Following a Sunday night practice in August, Chennis Berry had words of wisdom for his South Carolina State Bulldogs football team.
Berry, who accepted the job as the team’s head coach after leading Benedict College to back-to-back conference championships, let the squad know talent would only take them so far.
To become winners more is expected, with accountability on and off the football field being at the front of the list.
“There are a lot of things we’re doing,” Berry said. “We’re doing talent shows. We’re bringing in guest speakers from all over the state of South Carolina, a lot of prominent people who are doing amazing things in the community. We’re doing all kind of team bonding exercises.”
Although the Bulldogs struggled in 2023, posting a 5-6 record, Berry believes they have a chance to rebound this season.
“We needed to get depth at every position,” Berry said. “We have some talent. (Former State coach) Buddy Pough left us some good talent. ... We need to get depth, especially in the trenches, the offensive and defensive lines.”
The offensive line should be a strength with All-MEAC selection Nick Taiste leading the way.
The transition to Berry “has been smooth,” Taiste said. “Anything new is always an adjustment, but we’re just buying in and realizing what we have. At the end of the day we’re just trusting the process.”
Berry used the transfer portal to help make the Bulldogs competitive at every position. Quarterback was on the top of the list.
He reunited with Eric Phoenix, who played for him at Benedict prior to spending the 2023 season at Murray State.
During his time with Benedict, the QB competed in 28 games, completing 343 of 440 passes for 4,040 yards and 32 touchdowns to go with 18 interceptions.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was the Georgia high school 3A Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
“He’s special,” Berry said. “He’s a talented guy. He knows what he’s doing. He has a great grasp of what we’re doing offensively. It’s great when you have a quarterback — he and I are on the same page. We’ve got a chance to be successful offensively.”
Berry also brought in Ryan Stubblefield, a 5-10, 205-pound junior from Incarnate Word, at the QB position.
The Bulldogs have a trio of running backs who have caught Berry’s eye, one of which is well known by Palmetto State high school followers.
Kazarius “KZ” Adams, who led the nation in rushing while competing at Gray Collegiate Academy, transferred from Georgia State.
He rushed for 3,343 yards and 42 touchdowns in leading Gray to the South Carolina 2A state championship. He is the number two all-time rusher in state history.
Strengthening the position is Deondra Duehart, who played at Benedict, rushed for 609 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 and 542 yards and nine scores on 28 carries in 2022.
Sophomore Tyler J. Smith rushed for 295 yards and two touchdowns in his initial college campaign and is also in the competition.
“We’re excited about some of the guys we have back there,” Berry said.
Tight end Keshawn Toney and wide receiver Justin Smith-Brown, first- and second-team All-MEAC selections respectively, are also difference makers.
The linebacking corps, led by All-MEAC Aaron Smith, has been impressive.
“Aaron Smith is not only a great football player but is absolutely special,” Berry said. “He is an amazing human being. He is a great student, a great ambassador, a great leader on this campus and a great leader on this football team.
“Everything goes through Aaron Smith. He makes sure we’re in the right checks. We think he’s a great fit on defense.”
Berry is excited by the potential of South Carolina State and can’t wait to put his stamp on the program.
“When you look at that press box, you see those 18 MEAC Championships,” he said. “It goes way back. This is the 50-year reunion. They’ve been doing it a long time.
“The tradition, the culture right here in the state of South Carolina. The relationships we’ve built with all the coaches in the state, it was a pretty natural fit.”
SC State 2024 football schedule
- Aug. 31: at Florida A&M, 6 pm
- Sept. 7: at The Citadel, noon
- Sept. 14: at Georgia Southern, 6 pm
- Sept. 28: vs. NC A&T St., 6 pm
- Oct. 5: at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 pm
- Oct. 19: vs. Fort Valley St., 2 pm
- Oct. 26: vs. Delaware St., 3:30 pm
- Oct. 31: (Thu) vs. NC Central, 7 pm
- Nov. 9: at Howard, 3:30 pm
- Nov. 16: at Morgan St., 1 pm
- Nov. 23: vs. Norfolk St., 1:30 pm
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