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| Kwashaun Quick is back on North Carolina A&T’s roster. |
North Carolina A&T’s prospects for the 2015 MEAC title took a big hit when quarterback Kwashaun Quick was arrested on drug charges in March. Suffice to say, things look a lot better now that Quick is back on the team’s 2015 roster.
Quick was one of the best signal callers in the league last season, completing 58.2 percent of his passes for 1,418 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also ran for 602 yards and six touchdowns, and even caught a touchdown pass against Howard. His performance helped lift A&T to a 9-3 record in 2015, as the program claimed a share of the title for the first time since 2003.
In fact, the team was one Tarik Cohen fumble away from winning the title outright and earning the league’s automatic playoff bid. Despite missing the playoffs, there was still optimism as Quick and Cohen were set to come back for another year.
When news of Quick’s arrest and subsequent dismissal from the team broke this spring, all of that looked up in the air. The Aggies were prepared to start over at quarterback after Quick’s backup, Hasaan Klugh, transferred to UNC-Charlotte following season.
With Quick back as the starter, continuity shouldn’t be a problem A&T’s passing game. The team returns seven of its top eight receivers from 2014, including Denzel Keyes, Darren Bullock and Xavier Griffin. Add in a seasoned defense with the force that is Tarik Cohen, and the rest of the MEAC should be afraid.
Earlier this month I was asked the favorite in the MEAC was. If you asked me in February, I would have said A&T, but the question mark at quarterback led me to point to either Morgan State or North Carolina Central, both of which were bringing back solid quarterbacks and receivers (and in Morgan State’s case, another great back in Herb Walker, Jr.). If Quick can keep the passing game as a threat, it’s going to be hard to pick against them heading into the season.