Revisiting preseason storylines, standout player predictions as Hampton U football enters bye week

Interim head coach Trent Boykin and Hampton University football have a bye this week. The Pirates (3-3) are currently on a two-game losing streak after a 49-7 loss to William & Mary and last week’s double-overtime 46-44 thriller of a loss to Rhode Island.

Since Hampton won’t play again until next weekend on the road at North Carolina A&T, let’s revisit some storylines from the preseason and find a few takeaways from the Pirates’ first six games.

Preseason Storylines

Let’s play two (quarterbacks)!

Coming into the season there wasn’t a set QB1, and six games into the season, Malcolm Mays and Chris Zellous have split game reps almost evenly.

Zellous has been the first quarterback out in each game, totaling 262 snaps for an average of 43.6 snaps per game. Mays has totaled 174 in-game snaps for an average of 29 snaps per game. Zellous plays the most, Hampton is 3-1 while it’s 0-2 when Mays plays the most. That being said, Mays has only played more than 20 snaps in a game twice this season – so take the records with a grain of salt.”]

Both Zellous and Mays are solid dual-threat quarterbacks with similar skill sets. So their playing time isn’t necessarily based on who throws better or who runs better — Boykin sees both as starting-caliber QBs. Zellous has been the better runner this season, and he’s second on the team with 195 rushing yards and tied for the lead with four touchdowns, while Mays has 136 rushing yards and two TDs. Mays has thrown for 609 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions while Zellous has thrown for 555 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Get used to Hampton’s two-quarterback system if you haven’t already. It’s worked for the most part and Boykin has shown no signs of switching up his strategy.

Tough second-half schedule

No breaking news here, the Coastal Athletic Association is one of the best FCS football conferences. Three of the remaining teams on Hampton’s schedule are ranked or receiving votes in the most recent StatsPreform FCS Top 25, led by No. 5 Villanova. Boykin knows the CAA is a buzzsaw but there are still winnable games in the second half. Wins over North Carolina A&T and Elon could create the momentum needed for the Pirates to roll into the final four that includes all three of last year’s CAA co-champions (Villanova, Richmond, Albany) along with a blossoming Towson team.

Checking in on standouts

Elijah Burris, RB, Sr., 5-10, 205: Burris’ production has been slightly behind where it was last year through the first six weeks. Last season Burris totaled 564 yards and two touchdowns in the first six weeks, and this year he has 441 yards and four TDs. Burris might not have matched the exact numbers from this point last year but he’s still a Top 15 running back in the CAA. Most importantly, he’s healthy and hasn’t missed a game. Last year, Burris played in the first five games, then started missing games six and seven before eventually being ruled out for the year after game nine.

Darren Burton, DB, Soph., 5-11, 185: Burton’s impact has relatively limited in 2024. He’s played in five games this year, missing the Howard game. Burton has logged six total tackles so far this season. Perhaps an interception against Rhode Island, his first of the year, could be a sign he’s primed to break out.

Xavier Marshall, LB, graduate, 6-2, 195: After missing the bulk of last season due to injury Marshall hasn’t skipped a beat in 2024. He’s currently third on the team with 29 total tackles and is second in solo tackles with 22.

Dorrian Moultrie, WR, graduate, 5-11, 190: Moultrie was the lone receiver on the roster who had more than 10 catches for Hampton last year. He’s been a reliable target for Zellous and Mays this year and is currently No. 2 in receiving for Hampton this year with 15 catches for 163 yards.

Breakout player to watch

Brennan Ridley, WR, Fr., 5-11, 177: The Richmond native has burst onto the scene and leads the Pirates with 23 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Ridley’s breakout game came last week against Rhode Island: eight catches for 121 receiving yards and two scores.

Looking forward

There’s been a lot to like about the first half of Hampton’s season. The Pirates have shown flashes on both sides of the ball, but inconsistencies have shown in the last two weeks. If Hampton can find a way to play a full game consistently and pair its offensive performances from the Rhode Island and Norfolk State games with its best defensive performances from the Norfolk State and Howard games the Pirates could be a in a position to make some noise in the CAA.

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