Photo: North Carolina Central University head football coach Mose Rison.DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University head football coach Mose Rison announced the signing of 17 high school student-athletes on Wednesday (Feb. 6) as part of his 2008 recruiting class.
NCCU lost 13 starting seniors, including nine on defense, from last season’s squad, which posted a 6-4 record in the program’s first season of competition in the NCAA Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). With that in mind, Rison said the focus on the recruiting trail was replenishing the defensive unit.
“When we went out recruiting, we knew we had obvious needs on defense, especially on the defensive line and at linebacker,” said Rison, who is entering his second season as head coach at NCCU. “I feel we did a great job of addressing our needs.”
Thirteen of the 17 signees are slated for defensive positions, including four linemen and four linebackers.
“We recruited not only size, but speed,” Rison added. “We’ll be a lot faster on defense. I just can’t wait to get these kids on campus to really see what they can do.” Many of them will not have far to travel to the Durham campus, since 11 of the newcomers live in North Carolina.
“When we go out to recruit, we are looking for the best students and the best football players to fill our needs,” Rison said. “We happened to find many of them right here in North Carolina.”
Rison pointed out a few of the signees that he felt would make the biggest impact:
“Dominique Moore (6-3, 285, DL, Patrick Henry H.S., Roanoke, Va.) has a chance to be a super football player for us. He is big, strong and can run. I believe he will definitely help us.”
“Jordan Sanders (6-2, 210, LB, Warner Robins H.S., Warner Robins, Ga.) had an outstanding senior year. He had 104 tackles for one of the top football programs in the state. He will be a tremendous asset to our football program.”
“We found Malcolm Rook (6-0, 300, DL, J.H. Rose H.S., Greenville, NC) early last year. He can really run as an inside guy on the defensive side of the ball. He is an outstanding student and player.”
“Geovonie Irvine (5-8, 170, WR/KR, Hillside H.S., Durham, NC) is from right in our own backyard at Hillside High School. He is built from the same mold as another Hillside alumnus Brandon Alston (NCCU’s all-time leading punt returner). He is fast and has the potential to be an exciting playmaker as a wide receiver and return specialist.”
Rison also noted that his 2008 recruiting class is not complete. He said he is expecting to receive more commitments in the near future from those wanting to be a part of the Eagles program.
2008 North Carolina Central University Football Signees (as of Feb. 6)
Name Ht. Wt. Pos. High School Hometown Other Notes as H.S. Senior
1. Donavon Harbison 6-4 300 OL Freedom H.S. Morganton, NC
2. Rickie Hubbard 5-11 175 DB Stockbridge H.S. Stockbridge, GA
3. Geovonie Irvine 5-8 170 WR/KR Hillside H.S. Durham, NC 47 recs, 972 yds, 11 TDs, 20.6 ypc.
4. Alex Johnson 6-2 300 OL Sun Valley H.S. Monroe, NC Shrine Bowl participant, 38 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed, 95% grade.
5. Lloyd Leach 6-1 185 DB North Iredell H.S. Statesville, NC.
6. Ben Martin 5-11 165 K Sanderson H.S. Raleigh, NC.
7. Dominique Moore 6-3 285 DL Patrick Henry H.S. Roanoke, VA 14 TFLs, 6 sacks, 1st Team Western Valley District Offense and Defense for 2 years.
8. Brandon Outlaw 5-11 200 LB Grady H.S. Atlanta, GA.
9. Darien Pearson 6-4 200 DB East Burke H.S. Morganton, NC 93 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 FF, 2 FR.
10. Elroy “Trey” Powell 6-0 215 LB Stockbridge H.S. Stockbridge, GA.
11. Decona Roberts 6-1 190 WR/DB Sun Valley H.S. Indian Trail, NC 54 recs; 796 yds; 8TDs, 4.45 40-yd.
12. Malcolm Rook 6-0 300 DL J.H. Rose H.S. Greenville, NC Shrine Bowl participant.
13. Jordan Sanders 6-2 210 LB Warner Robins H.S. Warner Robins, GA 104 tackles, 2 sacks, 12 FF, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 2 blocked punts.
14. Eliezer Sandifer 6-0 225 LB Coral Reef H.S. Homestead, FL.
15. Leroy Vick 6-5 275 DL Fike H.S. Elm City, NC 67 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 FR.
16. Tommy Wallace 6-2 230 DL East Mecklenburg H.S. Charlotte, NC 68 tackles, 5 sacks.
17. Lamont Saffore 6-3 175 DB South View H.S. Hope Mills, NC 97 tackles, 3 INTs.
