July 16, 2023 – Lynchburg, VA –
It’s been a busy off-season for the Virginia University of Lynchburg program, as they are looking to make a big leap from last year’s season which ended with an 0–10-win record. Last season, they proved that they could compete at the NCAA DI FCS level as they kept some games closer than experts expected. With a tough 2023 slate of games ahead, Coach Newman was going to need to dive deep into the transfer portal to bolster their roster to put them in the conversation for a bid to the NCCAA Victory Bowl. The first position the coaching/recruiting staff targeted was wide receiver, as they were looking to provide “QB3” CJ Brooks with as many options as possible as he returns from a 2022 season that got cut short due to an ACL injury. It also didn’t help that their top receiver in 2022, Cinsere Clark, left through the transfer portal to join Saint Francis University. With a total of 6 NCAA DI FCS games on the schedule, the recruiting staff heavily recruited receivers with DI experience and came out strong. The three big name receivers they signed were Richard Olszak (Texas Tech), Brison Huey (Grambling State), and Qunicy Cage (UTSA). Much is still to be decided when it comes to the depth chart, but all eyes are on Quincy Cage to take the WR1 spot after suiting up for multiple games at the DI level, specifically with Nicholls State, one of his stops prior to his stint with UTSA. Another big signing, although not technically a transfer, tight-end Damir Blakely decommitted from FAMU this past week and signed with the VUL Dragons. After loading up their receiving core, the next focus was on the running game, as they were ranked second to last in the NCCAA in rushing yards per game. To fill this need, the recruiting staff went swinging big and signed two players out of the portal that are looking to power the ball to the endzone this season. Those players are Dae’Vontay Latimer (University of Akron) and Nunes Bukula IV (Wagner College). The hope is that the two will be able to provide enough of threat to create opportunities for CJ Brooks to capitalize with the pass when the defense is expecting the run.
Another big DI transfer came to VUL through the portal and although he has played both wide receiver and defensive back, it is expected that he will provide depth on the defensive end of the ball. His name is Chris Mathis, and he will look to potentially lead a secondary that totaled 11 interceptions last season. To fill in many of the other openings on the defensive end, Director of Scouting, Derek Edwards attacked the JUCO transfer market, bringing in a plethora of talent to look to shut down the multiple high-powered offenses that the Dragons will face this season. Some of the players include Kobe Thompson (LB / East Central Community College), Asa Morales (LB / Fresno City College), and Ty’ Quan Parker (DB / Sussex County Community College). Finishing out the defense, Coach Edwards brought in a couple of NCAA DII transfers, Coane Pross (LB / Fort Valley State) and Mark White (DB / Limestone University).
On paper, with the additions of transfers, VUL is looking like a high-caliber NCCAA team. The potential with this team will be very high, but they will have to get wins over some tough competition to be eligible for a bid to the NCCAA Victory Bowl, as the NCCAA requires a record above .500 to be eligible. A lot is also riding on Caleb Brooks being completely healthy throughout the season, as the Dragons rely heavily on their passing game. Head Coach Tim Newman will evaluate the roster the next few weeks as players report for training camp and he will have to make some difficult decisions on who will make the game-day roster and what the depth chart will look like, but the expectations are high as fans are still looking for Newman to produce a winning product and his decisions this training camp may have implications on his future with the program. Although there is a lot on the line, the future is hopeful, and the coaching staff is optimistic that they will shock the world with some upsets this season with a strong passing game and a secondary that will look to wreak havoc against pass-heavy teams. The VUL Dragons start their season in Jefferson City, TN on August 31st, 2023 at 7:00PM EST as they face the Eagles of Carson-Newman University (NCAA DII).
