By Mr. Ed Hill
WASHINGTON – For each of the past two years, the Howard University football program has established itself as one of the conference’s top teams.
In 2022, the Bison made a strong statement, finishing MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) play in a tie (4-1) with North Carolina Central University (NCCU); however, the team lost in head-to-head battle versus the Eagles. Thus, NCCU went to the Cricket Celebration Bowl as the conference representative.
Last season, Howard again ended in a tie for first place, but this time, the Bison secured their position with a win over N.C. Central during the season; thus, turning the tables and securing its first-ever berth in the Celebration Bowl. Despite the disappointing 31-26 loss to Florida A&M, the Bison program showed that it is a force to be reckoned with moving forward.
SEASON OUTLOOK
So naturally, the hopes are high for the upcoming season. Although the Bison lost some key performers, there is enough returning talent, along with some newcomers, to continue to establish itself as an elite program and championship contender.
“We must learn to make a covenant with each other and commit to putting in the necessary work for the team to succeed,” said Howard football head coach Larry Scott. “We are learning what it truly means to operate as a championship program. Our focus must extend beyond the field to include excellence in the classroom and within the community.”
Scott went on to express pride in the exemplary leadership shown by the returning players, who are actively mentoring and integrating new team members with great enthusiasm. He commended both veteran and new players for their positive effort and camaraderie during the toughest week of camp, emphasizing their ‘I am my brother’s keeper’ mentality. He is also seeing impressive growth and talent from the new recruits while concentrating on developing the bottom third of the roster.
OFFENSE
Offensively, the Bison will have to replace Quinton Williams, a four-year starter and important ingredient in the team’s fortunes. There is a competitive battle among redshirt sophomore Ja’Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas), redshirt senior Jaylon Tolbert (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and North Carolina A&T State graduate transfer Zachary Yeager (Minneapolis). All three have the skills and ability to run the talented and balanced offensive attack.
Although the offensive line lost three key starters, the team returns one of the premier players on the FCS level in senior guard Darius Fox (Washington). A two-time All-MEAC selection and a first team preseason pick, Fox is confident that there will be no drop off, but the senior feels that the program has reached a point where the program can sustain consistency despite the loss of talent.
“On paper, we lost some experienced players,” admits Fox, a member of the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic team. “But I can relate to the group that we have returning and those coming in. When I first got here, I was in the same position as they are now. But I learned from the veterans and it helped slow the game down for me. Now, I find myself having to be a leader to help them make this transition.”
Redshirt sophomores Tavaris Ross (Glen Burnie, Md.) and Tim Artis Jr. (Charlotte, N.C.) and senior Jamal Hines (Lanham, Md.), along with some others, figure to make up the void.
That unit should have an easier time making that transition with the return of super running backs Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) and Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.). The dynamic duo were both named to the preseason first team backfield, a first in school history.
Hunter, the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 629 yards and nine TDs while grabbing 26 passes, good for two TDs. He has proven to be a dangerous player who has a knack for making the big play for the Bison. He has been named to several preseason watch lists.
James led the team in rushing with 627 yards and two TDs while catching 13 passes and a TD. He is one of the most dangerous players at his position in the league.
As an added bonus, the ball control offense has been Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.), an effective runner in the Wildcat as he showed last season. The senior multi-talented player rushed for 185 yards and five TDs from the Wildcat.
The receiving core is also more than solid with the return of Hawthorne, a first team All-MEAC selection and a big-play performer. Hawthorne grabbed 38 passes for three TDs. He also added the first TD pass of his career, making him a bona fide triple threat. Fellow senior wide receiver Richie Ilarraza (Clearwater, Fla.) quietly emerged by grabbing 32 passes, several coming on crucial third downs. Also figured to be in the mix is up-and-coming redshirt sophomore Breylin Smith (Winter Haven, Fla.), who came on strong and caught 22 passes and two TDs.
DEFENSE
Defensively, the Bison proved to be especially effective when it mattered. The unit was especially effective, ranking 10th in first down conversion defense.
Up front, the Bison will be looking for a big season from Jamel Stewart (Richmond, Va.) to improve on his last year’s surprise development. Stewart came on strong and emerged as a force, collecting 29 tackles, three sacks and a couple of tackles for losses. Also expected to contribute are junior defensive lineman Noah Miles (11 tackles and two sacks as a reserve) and redshirt junior defensive lineman Emerson Martin III (Raleigh, N.C.).
The linebacking core also has some outstanding returning performers, starting with Terrance Hollon (Cleveland), one of the premier linebackers in the MEAC. The senior linebacker led the team in tackles (66) and was second in tackles for losses (6.5). Hollon is a preseason all-conference selection and listed on several top player lists.
The secondary showed why it is regarded as one of the best in the FCS, ranking No. 1 in least passing per game allowed (129 yards). Arguably the deepest unit on the team, led by consensus All-American Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.).
A graduate defensive back has received more preseason accolades than any player in the history of the program. They are far too many to list, but a few include the Aeneas Williams Award Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List and Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List. He was also named the 2023 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2024 Preseason Defensive Player, continuing to build on his impressive resume.
On the field, the hard-hitting safety collected 65 tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. A knack for the big play, Gallop recorded an interception that preserved a homecoming win over Norfolk State, along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
“The honors are all very good from a personal standpoint,” notes Gallop, also a member of the MEAC Commissioner’s Academic team. “But the success of the program and what we have done is far more important than any individual accolades. We have established something here and look to continue that success.”
Gallop shares elite company in the vaunted secondary. Carson Hinton (Detroit), Jabari Knighten (Sebring, Fla.), Xavier Robiou (North Miami Beach, Fla.), Kaleb Gallop (Portsmouth, Va.) and Robert Jones III (Fairwood, Md.) comprise what is arguably the best secondary in the conference.
Hinton finished with 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Knighten (13 tackles and a pass breakup) and Robiou (17 tackles and a pass breakup) and Ka. Gallop (brother of Kenny) came on strong and figure to be even more effective with the experience under their belts and the familiarity of playing with each other.
It must be noted that Jones is quietly one of the most impactful players on the unit, recording 27 tackles in 10 games, but more importantly, led the team in pass deflections (5). His ability to shut down receivers has helped the secondary rank as one of the best in the FCS in pass completion percentage defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking chores will fall primarily on the leg of senior Dylan West (Akron, Ohio), who accounted for 36 of the team’s points as he went 36-of-38 on PAT conversions. Newcomer Mika Levy, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound freshman from Sarasota, Fla., comes in with impressive credentials and figures to be a factor.
SCHEDULE
The Bison again begin the season on the road when it takes on a FBS opponent. Howard plays Rutgers of the Big Ten Thursday Night, August 29, carried on the Big Ten Network.
There are some other intriguing matchups, including an annual tilt with rival Hampton, hosting Tennessee State for homecoming and a first-ever matchup against Princeton.
The conference schedule will again be a gauntlet. NCCU has been picked to win the league, ahead of Howard, but Morgan State has served notice the past two years that it is ready to make the leap. South Carolina State, as always, will be a factor under new head coach Chennis Berry. A young Norfolk State team gave HU the blues last year at Howard and Delaware State has developed into a rivalry, no matter the records.
“The schedule is certainly challenging,” acknowledges Scott. “We have some very tough games on the nonconference part of the schedule that will prepare us for those five league games. The thing that a schedule like this does is help prepare you for adversity. It puts you in situations where you have to figure things out.”
Scheduling also adds broadcasted games, which provides invaluable exposure.
“TV and streaming have now become the face of athletics,” Scott noted. “No question, the exposure helps in recruiting and getting us out in front.”
ACADEMICS
For the past few years, the program has set a standard for getting it done in the classroom. Last year, 42 student-athletes were named to the 2023 MEAC Commissioners All-Academic team with a number of Bison being selected to the MEAC Football All-Academic team.
“In building the program, it is not just about winning on the football field,” says Scott. “We also strive for excellence in the classroom. We want to make sure that everything we do is reflective of that balance. Our goal is to have a 3.0 GPA or better as a team.”
SUPPORT STAFF
As part of the success of any program, there are always the support staff that plays an important role behind the scenes. During his short tenure at Howard, Scott has built a strong support system.
To that end, he extended a special shout out to the Bison student workers, acknowledging their dedication to give up a part of their summer to contribute to the team in their unique roles.
“We would not be where we are without the hard work of everyone involved, from managers to trainers to equipment staff and recruiting professionals who are the backbone of our team’s success,” Scott added.
