St. Aug's Falcons Ink 30 Football Signees

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Saint Augustine's College announced the signing of 30 football recruits for the 2012 football season on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. This is the largest incoming class since 2002 when the Falcons re-started football after 37 years.

The list of players includes 16 in-state players and 14 players from eight different states in addition to Washington, D.C. That is a marked departure from previous years when most of the recruits were out-of-state.

The Falcons stocked up on offensive linemen (8) and defensive backs (7), but they also focused on defensive linemen (5), wide receivers (4) and linebackers (4). Head Coach Michael Costa expects several of the recruits to make an impact this upcoming season.

“This is a good class,” Costa said. “We have a lot of kids that will help the program. We have good kids who are smart.”

The recruits will join 41 lettermen from last year's squad which finished 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the CIAA. Top returning lettermen for the Falcons include quarterback Teddy Bacote (Hampton, Va.), wide receiver-return man Tyron Laughinghouse (Greenville, N.C.) and wide receiver Brian Richards (Waldorf, Md.) on offense. Bacote and Laughinghouse were All-CIAA selections last season. Richards ranked first in the league and 10th nationally in receptions per game (7.0) last season.

Defensively, the Falcons bring back linebacker Chaz Robinson (Hampton, Va.), linebacker Antonio Stewart (Ellenwood, Ga.) and defensive tackle Shonquez Nelson (Lake City, S.C.). Robinson and Nelson both made the All-CIAA squad and Stewart was named 2011 CIAA defensive rookie of the year.

The Falcons open the 2012 season at home against Wingate University. The contest starts at 1:30 p.m.

The Falcons' list of recruits are as follows:

NAME POSITION STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Cory Craig RB Norwood, NC South Stanly High School
Dajon Montague DE Garner, NC Middle Creek High School
Alan (AJ) Gilford QB Savannah, GA Jenkins High School
Wesley Perkins DB Lincolnton, NC Lincolnton High School
Donald Brinkley OL Greenville, NC Rose High School
Craig Johnson LB Raeford, NC Hoke County High School
Sayer Robinson DB Statesville, NC West Iredell High School
Jamiah Johnson WR Durham, NC Southern Durham HS
John Perkins OL Fayetteville, NC Jack Britt High School
Jered Mckenzie OL Aberdeen, NC Pinecrest High School
William Jenkins OL Henrico, VA John Marshall High School
James Walls DB Richmond, VA John Marshall High School
Christian Kama OL Waimanalo, HI Kailua High School
Joseph Pelesasa LB Waimanalo, HI Kailua High School
Jaylynn Nicholas OL Graniteville, SC Aiken High School
Lionel Davis DT Memphis, TN Westwood High School
Antzale Henry WR Memphis, TN Westwood High School
Antoine Smith LB Washington, DC Friendship Collegiate Acad.
Marquis Pegues WR Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
JaQuice Oates-Bethea DE Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
Caison Murphy DB Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
Ryan Bowman LB Fort Valley, GA Peach County High School
Justin Jones DB Fort Valley, GA Peach County High School
Terrance North DB Prattville, AL Prattville High School
Kenneth Patten OL Winterville, NC South Central High School
Jordan Griffin DB Middletown, DE Middletown High School
Sharif Humes DE Statesville, NC Statesville High School
Justin Davidson WR Statesville, NC Statesville High School
Kyle Johnston DL Pennsauken, NJ Pennsauken High School
Henry Capers OL Raeford, NC Hoke County High School

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION