HERO Sports welcomes you to "Three-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 126 FCS programs from June 17 to August 6. Then, we'll preview all 13 conferences from August 12-15. Today, we present … Presbyterian.
We'll leave no stone left unturned when it comes to giving the FCS diehards all they could ask for this offseason. Learn about every program in the country, with HERO Sports.
[divider]MORE FCS FOOTBALL:
- FCS Home
- FCS Preview Schedule – Team Links
- The HERO Sports Preseason Top 25 Poll
- Preseason All-American Teams
[divider]
PRESBYTERIAN (2-8 IN 2018)
BIG SOUTH (PC was 6th in 2018)
COACH: Tommy Spangler – At School: 9th year (48-39 record) Overall: Same
LAST FCS POSTSEASON: None
2018 OFFENSE: 14.2 ppg. (120th in FCS)
2018 DEFENSE: 29.6 ppg. (73rd in FCS)
KEY GAME: Sept. 14- vs. Jacksonville: PU is testing the Pioneer Conference waters with a game at home with JU. This should be a good indicator of where things are heading.
SUM IT UP: The Blue Hose have had one winning season since 2010. It hasn't been an easy road since coming to the FCS/I-AA level that season. While this program has beaten Clemson and South Carolina and played in a bowl game in days "back then", things have changed a ton in college football and Presbyterian College decided it was time to change to non-scholarship FCS football and join the Pioneer League in 2021, which still … isn't exactly "easy". The Pioneer League has produced some strong teams (San Diego beat scholarship Big Sky teams twice in the 2016 and 2017 postseasons) and there have been NFL Draft Picks from these ranks in recent years.
Offensively, there's a nice core of players to work with in leading receiver Keith Pearson, O-lineman Eli Teeselink and RBs Zola Davis (South Carolina Gamecock fans might remember that name) and Jarius Jeter. This is proven talent within the Blue Hose structure and they should be considered cornerstones of the 2019 effort.
On defense, you have to love the fight in linebackers Jarrett Nagy and Colby Campbell. They combined for 180 tackles and were two underclassmen bright spots for the Blue Hose. The secondary has some serious "pass defending" talent back too in Trent Carrington and Rod Haygood.
OUR TAKE: Presbyterian will have its hands full in the Big South, as the league continues to get stronger. The Blue Hose have the balance to battle for wins, but the road won't be easy looking at this schedule.
[divider]SUBSCRIBE: HERO Sports FCS Podcast
COUNTDOWN: The Best Player in FCS Who Wears Each Number, 1-99
[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: Jr./LB Colby Campbell (2nd Team All Big South – 90 tackles led the Blue Hose, 7 TFLs)
THE FOUNDATION: Soph./LB Jarrett Nagy (HERO Sports Freshman All American last year – 89 tackles – 2nd on team); Sr./OL Eli Teeselink (29 career starts on OL); Jr./WR Keith Pearson (leading receiver 52 catches, 565 yards, 2 TDs); Jr./CB Dirk Cureton (53 tackles, 6 PD); Sr./RB Zola Davis (44 yds rushing, 2 TDs); Jr./DB Trent Carrington (48 tackles 7 PD); Jr./DB Rod Haygood (40 tackles, 9 PD).
THE QUOTE: "I thought it was a good end to our spring practice today and I think it’s a good building block to head towards next season. I want to thank everyone that came out and supported this team today we had a great turnout from the community" — Head Coach Tommy Spangler said during spring ball
[divider]
WERE WE RIGHT?: Last Year's Presbyterian Preview
FCS 2020 NFL PROSPECTS: The List
BEST FCS TRADITIONS: The List
[divider]
PREVIEWS: The Rest Of The Big South
Campbell | Charleston Southern | Gardner-Webb
Hampton | Kennesaw State | Monmouth
North Alabama | Presbyterian
[divider]
SUBSCRIBE: HERO Sports FCS Podcast
