“We’ve had some good days,” Odums said. “Guys are retaining information. This is the hardest week. That second week — pushing through, challenging themselves physically and mentally. But we’ve got a good spirit about ourselves. A lot of guys have been through this and have an understanding of how to prepare (and are) getting those younger guys up to speed with it. The tough camp is always your first camp. We’re here to schedule, we’re doing things the right way.”

After giving Norfolk State’s first practice a “B” grade last week, Odums said the Spartans are still hovering around that grade this week. He added the Spartans’ energy levels weren’t where they needed to be Tuesday, but execution-wise his team was trending in the right direction.

“There are some ebbs and flows to our energy levels,” Odums said. “That’s what we gotta get out of. We got to be excited. It’s tough during camp, but we got to be excited to be out here with a chance to get better.”

Slight position change for All-MEAC defender

Media members have been permitted to watch the last hour of two practices so far during fall camp. In both practices, redshirt junior linebacker Daylan Long could be seen working with the safeties.

Odums and defensive coordinator Steve Adams confirmed Tuesday that Long will be playing nickel for the Spartans this year.

“This is where he should have probably been at least last year,” Adams said. “But because of necessity, because when his brother (former NSU linebacker Tyler Long) transferred, we had to keep him there. We didn’t have any experienced linebackers because behind there were a bunch of freshmen.”

Long was named to the All-MEAC second team last year as a linebacker, starting 10 games and recording 41 tackles and three sacks. Of the 422 snaps he played on defense last year, 359 came playing in the box, while just 34 came in the slot corner position, according to Pro Football Focus. Long, who transferred to Norfolk State from Miami (Ohio) in 2022, has embraced the position change so far.

“My freshman year (at Miami), I was supposed to play that position anyway,” Long said. “But they needed me at the Will linebacker position. Then when I came here, they needed me at the Will linebacker position, too. So I just did what the team needed me to do. Now I’m doing what I wanted to do.”

Long said his skillset, specifically his speed, has made the transition to playing nickel natural thus far.

“He plays so aggressive,” Adams said. “When he sees that ball, his job is to trigger, and he’s going to trigger, and he’s going to fit fast. He’s just an instinctive player in that way. But then certainly, he can help us in space. … He just plays it at a different speed and he’s feeling really, really comfortable.”

Spartans sport deep linebacker room

Norfolk State’s linebacker room is one of the several position groups benefiting from increased experience in 2024.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Spartans had five linebackers log a total of 1,381 snaps in 2023. This year, Norfolk State returns all but one of those players and adds a few transfers, giving Adams plenty of cause for excitement about his defense.

“We didn’t lose one starter to the transfer portal,” Adams said. “We lost three seniors to graduation and then as a whole team, we lost five. … They’re buying into the process and we’re finally getting the roster and the locker room where it needs to be. In this game, it ain’t so much X’s and O’s, it’s the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s.”

Sophomore AJ Richardson played the most of any linebacker on the roster last year. As a true freshman, he led the team with 69 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, landing him in the top three of the MEAC in both categories. Richardson said he’s feeling confident about his development heading into year two as well as the depth the linebacker room will have this season.

“Experience is the best teacher,” Richardson said. “So with us being experienced, we’re gonna have a lot of guys that’s on the field that have played before and have been in those tough moments and know what to do.”

Richardson was an All-MEAC player last year and also earned FCS Freshman All-American honors. Long said Richardson “exceeded” his role last year and is so talented, he “has no ceiling.”

“He’s developed his body, he’s developed his mind and he’s developed his leadership,” Odums said. “So he’s gotten better in all areas. As long as he keeps doing that, we’re gonna be a good football team.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

While there may have been some rust to kick off during day one, head coach Dawson Odums said the important thing is the early execution was there.

“They know what they’re doing,” Odums said. “ … I think when you look at it, do your guys know what they’re doing? Did it carry over from the summer? And I can say yes.”

Norfolk State will continue to practice without pads until Friday, when the Spartans will start to wear shells (shoulder pads and helmets), Odums said.

Quarterback update

Quarterback Otto Kuhns was back with the team during Wednesday’s practice after he was temporarily away from the squad in the spring. Odums said Kuhns rejoined the team during summer workouts.

When asked for details about Kuhns’ spring absence, Odums said it “wasn’t really a detailed thing.

“It’s just that, again, our decision-making has got to be better,” Odums said. “And when we make better decisions, better things happen for us. And life lessons take place, but other than that, he was still a part (of the team), but he just wasn’t out here (on the field).”

Kuhns started nine games last season and was named a preseason All-MEAC first-team selection Tuesday at MEAC Media Day. The senior has started 18 games at NSU and threw for 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

After regaining his starting spot last fall camp, it appears that Kuhns is in for another quarterback battle this year. Odums didn’t blatantly say it after practice Wednesday, but certainly alluded to it.

“We went 3-8,” Odums said. “And we got a lot of guys that are coming back that played for us. But we got guys that we brought in and we got to see. We got to see if the guys that played for us have gotten better. And we got to see if the guys we brought in deserve an opportunity. And that’s what we’re going to figure out in this camp.”

The media was permitted to watch the last hour of practice Tuesday and, during that time, Kuhns took reps with the second-string offensive unit. Garden City Community College transfer Jalen Daniels took the first-team reps.

Daniels, an Arizona native who started his career as a walk-on at South Carolina, threw for 1,282 yards with nine touchdowns last year at Garden City.

“He’s a football player,” Odums said. “He makes that room competitive and that’s what you want. You want to keep adding pieces to the room that makes that room competitive, but not only make you competitive — make it better. That’s what we feel like we got in adding him to that room.”

New assistant coaches

Norfolk State’s five new assistant coaches began their first call camp on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jason Phillips, wide receivers coach Tim Smith, offensive line coach Don Nelson, defensive line coach Aaron Tiller and cornerbacks coach Michael Johnson make up the new faces on Odums’ staff.

All but Smith were with the Spartans for their spring game in March.

Offensive lineman Garrison Wheatley, a preseason All-MEAC team honoree, said the addition of Nelson and Phillips to the staff made an immediate impact on the offensive line.

“Nelson has added a certain degree of technique to us and really is just grilling us on technique, technique, technique,” Wheatley said. “I think we’ve gotten better all over and I think we’re working better as a unit. So that way, we are better prepared for what’s up ahead.”

Returning experience inspires confidence

Norfolk State is returning 16 starters and 82 letter winners. That kind of depth and experience is just what the Spartans will need.

“We played with a lot of freshmen last year,” defensive back Terron Mallory said. “Now these guys are sophomores. They got a whole year under their belt, playing against talented teams. Playing against Temple, MEAC opponents and CAA opponents. So we’re going to build on (it) and camp is gonna help as well.”

Grade for the day: B

There’s always room for improvement and that was the case on Wednesday, with Odums giving the Spartans a “B” grade after day one of camp.

“I think from an execution standpoint, guys know where to go,” Odums said. “Our energy and enthusiasm is getting there. It was about a B today; we got to be at an A+. We’ll keep getting better. It’s just day one.”

Wheatley concurred with Odums’ grade for the first practice.

“It wasn’t our best day. It’s the first day, a lot to expect. Don’t know what’s gonna come out. But I feel like it was a good day. I think that’s a good score, a B. Definitely not perfect, but a solid start.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

Representatives from all six teams in the conference — including Norfolk State head coach Dawson Odums, tight end Ikeem Wright and defensive back Devon Allen — all gathered to meet with the media and discuss their outlook on the 2024 football season.

The Spartans finished 3-8 last season, but Odums believes his team is in the right spot after a good spring and summer.

“It went well,” Odums said of Norfolk State’s summer workouts. “Guys got a chance to come in and bond together. We got ahead with install and it makes it kind easier for us that we got a lot of guys that have played coming back. We thought we picked up right where we left off from spring football. (We’re) just jelling as a team and really working on what is it going to take for us to be successful and just trying to hone in on that over the summer.”

After Norfolk State’s spring game in March, Odums said he felt the Spartans were “just a couple guys away” from being in a spot where they could have lots of success. Ahead of fall camp, which opens Wednesday, Odums feels his roster is “on the right path.”

“We’re still trying to put this puzzle together,” Odums said. “… If we can keep guys in our locker room together and we can develop, I think that’s the calling card of what I bring to college football and what my history and my legacy has been about — is developing players. It takes time to develop. We’ve been blessed, we’ve kept a lot of our guys and we’ve went through some things together. Now I think guys can draw from those experiences and I think that’s what’s gonna propel us going forward.”

The Spartans were picked to finish fifth in the MEAC preseason poll for the second year in a row on Tuesday. Odums, along with both Wright and Allen, all said they don’t read too much into the preseason polls.

“It’s challenging, a little bit, but it’s just extra motivation, honestly,” Allen said.

Last season, Allen landed on the All-MEAC second team and was one of the highest-rated FCS corners in the country by Pro Football Focus. The Ocean Lakes High product entered the transfer portal in December, but ultimately decided to return to Norfolk State and went through all of spring practice and summer workouts with the Spartans.

“It feels good to be here to finish what I started,” Allen said. “So it feels good to be back with my brothers.”

Norfolk State had 12 players named to the preseason All-MEAC teams on Tuesday. Quarterback Otto Kuhns, defensive lineman Keshawn Lynch, linebacker AJ Richardson and defensive back Terron Mallory were all first-team picks.

Heading into fall camp, Wright feels like there’s plenty of momentum to be carried from spring ball and fall camp.

“I think we can dominate on both sides of the ball,” Wright said.

Both Allen and Wright are excited to put the pads back on with Norfolk State’s first game of the year just over a month away.

“I’m really excited to get back to football,” Allen said. “Everybody is ready to get back.”

MEAC preseason poll

First-place votes in parentheses

1. North Carolina Central (4)

2. Howard (4)

3. Morgan State (1)

4. South Carolina State (2)

5. Norfolk State (1)

6. Delaware State

MEAC Preseason Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year: Jarett Hunter, Howard

Defensive Player of the Year: Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard

Norfolk State’s All-MEAC selections

• QB Otto Kuhns, first-team offense
• DL Keshawn Lynch, first-team defense
• LB AJ Richardson, first-team defense
• DB Terron Mallory, first-team defense
• RB Kevon King, second-team offense
• C Garrison Wheatley, second-team offense
• OL Vincent Byrd Jr., second-team offense
• OL Samuel Eskridge, second-team offense
• LB Daylan Long, second-team defense
• P Noah Tracey, second-team defense
• PK Grandin Willcox, second-team defense
• RS Jaylen White, second-team defense

Michael Sauls, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com, (757) 803-5774

The 2011-12 men’s basketball team that knocked off No. 2 seed Missouri in the NCAA Tournament is joined by Charlotte Armstead (women’s volleyball), Michael Deloach (men’s basketball), David Kemboi (cross country and track and field), Juan Serran (baseball), Nat Warren (tennis) and administrator Shirley Whitaker. The induction ceremony will be Sept. 6.

The 2011-2012 basketball team won the program’s first MEAC title, but is most famous for its March Madness win. Norfolk State, a No. 15 seed, upset No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The win was the school’s first in the NCAA Tournament and just the fifth time a No. 15 seed defeated a No. 2. The Spartans notched 26 wins that season, the most in the program’s Division I history.

Armstead was a two-time All-MEAC honoree (2010 and 2012) in her four years with the volleyball team. She holds several career program records, including 1,777 kills, 1,399.5 points, 445 sets played, 264 total blocks and 211 solo blocks.

Deloach played for the men’s basketball team from 2006 to 2010. He earned All-MEAC first-team honors twice and a MEAC All-Tournament Team selection. He is first in the program’s Division I history with 672 career field goals, 537 free-throw attempts and is second in all-time scoring with 1,796 points. In his junior and senior years, he averaged more than 21 points per game, finishing his career with 15.5 points per game.

Kemboi is a member of the 2022 MEAC Hall of Fame class. He was at Norfolk State from 2005-07 and won MVP honors in all four MEAC events in which he ran. Kemboi was a two-time MEAC cross country champion and in 2006 was the first MEAC athlete to qualify for the NCAA National Cross Country Championships. His 8,000-kilometer time of 23:30 in 2005 is still the best time in MEAC history.

Serrano was a dominant third baseman on the baseball team. He became the Spartans’ only MEAC Rookie of the Year winner in 2004 and was the program’s only player to earn an All-MEAC first-team nod three times.

Warren was NSU’s first tennis head coach. He won two CIAA titles with the Spartans in Division II and helped guide them to Division I. Warren retired in 2009 with a 402-216 record and earlier this year Norfolk State renamed its tennis complex the “Nat Warren Tennis Center” in his honor.

Whitaker served the NSU athletics department as an administrative and program specialist for nearly 40 years before her retirement in 2010.

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

“As many of you know, I was supposed to be competing, but due to the MEAC’s failure to sanction our conference track meet, my qualifying time of 10.05 was rejected by USATF,” Cole said in the statement.

Thank you. pic.twitter.com/8TzGQpEp4t

— Kai Cole (@2FlyyKai) June 20, 2024

Cole clinched a MEAC title on May 8 by running 10.05 seconds in the 100-meter dash. The time was a personal best and was fast enough to qualify for the Olympic trials.

The Alexandria native said he attempted to appeal the decision made by USA Track & Field, but was unsuccessful. An email to Cole from USATF statistician Glen McMiken, obtained by WAVY-TV’s Craig Loper, said the meet where Cole ran his 10.05 was “not USATF sanctioned or listed on the World Athletics Calendar.”

“Despite my best efforts to appeal the decision, it was still denied, and unfortunately my university didn’t fully support me in effort to get the ruling overturned,” Cole said in the statement. “Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, so for this to be stripped away from me is truly heartbreaking.”

The MEAC released a statement Friday afternoon, saying its conference track and field championship is still an official NCAA Division I championship event, but policy changes by the USATF resulted in the event not being sanctioned by the USATF. The statement did not elaborate as to what policy changes were made.

“Although the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship remains an official NCAA Division-I championship event, USATF policy changes implemented this year resulted in the event not being officially sanctioned by USATF, making all competition results ineligible for Olympic Trial qualification,” the statement said. “We understand Kai’s frustration and took all available steps to rectify the situation so he could compete in the Olympic Trials — an opportunity he clearly deserves. The MEAC fully supports our member institutions and student-athletes as they pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. We are disappointed by the decision from USATF and are working to ensure our track and field championships are sanctioned USATF events moving forward.”

The U.S. trials began Friday in Eugene, Oregon, and will run through June 30.

Norfolk State Athletics released a statement on the matter Friday afternoon in support for its track star.

“It is with great disappointment that Norfolk State Athletics confirms the disqualification of Kai Cole’s 100-meter time, rendering him ineligible to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials,” the statement said. “This news comes as a profound blow to our athletics department, as Kai is one of our most outstanding student-athletes. Kai had earned the well-deserved opportunity to represent his country on the international stage, showcasing his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication. It is truly disheartening that he will not be able to pursue his dream of competing on one of the world’s biggest platforms this year.”

Cole also won the MEAC’s 200-meter dash in May with a time of 20.55. He won the conference championship in both the 100- and 200-meter dash last year. In February, Cole won his third straight MEAC indoor title in the 60 meters.

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

The San Antonio Brahmas will take on the Birmingham Stallions in St. Louis, marking the conclusion of the spring professional football league’s first season after the XFL and USFL merged last winter.

Wide receiver Justin Smith, linebacker Tavante Beckett and defensive end Tim Ward are all on the Brahmas’ roster and have connections to the 757. Beckett attended Indian River High in Chesapeake, Ward played for Old Dominion and Smith for Norfolk State.

Smith said Wednesday he and his teammates are realizing just how special an opportunity they have to be the UFL’s first champions.

“In 50 years, I’ll have a ring and if you go to Google (and search) ‘who won the first UFL championship,’ it’ll be our team,” Smith said. “So like all of us are taking that into account and really realizing we have a really, really, really big opportunity in front of us.”

Last year, Smith played for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, bringing in 16 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown. When the merger of the XFL and USFL was announced, Smith said he was worried what it would mean for his roster spot until San Antonio picked him up in the XFL dispersal draft.

“It definitely was a sigh of relief,” Smith said. “But going into it, it was more like all right, I gotta get back to work. Because it is two leagues joining together with way more talent, everything, like way more competition. So I had to lock in and make sure I was ready to go.”

Smith has played well in his second season as a pro. He’s currently third in receiving for San Antonio with 25 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown.

The Brahmas defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks 25-15 last weekend in the XFL conference championship game. Smith made a 63-yard touchdown catch early that helped San Antonio build an early lead and silenced the St. Louis crowd.

“From catching the ball and to the end zone, nobody really was around me,” Smith said. “I just took that moment in, hearing 35,000 people just go quiet. It was a great time, it was a good feeling.”

WE ARE HERE!!! @Justoo_ gives us another TD and it's 13-0! #TorosUnidospic.twitter.com/feVhsjjoKy

— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) June 10, 2024

Although Smith is a Richmond native, he knows he’ll be representing Hampton Roads on the national stage when he steps onto the field Sunday. It’s something he takes pride in.

“I’m always a Virginia advocate,” Smith said. “We got a lot of DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) guys here. So I feel like us and the DMV as a whole, we always get overlooked, but especially in Virginia. I’m gonna put on for the 804, of course, but going to Norfolk State, I really got a lot of love for 757. (There’s) a lot of talent that comes out of the 757. So, just being remembered as one of the guys to come out, especially for sports, with all the great athletes like Allen Iverson, Mike Vick, guys like that, it’ll be something for sure.”

As an alum of an HBCU and someone whose initial opportunity in the pros was catapulted by the XFL’s HBCU Showcase, Smith is hoping his success in the UFL is an example that anyone from Norfolk State or other HBCUs can achieve the same.

“Come to Norfolk State, you’ll get opportunities in the league,” he said. “A lot of talent comes through Norfolk State, a lot of talent in general at HBCUs. … So there’s a lot of talent out here at HBCUs and hopefully people are starting to open their eyes to it.”

The game

UFL championship

Sunday: Birmingham Stallions (10-1) vs. San Antonio Brahmas (8-3), 5 p.m. (WVBT)

757 connections in game

• San Antonio LB Tavante Beckett (Indian River HS)
• San Antonio OL Rashaad Coward (Old Dominion)
• San Antonio DE Tim Ward (Old Dominion)
• San Antonio WR Justin Smith (Norfolk State)

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

The sophomore outfielder was a bright spot during the Spartans’ 12-41 season, posting a .619 slugging percentage, .391 on-base percentage and .304 batting average.

Journette was named to the All-Northeast Conference second team last week. His selection marks the first time a Spartan has received all-conference recognition from the NEC since Norfolk State joined the conference in baseball.

The Richmond native also launched 15 home runs this year — the most by a Norfolk State player since Reggie Terry hit 15 in 1995. It ranked Journette third in the NEC. He was also No. 5 in the league in slugging percentage and No. 6 in triples.

Journette will travel to Houston this weekend to participate in the Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game alongside teammate Manny Jackson.

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

The Spartans will participate in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge alongside MEAC foe Delaware State and a pair of SWAC teams in Grambling and Alabama State.

Games will be played Dec. 19-20 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NSU will play Alabama State on Dec. 19 and then Grambling the next day.

“It’s exciting to be invited to the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge again,” Spartans head coach Robert Jones said in a release. “We have had success in this event before, and we are honored to be back!”

Paul, a 19-year NBA veteran and 12-time all-star, and his Chris Paul Family Foundation combined with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to merge the HBCU Tip-Off and Challenge into the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge.

“I’m excited to continue to grow the game of basketball through our HBCU tournaments,” Paul said in a release. “These games present a unique opportunity for student-athletes to play on a national stage and receive their well-deserved recognition. Collaborating with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Mohegan Sun and our partners provides the commitment needed to support HBCU schools and student-athletes.”

Norfolk State has competed in the event twice and has gone undefeated. In 2022, the Spartans beat both Hampton and Grambling when the event was called the Boost Mobile Chris Paul HBCU Challenge. In 2023, Norfolk State posted victories over Hampton and North Carolina A&T.

The Spartans finished 24-11 last season, were MEAC regular-season champions and won the CollegeInsider Tournament.

Tickets for the event will go on sale online on Sept. 6.

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

And for the third time, the Spartans won easily as they scored 204 points, 68 ahead of Howard. This was the program’s first outdoor three-peat since they won seven in a row from 2006-12.

Jumo, a slender 5-foot-10 Kenyan, won the 5,000 meters and 1,500 meters and was runner-up in the 800.

“I’m proud, I’m proud of myself,” said Jumo, who was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Track Athlete. “We’ve got a good team here and we push each other.”

For Cole, who is 5-foot-5, both of his races were too close to call.

In the 100 meters, he got out fast and had to hold off Coppin State’s Solomon Hammond. Cole ran 10.05 to Hammond’s 10.07.

Norfolk State senior Kai Cole narrowly wins the 100. He also won the 200 to help lead the Spartans to the 2024 MEAC Outdoor Championships. It's the Spartans' third consecutive title. The women finished runner-up. pic.twitter.com/3P0eWmcPIQ

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) May 8, 2024

The 200 meters was even closer.

He again jumped out to the lead. This time, it took nearly three minutes after the race to declare the winner.

“I could sure feel him coming, I’m not going to lie,” said Cole, who ran 20.549 to nip Delaware State’s Jalen Booth-Mitchell (20.550). “But I put all of my training to test, and just kept pushing and pumping my arms. A win is a win.”

The wins were impressive, but Cole’s times were eye-opening as both were personal bests. His previous bests were 10.24 in the 100 and 20.75 in the 200.

“I’m just glad that I was able to do it here, at my last time of running at MEACs,” said Cole, who also qualified for next month’s Olympic trials. “Just to be able to come out and drop my times by that much is just such a blessing.”

The Spartans padded their point total in the distance events as they scored 29 points in the 1,500, 25 points in the 5,000 and 22 in the 10,000.

Other winners were Raphael Kitur (10,000 meters), Basil Koech (3,000 steeplechase) and Isaac Haywood (triple jump).

The women, who finished as runner-up, were led by thrower Leslie Young, a Norcom High grad. She won the shot put, was second in the javelin and discus and fourth in the hammer,

“I was pretty confident about my abilities, but it was just the fact of, ‘Can I produce?’ ” she said. “I was glad that I was able to produce at this meet.”

Other women winners included Mercyline Kimaiyo (5,000 and 3,000 steeplechase), Yvone Sandui (800 and 1,500) and Nyla Ward (long jump).

Kempsville grad Noah Langford had a big day for Howard University as he won the 400 hurdles in a personal-best time of 50.57.

“I wanted that title. I woke up at seven this morning thinking about it. I couldn’t even sleep,” he said. “Just doing it in front of family and friends means everything to me.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

The Monarchs (26-22) finished with 15 hits and scored at least one run in seven innings, including five in the seventh.

ODU’s Kyle Edwards homered, singled, walked twice and finished with three RBIs.

Eli Weisner and Jake Thilges homered for VCU (28-20).

N.C. State 18, Norfolk State 0: The Wolfpack scored nine runs in the seventh inning en route to a seven-inning victory over Norfolk State on Tuesday in Raleigh.

N.C. State (27-18) finished with 15 hits, and four pitchers limited NSU (11-36) to three hits.