In the world of entertainment and athletics, a sophomore film, album, or year can define a career in more ways than one.
And after finishing the first season in over 40 years at an even 3-3 record, 2nd year Head Coach Tony Coaxum and the 2022 version of the Big Blue football squad, the goal is to be more like a Led Zeppelin II compared to A Saucerful of Secrets by Pink Floyd.
"Last year's team was about 90% freshmen straight from high school who were also coming to college after being locked in their homes for nearly a year because of a pandemic. This year we have members of all four classes represented on this team, and you can see the positive impact it's had. We have guys who have been in a college program before naturally stepping into leadership roles, and our returning players have matured and taken the first-year students under their wing to show them not only how college works but lead all the newcomers on how we operate here," states Coaxum.
The returning leadership will be on full display on both sides of the ball.
Perry Wilder III will look to grow his receiving numbers in his second year on campus. The 6' speedster from Charleston, South Carolina, finished the 2021 season with almost 300 yards all-purpose and a couple of scores.
Brick, New Jersey native Jahdir Loftland will also look to improve his stats from the running back position. After a redshirt year, the 5'9, 195-pound back could see as many carries as he wants this fall.
The offensive line depth may be one of the first things Big Blue fans notice this season and anchoring the unit will be 6'2, 295-pound Albert Johnson Jr. The sophomore from Pahokee, Florida, is very versatile and has been the guy all the youngsters have looked up to during pre-season camp.
Last year's 'Down Hill Attach' defense gained national attention by keeping teams in check through the air. Per the NCAA statistical website, the Big Blue finished the 2021 season ranked #1 in 1st Downs Defensively and #4 Team Passing Efficiency.
Returning from that unit will be a pair of electric sophomore defensive backs, Vernon Redd and Jhor'dan Inniss, along with pass-disrupter, 6', 275-pound sophomore Evan Robinson. TJ Gunter, a junior transfer from last year's first game opponent Lawrence Tech, seems to be a front runner for calling the shots at the Linebacker position.
The coaching staff will look a little different this year as well. With the loss of last year's Offensive and Defensive play callers, Coaxum has done some movement from within the staff he already had in place.
"We have two new Coordinators with the promotions of Aaron Anguiano to OC/QB and Lawrence Robinson to DC/DBs it's like a fresh start all over again. They have their styles of how they want to build the offense and defense. As a Head Coach. I was just as excited to see these young coaches take control as I was to see our new team with the growth of our returning players and the new players we brought into our Brotherhood. Coach Gales and Coach Blake were integral in getting this thing off the ground last year and will always be able to look back with pride on what we accomplished last year," the former Army Officer Coaxum praised.
With loss comes addition, as the energetic staff will add a couple of newbies to the Bluefield State program this season.
"We still have a very young staff in age, but you couldn't tell when you watch them work with our players and teach meetings and on the field. I promoted Rashard Alston to Assoc HC/Co-OC, and every coach on offense is coaching a different position than they did last year: Alston is now with WRs, Donald Manley is now with RBs, and we brought in Dimitri Hill to coach our OL/TEs. I love the idea that each coach has the ability to teach their current group through the eyes of another position. I think it will help our team tremendously!" Adds Coaxum.
Local Southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia fans will also see a few familiar faces taking the field for the Big Blue this Fall.
Bluefield products Carson Deeb (QB), Jason Edwards (RB), Carlos Reed-Ivy (WR), Kaulin Parris (P), and Ethan Church (DB) look to have an early impact in the Blue and Gold.
Beckley's James Carter (OL), Princeton's Dylan Blake (WR), Panther's Colton Kennedy (LB) as well as Narrows' Wyatt Freeman (QB), and Chilhowie's Daniel Hutton (K) will be vying for playing time as well.
With kickoff right around the corner, the Big Blue boss knows the process better than most.
"We are just about two weeks away from the opener, and I'm pleased with our progress to this point. We are in no way ready to play a real college football game yet, but we have plenty of opportunities to learn our systems and, more importantly, learn about each other as we build our brotherhood…because, in my eyes, that is the most important thing."
BSU will begin the 2022 campaign Thursday, September 1st, hosting Johnson C. Smith at Mitchell Stadium, kick-off at 6 pm.
