Norfolk State, picked to finish fifth in the MEAC, is ‘on the right path’ as football season approaches

NORFOLK — Talking season officially began in the MEAC on Tuesday with the conference’s annual media day.

Representatives from all six teams in the conference — including Norfolk State head coach Dawson Odums, tight end Ikeem Wright and defensive back Devon Allen — all gathered to meet with the media and discuss their outlook on the 2024 football season.

The Spartans finished 3-8 last season, but Odums believes his team is in the right spot after a good spring and summer.

“It went well,” Odums said of Norfolk State’s summer workouts. “Guys got a chance to come in and bond together. We got ahead with install and it makes it kind easier for us that we got a lot of guys that have played coming back. We thought we picked up right where we left off from spring football. (We’re) just jelling as a team and really working on what is it going to take for us to be successful and just trying to hone in on that over the summer.”

After Norfolk State’s spring game in March, Odums said he felt the Spartans were “just a couple guys away” from being in a spot where they could have lots of success. Ahead of fall camp, which opens Wednesday, Odums feels his roster is “on the right path.”

“We’re still trying to put this puzzle together,” Odums said. “… If we can keep guys in our locker room together and we can develop, I think that’s the calling card of what I bring to college football and what my history and my legacy has been about — is developing players. It takes time to develop. We’ve been blessed, we’ve kept a lot of our guys and we’ve went through some things together. Now I think guys can draw from those experiences and I think that’s what’s gonna propel us going forward.”

The Spartans were picked to finish fifth in the MEAC preseason poll for the second year in a row on Tuesday. Odums, along with both Wright and Allen, all said they don’t read too much into the preseason polls.

“It’s challenging, a little bit, but it’s just extra motivation, honestly,” Allen said.

Last season, Allen landed on the All-MEAC second team and was one of the highest-rated FCS corners in the country by Pro Football Focus. The Ocean Lakes High product entered the transfer portal in December, but ultimately decided to return to Norfolk State and went through all of spring practice and summer workouts with the Spartans.

“It feels good to be here to finish what I started,” Allen said. “So it feels good to be back with my brothers.”

Norfolk State had 12 players named to the preseason All-MEAC teams on Tuesday. Quarterback Otto Kuhns, defensive lineman Keshawn Lynch, linebacker AJ Richardson and defensive back Terron Mallory were all first-team picks.

Heading into fall camp, Wright feels like there’s plenty of momentum to be carried from spring ball and fall camp.

“I think we can dominate on both sides of the ball,” Wright said.

Both Allen and Wright are excited to put the pads back on with Norfolk State’s first game of the year just over a month away.

“I’m really excited to get back to football,” Allen said. “Everybody is ready to get back.”

MEAC preseason poll

First-place votes in parentheses

1. North Carolina Central (4)

2. Howard (4)

3. Morgan State (1)

4. South Carolina State (2)

5. Norfolk State (1)

6. Delaware State

MEAC Preseason Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year: Jarett Hunter, Howard

Defensive Player of the Year: Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard

Norfolk State’s All-MEAC selections

• QB Otto Kuhns, first-team offense
• DL Keshawn Lynch, first-team defense
• LB AJ Richardson, first-team defense
• DB Terron Mallory, first-team defense
• RB Kevon King, second-team offense
• C Garrison Wheatley, second-team offense
• OL Vincent Byrd Jr., second-team offense
• OL Samuel Eskridge, second-team offense
• LB Daylan Long, second-team defense
• P Noah Tracey, second-team defense
• PK Grandin Willcox, second-team defense
• RS Jaylen White, second-team defense

Michael Sauls, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com , (757) 803-5774