By ANDREAS BUTLER
(Source: Daytona Times)
The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats began practice on Monday.
B-CU has plenty of questions to answer before the start of the 2026 campaign when they play at UCF for a Thursday night game on Sept. 3.
On Tuesday afternoon, after just two practices Head Coach Raymond Woodie Jr. talked about fall camp.
One of the biggest questions is who will play quarterback with Cam Ransom and Timmy McClain both gone.
Battling for the job are redshirt senior Amarie Jones; redshirt junior Tyler Jefferson, who transferred from Florida A&M; and freshman Joel Morris, who was at Booker T. High in Miami last season. All three were with the team in the spring.
“We have a three-man rotation right now. Hopefully, by the beginning of next week we will start to know. We start scrimmaging next week. We will see how these guys progress,’’ Woodie told the Daytona Times.
“Amarie is smart. He does things the right way on and off the field. Joel is a freshman who came in during the spring right from high school. He looks good. Tyler is also doing well. We just need somebody to run the entire offense. It is going to be competitive,” commented Woodie.
Wide receiver question
Another question is who will step up at the wide receiver position. Maleek Huggins, Javon Ross and Lorenzo Jenkins all transferred out. Ross and Huggins were spectacular. Ross was also a kick return threat and Huggins a punt return weapon.
The Wildcats return redshirt senior Rickie Shaw III and redshirt sophomore Josh Evans but there are some other guys who could be in the mix.
Local products like redshirt sophomore Marquis McCants, who went to Mainland High and incoming freshman Cameron Oxendine. who starred at Spruce Creek, could step up. There is also 6-foot-3 inch, 200 pound redshirt senior Javin Dames.
“Oxendine looks good as a true freshman. We think he will do well. It may be some unknowns. A lot of guys who didn’t play as much last season may be able to step up. Shaw has shown promise. He is back from injury in the spring. McCants and Dames are looking good. Guys are looking good, but we haven’t put on pads yet. We put them on next week. We are doing 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills right now. We’re excited,” responded Woodie.
The Wildcats return several guys on defense including senior defensive lineman Isaiah Washburn; graduate linebacker Stephan Sparrow; senior linebacker Malik Stinnett; and junior defensive back Naim Lassiter but it remains to be seen if this year’s unit could be dominant or special.
“Being healthy is going to be key. Guys are working hard. A lot of times the most talented guys don’t out work the guys that is not so talented. Myron Shafer from Mainland is looking good. A lot of special teams guys may need to play more meaningful reps on offense and defense,” said Woodie.
6 home games
In 2026, the Wildcats will play more home games than most can remember. Six games will be played at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium. Last year, Bethune-Cookman won all five home games. It remains to be seen if that momentum will carry over but the Wildcats welcome playing more in front of the home crowd.
“The key is learning how to win away games too. When playing at home with the fans, crowd, cheerleaders and band gets guys excited at another level. At away games our following isn’t always as large, but we still have to get the job done. Last year we left a lot on the table on the road and at home seems like we were on point,” said Woodie.
Bethune-Cookman has higher expectations from outside Wildcat Nation this offseason compared to recent years. B-CU is picked to finish third in the SWAC East, Six All-SWAC preseason selections and is ranked eighth in the inaugural Black College Football Division I poll.
Right now, the focus is getting through camp and ready for Week 1.
Woodie emphasized, “We want to be attentional on the techniques, fundamentals and attention to detail. If we do that, we will be in position to win games. We also want to stay healthy as much as possible each week.”
