Appalachian State
BOONE, N.C.—Head Coach Jerry Moore announced 14 individuals signed National Letters of Intent on the initial signing day to play football and attend Appalachian State University in 2003. Seven of the 14 are linemen, and seven are from North Carolina.
“I feel comfortable with the players we have signed,” said Moore. “This is the day we always anticipate, second only to the day in August when these young people report to campus and we see them work out for the first time.”
Moore commented, “This year we may have been a little more selective than in years past. There were several positions where we didn’t bring any players in, because we felt we have adequate depth returning at those spots.”
Moore added, “Our primary emphasis was on finding quality offensive and defensive linemen. We still have two or three scholarships remaining and the recruiting process will continue as we look for the right fit.”
Both Bryan Manning and Matt Isenhour played in the 2002 Shrine Bowl. An offensive lineman, Isenhour earned all-state acclaim as a senior. Manning collected 1,000 receiving yards for the Class 2-A championship team at Cummings High School.
Kerry Brown and Josh James are both offensive lineman from the state of Georgia. Jeff Butler was named the Northwest Arkansas Lineman of the Year after his final campaign.
Marques Murrell tallied 21 sacks over his last two seasons at Jack Britt High School, in Fayetteville, N.C. Set to play in the East-West All-Star Game this summer, Murrell is the younger brother to former NFL running back Adrian Murrell.
Charles King recorded 113 tackles as a senior at Camden High School. King finished with 14 sacks for the 3-A state finalist. George Carr is a defensive tackle from West Charlotte High School.
A tight end, Jamie McIntosh finished his final season with 15 catches for approximately 400 yards. McIntosh notched four touchdowns for the Class 5-A state title team at Ely High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
Alan Atwater rushed for 1,925 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at Southern Nash High School. Wilner Marc rushed for 670 yards and eight touchdowns for the Class 2-A state finalist squad at Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Fla.
Gerald Kennedy registered six interceptions and 69 tackles as a senior at Dudley High School, in Greensboro, N.C. As a special teams player, Kennedy returned four punts for touchdowns and blocked nine kicks.
Corey Lynch rushed for over 3,000 yards over his career and played defensive back at Evangelical Christian in Cape Coral, Fla. Lynch ended his prep career with 31 interceptions. A three-year starter at safety, Micah Sparkman paced North Brunswick High School in interceptions each of the past two seasons.
Chattanooga
BRANDON BELLAMY
DL, 6-6, 270
Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett HS
All-Gwinnett County as a senior … Totaled 64 tackles this season … Also had
six tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks … Knocked down three passes
… Also recruited by East Carolina.
SAM BENTLEY
OL, 6-5, 300
Dahlonega, Ga./Lumpkin County HS
Offensive player of the year in football … Placed second in region in track
… Also recruited by Georgia, South Carolina, Louisville, Georgia Southern,
Western Carolina, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee-Martin
… Four-year letterwinner in football … Earned three letters in track.
NESBITT BLACK
DE, 6-3, 240
Blacksburg, S.C./Blacksburg HS
All-Region as a senior … All-State as a senior … All-Area 1-A as a senior …
Also recruited by Murray State, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and
Western Carolina.
DONNIS BOOCHIE
LB, 6-1, 220
Laurel, Miss./Jones Junior College
Leader of the the state's No. 1 defense in junior college ranks … Credited
with 60 tackles, four tackles behind the line and one interception … Voted
team captain … Jones won Junior College State Championship freshman year …
JCC finished as state runners-up his sophomore year … Team went 13-1 in
2001 and 12-2 last season … Also recruited by Middle Tennessee State,
Mississippi Valley State, and Jacksonville State.
RYAN COGGINS
DT, 6-2, 315
Jonesboro, Ga./Mt. Zion HS
Selected as one of the Clayton County Super 11 which is selected by Atlanta
Journal & Constitution … Defensive MVP as a senior … Selected the Atlanta
Touchdown Club Lineman of the week as a senior … All-Region and All-Clayton
County last season … Georgia High School Athletes region 2 Defensive Player
of the week … Class 5A Preseason All-State selection in 2002 … Named to
Who's Who in sports as a senior … All-Region as a junior … Defensive MVP as
a junior … All-Clayton County as a junior … All-Clayton County as a
sophomore … Also recruited by North Carolina, East Carolina, Georgia
Southern, and Tennessee Tech.
RANDY CRAFT
CB, 5-10, 180
Laurel, Miss./Jones (Miss.) Junior College
Enrolled at UTC in January … First-Team All-State as a sophomore as Jones
Junior College … Jones won the Junior College State Championship in 2001 …
Finished Junior College State runner up as a sophomore … Team went 13-1 his
freshman year and 12-2 last season … Also recruited by Middle Tennessee
State, Mississippi Valley State, Jacksonville State, Southeastern
Louisiana, Alabama A&M, Alabama State.
SEAN DIGBY
OL, 6-3, 295
Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS
All-County as a senior and junior … All-Region as a senior and junior …
Two-time Atlanta Journal & Constitution All-Fayette County/Cowetta County
Football Team … All-County and All-Region in 2001 and 2002 … Team's Most
Valuable Defensive Lineman as a junior … Team's Most Valuable Offensive
Lineman senior year … Four-year starter … Also recruited by Appalachian
State, Furman, Rice, Harvard, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
DAVID EDWARDS
DE, 6-3, 235
Atlanta, Ga./Grady HS
All-District as a senior … All-Fulton County as a senior … Also earned
All-District honors … Also recruited by Georgia Southern, Tennessee-Martin
and Tennessee Tech.
KEVIN ERBY
WR, 6-4, 185
Decatur, Ga./Towers HS
Caught 37 balls for 605 yards and seven touchdowns last season … Third-Team
All-State selection … Also earned All-DeKalb County accolades … Recorded 30
receptions for 583 yards and four touchdowns as a junior … Also recruited
by Alabama State and Bowling Green.
JONATHAN EVERSLY
WR, 5-10, 170
Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS
All-State honoree … Excelled at quarterback and receiver in 2002 … Threw
for over 500 yards and rushed for 725 yards ... Caught 19 balls … Scored a
total of 14 touchdowns ... Also recruited by Middle Tennessee State,
Tennessee Tech, Samford, and Tennessee State.
DANE FLUDD
DT, 6-3, 260
Atlanta, Ga./Tri-Cities HS
Credited with 39 tackles and 22 assists senior season … Also recorded six
sacks and seven tackles for loss … All-Fulton County as a senior … Also
recruited by Alabama A&M and Alabama State.
MARLON GILLIS
OL, 6-1, 303
Gainesville, Ga./North Forsyth HS
Two-time All-County performer … Received the Strongest Raider Award at
North Forsyth High School as a senior … Also recruited by Furman and
Western Carolina.
DENIS GORDON
DB, 6-3, 184
Norcross, Ga./Meadowcreek HS
Had five interceptions senior year … Also broke up seven passes … Credited
with 86 tackles … Caused two fumbles and fell on two others … Caught 16
balls while playing receiver … Totaled 198 yards and two touchdowns … As a
junior, picked off two passes and registered 20 tackles … Recorded 24
receptions for 481 yards and seven touchdowns … First-Team All-Gwinnett
County as a senior … Also recruited by Appalachian State, Navy and Western
Carolina.
CARLOS KEY
CB, 6-0, 170
Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS
First team All-State in 2002 … Recorded 41 tackles and picked off four
passes for Melrose as a senior … Started at cornerback in the Memphis
All-Star game last season … Also recruited by Tennessee-Martin and
Tennessee Tech, western Kentucky.
BRIAN LOMAX
DL, 6-2, 260
Lithonia, Ga./Stephenson HS
All-Dekalb County as senior defensive lineman … Recorded 67 tackles last
season and seven for negative yards … Credited with four sacks and 12
hurries … Also recruited by Alabama State, Ohio and Western Carolina.
JUSTIN MATHERSON
OL, 6-4, 290
Chattanooga, Tenn./Ooltewah HS
First-Team Class 5A All-State member this season … 2002 Coaches Award
winner … Member of Stump Martin Offensive Line of the Year … Member of the
Stump Martin Dream Team as a senior … Two-time All-Region performer …
Helped Owls to state playoffs last two seasons … OHS advanced to the second
round of the state playoffs in 2002 and lost to Jefferson County … Also
recruited by Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Memphis and Tennessee
Tech.
RICKY MATHIS
OL, 6-3, 307
McKenzie, Tenn./McKenzie HS
First-Team All-State for Class 2A last season … Region Player of the Year
as an offensive lineman … All-West Tennessee honoree … Team Most Valuable
Player in 2002 … Voted team captain … State of Tennessee Mr. Football
Finalist as a senior … First Mr. Football Finalist in MHS history … Led
team to state semifinals in both junior and senior years … Will play in the
Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star football game June 20 in Lexington, Ky. …
Senior class won 43 games, most in school history … Also recruited by
Murray State, Tennessee Tech … Coached at McKenzie by Wade Comer.
STEVEN MILLS
LB, 6-3, 210
Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman HS
Team's defensive Most Valuable Player in 2002 … Picked up All-Region II 4A
accolades as a junior and senior … Winner of Outstanding Linebacker Award
junior season … Three-year letterwinner … Also earned three letters in
basketball … Received basketball Captains Award … Also recruited by
Catawba, Coastal Carolina, Murray State and Western Carolina.
ALONZO NIX
WR, 6-1, 190
Laurel, Miss./Jones (Miss.) Junior College
Enrolled at UTC in January … First-Team All-State receiver at Jones Junior
College … Named Top Receiver in Junior College … Voted South's Most
Valuable Player in North-South All-Star Game … Helped high school to state
championship junior year … Team was state runners-up his senior season …
High school team registered a 13-1 record junior season and went 12-2
senior season.
KYLE ODEN
WR, 6-0, 190
Atlanta, Ga./Grady HS
All-State selection as a receiver at Grady High School … Picked up All-City
accolades … Caught 41 passes for 725 yards as a senior … Also recruited by
Tennessee Tech.
LERIN PRUITT
DE, 6-4, 250
Maben, Miss./Holmes (Miss.) Community College
Helped lead Holmes to Mississippi Junior College State Championship last
season … Earned All-State Junior College Honorable Mention in 2002. Also
recruited by Memphis, North Alabama and Tennessee Tech.
BRANDON SIMS
QB, 6-3, 200
Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS
South Carolina Mr. Football Finalist in 2002 … Earned All-State accolades …
Threw for 2,106 yards and 21 touchdowns last season … Also ran for 668
yards and 10 TDs … Set school's single-season total yardage record with
2,774 yards … Also set SHS career total yardage record … An All-Region and
All-Area selection … Played in the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine
Bowl All-Star Game … Led Vikings to 2001 state title … Threw for 1,271
yards and eight touchdowns junior season … Ran for 831 yards and 14 TDs …
Also recruited by South Carolina State, Tennessee and Western Carolina.
QUINTEZ SMITH
DB, 5-11, 175
Dublin, Ga./Dublin HS
Georgia Class 3A State Player of the Year in 2002 … All-Middle Georgia
Player of the Year … Also named Heart of Georgia Two-Way Player of the Year
… First-Team All-State … Had 10 interceptions as a senior … Also played
quarterback and threw for 1,500 yards … Registered six 100-yard passing
games last season … Led DHS to 14-1 record as a senior … Voted team's best
offensive back as a junior … Ran for over 800 yards sophomore season … Also
recruited by Central Michigan, Georgia Southern and Navy.
DUMAKAS SNIPES
CB, 5-9, 170
Opelika, Ala./Opelika HS
Second-Team All-State honoree for Opelika High School … Played running back
and defensive back … Recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time in the state
(4.28) at the Montgomery combine … Ran for 633 yards and nine touchdowns on
93 carries … Averaged 6.8 yards per carry … Caught 11 passes for 194 yards
and three touchdowns … Averaged 17.6 yards per catch … Also recruited by
Alabama State and Jacksonville State.
TRIPP WARD
OL, 6-4, 290
Columbia, S.C./Ridgeview HS
Selected Ridgeview's Offensive Player of the Year as a lineman … All-Region
honoree … Three-year starter on the offensive line at Ridgeview High School
… Set school single-game record for most knockdown blocks … Played in the
North-South All-Star Game … Also recruited by Appalachian State, The
Citadel, Elon, Lenoir-Rhyne, Newberry and Presbyterian.
JWAUN WARD
LB, 6-2, 195
Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle HS
Collected 172 career tackles … Also registered 14 sacks, three
interceptions and scored one defensive touchdown … Honorable Mention
All-State performer as a senior … All-Region 8 performer last season …
Earned All-Region 7 accolades in 2001 … Two-time All-Area honoree by the
Decatur Daily … Elected team captain … Huddle House Player of the Week …
Also recruited by Jacksonville State, Southern Mississippi, Tennessee Tech
and UAB.
CHRIS WATSON
DB, 6-3, 180
Spartanburg, S.C./Broome HS
An All-Area honoree as a senior free safety … Participated in the
North-South All-Star Game … Also starred in track … Won state title in
400-meter hurdles and 4x100 relay … Also recruited by Coastal Carolina and
Western Carolina.
LARRY WHITE
LB, 6-0, 205
Atlanta, Ga./Banneker HS
Listed as one of the top 50 linebackers in the nation … First-Team
All-State senior year … Named Red Zone's Player of the Year … Earned
All-Atlanta and All-Fulton County honors … First-Team All-Area …
Participated in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game … Also recruited by
Georgia Southern and Michigan State.
JONATHAN WRIGHT
P, 6-2, 210
McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing HS
Averaged 42.6 yards per punt in 2002 … Had a season-long kick of 70 yards …
Eagles Landing High School Scholar Athlete of the Year … Two-time Class 5A
All-Region selection … ELHS Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior
and senior … Also recruited by Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia
Tech, Memphis, Samford and Tennessee Tech.
JOHN YARBROUGH
DB, 6-4, 195
Nashville, Tenn./Hunters Lane HS
First-Team All-Midstate as a senior … Registered 75 solo tackles, one sack
and three interceptions in 2002 … Also blocked two punts and fell on four
fumbles … Returned one fumble and one kickoff for a touchdown … Earned
All-Metro Defensive Most Valuable Player Award … All-Region honoree … Will
play in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game June 20 in Lexington, Ky. …
Gridiron Great All-American in 2001 … Picked off seven passes as a junior
and six as a sophomore … Also starred in track … State champion in 2002 in
110-meter high hurdles … Led HLHS to state track championships in 2001 and
2002 … Undefeated in 110 high hurdles last season … School record-holder in
110 and 300 hurdles … Has top time of 13.78 in 110 hurdles … Two-time
All-Metro and All-Region in track … Placed third in 110 hurdles at 2001
U.S. Junior Olympics … Finished seventh in 2002 Junior Olympics in 110
hurdles and eighth in 400 hurdles … Timed at 4.51 in 40 yards on grass …
Also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Samford and Tennessee Tech.
The Citadel
Charleston, S.C.---Citadel football coach Ellis Johnson announced Feb. 5 that 28 high school players have accepted grant-in-aid packages to play football for the Bulldogs.
“Overall it is another exciting class that meets many of our needs as a football team,” Johnson stated. “We were able to get a bulk of our needs in-state and that says a lot about the recruiting effort of our coaching staff as we are one of six I-AA football schools that are actively recruiting in the state.”
The recruiting class consists of 12 players from South Carolina, six from Georgia, three from Alabama, two from Tennessee and New Jersey and one from Connecticut, North Carolina and Virginia. The class is comprised of 13 all-state performers, 15 all-region selections, 13 all-area nominees, 11 all-conference players, three conference or regional players of the year, a lineman of the year, five team captains, six postseason all-star bowl participants and a finalist for Mr. Football in Tennessee.
“This is the second year in a row we have signed such a large class of players,” Johnson stated. “We are still working on cutting down the attrition rate of players here, while meeting the needs of our football team.”
The 28 players signed are second only to The Citadel’s signing class of a year ago in size, when the Bulldogs inked 30 commitments. The class is heavy with eight defensive lineman and seven defensive backs, all areas of concern for The Citadel’s coaching staff.
“We were able to land many players in the areas we felt we needed help like defensive line and the secondary,” Johnson added. “We signed some defensive linemen that will likely produce right away and a group of defensive backs that are very skilled and will add valuable depth in a depleted secondary from a year ago.”
In addition to the 28 signees there are two players who are already on campus that will be added to the Bulldogs 2003 roster. Cliff Conant a 6-6, 290-pound offensive lineman from Northwestern High School and transfer quarterback Ryan Moody from the Naval Academy will each be added to the squad during spring drills.
“I would like to commend our coaching staff for the recruiting effort for three reasons,” Johnson continued. “No. 1 for bringing in such a talented class. No. 2 for working through three coaching changes during the recruiting process and No. 3 for not only competing but for excelling in the state of South Carolina’s tough recruiting environment that includes two major Division I programs (Clemson and South Carolina) and five competitive I-AA (Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Furman, South Carolina State and Wofford) programs besides The Citadel that are actively recruiting our state.”
2003 Signees (Alphabetically)
CHARLIE BROOKS QB 6’4 210 CENTRAL HS/ALEXANDER CITY, AL
• First Team All-State
• Central’s Most Valuable Player Award
• Senior Year passed for 700 Yards and rushed for 747 yards.
• Senior year recorded 50 tackles with six interceptions
• Teammate of Bulldog signee Kevin Jones
• Played for coach Jeff Steers
MARCUS BROWN RB 5’10 220 CAMDEN MILITARY/CAMDEN, SC
• Teammate of Bulldog signee Ibin Raheen
• Originally signed with The Citadel in 2001 from Camden High School
• 5000 career yards and Third on the all-time touchdown list
• Led team to State Championship during his senior season.
• Played for coach Eric Boland at Camden Military
CLAY CARTER DL 6’3 230 LEXINGTON HS/LEXINGTON, SC
• Played for coach Jimmy Satterfield
ZACH DIBOIS OL/DL 6’0 280 BLECKLEY COUNTY HS/COCHRAN, GA
• Four year starter
• All Region Selection
• All State Selection
• Two-time Bleckley County Lineman-of-the-Year
• Track & Field State Champion in the discus
• Played for coach Dick Williams
TORY COOPER DB 5’9 180 SOUTH FLORENCE HS/EFFINGHAM, SC
• Senior year rushed for 873 yards
• Played for coach Ken Cribb
DEON DOUGLAS DL 6’2 240 MARLBORO COUNTY HS/BENNETTSVILLE, SC
• All Region Selection
• Recorded 75 tackles and four sacks during his senior season
• Played for coach Dean Boyd
JOHN ESTHER QB 6’2 210 DUNWOODY HS/DUNWOODY, GA
• Dekalb Extra First team All County
• All Region Selection
• All State Selection
• Dunwoody Team Captain
• Dunwoody’s Most Valuable Offensive Player Award winner
• Set Dekalb county record for passing yardage in a single game as he completed 18-of-33 passes for 343 yards
• During his senior year he passed for 1,339 yards and 13 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Jim Teeter
NICK FENDER DL 6’2 240 MARSHALL COUNTY HS/CULLEOKA, TN
• East-West Shriner All-Star game selection
• Finalist for Tennessee’s Mr. Football Award
• Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association First Team All State selection
• Tennessee Associated Press First Team All State selection
• First Team All Mid State
• Two-time Marshall County Most Valuable Player selection
• Senior year recorded 67 tackles and 12 tackles
• Played for Coach Mac McCurry
JOE FREEMAN DL 6’5 255 SOUTHWEST MACON HS/MACON, GA
• Southwest Macon’s Team Captain
• Southwest Macon’s Most Valuable Lineman award recipient
• Recorded 60 tackles and eight sacks during his senior season
• Played for Coach Tommy Macon
TRAVIS GENTRY WR 5’11 170 GILES COUNTY HS/PULASKI, TN
• Tennessee Elite (Top Prospects in Tennessee)
• Two-time All-Region Most Valuable Player
• All-Region Selection
• Giles County Best Defensive Back Award
• Giles County Most Valuable Offensive Back Award
• Played for coach Jackie Smith
NURU GOODRUM FB 6’0 225 PINE FORREST HS/FAYETTEVILLE, NC
• Played for coach Dean Saffos
LUKAS GLEISSNER DL 6’0 250 STATESBORO HS/STATESBORO, GA
• Statesboro’s Team Captain Coaches’ Award
• Statesboro’s Most Valuable Lineman Award
• Senior year recorded 48 pancake blocks and 50 tackles
• Junior year membor of Statesboro’s State Championship Team
• Played for Coach Buzz Buzby
CHRIS GUNTER LB 6’0 225 CENTRAL HS/PHOENIX CITY, AL
• Four-year starter
• Birmingham News Top-50
• Columbus Ledger Enquirer “Dandy Dozen”
• Three-time Opelika-Auburn Newspaper All Region selection
• Birmingham News All-State selection
• Two-time Central HS Most Valuable Defensive lineman
• During his junior year he was a member of Central’s State Championship Team=
• Recorded 256 tackles and 31 tackles for loss
• Played for coach Ron Nelson
ALEX HARTSELL DL 6’3 270 RIDGE VIEW HS/COLUMBIA, SC
• 2002 Stats: 69 tackles with eight tackles for loss and graded out at 92% for the year
• Played for Coach Kirk Burnett
VINCE HILL DB 5’9 160 TUCKER HS/STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
• Played for Coach Bill Ballard
RALEIGH JACKSON LB 6’3 200 ORANGEBURG WILKINSON HS/ORANGEBURG, SC
• Superprep South Carolina Top-30
• SCPigskinprep.com Top-40
• Played for coach Tommy Brown
JOHN JOHNSON OL 6’3 290 TATNALL SQUARE ACADEMY/MACON, GA
• Four-year starter
• Two-time All State selection
• Three-time All Region selection
• Senior year recorded 60 Pancake blocks and graded out at 90% for the season
• Junior year was a member of Tatnall’s State Championship Team
• Played for Coach Barney Hester
KEVIN JONES DL /OL 6’3 250 CENTRAL HS/ALEXANDER CITY, AL
• Two-time Central High School Most Valuable Lineman award recipient
• Senior year recorded 60 tackles with 12 sacks and 30 Pancake blocks
• Teammate of Bulldog signee Charlie Brooks
• Played for coach Jeff Steers
JOSH LAWSON DB 5’11 185 SCOTT’S BRANCH HS/SUMMERTON, SC
• SCHSSR All State selection
• Played for coach Raleigh Jackson (Father fo Bulldog Signee Raleigh Jr.)
CHRIS MURRAY LB 5’10 210 MILFORD ACADEMY/WEST HAVEN, CT
• All State Selection
• Two-time First Team All Conference
• First Team All County
• Milford Academy Two-year Captain
BILLY OWENS OL 6’3 285 HAMILTON EAST HS/TRENTON, NJ
• Was tabbed to New Jersey’s Super 100
• All State Selection
• All Mercer County
• All Area Selection
• Sunshine Foundation Football Classic All-Star game selection
• Hamilton East Team Captain
IBIN RAHEEM DB 5’8 190 CAMDEN MILITARY/MONTCLAIR, NJ
• Teammate of Bulldog Signee Marcus Brown
• Played for Coach Eric Boland
WALEED RUSHDAN WR 6’0 180 WILSON HS/FLORENCE, SC
• North-South All-Star Game Selection
• SCVARSITY All State selection
• SCHSSR All State selection
• SCHSSR Top 100
• Two-time All-Region selection
• Two-time WPDE All Area Team
• Florence Morning News All Pee Dee Team
• 2002 Stats: 62 receptions for 986 yards (Both School Records) and 10 touchdowns
• Career Stats: 115 receptions for 1,884 yards and 21 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Darryl Page
DAVID SMITH DB 5’10 190 A.C. FLORA HS/COLUMBIA, SC
• Two-time The State All Area Team
• SCPIGSKINPREP.COM Top 40
• Recorded 200 career tackles with 20 sacks and 35 tackles for loss
• Played for Coach Robin Bacon
EMMANUEL TURNER LB 6’1 220 AMHERST COUNTY HS/AMHERST, VA
• Two-time All District
• Senior year recorded 115 tackles with six sacks
• All District and All Region performer in Baseball
• Played for Coach Scott Able
RONTREAL TYLER DB/WR 5’11 175 WAGNER SALLEY HS/WAGNER, SC
• Four-year starter
• North-South All-Star Game Selection
• SCHSSR All State
• Augusta Chronicle First Team All Area
• Aiken Standard First Team All Area
• All Region
• Senior year caught 31 passes for 861 yards and recorded 63 tackles with five interceptions
• Played for Coach Rayburn Poston
ROBERT WELLS DB/WR 5’11 165 BROOKLAND CAYCE HS/COLUMBIA, SC
• North-South All-Star Game Selection
• SCPIGSKINPREP.COM All State Selection
• SCPIGSKINPREP.COM Sensational 60
• SCVARSITY.COM All State Selection
• Two-time All Region Selection
• The State All Area Team
• Finished career with 3,850 total all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Brad Coleman
TERREL WILLIAMS RB 6’0 220 PALMETTO HS/WILLIAMSTON, SC
• North-South All-Star Game Selection
• SCHSSR All State
• Skyline Conference Player of the Year
• Three-time First Team All Conference
• SCHSSR Top 100
• Senior year rushed for 2,248 yards and 39 touchdowns
• Led the state in scoring
• Junior year rushed for 1,346 yards and 23 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Tommy Davis
East Tennessee State
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 5, 2002) - East Tennessee State University head football coach Paul Hamilton announced his 2003 recruiting class Wednesday during a press conference at Memorial Center.
The group includes 12 high school signees and three mid-semester transfers. The Buccaneers - who have enjoyed three winning seasons over the last four years - did not have to look far to reload, signing 11 high school seniors from the state of Tennessee.
"I am pleased with the quality of in-state players that we were able to bring into our football program," Hamilton said. "We continue to recruit quality I-AA players that we need to be recruiting in our own state.
"We also are very pleased with the number of linemen that we signed. We felt like that was a big need of our football team after last season, particularly the offensive linemen we brought in have a chance to come in and help our football team."
Player Profiles
Brandon Barnes*6-5*250*Lineman*Chattanooga, Tenn.*East Ridge HS
Team co-captain and a three-year starter ... had 95 tackles and 16 tackles for loss his senior year and also recorded 15 pancake blocks ... voted first-team All-Region and All-State teams in Class 4A ... selected as a Chattanooga Times-Free Press All-Star, as he led his team to consecutive playoff berths, including the region championship his junior year ... a member of his school's track team, where he was a state runner-up in the shot put as a junior ... coached by Tim James.
Walter Brown*5-10*185*Running back/cornerback*Elizabethton, Tenn.*Elizabethton HS
Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Cyclones ... broke two long-standing school records by rushing for 1,678 yards in 10 games to break a record that was 31 years old, and scoring 174 points in a single season to break a record that had stood for 57 years ... a three-sport star who stood out in both basketball and track ... selected Elizabethton's top offensive player in 2002 and the All-Region 4A Player of the Year ... was a Tennessee Sports Writers Association first-team selection ... coached by Tommy Jenkins.
Donald Butcher*6-5*310*Offensive lineman*Chattanooga,*Hixson HS
Led team in pancake blocks and recovered two fumbles defensively as a senior ... was named to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of Preps and preseason All-State teams ... runs a 5.23 40-yard dash and has a 27-inch vertical jump ... bench presses 330 pounds and can squat 425 pounds ... coached by Todd Windham.
Ricky Epps*6-1*260*Defensive lineman*Fort Myers, Fla.*Fort Myers Senior HS
A two-way starter at guard and defensive tackle ... had the second highest blocking percentage on the team and ranked fourth on the team in tackles ... was a first-team All-Southwest Florida selection as a junior ... was a first team All-Southwest Florida and honorable mention All-State pick as a senior ... a team captain in 2002 ... coached by Sammy Sirianni.
James Garmany*6-0*210*Athlete*Dayton, Tenn.*Rhea County HS
A three-year starter, a two-time Chattanooga Times-Free Press All-Area and an All-State selection ... his senior year threw for 700 yards and rushed for 820 ... had seven interceptions including three in one game, which was a school record ... had 1,000 yards receiving, 1,700 yards rushing, and 14 interceptions during his prep career ... has scored a touchdown by kickoff return, interception, rushing, receiving, passing and punt return ... a team captain that was selected to the Tennessee/Kentucky All-Star Game ... coached by Jason Fitzgerald.
Brandon Gibson*6-3*295*Offensive lineman *Sevierville, Tenn.*Sevier County HS
An All-Big East First Team and Mountain Press Lineman of the Year in 2001 ... named first team All-Big East, All-Region and All-State (Coaches team) as a senior in 2002 ... Team captain as a senior and a four-year letterwinner ... was major contributor as a defensive lineman on Class 5A state championship team in 1999 ... had 3.5 grade point average as a senior ... coached by Steve Brewer.
Matthew Hurd*6-3*215*Tight end/linebacker*Kingsport, Tenn.*Sullivan North HS
A four-year varsity player and a team captain ... named all-conference twice after a career in which he recorded 114 unassisted tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks for loss, seven forced fumbles and 34 pancake blocks ... a three-year starter for head coach Gary Harris.
Kenny Harper*5-11*221*Running back*Knoxville, Tenn.*South-Doyle HS
Rushed for a school record 2,200 yards for his career ... his senior season rushed for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also collecting 78 tackles, 1 interception and 2 fumble recoveries ... selected to the TACA Kentucky vs. Tennessee All-Star Game ... TFAC All-State ... All-Big East Conference, All-East Tennessee and All-Knoxville Area in 2001 and 2002 ... State Player of the Week in 2002 ... coached by Jim Swafford.
Reggie Jones*6-1*190*Wide receiver/defensive back*Knoxville, Tenn.*Austin East HS
Started three years at Austin East ... excelled in basketball and track ... had 65 receptions for 1,242 yards, an average of 19.1 yards per catch during his career ... also rushed for 126 yards on 14 carries ... had 18 touchdown receptions and four scores on the ground ... an All-KIL and All-East Tennessee selection ... was a member of the 2001 state championship team at Austin-East ... coached by Stanton Stevens.
Bart McMillan*6-2*215*Linebacker*Bristol, Tenn.*Tennessee HS
Recorded 80 solo tackles, 38 assists, six sacks and caused four fumbles his senior year at linebacker ... also averaged 7.7 yards a carry and had seven touchdowns as a fullback in 2002 ... a team captain his senior year ... was selected All-Conference, All-Northeast Tennessee, All-Big Six Conference and All-State by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, Tennessee Coaches Association and Associated Press ... An All-Conference selection for three years ... finished his career with a school-record 238 tackles, 356 total tackles, 10 forced fumbles and 18 sacks ... a four-year letterwinner in football and a three-year letterwinner in baseball ... coached by Greg Stubbs.
Antonio Minor*6-0*193*Wide receiver/Running back*Knoxville, Tenn.*Fulton HS
Scored 22 touchdowns as a junior and senior, scoring 14 on receptions, six on interception returns and one each via fumble recovery and kickoff return ... runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash ... Had 51 receptions for 1,003 yards and collected 12 interceptions during the 2001 and 2002 seasons ... All-Region, All-East Tennessee and All-State selection ... named Knoxville Football League Player of the Year and the East Tennessee Class AAA Player of the Year ... selected to the Kentucky/Tennessee All-Star game ... coached by Buck Coatney.
Anthony Nelson*6-4*334*Offensive lineman*Kingsport, Tenn.*Virginia Tech
A mid-semester transfer from the Hokies football program ... saw action in seven games as a redshirt sophomore in 2001 ... earned Super Iron Hokie status during both the preseason and winter testing sessions, bench pressing 440 pounds and having a 700-pound back squat ... lettered four years as a two-way tackle at Sullivan South High School ... listed as the No. 2 offensive lineman in the state of Tennessee as a senior by the Kingsport Times-News ... was a prep All-American.
Cameron Northern*6-3*350*Lineman*Los Angeles, Ca.*El Camino College
Two-year player at El Camino College in Torrance, Ca. ... played defensive tackle his first year at El Camino and made the change to offensive line the second season ... helped lead team to Mission Conference Championship in 2001.
Tate Pittman*6-0*235*Linebacker*Mechanicsville, Va.*Oregon
An all-around athletic player, posting a 31-inch vertical jump, squatting 485 pounds and clocking a 4.8 40-yard dash while at Oregon ... was a two-year starter at Arizona Community College before joining the Ducks ... Tallied 80 unassisted tackles among 118 stops as a sophomore in addition to recording five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks to rank among the nation's top 100 junior college prospects by SuperPrep Magazine.
Nick Rivers*6-2*235*Linebacker*Chattanooga, Tenn.*Hixson HS
Had 97 tackles in 2002 to lead his team ... recovered four fumbles (two of which were returned for touchdowns), had six tackles for loss, and one touchdown reception as a tight end ... was a Chattanooga Times-Free Press Preseason Super 13 and Best of Preps selection ... runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash and has a 31-inch vertical jump ... coached by Todd Windham.
Furman
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb announced today
the signing of 14 recruits to national letters of intent.
³We think we¹ve addressed our needs with this recruiting class, but as
always time will tell,² said Lamb early Wednesday afternoon.
In position terms, the Paladins signed three offensive linemen, two
defensive ends, a pair of linebackers, two defensive backs, and two wide
receivers. In addition, Furman inked a quarterback, a fullback, and
tailback.
³From a numbers standout our biggest priorities were offensive line and
linebackers. We had to get three linemen and two linebackers, and we did
that. We¹re also always trying to recruit speed, and the two linebackers we
signed give us that. They are a little small but have the ability to put on
some weight.²
Furman¹s recruiting class features five Palmetto products, including Shrine
Bowl tailback Cedrick Gipson (Summerton, S.C./Lakewood H.S.) and four
North-South All-Star Game participants: defensive end Wallace Artis
(Calhoun Falls, S.C./Calhoun Falls H.S.), quarterback Renaldo Gray
(Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood H.S.), wide receiver Ryan McKie (Simpsonville,
S.C./Hillcrest H.S.), and safety Rico Scott (Columbia, S.C./Ridge View
H.S.).
The Paladins registered their biggest yield in Georgia, landing six
recruits. They include linebackers Clifton Dortch (Decatur, Ga./Chamblee
H.S.) and Gary Nelson (Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius Catholic School);
offensive linemen Reggie Goolsby (Monticello, Ga./Monticello H.S.); and
cornerback Andrew Thacker (Cumming, Ga./Gainesville H.S.). In addition,
Furman added two transfers with Georgia roots, including fullback Taylor
Ownbey (Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth H.S.) from West Virginia University and
offensive lineman Andrew Thornburg (Snellville, Ga./Brookwood, H.S.) from
Air Force Academy. Ownbey enrolled at Furman in early January and has four
years of eligibility remaining, and Thornburg, who has three season of
eligibility, will enroll on March 3 for the beginning of spring term.
Furman¹s two signees from Alabama, defensive end Turner Burton and wide
receiver Patrick Sprague, were both teammates at Birmingham¹s Mountain Brook
High School.
The Paladins also inked North Carolina offensive linemen Scott Shuford
(Charlotte, N.C./Independence H.S.).
Furman, which opens spring practice on March 4, returns 15 starters off its
2002 squad, which went 8-4 and earned the program¹s fourth straight NCAA
I-AA playoff appearance on the way to a No. 9 Sports Network final ranking.
WALLACE ARTIS, DE
6-4, 240, Freshman
Calhoun Falls, South Carolina
Calhoun Falls High School
Three-year letterman and two-year starter as a defensive end and offensive
lineman...as a senior earned all-region honors both ways and was an
All-Lakelands and all-state selection at defensive end...also named team
most valuable player...totaled 87 tackles in helping his team to a 13-1
record and state A semifinal finish in 2002...beat defending state champion
Ninety-Six to claim region title...South Carolina North-South All-Star Game
participant and recipient of Doug Shaw Memorial Scholarship...tallied 75
tackles and was named team most improved on a 7-4 team his junior
year...totaled 201 tackles, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two
forced fumbles in his career...football coach was Jimmy Towe...also
recruited by South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Duke, and Georgia
Southern.
Personal: Full name is Wallace Artis III...son of Tessa and Wallace Artis,
Jr...born July 25, 1984, in Port Arthur, Texas...is the oldest of six
boys...moved from Texas to South Carolina prior to the start of his
sophomore year.
TURNER BURTON, DE
6-3, 235, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Mountain Brook High School
Three-year letterman and two-year starter at offensive tackle who also saw
action at offensive guard and fullback...is projected to play defensive end
at Furman...earned All-Over The Mountain and all-metro team honors a senior
in helping Mountain Brook to a 13-1 record, Region 7 championship, and 6A
state semifinal finish...started at offensive tackle in 10 of 12 games as a
junior on 10-2 squad...also recruited by Samford and UAB.
Personal: Full name is Robert Turner Burton...son of Rob and Nancy
Burton...born March 28, 1985, in Birmingham, Alabama...great-grandfather,
Fred Sington, was a two-time All-America offensive tackle at Alabama, member
of the Tide¹s 1930 national championship team, 1955 inductee into the
National Football Foundation Hall-of-Fame, and member of the Alabama Sports
Hall-of-Fame...had two other uncles, Dave Sington (1956-68) and Fred
Sington, Jr. (1958-59), play football for Alabama.
CLIFTON DORTCH, LB
6-0, 200, Freshman
Decatur, Georgia
Chamblee High School
Four-year letterman who played linebacker and tight end during his prep
tenure...registered 187 tackles, 15 sacks, 30 tackles-for-loss, six fumble
recoveries, and an interception in his career...served as team captain and
earned 4A all-region honors on a 6-4 team his senior year...in all tallied
56 tackles, four sacks, nine tackles-for-loss, three caused fumbles, and a
fumble recovery in 2002...was sidelined for much of 2001 with a sprained
knee...set a school power clean record with a lift of 310 pounds...football
coach at Chamblee was Wade Beale...was also recruited by Lehigh, Middle
Tennessee State, Georgia Southern, and Appalachian State...competed in
track.
Personal: Full name is Clifton Lee Dortch...son of Leatha Dortch...born
February 17, 1985, in Brooklyn, New York.
CEDRICK GIPSON, TB
5-8, 200, Freshman
Summerton, South Carolina
Lakewood High School
Three-year starter at running back who rushed for a school season record
1,702 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior in helping Lakewood to the state
3A playoffs...named team most valuable player...selected Sumter Daily Item
Area Player-of-the-Year and all-state...was a Shrine Bowl pick and finalist
for South Carolina High School Sports Report Mr. Football...named to
academic all-area squad...rushed for 229 yards and four touchdowns against
Dreher...ran for 188 yards and scored game winning touchdown in 18-17
triumph over Manning in 2002...as a sophomore broke Lakewood¹s single game
rushing record with 250 yards and five touchdowns in 50-0 win over AC
Flora...career rushing statistics include 531 attempt, 3,203 yards, and 35
touchdowns...football coach was Greg Crolley...was recruited by Oregon and
nearly all Southern Conference schools, including Elon...claimed a region
weightlifting title and was a member of the 4x100 meter relay region
championship team...also competed in the 100 and 200 meter dash.
Personal: Full name is Cedrick Samal Gipson...son of Isaiah Moore and
Charlene Gipson...born November 23, 1984, in Manning, South Carolina...has
six brothers and sisters.
REGGIE GOOLSBY, OL
6-1, 278, Freshman
Monticello, Georgia
Monticello High School
Helps comprise a contingent of three offensive linemen in Furman¹s 2003
recruiting class...played center and started all four years at
Monticello...served as team captain and garnered 7-AA All-Region
honors...took home his team¹s best offensive lineman award in
2002...football coach was Steve Patterson...won region championships in the
shot put and discus his junior year...served as basketball team captain.
Personal: Full name is Reginald Jerome Goolsby...son of Norris and Deborah
Goolsby...born January 1, 1985, in Monticello, Georgia...father played
football at Fort Valley State.
RENALDO GRAY, QB
6-0, 213, Freshman
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood High School
Product of highly successful Greenwood program coached by Shell Dula...made
the rare move from tight end and defensive end to quarterback his senior
year...responded by earning All-Lakelands and all-region honors after
throwing for a school record 2,431 yards while helping his squad to a 10-3
record, region championship, and semifinal finish in 4A state
playoffs...also rushed for 630 yards to finish with 3,061 yards in total
offense in 2002...participated in South Carolina North-South All-Star
Game...earned all-region offensive and defensive honors on 10-3 region
championship team in 2001, tallying 40 receptions for 600 yards and 12
touchdowns along with 45 tackles, including 10 for loss...had 10 receptions
for 120 yards his sophomore year, including a touchdown pass in Greenwood¹s
state championship game victory to complete a 13-2 campaign...program did
not lose a region game during his four-year career...was recruited by Wake
Forest, Chattanooga, The Citadel, and Presbyterian...also starred in
basketball at Greenwood.
Personal: Full name is Renaldo Quinterio Gray...son of Floyd and Verneilla
Gray...born April 1, 1985, in Greenwod, South Carolina.
RYAN MCKIE, WR
5-11, 180, Freshman
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Hillcrest High School
Three-time all-region 4A ³Big 16² selection as a wide receiver...also played
defensive back and returned kickoffs and punts during his prep
career...selected to play in South Carolina North-South All-Star
Game...caught 12 passes for 144 yards and five touchdowns against Laurens in
2002...totaled 45 receptions for 550 yards and a score as a
junior...established a new school record with 61 receptions for 808 yards
and four touchdowns as a sophomore in 2000, including a seven-reception,
123-yard, four-touchdown performance versus Laurens...football coach was
Dewayne Garrick...was also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Vanderbilt,
and Coastal Carolina...standout performer in track...finished sixth in the
state 400 meter hurdles as a junior....is a two-time national junior olympic
pentathlon champion and two-time national bronze medalist in the pentathlon
and decathlon.
Personal: Full name is James Ryan McKie...son of James and Demetra
McKie...born January 14, 1985, in Columbia, South Carolina...father played
football at University of South Carolina and was the backup to Heisman
Trophy winner George Rogers, whose son, Brandon Poole, is a rising senior
defensive end for the Paladins...cousin B.J. McKie, played basketball at
South Carolina.
GARY NELSON, LB
6-0, 200, Freshman
Stone Mountain, Georgia
St. Pius X Catholic School
Two-year starter who registered action at tailback, linebacker, and
defensive end as a prep...had 20 tackles, a sack, and a quarterback pressure
as a defensive end to go along with 503 yards rushing and five touchdowns as
a senior...also caught seven passes for 42 yards...helped paced St. Pius to
a 7-4 record in 2002 and only the program¹s fourth 4A state playoff
appearance in 26 years...rushed for 421 yards and three touchdowns and
notched 25 tackles playing linebacker his junior year...football coach was
Paul Standard...was also recruited by Lehigh and West Georgia.
Personal: Full name is Gary John Nelson, Jr....son of Gary and Greta
Nelson...born September 6, 1984, in Los Angeles, California...aunt, Cherie
Nelson, was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection and conference basketball
player-of-the-year selection for the 1987-88 season.
TAYLOR OWNBEY, FB
6-0, 235, Freshman (Transfer)
Cumming, Georgia
South Forsyth High School
Transfer from West Virginia who enrolled at Furman beginning with winter
term...will take part in spring practice...has four years of eligibility
remaining...four-year starter who played both fullback and linebacker at
South Forsyth High School...career statistics include 209 rushes for 1,219
yards and 17 touchdowns, 550 tackles, 13 sacks, 23 tackles-for-loss, and
nine fumble recoveries...totaled 212 stops, 10 tackles-for-loss, and three
sacks as a senior in helping his squad to a 10-3 record and state 3A state
quarterfinal finish...named Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) all-state and
Gainesville Times Northeast Georgia Player-of-the-Year in 2001...was rated
as one of Georgia¹s Top 50 Prospects by the AJC and a PrepStar
All-American...as a junior recorded 148 tackles and six sacks despite
playing with two broken bones in his left wrist...had 121 tackles and a pair
of sacks as a sophomore and 71 tacklkes and two sacks in 1998, his freshman
year...four-time all-county pick...football coach was Norris Vaughn...was
recruited by Georgia, Mississippi State, Mississippi, West Virginia, Middle
Tennessee State, and Georgia Southern as a high school senior...also
excelled in wrestling and as a baseball catcher, earning all-county and
all-state honors.
Personal: Full name is Wade Taylor Ownbey...son of Murphy and Pam
Ownbey...born August, 24, 1983, in Cooekville, Tennessee...father played
football at Carson-Newman.
RICO SCOTT, S
6-0, 195, Freshman
Columbia, South Carolina
Ridge View High School
Three-year starter who registered action at strong safety, free safety, and
cornerback at Ridge View High School...totaled 276 tackles and two
interceptions in his career...two-time all-area honoree... 2002 South
Carolina North-South All-Star Game participant...tallied 107 tackles, six
pass deflections, and three tackles-for-loss as a senior...set a school
record with 22 tackles during his junior season on the way to 110 tackles,
five caused fumbles, and a pair of interceptions...had 59 tackles as a
sophomore...football coach was former Paladin standout wide receiver and
1987 Furman graduate Kirk Burnett...was recruited by Navy, Wofford, The
Citadel, Western Carolina, and Coastal Carolina...outstanding
student...recipient of the West Point Leadership and National Football
Foundation and Hall-of-Fame Scholar Athlete Awards...was a National
Achievement Scholarship Finalist.
Personal: Full name is Yonrico Vondez Scott II...son of Yonrico Scott and
Charmaine Evans...born July 19, 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia...father played
football at Kentucky State and was an outstanding musician who played with
groups and artists including Pebo Bryson, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, After
7, The Wiz, and currently The Derek Trucks Band.
SCOTT SHUFORD, OL
6-3, 270, Freshman
Charlotte, North Carolina
Independence High School
Highly decorated product of one of North Carolina¹s most successful football
programs that included quarterback Chris Leak, considered by many to be the
nation¹s top high school senior in 2002...three-year starter at left tackle
who also handled long snapping duties...helped pace Independence to a 47-1
record and three state 4A championships during his tenure, including active
46-game winning streak...2002 and 2001 squads each posted 16-0 records and
sophomore team went 15-1...played in 2002 East-West Shrine Bowl...three-time
All-Charlotte Observer and All-Meckenburg County selection...two-time
all-conference and all-state honoree...was recruited by Army, William &
Mary, Richmond, and Appalachian State...also wrestled and competed in track
& field.
Personal: Full name is Scott William Shuford...son of Burt Shuford...born
January 16, 1985, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
PATRICK SPRAGUE, WR
6-0, 175, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Mountain Brook High School
Three-year starter who saw action as a wide receiver, quarterback,
placekicker, and punter at Mountain Brook High School, where he was a
teammate of Paladin defensive end signee Turner Burton...career statistics
include 98 receptions for 1,560 yards and 10 touchdowns...averaged 40.0
yards per punt...earned team most valuable player, all-metro, and second
team all-state honors as a receiver in 2002 after helping his squad to a
13-1 record and state 6A semifinal finish...caught 52 passes for 853 yards
and 12 touchdowns...also completed 6-of-8 passes for four
touchdowns...scored five touchdowns in one game his senior year...as a
junior caught 46 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns, and scored 98
points as the team¹s kicker, earning all-metro honors...football coach was
Joey Jones...was recruited by Vanderbilt, UAB, SMU, Middle Tennessee State,
and Samford...also starred in basketball and baseball...currently averaging
17.0 ppg in basketball on team ranked sixth in state.
Personal: Full name is Patrick Foster Sprague...son of Richard and Patricia
Sprague...born August 30, 1984, in Birmingham, Alabama.
ANDREW THACKER, CB
6-0, 185, Freshman
Cumming, Georgia
Gainesville High School
Three-year starter who exceled at both free safety and wide receiver during
his prep tenure...compiled 257 tackles, nine interceptions, 941 receiving
yards, 507 yards rushing, and 20 touchdowns in his career, helping
Gainesville to a four year record of 43-9 record and state playoff
appearance each year...fashioned a brilliant senior season, tallying 125
tackles and six interceptions, four of which he returned for
touchdowns...also returned a fumble for a score...as a receiver caught 35
passes for 634 yards and eight touchdowns...caught nine passes for 124 yards
and recorded 11 tackles and three pass deflections in state 3A semifinal
game versus Screven County...named team most valuable player, all-area, and
all-state after helping Gainesville to a 13-1 record and No. 3 final ranking
in 2002...tabbed academic all-state...as a junior totaled 58 tackles and an
interception...also rushed for 423 yards and totaled 307 yards in receptions
while accounting for six touchdowns on 12-2 team, state semifinal
squad...had 74 tackles and two pickoffs in 2000, his sophomore
year...football coach was step-father, Bruce Miller...was recruited by
Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Western
Carolina, and Wofford...also played basketball and competed in track &
field...two-time 400 meter region champion...finished as region runnerup in
the 200 meters his sophomore year.
Personal: Full name is Andrew Jay Thacker...son of Mickey
Thacker...step-parents are Bruce and Donna Miller...born May 31, 1985, in
Cartersville, Georgia.
ANDREW THORNBURG, OL
6-2, 265, Sophomore (Transfer)
Snellville, Georgia
Brookwood High School
Transfer from Air Force Academy who will enroll at Furman on March 3 for the
beginning of spring term...will take part in spring practice...has three
years of eligibility remaining...standout offensive guard at Brookwood High
School, where he played for Dave Hunter...started 23 consecutive games over
his junior and senior seasons...earned first team All-Gwinnett County honors
following a 5-5 season in 2001...as a junior helped lead Brookwood to an
11-2 record and 5A state quarterfinals...in addition to Furman, was
recruited by Ohio and Air Force out of high school...also competed in track
& field, specializing in the discus.
Personal: Full name is Paul Andrew Thornburg...son of Paul and Debra
Thornburg...born February 13, 1984, in Sarasota, Florida.
Georgia Southern
STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia Southern Head Football Coach Mike Sewak
announced Feb. 5 that 21 student-athletes have signed national
letters-of-intent with the six-time defending Southern Conference Champion
Eagle football program:
KENARD BRADFORD, QB, 5-10, 180, Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS)
Accounted for over 30 touchdowns as a starting quarterback during his
junior and senior seasons at Apopka High School ...Guided Blue Darter
offensive unit, which is very similar to Georgia Southern’s triple-option
attack and produced current Eagle record-setting signal-caller Chaz
Williams ... Helped guide Apopka to Florida 6-A State Championship in 2001
as a junior ... Also started on defensive side of ball as a free safety and
was program’s top punt return specialist ... Clocked at 4.50 in the 40-yard
dash.
WILL CAMPBELL, RB, 5-10, 180, Sylvania, Ga. (Screven County HS)
Played key role as wingback for Screven County program which made four
consecutive state playoffs appearances and captured three straight region
titles ... Helped guide Gamecocks to Class AAA state title with a perfect
15-0 record as a senior in 2002 ... Three-year starter ... Rushed for 555
yards and six touchdowns in 2002 ... Averaged 8.2 yards per carry ...
Topped SCHS in receptions as a junior and senior ... Recorded 493 receiving
yards and five TD receptions during senior campaign – an average of 20.5
yards per catch ... Also excelled as program’s top punt return specialist
with a 23.3 average and a pair of scores ... A two-time all-region
selection ... Selected as the Region 2-AAA Player-of-the-Year in 2002 ...
Chosen to the all-state squad (honorable mention).
NATE CROOKSHANK, QB/FS, 5-11, 185, Nanty Glo, Pa. (Bishop Carroll HS)
A four-year letterman and three-year starter at quarterback for Bishop
Carroll’s option attack ... Key performer on both sides of the ball for a
program which compiled a 32-8 record and back-to-back state semifinal
appearances ... Chosen to a pair of first-team all-state squads in 2002 –
Associated Press (defensive back), Pennsylvania Football News (combined
athlete) ... Selected to the all-state (second-team) unit as a junior ...
Recorded 1,278 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing for 1,071
yards and 13 scores in 2002 ... Defensively, was credited with 101 tackles
and picked off four passes ... Ran for 3,938 yards and scored 41 TDs while
passing for 3,070 yards and 30 touchdowns over the course of his career ...
Posted 349 career stops with a school-record 19 interceptions as a member
of the defensive secondary ... Rated as the No. 35 prospect in Pennsylvania
and listed as the No. 24 prospect in the Northeast according to Rivals ..
Was named the Huskies’ team MVP and nominated for the “Big 33" in
Pennsylvania ... Also earned honors from the Laurel Highlands Conference
and Southern Allegheny Football Coaches Association as the offensive MVP
... Also garnered an offensive player-of-the-year selection by the
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat ... Strong performer in classroom as well,
earning inclusion to the all-state academic team by the Pennsylvania
Football News as a sophomore, junior and senior.
JAYSON FOSTER, QB, 5-8, 170, Canton, Ga. (Cherokee County HS)
A three-year football letterman for Cherokee County High School ... Rushed
for 1,700 yards and passed for 700 yards while accounting for 25 offensive
touchdowns as a senior ... Selected as Cherokee County’s Offensive
Player-of-the-Year and was picked to all-county, all-region and all-state
squads in 2002 ... Named Region 6-AAAAA Player-of-the-Year ... Chosen as
program’s offensive MVP, Scholar-Athlete and served as team captain ...
Cited as “Back-of-the-Week” by Atlanta Touchdown Club during course of
senior season ... An all-county and all-region (honorable mention) choice
as a quarterback in 2001 as a junior ... Voted school’s offensive player-of
the-year as a sophomore and junior ... Also garnered all-county and
all-region accolades while earning selection as county’s
offensive-player-of-the-year as a sophomore wide receiver ... Earned four
additional letters in track and three in basketball ... A Wendy’s Heisman
nominee ... A two-time basketball defensive player-of-the-year honoree ...
Captured county long jump title as a sophomore ... A four-year Honor Roll
student ... Earned inclusion to prestigious Who’s Who Among American High
School Students listing ... Member of Mayor’s Youth Design Team during
sophomore year ... Maintained a 3.73 grade point average throughout high
school career.
LYNON JEFFERSON, RB/WR, 5-10, 175, Guyton, Ga. (Effingham County HS)
Selected as the Region 3-AAAAA Player-of-the–Year as an all-purpose back
for the Rebels ... Averaged 8.6 yards per rush after picking up 335 yards
and six touchdowns on 39 attempts ... Converted one two-point conversion
and recorded a long run of 52 yards ... As a receiver, caught eight passes
for 186 yards and three TDs – an average of 23.3 yards per reception ...
Was Effingham County’s top return threat, serving on both kickoff and punt
return squads ... Brought back 14 kickoffs for 336 yards (24.0 ypr),
including one for a score (90 yards) ... Also netted 37.0 yards per punt
return (6-222) ... Posted three punt return touchdowns (64, 80 and 42
yards) ... As a member of the defensive secondary, was credited with 26
total tackles (21 solo) ... Also recorded three forced fumbles and five
pass breakups ... Picked off four passes and returned two for TDs (62 and
47 yards) ... Responsible for a total of 15 touchdowns during senior season
... A first-team Savannah Morning News All-Coastal Empire selection ...
Cited as the WTOC-TV (Savannah) and WSAV-TV (Savannah) Player-of-the-Week
during the course of the 2002 campaign ... Logged 4.37 time in the 40-yard
dash.
DANE JENSEN, OL, 6-3, 255, Jacksonville, Fla. (Ed White HS)
An all-state (second team) pick for Ed White High School in 2002 ... Named
to the first team unit of the All-Gateway Conference and all-district
squads ... Also chosen by the Florida Times Union to its All-First Coast
squad ... Strong performer in classroom, earning place on first unit of the
Duval County All-Academic Team.
TIMOTHY KIRK, DL/OL, 5-11, 275, Dawson, Ga. (Terrell County HS)
A two-way starter for Terrell County High School ... Opened as tackle on
offensive and defensive lines as a junior and senior ... Earned three
football letters ... A three-time recipient of program’s “Golden Helmet
Award” in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
MARQUICE MAYNARD, RB, 5-7, 170, Senoia, Ga. (East Coweta HS)
Rushed for 594 yards and six touchdowns on 82 carries as a senior, an
average of 7.2 yards per attempt ... Also averaged 11.4 yards per reception
after catching 37 passes for 421 yards ... Earned selection to the
all-region and all-county squads ... Also named to the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution’s All-Area team ... Credited with 25 total tackles (15
solo) and one interception as member of the defensive unit ... Was one of
ECHS’s top return men – bringing back 14 kickoffs for 380 yards (27.1 ypr)
... Finished prep career with 721 rushing yards and seven scores on 116
attempts (6.2 ypc) ... In all, caught 64 passes for 905 yards and four TDs
– averaging 14.1 yards per reception ... Totaled 469 yards on 19 kickoff
returns (24.7 ypr) during career ... Recipient of program’s “Ironman” award
symbolizing work in weight room ... Ran 40-yard dash in 4.39.
KEN MIDDLETON, RB, 5-10, 187, Vidalia, Ga. (Vidalia HS)
A three-year football and two-year track letterman at Vidalia High School
... Earned first-team all-state honors from the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution in 2002 after being selected to the AJ-C honorable
mention squad as a junior ... A two-year all-region (3-AA) pick as a
running back during junior and senior seasons ... Accounted for 1,801
all-purpose yards and 36 combined touchdowns as a senior running back and
wide receiver after amassing 1,547 combined yards in 2001 ... Team MVP ...
Cited as the WTOC-TV (Savannah) Player-of-the-Year in 2002 while earning
player-of-the-week kudoes from WSAV-TV (Savannah) ... Also chosen as a
member of the Savannah Morning News’ All-Coastal Empire squad at the
conclusion of junior and senior campaigns.
LEE MILES, QB/DB, 5-8, 180, Cartersville, Ga. (Hargrave Military Prep)
Starred at Hargrave Military Prep School in 2002 after enjoying illustrious
prep career at Cartersville High School ... Multi-position performer at
Hargrave, seeing action at quarterback at wide receiver ... Possesses a
40-time of 4.41 and a vertical jump of 37.0" ... Four-year overall starter
for CHS who enjoyed career record of 49-5 ... Opened last three years as
squad’s top quarterback ... Helped guide program to 1999 state title as a
sophomore ... Rushed for 1,674 yards and 26 touchdowns while passing for
1,123 yards and 13 scores as a senior in 2001 ... Led team to 12-2 mark and
trip to state semifinals at Georgia Dome senior season ... Chosen as the
State of Georgia Class-AA Player-of-the-Year and was a member of the
all-state squad in 2001... Member of the Team Georgia squad which played in
the Georgia-Tennessee All-Star Game ... Had distinct honor of accounting
for touchdowns in six different ways during career (passing, rushing,
receiving, punt return, interception return and fumble return) ... Also is
an all-state performer in baseball ... Slugged 15 home runs as a sophomore
and eight as a senior.
J.T. NASH, DB, 6-1, 180, Griffin, Ga. (Griffin HS)
An all-area and all-region selection as a senior in 2002 for Griffin High
School ... Earned three letters in football, basketball and track during
prep career ... Credited with 31 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two
interceptions during senior year ... Excelled as member of special teams,
topping all region performers in kickoff returns in 2002 with a 28.0
yards-per-return aaverage ... A state track meet qualifier in the 200-meter
event (21.4).
RUSSELL ORR, OL, 6-3, 250, Thomasville, Ga. (Thomas County Central HS)
A three-year letterman and starter at the offensive tackle position at
Thomas County Central High School ... Named to the first unit of the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s All-State Team in 2002 ... A two-year
all-region choice ... Also served as program’s long and short snapper ...
Earned two additional letters as baseball standout.
CORTEZ REED, DE, 6-3, 225, Folkston, Ga. (Hargrave Military Prep)
A two-time All-Region 2-AA selection for Charlton County High School (2000,
2001) before playing on the defensive line for Hargrave Military
Preparatory School in 2002 ... Finished prep career with 100 tackles, 13
sacks and four fumble recoveries (one each season) ... Credited with 52
tackles and 5.5 sacks as a senior ... Also caught one pass for a touchdown
(two yards) in 2001 ... Made 36.5 stops and logged 5.5 sacks as a junior in
2000 after totaling eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in 1999 ... Experienced
varsity action as a freshman and responded with 3.5, tackles and half a sack.
DREW ROBINSON, LB, 6-1, 210, Cedartown, Ga. (Cedartown HS)
Played key figure in Cedartown’s 45-9 record and four state playoff
appearances ... Part of prep squad which captured three regional titles
(1999, 2000, 2001) and garnered state runner-up status (2001) ... Finished
career with 326 tackles, 21.5 sacks 12 fumble recoveries and nine
interceptions ... Also credited with 36 tackles for lost yardage ...
Responsible for 11 defensive touchdowns ... Offensively, rushed for 2,106
career yards on 246 carries – an average of 8.6 yards per attempt ...
Caught 46 passes for 1,164 yards (25.3 ypr) ... Accounted for a total of 43
touchdowns on offensive side of ball ... An Atlanta Journal-Constitution
All-State (first-team) selection as a linebacker ... A three-time
first-team All-Rome Area pick (linebacker in 2000, fullback in 2001 and
all-purpose back in 2002) ... Listed among Top 100 Georgia Prospects ...
Recipient of Bulldog Team Defensive Award as a sophomore and Bulldog Team
Combination Award as a junior ... Selected as the All-Rome Area
Player-of-the-Week twice during career (vs. Pickens County in 2001, vs.
Harralson County as a senior) ... Named to pre-season all-state unit as a
linebacker prior to 2002 campaign.
DEMORRIS RUSSELL, DL, 6-1, 265, Roswell, Ga. (Centennial HS)
A three-year letterman at Centennial High School ... Logged 24 solo tackles
and 17 assists in 2002 to earn first-team all-state honors from the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution ... Also credited with 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks,
11 quarterback “pressures”, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and two
batted passes as team captain ... Other AJ-C honors include Fulton County
Defensive Player-of-the-Year, selection to the all-region squad (first
team) and inclusion on Fulton County’s “Super 11" ... Named Centennial’s
Defensive Player-of-the-Year and was the recipient of the program’s
Excaliber and Team Captain Awards ... Recorded 53 solo stops and 19
assists as a junior in 2001 while earning first-team all-region accolades
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... Chosen as team’s defensive
lineman of the year ... Also booked 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven
quarterback “pressures”, two recovered fumbles and one forced fumble.
ERIC SELBACH, DL, 6-3, 235, Kissimmee, Fla. (Osceola HS)
A two-year all-district and all-county performer in 2001 and 2002 for
Osceola High School ... Selected as the squad’s defensive MVP as a senior
... A honorable mention all-state choice in 2002 ... Earned membership to
Central Florida All-Star Team at conclusion of prep career.
BOBBY SHERMAN, LB, 6-0, 210, Birmingham, Ala. (Briarwood Christian HS)
Earned three football letters for Briarwood Christian and helped lead Lions
to 35-6 record in 2000, 2001 and 2002 ... An all-state and all-metro
selection ... Credited with 157 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four
sacks, three recovered fumbles, one forced fumble and 13 quarterback
“pressures” in 2002 ... Chosen to first unit of Over The Mountain and
Birmingham’s Best in High School Football as a senior ... Cited as city’s
defensive player-of-the-week on two occasions ... Also earned additional
athletic letters in golf (four) and basketball (three) ... An all-county
golf standout ... Served as President of the local chapter of Fellowship of
Christian Athletes.
REGINALD THOMAS, DE, 6-1, 220, Albany, Ga. (Dougherty HS)
A four-year letterwinner at Dougherty High School who served as co-captain
in 2002 ... Selected to the first-team of the all-region (AAAA) and
all-county squads ... Earned additional letters in track (discus throw) ...
Served as sophomore (2000-01), junior (2001-02) and senior (2002-03) class
president ... Member of the National Honor Roll and is listed among the
Who’s Who Among American High School Students ... A FBLA (Future Business
Leaders of America) member for six years and six-time Public Speaker
Contest winner ... State Officer and Region I President for the Georgia
FLBA ... Participated with the Academic Decathlon Team and earned awards in
language arts, economics and mathematics ... Was sports editor of the DHS
yearbook ... Nominated for the Career & Technology Education
Student-of-the-Year Award as a junior and senior ... An Alpha Phi Alpha
Mentor program participant in 2001-02 ... Actively involved in community,
serving numerous organizations such as the Keep Dougherty-Albany Beautiful
Community Project, Volunteer Albany, Greater Bethesda Baptist Association
Youth Department (President), Black in Government (oratorical contest
winner), Boys Club of Albany, Boy Scouts of America, 4-H (three-time public
speaker winner) and Make-A-Difference Day.
JOSEPH TUTTLE, DL, 6-4, 240, Spring Hill, Fla. (Land O’ Lakes HS)
A three-year, two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines for Land
O’ Lakes High School ... Helped lead program to 12-1 overall record,
conference and district titles as a senior ... Selected to the all-county
squads by the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune in 2002 ... A two-time
first-team All-Sunshine Athletic Conference pick as a junior and senior ...
Chosen to the All-North Suncoast unit (first team) in 2002 ... Named to the
first-team of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-District 8 squad
... Also served as team’s top long snapper ... Earned additional athletic
letter in baseball (pitcher).
LANCE WATKINS, OL, 6-1, 275, North Augusta, S.C. (North Augusta HS)
Listed among South Carolina’s Top 50 High School Football Prospects ...
Earned selection to the all-region, all-area (first-team) and All-Aiken
County squads ... Credited with 72 knock-downs and 31 “pancake” blocks as a
senior in 2002 ... Chosen to participate in the North-South All-Star game
... Recipient of North Augusta’s Team Character Award.
T.J. WATKINS, DE, 6-2, 255, Franklin, Ga. (Heard County HS)
A three-sport athlete for Heard County High School ... Won four football
letters and played key role in the turnaround of a Braves program which
recorded a 10-2 mark and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs
in 2002 after an 0-11 campaign in 2001 ... Credited with a total of 58
tackles (34 solo, 24 assists) ... Established a new school record with 22
tackles for loss while also contributing with three sacks, two forced
fumbles and four quarterback “hurries” ... Earned all-region honors as a
two-way starter (defensive end, tight end) ... Selected as HCHS’s
lineman-of-the-year by teammates ... Was chosen as MVP of basketball team
in 2001-2002 and will finish prep career with over 1,000 points and 1,000
rebounds ... Also earned track letters as one of top discus throwers in
region ... Excels in classroom as well, expecting to graduate with a 3.50
grade point average or better.
Quotes from Georgia Southern Head Coach Mike Sewak:
“We’re certainly happy with this particular class. I thought we addressed
our needs well with the addition of some outstanding lineman on both sides
of the ball. We feel like they are outstanding prospects who can come in
and make an immediate contribution., In fact, I’d be awfully surprised if
we red-shirted all of them. We are all impressed with their foot speed,
quickness, intensity and their ability to explode to the ball ...”
“... We always try and recruit the best athletes which is why we are
excited to have been able to bring four new quarterbacks into our system.
Some of those particular guys can also play other position as well which
enables us to have an added sense of versatility. We are in a fortunate
position. We wanted to go after the bigger players, which we got, but we
didn’t have to sacrifice any of our team speed which is such a pivotal part
of our program. I think this group will certainly hold their own, that’s
for sure.”
VMI
LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI head football coach Cal McCombs announced the signings
of eight recruits to national letters-of-intent on the first day of the
signing period. A list of the signees is followed by biographical
information.
2003 VMI FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Sean Hill , DB, 5-10, 170, Stafford, Va., Colonial Forge
Four-year letterman who played wide receiver, running back, and defensive
back...named team MVP and most improved player...All-Commonwealth district
defensive back...lettered four years and track as a sprinter where he was
team MVP and gained All-American and All-State status.
Jehan Keitt, LB, 6-4, 205, Richmond, Va., Franklin Military
First team All-District in 2002 and second team All-District in
2001...three-year letterman...also lettered two years in basketball and
played on a district championship team...lettered one year in track and won
the 55 meters in the East Coast Inviational...honorable mention All-Region
in 2002...earned All-Academic status for football in 2002...Eagle
Scout...Who's Who Among American High School Students...father John Keitt
played football at Virginia Union and uncle George Archer played at Air
Force.
Charlie Liesfeld, DE, 6-4, 230, Richmond, Va., Monacan/Fork Union Military
All-Metro and All-District selection...racked up 50 tackles as a senior with
10 ½ sacks and 48 tackles with 11 sacks as a junior...played a year at Fork
Union Military Academy under head coach John Shuman (VMI '80)
Tommy Lloyd, TE/LB, 6-5, 220, Staunton, Va., Riverheads
Lettered four years at Riverheads playing tight end, defensive end, and
quarterback...earned All-State, All-Region, and All-District honors and was
2002 All-City/County Player of the Year...lettered two years in track in the
high hurdles and placed first in the district and regionals and qualified
for the state championships...lettered four years in basketball at center.
Casey Pnazek, DL, 6-4, 230, Alabaster, Ala., Thompson
Three-year letterman at defensive tackle and served as team captain...posted
career stats of 135 tackles, 10 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and four
caused fumbles...named the team's most valuable defensive
lineman...All-Shelby County football team...Birmingham News and Birmingham
Post All-Metro honorable mentions...won the Thompson High School Ironman
award...ranked in Alabama High School Football Yearbook as a top 10
defensive lineman...father Kurt Pnazek lettered four years in basketball at
Birmingham Southern College.
Adam Reel, LB/DE, 6-3, 250, Lexington, Va., Virginia Episcopal
A second All-State selction in 2002 and three-time first team
All-Conference...second team All-Region as a senior...team MVP in 2001 and
2002 and served as team captain his senior year...averaged 12.3 tackles per
game over his junior and senior years...also lettered four years in lacrosse
at VES and was first team All-State as a defenseman two seasons...earned two
letters as a heavyweight wrestler and two years in indoor track in the shot
put...member of school honor committee and active in school glee club and
theater...played in the Commonwealth games in lacrosse...brother Andy is VMI
'03 and was a wide receiver for the Keydet football team.
Seth Richardson, LB/DE, 6-3, 240, Chesapeake, Va., Atlantic Shores Christian
2002 First Team All-State and was 2002 team MVP...Second team All-State at
quarterback in 2001...lettered four years at quarterback and also played
linebacker...led Atlantic Shores to the Division II 2001 and 2002 State
Championships when the teams went a combined 22-1...holds school records for
passing yardage and completions as well as touchdown passes...an honor roll
student and Who's Who Among America High School Students...father Oscar
White Richardson III is VMI '75.
Cliff Schademan, LB, 6-1, 220, Bethel Park, Pa., Bethel Park Senior
All- Conference and Terrific 25 selectee...two-year Almanac
All-Star...lettered three years and played inside linebacker and tight
end...BIG 33 nominee...served as team captain...honor roll student...Father
William Schademan is VMI Class of 1980 and played football for the Keydets.
Western Carolina
Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina head football coach Kent Briggs announced today that 22 student-athletes have singed a National Letter of Intent. The Catamounts inked 10 from North Carolina, five from Georgia, four from South Carolina, one Canadian, and two junior college players.
Headlining the list are five players who were named to the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina first team, including Ryan Nesby (Asheville/T.C. Roberson HS), Josh Durm (Franklin/Franklin HS), Michael Hines (Asheville/Asheville HS) and Shamar Allen (Asheville/A.C. Reynolds HS) and John Martin (Cherokee/Cherokee HS).
Nesby was also a first team All-State pick and starter in the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl. Representing South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl were Catamount signees Eddie Cohen (Hilton Head/Hilton Head HS) and Calvin Guinyard (Cordova/Edisto HS). Those selected to play in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game include Allen and Hines, while Russell Hemby (Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkerson HS) played in the South Carolina North-South All-Star game.
A total of six signees earned All-State recognition, including Nesby, Guinyard, Corey Ellison (New Bern, N.C./West Craven HS), Hemby (Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkerson HS), Damien Dowell (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville HS) and Phillip Young (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville HS).
Western Carolina was able to fill some immediate needs with the signing of three junior college players, including speedy corner back Francis Brown (Camden, N.J./Hudson Valley JC/Camden HS), while signing a total of seven defensive linemen.
WCU head football coach Kent Briggs on his 2003 signing class:
“I really have to commend our coaching staff and all those who helped in the recruiting process for their effort. Our coaches turned over every rock and searched in every corner to attract a tremendous recruiting class. Having a full year to recruit our areas was a big advantage over only having a few weeks last year.
“I am very excited about this year’s strong recruiting class. We really filled some needs by solidifying the defensive front. I believe our recruitment of outstanding offensive and defensive linemen will have a big impact on our team next year.
“The signing of some major skill players at running back, wide receiver and defensive back will not only give us a good future but will provide excellent depth for next year, especially in the secondary.
“Getting Russell Hemby gives us tremendous potential at quarterback. He and Cherokee’s Chris Kirkland should make that position one of our strengths in the years to come.
“I am particularly pleased with the Western North Carolina players that we bring in with this class. Not only are they outstanding football players, but they will help further build our relationships in the region.”
Shamar Allen
6-3, 225, TE
Asheville, N.C.
A.C. Reynolds HS
A two-time All-Western North Carolina honoree, as selected by the Asheville Citizen-Times … Also named Northwestern 4-A All-Conference and honorable mention All-State … Selected to play in the East-West All-Star game … Named one of top 101 football players in North Carolina according to NCHSFootball.com … Helped Reynolds to a 14-1 record and a state title with his blocking as the Rockets rushed for over 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns … Caught five passes for 83 yards … Was a three-year starter, serving last season as a team captain … Prior to his senior season, named preseason All-State.
Francis Brown
5-10, 180, CB
Camden, N.J.
Hudson Valley CC / Camden HS
Named second team All-Northeast Football Conference … Tallied 40 tackles with a league-high five interceptions … Added nine pass break-ups … Named his conference’s player of the week after his game with Erie CC … Had two interceptions, a pass break-up, four tackles … Averaged 14.3 yards per punt return average and 28.3 yards per kickoff return … At Camden High School, was a three-time all-conference quarterback.
Darvin Coffin
6-4, 265, DT
Bethlehem, Pa.
Lackawanna JC / Freedom HS
Will have two years of eligibility at Western Carolina after playing two seasons at Lackawanna Junior College … Named All-Mountain Valley Conference … Helped Lackawanna to a 10-1 record and a berth to the Real Dairy Bowl … Tallied 5.5 sacks … Was a teammate of current Catamount and first team All-Southern Conference tight end Todd Bargella.
Eddie Cohen
6-1, 200, WR
Hilton Head, S.C.
Hilton Head HS
Selected to play in the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl … As a senior, voted his team’s MVP as well as all-area and all-region … Caught 47 passes for 666 yards and 11 touchdowns … Rushed 13 times for 250 yards … Also an All-State basketball performer, earning Low Country Player of the Year honors as a junior.
Damien Dowell
5-9, 165, DB
Gainesville, Ga.
Gainesville HS
A first team All-State selection … Voted his team’s Offensive MVP as a senior … Helped Gainesville High to a final 3A state ranking of fourth as they posted a 13-1 record and reached the third round of the state playoffs, while winning conference and region titles … Part of a school record-setting 4x100 relay team, running 42.1 in the state finals … His relay team was region champions and state runners-up … His father, John, played football at Chattanooga.
Mitchell Dukes
6-1, 175, Athlete
Atlanta, Ga.
North Atlanta HS
Named first team All-City by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Caught 80 passes for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career … As a senior, hauled in 41 passes for 829 yards and eight TDs … On defense, registered 50 tackles with two interceptions … Set a school records with his 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and accounting for 253 total yards in a single-game … As a sophomore, caught 39 passes for 400 yards and four TDs to earn honorable mention All-City by the AJC.
Josh Durm
6-0, 185, Safety
Franklin, N.C.
Franklin HS
Selected Player of the Year by WLOS-TV … The Mountain Athletic 3-A Conference Player of the Year … Named All-Western North Carolina by the Asheville Citizen-Times … Two-time All-SMC … Finished third in the North Carolina 3A Mr. Football voting … Registered six interceptions and 80 tackles … Rushed for 1,527 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior in helping his Panthers to an 11-2 record.
Corey Ellison
6-1, 310, DT
New Bern, N.C.
West Craven HS
Named Associated Press All-State … Was his area’s Defensive Player of the Year … Helped his team to a 34-4 record over his last three years, including consecutive years of going 12-2 and three conference titles … Set a school record with 27 tackles in a game (versus New Bern) … A two-time all-conference performer … Tallied 503 career tackles, including 53 sacks, and one interception … As a senior, had 151 stops with 18.5 sacks … Had 11 sacks as a junior and 12.5 as a sophomore to earn his team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player award.
Justin Frady
6-7, 270, OL
Bessemer City, N.C.
Bessemer City HS
Only played football for his senior season, but was still a top prospect in the South … Is a standout performer on the baseball field, earning All-Gaston Gazette honors as a junior … Batted .390 with three home runs and 17 RBI as his team’s first baseman/designated hitter.
Felipe Foster
6-2, 280, DT
Athens, Ga.
Clarke Central HS
A first team All-Northeast Georgia pick … Tabbed honorable mention All-State by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Received his team’s Barry Malcolm Lineman Award after getting 65 tackles, including seven sacks, and three fumble recoveries as a senior … Had 50 tackles and four sacks as junior, while registering 105 stops and two sacks as a sophomore … Also a standout wrestler, winning a region title as a junior and finishing second in the region and third in the state as a sophomore.
Shelton Gaffney
6-2, 220, LB
Gaffney, S.C.
Gaffney HS
A two-time first team all-region pick … Also earned his team’s “Best Linebacker” award twice … Registered 137 total hits as a senior and 237 for his career … Tallied 12 tackles for loss as a senior, including four sacks, with 12 quarterback hurries, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery … As a junior, had 101 stops, including 10 for losses, with a blocked field goal, four caused fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Calvin Guinyard
6-4, 180, Athlete
Cordova, S.C.
Edisto HS
Named South Carolina 2-A All-State as a defensive back … Selected to play in the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl … All-region and Times and Democrat All-Area pick … Tallied 75 tackles as a senior … Had four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown … Rushed for 676 yards and seven touchdowns, while piling up 265 receiving yards on 19 catches and two scores … Amassed 1,396 total yards of offense … Orangeburg Touchdown Club Player of the Week … Served as his team’s kick and punt returner, returning three kicks for scores … Named a team captain … An All-State selection in basketball.
Russell Hemby
6-1, 190, QB
Orangeburg, S.C.
Orangeburg-Wilkerson HS
Rated the 30th-best quarterback in the nation according to Rivals100.com and was ranked among the nation’s top 25 in the nation in the Athlon preseason edition … An All-State, all-region and all-area pick … Named to the Charlotte Observer Top 50 High School Prospects … Selected to play in the South Carolina North/South All-Star game … As a senior, threw for over 1,700 yards with 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions … Rushed for over 300 yards as well … As a junior, completed 185 of 303 passes for 1825 yards with 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions … Rushed 64 times for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry …
Michael Hines
6-3, 190, WR
Asheville, N.C.
Asheville HS
Named to the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina team … Tabbed Mountain Athletic 3-A All-Conference … Selected to play in the East-West All-Star game … As a senior, caught 35 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns in helping his Cougars post an 11-3 record and reach the 3-A semifinals … On defense, registered 41 tackles and picked off five passes … As a junior, caught 47 passes for 700-plus yards and 12 TDs … Added three interceptions on defense … Also an all-conference selection for his basketball team.
Robert Hooper
6-5, 270, DT
Charlotte, N.C.
Olympic HS
Finalist for the Charlotte Observer Defensive Player of the Year Award … First Team All-Southwestern 4A Conference … Won his team’s “Fighting Trojan Award” … A two-way starter for Olympic High … Registered 75 tackles, including eight for losses, and three caused fumbles as a senior.
Chris Kirkland
6-3, 175, QB
Cherokee, N.C.
Cherokee HS
As a senior, named honorable mention All-Smoky Mountain Conference as he led the Braves to the North Carolina Class A quarterfinals … Led Cherokee to the Class A state semifinals as a junior, earning All-Smoky Mountain Conference and honorable mention All-Western North Carolina honors … Played for former WCU defensive back and assistant coach Al “Mutt” DeGraffenreid
John Martin
6-3, 290, DL
Cherokee, N.C.
Cherokee HS
A two-time All-Western North Carolina honoree, as selected by the Asheville Citizen-Times … The ACT described him as a “dominate blocker” … Also a two-time All-Smoky Mountain Conference pick as well as the league’s two-time Lineman of the Year … Was a preseason All-State pick … Helped Cherokee to a Class A state semifinals as a junior … As a senior, his blocking allowed the Braves to rush for more than 3,000 yards and pass for over 1,500 … Played for former WCU defensive back and assistant coach Al “Mutt” DeGraffenreid.
Cameron Melson
6-3, 275, DL
Lilburn, Ga.
Greater Atlanta Christian High School
A first team All-Gwinnett County and all-region selection … Also named honorable mention All-State … Tallied 91 tackles as a senior, including nine tackles for loss … On offense, was credited with 78 “pancake” blocks … Led GAC to a 13-2 record and the 2A state championship game … In his four years, GAC won three region titles and one second-place finish … The program posted a four-year record of 41-10 … As a junior, registered 82 tackles, including eight sacks … His brother plays offensive line at Hardin University.
Ryan Nesby
6-0, 170, DB
Asheville, N.C.
T.C. Roberson
Tabbed first team All-State … Selected to play in the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl … Was twice named to the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina team … Also a two-time Mountain Athletic 3-A All-Conference pick … Recorded 109 tackles with five interceptions, four forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and one fumble recovery … On offense, rushed 10 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, while catching 19 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns … Also returned a punt for a TD and threw one TD pass … Set Roberson records with eight career interceptions as well as establishing school records in touchdown receptions, blocked kicks and punt returns
Wendell Singletary
6-7, 280, OL
Whiteville, N.C.
Southwest Mississippi CC / West Columbus HS
Played one season at Southwest Mississippi Community College and will have three seasons of eligibility at Western Carolina … Tallied 15 tackles with two sacks … In high school, was tabbed first team All-State at West Columbus HS … All-Columbus county first team on offensive and defensive line as a senior ... Led the team in sacks (10), tackles for loss (13) and tackles as a senior ... Also averaged six pancake blocks per game on the offensive line ... Had experience as defensive end, offensive tackle and tight end in his high school career ... Played tight end and defensive end as a junior ... Third on the team in sacks and tackles for loss as a junior … Named “Most Improved” on the football team as a sophomore ... As a member of the basketball team, was a second team All-State selection, while earning first team all-conference honors ... Signed with Clemson out of high school … Brother of former WCU defensive lineman Maris Singletary.
Nicholas Wishart
5-8, 190, RB
Toronto, Ontario
Central Tech HS
Came to Western Carolina in January of 2003 and will participate in spring drills … Will have five years to play four for the Catamounts … Graduated from Central Tech in the spring of 2002 … Was an all-star selection by both the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun … Tabbed Running Back of the Year in Ontario three times … In 2002, named one of the top three running backs in Canada … Rushed for 1,523 yards as a senior with 17 touchdowns … Set a school record by rushing for 297 yards in a game … Played for Team Canada in an international all-star tournament in 2002.
Phillip Young
6-1, 260, DT
Gainesville, Ga.
Gainesville HS
A first team 3A All-State … Tabbed his area’s Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … As a senior, registered 110 tackles, including 91 solo stops … Added 15 sacks, caused four fumbles, recovered three fumbles, blocked a punt and blocked a field goal … Helped his team to a final 3A state ranking of fourth as they posted a 13-1 record and reached the third round of the state playoffs, while winning conference and region titles … Had four sacks in a game as a junior en route to earning all-area and his team’s Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Wofford
The Wofford College football program has announced the signing of 16
players to National Letters-of-Intent.
"We believe we've filled a bunch of needs," Wofford coach Mike Ayers
said. "We have kids that are outstanding football players and excellent
students as well.
"For probably the first time, we have a class that met all the needs
that we had. There's no doubt in my mind that some of these kids have
the ability to help our team immediately."
The 16 newcomers hail from eight states. Five are from Georgia, four
from Florida, two from North Carolina, and one each from Kentucky, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The signees include four offensive linemen, two defensive backs, two
defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two others that will be either
outside linebackers or safeties. Wofford also inked a halfback,
fullback, quarterback, and wide receiver.
The Terriers posted a 9-3 overall record last year, including a
second-place finish in the SoCon with a 6-2 league mark. Wofford
finished the 2002 campaign ranked No. 11 by ESPN/USA Today and No. 14 by
The Sports Network.
The Terriers begin spring practice on Feb. 24. The 2003 season opener
is Aug. 30 at Air Force, coached by 1960 Wofford graduate Fisher
DeBerry.
Listed below are Wofford's signees:
Travis Andrews (OL, 6-2, 265, Lake Butler, Fla., Union County HS)
An All-State selection by the Jacksonville Times-Union and Gainesville
Sun... selected for Union County's Pride of the Tigers Award... also
received a Scholar-Athlete Award... graded out at 90 percent as a
senior... three-year varsity starter.
Marty Bauer (OL, 6-2, 255, Cincinnati, Ohio, Elder HS)
A first-team All-Greater Cincinnati League and All-City selection...
also received special mention All-Southwest Ohio honors... two-year
starter and Team Captain... helped lead Elder to the Division I Ohio
state championship... recipient of the school's Weight Room Dedication
Award.
Matt Beavin (WR, 5-10, 170, Lexington, Ky., Lexington Catholic HS)
First-team All-City and All-District... honorable-mention All-State...
had 53 receptions for 1,141 yards (21.5 avg.) and 18 touchdowns as a
senior... also had two kickoff returns for touchdowns as he averaged
34.4 yards per return... totaled 20 touchdowns in addition to a
two-point conversion for 122 points... totaled 73 career receptions for
1,370 yards and 20 touchdowns... team Most Valuable Player on offense...
recipient of a Player of the Week award in Lexington and Central
Kentucky... set school records in the bench press and vertical leap for
his weight category.
Justin Bell (LB, 6-1, 215, Ashland City, Tenn., Cheatham County Central
HS)
A two-time All-Region selection at tight end... selected to play in the
East-West All-Star Game... Team Captain and Defensive Most Valuable
Player... was also his school's Offensive Receiver MVP... named the
WQSV-Radio MVP by the local media... had 18 receptions for 291 yards and
four touchdowns... also rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries... totaled 64
tackles on defense to go with 10 sacks and five forced fumbles...
recipient of the McPherson Award for leadership and athletic
scholarship... four-year letterman.
Josh Collier (QB, 6-2 ,180, Bonaire, Ga., Houston County HS)
A Blue Chip Player of the Future nominee... an honorable mention 5-A
All-Region selection... a Lars Anderson Player of the Week and a member
of the All-Houston County team... four-year letterman in football...
played wide receiver in addition to quarterback... also lettered in
basketball.
Josh Dorr (DL, 6-1, 235, Pickens, S.C., Pickens HS)
Named to the All-State team on defense... was a first-team All-Region
performer on both sides of the ball his junior and senior year... Shrine
Bowl selection... totaled 86 solo tackles and 63 assists in his prep
career... also had three sacks and 31 hurries... graded out at 81
percent on the offensive line... team Most Valuable Player as a
senior... was also the Defensive Line MVP... a four-year starter... also
lettered three years in track and two in wrestling.
James Drury (DL, 6-0, 255, Tulsa, Okla., Jenks HS)
An All-State selection by the Tulsa World... was also selected to the
play on the All-State team... a two-way starter as a senior... utilized
as a defensive end and nose guard on defense and at right guard on
offense... had 10 quarterback sacks among his 70 tackles... a two-time
Player of the Week recipient... had two tackles for a loss and two sacks
while totaling 10 stops against Union... also had a fumble recovery in
the game... selected for his school's prestigious Ultimate Trojan
Award... Team Captain and a three-year starter... helped lead Jenks to
6-A state titles his sophomore and junior years and a USA Today Top 25
ranking... also lettered in track.
Justin Franklin (LB, 6-2, 218, Jacksonville, N.C., Jacksonville HS)
A three-year starter at both linebacker and running back... a two-time
All-Conference and All-Area selection... totaled 108 tackles as a senior
while leading his team in rushing with 1,200 yards... team Most Valuable
Player on defense as a junior when he topped the state with 11 fumble
recoveries... added 100 tackles... helped lead his team to a conference
championship his sophomore year... also lettered in track and
basketball... led the track team to conference championships his
sophomore and junior years.
D.J. Fretwell (S, 6-2, 190, Canton, N.C., Pisgah HS)
An All-Western Highlands Conference selection... second-team All-Western
North Carolina... named to the Super Elite 101 Players in North
Carolina... helped lead Pisgah to the Class 2-AA semifinals as a
senior... rushed for 1,018 yards and 18 touchdowns... also had 18
receptions for 478 yards and five touchdowns... totaled 34 tackles and
three interceptions on defense... ran for 1,001 yards and 18 touchdowns
as a junior... had 14 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown in
addition to recording 16 tackles... had 513 yards rushing and 19 catches
as a sophomore... and was also an All-Conference selection in basketball
his junior and senior year.
Kyle Horne (OLB/S, 6-2, 195, Jacksonville, Fla., Bolles School)
Three-sport athlete... played halfback, tight end, and outside
linebacker in football... helped lead the Bolles School to the 2002
state championship... had 23 receptions for 525 yards and five
touchdowns... used as a situational pass rush specialist... had 20 sacks
in two years... also totaled four blocked punts... had a five-play
sequence his senior year in which he recorded a sack, recovered a
fumble, blocked a punt, and caught a touchdown pass... qualified for the
Florida state track meet in the 4x100, 4x400, and 400 meters... also
competed in the state wrestling championships.
Kevious Johnson (RB, 5-9, 180, Fitzgerald, Ga., Fitzgerald HS)
Two-time All-Region and All-State selection... was also the Area
Offensive Player of the Year... rushed for 992 yards on a 7.9 per carry
average... added 27 receptions for 539 yards in addition to 499 yards on
kickoff returns... totaled 2,030 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns...
ran for 991 yards with a 9.2 per carry mark as a junior... had 27
catches for 403 yards... averaged 22.6 yards on 16 punt returns...
totaled 28 touchdowns and 1,394 all-purpose yards... three-year
letterman in football, basketball, and baseball... recipient of an
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Scholar-Athlete Award.
Brian Kemp (CB, 5-11, 175, Bowling Green, Fla., Hardee HS)
A two-time first team All-Conference selection... had five interceptions
and 21 pass breakups as a senior... added 25 tackles and two fumble
recoveries... also played wide receiver... had seven touchdown
receptions while averaging 19.8 yards per catch... named to the South
Central Florida All-Star Team... had a 40-yard interception return for a
touchdown in the All-Star game... also lettered in basketball and
track... had a triple jump of 41 feet and three inches.
Will Rutherford (OL, 6-5, 255, Woodstock, Ga., Woodstock HS)
A two-time All-County selection... a Wendy's High School Heisman
nominee... started every game over his final three years... a four-year
letterman in football... also lettered three years in basketball...
four-year recipient of a Woodstock Academic Athlete Award.
Geno Thompson (OLB/S, 6-3, 180, Ocoee, Fla., West Orange HS)
First-team All-Orange County and second-team All-Central Florida... an
honorable-mention 6-A All-State selection... had 105 tackles, an
interception, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries...
received Hit of the Week honors from WESH-TV... was also a three-year
letterman in wrestling.
Derek Tiller (C, 6-0, 255, Lawrenceville, Ga., Collins Hill HS)
A two-time first-team All-Gwinnett County selection... graded out at 88
percent as a senior... had 19 pancake blocks... also recorded three
sacks as a defensive tackle... started 48 consecutive games dating back
to his freshman year, earning him a Special Recognition Award from the
Atlanta Touchdown Club... helped lead Collins Hill to the state
semifinals his junior year... a four-year letterman in football and
wrestling... was the state heavyweight runner-up in wrestling as a
junior.
Terrance Ware (HB, 5-9, 180, Decatur, Ga., Chamblee HS)
All-Region and a two-time Offensive Back of the Year... an All-Metro
selection and the sixth-leading rusher in DeKalb County... named to the
All-DeKalb Touchdown Club team... rushed for 1,054 yards and 15
touchdowns as a senior... totaled 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns in his
prep career.