Saturday marks Old Dominion’s final home game of the season as the Monarchs host Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. The game will be the final home contest for ODU’s 15 seniors. Today will be the first of three parts highlighting this year’s senior class.
The first set of seniors we look at is the junior college transfers. These eight players have started a combined 57 games for the Monarchs the last two years, while Malik Gumbs, Chris Smith and D.J. Simon are starters at their respective positions.
“This has been a solid group of student-athletes for our program. They have all been starters or key contributors for our team and they will all leave Old Dominion with a great education. We will miss them as people, students, and players,” ODU Head Coach Bobby Wilder said.
Kyle Bottoms – OL – Spring, Texas
A transfer from Blinn College, Bottoms started two games at left tackle this season and has rotated in on the offensive line this season. He has played in 18 career games for the Monarchs.
Cam Boyd – RB – Dumfries, Va.
A junior college transfer, Boyd has rushed 95 times for 575-yards and seven touchdowns in his two-year career. He has been the primary kick returner this season and has 21 returns for 374-yards with a long return of 45-yards at Vanderbilt. He recorded 119-rushing yards last year in the win over Rhode Island, including a 70-yard touchdown run, which was at the time, the longest run in school history.
Malik Gumbs – DT – Matawan, N.J.
A JUCO transfer from Nassau CC, Gumbs has started all 10 games at defensive tackle this season. He has had a tremendous senior season after playing in just seven games in 2013. He has 27 tackles and half a tackle for loss in 2014.
Jevon Neal – CB – Austin, Texas
Neal has played in 22 career games at Old Dominion after transferring from Blinn College. He has six career starts with 47 career tackles, including 26 this year along with a QB hurry and forced fumble.
Phil Paulhill – S – Sicklerville, N.J.
Paulhill has played in nine games this season and is fifth on the team with 41 tackles. He played in two games in 2013 while missing most of the season with a leg injury.
Gary Scruggs – DE – Glassboro, N.J.
Scruggs has played in 19 career games at ODU after transferring from ASA College. He has 19 tackles on the year, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery.
D.J. Simon – LB – Houston, Texas
Simon leads ODU with 79 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss starting all 10 games at middle linebacker. He also has two forced fumbles and a sack. For his career, he has 118 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss.
Chris Smith – DT – Santa Rosa, Calif.
A two-year starter on the defensive line, Smith has started 19 career games at ODU. He missed three games due to injury this season, but his still seventh on the team with 37 tackles. He recorded a career-best seven tackles in the 38-35 victory over FIU.
Tomorrow we will look at the seniors on the defense and special teams.