Kendall Langford has followed his friend Jerome Mathis' advice to football stardom at Hampton University.
October 21, 2005
HAMPTON -- Hampton University coach Joe Taylor likes to say that a college football program's best recruiters are its players. His faith in that axiom increased significantly when Jerome Mathis steered defensive end Kendall Langford to Hampton 14 months ago.
Langford says he knew little about Hampton before talking to Mathis, his buddy from their Petersburg neighborhood. But Langford had enough respect for Mathis, now a rookie wide receiver with the Houston Texans, to heed his advice.
"Jerome told me it was a good school, with a good football program and a good coaching staff," Langford said. "He said, \'If you come here, the coaches will get you better.' "
That sounds like a vast understatement these days. Langford, a 6-foot-6, 276-pound sophomore, has become so good, so fast, that it seems possible he'll someday attract a level of NFL interest to Hampton similar to Mathis last season.
Going into the No. 4 Pirates' home game against No. 19 South Carolina State on Saturday for first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Langford ranks third nationally with 13 tackles-for-loss. Langford has been virtually unstoppable the past three games, with 20 tackles, including 10 behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 44 yards.
"The guy just doesn't stay blocked," Taylor said. "The key is that he keeps his feet moving all the time, and he can change direction good for a guy his size."
Hampton defensive line coach Tim Edwards added: "He's just powerful. It's one thing to be strong, but it's another to be explosive the way Kendall is. He's a wild child, and he plays like a wild child."
Mathis and the other kids saw that side long ago. They would pick Langford to play sandlot games against teams from other neighborhoods, even though he was several years younger.
Hampton fans got their first true glimpse in last year's showdown for the MEAC title at South Carolina State. Though only a true freshman, Langford got his first start at defensive tackle in the game and played a huge role in the Pirates' 52-36 victory. He made two tackles for loss, forced a fumble and returned another fumble 30 yards for a touchdown.
"That touchdown was such a great feeling," Langford said. "We practice different turnover drills all the time. That was a scoop and score.
"I wish I'd kept the game ball. I don't know if they let you do that, but I would've been willing to try."
Langford went on to finish with 44 tackles and was second on the team with 111/2 tackles-for-loss. In seven games this season, he's already equaled his tackle total for last year and has surpassed his TFL numbers.
The Pirates' change to a 3-4 alignment is partly responsible for his increased production. In the new scheme, Langford has moved from tackle to end. Being outside gives him more opportunity to use his speed, quickness and athleticism to get into opposing backfields, rather than having to fight his way through the middle.
"Kendall also grasps techniques so much better this season," Edwards said. "That makes things easier for him. He's very consistent from game-to-game and play-to-play.
"I'd like to see him become a little meaner, tougher and more physical. His best days are ahead of him."
Langford hopes those days come in the NFL. He figures another two years of weight lifting, learning and winning championships at Hampton will generate some interest from pro scouts.
Why not? He saw Jerome Mathis sign with Houston for a nice bonus this summer, then drive his Escalade home to their neighborhood in Petersburg.
"That really opened my eyes," Langford said. "We chilled together, went to parties together and played football together. When someone that close to you does it, it makes you want it even more because it becomes more realistic.
"I have no regrets about coming to Hampton. We won a (MEAC) championship, are on our way to another one, and I'm surrounded by good coaches at a good school. I really appreciate Jerome's advice."
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Sunday, October 23rd 2005 at 1:54PM
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