NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL ATHLETICS

North Carolina Central cornerback Brandon Codrington earned Phil Steele All-MEAC at four positions last season, including kick returner.

North Carolina Central has a defense with the skill and depth to challenge South Carolina State for MEAC supremacy.

The Eagles, who won three straight games to end the season 6-5 and 4-1 in the conference, return seven defensive starters, including the entire front line.

Jessie Malit, a redshirt senior from Concord, is the Eagles’ top defensive end and third-team All-MEAC last year. At 6-3, 235 pounds, he tallied 28 tackles with 5.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Malit’s 3.5 sacks tied for the team lead and ranked fifth in the conference.

“Jessie brings experience to the position,” NCCU coach Trei Oliver said. “He’s the leader of the defensive line. He has the strength to defeat blocks by bigger offensive linemen, and he’s athletic enough to be a force in pass rush.”

In addition to Malit, the Eagles return redshirt senior Colby Warrior (6-2, 245), who recorded 24 tackles, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery, Jaden Taylor, a 6-1, 275-pound redshirt sophomore, earned third-team All-MEAC at defensive tackle after racking up 60 tackles, including six for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.

“Jaden possesses exceptional strength and does an outstanding job with block destruction,” Oliver said.

Lining up alongside Taylor on the inside is junior Quantez Mansfield (6-2, 290), who was second on the team with six tackles for loss to go with 36 tackles as well as for quarterback hurries. “Quantez is very athletic for his size,” Oliver said. “A passionate player that plays with a motor.”

There’s depth to go with that experience on the defensive line with Deontrae Brown in the mix to challenge for more playing time and Matthew Leavelle back from injury.

“A good combination of returners with experience and a quality group of newcomers that will be able to help us,” Oliver said.

Central is relatively inexperienced at linebacker, but Oliver likes their potential for development.

“A young group with a lot of new faces,” he said, “but we have some true old-school linebackers that are physical and have a good feel for the game.”

Jaki Brevard, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior “is a very smart football player” who tallied five tackles in limited action last season, Oliver said. “He does a good job playing in the box and in space.”

Solomon Sutton, a sophomore from Charlotte, “is a physical, downhill-type linebacker” while Max U’Ren, a redshirt freshman and sophomore Corey Peterson are “two guys that had an outstanding off-season and are expected to be fighting for playing time,” Oliver said.

Central’s secondary might be the deepest and most talented unit: “This is probably the most experienced group on the team,” Oliver said. Cornerback Brandon Codrington (5-9, 170 pounds) earned 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC at four positions, including first team as a punt returner. He was named third team as a kickoff returner and all-purpose player, and fourth team defensive back. Codrington was third among Eagles with four pass break-ups and seventh on the squad with 43 tackles (31 solo). He blocked two kicks, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble for good measure.

“Brandon has all the tools to be a great cornerback – quickness, instincts and overall top-end speed with very good ball skills,” Oliver said.

JaJuan Hudson was fifth on the team with 59 tackles (43 solo), including for loss, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks. Justin Nicholson tallied 23 tackles with an interception last year after ranking second on the team with 10 passes defended in 2019.

Jason Chambers, a freshman from Charlotte, “has the tools to be a solid cornerback for us in the future,” Oliver said, “and should expect to see playing time.”

The back end is anchored by Manny Smith, a sure tackler who tallied 61 stops last season, including a team-best 44 solo stops. He was named defensive MVP of last year’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge with 10 tackles, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in a win against Alcorn State.

“Manny is a great all-around player,” Oliver said. “He’s physical in the run game, a good open-field tackler and has fluid hips, which helps him in pass defense.”

Khalil Baker, who racked up 16 tackles in limited playing time last year, will be in the mix for a starting job in 2022. “Khalil has probably shown the most growth among the safeties since last year,” Oliver said. “He has a better understanding of the scheme and how offenses are trying to attack us.”

Kole Jones (8 tackles, forced fumble and team-high two interceptions last season) and Isaiah Lawson are “two young, up-and-coming players that will be competing at the striker position,” Oliver said, while Southern transfer Tamaurice Smith has the flexibility to compete at cornerback or safety.

“He can do everything – a jack of all trades,” Oliver maintains. “He’s a good enough cover guy to play corner, and he’s physical enough to play safety.”

Smith earned 2019 All-MEAC second team, finishing second in the conference with five interceptions and fourth in passes defended (13). In 2021, he tallied 27 tackles (19 solo) and was ninth in the MEAC in pass breakups with nine.

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