NORFOLK — It’s a season unlike any other for Norfolk State football and for Michael Vick.
The college football and NFL legend turned first-time head coach makes his sideline debut Thursday night, when the Spartans host Towson at William “Dick” Price Stadium at 7 p.m.
The opener features a trio of firsts: the Spartans’ first home night game since 2021, the first game of Vick’s tenure and the first glimpse of how he plans to lead NSU into a new era.
For Vick, the buildup feels familiar.
From his first high school start against the defending state champions, to winning the Virginia Tech job as a freshman, to becoming a No. 1 overall pick in the NFL, he has lived in high-pressure moments.
“It really feels like my rookie year at Virginia Tech,” Vick said. “The unknown, the anxiety, not knowing what it’s going to be like. Back in those shoes where everything was new, where you had to go out and perform. And the pressures to perform. The only difference is now, I can’t put the ball in my hands to help them. I’ve got to trust the guys, and my patience is going to be tested.”
It’s not just his patience that will be tested. Vick and the Spartans face a “hungry” Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule while he learns to be a head coach.
However, Vick said being thrown into the fire has defined his career, and he’s embracing the challenge once more.
“If I don’t try, I’d look back 10 years from now and say the only failure was not trying,” Vick said. “I get a chance to go do this and be the best at it. Thankfully, I’ve got good coaches and good people around me. I’ll lean on them, they’ll lean on me, and we’ll see how it works out.”
Vick built a staff with NFL experience, something both he and the players have leaned on. Fall camp was long, physical and, at times, repetitive, but necessary to shape a roster full of fresh faces and returners adapting to new systems.
“We’ve been going at it for the last three months just hitting each other,” he said. “It’s time we do it against somebody else.”
That chance comes Thursday against Towson. Week 1 always brings unpredictability: new wrinkles, different looks and opponents eager to show adjustments from the offseason. For Vick, that makes preparation and trust even more critical, especially under added media attention.
Vick admitted his first game under the lights has been on his mind since the schedule was announced. He likened it to his playing days, when he would think about the opener all summer.
“I’ve been thinking about this since I first took the job,” he said. “It’s like my first game in college all over again — the good anxiety, the excitement. Most importantly, it’s about preparation. When Thursday comes, we’ll come out that tunnel and make it do what it do.”
Daylan Long (7) runs through drills during practice at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 30, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Standouts
Kevon King: Sr., 5-11, 200, RB. The Spartans’ top offensive threat, King rushed for 944 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, earning All-MEAC honors. He enters 2025 on multiple preseason watch lists, including the Black College Football Hall of Fame Player of the Year.
Israel “Izzy” Carter: R-So., 6-1, 200, QB. A transfer from South Florida — one of the FBS transfers to choose NSU — Carter hasn’t seen the field very much in his career, having played six games across two seasons. He is primed to lead NSU into this next era as a dual-threat QB — not dissimilar to his head coach, who he also shares a jersey number with.
Kam’Ryn Thomas: Sr., 6-1, 180, WR. A big-play target, Thomas caught 25 passes for 387 yards and two scores last season, highlighted by a 98-yard performance against Florida A&M. He was named to the All-MEAC Preseason first team and is expected to be a key weapon in NSU’s passing game.
Daylan Long: R-Sr., 5-11, 190, LB. A versatile playmaker on defense, Long posted 47 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season. He scored two defensive touchdowns — one on a pick-six and another on a fumble return — becoming the first Spartan in over a decade to do so, and enters 2025 as a preseason All-MEAC first-team selection.
Vincent Byrd Jr.: Sr., 6-3, 305, OL. The anchor of NSU’s offensive line, Byrd started all 12 games last season without allowing a sack and graded out at 96%. An All-MEAC performer, he returns as a preseason first-team selection tasked with paving the way for the Spartans’ rushing attack.
Norfolk State quarterback Israel Carter escapes pressure in the pocket during practice at William Price Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 4, 2025. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Storylines
Weight of the spotlight: With Michael Vick on the sideline, Norfolk State faces a level of national attention it has never seen. ESPNU’s primetime broadcast and media buzz raise the stakes for both players and coaches. How the Spartans handle that pressure could set the tone for the entire season.
Izzy takes the reins: Israel “Izzy” Carter steps into the spotlight as NSU’s starting quarterback. The redshirt sophomore transfer from USF brings dual-threat ability and a skillset reminiscent of his head coach. Thursday will provide a glimpse into how quickly he can translate that potential into production.
Experience in the skill positions: The Spartans boast stability in their offensive playmakers, returning their top three running backs and two of their top receivers. Kevon King, X’Zavion Evans and Fonnae Webb anchor the backfield, while Kam’Ryn Thomas and Elyjah Mitchell lead the receiving corps. That veteran presence provides a reliable foundation as new systems take shape.
The defense’s chance to step up: NSU gave up 28.4 points per game last season, next to last in the MEAC. If the Spartans intend to make a splash this year, that side of the ball will need to hold its ground and stabilize the game.
Impact of transfers: Vick’s arrival brought an influx of FBS talent, with several transfers expected to contribute immediately. They add depth and speed to multiple positions while raising the overall ceiling of the roster. How quickly they mesh with returners could make the difference between a good start and a special one.
Schedule
Aug. 28: vs. Towson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6: vs. Virginia State, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13: at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Wagner, noon.
Oct. 4: at Hampton, 4 p.m.
Oct. 11: at Wofford, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 25: vs. South Carolina State, 2 p.m.
Oct. 30: vs. Delaware State, 7 p.m.
Nov. 8: at North Carolina Central, 2 p.m.
Nov. 15: vs. Morgan State, noon.
Nov. 22: at Howard, 3:30 p.m.
