Saturday, February 9, 2013

Benedict Football Team Signs 27

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  --   Benedict College head football coach James Woody announced the signing of 24 players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Tigers in 2013, along with three players who enrolled in January.

"I'm really excited about this recruiting class. I think we addressed a lot of needs,” Woody said. “I think our coaching staff did a phenomenal job of getting out there. I think we increased our overall team speed in the backfield and receiver corps. They look good on paper. We'll see how that transfers onto the field in August.”

The Tigers signed five players from South Carolina, including Juawan Etheredge from nearby Batesburg-Leesville High School.

“I think he's a real steal. He's a power back, real strong,” Woody said.

Another running back Woody is excited to see suit up for the Tigers is Kenneth Hurley from Leesburg, Ga.  Hurley scored 23 touchdowns and had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards. But the bigger schools shied away from him because of his size - 5-9, 165 pounds.

“If this kid was taller and a little bigger, we wouldn't have had a chance. The big schools would have snatched him up. He's a real fast kid,” Woody said.

Four players enrolled in January, including Leroy Hollins III, a transfer quarterback from Arkansas Baptist Junior College who threw for 1,580 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

“He's going to push for that starting spot,” Woody said.

The Tigers also got some national exposure on national signing day. One of the nation's top recruits, Stacy Coley from Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., made his choice to sign with the University of Miami on ESPNU Wednesday morning. He was one of several players from his school to sign NLI's during the live televised event, including two teammates – running back Jamal Wallace and offensive lineman Kyante Belvin - who wore Benedict caps while signing their papers.
NameHeightWeightPositionHometown/High SchoolHighlights
Carlos D. Garrett, Jr.5-8180DB/OLBEllenwood, Ga. / Martin Luther King Jr. HSHonorable mention Georgia All-State; First Team All-Region; First Team All-DeKalb County
Kenneth Hurley5-9165RBLeesburg, Ga. / Lee County HSRushed for 1,233 yards and gained 2,160 all-purpose yards. Scored 23 touchdowns. Albany Herald People's Choice Football Player of the Year. First Team All-Region. Honorable Mention All-State.
Bilal Hewitt6-2275DLConyers, Ga. / Salem HSAveraged six tackles per game.
Antone Leonard5-11200LBConyers, Ga. / Salem HSTwo-time All-Region.
Ryan Witherspoon6-3240OLEllenwood, Ga. / Cedar Grove HSFirst Team All-DeKalb County. Honorable Mention All-State.
James Tillman6-0280OLDothan, Ala. / Northview HSNamed offensive line MVP at Scout.com showcase. 42 knockdown blocks
Demetrius Pinkett5-9165WR/DBEllenwood, Ga. / Cedar Grove HSFirst Team All-DeKalb County. All DeKalb All-Star Team. 35 receptions for 600 yards.
Kyante Belvin6-4290OLFort Lauderdale, Fla. / Northeast HSHonorable Mention All-Broward County. 29 pancake blocks.
D. Jamal Wallace5-9170RBFort Lauderdale, Fla. / Northeast HSThird Team All-Broward County. 3,683 career rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Corey Whitehurst6-3210DEDothan, Ala. / Northview HSHad 12 quarterback sacks, 7 quarterback hurries and 5 blocked kicks.
Yusef Howard5-11280DTPrattville, Ala. / Prattville HSNamed Prattville Player of the Year.
Risati Mapu5-11245LBPago Pago, American Samoa / New Mexico Military JC / Leone HS46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss last season.
Devin Grimes5-10170DBNorth Augusta, S.C. / North Augusta HSTwo-time All-State. 46 tackles and 8 interceptions.
Leander Palmer6-3295OLJacksonville, Fla. / First Coast HSTwo-time Gateway Conference First Team. Over 100 career pancakes.
Demetrius James Jr.6-0220LBDallas, Ga. / East Paulding HSTwo-time First Team All-Region. 120 tackles.
Alexander Bryant Jr.6-0210LBSavannah, Ga. / Windsor Forest HSAll-Region and All-Coastal Empire. 89 tackles, 7 sacks last season.
Brandon Harrison5-11170WRMemphis, Tenn. / Westwood HSFirst Team All-Conference. Lead the team and conference with 44 receptions for 750 yards.
David Martin5-10180WRFountain Inn, S.C. / Hillcrest HSFirst Team All-Region. Rushed for more than 900 yards, 300 yards receiving and scored 23 touchdowns.
William Jackson6-4275OLMontgomery, Ala. / Jefferson Davis HSFirst Team All-District.
Ray Louis6-3305OLDarlington, S.C. / Orangeburg-Calhoun Tech. / Darlington HSTeam's Offensive Lineman of the Year and Team Captain.
Ryan Witherspoon6-3240OL / TEStone Mountain, Ga. / Cedar Grove HSFirst Team All-DeKalb County. Honor Mention All-State.
Deontavius Hall5-11180WRPhenix City, Ala. / Central-Phenix City HSFirst Team All Tri-City, 52 rushes 824 yards, 24 receptions over 300 yards. Broke single game rushing record with 18 carries for 290 yards.
Juawan Etheredge5-9195RBBatesburg, S.C. / Batesburg-Leesville HSAll-Conference and All-Region.
Tremayne Trawick6-3188WRPooler, Ga. / Windsor Forest HSAll-Region and All-Greater Savannah. Broke school season receiving record as a junior with 704 yards on 35 receptions.
Rodney Hall *6-1185DBPhiladelphia, Penn. / Globe Institute of Technology / Overbrook HSAll-City and All-Conference.
James Strawter Jr. *6-1185WR/KRPerry, Fla. / Taylor Country HS40 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns.
Leroy Hollins III *6-2190QBBaton Rouge, La. / Arkansas Baptist JC / Scotlandville Magnet HS1,580 yards passing, 14 touchdowns last season.
* January enrolled

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