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July 8, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - Ten student-athletes from the North Carolina Central University football team have been selected to the Preseason All-Independent Team in Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview Magazine.

Headlining the group of 10 student-athletes named to Phil Steele's All-Independent Team was junior defensive lineman Teryl White. The Winston-Salem native finished last season fourth on the squad with 55 tackles, including 11.0 hits for loss, while gathering 3.0 sacks during his sophomore campaign. In Steele's description of the Eagle defense, he believes that White, who stands 6-4 and weighs 291 pounds, has "All-American" potential.

Joining White on the All-Independent squad was his defensive linemate Sam Battle, a 5-11, 266 pound junior from Rocky Mount, N.C. was a key cog in the in the trenches during his sophomore season amassing 22 tackles, 6.5 of which were for a loss.

Staying on the defensive side of the football, junior linebacker Donald Laster was the third Eagle to make the list. The Shaker Heights, Ohio, product ended up seventh on the team with 40.0 stops and a team-high 6.0 sacks along with 3.5 tackles for loss. He among others will have the task of replacing leading tackler, Troy McConico, who ripped off 73.0 tackles in his final season in maroon and gray.

In the defensive backfield, the Eagles boast two more members on the FCS Independent Defensive Team, led by junior free safety Jeffery Henderson who finished last season tied at number two on the team in tackles with 56.0. Henderson (Raleigh, N.C.) also racked up 5 pass break ups and one sack in his third year at NCCU.

The second defensive back, came on strong in his first year on the field, redshirt-sophomore David Ingram who "flashed postseason honors potential" according to Phil Steele, led the unit with four interceptions and five pass break ups. The Waldorf, Md. native will be looked upon for more in 2009.

Switching to the offensive side, senior wide receiver Will Scott (Charlotte, N.C.) tops the group of Eagles to make the All-Independent team. In his write-up about the NCCU offense, Steele said, "Regardless of who the quarterback is, they will have plenty of weapons with 5 of their top 6 receivers back including Will Scott, who showed postseason honors type talent." Scott, was the top pass-catcher a year ago in both yards and receptions, bringing in 45 catches for 787 yards and five touchdowns, only Wayne Blackwell had more touchdowns as he wound down his NCCU career with six to lead the receiving corps.

Junior tight end Earthan Ward (Edenton, N.C.) was added to the preseason list despite missing most of last season with an injury, but should be a big contributor to the Eagles offensive attack in 2009.

In the trenches, NCCU added a duo of offensive lineman that will certainly be looked upon to open the holes and give the quarterback time to throw. Senior Gabriel Manns (Winston-Salem, N.C.) at 6-6, 305 pounds and sophomore James Frye (Catawba, N.C.) at 6-2, 323 pounds were tabbed to the list, leading the way for what will be a very experienced group in the Eagles third season at the FCS level.

The final player listed could be the most exciting for Eagle fans in 2009 as junior Deshawn Spears (Bunnlevel, N.C.) was listed as the top return specialist among the Independent teams. Spears came on strong last season from his wide receiver position, pulling in 33 catches for 439 yards, good enough for third on the team. He averaged 6.1 yards per punt return and 16.6 yards on 23 kickoff returns last season.

Phil Steele's final analysis of NCCU sees the Eagles finishing with a winning record this season, but also points out the daunting tasks that await the maroon and gray on Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 when they face both Duke University and FCS elite Appalachian State University. The magazine also picks Mose Rison's squad to be one of the most improved along with 15 other teams across the nation.

The coverage of all 125 FCS teams can be found inside of Phil Steele's 2009 ACC & Big East Football Preview or online at www.philsteele.com.