When it comes to Aggie Football over the past several years it’s not hard to understand why many fans and new alumni have mixed emotions with the team and their success. However, the 2008 campaign for the Aggies showed signs of improvement going from two consecutive seasons without any victories, to 3-9 overall.

 In Early 2009, Alonzo Lee became the 17th head coach in the history of North Carolina A&T Football. Lee has a reputation of bringing hard-nose, smash-mouth football with his program and this year’s team will be no exception. This is Lee’s second stint with the Aggies. He served as a defensive coordinator, and then left the team to take a position with the Morgan State University Bears.

“A&T is a sleeping giant,” Lee said. “Toughness is what aggie pride was built on.We have to clean up the little things.” Here’s a look at the 2009 roster by position.”DB/DL: Hoping to help with tradition on the defensive side, are transfers Kevin Green cornerback from Purdue University and preseason All American Jarrell Herring who played two seasons at Grand Rapids where he received All Midwest Conference honors. Herring finished the season with 12 sacks and 73 tackles, and was placed on the junior college All American third team. “We are expecting to be good,” Herring said. Also returning on the defensive line, is senior Tyre Glasper who  accumulated nine sacks and 81 tackles over his career.LB: Senior Linebacker Andre Thornton who led the team in tackles the last two seasons and has compiled 221 career tackles. Sophomore Brandon Jackson made a name for himself on special teams, but plans to be a starter at the linebacker position as well this season. OL: The team signed five offensive line men during the off season, including junior college transfer Terrence Humes. Humes will give depth to the front line who struggled last season averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and allowing 3.2 sacks per game. Veteran Junior Enoch Cohen, who earned preseason honors of second team all HBCU, should also be a key addition this season.RB: With former running back Michael Ferguson no longer there to carry the load, Junior Running back Nigel Tomlin showed flashes of brilliance last season carrying the ball 49 times for an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. Junior College transfer Tony Coles will also carry the load rushing for 1,500 yards as a prep school sensation. WR: To help the campaign is Larry Raper out of Shelby North Carolina who is ranked 15th in the state. Raper was also ranked as a top 100 player by www.rivals.com and ESPN. Veterans Seniors Girgio Lowrance and Cedric Byrd also plan to lead the offense down the field. QB: Senior Quarterback Carlton Fears is the new guy on the block reinforcing Lee’s hopes. Fears was named the starter going into camp this summer, and many feel this will be his breakout season.”It feels good, to know that you are the guy,” Fears said. You step into a role that makes you a leader.” The transfer from Georgia Military College and threw 1,642 yards and 14 touchdowns completing almost 50 percent of his passes during his stint at the College. Senior Herb Miller also returns as Fears backup.

• Carlton Brown