2023 Samford Football vs UTMartin by Samford University

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2023 FOOTBALL

game eleven ut-martin vs. samford

game day bobby bowden field 12 p.m. espn+ senior day

joseph mera

g r a d u at e | d e f e n s i v e e n d

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2022 FOOTBALL

Head Coach Chris Hatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Football Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Football Support Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Returning Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Signees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 National Honors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Today’s Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Around The SoCon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Schedule/Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Football Player Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Samford Roster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Opponent Roster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Samford Depth Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Opponent Depth Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Seibert Stadium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House. . . . . . . . . 37 Academic Achievements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Charles Williams Memorial Jersey. . . . . . . . . 40 Samford President Dr. Beck Taylor. . . . . . . . . . 43 Athletics Director Martin Newton. . . . . . . . . . . 44 Head Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Samford University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Samford Athletics Hall of Fame. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Bulldog Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Athletic Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Bulldogs in the NFL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Editor: Joey Mullins Senior Graphic Designer: Scott Camp Contributors: Rylee Jones and Corey Green Photographers: Chase Cochran and Parker Freedman

Produced by Samford Division of Marketing and Communication

samfordsports.com SOCIAL MEDIA Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs 24/7 through the following social media outlets: SamfordSports samfordsports samfordsportsnetwork samfordsports INTERNET The official website of Samford University athletics is samfordsports.com. A partnership of Samford athletics and SideArm Sports, the internet home of the Bulldogs, is full of the most up-to-date information on football and Samford’s 16 other varsity sports. With news stories, coaches’ and studentathletes’ biographies, plus team rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, results and video, the most comprehensive coverage of the Bulldogs can always be found online at samfordsports.com. BROADCASTS For the ESPN broadcasts, Blake Gardner will handle play-by-play duties. Damian Mitchell will provide color commentary, while Lynden Blake will serve as the

sideline reporter. Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ can be accessed via the ESPN App across most internet-connected media devices or on ESPN.com. ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. It is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, and is also be available through ESPN.com.

2023 FOOTBALL

We’re all fans of healthy competition. Staying active keeps us healthier and socializing makes us happier. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is proud to sponsor athletics across the state. Learn more about getting healthier and happier at AlabamaBlue.com/Happy.

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Bulldogs Head Coach

Chris Hatcher

Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. Entering his ninth season at Samford in 2023, Hatcher boasts a career record of 172-95 in 23 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State. Hatcher is Samford’s all-time winningest coach, with a record of 51-38 with the Bulldogs. In his time at Samford, his team’s have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories. During the 2022 season, Hatcher led the Bulldogs to the program’s best season in over 30 years. Samford posted a final record of 11-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 mark in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright SoCon title. The team also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991. Samford’s 10 regular season wins were tied for the most in program history, and the eight conference wins were the most ever for the program. The 11 total wins were the second most in Samford football history. Following the 2022 season, Hatcher was named the SoCon Coach of the Year, and he also earned Region 2 Coach of the Year honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). In addition to Hatcher’s awards, quarterback Michael Hiers was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, the fifth time in Hatcher’s first eight seasons that the Samford quarterback earned the award. In the fall of 2021, Hatcher’s offense produced the FCS’ all-purpose yards leader in Montrell Washington (176.18 ypg.). Quarterback Liam Welch also put up impressive numbers, ranking seventh in the nation in passing yards per game (306.0 ypg.). 4

As a team last fall, the Bulldogs ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (448.7 ypg.), ninth in passing offense (307.5 ypg.) and sixth in scoring offense (37.9 ppg.). Hatcher led his team in the first-ever spring season in the spring of 2021, after the 2020 fall season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the spring season, the Samford offense led the Southern Conference in scoring offense (40.3 ppg.), total offense (513.9 ypg.), passing offense (353.1 ypg.) and pass efficiency (148.1). On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog defense led the league in opponent third-down conversions (31.0%) and turnovers caused (18). Individually, Welch was named the SoCon’s Co-Offenive Player of the Year for the spring season. Welch and safety Chris Edmonds were both named All-Americans following the season. In 2019, the Bulldogs led all of FCS football in punt return average (19.41 ypr.), and the team ranked second nationally in fewest penalties per game (3.58). Samford also led the SoCon in first downs (22.6 pg.), and the team ranked second in the league in scoring offense (32.2 ppg.) and passing offense (239.2 ypg.). Hatcher’s 2018 team posted the program’s eighth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history. Also during the season, quarterback Devlin Hodges became the FCS’ all-time leader in career passing yards. Hodges also earned the highest individual honor at the FCS level, the highest individual honor at the FCS level, winning the Walter Payton Award. Additionally, he was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year for a third-straight season. Also in 2018, Hodges set school records for single-season completions (388), attempts (550), passing yards (4,283). Hodges was named the SoCon’s Offensive Player of the Year and a third team All-American at the conclusion of the season. In 2017, Hatcher led the team to an 8-4 record

A concussion is nothing to play with. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play, evaluated by a doctor, monitored and not left alone.

To make an appointment, please call 205-934-1041.

ChildrensAL.org/Concussion 5

samfordsports.com and a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for a second-straight season for the first time since 1992. As a unit, the 2016 Samford offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349.4 passing yards per game. The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90.2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155.24), 12th in scoring offense (35.1 ppg.) and 14th in total offense (446.2 ypg.). In his first season at Samford in 2015, Hatcher put his stamp on the Bulldog program. Samford finished the season third in the nation in passing offense (332.9 ypg.), seventh in the nation in total offense (479.7 ypg.) and seventh in fourth down conversions (66.7%). Hatcher’s special teams also stood out, ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return average (24.34 ypr.). Hatcher led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record that first season, ending the season with a pair of impressive Southern Conference road wins at Wofford and Mercer. The 2015 team also produced a pair of All-Americans in cornerback James Bradberry and place-kicker Anthony Pistelli. Hatcher came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Murray State University from

2010 to 2014. Hatcher is no stranger to the Southern Conference, as he served as the head coach at Georgia Southern from 2007 to 2009. Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into one of the most dominant teams in Division II. The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 at his alma mater. Hatcher led his alma mater to its first NCAA Division II national championship in 2004, and he coaches Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time Harlan Hill Award winner, an award Hatcher won as a quarterback at VSU in 1994. Hatcher carried his success on the playing field to help him develop into one of the nation’s winningest coaches. A two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994), Hatcher threw for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns during his stellar career. During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason berth, advancing to the quarterfinals, and when it was all said and done set 29 VSU passing and total offense records. Hatcher finished his senior year by winning several national honors including: the NCAA Top Eight Award, the CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year and a postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. The honors continued to add up even after his playing days. Hatcher was named to the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, in his first year of eligibility. He was also elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame the same year. In 2005, Hatcher was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame. Hatcher was also inducted into the inaugural class of the GSC Hall of Fame in 2014. Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He and his wife, Lori, also a graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and daughter, Talley.

2023 FOOTBALL

Football Staff

Ricky Turner

Chris Boone

Shawn Bostick

Brandon Cooper

Andrew Gray

K.D. Humphries

Kurt Kennedy

Darien Moody

Assistant Head Coach—Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Cornerbacks

Chris St. John Outside Linebackers

Defensive Coordinator

Running Backs

Associate Head Coach/ Offensive Line

Tackles/Tight Ends

Linebackers

Defensive Line

Kerry Webb

Special Teams Coordinator

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Support Staff

Tara Goolsby Director of Football Management

Assistant AD for Facilities, Game Ops and Equipment

Rocky Sabbatini

Alexis Roberts

Whitley Williams

Rae Martin

Tyler Brian

Football Video Coordinator

Assistant Athletic Trainer

James Carlson

Lewis Freeman

Director of Football Operations

Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services

Director of Strategic Communications

Zach Mathers

Assistant AD for Sports Performance and Project SAMson

James Ruby

Head Football Athletic Trainer

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Collin Stafford

Peter Renkoski

Equipment Graduate Assistant

Offensive Assistant

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2023 PLAYERS SENIOR

Alex Applefield

GRADUATE

Aidan Barr

Wilson Beaverstock

JUNIOR

Daniel Bethel

SENIOR

JUNIOR

SENIOR

JUNIOR

Henry Bishop

Zach Bond

Jabari Brooks

Zach Brown

SENIOR

Daniel Bettis

DE SOPHOMORE

Jai’Brian Bouye

JUNIOR

SENIOR

GRADUATE

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

Jamari Cannon

Wesley Carlock

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

Luke Byrne

SOPHOMORE

Treshawn Chamberlain

David Coltrane

LB/S

John Collins

SENIOR

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

Luca Chuecos

Josiah Cotton

Iaan Cousin

Quincy Crittendon

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samfordsports.com SOPHOMORE

Thomas D’Armond

WR JUNIOR

Carson Goold

Joel DeCoursey

SENIOR

Deuce Flowers

GRADUATE

SENIOR

JUNIOR

Bryce Graves

Mychael Hamilton

GRADUATES

Avery Hughes

Quadir Ismail

SENIOR

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Brett Johnson

Johnny Johnson

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

Ty King

Makhi Gilbert

GRADUATE

Cooper Frazier

GRADUATE

Jocquet Jiles

SOPHOMORE

Michael Hiers

SENIOR

GRADUATE

Camden Kuhn

Donovan Hawkins

OL GRADUATE

Nick Jackson

Tre Henry

RB GRADUATE

Cody Jantzen

SENIOR

JUNIOR

Miller Karrh

Darrian King

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Joshua Lovett

Kourlan Marsh

Noah Martin

2023 FOOTBALL JUNIOR

E. Jai Mason

JUNIOR

Connor Masters

JUNIOR

Josiah Mathiasen

JUNIOR

GRADUATE

SOPHOMORE

Michael Mitchler

Garrett Morris

Gavin Morris

GRADUATE

Josheph Mera

JUNIOR

Kiylan Miller

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Jaden Mosley

Jayme Motley-Simmons

SOPHOMORE

SENIOR

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

GRADUATE

Jalen Nelson

CB JUNIOR

J.P. Oliver

Thomas Neville

Chris Noble

JUNIOR

Mitchell Owen

Justin Perritt

Trustin Northington

Xavier Nurse

JUNIOR

GRADUATE

Dontae Pollard

Elijah Rawlins

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

GRADUATE

SOPHOM0RE

GRADUATE

D.J. Rias

Jake Riddle

Peyton Ringer

14 12

Christian Roberts

Tyrese Ross

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2023 FOOTBALL GRADUATE

Braeden Royal

SENIOR

Jordan Russell

SENIOR

GRADUATE

Camden Simons

Chandler Smith

SENIOR

Michael Ryan

JUNIOR

Devin Smith

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

Tyke Tabor

CB JUNIOR

Jamall Thompson

Jonathan Searcy

GRADUATE

SENIOR

Nik Scalzo

Jay Stanton

GRADUATE

SENIOR

Kamron Smith

Nick Speros

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Kobe Stewart

J.T. Swansoon

R.J. Starkey

Midnight Steward

JUNIOR

48 Nour Tayara

Brent Taylor

Forrest Taylor

GRADUATE

JUNIOR

Michael Vice

Isaiah Watson

Harrison Weathington

Tate Taylor

LB JUNIOR

Wade White

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We support

Samford athletics

JUNIOR

Damonta Witherspoon

RB FRESHMAN

2023 TRUE FRESHMEN

Jackson Beatty

FRESHMAN

Jim Coleman

FRESHMAN

Logan Cross

FRESHMAN

C.J. Douglas

FRESHMAN

William Hold

Brendan Jenkins

Duncan Johnson

FRESHMAN

Trey Newsome

Thad Ransier

FRESHMAN

Clay Burdenshaw

FRESHMAN

Tyler Douthit

Gage Geren

FRESHMAN

Ben Levine

Kaden McKeown

FRESHMAN

Will Thorley

Thomas Vaccaro

Noah Watts

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Proud Supporter of Samford Athletics 18

porter of Samford Athletics

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2023 FOOTBALL

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All-Americans and National Honors All-Americans All-Americans/Freshman All-Americans Austin Barnard 2017, Punter (3rd Team, AP, Phil Steele) Fred Bishop 1999, Linebacker Bobby Bowden 1952, Quarterback James Bradberry 2015, Cornerback (3rd Team, STATS) Wally Burnham 1963, Linebacker Trimarcus Cheeks 2019, Linebacker (Freshman All-American) Norman Cooper 1936, Center Marcus Durgin 1991, Cornerback (2nd Team, Sports Network; 3rd Team, AP) 1992, Cornerback (3rd Team, AP) Chris Edmonds 2021 Spring, (1st Team, Stats Perform, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, HERO Sports) Surkano Edwards 1992, Running Back (HM, Sports Network) Cortland Finnegan 2002, Safety 2003, Safety (3rd Team) 2005, Safety (AFCA) Jimbo Fisher 1987, Quarterback Sam Goldman 1940, End Ahmad Gooden 2017, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AFCA, Phil Steele, Walter Camp; 2nd Team, AP, STATS) 2018, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AP, HERO Sports; 2nd Team, STATS) Karel Hamilton 2016, Wide Receiver (1st Team) Tim Hamrick 1987, Punter Efrem Hill 2003, Wide Receiver 2004, Wide Receiver Harold Hill 1937, End Devlin Hodges 2016, Quarterback (3rd Team) 2017, Quarterback (2nd Team, AFCA) 2018, Quarterback (1st Team, Consensus) Scott Holmes 1994, Punter Harley Hopkins 1938, End Bobby Jackson 1962, Quarterback Anthony Jordan 1994, Running Back Nelson Jordan 2018, Defensive Lineman (Freshman All-American) Jim Lovette 1966, Running Back Kelvin McKnight 2017, Wide Receiver (2nd Team, AFCA; 3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele) 2018, Wide Receiver (1st Team, Walter Camp, HERO Sports, AFCA; 2nd Team, AP; 3rd Team, STATS) Joe Milazzo 1960, Quarterback Anthony Pistelli 2015, Kicker (1st Team, AP, Walter Camp) David Primus 1989, Kick Returner 20

Shaheed Salmon 2017, Linebacker (3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele) Justin Shade 2013, Linebacker (1st Team) Bryce Smith 2010, Linebacker Bennie Story 1961, Defensive Tackle James Tarrant 1940, End (Honorable Mention) 1941, End (3rd Team) Jaquiski Tartt 2012, Safety (1st Team) 2013, Safety (2nd Team) 2014, Safety (1st Team) Fabian Truss 2012, Kick Returner (2nd Team) 2013, All-Purpose (1st Team) Michael Vice 2019, Tight End (Freshman All-American) Montrell Washington 2019, Return Specialist (1st Team: STATS, 2nd Team: HERO and Phil Steele) 2021 Fall, All-Purpose (1st Team, Consensus) Liam Welch 2021 Spring, (2nd Team, Stats Perform) Mike Williams 2017, Offensive Lineman (Freshman All-American) Other National Honors Jefferson Adcock 2007, NFF National Honor Society 2007, FCS Academic All-Star Joe Collins 2011, Capital One Academic All-District Devlin Hodges 2018 Walter Payton Award 2018 FCSADA Offensive Player of the Year 2018 Columbus TD Club Offensive Player of the Year Graham Lemmond 2006, NFF National Honor Society 2006, FCS Academic All-Star Ty Levie 2009, FCS Academic All-Star 2009, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Michael O’Neal 1991, CoSIDA Academic All-American (2nd Team)

2023 FOOTBALL

TODAY’S GAME Defensively, Noah Martin led Samford with 19 tackles. The 19 tackles were the most for a Samford player since John Staton had 22 tackles against Mercer in 2019.

Noah Martin vs Auburn

The Samford football team will wrap up the 2023 season by playing host to former Ohio Valley Conference rival UT Martin for Samford’s Senior Day game Saturday at 12 p.m. at Bobby Bowden Field at Pete Hanna Stadium. Samford enters the game with a record of 5-5 overall and 4-4 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs fell in a hard-fought game at Mercer last Saturday, losing by a score of 28-21. UT Martin has a mark of 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the OVC/Big South. The Skyhawks defeated Southeast Missouri, 41-14, in the team’s final home game of the season last week. The Series Samford and UT Martin have met 20 previous times, with Samford owning a 15-4-1 series lead. The teams last met on Sept. 11, 2021, with the Skyhawks earning a 33-27 win over Samford in Martin, Tenn. Samford and UT Martin were co-members of the Ohio Valley Conference from 2003 to 2008. The teams also played regularly prior to Samford joining the OVC. The Last Time Out A late Samford comeback fell just short as the Bulldogs dropped a 28-21 decision at Mercer last Saturday in the Bulldogs’ final Southern Conference game of the 2023 season. In the loss for Samford, quarterback Michael Hiers went 25-of-36 passing for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Running back Jay Stanton paced the Bulldog rushing attack with 98 yards on 16 carries. Stanton did not find the end zone on the ground Saturday and will enter the season finale needing one touchdown to become the career rushing touchdown king in program history.

Smith Named Winner Of Charles Williams Memorial Jersey Graduate wide receiver Chandler Smith is this season’s winner of the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey. The jersey honors former Samford player Charles Williams, who died in a car accident on May 23, 2003. Since the 2005 season, a different senior has worn the No. 5 jersey in Williams’ honor. Samford Against OVC/Big South Teams Samford has an all-time record of 45-27-1 against the current members of the Ohio Valley/Big South Football Conference, including a 15-4-1 record against UT Martin. Samford, who was a member of the OVC from 2003 to 2008, has played the following teams from the new combined league: Charleston Southern (2-0), Eastern Illinois (1-4), Gardner-Webb (6-2), Southeast Missouri (5-3), UT Martin (15-4-1), Tennessee State (2-3) and Tennessee Tech (14-11). Samford At Pete Hanna Stadium Samford has an all-time record of 184-85-4 in games played at the newly named Pete Hanna Stadium. This season, Samford has six home games on its schedule, and the Bulldogs are currently 3-2 in those games. Last season, Samford posted a record of 6-0 in home games, including winning the first-ever NCAA Playoff game held in the facility. In the last nine-plus years, Samford has a combined record of 51-17 when playing in the friendly confines of Pete Hanna Stadium. In eight seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has a record of 34-13 when playing at home.

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STANDINGS TEAM Furman Mercer Chattanooga Western Carolina Samford VMI ETSU Wofford The Citadel

Around the SoCon SOCON RECORD PCT 7-0 1.000 6-2 .750 6-2 .750 5-2 .714 4-4 .500 3-4 .429 1-6 .143 1-6 .143 0-7 .000

OVERALL RECORD PCT 9-1 .900 8-3 .727 7-3 .700 7-3 .700 5-5 .500 4-6 .400 2-8 .200 1-9 .100 0-10 .000

STREAK W8 W4 L1 W2 L1 L1 L4 W1 L10

CHATTANOOGA (7-3, 6-2 SoCon) Last week: OPEN This week: at Alabama

SAMFORD (5-5, 4-4 SoCon) Last week: at Mercer, L, 21-28 This week: vs. UT Martin

The CITADEL (0-10, 0-7 SoCon) Last week: vs. Wofford, L, 3-11 This week: at ETSU

VMI (4-6, 3-4 SoCon) Last week: at Furman, L, 3-37 This week: vs. Western Carolina

ETSU (2-8, 1-6 SoCon) Last week: at Western Carolina, L, 7-58 This week: vs. The Citadel

WESTERN CAROLINA (7-3, 5-2 SoCon) Last week: vs. ETSU, W, 58-7 This week: at VMI

FURMAN (9-1, 7-0 SoCon) Last week: vs. VMI, W, 37-3 This week: at Wofford

WOFFORD (1-9, 1-6 SoCon) Last week: at The Citadel, W, 11-3 This week: vs. Furman

MERCER (8-3, 6-2 SoCon) Last week: vs. Samford, W, 28-21 This week: OPEN

For the latest in standings, log on to soconsports.com

2023 FOOTBALL

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS FOOTBALL Aug. 31 (Thur.) Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 11 Nov. 18

Shorter at Western Carolina* at Auburn Chattanooga* ETSU* at Wofford* Furman* at VMI* The Citadel* at Mercer* UT Martin

W, 69-14 L, 7-30 L, 13-45 L, 24-47 W, 42-28 W, 31-10 L, 21-27 W, 27-14 W, 37-7 L, 21-28 12 p.m.

*SoCon Game All times Central and subject to change

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Football Player Feature:

Joseph Mera Samford graduate defensive lineman Joseph Mera has been playing football for a long time. He started playing in the sixth grade, and it was a family member he looked up to that made him want to give the game a try. “Really my biggest influence was my older brother, Makindy Emogene, because he played football and I just always looked up to him,” Mera said. “He was a great role model for me, so he really got me into football.” Mera said when he first started playing football, it was not his favorite game, but it grew on him fairly quickly. His first love, sports-wise, was basketball. He played basketball through his junior year in high school, but he knew football was the game he had a future in. In his early years of playing football through high school, Mera played several different positions, both offensively and defensively. “I played on offense a little bit in high school,” Mera said. “I played a lot of positions. In high school, first I started off playing outside linebacker, because I was a lot smaller than I am now. Then I moved to inside linebacker and then through people getting injured in my high school 24

By Joey Mullins Samford Athletics

career, I ended up moving to defensive line my senior year. On offense, I played fullback, running back, a little bit of receiver early on in high school.” Mera grew up in Fort Myers, Florida and he played his high school football and Bishop Verot High School. He was named the 4A Defensive Player of the Year, while also earning All-Area honorable mention honors. He was also selected as a Rotary South All-Star. That season, he tallied 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and four forced fumbles. For his high school career, Mera accumulated 141 tackles, 17.6 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He talked about what schools he considered attending for college and what attracted him to Samford. “It was between here and Valdosta State,” Mera said. “Really because I wanted to continue playing football and those are the two places that gave me the opportunity to play. And this is also the place that gave me the opportunity to get a high-quality education and that was the biggest thing.” Mera came to Samford in the fall of 2018. He saw

2023 FOOTBALL no game action that first season. He talked about how the transition went going from high school to college. “Definitely the speed of the game was a lot different,” Mera said. “Also, just getting used to being on your own, being in a different state that I had never been to or lived in, was different.” As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Mera saw action in all 12 games. That season he finished with 23 tackles, including 13 solo stops. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one quarterback hurry that season. The fall season of 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was eventually moved to the spring of 2021. That spring, Samford played a seven-game, Southern Conference only schedule. Mera played in all seven games, including one start on the defensive line. He tallied 14 tackles, including three solo stops, while also contributing a fumble recovery. In the fall of 2021, Mera played in all 11 games, starting four contests. He finished the season with 35 total tackles, including 15 solo stops. He also tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. The 2022 season was a special one for Samford football. The Bulldogs went a perfect 8-0 in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright Southern Conference title. The team reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs, finishing with an impressive 11-2 overall record. Individually, Mera played in all 13 games. He totaled 25, tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and team-high 4.0 sacks. “That means everything to me because I didn’t come from a high school that had a lot of accolades or a lot of state championships,” Mera said. “So, just getting a winning season and on top of that getting a ring, going to the playoffs, getting a bye, winning our first game and then making it to the final eight, that meant a lot. It shows how hard work pays off.” Now in his final season in a Samford uniform, Mera has played in all 10 games so far this season. He has accumulated 14 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks so far this season.

As he enters his final collegiate game Saturday, Mera talked about how much he feels he has grown as a player during his time at Samford. “Really, one part is just becoming a leader as I get older,” Mera said. “And then also becoming a better pass rusher. I’ve had a lot of defensive line coaches during my time here, but all of them have helped me become a better player. So, they have all really put into my life.” Mera has already earned his undergraduate degree from Samford in sports administration. He is currently working on his master’s in business administration, which he is on track to graduate with this spring. Mera said he is still deciding exactly what he wants to do following his college career. “Right now, I don’t really know yet, but really I’ve been looking at cybersecurity-type stuff,” Mera said. “Anything business, really. Anything other than sitting at a desk.” Mera will play his final game in a Samford uniform Saturday against UT Martin. He talked about how his Samford experience has gone. “It’s been amazing,” Mera said. “It’s definitely helped me grow a lot. I’ve become a better person, a better man and it’s helped me grow in all aspects of my life, including faith, football, any area. I’ve made a lot of friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. It’s been a great experience for me.” Regardless of what happens in Saturday’s game against UT Martin, it is clear that Mera has a bright future. Whatever he winds up doing with his career, he will definitely make all of us who have followed his career at Samford proud.

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2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER

NO NAME

POS

HOMETOWN/PREV. SCHOOL

0 David Coltrane 1 Kourtlan Marsh 2 Quincy Crittendon 2 Tyrese Ross 3 E. Jai Mason 4 Nik Scalzo 4 Isaiah Watson 5 Chandler Smith 6 Ben Levine 6 Jalen Nelson 7 D.J. Rias 7 Jim Coleman 8 R.J. Starkey 8 Brent Taylor 9 Midnight Steward 9 Thomas Vaccaro 10 Michael Hiers 10 Cody Jantzen 11 Jai’Brian Bouye 11 William Hold 12 Ty King 12 Christian Roberts 13 Jamari Cannon 13 Logan Cross 14 Jackson Beatty 14 Trey Newsome 15 Iaan Cousin 15 Clay Burdeshaw 16 Kamron Smith 17 Garrett Morris 18 Treshawn Chamberlain 19 Quadir Ismail 19 Connor Masters 20 Jay Stanton 20 Camden Kuhn 21 Carson Goold 22 Xavier Nurse 23 Devin Smith 23 Noah Young 24 Jocquet Jiles 24 Jonathan Searcy 25 J.T. Swanson 26 Mitchell Owen 27 Michael Ryan 27 Mychael Hamilton 28 Josiah Cotton 29 C.J. Douglas 30 Avery Hughes 30 Harrison Weathington 31 Camden Simons 31 Damonta Witherspoon 32 Noah Martin 33 Jaden Mosley 34 Miller Karrh 35 Joseph Mera 35 Nick Speros 36 Dontae Pollard 37 Peyton Ringer 38 Tre Henry

LB/S CB QB S WR QB CB WR WR CB WR QB WR S S QB QB LB CB S WR QB CB QB WR QB WR S CB S S WR QB RB LB WR LB CB WR WR S S CB WR RB LB S S K TE RB LB LB CB DE WR CB WR RB

6-2 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-8 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-6 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-7 5-8 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-3 5-10 6-5 5-9 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-4 5-8 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-8

220 190 200 200 205 193 175 184 165 185 190 160 220 212 202 185 215 235 173 185 175 210 158 195 175 200 170 185 195 215 210 222 170 193 195 205 245 190 215 180 193 181 185 180 192 228 195 180 189 212 210 232 208 186 261 165 185 160 177

Jr. Jr. Jr. Gr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Gr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Gr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Gr. Gr. So. Fr. Gr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Gr. Fr. Jr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Gr. Gr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Sr. Fr. Gr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Jr. Jr. Gr. Jr.

Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity HS Warrior, Ala./Mortimer-Jordan HS Decatur, Ala./Austin HS Jacksonville, Fla./South Carolina Jackson, Miss./NW Mississippi CC Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Univ. of Kentucky Baltimore, Mid./Eastern Michigan Marietta, Ga./Walton HS Houston, Texas/Second Baptist HS Flowood, Miss./Northwest Rankin HS Phenix City, Ala./Univ. of Alabama Dublin, Ga,/Trinity Christian HS Atlanta, Ga./Penn Loganville, Ga./Loganville Christian Academy Daphne, Ala./Daphne HS Nashville, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian Academy Birmingham, Ala./NW Mississippi CC St. Germain, Wisc./Univ. of Sioux Falls Waco, Texas/Middle Tennessee Leander, Texas/Rouse HS Wrens, Ga./Jefferson County HS Addison, Ala./Addison HS Lancaster, Calif./Santa Barbara CC Social Circle, Ga./Social Circle HS Mountain Brook, Ala./Mountain Brook HS Orlando, Fla./The First Academy Carrollton, Ga./Kennesaw State Homewood, Ala./Homewood HS Bonaire, Ga./Charleston Southern Auburn, Ala./Penn Greenwood, S.C./Rice Bel Air, Md./Villanova Univ. Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy of Louisville Crestview, Fla./Crestview HS Knoxville, Tenn./Farragut HS Memphis, Tenn./Houston HS Brooklyn, N.Y./Maine Kennesaw, Ga./Austin Peay Birmingham, Ala./North Alabama Auburndale, Fla./Auburndale HS Medford, N.J./Bucknell West Chester, Ohio/Morehead State Atlanta, Ga./Marist School Bainbridge, Ga./Bainbridge HS New Port Richey, Fla./South Florida Macon, Ga./Mt. De Sales Academy Leeds, Ala./Leeds HS Sugar Land, Texas/Texas A&M Huntsville, Ala./Randolph School Westfield, Ind./Westfield HS East St. Louis, Ill./Murray State Chattanooga, Tenn./The Baylor School Mobile, Ala./Hutchinson CC Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian HS Fort Myers, Fla./Bishop Verot HS Alpharetta, Ga./Mount Pisgah Christian School Pittsburgh, Pa./Akron Lithonia, Ga./The Lovett School Atlanta, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian

2023 FOOTBALL 38 Tyke Tabor 39 Gavin Morris 40 Wade White 41 Forrest Taylor 41 Tate Taylor 42 Jordan Russell 42 Gage Geren 43 Daniel Bethel 44 Kiylan Miller 45 Thomas Neville 46 Trustin Northington 47 Bryce Graves 48 Nour Tayara 49 John Collins 49 Henry Bishop 50 Darrian King 53 Kaden McKeown 54 Luke Byrne 55 Johnny Johnson 56 Aidan Barr 57 Cooper Frazier 58 Chris Noble 59 Will Thorley 61 Alex Applefield 62 Jabari Brooks 63 Zach Bond 64 Noah Watts 69 J.P. Oliver 70 Brett Johnson 72 Joshua Lovett 73 Justin Perritt 74 Tyler Douthit 75 Jayme Motley-Simmons 77 Zach Brown 78 Duncan Johnson 79 Donovan Hawkins 80 Wilson Beaverstock 81 Jamall Thompson 82 Deuce Flowers 83 Thomas D’Armond 84 Brendan Jenkins 85 Wesley Carlock 86 Michael Vice 87 Jake Riddle 88 Joel Decoursey 89 Michael Mitchler 90 Luca Chuecos 91 Kobe Stewart 92 Braeden Royal 93 Daniel Bettis 94 Makhi Gilbert 95 Elijah Rawlins 96 Thad Ransier 97 Nick Jackson 98 Joshua Mathiasen 99 Isaac Reed

CB LB S K LB LB WR K LB LB S LB WR RB K OL LS OL DE LS OL OL P LS OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL K DE WR WR WR WR TE TE TE TE DE DE DT DE DL DL DE DE DL DL

5-10 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-8 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-4 6-4 6-3 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-1 5-9 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-4

175 215 200 165 228 225 175 195 200 215 190 227 187 192 187 295 195 305 263 205 305 287 215 208 335 290 295 260 290 255 285 280 290 280 275 310 210 268 180 195 200 175 250 240 230 225 250 240 265 250 290 300 270 270 325 325

So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Gr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Gr. Sr. So. Sr. Gr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Gr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr Gr. So. Gr. Jr. So. Jr. Gr. Sr. So. Gr. Fr. Gr. Jr. Gr

Jackson, Tenn./Univ. School of Jackson Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth HS Prattville, Ala./Prattville HS Foley, Ala./Coffeyville CC Nashville, Tenn./Lipscomb Academy Birmingham, Ala./Georgia State University Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy of Louisville Clinton, Tenn./Univ. of Tennessee Forest City, N.C./Coastal Carolina Loganville, Ga./Dunwoody HS Bay St. Louis, Miss./Ole Miss Clayton, N.C./Elon Pass Christian, Miss./St. Olaf Dora, Ala./Walker HS Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS Oak Grove, Miss./East Misssissippi CC Mableton, Ga./Whitefield Academy Forsyth, Ga./Mary Persons HS St. Amant, La./St. Amant HS West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman HS Corinth, Miss./Corinth HS Brewton, Ala./UAB Torquay, Australia/Prokick Australia Dothan, Ala./Houston Academy Sandersville, Ga./Washington County HS McHenry, Miss./N.W. Mississippi CC Alabaster, Ala./Thompson HS Jackson, Tenn./Trinity Christian Academy Maplesville, Ala./UAB Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden HS Covington, La./Northlake Christian School Woodstock, Ga./Woodstock HS Alabaster, Ala./UAB Loretto, Tenn./Loretto HS Augusta, Ga./Aquinas HS Pinson, Ala./Pinson Valley HS Mobile, Ala./UAB Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota HS Cleveland, Tenn./Cleveland HS Baton Rouge, La./Episcopal HS Hoschton, Ga./Mill Creek HS Jackson, Tenn./Univ. School of Jackson Vestavia Hills, Ala./Troy Weaverville, N.C./Louisburg College Zionsville, Ind./Vanderbilt Roswell, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS Atlanta, Ga./Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Alabaster, Ala./Thompson HS Tuscaloosa, Ala./Tuscaloosa County HS Tuskegee, Ala./Booker T. Washington HS Phenix City, Ala./Central HS Hopkinsville, Ky./Mississippi Valley State Meridian, Miss./Lamar HS Orlando, Fla./Winter Park HS Elmhurst, Ill./ Olivet Nazarene Minneapolis, Minn./Concordia Univ.

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2023 UT MARTIN FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER NO 0 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 17 18 19 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38

NAME Oshae Baker Daylan Dotson Sam Franklin Jordan Castleberry DeVonte Tanksley Josh Hastings DJ Nelson Zoe Roberts Jay Rogers Chris Hunter, Jr. Narkel LeFlore Giovanni Davis Kinkead Dent Marlon Cook, Jr. Jaylon Sharpe Tevin Shipp Kody Sparks Cal Camp Carson Evans Jermaine Cooley Trevonte Rucker Shawn Hardy II Glover Cook III Ge’Mon Eaford Ajay Smith Armar Gordon, Jr. Jack Lucas JaMichael McGoy, Jr. Robert Daniel Jr. Corey Harris, Jr. Calvontay Key Celeycan Hill Airius Trice Isaiah Abdullah AJ Robinson Jr. Quincy Hamilton Joel Castleberry Charles Perkins LaMarion Pierce Kobe Okeke Wyatt Gilbert Steven Ballard Shamari Weir Ryan Young Grayson Campbell

POS CB DE RB RB WR S TE WR DT LB RB OLB QB WR LB LB QB QB S DT WR WR RB OLB WR QB S CB S RB CB S S LB S S CB DT CB OLB S LB LB K P

HT 5-10 6-3 5-10 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-5 5-11 6-3 6-1 5-9 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11

WT 200 255 200 180 160 200 230 180 285 235 170 255 210 200 230 230 220 200 180 255 175 190 180 230 190 170 175 170 200 180 170 165 170 215 180 180 170 285 160 225 180 200 215 160 170

CL Jr. Jr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-So. Jr. R-Sr. R-Jr. Jr. Jr. Gr. Gr. R-Jr. Gr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Jr. R-So. R-Jr. Gr. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. Gr. Fr. Gr. Jr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-So. R-So. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr.

HOMETOWN/PREV. SCHOOL Sanford, Fla. (Seminole HS) Savannah, Ga. (Jenkins HS) Little Rock, Ark. (Central HS) Cleveland, Ohio (Maryland) Belle Glade, Fla. (Catawba CC) Cordova, Tenn. (Memphis) York, Ala. (Selma HS) Perry, Fla. (Taylor County HS) Memphis, Tenn. (Northern Colorado) Knoxville, Tenn. (Army Prep) Chicago, Ill. (McKendree) Miami Gardens, Fla. (Dr. Krop HS) Yazoo City, Miss. (Ole Miss) Malden, Mass. (Shepherd University) Charlotte, NC (Charlotte) Smyrna, Tenn. (Smyrna HS) Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Bowling Green) Madison, Ga. (Morgan County HS) Memphis, Tenn. (First Assembly Christian) Dublin, Ga. (Dublin HS) Ocala, Fla. (Jackson State) Kingsland, Ga. (Nebraska) Ocala, Fla. (Florida Atlantic) Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Bethune Cookman) Detroit, Mich. (Independence CC) Perry, Ga. (Perry HS) Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Male) Chattanooga, Tenn. (Boyd-Buchanan HS) Oak Park, Mich. (Eastern Michigan) Lake Wales, Fla. (Lake Wales HS) Belle Glade, Fla. (Alcorn State) Brandon, Miss. (Holmes CC) Shelbyville, Tenn. (Bethel) Los Angeles, Calif. (Wyoming) Memphis, Tenn. (Whitehaven HS) Martin, Tenn. (Westview HS) Cleveland, Ohio (St. Edward HS) Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Aca. of Health Sciences HS) Lewisburg, Tenn. (Marshall County HS) Smyrna, Tenn. (Birmingham Sports Academy) Fairfield, Ill. (Fairfield HS) Milan, Tenn. (Milan HS) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Coconut Creek HS) Sacramento, Calif. (Lipscomb Academy) Lebanon, Tenn. (Lebanon HS)

2023 FOOTBALL 40 41 42 44 48 55 62 65 68 71 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 85 87 88 89 91 94 95 97

Barrett Powers Bryce Dailey Colton Peoples Jarid Johnson Aidan Laros Vance Van Every Josiah Tingley Drake Carroll Garrett Smith Logan Crouch Mitchell Appleton Nick Edwards Jason Eaton Lamar Morgan Noah Hayes Gavin Olson Jaden Gibbs Davion Hampton Austin Bray Max Dowling Parker Floyd Deray Lawrence Tyson Strickland Christian Dowell Taylor Burton Toby Camp

LS OLB LS NT K OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR TE TE TE WR NT NT NT DT

6-3 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-8 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-6 6-6 6-5 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3

250 240 230 295 210 290 295 300 290 310 300 320 320 320 310 305 190 175 250 240 250 130 280 300 270 280

R-Fr. R-Fr. So. Gr. R-So. Jr. R-So. Gr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. R-So. R-So. Sr. Gr. Sr. R-Jr. Fr. So. R-Fr. R-Sr. Gr. R-So. Jr. Fr. R-So.

Cornersville, Tenn. (Cornersville HS) Memphis, Tenn. (Christian Brothers HS) Alexandria, Ky. (Notre Dame College) Pascagoula, Miss. (Pearl River CC) Cape Town, South Africa (Charlotte) Hernando, Miss. (Ohio) Cordova, Tenn. (Evangelical Christian HS) Alexandria, La. (East Central CC) Portland, Tenn. (Portland HS) Tullahoma, Tenn. (Tullahoma HS) De Soto, Mo. (De Soto HS) Clarksville, Tenn. (Tennessee) Clarksville, Tenn. (Eastern Michigan) Detroit, Mich. (East Central CC) Oxon Hill, Md. (Arkansas Pine Bluff) Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Harding Academy) Knoxville, Tenn. (Farragut HS) Marietta, Ga. (Kell HS) Venice, Fla. (Venice HS) Buffalo, NY (Kansas) Gatesville, Texas (Incarnate Word) Germantown, Tenn. (Germantown HS) Cordova, Tenn. (Tennessee Valley Prep) Memphis, Tenn. (Christian Brothers HS) Memphis, Tenn. (Whitehaven HS) Attalla, Ala. (Etowah HS)

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2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB LT LG C RG RT RB X-WR H-WR YWR ZWR

10 MICHAEL HIERS 2 Quincy Crittendon 58 CHRIS NOBLE 75 Jayme Motley Simmons 62 JABARI BROOKS 70 Brett Johnson 57 COOPER FRAZIER 63 Zach Bond 54 LUKE BYRNE 79 Donovan Hawkins 77 ZACH BROWN 50 Darrian King 20 JAY STANTON 31 Damonta Witherspoon 12 TY KING 3 E. Jai Mason 8 R.J. STARKEY 86 Michael Vice 5 CHANDLER SMITH 37 Peyton Ringer 7 D.J. RIAS 84 Brendan Jenkins

DEFENSE

BANDIT 35 JOSEPH MERA 55 Johnny Johnson NOSE 98 JOSHUA MATHIASEN 94 Makhi Gilbert TACKLE 97 NICK JACKSON 81 Jamall Thompson WOLF 28 JOSIAH COTTON 22 Xavier Nurse

(6-1, 215, Gr.) (5-11, 200, Jr.) (6-4, 287, Gr.) (6-7, 290, Sr.) (6-3, 335, Sr.) (6-4, 290, Jr.) (6-4, 305, Sr.) (6-3, 290, Jr.) (6-4, 305, Gr.) (6-2, 310, Sr.) (6-4, 280, Jr.) (6-3, 295, Jr.) (6-0, 193, Sr.) (5-8, 210, Jr.) (6-0, 175, Gr.) (6-1, 205, Jr.) (6-1, 220, Gr.) (6-0, 195, So.) (5-10, 186, Gr.) (5-7, 160, Gr.) (5-9, 190, Sr.) (6-1, 200, Fr.)

(6-2, 261, Gr.) (6-1, 263, Sr.) (6-2, 325, Jr.) (6-3, 290, So.) (6-1, 270, Gr.) (6-3, 268, Jr. (5-11, 228, Sr.) (6-3, 245, Gr.)

STINGER 33 JADEN MOSLEY 45 Thomas Neville MIKE 32 NOAH MARTIN 47 Bryce Graves NICKEL 17 GARRETT MORRIS 40 Wade White CB 23 DEVIN SMITH 11 Jai’Brian Bouye ROVER 1 KOURTLAN MARSH 30 Avery Hughes FREE 2 TYRESE ROSS 24 Jonathan Searcy CB 36 DONTAE POLLARD 16 Kamron Smith

SPECIAL TEAMS PK LS

KR H KO P PR

(6-2, 208, Jr.) (6-3, 215, Sr.) (6-1, 232, Sr.) (5-11, 227, Gr.) (6-0, 215, Gr.) (6-0, 200, Jr.) (5-10, 190, Gr.) (5-10, 173, So.) (5-11, 190, Jr.) (6-1, 202, Jr.) (6-0, 200, Gr.) (6-1, 193, Gr.) (5-10, 185, Jr.) (6-0, 195, Jr.)

80 WILSON BEAVERSTOCK 61 ALEX APPLEFIELD 56 AIDAN BARR 7 D.J. RIAS 12 TY KING 48 NOUR TAYARA 49 HENRY BISHOP 59 WILL THORLEY 80 WILSON BEAVERSTOCK 5 CHANDLER SMITH 7 D.J. RIAS

(6-0, 210, GR.) (5-10, 208, Sr.) (6-0, 205, SO.) (5-9, 190, Sr.) (6-0, 175, GR.) (6-0, 190, Jr.) (6-2, 187, SR.) (6-3, 215, Fr.) (6-0, 210, GR.) (5-10, 186, Gr.) (5-9, 190, SR.)

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL STAFF Chris Hatcher, Head Coach Ricky Turner, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Shawn Bostick, Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Chris Boone, Defensive Coordinator Brandon Cooper, Linebackers Andrew Gray, Cornerbacks K.D. Humphries, Running Backs Kurt Kennedy, Tackles/Tight Ends Darien Moody, Defensive Line Chris St. John, Outside Linebackers Kerry Webb, Special Teams Coordinator

Chris Hatcher Head Coach

2023 FOOTBALL

2023 UT MARTIN FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB RB

8 11 2 7

or-3 WR 13 18 WR 6 14 WR 4 9 TE 5 85 LT 79 76 LG 62 78 C 55 62 RG 65 71 RT 77 74

KINKEAD DENT Kody Sparks SAM FRANKLIN Narkel LeFlore Jordan Castleberry TREVONTE RUCKER Ajay Smith ZOE ROBERTS Shawn Hardy II DEVONTE TANKSLEY Marlon Cook, Jr. DJ NELSON Austin Bray GAVIN OLSON Jason Eaton JOSIAH TINGLEY Noah Hayes VANCE VAN EVERY Josiah Tingley DRAKE CARROLL Logan Crough LAMAR MORGAN Mitchell Appleton

LB (6-4, 210, Gr.) (6-5, 220, R-So.) (5-10, 195, R-So.) (5-9, 170, Jr.) (5-8, 180, R-Jr.) (6-1, 175, Jr.) (6-4, 190, Sr.) (5-11, 185, Jr.) (6-2, 190, R-So.) (5-10, 160, R-Jr.) (6-2, 200, Gr.) (6-5, 230, R-So.) (6-6, 250, So.) (6-4, 290, Sr.) (6-8, 320, R-So.) (6-2, 290, R-So.) (6-5, 310, Gr.) (6-2, 290, Jr.) (6-2, 290, R-So.) (6-2, 300, R-Jr.) (6-6, 310, R-Fr.) (6-5, 305, Sr.) (6-5, 300, Jr.)

11 7 LB 9 25 ROVER 12 21 DB 22 20 FS 19 24 SS 5 23 DB 0 31

SPECIAL TEAMS KO PK H P LS PR KR

DEFENSE DE

1 30 NT 44 94 DT 6 95 OLB 8 41

DAYLAN DOTSON Charles Perkins JARID JOHNSON Christian Dowell JAY ROGERS Taylor Burton GIOVANNI DAVIS Bryce Dailey

TEVIN SHIPP Chris Hunter JAYLON SHARPE Isaiah Abdullah CARSON EVANS Robert Daniel, Jr. CALVONTAY KEY JaMichael McGoy, Jr. JACK LUCAS Airius Trice JOSH HASTINGS Celeycan Hill OSHAE BAKER LaMarion Pierce

48 48 8 11 4 42 0 4 7 13

AIDAN LAROS AIDAN LAROS KINKEAD DENT Kody Sparks 8 AIDAN LAROS COLTON PEOPLES OSHAE BAKER DeVonte Tanksley NARKEL LEFLORE Trevonte Rucker

(6-2, 230, Gr.) (6-1, 230, R-Jr.) (6-2, 230, R-Sr.) (6-3, 215, R-Jr.) (6-1, 185, R-Jr.) (6-0, 200, Gr.) (6-2, 170, Gr.) (5-10, 170, R-So.) (6-0, 180, R-Jr.) (6-1, 170, R-So.) (6-1, 200, R-So.) (6-4, 165, Jr.) (5-10, 195, Jr.) (6-0, 160, R-Fr.)

(6-2, 210, R-So.) (6-2, 210, R-So.) (6-4, 210, Gr.) (6-5, 220, R-So.) (6-2, 210, R-So.) (6-4, 230, So.) (5-10, 195, Jr.) (5-10, 160, R-Jr.) (5-9, 170, Jr.) (6-1, 175, Jr.)

(6-3, 280, Jr.) (6-3, 285, R-Fr.) (6-2, 310, Sr.) (6-2, 280, Jr.) (6-3, 290, R-Sr.) (6-2, 270, Fr.) (6-3, 250, Jr.) (6-4, 240, R-Fr.)

2023 UT MARTIN FOOTBALL STAFF

Jason Simpson, Head Coach Kevin Bannon, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Brandon Butcher, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Jerry Partridge, Asst. Head Coach/Safeties Travis Partridge, Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Antonio Clifton, Cornerbacks Devin Santana, Defensive Line TJ Jefferson, Outside Linebackers/Special Teams Assistant Mason Petrino, Wide Receivers JaVaughn Craig, Running Backs Mike Hudson, Offensive Line Assistant TJ Minnifee, Offensive GA/Tight Ends Brayden DeVault-Smith, Defensive GA

Jason Simpson Head Coach

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WHERE

passion

MEETS

purpose

Since 1841, Samford University has remained steadfast in its mission of preparing students in a Christian environment through the development of intellect, creativity, faith and personhood. Across its 10 academic schools, students are equipped with this powerful preparation to pursue the calling God has on their lives. samford.edu/go/discover

2023 FOOTBALL

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Seibert Stadium Seibert Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since 1958, one year after the campus was moved from East Lake to its present site. Over the years, the stadium has seen some memorable football, including the Bobby Bowden era (1959–62), a one-loss season in 1971 and the Terry Bowden era, which ended with a 14-game Bulldog winning streak in the stadium. The 2022 season saw Samford go 6-0 at home, including hosting the stadium’s first NCAA Division I-FCS Playoff game, 48-42 win over Southeastern Louisiana The field is named after legendary Coach Bobby Bowden, while the stadium is named for the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Florida, businessman who donated money for the completion of the stadium in 1961 with the addition of stands on the west side. Originally, the stadium had the current gatehouse and seating on the east side. The first game was played Friday, Sept. 26, 1958, with Samford losing to Sewanee, 21-0. Bobby Bowden brought Samford (then known as Howard College) its first win at Seibert on Oct. 3, 1959, as the Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0. The first win against varsity competition came two weeks later when the Bulldogs defeated Millsaps, 26-0. Seibert Stadium has undergone n umerous improvements during the past few years. Before the 2009 season, the Cooney Family Field House was

opened in the South end zone of the stadium. The field house was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House during the 2014 season. The facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches offices for Samford’s football program. A second-level terrace overlooks Seibert Stadium. A third level provides for future university expansion. In fall 2005, the original grass surface was replaced with an LSR Blade Synthetic Surface. The turf was replaced with a similar surface prior to the 2014 season. The four-level Bashinsky Press Tower was completed before the 1989 season. This GeorgianColonial structure , which contains complete facilities for print and electronic media on the third level, reserved seating for guests on the second level, and a concession stand and restroom facilities on the ground floor, was renovated prior to the 2021 fall season. Also in 1989, more than 200 theatre-type reserved seats were added in front of the press tower, bringing the seating capacity to 6,700. Aluminum seating replaced the original wooden seats. A scoreboard featuring an electronic matrix message board was added before the 1994 s eason. Prior to this season, the existing video board was moved to the South End Zone of the stadium to make room for the upcoming exciting renovations to Seibert Hall.

2022 FOOTBALL

Seibert Stadium Facts

BUILT: Gatehouse and East Stands, 1958; West Side Stands, 1961; Bashinsky Press Tower, 1989; Electronic Message Board, 1994; Video Board, 2005; SullivanCooney Family Field House, 2009.

LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE: 81-yard run, Chris Evans, vs. Austin Peay, 2007

MOST YARDS RUSHING: 249, Surkano Edwards, vs. West Georgia, 1992

FIRST GAME: Friday, Sept. 26, 1958 (Sewanee defeated Samford, 21-0)

LONGEST PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs. Chattanooga, 2013

MOST CARRIES: 35, Derek Staley, vs. Tennessee Tech, 1995

LONGEST SAMFORD PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs. Chattanooga, 2013

MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING: 4, Michael Eubank, vs. VMI, 2014; 4, Steve Hayden, vs. Morgan State, 1995; 4, Brady Jones, vs. Austin Peay, 1990; 4, Brady Jones, vs. East Tennessee State, 1989

FIRST WIN: Oct. 3, 1959 (Samford defeated Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0) FIRST VARSITY WIN: Oct. 16, 1959 (Samford defeated Millsaps, 26-0) SAMFORD OVERALL RECORD AT SEIBERT (249 GAMES): 168-77-4 (.682) SAMFORD DAY RECORD AT SEIBERT (176 GAMES): ): 112-60-4 (.647) SAMFORD NIGHT RECORD AT SEIBERT (73 GAMES): 56-17-0 (.764) MOST COMMON OPPONENTS AT SEIBERT: Chattanooga 15, Jacksonville State 11, UT Martin 10, Mississippi College 9, Tennessee Tech 9 MOST SAMFORD POINTS: 77 vs. Mars Hill (7), 2016 LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: 70 points (Samford 77, Mars Hill 7), 2016 MOST OPPONENT’S POINTS: 82, by Salem (Samford 9), 1984

LONGEST PUNT: 73 yards, Ray Collins, vs. Southwestern, 1961 LONGEST FIELD GOAL: 52 yards, Ray Early of Furman, 2010 LONGEST SAMFORD FIELD GOAL: 4 8 yards, Mark Prevost, vs. Jacksonville State, 2007 LONGEST PUNT RETURN: 90-yard touchdown, Mick Edmonson of Jacksonville State, 1989 LONGEST SAMFORD PUNT RETURN: 76 yards, Anthony Jordan, vs. Alcorn State, 1994 LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Karel Hamilon vs. Chattanooga, 2015; 100-yard touchdown, Fabian Truss vs. Western Carolina, 2013

MOST PASS ATTEMPTS: 60, Ray Nelson, vs. Jacksonville State, 2003 MOST COMPLETIONS: 43, Michael Hiers, vs. Mercer, 2022 MOST YARDS PASSING: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs. Georgia Southern, 2013 MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES: 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Ferrum, 1987; 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Maryville, 1987 MOST RECEPTIONS: 16, Efrem Hill, vs. Jacksonville State, 2003 MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: 3, Efrem Hill, vs. Eastern Kentucky, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs. West Alabama, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs. West Alabama, 2003; 3, Kelvin McKnight, vs. Western Carolina, 2018

LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Ricky Fields, vs. Concord, 1990

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Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House Prior to the start of practice for the 2009 season, the Samford football program moved into the Cooney Family Field House. During the 2014 season, the facility was renamed in honor of then head coach Pat Sullivan and is now known as the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House. The field house houses a locker room, nutrition center, training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and a film room. The field house, which is 39,400 square feet, cost approximately $8 million dollars, with all money privately donated. The Cooney Family Field House was made possible with a lead gift from Birmingham business executive and Samford graduate Gary Cooney, vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc., one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerage firms. Cooney

said he wanted to honor his parents, the late John and Patricia Cooney, and other family members with the naming. “Our family has a long history with Samford, andmy hope is that these gifts will encourage others to support this great university,” Cooney said at the time of the dedication. “We have great confidence in the leadership of Dr. Westmoreland and our good friend, Coach Pat Sullivan, and we want to help have a positive influence on young student-athletes.” Cooney graduated from Samford in 1974. He was a member of the school’s 1971 team that won the NCAA Division II West Region Championship.

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3.25

Graduation Success Rate

Average GPA for all of Samford’s student-athletes for the academic year.

student-athletes made Fall 2022 Dean’s List

of Samford’s student-athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or higher

student-athletes made Spring 2023 Dean’s List

Academic All-Conference Spring 2023

265

72% 73

student-athletes earned the Commissioner’s Medal

student-athletes had a 4.0 GPA

134

teams had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

Academic All-Conference Fall 2022

student-athletes on the SoCon Academic Honor Roll

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CHARLES

WILLIAMS MEMORIAL

JERSEY On May 23, 2003, Samford junior cornerback Charles Williams died in a car accident. In only two seasons on the team, Williams emerged as a starter in the secondary in 2002. In addition to his success on the field, Williams also maintained one of the highest grade point averages on the team. For the 2003 and 2004 seasons (what would have been Williams’ junior and senior seasons) no one wore jersey No. 5, the number that Williams wore. Every year since then, a senior has been selected to wear the No. 5, the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Ossie Buchannon

T.C. Myers

Jay McCurty

Rodney Shepherd

Jon Weber

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Bryce Smith

Sean Thompson

Ryan Dudchock

Justin Shade

Brinson Porter

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Carson Barnett

Devon Schmitt

Shaheed Salmon

Tyler Queen

Nick Barton

2020-21

2021

2022

2023

Montrell Washington

Liam Welch

Nathan East

Chandler Smith

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Academic Enhancement Program The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has strongly enforced academic reform this decade as it pertains to student-athletes’ continuing eligibility and ultimate college graduation. Because of the tightening of new legislation, academic support services throughout the country have been highlighted to spearhead the additional success that is needed for student-athletes to earn a degree. The academic success for Samford University student-athletes begins with the Academic Enhancement Program [AEP]. The AEP was developed in the early 1990s and is based on individual instruction with student-athletes who are integrated within a caring environment that is conducive to academic success. The AEP system is designed to provide Samford’s student-athletes with the necessary guidance, personal attention and academic skills— enhancement activities to help them have the most positive educational and personal experience possible. Student-athletes are integrated within a foundation of the university’s general education core curriculum that emphasizes basic skills for academic achievement. Tutors and academic mentors assist athletes in writing courses, foreign languages, math, science and business, to name a few. With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques, the AEP puts student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners. The AEP environment includes a computer lab/classroom, private tutor rooms and quiet study space. In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life. The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all student-athletes. Each May, the academic enhancement office honors studentathletes who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better over the last two full terms. LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including

some NCAA Student Affairs programming. This student development program exists to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting. There are five focus areas that address student-athlete development. Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation. Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of student-athletes. Commitment to Personal Development: To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills. Commitment to Career Development: To encourage student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals. Commitment to Service: To engage studentathletes in service to their campus and surrounding community. Throughout the year, student-athletes attend the programs in the five commitment areas that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development. This is done through workshops and seminars, campus partnerships and other programming throughout the year. Topics include financial management, time management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing, and sportsmanship. Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators, business leaders and former student-athletes. All AEP programming is designed to enhance and support the academic and athletic endeavors of student-athletes. Student-athletes gain preparation for success in life, develop enhanced interpersonal skills, build positive self-esteem, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

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2023 FOOTBALL

Beck A. Taylor President

Dr. Beck A. Taylor began his tenure as the 19th president of Samford University in July 2021. Taylor, who served as dean and professor of economics for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, returned to Samford after serving as the 18th president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, from 2010-2021. After earning his undergraduate degree from Baylor with majors in economics and finance, Taylor was employed as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Houston, Texas. He went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. in economics from Purdue University. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Baylor as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business, and was named the first holder of the W.H. Smith Professorship in Economics. In 2002, he was appointed as a visiting scholar by Harvard University where he spent one year in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business, Taylor led the rapid transformation of the business school, including its renaming to honor Harry B. Brock, Jr., founder of Compass Bank. Taylor led the Brock School of Business to establish eight new academic programs, as well as the school’s new honors program. The school’s

entrepreneurship program was recognized in 2010 as the nation’s top emerging program by the U.S. Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship. In an effort to build bridges between students and the Birmingham business community, Taylor established the Samford Business Network, as well as a 45-member advisory board of the region’s top business leaders. As a scholar, Taylor has published dozens of studies in economics journals such as Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Human Resources and Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking. Illustrating his diverse research interests and his connections to the social sciences, Taylor has also published groundbreaking research in public health and child developmental psychology. His research has been cited in testimony given before the U.S. Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Assembly, and also has been referenced in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Christian Science Monitor. Taylor is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, and he has served as a strategic business consultant for dozens of organizations. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.

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Martin Newton, Director of Athletics Samford University alumnus and director of athletics Martin Newton has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference’s most successful programs since taking the helm of the department on March 9, 2011. Last year, Newton recently signed a five-year contract extension that began on July 1, 2022. Newton has made an impact nationally in his time at Samford as he will begin a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee on Sept. 1. Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC). On the fields and courts, the Bulldogs have captured 69 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships during his tenure, including a school record 11 championships in 2022-23. Additionally, in the most recent Southern Conference All-Sports standings Samford won both the Germann Cup (top women’s program) and the Commissioner’s Cup (top men’s program), marking the first time any school has swept the awards since Appalachian State in the 2012-13 academic year. Academically, the school’s student-athletes have also posted outstanding results in the classroom, with 2,175 Bulldogs being named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll. Samford’s student-athletes posted an impressive 97 percent in the most recent NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, the highest mark in the SoCon and in the state of Alabama. Over the last 12 years, the Athletics Department has seen significant growth in corporate partnerships and annual giving, more than doubling philanthropic gifts and sponsorship revenues. Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton’s tenure with the Bulldogs. Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice 44

facility for men’s and women’s golf. A new academic center was recently built in Bashinsky Field House. Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men’s and women’s basketball/volleyball), Seibert Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field). The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded. Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House. In the spring of 2017, a goal of Newton’s was realized when the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted. He has also negotiated an exclusive universitywide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, helped lead the way on a university-wide licensing agreement with the Licensing Resource Group and successfully transformed the antiquated radio network into an industry leader in campus-led broadcast production with all Samford home athletic events airing on ESPN3 or ESPN+. Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014. The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership. Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford’s student-athletes. Following his 1983 graduation from Samford, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years. Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike. Prior to his return to Samford, Newton was hired at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he managed the budget, fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program. Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles. They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer.

2023 FOOTBALL

Head Coaches

SOFTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

BASEBALL

W. GOLF

Kimball Cassady

Keylor Chan

Tony David

Joe Davidson

M. GOLF

FOOTBALL

W. BASKETBALL

M. BASKETBALL

Al DelGreco

Chris Hatcher

Carley Kuhns

Bucky McMillan

M. TENNIS

TRACK & FIELD

W. TENNIS

SOCCER

Oliver Reynolds

Rod Tiffin

David Vest

Todd Yelton

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For the latest information on Samford athletics visit SamfordSports.com @SamfordSports SamfordSports

SamfordSports

Ask Before You Act Compliance with NCAA rules is of utmost importance to Samford University. As a member of the NCAA, Samford is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes, employees, alumni, donors, boosters and friends. As such, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important items concerning NCAA rules and always remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: 205-726-4244 | compliance@samford.edu Twitter: @Samford_Rules FIVE IMPORTANT RULES 1. Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process. Alumni, friends and “other representatives of athletic interest” who are not employed by the university are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting participation in the athletics program. Samford faculty members are permitted to have contact with prospects on campus only. 2. A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university. The prospect does not lose prospect status until the start of classes at Samford or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes. 3. The prohibition of contact with a prospect is intended to relate to unavoidable incidental contacts with a prospect by representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest. It is understood that such a contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an athletics department staff member; is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect; and involves only normal civility. For example, if you meet a high school student or junior college student-athlete, you can talk with him or her about anything except Samford athletics. If you are attending a public function and find yourself talking to the parents of a prospect, you can talk about anything that doesn’t relate to the athletics department. 4. If a student-athlete accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation. Do not do anything for prospective or enrolled studentathletes without specific authorization from the Samford Athletics Compliance Office. 5. Representatives of athletics interest (boosters) are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled studentathletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks. When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/ or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid

FAQ Who is a “prospective student-athlete?” A “prospective student-athlete,” also known as a recruit or prospect, is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade, seventh for men’s basketball and softball. In addition, any younger student who receives any benefits from the institution not available to prospective students generally would be considered a prospective student-athlete. Who is a “representative of athletic interest” or booster? A representative or booster is an individual or business that is or has ever done any of the following: • • • • • • •

been a contributor to the Samford Bulldog Club or has purchased tickets to a Samford athletics event been an employee of Samford University or is the spouse of an employee has ever made a donation of any kind to the Samford athletics department helped to arrange or to provide employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a National Letter of Intent assisted or have been requested (by the athletics department) to assist in the recruitment of students to participate in any of Samford’s athletics programs assisted in providing any benefit to Samford enrolled student-athletes or their families been involved in promoting Samford athletics programs

ONCE YOU BECOME A BOOSTER, YOU NEVER LOSE THE IDENTITY OF A BOOSTER. 55

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Samford University Samford is a leading nationally ranked Christian university. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87tholdest institution of higher learning in the United States. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Homewood, the university’s campus covers approximately 247 acres and is renowned for its beauty and Georgian-Colonial style architecture. The university currently enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries. Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value. Samford offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts and a distinct blend of graduate and professional schools through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually is fostered through an array of opportunities, including 118 student organizations, global engagement in more than 14 different countries and nearly 300 courses that incorporate 48

community service. Among Samford’s 55,923 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U.S. Congress, eight state governors, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes. The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference. Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions.

2023 FOOTBALL

Samford Distinctions • 97% of undergraduate alumni are working or in further study within six months of graduation (2022). • Samford is ranked 34th in the nation among private universities and 115th among all public, private and liberal arts colleges and universities analyzed for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s Best College Values list (2019). • Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions. • Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 32nd nationally by LendEdu in its list of best colleges for financial aid (2020). • Samford’s annual economic and fiscal impact on Alabama is $453.3 million, 2,635 jobs and $18.2 million in income and sales taxes, including more than $11.5 million in state tax revenues and nearly $6.7 million in local sales taxes (2021-22).

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SAMFORD ATHLETICS HA Name Walt Barnes Lauren Blankenship Bobby Bowden Wally Burnham Cortland Finnegan Charlie Owns Billy Bancroft Craig Beard Jimbo Fisher Michael Marseco Alyssa Whitehead 1998-99 MBB Team Cameron Bean John Brady Gary Fleming Jimmy Harrison Emily London 1971 Football Team

Induction Year 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019

Sport Men’s Basketball Track & Field/Cross Country Football Football Football Men’s Tennis Football Men’s Basketball Football Baseball Soccer Men’s Basketball Track & Field/Cross Country Men’s Basketball Football Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Football

ALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Name Induction Year Efrem Hill 2020 Bobby Jackson 2020 Virgil Ledbetter 2020 Michaela Reesor 2020 Michael Seaman 2020 Pat Sullivan 2020 Buddy Anderson 2022 Norman “Shorty Cooper 2022 Jim Lovette 2022 Chandra Howard Moore 2022 1984 Football Team 2022 2010-11 WBB Team 2022 Steve Barker 2023 Megan Dowdy 2023 Phillip Ervin 2023 Jaquiski Tartt 2023 2005 Women’s Soccer Team 2023

Sport Football Football Multiple Sports Volleyball Track & Field Football Football Football Football Women’s Tennis Football Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Softball BasebalL Football Soccer

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Gifts received by our Bulldog Club Excelence Fund donors position Samford Athletics to recruit, retain and develop the very best student-athletes. Thanks to this support, Samford is producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.

2023-24 Bulldog Club Excellence Fund Donors All-Conference level and above

CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Daryl Byrd and Kara Van de Carr Bill and Kimeran Stevens Beth Thorne and Rick Stukes HERITAGE CIRCLE Anthony and Robbin Allen Roy Anderson Todd and Karen Carlisle Keith and Kelly Herron Bobby and Andrea Killingsworth Mark and Gwen Matthews Andrea and Jeremy Ryan Ronnie and Lynn Watkins The James I. Harrison Family Foundation PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Bennie and Sonja Bumpers Brian and Nancy Coleman Tom and Teri D’Armond Tommy and Charolette Hamby David and Julie Jenkins Ron and Cindy Mims

Rickie and MaryAnn Moon Michael Robinson John and Delita Wyatt ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE Bob and Gerri Austin Lynn and Kendall Boggs Wes and Jordan Caudell Drew and Julie Cundiff Steve and Suzanne Davidson Tim Francis Tim and Anita Haywood Betsy and Jimmy Holloway Bruce and Mary Virginia Hoven Jim and Alison Karrh Brett and Kristie Taylor Charlie and Lisa Venable Drew and Pam Yantis

ALL-AMERICAN Scott and Kim Andersen Chuck and Lydia Andrews Steve and Janet Ball Taylor and Amy Beattie John and Susan Carroll Beau and Rachel Green Martin and Cindy Newton Stephen and Kathy Peeples Greg and Peggy Powell Josh and Andrea Rhodes Jim and Doris Ridgeway Peter and Margaret Ann Selman Joy and Don Thomas Howard Walthall & Rosemary Fisk Stanley Woodall ALL-CONFERENCE Ryan and Jennifer Aday Jim and Cindy Anderson Scott and Laurie Applefield Tim and Cindy Bembry Whit and Alison Bishop Chris and Barbara Blackerby Ken Bluestein Quentin and Julie Brown Janet and Scott Brown Frank and Marti Buck Mike and Ginger Burkett Hilary and James Case David and Valerie Clark Michael and Kathy Clay Mike and Jan Cobb Tom and Debbie Collins Nathan and Kristen Collums

2023 FOOTBALL Steve and Krista Dillard Kent and Margaret Ellington Gary and Alta Faye Fenton John and Marsha Floyd Laura and Patrick Foshee Jim and Sherri Foyt Randy and Tammi Frazier Dick and Donna Gardner Joe Goode Corey and Rohaun Green Adam and Debbee Hancock Pearlie and LaShawnda Harris Clayton and Teresa Hemphill Lee and Leigh Henderson Nate and Tonya Henry Brad and Natalie Hiers Jerry and Harriette Hyche Jimmy and Donna Jackson John and Peggy Jones Craig and Amy Kirby Bill and Laura Kugelberg Hal and Cindy Langston David and Edith Lyon Lyn Marcum Malcolm and Betty Miller Jon and Greer Mills Charles Neese and Eve Annunziato Vic and Janis Nichol Eddie and Betty Oliver Dixie and David Owens Randy and Daina Pittman Jeff and Stephanie Prior Allison and Austin Pugmire Karen and Alan Register

Al and Stella Ringer Jean and Darin Roberson Lew and Mandy Sample Rick and Barbara Schultz Gil and Leigh Simmons Todd and Jodi Skaggs Lynn and Bennett Smith Jimmy and Patsy Smithey Bob and Pat Terry Andy and Jan Thrower Ryan and Kandi Waddles Andrea and Tom Weathington Vicki and John Wilcox Doug and Anita Wilson David and Tabby Winchester

Interested in Learning More? Visit SamfordBulldogClub.com

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Athletics Facilities The Samford University athletics program has risen to regional and national recognition through its commitment to athletic and academic excellence. Samford student-athletes have achieved much on the playing fields and in the classroom. Paralleling the competitive success of the program, Samford’s athletics facilities also continue to develop. The newest addition to Samford’s athletics facilities is the new video board installed at Joe Lee Griffin Field early in the 2022 season. The first two phases of a Seibert Stadium upgrade project were also recently completed. Phase I was a new state-of-the-art video board installed in 2019. Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House. At the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, a new video board was added prior to the start of the 2021 soccer season. Also, the Samford Softball Field opened in spring 2013. The J.T. Haywood Field House, which houses an indoor hitting facility, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms for both baseball and softball, was officially opened in fall 2013. The Samford Track and Soccer Stadium opened in spring 2011. The 1,200-seat facility opened by hosting the 2011 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The facility includes locker rooms, a ticket office, a high-tech press box, a nine-lane track and a regulation soccer field. The Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House for football opened in August 2009. It includes coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, a locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and players’ lounge. The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in the fall of 2014 to honor former Head Coach Pat Sullivan and his family. The convocation/arena/fitness complex, Pete Hanna Center, was completed in fall 2007. The center 54

provides outstanding playing facilities for volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball in a 5,000-seat center, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-of-the-art training facilities for Samford’s varsity sports. Also included in the facility are offices, meeting space and support facilities for coaches and athletics administration. The facility is adjacent to Bashinsky Field House and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major nonathletics events. The Pat M. Courington Tennis Pavilion was completed in 2006 with three indoor courts, a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms. Samford’s Tennis Center also includes the Darwin C. Hardison Courts, featuring six outdoor NCAA courts. All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of 2005. Facilities in Seibert Hall have been renovated to accommodate academic programs and student recreation activities. Joe Lee Griffin Field, home of the Samford Bulldogs baseball team, was remodeled in 2000 to include offices, locker rooms and other support services in a facility that complements the Georgian-Colonial architecture found throughout the Samford campus. The Carl E. Miller Press Box was added in 2009. Bulldog Spirit Plaza, dedicated during 2005 Homecoming weekend, is the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Field House and Pete Hanna Center. Organized by the Class of 2003, the landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, students, parents, employees, former athletes and friends of the university as a celebration of Samford’s more than 125 years of intercollegiate athletics competition. The athletics department is building its capital campaign efforts to raise funds to further assure Samford athletes of the finest playing facilities possible.

2023 FOOTBALL

BULLDOGS IN THE NFL Samford currently has five former players on either the active roster or practice squad of NFL teams. JAMES BRADBERRY James Bradberry was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Bradberry played four seasons with the Panthers and two with the New York Giants. He was named All-Pro following the 2020 season. He is currently in his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

MICHAEL PIERCE Michael Pierce had success as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent four seasons with the Ravens and two as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He returned to the Ravens for the 2022 season and is entering the second season of his second stint with the team.

MONTRELL WASHINGTON Montrell Washington was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He was the first offensive player in Samford history to be selected in the NFL Draft. This year, he enters his second season in Denver.

NICK WILLIAMS Nick Williams was taken in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his career, Williams has seen time with the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and New York Giants. He is now in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Tell your friends we’re hiring

HELP GROW OUR TEAM Let’s work together. Recruit a friend and get rewarded. Receive a $200 referral award after 60 days. Know someone who could be a great fit for our team? Text ‘CAHABA’ to (205) 512-9119 s like you. 56

Committed to playing with a purpose. We’re all about that gameday energy. At Alabama Power, we share your passion for the team—and your pride for where we live. We love big wins on game days, but truly value all victories across the state that score real smiles and push us forward together. For over 100 years, we’ve been committed to proving that what we accomplish as one, on and off the field, is what makes us stronger. It’s Power for a Better Alabama. We proudly support the Samford Bulldogs.