PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Johnson C. Smith football coach Kermit Blount earned a 4-6 record in his first season with the Golden Bulls. CIAA coaches picked JCSU to finish fourth in the South Division in preseason polling last month.

Can Johnson C. Smith football take a step forward as a CIAA contender?

The Golden Bulls, who report for camp next week, are more seasoned under coach Kermit Blount, who led JCSU to a 4-6 campaign in his debut, which included a three-game win streak that put them within a game of .500. The key is more consistency on offense and veteran leadership to replace All-America linebacker Austin Jacques.

CIAA coaches aren’t sold on the Golden Bulls, picking JCSU fourth in the Southern Division, trailing perennial power Winston-Salem State, Fayetteville State and Livingstone.

Here are eight of the hottest topics heading into fall drills:

More consistent play and leadership at quarterback
Jordan Lane, a sophomore from Charlotte, was up and down last year, but had a proper spring practice to learn the offense under coordinator Tory Woodbury.

Lane connected on 76-of-159 passes (47.8 percent) for six touchdowns against eight interceptions. Fellow freshman Harold Herbin hit 41-of-94 (43.6 percent) for 518 yards and seven scores compared to eight picks.

Blount would like for someone to lock the job down as a playmaker for an offense that averaged 20.7 points and 210.2 yards per game last year.

Develop a running attack
JCSU needs to improve on last year’s 66.6 yards per game. Sophomore Desean Binyard (111 carries for 445 yards, TD) is the starter, while Tromecio Summers (48 carries, 168 yards, 2 TDs) will likely provide a change of pace.

If the Golden Bulls can run effectively, it’ll take the burden off the passing attack.

Offensive line changes
Three new opening-day starters will emerge but junior center Jordan Shaw, who missed eight games with a dislocated ankle, is healthy.

Billy Canty is now the incumbent at left tackle and sophomore Brandon Reed takes over at right guard.

Rebuilt receiver corps
Rod Carter (31 catches, 366 yards, five TDs) is the returning top target. Eugene Holmes (14 catches, 201 yards, TD) and South Mecklenburg High grad Bedrick Yobo (six catches, 105 yards) will try to earn a spot in the rotation.

Defensive line transformation
Three 2015 starters graduated, leaving junior defensive end Jamaal Tutt (52 tackles, five sacks) the most experienced returnee. Brice Smith had an impressive spring as a pass-rushing end.

Can the defense improve?
The Golden Bulls allowed 23.7 points per game, but led the CIAA in takeaways with 31, including a school-record 23 interceptions.

CIAA Defensive Player of the Year Jacques graduated, but All-America safety Carlo Thomas, who led all college divisions with 12 interceptions last year, is back.

Linebackers retooling
With Jacques (CIAA-high 132 tackles, 4.5 sacks) graduated, junior Javard Gaines (59 tackles, 2.5 sacks) leads a corps that will be short on extended experience.

Secondary experience
Free safety Carlo Thomas, who set a school record with four picks in a game, returns from offseason shoulder surgery. Sophomore cornerback JeJuan McCalston (three interceptions) and junior Darryl Napper are more mature.

Desmond Taylor, a junior who started five games last year, is back at strong safety.

Newcomers’ impact
The Golden Bulls signed four offensive linemen that could contend for immediate playing time: tackles Keiton Burgess (6-5, 330 pounds) of Crestwood, S.C., and 6-7, 330-pound Isaiah Little of Greensboro Dudley. Guards Denzel Marshall (6-4, 310) of Chester, S.C., and 6-4, 315 Raqwon Niles of Columbia, S.C. could wind up in the mix, too.

Receiver Zalair Knowles, a 6-4, 215-pounder from South Aiken, S.C., could become a factor in the passing attack because of his size.

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