Latest news with #TennesseeState
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
ACC quarterback headed to HBCU program
Former ACC quarterback Jack Brandon is headed to the HBCU ranks. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound passer spent the last four seasons at Boston College. He has now committed to Tennessee State University as the Tigers begin a new era under head coach Reggie Barlow. Brandon brings Power Five experience to an HBCU program fresh off a 9-4 season and a share of the OVC/Big South championship. Brandon never saw game action during his ACC career. Still, he showed promise at Cheshire Academy, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also played basketball and baseball, showing his all-around athleticism. His move from the ACC to an HBCU highlights the talent shift happening across college football. Tennessee State is undergoing big changes. Former head coach Eddie George led the Tigers to the FCS playoffs before leaving for Bowling Green. Reggie Barlow now takes over after a strong run with Alabama State and the XFL's DC Defenders. Brandon gives the staff a quarterback with size, arm talent, and leadership. The addition of an ACC quarterback helps boost Tennessee State's HBCU resurgence. It also signals that HBCU football is attracting talent from top conferences. Brandon's presence could help stabilize the offense during the coaching transition. Tennessee State has an unknown outlook heading into 2025. As the team adjusts to a new system, Brandon will have the chance to lead the way. His move from the ACC to an HBCU is one many players are making these days, including a player for Tennessee State's first opponent. Fans and scouts will watch closely to see how he performs. Brandon's development could be key to another strong run in the OVC/Big South. The post ACC quarterback headed to HBCU program appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU star makes 2025 All-UFL team
Chris Rowland continues to make his HBCU proud. The former Tennessee State standout has been named to the 2025 All-UFL Team as a wide receiver and return specialist for the DC Defenders. It's a well-deserved honor for one of the most electrifying players in spring football this season. Rowland made his presence felt all year long, consistently flipping field position and creating big plays for the Defenders. As a return specialist, he was a top ten performer in both punt return yardage and kickoff returns. Rowland averaged 21.9 yards on kickoff returns and 10.9 yards for punt returns. But Rowland wasn't just dangerous on special teams-he also proved to be a reliable target on offense. As a wide receiver, he's rated as the second-best pass catcher in the league with 42 receptions for 522 yards and 3 touchdowns in the regular season. His ability to get open in space and make defenders miss added another dynamic layer to the Defenders' offensive attack. Rowland's performance this season is another reminder of the high-level talent that comes out of HBCU programs. A former All-American at Tennessee State, he's now showing the professional football world what HBCU fans have known for years-Chris Rowland is the real deal. His selection to the All-UFL Team not only validates his work ethic and production but also raises his profile for potential NFL interest in the future. But his work isn't done yet, Rowland will lead the Defenders into a road game for the XFL Conference championship game on June 8 versus the St. Louis Battlehawks. The winner of that game will face the USFL Conference champions for the UFL championship on June 14. The post HBCU star makes 2025 All-UFL team appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Productive SWAC RB headed to Big South-OVC champs
Former Southern University running back Kendric Rhymes announced recently on social media that he will start the next chapter of his HBCU football career at Tennessee State. "LAST RIDE ?," Rhymes tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Rhymes decided to commit to Tennessee State after he entered the transfer portal on March 19. He shared a heartfelt note to Jaguar Nation about his plans to spend his additional year of HBCU football eligibility with the Tigers. "Thank you Jag nation for your unwavering support. To my coaches, teammates and fans-Southern will always have a special place in my heart," Rhymes wrote in the letter. Rhymes chose Tennessee State over offers from Texas Southern, University of Texas El Paso, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Towson. The Houston native joins a Tigers' program under first-year head coach Reggie Barlow, who replaced former head coach Eddie George. In 2024, TSU won the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference co-championship, marking the Tigers' first conference title since 1999. "Unbelievable! The chance to be at Tennessee State University, with its rich history, tradition, and legacy of amazing players and coaches – it's truly an honor to follow in their footsteps," said Barlow when hired in March. In three seasons at SU, Rhymes rushed for 1,625 yards on 331 carries, registered 21 touchdowns, and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In that span, he also caught 57 passes for 468 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per catch. Statistically, the 2024 campaign marked Rhymes's best outing. In that season, he rushed for career highs in yards (702), rushing attempts (158), rushing touchdowns (8), receiving yards (212), and average yards per catch (11.2). Southern used Kendric Rhymes in the backfield as part of a tandem with running back Kobe Dillon, who led the Jaguars in rushing yards (801) last season. Rhymes and Dillon played an integral part in helping the Jaguars win the SWAC West and appear in the 2025 SWAC championship game against Jackson State. The post Productive SWAC RB headed to Big South-OVC champs appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Five things to watch for in Week 7 of the 2025 UFL season
The DC Defenders have the UFL's leading passer in quarterback Jordan Ta'amu. But Ta'amu needs a consistent pass catcher to throw the ball to, and this year that has been Chris Rowland. The Tennessee State product leads the league in receiving yards (395) and is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (three). Rowland is also the UFL's leader in all-purpose yards (836). [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] At 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, Rowland doesn't overwhelm opponents with his size or speed. Instead, he's always exactly where he needs to be on the field, serving as a security blanket for Ta'amu. Rowland finished with nine receptions for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Defenders' loss to the Michigan Panthers last week. "He prepares every week the right way," Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris said about Rowland. "He prepares his body the right way. That's why he's able to be out there and sustain a lot of playing time. When he comes out to work for practice, he understands the scheme, week in and week out. He's really good at talking back with the quarterback, Jordan, in what he's seeing, so he over communicates. He's a pro's pro." Rowland will need to be at his best this weekend as the Defenders (4-2) push towards the playoffs, hitting the road to face the San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Then, the Arlington Renegades (3-3) host the Panthers (4-2) on Saturday (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Closing things out with a doubleheader, with the Houston Roughnecks (3-3) facing the Birmingham Stallions (4-2) — the defending champions' their third game in a row at Protective Stadium — on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the Memphis Showboats (1-5) playing host to the St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2) later that evening (3 p.m. ET). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 7: The Brahmas will stick with Hogan as the team's starting quarterback for a second straight week after he did a better job of creating explosive plays on offense in Week 6. Jarrett Guarantano will serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback, while Kellen Mond — the team's starter to begin the season — will serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback. San Antonio is averaging a league-low 11.8 points per game and hasn't scored a touchdown in the past two games. Interim head coach Payton Pardee will continue to serve as the team's head coach this week. However, Wade Phillips said he's in better health and plans to attend his team's game this weekend in Birmingham. Phillips took a leave of absence earlier this season due to health concerns and is hopeful about returning before the end of the season. Also, San Antonio's most explosive playmaker, Anthony McFarland, has been ruled out this week with a left shoulder injury that forced him to leave last week's game early. McFarland is third in the league with 242 rushing yards. The Brahmas will also be without receivers Greg Ward Jr. (abdomen) and Mathew Sexton (hamstring). Arlington head coach Bob Stoops told reporters that Ballage, who exited the Renegades' game last week early, was placed on IR and is done for the season due to a separated shoulder that will require surgery. The Arizona State product is second in the league in rushing with 306 rushing yards and two scores. Ballage also has the longest rushing touchdown in UFL history, a 77-yard gallop for a score in Week 1. Arlington will lean on Dae Dae Hunter and De'Veon Smith to fill the void. Hunter is fifth in the UFL in rushing with 242 yards through six games. The Renegades also signed RB Tony Jones to replace Ballage on the depth chart. The Battlehawks waived Mims, a former second-round selection by the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft, this week. The Baylor product totaled just five catches for 51 yards on seven targets through six games this season. With the extra roster spot, the Battlehawks brought back receiver Sam Wiglusz out of Ohio. Elsewhere, the Brahmas waived offensive lineman Greg Eiland this week, while the Roughnecks signed tight end Cam Sutton. San Antonio also executed a trade this week, picking up receiver Dee Anderson from the Showboats in exchange for cornerback Darius Phillips. In other roster news, Defenders leading sack man Andre Mintze (4.5 sacks) is out this week with a head injury. Birmingham has started three different quarterbacks so far this season and has played four over six games. With the team's top two signal callers — Alex McGough (shoulder) and Matt Corral (hip) — out again this week, head coach Skip Holtz added some much-needed depth to the position, signing Morton. The Prairie View A&M product had been playing arena football for the Southwest Kansas Storm, where he finished with 1,335 passing yards, 285 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns. Morton is familiar with Birmingham's scheme, having served as McGough's backup during the team's legacy USFL championship run in 2023. Holtz said there's a chance that McGough could return next week, while Corral is likely out until the end of the regular season but could be available if the Stallions make the playoffs. Case Cookus is expected to get his third start of the year for the Stallions. Cookus' backup, Andrew Peasley, suffered a knee injury and has not practiced this week, so J'Mar Smith would be No. 2 behind Cookus if Peasley isn't healthy. The UFL's leader with 5.5 sacks on the year, Taumoepenu earned an appropriate nickname from his teammates. "We just call him 'The Closer,'" fellow St. Louis edge rusher Chris Garrett said about his teammate this week. Taumoepenu helped shut the door on the Renegades last week, sacking Arlington QB Luis Perez and forcing a fumble that Garrett recovered to seal the victory. He finished with two sacks, two forced fumbles and five combined tackles, earning UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. Taumoepenu, the 2023 XFL Defensive Player of the Year, has his sights on winning that award for the UFL this season. Panthers DE Breeland Speaks won the award last year, finishing with a league-high 9.5 sacks in the regular season. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said TSU football will thrive under Reggie Barlow
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State football's most accomplished player in the program's recent history, has a message for future Tigers. That message? Be prepared for a disciplined style of play under new TSU football coach Reggie Barlow. Barlow replaced Eddie George as Tennessee State's coach on March 23 after George was named the coach at Bowling Green. Rodgers-Cromartie said would have thrived in Barlow's system because Rodgers-Cromartie depended heavily on discipline to become an All-American cornerback at TSU and put together a 12-year NFL career. "Athletic ability will only get you so far," said Rodgers-Cromartie, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who played for six different NFL teams (2008-2019). "You've got to hone in, you've got to play down-in and down-out, and you've got to depend on discipline to stay focused. If you do that, the sky is the limit." Rodgers-Cromartie was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in December. He was the first Tiger who has played in the last 35 years to be inducted. Rodgers-Cromartie was back at TSU on April 12 to serve as captain on the blue team in the the alumni blue and white flag football game as part of the Tigers' spring game festivities. Rodgers-Cromartie, 39, plays in a full contact 7-on-7, no pads, no helmets football league in Tampa, Florida. Cromartie said he is in the same physical condition he was when he played in the NFL and credited his discipline on and off the field for keeping him in top shape. BARLOW REPLACES EDDIE GEORGE AT TSU: Tennessee State football hires Reggie Barlow to replace Eddie George as coach ERIQ GEORGE LEAVING TSU: Eddie George's son Eriq enters transfer portal with other Tennessee State football players "When coach George left I didn't think (TSU) was going to be able to get somebody as fast as they did, but I knew they were going to make the right decision," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "Did I think they were going to bring in somebody like coach Barlow? No, no way. But I'm truly glad they did because I know what he stands for and what he's going to bring to the table." Barlow said Rodgers-Cromartie was correct when he said discipline is his chief priority. "People that know me or know the coaches we've had on staff on the teams that we've had know that we live by the acronym DASH and the D in DASH is discipline," Barlow said. "It's the foundation of who we are and what we stand for. Doing what you're supposed to do, how you're supposed to do it, when you do it, ultimately when no one's watching." How will discipline in the program impact the team's execution and results? "It correlates to being disciplined out here (on the practice field), to being disciplined in the classroom," Barlow said. "It's the same discipline it takes to turn in your assignment on time. We tie all that stuff together and we will be a disciplined team. We won't be a heavily penalized team because we're going to make sure that we're practicing that kind of stuff all the time." The Tigers have lost more than 20 players since the end of the season to graduation or the transfer portal so their numbers are down. In lieu of playing a traditional spring game, the Tigers performed agility tests and competed in one-on-one non-contact drills at Hale Stadium. Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said about TSU football coach Reggie Barlow
