Hampton Pirates Signs a Load of Football Talent

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team, under the direction of second-year head coach Donovan Rose, welcomed in a new class of Pirates on Wednesday, National Signing Day. The Pirates signed eight transfers, as well as 12 other recruits. Four of Hampton’s recruits hail from the Hampton Roads area – including two athletes who went to high school in the city of Hampton. Five transfers are coming to Hampton from FBS (Formerly Div. I-A) schools, and the Pirates’ high school recruits have won a combined five state championships and six all-state honors.

“I feel really good about this class as it is my first full class as a head coach,” said Rose. “We are trying to get back where we once were here at Hampton and with these additions I feel that we can get there. It was not that long ago when Hampton won the MEAC and made it to the playoffs year after year and it is my task to get us back there and this is a major step in that direction.”

Hampton University Football Class of 2010 Signees

FBS Transfers
1. Jamal Lewis (Sr., OG, 6’4”, 310, Huntsville, Ala.): transfer from Middle Tennessee State; an All-Metro and All-State selection in high school.
2. Rafael Vazquez (Jr., OT, 6’6”, 320, Orlando, Fla.): transfer from Tulane University; All-District and All-County in high school.
3. Jeremiah Swartz (So., RB, 5’11”, 238, Orlando, Fla.): transfer from Iowa State University; rushed for 264 yards on 71 carries in 2009, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
4. Marell Evans (Jr., LB, 6’3”, 230, Richmond, Va.): transfer from the University of Michigan; two-time All-State, Player of the Year in high school.
5. David Luckett (So., OC, 6’2”, 270, Waldorf, Md.): transfer from Winston-Salem State University; All-County, All-Conference and All-State in high school.
6. Nu’Keese Richardson (So., WR, 5’10”, 170): transfer from the University of Tennessee; caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in 2009 for the Volunteers – including three receptions for 54 yards and a score against Memphis.
7. Donte’ Davis (Sr., WR, 6’1”, 185, Chantilly, Va.): transfer from Syracuse University; caught 24 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown in 2009; named All-Big East as a freshman.
8. Lance Hawkins (R-Fr., DL, 6’2”, 315, Virginia Beach, Va.): All-state selection who redshirted as a walk-on for the Pirates.

High School Signees
9. Courtney Hunter (LB, 6’3”, 215, Middleton HS, Tampa, Fla.): Hillsborough County All-Star.
10. Andre Griffin (WR, 5’11”, 175, Phoebus HS, Hampton, Va.): played on three state championship teams, including the last two.
11. Leron Thomas (QB, 6’2”, 185, Belle Glades Central HS, Belle Glades, Fla.): All-State, All-County and All-Conference, 26-1 as a starter, threw for 70 career TDs and 6,791 yards.
12. John Dougherty (DE, 6’2”, 230, Milford Academy, Harrisburg, Pa.): All-State and All-Conference.
13. Greg Reese (TE, 6’6”, 220, Woodview Wilson HS, Camden, N.J.): All-Conference.
14. Delbert Tyler (LB, 5’11”, 225, Gateway HS, Pittsburgh, Pa.): All-Conference.
15. Norman Booker (OL, 6’2”, 265, Berkmar HS, Atlanta, Ga.): Preseason All-State selection.
16. John Rose (ATH, 5’10”, 190, Holy Cross HS, Jamaica, N.Y.): All-League CHSFL.
17. Rodrigo Hernandez (K, 6’1”, 155, Miami Springs HS, Miami Springs, Fla.): Second Team All-County.
18. Lorenzo Shinhoster (WR, 5’7”, 170, Miami Northwestern HS, Miami, Fla.): state champion as a sophomore, caught 33 passes for 655 yards and eight scores in 2009.
19. Robert Copeland (DL, 6’3”, 220, Bethel HS, Hampton, Va.): Second Team All-District, Second Team All-State.
20. Donte Dotson (ATH, 5’9”, 170, Deerfield HS, Deerfield, Fla.): named All-State, also set the 4x100-meter relay national track record.