Post by superman7515 on Aug 20, 2011 15:44:27 GMT -5
www.delawareonline.com/article/20110820/SPORTS08/108200342/DSU-linebacker-leading-by-example?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s
DOVER -- Brandon Harvey leads, and Kermit Blount knows it.
"He's certainly a kid who's the first guy in all the drills," said Blount, Delaware State's new football coach. "He's going to be the first guy on the field and the last guy to leave and the first guy in the weight room.
"He brings a bunch of leadership and experience to our defensive unit."
Harvey, a 5-foot-11, 240-pound senior middle linebacker, is one of the cogs the Hornets are counting on to help revitalize their defense.
Last year, DSU ranked last in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in total defense (384.5 yards per game), eighth in rush defense (196.9 ypg) and eighth in pass defense (188.1 ypg).
But the Hornets have a new defensive coordinator in Mike Ketchum, who served for five years as Blount's defensive coordinator at Winston-Salem State.
Ketchum has brought a new attitude to preseason camp at Alumni Stadium.
"Camp is definitely going better than last year," Harvey said. "I think the team looks a lot better, is a lot more focused, and a lot more determined to get better."
Going through a 3-8 season -- as the Hornets did last year -- can take a lot out of a team. But it can also inspire improvement.
That's what Ketchum is seeing in Harvey, who started all 11 games and finished second on the team with 83 total tackles, including 46 solo stops, in his first season at DSU last year. Harvey, a Laurel, Md., native, played two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College prior to transferring.
"Right now he's having a heck of an impact," Ketchum said of Harvey. "He's a very, very good linebacker and very physical. His presence gives the other guys confidence.
"He's a good hard worker and a good leader. He's not a real vocal leader, but they will follow him because they're going to watch what he does."
Harvey ranked 10th in the MEAC at 7.5 tackles per game in 2010. Senior outside linebacker Quentin Ferguson, who was fourth on the team with 56 tackles last year, also returns.
"We're definitely going to be more solid, more aggressive and more disciplined," Harvey said. "We're going to be a lot better this year than we were in the past."
"One of the things when you come in from junior college is you want to play right now and you want to play a lot," Ketchum said. "He played a considerable amount last year. He's the unquestioned leader of the defense right now."
Defensive tackle Andre Caroll was that leader last year, but he's now in camp with the Cleveland Browns.
Harvey said he doesn't mind being called a leader.
"I think the guys look up to me a lot," he said. "I try to lead by example as much as I can."
Harvey said he models his game after Patrick Willis of the 49ers and London Fletcher of the Redskins.
"I like to play with a lot of aggressiveness and speed," Harvey said. "I like Patrick Willis because he's very fast and athletic, and London Fletcher because he's my height and he can definitely get the job done."
Harvey led the Hornets with three fumble recoveries, had eight tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble, two pass break-ups and a QB hurry.
He recorded a career-high 12 tackles, including nine unassisted stops, in 31-21 loss to Norfolk State on Nov. 13.
"I want us to win the MEAC championship and get to the playoffs, and I'd like to get 100 tackles or more," Harvey said. "Looking back, I'm definitely happy and excited that I made this move to Delaware State."
Stingers
Delaware State's scrimmage at Alumni Stadium is open to the public tonight at 6. ... DSU's "Media Day/FanFest" will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at Alumni Stadium. Coaches and players will be available for pictures with fans. The event will also include giveaways and prizes.blockquote]