The 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team represented North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This season marked the 95th for the program, which was led by first-year head coach Sam Washington. The Aggies finished the season with a record of 9–2 and 6–1 in MEAC play, capturing their tenth conference title. The Aggies also earned an invitation to the Celebration Bowl where they defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alcorn State, earning their sixth black college football national championship. The Aggies played their home games at the newly renamed BB&T Stadium. They are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Before the season At the conclusion of the 2017 football season, the Aggies lost key players such as three-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the year and two-time All-American Brandon Parker, two-time first-team All-MEAC center Darriel Mack & Khris Gardin, who finished his career second all-time in NCAA history in punt return yards. The Aggies also lost third-team all-MEAC outside linebacker Marcus Albert, Jeremy Taylor & two-time first-team All-MEAC safety/linebacker Jeremy Taylor, who was the team's leading tackler in 2017. In addition to the players, the program lost head coach Rod Broadway, who is the program's all-time leader in winning percentage. Broadway decided to retire in January after weeks of speculation following the team's undefeated season and national championship.

Recruiting

Prior to National Signing Day in February 2018, three players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice. On National Signing Day, A&T signed 15 additional players out of high school that completed the 2018 recruiting class. Of the class, 9 players were from North Carolina, including three players from Greensboro.

Award watch lists Walter Payton AwardLamar RaynardQBSR

MEAC preseason poll In a vote of the MEAC head coaches and sports information directors, the Aggies were unanimously picked as the favorites to win the MEAC championship receiving 19 of 20 first place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team).

Preseason All-MEAC Teams The Aggies had nine players selected to the preseason all-MEAC teams. Quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the preseason offensive player of the year.

Offense

1st team

Lamar Raynard – QB

Marquell Cartwright – RB

Elijah Bell – WR

Leroy Hill – TE

Marcus Pettiford – OL

Defense

1st team

Darryl Johnson, Jr. – DL

Timadre Abram – DB

Mac McCain – DB

2nd team

Julian McKnight – DL

Schedule North Carolina A&T's game against fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Morgan State was considered a non-conference game and did figured in the conference standings.

Roster 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source)Wide receivers  3 Chance Pride – Freshman  4 Isaiah Hicklin – Senior 13 Elijah Bell – Junior 15 Ahmed Bah – Sophomore 19 Zachary Leslie – Sophomore 23 Amos Williams – Senior 80 Isreal Spivey – Freshman 81 Ron Hunt – Junior 84 Quinzel Lockhart – Freshman 85 Terrence Peterson – Senior 86 Jordan McDaniel – Freshman 88 Malik Wilson – Senior 89 Rashad Bovian – Sophomore

Offensive line 55 Dacquari Wilson – Freshman 60 Lawrence Lagrone –Freshman 61 Tyshawn Miller – Freshman 62 Malik Johnson -Senior 63 Jeremiah Martin - Sophomore 65 De'jour Simpson – Junior 66 Arlander Cherry – Junior 68 Macquel Hardy – Senior 69 Deven Milton – Sophomore 72 Tim Williams – Freshman 73 Marcus Pettiford – Junior 74 Sylvester Smith – Junior 75 Bilal Ali – Sophomore 76 Trajan Douthit – Sophomore 77 Breontae Matthews – Graduate Student 78 Micah Shaw – Senior 79 Dontae Keys – Freshman

Tight ends 12 TeVaughn Higgins – Freshman 82 jarvis Reid – Junior 87 Leroy Hill – Senior

Fullbacks 46 William Hollingsworth – Senior 49 William Simpson – Junior Quarterbacks 1 Jalen Fowler – Freshman 7 Lamar Raynard – Senior 10 Kylil Carter – Senior 11 Carnaji Andrews – Freshamn 16 Khalil Gilliam – Freshman

Running backs 22 Marquell Cartwright – Senior 25 Kashon Baker – Junior 26 Darius Graves – Sophomore 30 Jah-Maine Martin – Sophomore 37 Unique Johnson – Freshman

Fullbacks 46 William Hollingsworth – Sophomore 49 William Simpson – Sophomore

Defensive line 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls – Junior 50 Devin Harrell – Sophomore 52 Michael Branch – Junior 90 Karfa Kaba – Freshman 91 Justin Nwachukwu – Junior 92 Jermaine Williams – Junior 94 Justin Cates – Senior 95 Julian McKnight – Senior 97 Shomari Wallace – Sophomore 99 Artavious Richardson – Freshman

Defensive ends 40 Darryl Johnson Jr. – Junior 96 Sam Blue – Senior 98 Kadarius Kendrick – Junior

Rovers 2 Jamaal Darden – Senior 8 Joseph Stuckey – Freshman 39 Keifer Oates – Freshman Linebackers  5 Kiaundric Richardson – Senior 27 Justin Phillip - Sophomore 34 Deion Jones – Senior 36 Antoine Wilder – Junior 38 Davis Rogers – Freshman 43 Chris Williams – Freshman 44 Julius Reynolds – Senior 45 KeAndre Jones – Freshman 48 Zareik Rush – Freshman 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls – Sophomore 44 Julius Reynolds – Junior 45 Joshua Patrick – Senior 48 Jeremy Taylor – Senior 52 Kiaundric Richardson – Junior 53 Julian Monell – Freshman 54 Kyin Howard – Freshman 56 Tyler Beck – Sophomore 57 Markeiss Blue – Senior 58 Adrian McPherson – Junior 59 Elijah Westbrook – Junior

Defensive backs 14 Timadre Abram – Senior 18 Richie Kittles – Junior 20 Najee Reams – Sophomore 21 Derrek Williams – Sophomore 24 Amir McNeil – Freshman 29 Mac McCain – Sophomore 32 Marquis Willis – Junior 32 Miles Simon – Freshamn 33 Jalon Bethea – Junior 42 Will Jones – Freshamn

Punters 60 James Mackey – Junior 47 Michael Rivers – Freshman

Kickers 35 Noel Ruiz – Sophomore 38 Davis Rogers – Freshman

Long snappers 51 John Davis – Sophomore 67 Ernest (Petie) Bush III – Junior † Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2018.

Coaching staff 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staffHead coach Head coach – Sam Washington

Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/wide receivers –

Quarterbacks – Chris Barnette Running backs – Shawn Gibbs Tight end – Colin Williams

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/defensive backs – Courtney Coard Inside linebackers – Thomas Howard Administrative staff Athletic Director (A.D.) – Earl M. Hilton III Administrative support associate for football – Jeraldine Bailey

Game summaries

Vs. Jacksonville State

At East Carolina

The Aggies upset East Carolina, 28–23, and in the post-game celebration, head coach Sam Washington declared in response to the team being a so-called "buy game" for the Pirates: "Tell them to bring me my money." The statement and ensuing celebration has since become an internet meme.

Gardner–Webb

Morgan State

South Carolina State

At Delaware State

Florida A&M

At Bethune–Cookman

Norfolk State

At Savannah State

At North Carolina Central

Alcorn State – Celebration Bowl

Postseason

2019 NFL draft

The 2019 NFL draft will be held on April 25–27 in Nashville, Tennessee. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft. Player Position Round Overall pick NFL team Darryl Johnson Jr. DE 7 225 Buffalo Bills

2019 CFL draft The 2019 CFL draft took place on May 2, 2019. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.

Player Position Round Overall pick CFL team Malik Wilson WR/KR —- Undrafted free agent Saskatchewan Roughriders

Ranking movements

References