FILE PHOTO

Johnson C. Smith receiver Fred Scott (2) is the Golden Bulls' top returning offensive player.

Johnson C. Smith football has a new coach. New players. New questions.

When fall drills open on Thursday, head coach Kermit Blount will start a reclamation project the entire CIAA is watching. Blount, who is Winston-Salem State’s career wins leader with 90, inherits a Golden Bulls program that has gone through four head coaches in the last 11 years. Since 1993 when Blount took over at WSSU, JCSU has gone through seven coaches.

The questions that are most pressing include:

1. Does Blount still have a winning hand?

This is the toughest challenge of his career. Blount was always in the hunt for CIAA titles at Winston-Salem State because the program was adequately funded, got alumni support and had a tradition of success.

JCSU, a private school, doesn’t have those resources and typically doesn’t get that caliber player. Making the Golden Bulls occasionally competitive isn’t miraculous, but consistently good would be cause for celebration. The alumni are taking a wait and see attitude, which is par for the course.

“We’re looking forfward to the opportunity to get started,” Blount said. “This is an exciting time of the year and we can’t wait to get started.”

2. Who’ll be the starting quarterback?

That may be the greatest unknown heading into camp. Blount has indicated a freshman can earn the job, which means Charlotte’s Jordan Lane has a shot. The Victory Christian graduate has a winning pedigree with a pair of private school state titles, which will stand him in good stead with the rebuilding job.

3. Will the offseason turnover produce immediate results?

Turnover is inevitable, but this year’s roster will include at least 43 new players. That’s a lot of new Golden Bulls to get up to speed.

The good news is they’re Blount’s recruits, which means they’re linked to each other – good or bad.

4. Who among the returning players need to step up?

Receiver Fred Scott is electrifying with the ball, but he was often lost last year because of inconsistent quarterbacking. If JCSU finds a leader behind center and a decent running attack, Scott will give the offense a jolt.

Linebacker Austin Jacques led the CIAA in tackles last year and added muscle in the offseason. He’s the unquestioned leader of the defense and will need to produce another stellar season to make JCSU competitive.

5. What part of the schedule is the most challenging?

The CIAA portion is the most important, obviously, but the nonconference slate will indicate what Blount has.

The season opener against South Atlantic foe Wingate at McGirt Field followed by road trips to Kentucky State and Morehouse of the SIAC are winnable games.

A pair of wins would be a major step forward.

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