Big South Conference

Big South Football Squads Announce 2008 Signees

2/7/2008 5:00:00 AM

The Big South football playing members announced their respective 2008 national signees on Wednesday.  Below is a team-by-team look at each institution's incoming class, listed in alphabetical order by school.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Charleston Southern and Head Coach Jay Mills announced the signing of 17 new players for the 2008 season.  The offensive side of the class includes one offensive lineman, a transfer quarterback, three wide receivers and a running back. On the defensive side, CSU signed three linemen, three linebackers, and four defensive backs. The Bucs also signed one kicker in the 2008 class.

Terill Foote is a 6-4, 265-pound offensive lineman, who earned MVP honors on his Chester HS team. He played three years at Chester under Head Coach Victor Floyd, helping his team reach the South Carolina State Championship game. Foote, the son of Teresa Foote was also on the basketball team.

Augustine Toscano transfers to CSU from Cerritos College to compete at the quarterback position. A 6-2, 208-pounder, Toscano passed for 850 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed for 750 yards and eight touchdowns. Doubling as a linebacker under Coach Willie Reyna, Toscano had 63 tackles and forced three fumbles. At Cerritos, he had 16 touchdowns, 1,540 yards and only four interceptions. He earned second-team all-conference honors at Cerritos, and was all-area at El Rancho High School, earning all-league honors at two positions. He is the son of Liz and Augie Toscano.

Terrell Brown, a 6-1, 190-pound wide receiver, comes to CSU from Charleston Collegiate, where his team won the 2007 South Carolina State Championship. Brown was all-region, team MVP, and elected to play in the Shrine Bowl, having played three years under Head Coach Kirk Lax. The son of Mark and Denise Brown, Terrell was also a member of the baseball and basketball teams.

A 5-8, 190-pound wide out from Coral Reef Senior High School, Alexander Neal joins CSU’s team as a sophomore having transferred from the United State Air Force Academy. Studying under Coach Frank Ponce at Coral Reef, Neal averaged 100 yards passing a game as a quarterback. He was the team captain and a four-year member of the varsity team having set the school records for most passing yards and most touchdowns in a game. Neal earned all-county honors and graduated with honors with a 3.6 GPA. He is the son of Freda and Glenn Neal, and his brother, Richard, played at Auburn University.

Rounding out the wide receiver class is Spencer Smith, who comes to CSU from East Coweta High School, where he was a three-way player under Head Coach Danny Cronic. On the offensive side of the ball, Smith rushed for 388 yards on 50 carries. He also had 20 receptions for 269 yards and seven touchdowns. On the defensive side, he tallied 48 total tackles, four pass breakups, three sacks, and one interception. Smith also had nine kickoff returns for 177 yards. The son of Roy and Dillia Smith, Spencer was the most valuable receiver in 2007, earning all-region and all-county honors. He was also a member of the basketball and track teams.

Antwan Ivey is a 5-7, 180-pound running back, who will enter the 2008 season as a freshman for CSU. Under Coach Keeler, he ran for 2,445 yards on 260 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. He scored 31 touchdowns, and helped lead his NHS team to a 13-1 record and a berth in the state championship game. Antwan is a first-team all-state selection and, originally from Gainesville, Fla., was named the Florida Player of the Year. He was a member of the basketball, track and weightlifting teams. He is the son of Jowanda Booth and Antawn Ivey.

A 6-1, 254-pound defensive lineman, Dale Woods signed on the dotted-line for CSU, transferring to Charleston from Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played for Randy Pippen. The son of Tammy Woods, he was an all-county and all-district selection in high school under Coach Chris Purnell.

Hunter Simms is a 6-3, 285-pound defensive tackle out of Brookwood High School, where he played for Coach Mark Crews. The son of Michael and Chelle Simms, Hunter averaged better than six tackles per game and helped his BHS team to an 18-6 record over his final two seasons. He was named to the Atlanta Journal and Coast Honor Roll and the Gwinnett Daily Post Honor Roll six times. Twice he earned Player of the Week honors and was named the Gwinnett Touchdown Club Player of the Month. Simms was all-county, all-region and named to the Gwinnett All-Star Team. He also threw the shot and discus for the track program, competing in the Walt Disney High School Showcase.

The longest trip of the recruiting class will be made by defensive lineman Kamalu Umu, a 6-2, 290-pounder from Kapa’a, Hawai’I on the island of Kauai. Umu will be a transfer from Arizona Western College after having attended St. Louis High School. In high school, Umu averaged eight tackles a game and tallied 11 sacks and 137 career stops. He was a named first-team All-ILH, and was the Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was second-team all-state in football and basketball, averaging 11.4 points per game on the hardwood. At Arizona Western, Umu had 57 tackles, one interception, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks under Head Coach James Pryor. Umu is the son of Marlo Alipalalei and Malidie Umu.

Playing defensive end, running back and linebacker, Okoye Manley joins the CSU squad, having played at Winter Springs HS in Sanford, Fla. As a junior, Manley recorded 58 tackles, improving to tally 72 stops in his final season. He earned all-district, and all-conference honors. The son of Beatrice and Erest Manley, Okoye was a member of the lacrosse, basketball, wrestling and volleyball teams, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Cornelius Sterling is a 6-2, 220-pound middle linebacker, who had 108 tackles, three sacks and four tackles-for-loss at Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla. The son of Dana Pace, Sterling earned three letters for former CSU coach Bob Head, who is the head coach at OHS. A Dean’s List member, Sterling was the team captain as well as the team MVP.

A transfer from the Air Force Academy where he played for Fisher DeBerry, Andrew McKain is a 6-0, 225-pound junior linebacker, who played high school ball at Tucker High School in Georgia. The son of Rick and Judy McKain, he had a combined 275 tackles, four interceptions, nine forced fumbles and 8.5 sacks as a junior and senior. He was all-state twice, and earned all-region and all-area honors as a senior. McKain was also a member of the basketball and baseball teams.

At the strong safety position, the Bucs signed Henry Mitchell, IV, out of Douglas County HS. There, Mitchell had 118 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception as a senior under Coach John Oglesby. He was named the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year on the team, and earned the honor for the county in 2007. As a senior, he was all-region, all-county, voted the captain of the team, and named the best linebacker. The son of Nobi and Henry Mitchell III, he was on the honor roll as a senior and was a member of the track and field team.

The Bucs’ secondary also signed Chris Kuzdale, who stands in at 6-0, 195 pounds, and comes to CSU from H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., having also spent time at Milford Academy Prep School this past fall. At H.B. Plant, he had 264 career tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss, and 12 interceptions, returning three of them for touchdowns. Two of his touchdown returns came in the playoffs as Kuzdale tied the record for interceptions returned for six points. His high school squad, led by Robert Weiner, won the 2006 AAAA State Championship. Kuzdale earned all-county, All-Western Conference and all-state honors, as well as the Hillsborough County Defensive Player of the Year award. Also a member of the baseball team, the son of Joanne and Robert Kuzdale hit .385 with six homers and 31 RBI, and was named to the academic honor roll two years.

Greg Tompkins also joins CSU, having transferred in from Mendocino College, where the 5-11, 210-pounder had 106 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups and forced three fumbles. He averaged nine tackles per game under Coach Tom Gang. At MC, Tompkins earned All-Bay Valley Conference honors, and was named the team Defensive Back of the Year. The son of Cherita Battley and Gregory Tompkins, Sr., Tompkins attended DeSoto County High School in Florida, where he earned three letters under the direction of Coach Dan Talbot.

Rounding out the defensive class, Mike Springer, Jr., is a 5-11, 190-pound defensive back, who joins CSU from Villa Rica High School, where he played under Head Coach Rob Cleveland. He was a three-year starter at corner back and wide receiver, and spent time as a running back as a senior, a season in which he accounted for nine touchdowns and 34 tackles. Twice he was named all-area and was named Player of the Week four times, twice in each of his final two seasons at Villa Rica. The son of Tonya and Mike Springer, Sr., he was selected as the team captain as a senior. Springer also played basketball, averaging 18 points per game, and ran track, competing in the 100m dash, the 4X100m relay, and the triple jump. He is a member of the National Honor Society and made the honor roll all four years.

Kicker Andy Brown comes from Daytona Mainland HS in Port Orange, Fla. Brown, the son of Carry and Javis Brown, was 38-40 on extra points in high school, earning all-area honors. He was also selected to play in the all-area all-star game, and was named to the 2007 football honor roll.

 

COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Coastal Carolina University signed 23 to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Chanticleers next fall, head coach David Bennett announced.  This is the seventh recruiting class for Bennett and the Chants, who have won three Big South Conference championships in the last four years and made their first ever appearance in the Division I Football Championships in 2006.  Coastal is 39-17 in its five years of play in Division I-AA, including an 14-6 mark in League play.  The class includes two players (Keith Graham and Zach McDowall) that are already attending Coastal and will be a part of spring practices.  Of the signees, Coastal remained strong in the southeast, signing eight from South Carolina, seven from Georgia, four from North Carolina, two from Florida and one each from Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Austin Chariker, OL, 6-2, 240, Saluda, S.C./Saluda
Started on the offensive line at Saluda... Also played goal keeper for Saluda’s soccer team.

Robert Balkunas, DT, 6-1, 295, Boca Raton, Fla./ Boca Raton (Lackawanna JC)
Comes to Coastal as a redshirt sophomore... Walked on and redshirted at Florida State as a freshman... Played in nine games for Lackawanna in 2007, recording 45 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries... Strongest member of the football program at Lackawanna with a 725-pound squad, a 415-pound bench press, and 340-pound power clean while also posting 32 reps of 225 on the bench press... Named to the Palm Beach Post Second Team after senior season at Boca Raton, as well as All-County his final two years... Totaled 52 tackles and six sacks his senior year at Boca Raton.
 
William Chandler, WR, 6-0, 191, Aynor, S.C./Aynor
Athletic player who played quarterback, safety, wide receiver, kick returner, kicker and punter for Aynor last season... Selected as Class 2A All-State as a punter by the High School Sports Report as well as being Aynor's nominee for the Wendy's High School Heisman... Totaled 513 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns as well as 723 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 80 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns during his senior season... Also had 38 tackles and two interceptions on defense... Had three touchdown passes, ran for a 30-yard touchdown, had an interception, eight tackles, returned a kick 67 yards for a touchdown, converted two of three extra points and punted once for 35 yards in Aynor’s season opener verses Creek Bridge... Clocked in the 40 at 4.5 seconds.... Also has been a standout for the baseball team at Aynor.
 
Jamel Davis, DE/LB, 6-4, 200, Richmond, Va./ Hermitage
Was a Virginia High School Coaches Association, Associated Press and VirginiaPreps.com Group AAA First Team All-State honoree... Also named the Richmond Times-Dispatch Regional Player of the Year, Colonial District Player of the Year and All-Region after recording 55 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and blocked a punt... Led the Panthers to an 11-2 overall record and a Colonial AAA District title with a 7-0 mark as well as a Central Regional title and a berth in the Group AAA State Semifinals in 2007... Finished as the Panthers' career sacks leader... Also caught 21 passes for 324 yards and three TDs at wide receiver.
 
Quinton Davis, DE, 6-2, 230, Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh
Associated Press, Atlanta Journal-Consitution and Georgia Sport Writers Association Honorable Mention All-State Class 2A his senior season... Also honored as First Team All-Region and 2007 Most Valuable Defensive Player for the Buccaneers after recording 117 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, including nine sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, two blocked punts, nine forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... Also played fullback at McIntosh... High school teammate of Jeremy Height.
 
Leon Goodwin, DB, 5-11, 190, Lansdowne, Pa./(Valley Forge Military)           
Attended junior college at Valley Forge Military College, where he played defensive back... Has three years of eligibility remaining at CCU...
 
Keith Graham, WR, 6-4, 190, Charleston, S.C./ West Ashley (Fork Union (Va.) Military)
Has enrolled at Coastal for the spring semester and will practice with the Chanticleers... Spent the last year at Fork Union Military Academy, where he was the team's leading receiver with 17 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns... Was the Charleston Post and Courier's High School Male Athlete of the Year and the South Carolina Football Coaches' Association Lower State Back of the Year in 2005 after his senior season... Recorded 58 receptions for 1,062 yards and five touchdowns his senior year and was invited to play in the 2005 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas... As a senior was ranked the No. 22 prospect in South Carolina by The State and No. 31 by the Herald-Journal... Named High School Sports Report Class AAAA All-State at wide receiver as a junior... Was the 2005 and 2006 Class 4A State Champion in the long jump and 2005 State Champion in the triple jump... Was a Nike All-American for Track in 2005 and 2006... Selected to compete in track at the 2006 Caribbean Scholastic Invitational, where he won the long jump... Holds the West Ashley school records in the long jump, high jump and triple jump... Only started competing in both sports his junior year... Originally recruited by South Carolina prior to going to Fork Union.
 
Jeremy Harden, DT, 6-2, 275, Rockingham, N.C./Richmond County
Named to represent North Carolina in the 2007 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, while also being honored as a Class 4A All-State selection by NCPreps.com after leading his team to the North Carolina Class 4AA State Quarterfinals... Was a First Team All-Mid Southeastern Conference in 2007 after being an Honorable Mention selection his junior year after helping the Raiders to a 12-1 mark. 
 
Brian Harrison, DB, 6-0, 190, Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson
Selected to play in the 2007 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas... Named to the Class 4A All-State team by the High School Sports Report, as well as The State's All-State Honorable Mention Team following his senior season.
 
Jeremy Height, RB, 5-10, 180, Darien, Ga./McIntoshCounty
Played running back, but only saw action in three games his senior year due to an injury... Preseason WTOC-TV "Super 11" prior to junior and senior years... Was a Rivals Pre-Season Top 100 and rated as a four star prior to his senior season...Ran for almost 2,000 yards and 25 TDs his junior season, earnig Coastal Empire Player of the Year and the team's Most Valuable Player accolades... AP and AJC All-State selection after his sophomore and junior years... As a sophomore rushed for 1,800 yards, earning Honorable Mention Class A All-State honors... Ran a 4.55 40-yard dash time... Also played basketball and baseball for the Buccaneers... Played in high school with CCU signee Quinton Davis and current Chanticleer B.J. Jenkins.
 
LaTrevian (Trey) Henderson, DB, 5-11, 185, Evans, Ga./ Evans
First Team All-Region 3-AAAA after posting 15 tackles and one interception his senior season with the Knights and leading them to a home game in the state playoffs... Also had 52 carries for 279 yards and three touchdowns along with 36 receptions for 451 yards and eight scores his final season... First Team All-Region 3-AAA, Second Team All-County and Evans MVP his junior year after recording 24 tackles, four interceptions and one blocked field goal as well as 13 catches for 204 yards and four touchdowns... Also played basketball for the Knights.
 
Andrae Jacobs, LB, 5-11, 225, Tabor City, N.C./South Columbus
All-State selection by NCPreps.com and 2007 Columbus County Player of the Year as selected by The News Reporter while leading the team to a school record 15-1 mark and a berth in the North Carolina Class 2A State Championship game his senior season... Also named Star-News First Team All-Area and The Sun News "Toast of the Coast" squad his final season after posting 170 tackles, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... Led the Stallions' defense to eight shutouts and four other games of a touchdown or less and averaged giving up just 5.9 points per game... Three-time All-County selection... Played both running back and linebacker for the Stallions... Bench presses more than 300 pounds and squats over 500 pounds...
 
Kenny Jones, WR, 5-10, 178, Pembroke Pines, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
Florida Sports Writers Association Honorable Mention Class 3A All-State and All-Broward County 3A-1A Second Team by The Miami Herald as a senior... Broward County All-Star Game selection... Had 32 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns his final season, leading his team to a state playoff berth... Also averaged 17 yards per punt return with two returns for touchdowns... Also returned one kickoff for a touchdown... Four-year starter for the baseball squad, with a career batting average over .375, earning Class 4A-1A Honorable Mention his junior year from Miami Herald... Runs a 4.4 40-yard dash according to Scout.com... Four-year member of FCA. 
 
Marcus Lott, DB, 6-1, 180, Union, S.C./Union
Class 3A All-State Team by High School Sports Report and Honorable Mention All-State by The State... Also picked to play in the North-South All-Star Game at Brooks Stadium after leading Union to the Upper State Championship game, as well as earning Spartanburg Herald-Journal All-Area First Team honors... As a senior had 67 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for loss and two sacks... Also carried a 4.0 grade point average, earning a spot on the Herald-Journal All-Academic squad... Also recruited by Troy... Runs 4.5 40-yard dash...
 
Zach MacDowall, QB, 6-1, 194, Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison (Wake Forest)
Will be in spring practices and have three years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Wake Forest... Listed as the 57th-best quarterback prospect nationally by Scout.com his senior year... Rated as the 49th-best prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com... Associated Press First Team 5-AAAAA All-State selection, as well as First Team all-region and All-Cobb County... Named the starting North quarterback in the Georgia North/South Classic All-Star Game... Chosen as the AtlantaJournal-Constitution-Cobb County Super 11 quarterback... Selected for the Offensive Back of the Year Award by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta... 2004 and 2005 Cobb Quarterback of the Year... selected to PrepStar All-Region team... As a two-year starter, threw for 4,085 yards on 64 percent passing with 52 touchdowns and 14 interceptions... Ran a 4.75 40-yard dash...
 
Darrell (D.J.) McNeill, RB, 5-9, 190, Greensboro, N.C./Page
Rushed for 950 yards and eight touchdowns on 137 carries in 2007.
 
Demario Paulk, DL, 6-3, 250, Douglas, Ga./CoffeeCounty
Three-year letterman... Named to the Second Team All-Region 1AAAAA squad at defensive end his senior year, posting 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, three caused fumbles and one fumble recovery... Was a First Team All-Region tight end his junior year, recording 15 receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns... Had 30 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and three caused fumbles on the defensive line his sophomore year... Was also a two-year starter in basketball and competes in the shot put in track and field.
 
Chris Presley, ATH, 6-4, 180, Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt
North-South All-Star Game selection... High School Sports Report Class A All-State team as a senior playing quarterback, while also being named to the Orangeburg Times and Democrat All-Area Second Team... Two star recruit by Scout.com... Clocked in the 40 at 4.5... Was on the same high school team as Daquan Bowers... Had scholarship offers from Buffalo, Appalachian State, East Carolina, Presbyterian and South Carolina State.
 
Jaquan Ridges, OT, 6-5, 275, Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County
Selected to play for the North in the North-South All-Star Game at Brooks Stadium... Named to the Associated Press All-State squad, the High School Sports Report Class AAA All-State team and Honorable Mention All-State by The State.... Named to the WPDE All-Zone team his final season.
 
Stephen Simpson, OL, 6-2, 255, Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood   
Started on the offensive line his final two years at Greenwood... Earned All-Lakeland honors his senior season...As a junior, split time between offensive line and tight end.
 
Akeem Wesley, WR, 6-1, 195, Coffee, Ga./CoffeeCounty
Three-year starter... Second Team All-Region his junior and senior seasons... Holds the school record for touchdowns in a game with four... Posted 462 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 37 catches his senior season... Had 26 receptions his junior year for 421 yards and three touchdowns... Also played safety... Was a two-sport standout, starting three years and earning All-Region honors in basketball his junior year and averaging 13 points a game his senior year with the season still in progress... Also a two-year letterwinner in track, running the hurdles.
 
Dominique Whiteside, DE, 6-3, 245, Hendersonville, N.C./Hendersonville
Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection, benching 185 pounds 15 times... Was also an All-Area and All-Conference selection... Totaled 173 tackles and seven sacks in 2007... One of two Hendersonville players to sign Division I scholarships today... Clocked in the 40 at 4.9... Had scholarship offers from Army and North Carolina A&T.
 
Patrick Williams, OL, 6-1, 275, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake
Second Team Class 2-AAAA All-Region Selection.

 

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY
Gardner-Webb University football put the finishing touches on a talented, 27-man recruiting class Wednesday, the largest one-day haul since the Runnin’ Bulldogs made the move to Division I in 2000.  The group has a distinct North Carolina flavor, with 10 young men calling the Old North State home, but Gardner-Webb didn’t limit itself to just the home turf – canvassing 10 different states to compile a very strong overall class. The class combined to win seven state titles during their prep careers, and nine of the student-athletes earned All-State honors.  A key component to Wednesday’s class came from Gardner-Webb enjoying its most successful recruiting haul to date in nearby Charlotte, N.C., signing five young men from the rich talent pool of the Queen City.

Maurice Bryan, 6-3, 235, DE, Monroe, N.C. / Sun Valley HS
Played at Sun Valley (N.C.) High under Coach Scott Stein ... Young pass rush specialist who has improved rapidly in his football career ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds ... An All-Conference selection as a senior ... Registered 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and 14 quarterback pressures ... Made 40 stops as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central.

Colin Dawes, 6-4, 280, DT, Fuquay, N.C. / Fuquay-Varina HS
Played at Fuquay-Varina (N.C.) High under Coach David Riggs ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds ... Three-year varsity starter ... Big, physical defensive lineman ... Helped team to an 11-2 record in 2007 ... A first-team All-Conference selection in 2007 ... Named the programs’ top defensive lineman as a senior ... Also earned first-team All-Conference honors as a junior, helping team to an 11-3 record and a Tri-Seven 4A Conference championship.

Steve Demilio, 6-5, 275, OL/DL, Severna Park, Md. / Milford Academy
Played one season at the nation’s top ranked postgraduate prep school program, Milford (N.Y.) Academy, under Coach Bill Chaplick ... Runs the 40-yard dash in an athletic 4.93 seconds ... Played defensive end on the prep school level ... Had 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recover in 2007 ... Three-year starter at offensive tackle at Severna Park (Md.) High near Annapolis under Coach J.P. Hines ... Helped team to the 2006 Arundel County Championship ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Monmouth, Lehigh, Liberty, Central Connecticut State, Sacred Heart and Stonybrook.

James “Pork Chop” Dugas, 6-1, 220, TE/FB, Sumter, S.C. / Crestwood HS
Played at Crestwood (S.C.) High under Coach Keith Crolley... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds or better ... A Class 3A All-State selection as an athlete by the S.C. High School Sports Report ... A first-team All-Area selection at tight end by The Sumter Item ... Played in the SCADA North-South All-Star Game ... Paced a run-oriented offense with eight catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns at tight end ... A powerful blocker with good speed ... Graded out at 91 percent with 65 knockdown blocks for the Knights ... Helped team rush for a school-record 5,012 yards on the season and average 33.3 points per game ... Also punted, averaging 45.2 yards for the season ... Also an All-Area selection in 2006 as a junior ... Graded out as an 84-percent blocker ... Excellent student with 4.0 grade point average ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Charleston Southern and Presbyterian.

Anthony Fonville, 5-8, 220, RB, Florence, S.C. / South Florence HS
Played at South Florence (S.C.) High under Coach Brian Lane ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds ... Rated one of the state’s top-100 players by the S.C. High School Sports Report ... Considered one of the Palmetto State’s top-4 running back prospects by Rivals.com ... Rushed for 900 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... An All-Pee Dee selection as a junior by the Florence Morning News ... Rushed for 746 yards and 10 touchdowns ... Excellent student who carries a 4.0 grade point average ... Chose Gardner-Webb over The Citadel and South Carolina State ... Drew early recruiting interest from Wake Forest, Clemson and North Carolina.

Ryan Gates, 5-9, 165, PK/P, Sharpsburg, Ga. / East Coweta HS
Played at East Coweta (Ga.) High under Coach Danny Cronic ... Rated as the Peach State’s No. 2 kicking prospect by Georgia Football Magazine ... First-team All-County selection at kicker and punter ... First-team All-Region ... Region Special Teams Player of the Year ... Went 13-of-17 on field goals as a senior, with two misses coming from 56 and 57 yards ... Made six kicks of 45 yards or longer ... 33-of-34 on PAT attempts ... Boomed 89 percent of kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks ... Averaged 39.4 yards per punt ... As a junior, boomed home 7-of-8 field goal chances with a long of 49 yards ... Was a perfect 45-of-45 on extra points, and boomed 90 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone ... Averaged 37.2 yards per punt as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over New Mexico State and Western Kentucky.

Michael Heredia, 5-11, 265, LS/C, Augusta, Ga. / Evans HS
Played at Evans (Ga.) High under Coach Marty Jackson ... An All-Area selection in 2007 by the Augusta Chronicle at center ... First-team All-County in 2007 ... Two-time All-Region selection at center ... Two-time All-County choice ... An accomplished long snapper ... Graded out at 87 percent as a senior ... Excellent student who is a member of the National Honor Society ... Also a standout prep wrestler ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Davidson and Valdosta State.

Devin Johnson, 5-10, 200, LB, Charlotte, N.C. / East Mecklenburg HS
Played at East Mecklenburg (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Hill ... Named Southwest 4A Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 ... Named first-team All-Observer by the Charlotte Observer ... Also a first-team All-Mecklenburg County selection by the Charlotte Observer ... Rated the top middle linebacker in the Queen City by Charlotte High School Football.com ... Helped team to a 10-4 record and the Class 4A State Playoffs ... A first-team All-Mecklenburg County selection by the Charlotte Observer ... Two-time All-Conference selection ... Led Eagles with 128 total tackles ... Had three sacks and two interceptions ... Had a team-high 153 stops and two sacks as a junior ... Team’s most valuable defensive back in 2006 ... Also recruited by Lehigh and Elon.

Lyndrez Leslie, 6-0, 190, CB, Lithonia, Ga. / M.L. King HS
Played at Martin Luther King (Ga.) High under Coach Corey Jarvis ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds ... Capable of making an impact in college at either corner or safety ... Three-year starter in the secondary ... Younger brother of Gardner-Webb receiver Lyndon Leslie ... Finished varsity career with 150 total tackles for one of the top passing defenses in DeKalb County (Ga.) ... Had 49 total tackles, a tackle for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a senior ... Helped Lions to a 12-1 mark ... Spearheaded secondary that limited opponents to just 80.3 yards per game through the air ... Had 37 tackles as a junior ... Team allowed just 73.3 yards per game through the air ... Helped team to a 10-2 record ... Had 61 tackles and an interception as a sophomore in 2005 ... Had three hits as a ninth grader ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Charleston Southern ... Drew early recruiting interest from a host of Division I FBS programs, including Virginia Tech.

Kenny Little, 5-11, 195, RB, Flanders, N.J. / Mount Olive HS
Played at Mount Olive (N.J.) High under Coach Colin Eckert ... One of the most athletic backs to sign with Gardner-Webb in some time ... A first-team All-Morris County selection as a senior by the area’s coaches ... Also a first-team All-Iron Conference selection ... Two-time Offensive Player of the Year ... Rated as the No. 2 running back in New Jersey and the No. 29 overall prospect by EliteRecruits.com ... Ran for 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns in seven games played, averaging 157.1 yards per contest and 8.5 yards per carry for the Marauders ... Added 50 tackles and an 81-yard interception return for a score at defensive back ... Had eight scoring runs of 30 yards or longer ... Had a 66-yard score against Seton Hall Prep ... Posted a 95-yard scoring run vs. Morris Knolls ... Had scoring runs of 75 and 71 yards vs. West Morris Central ... Had a 48-yard touchdown run vs. Old Tappan ... Rushed for 1,200 yards and nine scores as a junior ... Averaged nine yards per carry Added 38 hits and a interception on defense ... A first-team All-Morris County selection ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Northeastern and Monmouth ... Drew considerable recruiting interest from UConn, Rutgers, Virginia and Temple.

Travis McManus, 6-0, 265, OL, Gastonia, N.C. / Ashbrook HS
Played at Ashbrook (N.C.) High under Gardner-Webb graduate Mike Briggs ... A 2007 Class 4A All-State selection by NCPreps.com ... A two-time, first-team All-County selection by the Charlotte Observer and Gaston Gazette at center ... A three-time All-Big South 3A/4A Conference selection on offense ... Cleared a path for 4,380 total offensive yards as a senior ... Graded out at 89 percent with 28 pancacke blocks in 2007 ... Was a top blocker for Conference Player of the Year and current GWU running back Patrick Hall as a junior in 2006 ... Also considered VMI.

Harrison Martin, 6-6, 280, OT, Charlotte, N.C. / East Mecklenburg HS
Played at East Mecklenburg (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Hill ... Tall, athletic tackle prospect ... One of the state’s top offensive linemen ... Rated the state’s No. 46 overall prospect in the Class of 2008 by Scout.com ... Graded out at 85 percent with 30 knockdown blocks as a senior ... Helped clear a path for a 1,000-yard rusher and a team total of 20 rushing touchdowns as a senior ... Helped team to a 10-4 record and the Class 4A State Playoffs ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Elon, Old Dominion, James Madison and Coastal Carolina ... Recruited early by NC State, Duke, Virginia and Auburn, among others.

Patrick Moss, 6-1, 175, FS, Statesville, N.C. / West Iredell HS
Played at West Iredell (N.C.) High under Coach Mark Weycker ... Two-time All-Conference selection on the defensive side of the football ... Helped team to 18 wins in final two seasons ... Team went 9-4 in 2007 ... Finished with 31 hits, six pass break ups and a pair of interceptions as a senior ... Had 38 tackles, 10 pass break ups and an interception as a junior ... Helped team to a 9-3 record ... Solid student ... Also considered Army, Elon, Liberty and Campbell.

Blake Peterson, 6-3, 265, OL, Matthews, N.C. / Butler HS
Played at Butler (N.C.) High under Coach Mike Newsome ... Standout on both sides of the ball ... Four-year starter ... Helped team to a 10-3 record as a senior ... Cleared a path for an offense that totaled more than 4,000 yards on the season and averaged 33.5 points per game ... Did not allow a sack on the year ... An All-Southwestern 4A Conference selection ... Led the defensive line with 27 hits on defense ... Team went 12-3 as a junior ... Had 44 tackles as a junior on defense ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina and Old Dominion ... Also recruited by Louisville and Appalachian State.

Ricky Rhodes, 5-9, 170, ATH, Richmond, Ky. / Madison Central HS
Played at Madison Central (Ky.) High under Coach Kenny Turner ... Rated the No. 10 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com for the Class of 2008 ... Two-time All-State ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds ... An honorable mention All-State selection by the Louisville Courier-Journal ... Plays a number of positions ... Rushed for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior ... Also caught 19 passes for 368 yards and six scores ... Had four interceptions and 74 return yards on defense ... An honorable mention Associated Press All-State choice as a junior ... Rushed 75 times for 651 yards and eight touchdowns ... Also caught 18 passes for 491 yards and eight scores that season ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Eastern Kentucky and Appalachian State.

John Rock, 6-3, 215, QB, Springboro, Ohio / Springboro HS
Played at Springboro (Ohio) High under Coach Ryan Wilhite ... Highly recruited quarterback with tremendous upside ... Converted running back and receiver who starred at quarterback as a senior ... Runs the 40-yard dash in an agile 4.7 seconds ... Named Conference Player of the Year ... An honorable mention All-Southwest Ohio selection by the Dayton Daily News ... One of the top signal callers in the Dayton metro area ... Completed 100-of-180 passes for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns ... Rated fourth of 52 participants in a national quarterback camp prior to his senior season ... Fought of injuries as a junior to post a pass efficiency rating of 250.10 on the season ... Also averaged an effective 9.2 yards per rush for the Panthers ... Rushed 77 times for 397 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry ... Helped team to a 6-4 record, a 4-0 league mark and the first league title in school history ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Eastern Michigan, Western Carolina, Eastern Illinois and Youngstown State ... Drew late recruiting interest from Boise State.

Darren Rogers, 6-0, 200, WR, Ambridge, Pa. / Quaker Valley / Kent State
Transferred to Gardner-Webb in January 2008 from Kent State ... Will participate in spring practice and have two seasons of eligibility remaining. 2007 at Kent State: Started the season at receiver, but moved to the top backup spot at quarterback after injuries depleted that position ... Played in seven games and made two starts ... Caught two passes for 10 yards on the season. 2006 at Kent State: Played in 12 games and made three starts as a freshman ... Saw action at quarterback and receiver ... Finished fourth on the team with 12 receptions for 146 yards ... Had three catches for 59 yards in a start at Temple ... Hauled in a season-best four catches for 53 yards at Ball State ... Saw action at quarterback at nationally-ranked Virginia Tech ... Had a 17-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal at Army ... Also attempted one pass at Army. High School: A three-sport star at Quaker Valley (Pa.) High near Pittsburgh under Coach Art Parker ... Rated the No. 126 quarterback nationally in the class of 2006 by ESPN.com ... Rated one of the top-50 players in Pennsylvania as a senior by Rivals.com ... Earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a quarterback, receiver and a defensive back in his career ... Passed for 2,225 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career...Rushed for 830 yards and five TDs while adding 215 receiving yards and another score ... First-team all-state and all-WPIAL honors as a defensive back as a senior... Earned all-state honorable mention as a sophomore when he passed for a school-record 1,434 yards and 11 TDs ... As a senior totaled 404 yards passing, 419 rushing, 215 receiving and totaled nine TDs (two defensive) ... Chose Kent State over offers from Bowling Green and FCS powers New Hampshire and Richmond ... Also recruited by Stanford, Pittsburgh, Northwestern and Penn State.

Evan Short , 6-4, 245, DL, Hickory, N.C. / St. Stephens HS
Played at Saint Stephens (N.C.) High under Coach Doug Justice ... One of the top defensive linemen in Western North Carolina as a senior ... Four-year varsity starter ... Two-time All-Catawba Valley Conference selection ... Two-time All-Unifour selection ... ... Finished with an impressive 91 total tackles, 14 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries in 2007 ... Had 78 tackles as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina.

Luke Stein, 6-3, 235, ATH, Ft. Thomas, Ky. / Highlands HS
Played at state powerhouse Highlands (Ky.) High under Coach Dale Mueller ... Led team to a 15-0 record and No. 21 national ranking and the Kentucky Class 5A State Championship ... A first-team All-State selection by the Louisville Courier-Journal at defensive end ... A first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press and Bluegrasspreps.com as a linebacker ... A first-team Football All-Star selection by the Cincinnati/Kentucky Enquirer ... Rated the nation’s No. 98 inside linebacker prospect by ESPN.com ... Named Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... Named Tri-State Football Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year ... An All-Conference choice on offense and defense as a senior ... Solid student who is very active in community service projects ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Holy Cross.

Seth Strickland, 6-2, 180, QB, Laurens, S.C. / Laurens HS
Played at Laurens (S.C.) High under Coach Greg Lawson ... An All-Region selection as a senior in 2007 ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds ... Played in the annual SCADA North/South All-Star Game ... Completed 141-of-266 passes for 1,988 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior ... Ran for 336 yards and four more scores ... Played receiver as a junior.

Cameron Tate, 5-9, 175, CB, Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney HS / Coffeyville CC
Speedy cover corner ... Runs the 40-yard dash in a quick 4.40 seconds ... Will enroll in June and have three seasons of eligibility remaining ... Spent the past two years at junior college powerhouse Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. Junior College: Spent two years at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College ... Redshirted with the Redbirds’ program as a freshman in 2006 ... Did not play in 2007. High School: Starred at nearby Gaffney (S.C.) High under Coach Phil Strickland ... Helped Indians to the 2005 S.C. Class 4A Division I State Championship ... Earned first-team All-State honors at defensive back (All Classifications) from the S.C. High School Sports Report ... An All-Area choice by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal ... Broke up 14 passes and had four interceptions ... Added 52 catches for 842 yards and seven touchdown catches at receiver ... Played in the SCADA North/South All-Star Game.

Darius Thomas, 6-1, 180, QB, Charlotte, N.C. / West Charlotte HS
Played at West Charlotte (N.C.) High under Coach Maurice Flowers ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds ... Named North Carolina Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2007 ... Completed 246-of-386 passes for a school-record 4,460 yards and 56 touchdowns ... Season passing yardage total ranks 16th in national prep football history and fifth best in the North Carolina history ... Named to the PrepNation 101 All-America Team following the 2007 season ... 2007 First-team All-State by the Associated Press and NCPreps.com ... Named Statewide Offensive Player of the Year by NCPreps.com ... Became the first player in the history of North Carolina prep football to post a pair of 500-yard games passing ... Finished third in N.C. prep history in touchdowns accounted for in a single season ... Completed 27-of-49 passes for 512 yards and four touchdowns vs. Independence (N.C.) High ... Went 14-for-25 for 501 yards and five scores in a state playoff win over Richmond County ... Had two different games with seven touchdown passes ... Had six touchdown passes vs. Concord Robinson ... Helped team to a 13-2 record and the Class 4AA State semifinals ... Charlotte Observer Offensive Player of the Year ... A first-team All-Observer selection ... Also a first-team All-Mecklenburg County choice ... Named Mecklenburg County Offensive Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer ... Passed for 1,300 yards and led team to a runner-up finish in Class 4A as a junior in 2006 ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, among others ... Also recruited by North Carolina and NC State.

Garrett Trusler, 6-2, 224, LB, Knoxville, Tenn. / Knoxville Catholic HS
Played at Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic High under Coach Mark Pemberton ... A second-team All-City selection by the Knoxville News-Sentinel ... Rated one of the Volunteer State’s Top 44 senior prospects ... One of the top two-way players in Class 3A (fullback / linebacker) ... Played in the Tennessee East/West All-Star Game ... Helped Knox Catholic hold opponents to less than 10 points and 94.0 total offensive yards per game ... Had 72 hits, 12 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and six pass break ups ... Rushed for 159 yards and five scores on 39 rushes at fullback in 2007 ... Had 80 tackles, two sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over UT-Chattanooga, Richmond and Tennessee Tech ... Also recruited by Northwestern (Big 10) and Duke (ACC).

Brian Wittenberger, 6-2, 190, SS, Damascus Md. / Damascus HS
Played at Damascus (Md.) High under Coach Dan Makosy ... Athletic safety who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds ... 2007 Maryland Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year ... Helped team to a 13-1 record and the 2007 Class 3A State Championship ... Team Most Valuable Player ... A Big School All-State selection by the Baltimore Sun ... First-team All-Montgomery County selection by the Washington Post ... An honorable mention All-Metro selection by the Washington Post ... ... Posted a team-high 114 tackles (65 solo) ... Added three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks, six tackles for loss and six pass break ups ... Had two catches for 83 yards in spot duty at receiver ... A top-flight wrestler in Maryland as well ... Currently ranked No. 5 in the state at 171 pounds with a 24-2 record and 17 pins ... Finished third at the Class 3A-4A State Meet at 152 pounds as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Ohio University, Towson and William & Mary ... Also recruited by East Carolina.

Jordan Woods, 6-3, 225, DE/LB, Charlotte, N.C. / West Charlotte HS
Played at West Charlotte (N.C.) High under Coach Maurice Flowers ... Hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker who was highly recruited by a host of Division I Championship Subdivision and Bowl Subdivision schools ... Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the 2007 Shrine Bowl Combine ... A second-team All-Mecklenburg County selection by the Charlotte Observer following senior season ... Rated the top outside linebacker and No. 9 overall prospect in Charlotte by Charlotte High School Football.com ... Named to the Charlotte Weekly Super Team in 2007 ... Recorded 160 total tackles, 11 quarterback sacks and 10 quarterback pressures in 2007, spearheading one of the state’s top defenses ... Had eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown at tight end ... Rated the No. 2 linebacker following the 2007 Shrine Bowl Combine ... Played sophomore and junior seasons at Independence (N.C.) High, helping Patriots to a pair of state titles as a two-year starter ... Had 91 tackles and five sacks as a junior ... Broke up five passes ... Honor roll student ... Also a two-year letterwinner in Track & Field ... One of Gardner-Webb’s most highly recruited signees ... Chose GWU over Liberty, Elon, Presbyterian, Coastal Carolina and North Carolina A&T, South Carolina and Illinois.

Joshua Young, 6-0, 165, WR, Columbia, S.C. / Richland Northeast HS
Played senior season at Richland Northeast (S.C.) High under Coach Jay Frye ... Two-sport athlete (track) with sprinter speed ... Hand timed at 10.5 seconds in the 100-meter dash ... Runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds ... A first-team All-Region 5-4A selection ... Caught 42 passes for 848 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 21.2 yards per catch in 2007 ... Played junior season at Mandarin (Fla.) High in Jacksonville ... Starred in track at Mandarin as well ... Lead leg on Florida’s Class 4A State Champion 4x100m relay team, which posted the seventh-best time in the nation in 2007 (40.88 seconds) ... Had a personal-best time of 14.63 seconds in the 110m hurdles ... Triple jumped 45’6.5” at the 2007 District Championships ... Duval (Fla.) County triple jump champion in 2007 ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Georgia Southern, The Citadel and Western Carolina ... Also recruited heavily by East Carolina.

Evan Zedler, 5-9, 180, RB, Damascus, Md. / Damascus HS
Played at Damascus (Md.) High under Coach Dan Makosy ... Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds ... A first-team Consensus All-State selection ... Selected Montgomery County Offensive Player of the Year by Washington Post ... A first-team All-Metro selection by the Washington Post ... Helped team to a 13-1 record and the 2007 Class 3A State Championship ... Rushed 241 times for 2,261 yards and 34 touchdowns on the season ... Averaged 8.8 yards per carry ... Had 92 carries for 771 yards and 10 touchdowns in four playoff wins, an average of 192.5 yards per outing ... Had 208 yards and a score on 35 carries in the state title game ... Had four games with 200 yards or more ... Caught 11 passes for 168 yards and two scores ... Scored six total touchdowns in a playoff win vs. state power Seneca Valley ... Rushed for four scores, caught a touchdown pass and had a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown in the win ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Sacred Heart ... Also recruited by Kansas State and New Hampshire.

 

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Liberty University Head Football Coach Danny Rocco has announced the signing of 13 players to national letters of intent for the 2008-09 academic year, plus the addition of three players who have transferred to Liberty and are enrolled this semester.  Of the 16 new additions to the squad, seven are slated to play on the offensive side of the ball (1 QB, 3 OL, 1 TE, 2 WR), eight are defensive players (2 LB, 3 DL and 3 DB) and one special team player (PK/P).  This marks the second largest of Rocco’s three signing classes, with his inaugural class in 2006 leading the way with 24 newcomers. The two-time Big South Coach of the Year’s previous two signing classes have paid huge dividends for the program.  In 2006, Liberty posted the nation’s best turnaround from the previous year to finish the campaign 6-5.  Last year, Rocco guided the program to unprecedented highs, as Liberty finished the year 8-3 and captured its first-ever Big South football championship.

Matt Bevins, PK/P, 6-2, 185, Newport News, Va./Warwick High School
Three-year letterwinner ... joined the varsity squad as a freshman, connecting on 2-of-2 field goal attempts and 10-of-10 point after tries ... average starting field possession was the 10-yard line as a result of his kickoff effectiveness as a sophomore ... first-team all-district as a junior, hitting 7-of-9 field goal attempts and averaging 36.0 yards per punt ... first-team all-district, first-team all-region and second-team all-state as a senior ... hit 11-of-13 field goal attempts and averaging 40.0 yards per punt as a senior ... finished third in kickoffs and eighth in field goals at the National Kicking Combine ... ranked No. 23 in the country by Scout.com ... two-year member of the soccer team ... earned first-team all-district honors as a sophomore and second-team all-region honors as a junior ... three-time member of the A-B honor roll ... son of Michael and Kristine Bevins.

Tyler Brennan, QB, 6-3, 200, Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna High School
Three-year letterwinner and starter ... all-region and all-state as a senior, helping him earn a spot in the South Carolina North vs. South All-Star game ... named T.L. Hanna’s MVP ... member of the Elite 11 QB honorable-mention squad ... team captain ... holds the school record with 4,717 career passing yards ... ranks second in school history with 47 career touchdown passes ... during his senior year, he passed for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns ... also a member of the baseball program ... son of John and Carolyn Brennan.

Steven Crawford, WR, 6-2, 190, Lehigh Acres, Fla./South Fort Myers High School
Two-year letterwinner ... is a versatile athlete, who excelled at wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist during his high school career ... caught 25 receptions for 342 yards and three touchdowns as a junior ... added four interceptions, 46 tackles and 616 return yards as a defensive back/return specialist as a junior ... finished his senior year with 413 receiving yards on 14 receptions ... also added five interceptions and five touchdowns as a senior ... all-conference basketball player ... son of Steven, Sr., and Gina Crawford.

Jim Eden, WR, 5-10, 175, Peachtree City, Ga./Landmark Christian School
Four-year starter at wide receiver ... three-time all-Region 5-A first-team wide receiver ... two-time AJC All-City Life/South Metro honoree, including first-team honors in 2006 ... named the All-Region 5 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2006 ... finished his career with 149 receptions for 2,283 yards (15.3 average) and 28 touchdowns ... dotted his stellar career by catching 55 passes for 838 yards as a sophomore, both marks accounting for the second-best figure in the state ... son of Jim, Sr., and Tina Eden ... interested in majoring in business at Liberty.

Jamal Giddens, LB, 6-2, 210, Norfolk, Va./Maury High School
Two-year letterwinner ... named junior varsity defensive MVP as a sophomore ... recipient of the Team’s Stud award as a junior ... first-team all-district honoree as a senior ... ranked No. 58 by the Roanoke Times in Top 100 in the state of Virginia ... member of the basketball and track program ... honor roll ... son of Mike Eley and Wynette Giddens.

Stan Herring, DL, 6-4, 275, Woodstock, Ga./Kell High School
Three-year letterwinner ... twice named Cobb County Player of the Week at defensive tackle ... selected to play in the Cobb County Senior Bowl ... named Kell High School’s Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior ... son of Stan and Michelle Herring.

Ryan Jackson, DL, 6-3, 280, Forest, Va./Brookville High School
Three-year letterwinner ... two-time All-Seminole District defensive tackle (second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior) ... started the last four games of his freshman year, recording 75 tackles, including 45 solo stops, five sacks and a fumble recovery ... named Seminole District Lineman of the Year as a junior, posting 93 tackles, including 65 solo stops, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries ... first-team all-area by the Lynchburg News and Advance, Region 3 and all-state as a junior ... named a finalist for the Titan Trophy, annually given to the best rising senior in the area ... suffered a season-ending injury (knee) during the fifth game of his senior year ... prior to the injury, he recorded 51 tackles, including 38 solo stops, three sacks and two fumble recoveries ... also was a four-year standout wrestler ... three-time district, region and state champion ... son of Rob and Tammy Jackson.

Aaron Lundy, OL, 6-5, 305, Chilhowie, Va./Chilhowie High School
Three-year starter ... named to the Roanoke Times Sizzling Sophomore team in 2005 ... two-time first-team all-district honoree (2006 and 2007) ... named to the first-team All-Region C in 2007 ... All News & Messinger Offensive Lineman Player of the Year ... as a senior, he helped Chilhowie High School rush for 2,160 yards as a team ... first-team Bristol Newspaper All-Southwest Virginia ... second-team all-state and Roanoke Times All-Timesland.

Reginald Matthews, DB, 6-0, 190, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Northeast High School
Three-year letterwinner ... finished his sophomore year with 22 solo tackles, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries ... tallied 12 solo stops, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble as a junior ... all-county honorable mention Sun Sentinel News as a senior ... third-team all-county Miami Herald as a senior ... the team captain capped off his senior year by recording 33 solo stops, 16 assisted tackles, 14 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a touchdown return ... team captain in track and field ... member of the A-B honor roll ... son of Frankie Gresham.

Brandon Robinson, DB, 6-1, 175, Waxhaw, N.C./Charlotte Christian School
Four-year letterwinner ... honorable mention selection as a sophomore ... all-conference and all-state honoree as a senior ... named Charlotte Christian’s team MVP as a senior ... set a new school record with 11 touchdown receptions during his senior campaign to go along with 31 receptions and 727 receiving yards ... also added 60 tackles and seven interceptions on the defensive side of the ball ... son of Eugene and Gia Robinson ... intends to major in business at Liberty.

Greg Schuster, DL, 6-2, 275, Waxhaw, N.C./Charlotte Latin High School
Two-year letterwinner ... all-conference at defensive tackle as a junior ... first-team all-state and All-Area South Charlotte as a senior ... second-team All-Mecklenburg/Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Weekly Super Team as a senior ... helped Charlotte Latin to a NCISAA state title in 2007 ... Charlotte Latin was the No. 1 ranked team in the Charlotte Observer Sweet Sixteen season finale poll ... son of Daniel and Mardell Schuster ... intends to major in education at Liberty.

D.J. Sellman, OL, 6-6, 320, Columbia, Md./DeMatha Catholic High School
Four-year letterwinner ... led DeMartha to two WCAC championship (sophomore and junior years) ... DC Sports fan second-team member as a junior ... Pigskin Club of Washington DC – All-Metropolitan team member ... Gazette All-County first-team offensive team ... Washington Post honorable mention third-team offense ... son of Teresa Marshall ... intends to major in sport management at Liberty.

Steven Wilkes, TE, 6-6, 240, Clifton Forge, Va./Alleghany High School
Four-year letterwinner and starter ... all-district and all-area honoree as a senior ... finished his senior campaign with 45 receptions ... four-year letterwinner in basketball ... three-year letterwinner in track and field ... son of Roger and Stephanie Hunter.

Doncel Bolt, LB, 6-3, 245, Long Beach, Calif./Polytechnic High School
Transfered in January and already enrolled at Liberty from Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. ... as a freshman, tallied 50 tackles and two sacks ... ranked fourth on the team in total tackles ... two-year letterwinner at Polytechnic ... recipient of the Coaches Award as a junior with 44 tackles ... named team captain as a senior, finishing the year with 70 tackles ... son of Donald and Cecile Bolt ... intends to major in business at Liberty.

Brandon Saunders, DB, 6-0, 185, Laurel, Md./Paint Branch High School
Transfered in January and already enrolled at Liberty from Northeastern ... three-year letterwinner at Paint Branch ... junior varsity team MVP as a sophomore ... three kickoff returns as a sophomore ... named the team’s most improved player with 46 tackles and two interceptions as a junior ... team captain as a senior, with 53 tackles, six interceptions and a touchdown return ... three-time member of the honor roll ... intended on major in sport management at Liberty.

Alex Stadler, OL, 6-6, 310, Bealeton, Va./Liberty High School
Transfered in January and already enrolled at Liberty from Alabama ... three-year letterwinner at Liberty High School, helping his squad post a 29-4 record during his career ... three-time all-district offensive guard (sophomore, junior and senior years) ... named to the all-region, all-state and All-Washington Metro teams as a senior ... as a junior, he anchored an offensive line that help tally 4,102 yards of total offense and 2,500 rushing yards over 11 games ... member of the honor roll ... also a member of the track and field program ... earned all-state honors as a discus thrower ... son of Mark and Cathy Stadler ... intending to major in public relations at Liberty.

 

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
Presbyterian College head football coach Bobby Bentley unveiled PC’s first ever NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision signing class on National Signing Day Wednesday.  Staying strong to his core mission of focusing his recruiting efforts in the Palmetto State, Bentley’s first FCS class features 20 players from the state of South Carolina.  Bentley and his staff did manage to go out of state for some strong recruits.  In fact, PC’s signing class features five players from the state of Georgia and five players from North Carolina.  The Blue Hose signed one player from Florida.

Sean Adegbola will join the PC Football program from Grayson High School in Grayson, Ga. Adegbola, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound receiver, played for Mickey Conn at Grayson High School. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

A wide receiver and defensive back at Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy, Ga., Josh Anderson will join the Blue Hose as a defensive back. Anderson is 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds.  Anderson, who played for Gene Cathcart at Habersham Central, led his high school in 2007 with five interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He finished his career with 10 interceptions, which was the third-most in Habersham Central history.  Anderson, who also had 24 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns on offense, was an All-Region and All-Area selection in 2007.  A true student-athlete, Anderson is ranked fifth in his graduating class of 343.

The grandson of PC graduate Art Baker, Wellington Baker played at Thomas Sumter Academy for Troy Kessinger. An Offensive Lineman, who is listed at 6-feet and 250 pounds, Baker was named SCISA All-State in 2007.  He was also chosen to the Sumter Item All-Area team.

Justin Bethel played his high school football at Blythewood High School in Blythewood, S.C. for former PC wide receivers coach Jeff Scott and Jeremy Saitz. A Defensive Back, Bethel will be reunited with PC Defensive Line Coach Reuben Wright, who was the Defensive Coordinator at Blythewood during their state championship run in 2006.  During his time at Blythewood, Bethel was named Blythewood’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and Blythewood’s Most Improved Defensive Player in the 2007 season.  An All-Region choice in 2007, Bethel is currently listed at 6-feet and 180 pounds.

A 2-AA All-State Offensive Lineman at Manning High School in Manning, S.C., Xavier Boatwright comes to PC as a Defensive End. Boatwright was a two-time All-Region performer at Manning and a three-time Manning High School Player of the Week selection as a senior.  Currently listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Boatwright played for Robbie Briggs at Manning High School.

Mickey Brewer joins the Blue Hose football program out of Butler High School in Charlotte, N.C. where he played for Mike Newsome.  A three-time North Carolina 4-A Southwestern-8 All-Conference pick, Brewer caught 20 or more passes in his final three seasons at Butler.  Brewer finished his senior season in 2007 with 52 catches for 824 yards and 10 touchdowns. He hauled in 59 catches for 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior season in 2006 and brought in 23 catches for 352 yards and six touchdowns during his sophomore campaign in 2005.  In total for his career, Brewer caught 134 passes for 2,396 yards and 31 touchdowns.  A 2006 Rivals.com All-State selection, Brewer was also a two-time All-Charlotte Observer selection in high school. He was Butler’s 2006 Best Wide Receiver and its 2007 Best Offensive Back.

Iuoli Burroughs is a 6-foot, 220-pound Defensive End. Burroughs played his High School Football for Bill Kimrey at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C.  Burroughs was All-Region in 2006 and 2007 and an Honorable Mention All-State choice in 2007. An All-Midlands selection in 2007, Burroughs is Dutch Fork’s school record holder for sacks in a single season with 12 in his junior year in 2006.  He finished his career at Dutch Fork owning the school record for most career sacks with 27.  A multi-faceted student-athlete, Burroughs has received numerous accolades in Wrestling. He was the 2006 regional champion in his weight class and recently was named a 2008 North-South All-Star.  Burroughs was also an All-Area Discus Thrower and an All-State Discus finalist in 2007.

Lewis Coleman comes to Clinton out of Saluda High School in Saluda, S.C. He played for head coach Wayne Bell.  At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Coleman played Linebacker and Fullback at Saluda. He was a starting Linebacker in the 2007 North/South All-Star game.  The 2007 Defensive Player of the Year at Saluda in 2007, Coleman was an All-Region selection in 2006 and 2007 and a member of the All-Lakelands football team in 2007.  He concluded his senior season with 75 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, three caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Brian Davis is a Defensive Tackle from Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C. where he played for Keith Flynn. At 6-foot-2 and 275 pounds, Davis was named 2007 NCISAA All-State and played in the 2007 NCISAA Shrine Bowl.  Davis was also named CISAA All-Conference in 2007.  One of the best Shot-Putters in the state of North Carolina, Davis was named All-Conference in Shot Put in 2006 and 2007. Davis holds the all-time Shot Put record at Providence Day at 50 feet and half an inch.  Davis took the NCISAA state title in 2007 for Shot Put.

A 6-foot-2, 235-pound Defensive End, Derren Evans will join the Blue Hose from Wesleyan School in Lawrenceville, Ga. where he played for Franklin Pridgen.  Evans led Wesleyan’s defense in 2007 with 59 total stops, including 10 tackles for loss. He forced two fumbles. Offensively, Evans finished last season ranked 11th among Gwinnett County rushing leaders after rushing for 698 yards and six touchdowns on 97 carries.

Justin Gillespie is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound wide receiver out of Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, N.C. Gillespie played for Isaac Marsh at Chapel Hill.  Gillespie was Class President for all four years of High School. He was also a second-team All-Conference pick in the 2007 season.

A 6-foot, 240-pound Offensive Lineman, Joe Ben Frye was part of Gaffney High School’s 2006 State Championship team. An All-Region selection in 2006 and 2007, Frye played for Phil Strickland at Gaffney.  Frye was an All-Area Academic team member in 2007.

The 2007 Fort Dorchester (Charleston, S.C.) Offensive Lineman of the Year, Ryan Hall joins the Blue Hose at 6-feet and 250 pounds. Hall, who played for Steve Laprad at Fort Dorchester High School, was named All-Lowcountry and All-Conference in 2007.  He was the Most Improved Player at Fort Dorchester in 2007 and is projected as a Center for the Blue Hose.

A member of Hammond School’s 2007 SCISA State Championship team, Steven Harvin comes to PC as a Defensive Back. Harvin played for Head Coach Eric Kimrey at Hammond School in Columbia, S.C.  Listed at 6-feet and 180 pounds, Harvin played in the 2007 SCISA Shrine Bowl.

PC’s second player plucked out of Gene Cathcart’s Habersham Central program, Bo Hatchett finished the 2007 season having passed for 2,909 yards. A tall quarterback at 6-foot-3, Hatchett completed 219 of his 357 pass attempts during his senior season.  The 26 touchdowns Hatchett passed for in 2007 coupled with his passing yards ranked as the 15th-most productive season in Georgia State football history.  Hatchett ended his career at Habersham Central owning five school records, including most completions (388), most attempts (695), most passing yards (5,500), most touchdowns (50) and most touchdowns single-game (five).  A 2007 All-Region and All-Area choice, Hatchett was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitutions’ Honorable Mention All-State team and the News Channel 32 All-Northeast Georgia Second Team.

A 2007 Golden Corner All-Area First Team Offense selection, Conner Hawkins will join the PC Football program as a Defensive Lineman. Hawkins, who played for Brian Smith at Seneca High School, recorded 72 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and one safety for Seneca as a senior.  An All-Region choice as an Offensive Lineman and Linebacker in 2007, Hawkins was Seneca’s Most Valuable Linebacker in 2007.

Damon Lawrence comes to Clinton from Bartram Trail High School in Jacksonville, Fla. where he played for Darrell Sutherland. A 5-foot-10 and 180-pound Defensive Back, Lawrence finished with over 40 tackles during his junior and senior campaigns in 2006 and 2007.  He collected 10 interceptions in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, including seven interceptions during his senior season in 2007.  A Florida Shrine Bowl selection, Lawrence helped lead Bartram Trail to the Florida Class 5-A state semifinals for the first time in the 2007 season.  A two-sport athlete, Lawrence has been a regional qualifier in Track and Field for the last three years.

Josh Mason is a 6-foot-4 and 250-pound Offensive Lineman from Chesnee High School in Chesnee, S.C. He played for Brent Bridges at Chesnee.  Mason was an All-Conference, All-Region and All-Area selection at Chesnee. A South Carolina 2-A High School Sports Report All-State choice in 2007, Mason was named to The Spartanburg Herald-Journal’s All-Academic team after his senior campaign.

Will Mathias joins the Blue Hose as an Offensive Lineman. Mathias played at AC Flora High School in Columbia, S.C. for Robin Bacon. Mathias is 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds.

Mac McCormick joins the PC Football program as an Offensive Lineman. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, McCormick played for Glenn Cook at Central Cabarrus High School in Harrisburg, N.C.  A 2007 North Carolina 4-1 MECA-6 All-Conference performer, McCormick was All-Cabarrus County in 2007. McCormick was chosen the Central Cabarrus Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in 2007.

A wide receiver out of Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, N.C., Patrick McCoy played for Russell Stone at Douglas Byrd.  He caught 40 passes for 970 yards and eight touchdowns in the 2007 season.  McCoy was a 2007 All-Conference and All-Area pick. He was also named All-Conference in Track and Field in the Spring of 2007.

Evan Merritt will join Bentley and the Blue Hose at PC as an Offensive Lineman. Merritt joins the Blue Hose football program out of Blue Ridge High School in Taylors, S.C. where he played for David Farnham.  Merrit, 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, was named Peach Blossom All-Region in 2007 and to the Greer Area Touchdown Club All-Academic Team in 2005, 2006 and 2007.  Merritt was also awarded Blue Ridge’s Best Blocker Award in 2007.

A 2007 Shrine Bowl participant for North Carolina, Derrick Overholt comes to PC as an Outside Linebacker. Overholt played his High School football for PC alum Bruce Ollis at Polk County High School.  The Times-News Offensive Player of the Year, Overholt was named 1-A North Carolina All-State in 2007. Polk County’s Team Captain and Team Most Valuable Player in 2007, Overholt finished his time at Polk County as the team’s career record holder for most passing yards and passing touchdowns.  He also owns the school record for interceptions.  He is already on campus at PC as he enrolled in January.

James “Quad” Roberts played at Dillon High School for Jackie Hayes. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Roberts will play Defensive Back for the Blue Hose.  During his time at Dillon, Roberts was given the Most Dedicated Award in 2007 and was named to the Region 7-2A All-Conference Team in 2007.  Roberts, who tied for the lead in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina for interceptions in 2007, was also named to the Florence Morning-News All-Pee Dee squad in 2007.

A 2007 North-South All-Star and South Carolina Mr. Football Finalist, Michael Ruff will play wide receiver for the Blue Hose.  A 5-foot-8, 165-pound speedster who was clocked at 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Ruff was chosen as the Character Award Winner for the 2007 North-South All-Star game.  The 2007 1-A Back of the Year, Ruff passed for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior season. The dual threat also rushed for 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ruff also managed 169 receiving yards and five touchdowns.  One year earlier during his junior season he accounted for 13 rushing touchdowns, three receiving touchdowns and one passing touchdown.  His region’s Player of the Year in 2007, Ruff was also All-Region in basketball in 2007.

A 5-foot-11, 190-pound Running Back, Bennett Saunders joins the Blue Hose football program from Hartsville High School in Hartsville, S.C. where he played for Jeff Calabrese.  Saunders rushed for 1,568 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 132 carries in 2007. Saunders average 11.9 yards per carry. Saunders, who caught nine passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns, also blocked three punts and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.  The 2007 Hartsville High School Player of the Year, Saunders owns the Hartsville record for most rushing yards in a singe game (265) and most blocked punts in a career (6).  Saunders achieved numerous postseason accolades last season, including 2007 WDPE All-Zone Team honors, 2007 Morning News All-Area team accolades and All-Region honors in 2006 and 2007.

Named to the 2007 Gwinnett County All-Star game, Drew Swick is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound Defensive Back from Collins Hill High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. Swick played for Larry Sherrill at Collins Hill.  The team captain at Collins Hill, Swick has been clocked at 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. Swick, who was also named to the Gwinnett County All-County second team in 2007, holds the Collins Hill Shuttle Record with a time of 4.06.

A Defensive Back out of Dorman High School in Spartanburg, S.C. where he played for David Gutshall, Stephen Thomas is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds.  Thomas finished his senior season in 2007 with 103 total tackles, one interception, six knockdowns and four tackles for loss. He also had eight rushing touchdowns.  A member of the 2007 South Carolina Shrine Bowl team where he was named a team captain, Thomas was chosen to the 2007 High School Sports Report Statewide Defensive Team.  The Dorman Linebacker of the Year in 2006 and the 2007 Defensive Back of the Year, Thomas was a two-year letterman with the Cavaliers.  Thomas is a National Honors Society Beta Club Member and is an Eagle Scout.

A 2007 South Carolina Shrine Bowl performer, Max Travis played for Bill Kimrey at Dutch Fork in Irmo, S.C. Listed 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, Travis was named All-State in 2007.  Travis was also All-Midlands and All-Area in 2007. He was a two-year South Carolina AAAA All-Region in 2006 and 2007.

Joe Wideman was a Wendy’s High School Heisman Nominee at Belton-Honea Path. He claimed the Scholastic Award for football and basketball at BHP in 2006 and 2007.  A 6-foot-2, 190-pound Outside Linebacker, Wideman is ranked seventh in his class among 200 graduates.  Wideman was named Anderson Independent-Mail All-Area in 2007 and All-Area in 2006 and 2007. A North-South All-Star Game selection in 2007, he was the Defensive Most Valuable Player at BHP in 2007.  Statistically, Wideman led BHP and the Upstate of South Carolina in 2007 with 179 tackles in 11 games.

Offensive Lineman Stephon Williams will join the Blue Hose at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds. An Anderson Independent-Mail All-Area choice in 2007 and All-Region squad pick in 2006 and 2007, Williams was a four-year letterman in football at Belton-Honea Path.  Williams is a two-time state qualifier in weightlifting and the 2006 AAU State Champion in Shot Put and Discus.

 

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
Stony Brook University's football team added the first names to its 2008 recruiting class when head coach Chuck Priore announced the names of six players who signed letters of intent to play for the Seawolves starting with the 2008 season.  Matt Dardenne (Fremont, Calif.), Eddie Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.), Jordan Gush (Richardson, Texas), Adrian Sawyer (Oakland, Calif.), Wes Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.) and Marcus Wilson (Pennsauken, N.J.) will all add their names to the Stony Brook roster next season.

One of three transfer players in the first group to sign, Dardenne is a 6-4, 210-lb. quarterback that has played the last two seasons at Laney College in California. Last fall he threw for over 2,400 yards, tossing 25 TD passes vs. just nine interceptions. In his two seasons at Laney he totaled over 5,000 yards in the air and threw 50 touchdown passes, helping the school to a 19-3 record.

A local Long Island product out of Bellport, New York, Gowins adds another running back to the Stony Brook stable. A 5-10, 222-lb. back, he spent last season prepping at Bridgton Academy after being named the Hansen Award winner as Suffolk County's best player in 2006 while at Bellport. As a senior for the Clippers he was just four yards shy of 2,000 rushing yards, scoring 34 touchdowns while earning all-state and all-Long Island honors. Last season at Bridgton he turned in another 1,000-yard season, totaling 1,106 while scoring 11 times. 

Gush is the wide receiver of the group, a 5-11, 175-lb. wideout that played at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas. A second team all-state player as a senior, he was the city and district MVP after making 93 catches for 1,191 yards and 15 TDs. He also excelled on special teams, returning two kickoffs and one punt for scores. A three-year starter, he totaled over 2,000 yards in career reception yardage.

Sawyer was a favorite target of Dardeene's passes at Laney College. A 6-3, 235-lb. tight end, he is a native of Oakland, California. Last season he caught 17 passes at Laney, the third-highest total on the team. He hauled in one pass for a score and averaged over 14 yards per reception.

A kicker, Skiffington comes to Stony Brook from Florida where he hails from Brandon. As a senior he averaged 42.3 yards per punt at Armwood High School while hitting on four of seven field goal attempts, helping his team to a 13-1 record and top-10 ranking in the Sunshine State.

Another player with collegiate experience, Wilson comes to Stony Brook after spending two seasons at the University of Iowa. A 6-3, 205-lb. safety, played in all 13 of the Hawkeyes games in 2006, making a pair of starts. He made 21 tackles and was one of seven players to pick off a pass, getting his pic against Purdue. A native of New Jersey, Wilson played his high school ball at Camden Catholic where he was a two-time all-region player.

 

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
VMI interim head coach Brent Davis announced the following 19 signees to the 2008 VMI football recruiting class.

Rob Bailey, OL, 6-4, 330, Bonaire, GA / Warner Robins H.S.
Two year starter at offensive tackle ... As a junior helped lead his team to the semi- finals of the Georgia AAAAA football playoffs ... Selected by the Georgia Football Magazine ... Academic All State 1st team and Preseason AAAAA All State 1st Team ... As a Senior he was selected to the 1st team All Houston Co., 2nd team Region 1-AAAAA, and 3rd team All Middle GA football teams ... As a Junior he was selected to the 2nd team Region 1-AAAAA; 2nd team All Houston Co.; and Honorable Mention All Middle GA football teams ... Voted Most Valuable Offensive Lineman for the 2007 season ... 3 yr. football letterman ... 2 yr. basketball letterman ... 3 yr. baseball letterman ... Chose VMI over Army and Carson-Newman ... Son of Rob Bailey Sr. and Linda Bailey ... Coached by Bryan Way

Bobby Epps, B-Back, 6-1, 210, 4.6, Gainesville, GA / North Hall H.S.
Selected to play in the Georgia North/South All-Star Game ... Was a 1st Team All-Area (Hall County GA) Running Back Selection ... Was the Leading Scorer on his team with 22 TD’s in 2007 ... Was the leading receiver on his team (10 receptions for 354 (35.4 YPC) yards and 4 TD) ... Was the 2nd Leading Rusher on his team - 131 carries for 1,083 yards (7.7 YPC) and 18 TD ... Accounted for 470 yards and 7 TD’s during injury plagued junior season ... Averaged 8.9 yards per touch over his career ... Selected as Team Captain for senior season ... Two year winner of the North Hall HS Academic award (2006, 2007) ... Ranked 9th in a class of 201 students at North Hall H.S. ... Graduated early from high school with a 4.3 GPA, currently enrolled at Gainesville State College ... Scored an impressive 1230 on the SAT ... Chose VMI over Navy and Air Force ... Son of Tom and Kadi Epps ... Coached by Bob Christmas

Luke Holloran, WR, 6-4, 195, 4.6, Broadway, VA / Broadway H.S.
Massanutten District Leading Receiver (2007) ... 1st Team All Massanutten District (2007) ... 1st Team All Region (2007) ... 78th in Virginia Top 100 according to The Roanoke Times (2007) ... Football Statistics: 25 Rec. 518 yds. 5 TDs (2006) 49 Rec. 771 yds. 7 TDs (2007) ... Basketball: Pre-season Massanutten District Player of the Year (2007) ... Leading scorer, rebounder, and field goal percentage (2007) ... Son of John & Annette Holloran ... Coached by Frank Sorrells.

Rajah Jenkins, RB/DB, 5-8, 165 4.5, Staunton, VA / Robert E. Lee H.S.
Three year letter winner in football, baseball & track at Fishburne Military Academy from 2005-2007 ... Three year starter at running back, defensive back and return specialist at Fishburne from 2004-2006 ... All-Conference Baseball player at Fishburne Military from 2004-2007 ... All-Conference Track athlete at Fishburne Military (10.8 100 meter, 21’7” Long Jump and 44’1” Triple Jump) ... Honor Roll Student at Fishburne from 2005-2007 and a member of the Honor Guard from 2004-2006 ... Winner of the Fishburne Military School Top Cadet Physical Challenge Award in 2006-2007 ... National Jr. Honor Society Inductee in 2006 ... Letter winner in football, baseball and track at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, VA in 2007-2008 ... Started at Running Back and Defensive Back at R.E. Lee in 2007 ... Had 130 carries for 1313 yards and 23 touchdowns while averaging 10.1 yards/carry as a senior at R.E. Lee ... Also had 60 solo tackles and 3 interceptions and 1 defensive TD as a DB ... Earned First Team All District, All Region and honorable Mention All State in 2007 ... Chose VMI over The Citadel ... Son of Roger Jenkins and Lashuan Jones-Jenkins ... Sister Angela is in her 2nd year at West Point and other sister Alisha is in her first year at Virginia Military Institute and both are track athletes ... Coached by Alec Dunn at Fishburne and Davis Tibbs at R.E. Lee.

Butch Kaczmarzewski, LB, 6-2, 200, 4.6, Winchester, VA / Millbrook H.S.
Captain of Football (2007) ... 1st Team VHSCA All State – Linebacker (2007) ... 1st Team All Northwest Region II – Linebacker (2007) ... 2nd Team All Northwest Region II – Linebacker (2006) ... 1st Team All Northwestern District – Linebacker (2006, 2007) ... Top Tackler in District with 130 Tackles (2007) ... Team MVP (2007) ... Lettered in Basketball (2007) ... Son of Kevin Kaczmarzewski ... Coached by Reid Prosser.

Aaron Lewis, WR 6-3, 195, 4.6, Richmond, VA / Meadowbrook H.S.
Captain Football (2007) ... 2nd Team All Central District- Wide Receiver (2007) ... Helped Lead Team to 9-3 Record/Central District ... Championship (2007) ... Lettered in Football (3 years) ... Son of Lester and Corliss Lewis ... Sister runs track at Hampton University ... Coached by Randy Bowles.

Richard Luck, LB, 5-10, 195, 4.7, Maidens, VA / St. Christopher’s School 
Captain of both football and lacrosse teams ... Garnered All Prep, All State, and All Metro Honors ... Senior Season Stats through 7 games include: 85 tackles including 10 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 safeties, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries ... Recipient of the Randolph Macon Book Award for Excellence in Academics, Athletics, & Leadership ... Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond – Brotherhood Youth Award for students who show caring for others and improve human relations and inter-group understandings ... Student Council Member ... Son of Charlie Luck IV (VMI ’83) and Lisa Luck, and grandson of Charles Luck III (VMI ’55) and True Luck ... Coached by Paul Padalino.

Terrell Lynch, DE, 6-2, 230, 4.65, Richmond, VA / Hermitage H.S. 
1st Team All Colonial District- Defensive Line (2007) ... 1st Team All Central Region- Defensive Line (2007) ... 1st Team All Metro- Defensive Line (2007) ... 1st Team All Group AAA State- Defensive Line 2007 Stats: 8 sacks, 47 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 fumble recoveries – 1 for TD, 1 caused fumble ... Son of Sabrina Lynch ...Coached by Patrick Kane.

Kyle Marston, WR, 6-1, 190, 4.55, Bagdad, KY / Shelby County H.S. 
3 year varsity football letterman and starter ... Team Captain ... Career stats include: 75 career receptions, 1409 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns ... 70 tackles ... Currently holds the school record for receptions in a season ... Voted Most Outstanding Special Teams Player 2007 ... Four year varsity letterman in track ... Team captain in track sophomore, junior and senior years ... State qualifier in 4x800 meter relay as freshman/junior ... State qualifier in 800 meter run as a junior ... Currently ranked among the top five 800 meter runners in the state ... 2007 recipient – United States Naval Academy Alumni Association Award ... Louisville, KY / So. Indiana Chapter ... 2008 Marine Corp Jr. ROTC officer ... Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program Nominee 2007 ... President – Fellowship of Christian Athletes ...Son of Mike & Sherri Marston ... Coached by Todd Shipley.

Alex Miller, DT / C / FB, 5-11 265, 4.95, Dunedin, FL / Countryside H.S. 
Pinellas County 2007 All Star Team ... 1st Team All District ... Varsity wrestling letter winner, heavy weight ... Team Captain
2007 Stats: 42 tackles, 4 QB sacks, 12 Tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries ... Community service volunteer Special Olympics Florida ... Student Council – Countryside High School ... Son of Mike & Linda Miller ... Coached by John Davis

D’Angelo Smith, OL, 6-1, 255, 5.0, Ellenwood, GA / Stockbridge H.S.
2 year starter on offensive line ... 2007 Team Captain ... Selected to the 2nd Team All Region ... 2 year football letterman ... Stockbridge H.S. Academic Award Winner 2007 Football ... Son of Cyd Smith & Johnnie Smith ... Coached by Steve Collins.

Josh Sneed, LB, 6-2, 230 , 4.75, Lawrenceville, GA / Collins Hill H.S.
Selected First Team Region 7-AAAAA 2007 ... Selected Second Team All County (Gwinnett) as offensive guard ... Is the 5th all time leading tackler in Collins Hill HS history ... Awarded 2007 Collins Hill HS Iron Eagle Award for being the most outstanding player who plays both offense and defense ... Selected to play in the inaugural Rivals of Gwinnett County All Star Game ... Was the September 2007 Gwinnett County Touchdown Club football “Player of the Month” ... Attended and completed 2007 IDEALS Leadership School ... 2 Year Letter winner in Track ... Football Team Captain ... Chose VMI over Navy, Wofford, Western Carolina and Presbyterian ... Son of Randy and Colleen Sneed ... Coached by Larry Sherrill.

Greg Stevens, K, 5-11, 175, 4.6, Duluth, GA / Peachtree Ridge H.S.
Completed 1st year in football this year after playing soccer since age 4 ... Tutored by NFL great Kevin Butler in making the transition to football ... Scored a total of 56 points in 2007 ... Converted 41 of 45 PAT attempts ... Converted 5 of 10 FG’s with a long of 43 yards ... Possesses a 50+ yard leg ... Outstanding on Kickoffs with 58 of 61 going for touchbacks and none traveling out of bounds ... Has unlimited potential as a kicker and will improve with each day ... Responsible for 13 points in his team’s two playoff games ... Named to Gwinnett County Coaches’ Honor Roll for his efforts in team’s final playoff game ... 4-year letter-winner in Soccer ... Avid power lifter possessing 280 pound bench press ... Received Community Service Award for his H.S. soccer team ... Selected by soccer coach to attend Gwinnett Co. H.S. Leadership training ... Son of Dale and Kris Johnson ... Coached by Bill Ballard.

T.J. Talley, SB/DB/KR, 5’10 190, 4.55, Parkview High School (South Hill, VA)
Bio information available later

Juan Thrasher, CB/FS/KR, 5-10, 170, 4.5, Carrollton, TX / Creekview H.S. 
Caption Football (2007) ... 1st Team All District- Free Safety (2007) ... Defensive Team MVP (2007) ... Defensive Back MVP (2007) ... 2nd Team All-District- Free Safety (2006) ... Honorable Mention All-State- Free Safety (2005) ... Who’s Who in Sports Among High School Students (2005) ... Lettered in Baseball, Track, and Bowling ... Team Leader in stolen bases (2006, 2007) ... 2nd on Baseball Team in Home Runs (2006) ... Parents: Gregory Thrasher and Monica Thrasher ... Brother: Gregory Jr. Thrasher ... Coached by Greg Childress.

Aaron Trent, LB, 6-4, 240, 4.8, Johnson City, TN / Science Hill H.S.
Team Captain ... Senior Statistics include: 77 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1st Team All Conference (LB) ... 1st Team All Region (LB), 1st Team All Northeast Tennessee (LB), 1st Team All Northeast Tennessee Punter with a 42.3 yard average ... Ranked among Tennessee’s “Super 44” and “Top 100” Football Players ... Johnson City Press “Elite 11” Team ... Honorable Mention All Conference (JR) ... Holds school record for Most Interceptions in a Game (3) ... Selected to play in Tennessee vs. Kentucky All Star “Border Bowl” Game ... 2 time “Extreme Player of the Week” Award winner (JC Press) ... 2 time “Character Award” winner (SHHS) ... “Plowboy” Award winner (SHHS) ... Son of Mark and Kim Trent ... Coached by Scott Smith.

Greg Walker, CB/SB, 5-9, 165, 4.45, Waldorf, MD / Westlake H.S.
Captain Football (2007) ... Recipient of the State of Maryland Minds in Motion Award for Academic ... Excellence (2005, 2006, 2007) ... Honor Roll Student ... 1st Team All Conference Cornerback (2007) ... 1st Team All County Cornerback (2007) ... 1st Team Washington Post All Southern Maryland Cornerback (2007) ... 2007 Statistics Offense: 88 rushing attempts; 836 yards; 9.5 ypc; long of 59; 13 TD’s, 5 receptions; 110 yards; 22 ypc; long 50 ... 1st in Conference Scoring ... 4th in Conference Rushing ... 2007 Statistics Defense: 18 tackles; 2 assist, 5 interceptions; 76 return yards, 1st (tied) in Conference Interceptions ... Track 2007: Ranked 37th in the nation in the 300 meters ... Member of the 4x200 meter relay team. Ranked 1st in the nation ... Also received offers from Colgate and Fordham University ... Son of Greg and Valerie Walker ... Coached by Dominic Zaccarelli.

Trae Watkins, DB, 5-11, 180, 4.5, Lynchburg, VA / Virginia Episcopal School
Led Team to VISAA Championship game as a senior ... Three Year All-VISAA Running back ... Two year selection as All-VISAA Defensive Back 1st team ... Two year selection to the Lynchburg News & Advance All-Area 1st Team as Defensive Back ... Virginia Episcopal School Most Valuable Player as Junior and Senior ... Son of Angela Garland and James Watkins, Grandmother Dorothy Megginson, Sister Shae Watkins ... Coached by Bruce Stell.

Zach Webb, A-Back, 5-9, 175, 4.5, Bedford, VA / Fork Union Military Academy / Liberty H.S.
Posted 586 rushing yards in a 2-game stretch as a junior ... Was second Team All District Running Back ... Averaged 119 Yards rushing Per Game as a senior (6 Games) ... Grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Chryssikow ... Coached by VMI Alumnus John Shuman at Fork Union Military Academy and Chris Watts at Liberty HS.