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Week 6: Wide receiver Rashawn Proctor tearing it up at Hampton
And he’s not the only one in the MEAC and SWAC, including some top freshmen
Whenever Hampton University needs its receiver to make a big play, Rashawn Proctor is usually there to make that key reception. Proctor had seven catches for 102 yards to lead Hampton to a 27-17 victory over Delaware State University. He was a big part of the Pirates’ passing attack engineered by quarterback Jaylian Williamson, who completed 17 of 22 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown.
Proctor is quietly putting together an outstanding season. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound senior has 39 receptions for 559 yards. He averages 14.3 yards a catch and leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in receptions and receiving yards.
In a contest against North Carolina A&T State University earlier this season, he had a season-high 12 catches for 188 yards. Although Proctor has only one touchdown reception on the season, he doesn’t have a problem going over the middle and catching the football in heavy traffic.
Proctor has good quickness. He runs great pass routes. He doesn’t do anything spectacular, he’s just consistent. There aren’t many receivers better than Proctor in the FCS ranks.
His play should generate a lot of interest from NFL scouts, and his pass-catching skills could have him playing on Sundays next season.
Here are a few other athletes from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who are tearing up on the field:
TOP HBCU PERFORMANCES
- North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen had 200 yards on 23 carries to guide the Aggies to a 35-0 win over Norfolk State University. As a result of his great effort against the Spartans, Cohen is now the MEAC’s leading rusher. He broke the rushing mark held by Will Ford, who starred for South Carolina State University. Cohen also now has 5,489 career all-purpose yards, surpassing the record set by former Aggie star Herbert Harbison (5,383), who was a brilliant punt returner and wide receiver.
- Howard University running back Anthony Philyaw had 236 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 59-27 loss to Monmouth University. Philyaw averaged nine yards a carry in this contest.
- Alcorn State University quarterback Lenorris Footman had a productive day, completing 8-of-13 passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions as the Braves crushed Alabama A&M University, 42-19. Footman rushed for three touchdowns on 10 carries for 122 yards.
- Prairie View A&M University safety Will Skinner had nine total and six solo tackles to help the Panthers nip Alabama State University, 24-17.
- Bowie State University wide receiver Nyme Manns had 12 receptions for 86 yards as the Bulldogs beat Chowan University, 21-14.
- Tuskegee University quarterback Kevin Lacey connected on 18 of 29 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception to lead the Golden Tigers to a 28-19 win over Morehouse College in the 81st Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic. Tuskegee is now 6-0 this season and ranked eighth among Division II schools.
- Miles College quarterback David Whipple completed 16 of 29 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Bears defeated Central State University, 36-0.
- Tennessee State University wide receiver Patrick Smith had seven catches for 160 yards and one touchdown as Eastern Illinois University topped Tennessee State, 35-34. Smith averaged 22.9 yards a catch.
TOP HBCU FRESHMEN
It looks like the future of HBCU football is in the hands of some great young players. Here’s a list of the top black college players making a difference in their first year on the gridiron.
- Jordan Bentley, 6-foot, 200 pounds, running back, Alabama A&M University, 87 carries for 486 yards and six touchdowns.
- Darron Johnson, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, linebacker, Alabama State University, 31 total and 20 solo tackles.
- Elijah Bell, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, wide receiver, North Carolina A&T State University, 15 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
- Bishop Ford, 5-foot-7, 170 pounds, running back, South Carolina State University, 33 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
- Steven Newbold, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, wide receiver, Tennessee State University, 19 receptions for 458 yards and three touchdowns.
- Jayjerein Craig, 6-foot, 255 pounds, running back, Tuskegee University, 65 carries for 332 yards and two touchdowns.
- Stevie Green, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, running back, Fayetteville State University, 84 carries for 406 yards and two touchdowns.
- Dre Martin, 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, wide receiver, Clark Atlanta University, 23 catches for 472 yards and three touchdowns.