Hampton University hopes to elevate 'Air Raid' attack

HAMPTON ??

Judging from spring drills, Hampton University is much closer to having quarterbacks and not just players who line up at the position.

Rising sophomores Jaylian "J.J." Williamson and Brian Swain have improved greatly since last fall, and junior-college transfer Najee Tyler has had moments, as HU held its annual Blue-White game Friday.

"The guys are understanding the concepts better," Pirates offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson said. "They're improving their football IQ, which we didn't have, especially with freshmen. I feel really good about them. We still have a long way to go, but they're getting there."

Williamson, from Chesapeake's Oscar Smith High, marched the Pirates' offense up and down the field Friday at Armstrong Stadium. Swain, a walk-on from Laredo, Texas, had a spottier showing that wasn't indicative of his body of work this spring.

"I understand the offense, my reads, my checks, everything," Swain said. "I've learned a lot from last year, when I was just kind of playing. This year, I'm playing as a quarterback."

Said Williamson, "I was still new to the offense, new coaches, new offense, 'Air Raid' offense, so I was just coming out trying to play. Now, this offseason, I'm more focused, more in the playbook, more watching film, I have more of a grasp of the offense, a good feel for it. I feel way more comfortable. I feel like I'm back in high school."

The Pirates' version of Wilson's "Air Raid" offense was mostly grounded last season, a prime contributor to a 3-7 record that was the program's worst going back to its Division II days.

Wilson, a disciple of Hal Mumme's and Mike Leach's pass-first offensive system, came to HU with big credentials after two years as coordinator at Jackson State. The Tigers were the No. 1 offense in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2011, averaging almost 491 yards per game. They were third in passing (348.09 ypg) and ninth in scoring (35.82 points per game).

Last season, however, the Pirates were sixth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring (21.7), seventh in passing (169.1) and fifth in total offense (317.2). They were last in turnover margin (minus-19) and 10th in red-zone offense, with just 18 touchdowns in 36 trips and 12 red-zone possessions that yielded zero points.

Hampton's offense struggled for multiple reasons: a compressed timetable for Wilson to implement his system; restrictions on practice time levied by the NCAA because of chronic academic underperformance; injury and inconsistency at quarterback; true freshmen playing quarterback.

Travis Champion, the opening-game starter, was sidelined by a concussion at midseason. Tyler struggled, coming from junior college. Ideally, Williamson and Swain would have been redshirted, but the staff felt forced to play them in order to generate some offensive spark.

Champion chose to transfer, leaving the other three to learn and battle for the position. Tyler has prototypical size (6-5 and 235 pounds) and arm strength, but has been the least consistent of the three. Swain (5-11, 180) and Williamson (5-10, 170) use their feet, as well as their arms and noggins, to produce.

"Football is definitely a mental game," Williamson said. "I feel like now I'm more aggressive. I have a feel for the offense. I'm making checks better. I'm seeing things before they happen. That's a good feeling that any quarterback would want to have, when the game slows down. I feel like it's slowing down for me. I don't care how big you are, how physical you are, the game is mental."

Swain said chemistry among the offensive players and coaches has improved from last season.

Wilson maintains that smarts and quick decision-making are more important than a big arm to run his offense. Williamson, who admires undersized Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, is confident that he can succeed.

"If he can do it, I can do it," Williamson said. "Size doesn't matter at all. I'm out here every day with guys, (defensive) linemen who are 300 pounds chasing me, trying to kill me. All it is, is your heart."

Earnest Wilson is pleased with the players' effort and attention during the offseason and in spring drills, which conclude next week. He doesn't have to settle on a starter until the fall, and he has no reservations about playing Williamson and Swain.

"They're both capable," he said. "I don't care about rotating these two, these particular two. I think that they can grow. They've still got to settle down and relax. ? I have no problem with these two, because they can do some crazy things on the football field for this program."

Source: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-hu-football-spring-game-20130405,0,7917268.story?track=rss

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