BCSP Notes . . .
NFL Europe stars
Among the 15 black college players taking part in NFL Europe
play this year (see STAT CORNER) were several who had
outstanding seasons.
Chad Lucas, the former Alabama State
wide receiver, perhaps had the best season. Playing for
the Amsterdam Admirals, Lucas led the league in
touchdowns and receiving touchdowns with eight (8)
while helping his team to a 7-2 regular season mark and a
spot in the NFL Europe title game, World Bowl XIV,
which was played on May 26.
Lucas finished the season with 27 receptions for 440 yards, an average of 16.3 yards per catch, and the eight scores. He was sixth in the league in receiving yards and fourth in receptions. Lucas, the cousin of former Tuskegee current NY Giants' cornerback Frank Walker, was signed to a free agent contract by Green Bay in June 2005 and will attempt to make the Packers' roster this season.
Former Southern defensive back Lenny Williams also had a productive season for the World Bowl champion Franfurt Galaxy. Williams, who was drafted by Tampa Bay in seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft, has been released and signed by Dallas twice since then including landing on the Cowboys' practice squad through the end of last season. He was allocated to the Galaxy by Dallas.
He had three interceptions during the NFLE season and was third
in the league in kickoff returns averaging 25.4 yards per return. He had a
key fourth-down pass break-up in the fourth quarter of the Galaxy's 22-7
win over Amsterdam in the World Bowl.
World Bowl champion Frankfurt also had two former black college players on their offensive line that paved the way for the top ground attack in the league. Emmanuel Akah of Winston-Salem State and center Roderick Green of Arkansas-Pine Bluff helped the Galaxy amass over 1,700 rushing yards, more than 400 yards better than any other team in the league. Akah is a free agent while Green was allocated by the Oakland Raiders. North Carolina A&T product Qasim Mitchell, allocated by the Chicago Bears, was also a member of the offensive line but was on injured reserve at the end of the season.
Former Alabama State defensive standout
Earl Cochran had another outstanding campaign playing for Amsterdam. The
pass-rushing specialist finished among the league leaders with five sacks in his
second NFL Europe season. Cochran is a free agent.
Former speedy Hampton wide receiver and kick returner Zuriel Smith hauled in 12 passes for three touchdowns for the Rhein Fire before being injured. Smith, who made the squad at Dallas as a rookie in 2003, was allocated to the Fire by the New England Patriots.
Five go in MLB Draft '06
Only five black college players made it off the boards through over
50 rounds in last week's draft of amateur players by Major League Baseball.
Mississippi Valley State shortstop Zachary Penprase was the first black college player selected going to Philadelphia with the 397th pick overall in the 13th round. Penprase, a 6-3, 195-pound freshman, his .354 for the Delta Devils this season to finish tenth in SWAC hitting. He had just one homer and 36 RBIs but tied for the lead in steals swiping 56 bases in 63 attempts.
North Carolina A&T outfielder Jeremy Jones was the next player selected going to Colorado in the 25th round with the 738th selection overall. Jones, had only two official at-bats in the 2006 season after injuring his wrist while taking batting practice.
He was trying to follow up a 2005 season in which he earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors, batted .402 and led the Aggies to the MEAC Championship to their first-ever bid to the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
West Virginia State senior left-handed pitcher Zachary Baldwin, who posted a sparkling 19-0 mark for the WVIAC champion Yellow Jackets was taken by Washington in 31st round, 931st overall.
Sanduan Dubose, a third baseman out of Stillman, was taken in the 35th round by Milwaukee, 1,052nd overall. Dubose hit .431 for Stillman with an .889 slugging percentage and .581 on base percentage He had 62 hits which included 12 HRs, seven triples, 16 doubles and 60 RBIs.
Texas Southern outfielder Donald Green was the last to go off the boards in the 39th round to the New York Mets. Green hit .300 for the Tigers this season.
| ROUND 13 | 397 |
Philadelphia |
| Zachary Penprase, SS, Mississippi Valley State | ||
| ROUND 25 | 738 |
Colorado |
| Jeremy Jones, RF, North Carolina A&T | ||
| ROUND 31 | 931 |
Washington |
| Zachary Baldwin, LHP, West Virginia State | ||
| RD 35 | 1052 |
Milwaukee |
| Sanduan Dubose, 3B, Stillman College | ||
| ROUND 39 | 1174 |
N.Y. Mets |
| Donald Green, OF, Texas Southern | ||
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