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PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Johnson C. Smith is set at safety with second-team all-CIAA pick Lawyer Montgomery and Andre Saxon (16), but the Bulls are looking to recruit help everywhere else on defense, especiallly on the line and cornerback.

Johnson C. Smith’s most pressing football needs won’t wait for an infusion of high school recruits.

Golden Bulls coach Steve Aycock is looking for immediate help from junior college transfers after a 3-7 finish in his first season. Upgrades at quarterback, offensive and defensive line and linebacker are the top priority, especially in terms of adding size and depth.

Offense
JCSU was near the bottom of the CIAA in points scored with 189.

“Our main focus is quarterbacks and offensive linemen and defensive linemen for sure,” Aycock said. “We’re looking to add some cornerbacks maybe after signing day. It’s a wait game, so that’s what we’re doing at this point.

Quarterback: JCSU is recruiting junior colleges for someone to compete with Ryan Carter (97-of-152, 1,024 yards, 8 TDs), last year’s starter, and backup Marvin Payne.

“We’re looking pretty much at junior college guys at this point,” Aycock said. “I’m looking for someone who is well-tuned and can play right now, but we’re still not taking our eyes off a couple of high school kids we have in mind.”

Running backs: JCSU returns Dedrick Anderson (100 carries, 456 yards), Archie Barrow (31 carries, 152 yards) and Quentin Toomer (20 carries, 236 yards). 

Receivers: The Bulls need a complement to Jeremy Franklin, the league’s best wideout. He led the Bulls in receiving touchdowns with five receiving despite constant double-teaming.

“We’re looking for some playmakers on offense, for sure,” Aycock said. “We’re looking to get a few rangy receivers to complement Jeremy Franklin. (Defenses) try to lock him down on one side and then we’re at a disadvantage. We just didn’t have guys to complement him.”

Line: Four starters return, but Aycock is looking to add junior college recruits to improve depth.

“I’m looking to come into camp with 15, maybe 18 linemen with the four or five we’ve got returning,” he said. “We’re looking for guys who can come right in with experience in that area, too. We were young there, so I want to incorporate some junior college guys along with what we have to make this thing fit.”

Defense
JCSU gave up an average of 428.8 yards per game in 2009, last in the CIAA. The Bulls didn’t do much to control the line of scrimmage, with JCSU hovering near the bottom of the CIAA in both rushing and passing yards allowed and sacks (10). Livingstone was the only opponent to miss the 300-yard barrier against the Bulls.

Line: With Freddie Butler and B.L. Williams gone, the Bulls lose two of their biggest tackles. Immediate playing time is available for newcomers.

“Our main focus is upgrading the defensive line and corners, and we were young at linebacker,” Aycock said. The foundation of the defense is built up front and I need some interior guys. We need somebody who can come right in and create a double-team.”

Linebackers: Smith was undersized and young last season, Freshman Michael Coats finished second on the team in tackles with 50, but Aycock wants more size for this group, especially for run support.

“As great as the talent is  in the conference, we’ve got to get some ‘backers who can take on some of these bigger teams we play,” he said.

Secondary: Safety is set with second-team all-CIAA Lawyer Montgomery (82 tackles, 3 interceptions) and Andre Saxon (46 tackles, 2 interceptions). But cornerback is a definite need area.

“We want to do a little more man-to-man, so it’s a requirement as far as the talent level I’m looking for,” he said.

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