HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … North Carolina Central.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Compare Any Two FCS Teams [divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (7-4)
The MEAC (Tied for 4th in MEAC)
COACH: Granville Eastman – 1st year (0-0)
2017 OFFENSE: 21.5 ppg (76th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 19.2 ppg (21st in FCS)
SUM IT UP: The Eagles were the kings of the close game in 2017, with a touchdown or less settling 6 of its contests (4-2 record in those games). The team played brutally tough defense and the offense was young and returns a lot of talent, both up front and behind the line of scrimmage. Even with a lot of key departures from that vaunted defense, expect more of the same stifling style of play. This program will have to deal with what seems on paper to be a tougher MEAC this year, but has proven to be a consistent winner and has considerable talent on the roster. Road trips to Norfolk State and Bethune Cookman will likely be the difference in where this team lands in the MEAC standings, as North Carolina A&T, Howard and FAMU will all be coming to Durham. Road trips are daunting, and could define the program.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Aside from the short trip to Duke and its game against reigning HBCU National Champion (and loaded) North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central will not be considered a clear underdog in any other game. Its two toughest MEAC games (aside from NC A&T) are at home. So the ceiling for the Eagles seems like 8 or 9 potential wins, but with this much parity in the MEAC there is potential for a 6 or 7 win season too. We'll go with N.C. Central punching the ticket on 7 wins this year, just like it did last year, but some new names on defense will need to step up.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: DB Davanta Reynolds (1st Team MEAC – 6 INTs, 54 tackles)
THE NEXT BEST: DL Kawuan Cox (1st Team MEAC – 8 sacks, 5 hurries, 43 tackles); RB Isaiah Totten (718 yards rushing 5 TDs); TE Josh McCoy (3 receiving TDs, 2nd Team All MEAC); OL Nick Leverett (2nd Team All MEAC); OL Marley Conley (2nd Team All MEAC); QB Chauncey Caldwell (1,411 yards 10 TDs; 495 yards rushing, 5 TDs); DL Randy Anyanwu (5.5 TFLs, 7 hurries, 30 tackles).
TOP NEWCOMER: WR Daeshawn Stephens (N.C. State transfer)
DID YOU KNOW?: Herman Boone, the high school football coach made famous when Denzel Washington portrayed him in the movie Remember the Titans, is a North Carolina Central alum.
THE QUOTE: "I am so proud and happy for my friend Jerry Mack. I wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter of their journey. I am most proud of what we have established here at North Carolina Central University. Coach Mack was the architect for designing a football program for success both on and off the field. I consider it an honor and a privilege to carry on the tradition of excellence in his footsteps." — coach Granville Eastman said when he was named interim coach after head coach Jerry Mack took another position
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #NCCUFootball
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @NCCU_Football
Check out this one-handed touchdown catch by Josh McCoy in @NCCU_Football spring game today. #NCCU @NCCUAthletics #ABC11 @ABC11_WTVD @jam_22_ pic.twitter.com/6HkCcvCmjA
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetABC11) April 21, 2018
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FCS QB TRANSFERS: Who Tops The List?
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PREVIEWING THE REST OF THE MEAC
Beth.-Cookman | Delaware St. | Florida A&M
Howard | Morgan St. | Norfolk St.
N.C. A&T | N.C. Central | Savannah St. | S.C. State
