective analysis this time. I promise! I think!
So here goes my reasoning. I had a group chat rolling last Saturday evening during the UCF vs BCU game. It was the same group chat I had rolling when the Wildcats traveled to El Paso to face UTEP but I digress. There were three active football coaches in that chat. The exact quote from one of those coaches was “after 5 quarters of watching BCU this year, we can all agree that they are a good FCS football team.” They matched up well against UTEP from a size, speed and athleticism standpoint and there were several guys who really popped out against UCF as well.
Now admittedly, that chat thread grew awfully quiet by midway through the 2nd quarter of play against UCF, however, the thought process remains. I saw enough positive things and heard enough positive feedback from guys who know what they are talking about to feel pretty good about BCU Football as they enter the portion of the season that truly matters.
We won’t have to wait long before the Wildcats start to prove or disprove these assumptions.
Reigning HBCU National Champions Alabama A&M roll into Daytona stadium this Thursday evening in what will be Bethune-Cookman’s first ever SWAC conference contest. The Bulldogs head into the contest winners of seven straight including a 42-41 shootout against South Carolina State in Week One. Brian “Juice” Jenkins Jr., former Daytona Beach Mainland standout and son of former Wildcat head coach Brian Jenkins Sr. had a game high 112 yards receiving against South Carolina State. Cookman’s defense will have their hands full trying to slow down Jenkins, SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Aqeel Glass and Connell Maynor’s high octane offense.
Glass’ 426 yards passing and 4 touchdown tosses this season is almost identical to BCU talisman, Shannon Patrick’s 453 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. The glaring difference being Glass’ stats all came in one game compared to Patrick doing it over two. Granted, Patrick led his team against two FBS opponents including one that is headed to the Big 12. The playing field levels out beginning this week when the Wildcats begin a stretch run of 9 straight contests against FCS competition.
Credits: Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel
Alabama A&M’s undersized front seven surrendered 242 yards on the ground against SCSU. Meanwhile the Cats’ Que’shaun Byrd is averaging 6.7 yards per rushing attempt with a long of 68 yards this season. We fully expect the Wildcats will look to take advantage of Byrd’s playmaking ability and their size advantage in the trenches this week.
Defensive Coordinator Yogi Jones has shown great patience in sticking with a ton of shell coverage so far. I suppose you can say there has been a lot of “bend” in the defense. Unfortunately for the Wildcats and their “bend but don’t break” philosophy, the “but don’t break” part of the moniker has been absent from the D. Opponents have scored touchdowns on 11 of 13 Red Zone tries and the defense has only forced 5 punts this season. Ouch. The Wildcats have to find a way to limit the Bulldogs to kicking situations. Maybe that comes through pressuring Glass and forcing punts. Maybe that comes by forcing field goal tries once inside the Red Zone. Either way, Cookman’s defense has to find a way to slow down this Bulldog offense.
In addition to Byrd proving himself as a reliable playmaker, pass catchers Darryl Powell Jr., Marcus Riley and Kemari Averett have all proven to be matchup problems. Bethune-Cookman should not have many issues moving the ball against the Bulldogs. It will be critical that the Wildcats finish drives with touchdowns because I believe the first team to score 38 wins this contest.
I also believe this is an excellent opportunity for Terry Sims’ men to plant their flag and remind the HBCU World that the Wildcats are 8-0 against SWAC competition since 2006. We think…I repeat think Bethune-Cookman is a good football team. We will follow up on that assumption in less than 72 hours. See you all at 7:30pm, Thursday, September 16th at Daytona Stadium.
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HBCU Sports Aficionados, Bryan Harvey and Bradford Gillens, join Hail Wildcats to discuss BCU’s move to the SWAC. What should Wildcat/SWAC fans expect? What’s the future of the MEAC? How do BCU athletic teams stack up against SWAC foes? Tune in to find out.
