Golden Bulls turn up physicality in postseason pursuit 

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith safety T.J. Taybron is a four-year starter for a Golden Bulls defense that is shifting philosophy to more man-to-man coverage in 2025.

Football physicality is valued at Johnson C. Smith.

The Golden Bulls are leaning on toughness as they open their season Aug. 30 against Morehouse at the Essence HBCU Classic at Harvard, especially at the line of scrimmage. 

“Our philosophy … is the team that’s most physical wins,” coach Maurice Flowers said. “And this team right here, there’s a lot of physical play that goes on in the box. We’re a physical team.”

JCSU has been one of Division II’s top defenses over the last couple of seasons in key metrics like points allowed and yards conceded. Despite losing their top three tacklers – and all-CIAA picks – in linebackers Jack Smith and Benari Black as well as cornerback Shamar Baker from last year’s 8-2 squad, the Golden Bulls have reloaded. It starts up front, where the goal is to improve a pass rush that  managed just 17.5 sacks in 2024.

All-CIAA defensive end Lamone Hill Jr. returns, as does South Mecklenburg graduate Jalen Alexander. They also added Quentin Williams, a Mallard Creek High grad who played collegiately at Miami and Marshall.

“We've rotated six and six – six D-tackles, six D-ends – and we’ll do the same with this group right here,” Flowers said. “We’re a little bit bigger, a little bit more athletic in our defensive line.”

At linebacker, Quavaris Crouch, a Harding High graduate, returns to the positition where he was second-team All-Big 10 at Michigan State to pair with Vincent Hill, an All-SIAC pick at Tuskegee in 2023. Crouch replaces Black at the weakside position; Hill moves into the middle. 

With the transition up front, JCSU is shifting its philosophy in pass coverage. Ty Hinds returns at corner awhile transfers Rontay Dunbar, an All-CIAA pick at Lincoln (Pa.) and Cam Williams, an All-SIAC at Miles (Ala.) join the rotation. At safety, Tynan Tucker and four-year starter T.J. Taybron return.

“I think another place where you're going to see a big jump in production is the secondary,” Flowers said. “We’re trying to make the transition from a zone team to a team that plays a little bit more man. Our years here that we’ve been ranked so high on defense, we’ve been playing zone, but the next step for us is to play more man and bring more pressure and that’s what we’re on track to do.”

As opening day looms, the Golden Bulls are motivated by falling short of the postseason in 2024. After opening 8-0, JCSU lost its last two games, which cost them a berth in the CIAA title game and Division II playoffs. With the season opener at hand, those goals have moved to the background.

“We don’t talk about any of those things in season, as far as winning a championship, as far as qualifying for the playoffs,” Flowers said. “When we set our goals in training camp, we set them all out there and what it’s going to take to get there. The thing is, we can talk about the playoffs in preseason, and we can talk about the championship game in preseason, because what we do know is the work that’s going to get you to those places. 

“Our guys are bought into doing the work, what we call the process of doing winning things, and it goes every day.”

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