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2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football
Black college national champion
MEAC champion
Celebration Bowl champion
Conference Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 12
FCS CoachesNo. 11
Record10–2 (6–1 MEAC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorCourtney Coard (1st season)
Home stadium BB&T Stadium
Seasons
←  2017
2019 →
2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 12 North Carolina A&T $   6 – 1     9 – 2  
Bethune–Cookman   5 – 2     7 – 5  
Florida A&M   5 – 2     6 – 5  
South Carolina State   4 – 3     5 – 6  
Howard   4 – 3     4 – 6  
North Carolina Central   3 – 4     5 – 6  
Morgan State   3 – 4     4 – 7  
Norfolk State   2 – 5     4 – 7  
Delaware State   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Savannah State   1 – 6     2 – 8  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team represented North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This season marked the 95th for the program, which was led by first-year head coach Sam Washington. The Aggies finished the season with a record of 9–2 and 6–1 in MEAC play, capturing their tenth conference title. The Aggies also earned an invitation to the Celebration Bowl where they defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alcorn State, earning their sixth black college football national championship. The Aggies played their home games at the newly renamed BB&T Stadium. They are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Before the season

At the conclusion of the 2017 football season, the Aggies lost key players such as three-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the year and two-time All-American Brandon Parker, two-time first-team All-MEAC center Darriel Mack & Khris Gardin, who finished his career second all-time in NCAA history in punt return yards. [1] The Aggies also lost third-team all-MEAC outside linebacker Marcus Albert, Jeremy Taylor & two-time first-team All-MEAC safety/linebacker Jeremy Taylor, who was the team's leading tackler in 2017. [1] In addition to the players, the program lost head coach Rod Broadway, who is the program's all-time leader in winning percentage. Broadway decided to retire in January after weeks of speculation following the team's undefeated season and national championship. [2]

Recruiting

See also: American football positions, Glossary of American football, and Recruiting (college athletics)

Prior to National Signing Day in February 2018, three players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice. On National Signing Day, A&T signed 15 additional players out of high school that completed the 2018 recruiting class. [1] Of the class, 9 players were from North Carolina, including three players from Greensboro.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Michael Branch
DL 		Greensboro, NC Presbyterian 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 300 lb (140 kg) Feb 2, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Khalil Gilliam
QB 		Charlotte, NC East Mecklenburg HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) ??? 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Tevaughn Higgins
ATH 		Hopkins, SC Lower Richland HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) ??? 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
KeAndre Jones
LB 		Columbia, SC Spring Valley HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Jan 31, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Lawrence Lagrone
G 		Douglasville, GA Douglas County HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 320 lb (150 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Jah-Maine Martin
RB 		Conway, SC Coastal Carolina 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 21, 2017 [3] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Justin Nwachukwu
DT 		Wake Forest, NC Northern Illinois 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 296 lb (134 kg) Jan 31, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Michael Rivers
P/K 		Wilmington, NC North Brunswick HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Zareik Rush
OLB 		Greensboro, NC Dudley HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: 2/5 stars    247Sports: N/A
Miles Simon
DB 		Lenoir, NC Hibriten HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 2, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Isreal Spivey
WR 		Ellenwood, GA Cedar Grove HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Feb 2, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Joseph Stuckey
OLB 		Hillside, NJ Hillside HS ( Milford Academy) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Feb 2, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Wiz Vaughn
FS 		Wilmington, NC New Hanover HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jan 30, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Tim Williams
T 		Laurinburg, NC Scotland HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Feb 6, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: N/A    247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Award watch lists

Award Player Position Year
Walter Payton Award [4] Lamar Raynard QB SR

MEAC preseason poll

In a vote of the MEAC head coaches and sports information directors, the Aggies were unanimously picked as the favorites to win the MEAC championship receiving 19 of 20 first place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team). [5]

Predicted finish Team
1 North Carolina A&T
2 Howard
3 North Carolina Central
4 Bethune–Cookman
5 Florida A&M
6 Norfolk State
7 South Carolina State
8 Savannah State
9 Morgan State
10 Delaware State

Preseason All-MEAC Teams

The Aggies had nine players selected to the preseason all-MEAC teams. [6] Quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the preseason offensive player of the year.

Schedule

North Carolina A&T's game against fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Morgan State was considered a non-conference game and did figured in the conference standings. [7]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 257:00 p.m.vs. No. 6 Jacksonville State*No. 14
 ESPNW 20–1713,500
September 2 [a]3:30 p.m.at East Carolina*No. 14
 ESPN3W 28–2338,640
September 86:00 p.m. Gardner–Webb*No. 5
ESPN3/LTV [9]W 45–613,111
September 226:00 p.m. Morgan State*No. 4
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV [9]L 13–1615,909
September 277:00 p.m. South Carolina StateNo. 12
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC ( rivalry)
 ESPNUW 31–1611,530
October 67:00 p.m.at Delaware StateNo. 11
ESPN3W 34–62,951
October 131:00 p.m. Florida A&MNo. 10
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV [9]L 21–2215,418
October 204:00 p.m.at Bethune–CookmanNo. 19
LTV [9]W 35–106,225
November 31:00 p.m. Norfolk StatedaggerNo. 17
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV [9]W 37–2021,500
November 101:00 p.m.at Savannah StateNo. 14
ESPN3W 28–124,788
November 172:00 p.m.at North Carolina CentralNo. 12
ESPN3W 45–011,055
December 1512:00 p.m.vs. Alcorn State*No. 11
 ABCW 24–2231,672
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
  1. ^ The game against East Carolina was originally scheduled for September 1 at 6:00 p.m. before being postponed to September 2 at 3:30 p.m. due to inclement weather. [8]

[10] [11]

Roster

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source)

Wide receivers

  •  3 Chance Pride – Freshman
  •  4 Isaiah Hicklin – Redshirt Senior
  • 13 Elijah Bell – Junior
  • 15 Ahmed Bah – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 19 Zachary Leslie – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 23 Amos Williams – Redshirt Senior
  • 80 Isreal Spivey – Freshman
  • 81 Ron Hunt – Junior
  • 84 Quinzel Lockhart – Redshirt Freshman
  • 85 Terrence Peterson – Redshirt Senior
  • 86 Jordan McDaniel – Redshirt Freshman
  • 88 Malik Wilson – Redshirt Senior
  • 89 Rashad Bovian – Redshirt Sophomore

Offensive line

  • 55 Dacquari Wilson – Redshirt Freshman
  • 60 Lawrence Lagrone –Freshman
  • 61 Tyshawn Miller – Redshirt Freshman
  • 62 Malik Johnson -Senior
  • 63 Jeremiah Martin - Redshirt Sophomore
  • 65 De'jour Simpson – Junior
  • 66 Arlander Cherry – Redshirt Junior
  • 68 Macquel Hardy – Senior
  • 69 Deven Milton – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 72 Tim Williams – Freshman
  • 73 Marcus Pettiford – Redshirt Junior
  • 74 Sylvester Smith – Redshirt Junior
  • 75 Bilal Ali – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 76 Trajan Douthit – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 77 Breontae Matthews – Graduate Student
  • 78 Micah Shaw – Senior
  • 79 Dontae Keys – Redshirt Freshman

Tight ends

  • 12 TeVaughn Higgins – Freshman
  • 82 jarvis Reid – Junior
  • 87 Leroy Hill – Redshirt Senior

Fullbacks

  • 46 William Hollingsworth – Senior
  • 49 William Simpson – Redshirt Junior
  

Quarterbacks

  • 1 Jalen Fowler – Redshirt Freshman
  • 7 Lamar Raynard – Senior
  • 10 Kylil Carter – Senior
  • 11 Carnaji Andrews – Redshirt Freshamn
  • 16 Khalil Gilliam – Freshman

Running backs

  • 22 Marquell Cartwright – Redshirt Senior
  • 25 Kashon Baker – Junior
  • 26 Darius Graves – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 30 Jah-Maine Martin – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 37 Unique Johnson – Redshirt Freshman

Fullbacks

  • 46 William Hollingsworth – Sophomore
  • 49 William Simpson – Redshirt Sophomore

Defensive line

  • 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls – Redshirt Junior
  • 50 Devin Harrell – Sophomore
  • 52 Michael Branch – Junior
  • 90 Karfa Kaba – Redshirt Freshman
  • 91 Justin Nwachukwu – Junior
  • 92 Jermaine Williams – Redshirt Junior
  • 94 Justin Cates – Senior
  • 95 Julian McKnight – Redshirt Senior
  • 97 Shomari Wallace – Sophomore
  • 99 Artavious Richardson – Redshirt Freshman

Defensive ends

Rovers

  • 2 Jamaal Darden – Redshirt Senior
  • 8 Joseph Stuckey – Freshman
  • 39 Keifer Oates – Redshirt Freshman
  

Linebackers

  •  5 Kiaundric Richardson – Redshirt Senior
  • 27 Justin Phillip - Redshirt Sophomore
  • 34 Deion Jones – Redshirt Senior
  • 36 Antoine Wilder – Redshirt Junior
  • 38 Davis Rogers – Redshirt Freshman
  • 43 Chris Williams – Freshman
  • 44 Julius Reynolds – Redshirt Senior
  • 45 KeAndre Jones – Freshman
  • 48 Zareik Rush – Freshman
  • 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 44 Julius Reynolds – Redshirt Junior
  • 45 Joshua Patrick – Senior
  • 48 Jeremy Taylor – Redshirt Senior
  • 52 Kiaundric Richardson – Redshirt Junior
  • 53 Julian Monell – Freshman
  • 54 Kyin Howard – Redshirt Freshman
  • 56 Tyler Beck – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 57 Markeiss Blue – Redshirt Senior
  • 58 Adrian McPherson – Redshirt Junior
  • 59 Elijah Westbrook – Redshirt Junior

Defensive backs

  • 14 Timadre Abram – Redshirt Senior
  • 18 Richie Kittles – Redshirt Junior
  • 20 Najee Reams – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 21 Derrek Williams – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 24 Amir McNeil – Redshirt Freshman
  • 29 Mac McCain – Redshirt Sophomore
  • 32 Marquis Willis – Redshirt Junior
  • 32 Miles Simon – Freshamn
  • 33 Jalon Bethea – Redshirt Junior
  • 42 Will Jones – Redshirt Freshamn

Punters

  • 60 James Mackey – Redshirt Junior
  • 47 Michael Rivers – Freshman

Kickers

  • 35 Noel Ruiz – Sophomore
  • 38 Davis Rogers – Freshman

Long snappers

  • 51 John Davis – Sophomore
  • 67 Ernest (Petie) Bush III – Redshirt Junior
† Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2018.

Coaching staff

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff

Head coach

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/wide receivers –
  • Quarterbacks – Chris Barnette
  • Running backs – Shawn Gibbs
  • Tight end – Colin Williams

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/defensive backs – Courtney Coard
  • Inside linebackers – Thomas Howard
  

Administrative staff

  • Athletic Director (A.D.) – Earl M. Hilton III
  • Administrative support associate for football – Jeraldine Bailey

Game summaries

Vs. Jacksonville State

See also: 2018 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team and FCS Kickoff
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs North Carolina A&T Aggies – FCS Kickoff
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Gamecocks 0 3 14017
No. 14 Aggies 7 0 13020

at Crampton Bowl • Montgomery, AL

  • Date: August 25
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: E 6 mph • Weather: Mostly clear
  • Game attendance: 13,500
  • Referee: Andy Faust
  • TV: ESPN
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

At East Carolina

See also: 2018 East Carolina Pirates football team

The Aggies upset East Carolina, 28–23, and in the post-game celebration, head coach Sam Washington declared in response to the team being a so-called "buy game" for the Pirates: "Tell them to bring me my money." The statement and ensuing celebration has since become an internet meme.

North Carolina A&T Aggies at East Carolina Pirates
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Aggies 7 7 01428
Pirates 3 14 3323

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC

  • Date: September 2
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 90 °F (32 °C) • Wind: 5–8 mph • Weather: Mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 38,640
  • Referee: Henry Wimberg
  • TV: ESPN3
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

Gardner–Webb

See also: 2018 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team
Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at North Carolina A&T Aggies
Period 1 2 34Total
Runnin' Bulldogs 3 3 006
No. 5 Aggies 7 10 141445

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 13,111
  • Referee: n/a
  • TV: ESPN3/LTV
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

Morgan State

See also: 2018 Morgan State Bears football team
Morgan State Bears at North Carolina A&T Aggies
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 3616
No. 4 Aggies 0 6 7013

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: NE • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 15,909
  • Referee: Jason Soistman
  • TV: LTV
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

South Carolina State

See also: 2018 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team and North Carolina A&T–South Carolina State football rivalry
South Carolina State Bulldogs at North Carolina A&T Aggies
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 7 9 0016
No. 12 Aggies 3 7 71431

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: S • Weather: Rain
  • Game attendance: 11,530
  • Referee: Rick Warne
  • TV: ESPNU
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

At Delaware State

See also: 2018 Delaware State Hornets football team
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Delaware State Hornets
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 11 Aggies 7 13 14034
Hornets 3 3 006

at Alumni Stadium • Dover, DE

  • Date: October 6
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: Slight • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 2,951
  • Referee: Robert Frazier
  • TV: ESPN3
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

Florida A&M

See also: 2018 Florida A&M Rattlers football team
Florida A&M Rattlers at North Carolina A&T Aggies
Period 1 2 34Total
Rattlers 0 6 7922
No. 10 Aggies 14 7 0021

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NW • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 15,418
  • Referee: Roy Bernard
  • TV: LTV
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

At Bethune–Cookman

See also: 2018 Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Aggies 13 13 2735
Wildcats 3 0 7010

at Daytona Stadium • Daytona Beach, FL

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: E 5 • Weather: Partly cloudy; 66% humidity
  • Game attendance: 6,225
  • Referee: Jason Soistman
  • TV: LTV
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

Norfolk State

See also: 2018 Norfolk State Spartans football team
Norfolk State Spartans at North Carolina A&T Aggies
Period 1 2 34Total
Spartans 10 7 3020
No. 17 Aggies 7 14 61037

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: LTV
Game information

At Savannah State

See also: 2018 Savannah State Tigers football team
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Savannah State Tigers
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Aggies 7 14 0728
Tigers 0 0 6612

at Ted Wright Stadium • Savannah, GA

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Game information

At North Carolina Central

See also: 2018 North Carolina Central Eagles football team and North Carolina A&T–North Carolina Central rivalry
North Carolina A&T Aggies at North Carolina Central Eagles
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 12 Aggies 14 10 14745
Eagles 0 0 000

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Game information

Alcorn State – Celebration Bowl

See also: 2018 Alcorn State Braves football team and 2018 Celebration Bowl
2018 Celebration Bowl – Game Summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Braves 3 3 10622
No. 11 Aggies 7 10 7024

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta,GA

  • Date: Decemberber 15, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: Played Indoors, Domed Stadium
  • Referee: Justin Elliot
  • TV: ABC
Game information

Post season

2019 NFL draft

The 2019 NFL Draft will be held on April 25–27 in Nashville, Tennessee. [12] The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.

Player Position Round Overall pick NFL team
Darryl Johnson Jr. DE 7 225 Buffalo Bills

2019 CFL draft

The 2019 CFL Draft took place on May 2, 2019. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.

Player Position Round Overall pick CFL Team
Malik Wlson WR/KR —- Undrafted free agent Saskatchewan Roughriders

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
STATS FCS1454 (3)4 (3)12111019181714121112
Coaches1466413111018–T181713131111

References

  1. ^ a b c NC A&T Athletics. "A&T Football Announces 2018 Signing Day Class". WFMY. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "Washington Talks Spring As Spring Game Approaches". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Hughes II, Joe L.; Blondin, Alan. "Christmas arrives a few days early for former Conway, CCU running back Martin". myrtlebeachonline. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "FCS football: 2018 Walter Payton Award watch list". August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "North Carolina A&T State Picked To Win 2018 MEAC Championship". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "NCAT's Raynard, NCCU's Reynolds Headline 2018 All-MEAC Preseason Football Team". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 25, 2018.
  7. ^ "Undefeated HBCU Champs A&T Releases 2018 Schedule". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. April 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "ECU-N.C. A&T Game Postponed Until Sunday, Sept. 2 At 3:30 P.M." www.ecupirates.com. ECU Pirates Official Athletics Website. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Lock TV Audio & Video". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information.
  10. ^ "North Carolina A&T Aggies Schedule 2018". ESPN. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  11. ^ "2018 Football Schedule". North Carolina A&T State University. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Knoblauch, Austin. "Nashville, Tennessee Titans to host 2019 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
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