The 2004 edition of Norfolk State football will feature a motivated team eager to improve on last year’s 1-11 season. With approximately 50 newcomers and three new assistant coaches in addition to the returning players, head coach Willie Gillus is looking forward to the new season.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Spartans heading into the fall:

Quarterback
Dontrell Leonard (6-3, 235) heads into his final season for the Spartans having led the team in passing each of the last three seasons. Last year, he passed for a career-high 1,497 yards and seven touchdowns in just nine games. Senior Mark Jefferson (6-0, 210) also returns, but his duties last season were limited to holding for extra points and field goals. Jamar Johnson (6-2, 205), a freshman from Norfolk, Va., is one of the Spartans’ top newcomers. The same can also be said for junior-college transfer Brandon Brooks (6-0, 185) and sophomore Antione Alston (6-2, 210), a transfer from Virginia Union who sat out last year. All five players will get a crack at the starting position.

Running Backs
This could be one of the team’s deeper positions. Redshirt junior Terrell Johnson (5-11, 185) has led the team in rushing and was named to the All-MEAC second team in each of his first two years. He ran for a team-high 655 yards in 10 games last season. Sophomore Monte Anthony scored five touchdowns, tied for the team lead, and was named NSU’s Rookie of the Year last season as Johnson’s back-up. Maurice Thornton (5-5, 140) showed good speed as an occasional third-down back last season. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry in limited opportunities.Junior Gary Franklin (5-10, 190) will make his debut after gaining almost 500 yards for Grossmont Community Junior College in California, one of the top junior-college teams in the nation in 2003. Markeycion McKinney (5-10, 245) returns for his final season at fullback. He is a strong blocker who can also run and catch the ball out of the backfield.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Howard Gilmore (6-2, 180) enters his senior season as one of the top targets in the MEAC. He was second in the conference last season with 47 catches for 829 yards, and also broke the single-game school records for receptions (13) and yards (305) in the season finale at Morgan State. NSU must, however, replace the production of last year’s other main target, Darryl Johnson. He had 39 catches for 623 yards, both of which were second on the team. Robbie Delgardo (5-10, 165) and James Callaham (6-2, 190), who in 2003 had 14 and five receptions, respectively, will have the chance to play extensively. So will sophomore Errol Henry (6-0, 180), who played sparingly last season. Victor Cobbs (6-4, 210) has moved to receiver from tight end and will battle for time, as will speedy newcomer Emery Sammons (6-2, 185).
At tight end, Brandon Feagin (6-3, 235) made nine receptions last season after replacing the injured Goodluck Owi in the starting lineup. Feagin, however, will play on the defensive side of the ball this season. That leaves redshirt freshman Dexter Bailey (6-5, 230) and sophomore Jonathan Allen (6-4, 210), a converted receiver, to man the tight end spot.

Offensive Line
The line is an area of emphasis for the coaching staff heading into the season. NSU lost three starters from a line that was inconsistent in 2003. The two returning starters are Terrence Gibson (6-5 ½, 310) and Tevis Terrell (6-4, 375). Gibson started every game at right tackle, while Terrell played some at both guard positions. Terrell enters the fall as Gibson’s backup at right tackle. Senior Tyrus Lassiter (6-2, 310) also had starting experience last season and may start at a guard spot. Redshirt freshman Jason Kressen (6-3, 315) enters the fall as the projected starter at center. A large group of newcomers, led by JUCO transfers Rushawn Moulton (6-2, 305), Charles Smith (6-7, 325) and Robert Patmon (6-4, 290) and freshman Brandon Nance (6-3, 290), will also be a factor.

Defensive Line
This is another area of concern for the coaching staff. NSU allowed 258 rushing yards per game last season and loses all four starters from its 2003 line. The biggest loss is Brent Sanders, who in eight games had 62 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The unit particularly struggled in the four games he missed with injury. Roy Lawrence (30 tackles) and Mike Whittington (51 tackles, 12.5 for loss) are also gone. The top returnees are sophomores Donovan Jackson (6-4, 330) and Jamaal Richardson (6-4, 245). Jackson made nine tackles, 1.5 for loss, and Richardson made 14 tackles, 5.5 for loss, in mostly reserve duty last season. Virginia Union transfer Willie Walker (6-4, 275) will likely start at one tackle spot, and all positions will be open for competition. Feagin, who moves over from tight end, looked strong in the spring at end. New defensive coordinator Charles Huff will look to other new players to add depth.

Linebackers
Linebacker should be one of the Spartans’ defensive strengths heading into the season with senior co-captains Kevin Talley (6-0, 230) and Ben Harges (6-1, 225) leading the way. Talley, the 2004 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, is a first-team All-MEAC and second-team All-American linebacker who set the new NCAA record for tackles in a season in 2003. Harges was second in the MEAC with 125 tackles. The other starter from 2003, Bevon Miller (6-1, 210), also returns, but will move to safety. He made 61 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and had three sacks from his outside linebacker spot. Dawayvon Clanton (6-0, 220) moves into the starter’s role vacated by Miller. Samuel Lawson (6-1, 210), who made nine stops last year, mostly on special teams, also returns. As many as six new players may also figure into the mix at linebacker.

Secondary
NSU returns one starter from the 2003 squad: sophomore strong safety Dontae Anderson (5-11, 215), who had 57 tackles, six for losses, and was a hard-hitter in the secondary last season. The top three corners from last year’s team, Clarence Johnson (50 tackles), Anthony Owens (three interceptions) and Charles Cox (23 tackles, two interceptions) are all gone. Roy Anderson (5-11, 185), who sat out last season, assumed one starting role in spring ball and played well. He has good speed. Alvin Anderson (5-11, 190), a redshirt freshman, will also get the chance to start. A promising group of freshmen, led by Daniel Hammett (5-11, 180) and Fred Killings (5-9, 170), will also get a chance to play.

Special Teams
Sophomore Antonio Gomez (5-10, 170) attempted every punt, field goal and extra-point last season as the only kicker on the roster. He will be backed up this year by freshman Diego Arias (6-2, 215). Competition is open among the kick and punt returners.