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Questions: WSSU players could be transferring
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Stephen Young (95) has not decided whether he will return to WSSU next season or not.
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Published: November 24, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. - Now what?
That was the question many Winston-Salem State football players were asking each other Saturday afternoon after ending the season with a 28-21 loss at Norfolk State.
The question wasn't restricted to this season. Saturday's game also ended 17 years of stability under Coach Kermit Blount, who will be reassigned by the university for the final year of his contract. That leaves returning players in limbo until Bill Hayes, the incoming athletics director, hires a new coach.
One thing that could come next is a player exodus. The issue of key players transferring has been just below the surface much of the season, since the university's announcement that it was stopping its move to Division I.
Just who might be in demand by Division I programs after WSSU's 1-10 finish remains to be seen.
One assistant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Norfolk State was taking a hard look at three or possible four WSSU players.
"The vultures are out when it comes to looking at our players now," the assistant said. "That's the nature of things because of us going back to the CIAA."
Also, with the season over, players and their parents are free to contact other schools about transfer opportunities. Players who leave might get looks elsewhere in Division I because with WSSU at the Division II level, transfers will not have to sit at their new schools if they are eligible academically. Any player who transfers will need a waiver signed by WSSU, but another assistant said that would not be a problem.
Stephen Young, a sophomore defensive lineman, said throughout the season that he would decide about the possibility of transferring after the season. When asked Saturday, he said: "Right now, we need to get away from football a little bit. Then I'll get back to start lifting again and training. I'm not worried about all that stuff right now."
The Rams are losing 11 seniors, including six on defense, but the key players -- Young and fellow linemen Josh Newkirk and Akeem Ward -- will be juniors next season.
Omar Kizzie, who played quarterback and slot back against Norfolk State and will be a senior next season, said he isn't sure what will happen in the offseason.
"It's tough with what happened with Coach Blount, so we're not sure what's going on," Kizzie said. "We were hoping to win this last game for him, but it didn't work out. As for next season, we were kind of all playing for our jobs, so we'll see what the future holds."
jdell@wsjournal.com.
727-4081
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