1. Background and Career Path: Coach Williams’ journey to becoming a renowned coach started with his passion for the sport. As a player, he excelled as a defensive lineman during his high school years, which provided him with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. After completing his playing career, Coach Williams transitioned smoothly into coaching at various levels before finding his niche at Livingstone College.

2. Development of Defensive Linemen: One of Coach Williams’ greatest assets is his ability to transform raw talent into formidable defensive linemen. Through his meticulous attention to technique and his commitment to player development, he has consistently produced top-tier players who excel on the field. Under his guidance, Livingstone College’s defensive line has become known for their tenacity, strength, and disciplined play.

3. Strategic Recruiting: As the Recruiting Coordinator, Coach Williams has played a crucial role in bringing in talented athletes to Livingstone College. His extensive network and knowledge of the recruiting landscape have allowed the program to attract exceptional prospects. Coach Williams understands the importance of recruiting not just talented athletes but individuals who align with the values and culture of the team, ensuring a cohesive and successful unit. Since arriving at Livingstone College, Coach Williams has produced 4 All Conference players and 1 National All American, as well as an underrated defensive back who transferred to a power 5 university after just one season at Livingstone College.

4. Mentorship and Leadership: Coach Williams is not only a skilled coach but also a mentor and leader for his players. He fosters an environment of growth, instilling discipline and determination in his athletes. His dedication to their overall development, both on and off the field, has earned him the respect and admiration of the players under his tutelage.

5. Impact on the Livingstone College Football Program: Coach Williams’ contributions to the Livingstone College football program are immeasurable. His expertise in coaching defensive linemen and his exceptional recruiting abilities have elevated the team’s performance and reputation. The program has seen increased success in recent years, with the defensive line becoming a formidable force in the conference and attracting talented recruits from across the country.

Coach Austin Coach Michael Austin has been a driving force behind the success of Livingstone College’s turnover-hungry defense. As the defensive coordinator, Coach Austin has instilled a tenacious and aggressive mindset in his players, emphasizing the importance of creating turnovers and making game-changing plays. Under Coach Austin’s guidance, the Livingstone College defense has become known for its ability to force turnovers and capitalize on opponent’s mistakes. This disruptive style of play has been instrumental in the team’s success, often providing a spark and momentum shift during crucial moments in games. Leading the charge for the defense is Jaden Echols, a two-time All-Conference linebacker. Echols’ exceptional skills and leadership have been instrumental in the team’s defensive success. With his speed, instincts, and relentless pursuit of the ball, Echols has consistently made impactful plays, whether it’s interceptions, forced fumbles, or key tackles. Coach Austin’s coaching philosophy revolves around creating a disciplined and aggressive defense. He emphasizes the importance of proper technique, sound fundamentals, and relentless effort in order to create turnovers. Through film study, practice drills, and game planning, Coach Austin ensures that his defense is well-prepared to exploit weaknesses in the opposing team’s offense.

The success of Coach Austin’s turnover-hungry defense has not gone unnoticed. Opposing offenses have struggled to find success against Livingstone College, often falling victim to forced turnovers and costly mistakes. This has given the team a significant advantage, allowing the offense to capitalize on short fields and swing the momentum in their favor. Coach Austin’s ability to develop a turnover-focused defense and cultivate the talents of players like Jaden Echols showcases his coaching prowess. His attention to detail, strategic approach, and ability to motivate his players have made him highly regarded in the coaching community. The impact of Coach Michael Austin and his turnover-hungry defense led by Jaden Echols has been instrumental in the success of Livingstone College’s football program. Their ability to create turnovers and make game-changing plays has elevated the team’s performance and helped secure victories.

In conclusion, Coach Michael Austin’s turnover-hungry defense at Livingstone College, led by two-time All-Conference linebacker Jaden Echols, has become a formidable unit. Through Coach Austin’s expertise and leadership, the defense has developed a reputation for its ability to force turnovers.

Coach Marcel Caver has been an integral part of the success of Livingstone College’s explosive wide receiver core, led by the talented Devontay Deloatch. Caver’s coaching expertise and his ability to develop and refine the skills of his players have significantly contributed to the team’s overall performance. Coach Marcel Caver brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role as the Wide Receiver Coach at Livingstone College. With a deep understanding of the intricacies of the position, Caver is well-versed in teaching his players the fundamentals of route running, catching technique, and overall game strategy. His dedication to player development and his commitment to excellence have made him highly regarded in the coaching community. Under Coach Caver’s guidance, Livingstone College’s wide receiver core has flourished. One standout player who has benefited greatly from Caver’s coaching is Devontay Deloatch. Deloatch has emerged as a dynamic playmaker for the team, showcasing exceptional speed, agility, and hands. Coach Caver’s coaching philosophy revolves around pushing his players to reach their maximum potential. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, discipline, and hard work in order to excel on the field. Through personalized training sessions, film analysis, and constructive feedback, Caver ensures that each receiver under his tutelage has the tools necessary to succeed. The explosive wide receiver core at Livingstone College, led by Devontay Deloatch, has become a force to be reckoned with. Deloatch’s ability to create separation from defenders, make difficult catches, and turn short gains into big plays has made him a standout performer. His success can be attributed, at least in part, to the exceptional coaching and mentorship provided by Coach Caver. The impact of Coach Caver and his explosive wide receiver core led by Devontay Deloatch has not gone unnoticed. Their performances have garnered attention from rivals and fans alike, raising the profile of Livingstone College’s football program. Coach Caver’s ability to develop top-tier talent and produce outstanding results on the field is a testament to his expertise and dedication.

Coach Caver has been instrumental in the success of Livingstone College’s explosive wide receiver core. Through his coaching prowess, he has helped players like recently transferred Matthew Henry, Devontay “Tay” Deloatch and Angel Carrillo reach their full potential and become key contributors to the team’s success. Coach Caver’s dedication to player development and his unwavering commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset to the program.

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These changes stand out among the seven total recommendations brought forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee, which held its annual rules meeting January 23-25 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors subsequently approved all seven of the committee’s suggestions.

“With this year’s rules changes, the committee once again showed its focus on minimizing risk in high school football,” said Bob Colgate, NFHS Director of Sports and Sports Medicine and liaison to the NFHS Football Rules Committee. “By expanding the parameters for a legal forward pass and redefining the chop block so it can be more easily officiated by game officials, the committee has taken measures to mitigate two potentially risky situations within the game.”

Rule 7-5-2 EXCEPTION 2 now permits a player to purposefully throw an incomplete forward pass without warranting an intentional grounding penalty provided the passer is outside of “the pocket” (lateral boundary of the free-blocking zone) and the pass reaches the neutral zone or the extension of the neutral zone beyond the sideline.

“The question (with this rule) has always been, ‘if the defense makes a good play, are we bailing out the offense by letting the quarterback throw the ball away?’” said Richard McWhirter, Chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and Assistant Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. “This year, I think the committee felt the wellbeing of the passers and not subjecting them to extra hits was worth changing the rule.”

An alteration to Rule 2-3-8 addressed the new definition of a chop block, which is now described as “a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is below the waist and one of the blocks is above the waist.” Previously, the defensive player’s knee was used to determine the high and low components of a chop block.

“This is going to strengthen the rule and it’s also going to help the game officials,” said McWhirter. “I think they’re going to be able to enforce this rule better than they have in the past because determining ‘below the knee’ and ‘above the knee’ is tough to do. I think it’s really going to improve the game.”

Players will be able to wear the number 0 as a jersey number starting in 2022, as the range of acceptable numbers listed in Rule 1-4-3 was expanded from 1-99 to 0-99. However, any number preceded by the digit zero will be illegal.

State associations now have the option to extend sideline team boxes beyond their traditional 50-yard expanse (between the 25-yard-lines) as long as both teams are allowed to use the same dimensions. This new NOTE attached to Rule 1-2-3g also gives state associations the freedom to decide which individuals can access the extended area.

Two minor changes involving game clock and play clock procedures were made to Rules 3-4-7 and 3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTIONS, respectively.

In Rule 3-4-7, any foul committed within the last two minutes of either half will automatically result in the offended team’s option to start the game clock on the snap. Prior to this change, the offended team was required to accept its opponent’s penalty in order to gain control of the game clock.

The committee edited the EXCEPTIONS to Rule 3-6-1a(1)e, which clarify the necessary conditions for an abbreviated 25-second play clock after a stoppage in play. This rule now includes an exception for Rule 3-5-7i, mandating that a 40-second play clock be employed following a foul committed only by the defensive team.  

The final rule change for 2022 is an alteration to Rule 1-3-3 regarding game equipment. Any game official – not just the referee – may order the ball changed between downs.

The NFHS Football Rules Committee is composed of one representative from each of the NFHS member state associations that use NFHS football rules, along with a representative from the NFHS Coaches Association, NFHS Officials Association and NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

A complete listing of the football rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Football.”

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 11-player football is the most popular high school sport for boys with 1,006,013 participants in 14,247 schools nationwide. In addition, there were 31,221 boys who participated in 6-, 8- and 9-player football, along with 2,604 girls in all four versions of the game for a grand total of 1,039,828.

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The Colonial Athletic Association announced Tuesday that North Carolina A&T. has accepted an invitation to join the conference as a full member on July 1, 2022.

The Aggies will also join as a member of CAA football starting on July 1, 2023.

“We are pleased to welcome North Carolina A&T as the newest member of the CAA,” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “The Aggies fit perfectly into the framework of the Conference’s vision that calls for our membership to work together to advance nationally competitive athletic programs – coupled with outstanding academic programs – that empower student-athletes as whole persons to strive at the highest level in every aspect of their lives. The CAA is excited to add a second HBCU to its membership, and going forward the Conference will continue to be focused on making decisions that ensure its membership a competitive and sustainable model.”

CAA Football’s membership will expand to 14 in 2023 with the addition of North Carolina A&T.

Decisions regarding scheduling formats and championship field sizes are ongoing and will be determined over the coming months.

“This is yet another great day for the CAA,” said Drexel University President John Fry, Chair of the CAA Board of Directors. “I continue to be profoundly grateful for the sustained engagement of our Presidents over the last 16 months, as together with our Athletics Directors we have forged a principled vision for the future in these turbulent times. To know that an institution with the academic and athletic prestige of North Carolina A&T shares in these same aspirational values for college athletics is not only gratifying but speaks volumes about the future success of our Conference.”

“We bring a significant level of achievement as a university to this new association, which enhances our excitement about joining an athletics association with so many outstanding peers who share so much in common with our university,” said A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. “The CAA is rich with opportunity for A&T, our outstanding student-athletes, highly engaged research faculty, distinguished academic programs and accomplished alumni.

“While we will be fierce competitors on the playing field, we look forward to exploring many opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations with our new conference colleagues.”

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Jordan Cornette will host Clemson Pro Day (10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, ACCN) from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. studio joined by his teammates from the The Huddle – Eric Mac Lain, EJ Manuel and Mark Richt. ESPN NFL Draft analyst and Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy and NFL front office insider Mike Tannenbaum will also provide insight throughout Thursday’s coverage.

Notable participants include: wide receivers Amari Rodgers, Cornell Powell and Diondre Overton, tight end J.C. Chalk, and running backs Travis Etienne and Adam Choice.

Typical pro day events include: 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle among other position specific drills.

Additionally, ACCN will televise Miami Pro Day on Monday, March 29, while ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), the network’s digital platform available on the ESPN App, will carry Pitt Pro Day (March 17), Florida State Pro Day (March 22), Virginia Tech Pro Day (March 26), Duke Pro Day (March 29), Louisville Pro Day (March 30) and Wake Forest Pro Day (March 31) through the end of March.

Details surrounding Miami Pro Day and events on ACCNX will be announced in the coming weeks.

About ACC Network

Owned and operated by ESPN in partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC Network (ACCN) and its digital platform ACCNX is a 24/7 national network dedicated to ACC sports that launched on August 22, 2019. ACCN features regular-season and tournament games from across the conference’s 27 sponsored sports plus a complement of news and information shows and original programming. ESPN has been televising ACC content since 1979 and has exclusive rights to every conference-controlled game across all sports and championships.

Carriage agreements are in place with the following video providers: AT&T TV, AT&T TV NOW, Cox, DIRECTV, DISH Network, fuboTV, Google Fiber, Hulu Live TV, Optimum, Sling TV, Spectrum TV, Suddenlink, TVision, Verizon Fios, YouTube TV, members of the NCTC, NRTC and Vivicast, among others. All ACCN games will also be available on the ESPN app to authenticated subscribers. Fans interested in learning more about ACCN can visit www.GetACCN.com.

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Sherman confirmed in a text message that he agreed to the contract on Saturday after spending the day meeting with the team. ESPN reported that Sherman’s deal is worth up to $39.15 million.

Sherman played an integral role in the fierce NFC West rivalry between Seattle and San Francisco earlier this decade. His deflection on a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the 2013 NFC championship game against the 49ers led to an interception that sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, which they won.

Now, the player who was reviled so much by 49ers fans is joining their team after the Seahawks decided he wasn’t worth his $13 million salary for 2018. San Francisco hopes he can make a big impact even as he turns 30 later this month and is coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season. Sherman also had a cleanup surgery on his opposite ankle during the offseason.

The 49ers had a glaring need at cornerback with 2017 third-round pick Ahkello Witherspoon and slot cornerback K’Waun Williams the only players under contract with extensive experience. The Niners believe Sherman can fill that role in a defense modeled by coordinator Robert Saleh after the one that had so much success in Seattle. Saleh was a former defensive assistant with the Seahawks.

Sherman became a star in Seattle, bringing a brash attitude and willingness to speak out on any topic to go along with his stellar play. His best seasons came in 2013 and 2014, when Seattle made two Super Bowl appearances, and he has 32 interceptions.

Sherman still was one of the better cornerbacks the past three seasons, ranking second in the NFL by allowing just 49.2 percent of passes against him to be caught, according to Pro Football Focus.

Sherman played his college ball in the Bay Area at Stanford under former coach Jim Harbaugh, who then went up against Sherman during his four seasons in charge of the 49ers.

Niners general manager John Lynch is also a Stanford alum and tweeted out a photo with Sherman.

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An inductee in the Vikings’ Ring of Honor in 2017, Moss will be on-set at the IDS Crystal Court in Minneapolis on Sunday morning as part of ESPN’s Super Bowl LII edition of Postseason NFL Countdown (9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT). After the Philadelphia Eagles-New England Patriots game, Moss will be on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium for the post-Super Bowl NFL PrimeTime (9:30 p.m. CT) with Chris Berman and Steve Young.  

ESPN colleagues share their thoughts and congratulations on Moss’s election to the Hall of Fame:

Seth Markman, ESPN senior coordinating producer, NFL studio shows:

“Our entire ESPN team is thrilled for Randy, especially for him to get this honor in Minnesota where he is so revered by Vikings fans. It means so much to him and his family because he truly cares about the history of the game and his impact on the NFL. I have seen first-hand the immense respect that players and coaches have for Randy around the league. Now this is the ultimate validation of his career.”

Hall of Fame NFL host Chris Berman, who covered Moss throughout his playing career and worked with him on Countdown:

“Randy was the rare player who was a game-changer the moment he came into the NFL. He kept his coaches, quarterbacks, and teammates up all night before the game in anticipation, while keeping opposing coaches and defensive players up all night in trepidation. He was a highlight waiting to happen.”

Charles Woodson, legendary NFL defensive back and Moss’s ESPN studio teammate:

“Randy Moss made defensive coordinators change game plans and sometimes abandon philosophies. When you can change the way a coach sees the game, who has been around the game all their life, you are undoubtedly a first ballot HOFer.”

The 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will be in Canton, Ohio, in August and televised by ESPN.

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Student ACES groups students with professional and collegiate athletes as part of a program sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), that focuses on training third- and senior-year high school students from public and private educational institutions the values and principles of leadership, such as honor, humility and integrity, through interaction with important sport figures, entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Participants also received the book Building Blocks of Leadership for Young Adults, written by Buck Martinez, founder of Student ACES, as a resource to help them better grasp and apply valuable lessons that will serve as a foundation for the rest of their lives.

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“My message to the players is to focus on winning this national championship game,” says the Migos rapper.

“Don’t worry about nothing else. Just focus on winning.”

FYI, Quavo is a HUUUUUGE Georgia Bulldogs fan — and was even on the field with the team when they beat Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. He’ll be in the stands on Monday, too.

“[The Georgia players] been practicing. They’ve been working hard this whole season. They’ve been working hard from game 1 all the way now.”

“You shouldn’t get to the national championship and worry about [demonstrating]. You should be going straight in and worrying about football.”

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He is set to be hosted by Nick Ayers, a Georgia native who is Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, and his wife Jamie Ayers. First Lady Melania Trump is also expected to attend the game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

APD says it is working with the U.S. Secret Service on security plans.

It’s not immediately certain whether two other top Trump allies in Georgia – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Sen. David Perdue – will join them.

Trump and his aides have focused their attention on the college football playoffs even as he continues a war of words with the NFL over players who protest social injustice during the national anthem.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders opened her press briefing Tuesday by congratulating the SEC schools “from two great states, both in the heart of Trump country” for bowl victories that propelled them to the championship.

Trump carried both states in 2016 – Alabama by nearly 30 points and Georgia by about five. But Alabama voters dealt Trump a blow in December by electing Democrat Doug Jones to the U.S. Senate over Republican Roy Moore, who Trump endorsed.

When pressed on Moore’s defeat, Sanders said she was simply trying to congratulate “two great football teams in the greatest conference in the country.”

As the room erupted into laughter, she added: “Which I’m sure that most of you will all agree, even those that don’t live in one of those lucky states.”

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