As we prepare for the 2013 football season, we’re taking a look at the best returning HBCU players at each position. Today, we check out the top receivers in the SIAC. Tomorrow we will evaluate the SWAC.
Bernard Little, Fort Valley State
In just two seasons at Fort Valley State, Little has become a big force on the interior. The 6’3, 290 pound defensive tackle finished with 31 tackles, eleven of which were for loss. Little also finished with two sacks and blocked a kick, helping FVSU to appearances in the SIAC Championship Game and the Division II playoffs. His performance earned him first team All-SIAC as a sophomore.
Peter Dele, Stillman College
Dele may not have made either All-SIAC conference team, but quarterbacks across HBCU football definitely know him. After recording just one sack in the season’s first six games, Dele finished with at least one sack in the next five games, including 3.5 in the final two. At 5’9, 213 pounds, Dele is small for a defensive end, even at the Division II level. Still, his strong finish to 2012 should have quarterbacks in the SIAC looking over their shoulders in 2013.
Kenny Townsend, Kentucky State
Simply put, Townsend was a tackling machine for Kentucky State. He came up with 74 total tackles, good for second behind linebacker Terry Horton. He also finished with ten tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The 6’3, 263 pound lineman should continue to make an impact in 2013.
Clarence Christian, Morehouse
Like Little, Christian has already made an impact in just two seasons. Christian finished with 35 tackles, including seven for loss in his sophomore season. He also came up with three sacks.
Devin Gainer, Benedict College
Gainer was named to the All-SIAC Second Team. A 6-0, 285-pound junior from St. Petersburg, Fla., he recorded 41 total tackles for the Tigers. He led the team and was fifth in the SIAC with five sacks.