Quarterbacks key to CIAA football

CIAA football is all about quarterbacks in 2015.

Johnson C. Smith freshman Jordan Lane will try to earn the starting job for the Golden Bulls, who have a new coach in Kermit Blount.

When the league’s media day event kicks off Thursday in Durham, they’ll be the focus of attention. Most of the contenders have a good one. Those who don’t will have to compensate.

Last year’s champion, Virginia State, has one of the best in junior Tarian Ayers. Johnson C. Smith, under first-year coach Kermit Blount, is an unknown after losing its first- and second-string quarterbacks to graduation.

Freshman Jordan Lane, who led Victory Christian to a pair of N.C. independent schools Division II championships, is in the mix for the starting job. Lane, a 6-3, 202-pounder, connected on 119-of-175 passes (68 percent) for 2,091 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at VCC. As a junior, he hit 133-of-245 for 2,450 yards and 22 scores.

The Golden Bulls (3-7 in 2014) averaged a CIAA-worst 13.2 points per game last season with Kehan Wallace and Andrew Alexander behind center. JCSU also doesn’t have much of a running attack returning with senior Richard Brannon the leading incumbent at 14 carries for 21 yards. Senior receiver Fred Scott (47 catches, 488 yards, six touchdowns) returns as the top target.

JCSU's defense is in the midst of turnover too, with seven 2014 starters returning. One of them is senior linebacker Austin Jacques, one of the nation’s top tacklers last year with 133 stops, including 18 for loss. Defensive tackle Marcus Bullock is the most experienced of the linemen.

South Division power Winston-Salem State has a major hole to fill at quarterback with the tandem of Rudy Johnson and Phil Sims graduated. There are several potential candidates, with sophomore Justin Johnson the only contender with playing experience. The starter will have lots of weapons with the tailback tandem of senior Tyree Massey and junior Mustafa Greene and three of the top four receivers expected to return.

Virginia State (10-3) junior Tarian Ayers, who led the Trojans to the North Division title and its first Division II playoff win, has a new coach in Byron Thweatt, who comes in from Division I Richmond. Ayers paced the CIAA in completions (186) and attempts (323) while finishing second in passing yards (2,132) and touchdowns (15).

Ayers missed the CIAA title game due to a DUI arrest, but redshirt freshman Niko Johnson piloted the Trojans to the league championship.

St. Augustine’s is looking for some consistency after a tumultuous 2014. Michael Morand, who took over after the season opener, has the job full-time and a promising quarterback in Cyril Davis. The redshirt sophomore passed for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions last year and has the Falcons’ three top receivers in sophomore Claytin Lewis (46 catches, 788 yards, five scores), junior Jamal Parker (39 catches, 408 yards, 2 TDs) and senior Jordan Turkvant (23 catches, 272 yards, 3 TDs) returning.

Kenneth Graham led Virginia Union (7-3) went on a 5-0 run after a 1-1 start, tossing 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. The Panthers missed him late in the season after he was injured against Bowie State, going 1-2.

Livingstone’s Drew Powell may be the most versatile quarterback in the league. He passed for 2,241 yards and ran for 881 in accounting for 33 touchdowns (26 passing) as Livingstone went 5-5 – its best season in over a decade.

Powell’s downfall last year was turnovers, with 19 fumbles (11 lost) and 14 interceptions. He makes big plays, but the Blue Bears have to put better talent around him to take some of the pressure off.

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