MikeBigg
Well-Known Member
Seems like more and more guys are wanting to come experience the GREATNESS of GSU. These kids are so fortunate to have a high calibre program such can be found at THE ICON where they can experience athletic success and obtain a degree.
The legacy at GSU is Greatness in Academics and Athletics...we stress obtaining your degree!!!
GSU: Safe harbor for more transfers
With Kentucky safety/receiver, Tigers add fifth Division I-A player since 2000.
Scott Beder / Tech and GSU Reporter
Posted on January 23, 2002
In college football circles, Grambling State has become one of the hot spots for players at other schools looking for a fresh outlook on their careers
Since the end of the 2001 season, Grambling has accepted two transfers - Octavius Bond from Kentucky and Kenneth Pettway from Southern Arkansas. Texas Christian quarterback Casey Printers also considered transferring to Grambling, but opted to go to Florida A&M instead.
Bond, a 6-1, 207-pound wide receiver/defensive back, is the second player from Kentucky to transfer to GSU in the last two years and the fifth Division I-A player since 2000.
Bond joins former Kentucky receiver Kendrick Shanklin, Memphis defensive end Andre Arnold, LSU defensive tackle Willie Gray and LSU linebacker Marcus Yanez as Division I-A players who transferred to Grambling.
If Grambling Coach Doug Williams is lucky, Bond will turn out to be as productive as the others.
"When you look at Willie Gray, Arnold and Shanklin and you see what they contributed, you would say they were pretty good takes," Williams said. "But I don't think you can make a living off of transfers or junior college kids. Some people like J.C. kids, but I say being from a historical black institution, we always stress education and graduation and I find it awfully tough from my experience to graduate a lot of J.C. or transfers. If they're homegrown, they've got a chance from the ground up."
Bond will have two years of eligibility left and will begin his Grambling career at wide receiver where the Tigers lose three starters - Ellis Spears, Levi Washington and Chris Highshaw.
"I've been off the scene at wide receiver for a while," Bond said. "I kind of know what to expect, but it's been so long for me, I hope Coach Williams, Coach (Sammie) White and Coach (Melvin) Spears can guide me. They seem confident in my ability to play wide receiver. I'll give it a shot in the spring and go from there."
Bond was a starter at strong safety last season until being suspended for the final four games of the year following a DUI conviction.
"I got into a little trouble and now I'm back on my feet, and Coach gave me an opportunity," Bond said. "Now I can do what I do best."
The last time Bond played receiver was during his redshirt freshman season at Kentucky. As a senior at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, Bond caught 43 passes for 567 yards and four touchdowns to lead Mt. Carmel to a 14-0 record and Class 5A Illinois state championship.
"He's got good speed and a whole lot of confidence," Williams said. "We lost all three guys at wideout and even though we've got some young ones, I like having experience."
Pettway is a 6-4, 235-pound defensive end who will also have two years of eligibility remaining.
"The kid was a qualifier and originally scheduled to go to the Air Force Academy. He went to Southern Arkansas and realized he didn't want to be there. His mom and dad are Grambling grads."
The legacy at GSU is Greatness in Academics and Athletics...we stress obtaining your degree!!!
GSU: Safe harbor for more transfers
With Kentucky safety/receiver, Tigers add fifth Division I-A player since 2000.
Scott Beder / Tech and GSU Reporter
Posted on January 23, 2002
In college football circles, Grambling State has become one of the hot spots for players at other schools looking for a fresh outlook on their careers
Since the end of the 2001 season, Grambling has accepted two transfers - Octavius Bond from Kentucky and Kenneth Pettway from Southern Arkansas. Texas Christian quarterback Casey Printers also considered transferring to Grambling, but opted to go to Florida A&M instead.
Bond, a 6-1, 207-pound wide receiver/defensive back, is the second player from Kentucky to transfer to GSU in the last two years and the fifth Division I-A player since 2000.
Bond joins former Kentucky receiver Kendrick Shanklin, Memphis defensive end Andre Arnold, LSU defensive tackle Willie Gray and LSU linebacker Marcus Yanez as Division I-A players who transferred to Grambling.
If Grambling Coach Doug Williams is lucky, Bond will turn out to be as productive as the others.
"When you look at Willie Gray, Arnold and Shanklin and you see what they contributed, you would say they were pretty good takes," Williams said. "But I don't think you can make a living off of transfers or junior college kids. Some people like J.C. kids, but I say being from a historical black institution, we always stress education and graduation and I find it awfully tough from my experience to graduate a lot of J.C. or transfers. If they're homegrown, they've got a chance from the ground up."
Bond will have two years of eligibility left and will begin his Grambling career at wide receiver where the Tigers lose three starters - Ellis Spears, Levi Washington and Chris Highshaw.
"I've been off the scene at wide receiver for a while," Bond said. "I kind of know what to expect, but it's been so long for me, I hope Coach Williams, Coach (Sammie) White and Coach (Melvin) Spears can guide me. They seem confident in my ability to play wide receiver. I'll give it a shot in the spring and go from there."
Bond was a starter at strong safety last season until being suspended for the final four games of the year following a DUI conviction.
"I got into a little trouble and now I'm back on my feet, and Coach gave me an opportunity," Bond said. "Now I can do what I do best."
The last time Bond played receiver was during his redshirt freshman season at Kentucky. As a senior at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, Bond caught 43 passes for 567 yards and four touchdowns to lead Mt. Carmel to a 14-0 record and Class 5A Illinois state championship.
"He's got good speed and a whole lot of confidence," Williams said. "We lost all three guys at wideout and even though we've got some young ones, I like having experience."
Pettway is a 6-4, 235-pound defensive end who will also have two years of eligibility remaining.
"The kid was a qualifier and originally scheduled to go to the Air Force Academy. He went to Southern Arkansas and realized he didn't want to be there. His mom and dad are Grambling grads."
