Norfolk State fans got their first look at Coach Michael Vick in action Saturday as he led the Spartans through their annual spring football game at William “Dick” Price Stadium.

  

The event marked the first time Vick, a former NFL star and Newport News native, took the field as the leader of a college football program. Spartan fans turned out in large numbers to watch the team’s 2025 roster, with a crowd that included several high-profile guests from the Hampton Roads area.

NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor, WBO lightweight boxing champion Keyshawn Davis, Virginia state Sen. Aaron Rouse and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott were among those in attendance.

“It was good to see,” Vick said. “Those guys have been telling me they are going to come out and support and I expect to see that all season. It’s good to have the local hometown heroes come out. Guys who our players can look at as role models, great citizens of the Hampton Roads and just good people.”

Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage gave Spartan Nation a look at both sides of the ball, with the team facing off against itself in a variety of situations. Players rotated through position drills, seven-on-seven action, one-on-one battles and full-team periods that featured live contact.

Wide receiver Dresean Kendrick, a transfer from William & Mary, turned  heads with a one-handed catch in traffic before pulling in a goal-line touchdown pass from quarterback Israel Carter to open the scoring.

“Everything was just one step at a time this spring,” Carter said. “He wanted us to just focus on one play, one install, one rep at a time. That’s all that we can do, control what we can control, and we’ll be just fine.”

All-MEAC running back Kevon King followed with a short-yardage touchdown, and wide receiver Kam’Ryn Thomas made a leaping catch across the middle for a big gain.

Defensively, the Spartans showed off the toughness Vick and his staff have been emphasizing. Delaware State transfer Khaleef Jimmison broke up a pass in the end zone and helped set the tone for a physical effort from the secondary.

“We just wanted to compete,” Jimmison said. “Compete, compete, compete. Be physical, intentional detailed and just compete.”

Norfolk State opens its 2025 season at home against Towson on Thursday, Aug. 28.