NORFOLK, Va. -- Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian announced Wednesday the signing of 16 players to national letters of intent to play for the Spartans beginning next fall. The list released Wednesday consists of 14 high school signees and two junior-college recruits. The Spartans bulked up with the signing of eight linemen, five who project as offensive linemen and three as defensive linemen. NSU also signed three wide receivers, three defensive backs, one linebacker and one junior college quarterback.
"We're extremely excited about this class," Adrian said. "Especially being able to bring in eight linemen…it's not easy to get that many in one class, especially with the size and talent level of this group. That lays a good foundation for the program's future. We also signed some very athletic skill people and we got some much-needed experience at the quarterback and receiver positions with the junior college recruits." Following is a player-by-player breakdown of the class, with statistics, honors and Adrian's quotes on each. Adrian also said that he anticipates a couple of additional signees in the coming days.
Adrian Announces 16-Member Football Signing Class1. Tremondae Branch, DL, 6-1, 290, Flint, Mich./Carman Ainsworth HS. Notes: A first-team All-Big 9 selection…also selected to the all-state Division 2 team, the second-largest in Michigan. Adrian says: “Branche is a real physical player with good quickness off the ball. We’ll look at him as a nose guard, but he is also capable of playing tackle for us.”
2. Dionte Edwards, WR/KR, 5-8, 170, Norfolk, Va./Booker T. Washington HS. Notes: First-team All-Eastern District at receiver and second team as a utility player…tallied 1,400 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in seven games before suffering an injury…scored five TDs in one game. Adrian says: “Dionte has good speed and quickness not only as a receiver, but we’ll also give him the chance early to earn a spot in our return game.”
3. Montel Gamble, WR, 6-2, 190, Tarpon Springs, Fla./West Hills (Ca.) CC. Notes: First-team All-Northern California Football Association pick...had 26 receptions for 412 yards and three touchdowns…first-team All-Suncoast and honorable mention all-state class 4A pick as a senior at Tarpon Springs HS. Adrian says: “Gamble is a tall receiver who catches the ball across the middle. He has great hands, deceptive speed, and really attacks the football.”
4. Matthew Grant, DL, 6-4, 250, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson HS. Notes: Played defensive end and tackle for Boyd Anderson…also saw some time on offense at tight end…helped Boyd Anderson reach the state Class 5A regional semifinals. Adrian says: “Grant is a very quick defensive tackle who has only played ball for a couple of years. He has a great first step and fits into our scheme well.”
5. Darrin Marrow, DB, 6-1, 190, Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS. Notes: Recorded 30 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior…started three games at free safety and eight at corner…had four interceptions as a junior, when he helped Cox reach the playoffs for the first time in its 48-year history…also helped the Falcons make the playoffs his senior year…100-meter runner on the track team. Adrian says: “Darrin is a great high school athlete. We’re looking at him as a safety, but he can also play corner and possibly even receiver.”
6. Justin Myler, OL, 6-5, 270, Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS. Notes: A two-way starter on the lines for Freedom HS…also a standout basketball player. Adrian says: “We think Justin will be a very good offensive tackle for us. He’s very athletic with good feet and long arms.”
7. Devonte Norman, LB, 6-0, 215, Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS. Notes: First-team All-Beach District and second-team All-Tidewater and All-Eastern Region…tallied 110 tackles and 18 sacks as a senior. Adrian says: “Devonte is in the same mold as (current All-MEAC Spartan) Anthony Taylor. He’s a very smart player, does a great job off the edge in the blitz game, and is very tough with a great motor.”
8. Charlie Ricks, WR, 5-11, 170, Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith HS. Notes: Led the Tidewater area with 59 catches for 996 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior…intercepted eight passes as a defensive back…first-team All-Southeastern District and All-Eastern Region at both positions…first-team All-Tidewater defensive back…named to the VHSCA all-state second team on offense…helped Oscar Smith finish 13-1, winning the district and Eastern Region Division 6 championships before losing in the state final. Adrian says: “Charlie is one of those guys who could score any time he touches the ball. He could get into our rotation as a freshman because he is a potential game-breaker.”
9. Edwin “E.J.” Rogers, OL, 6-4, 320, Alexandria, Va./Edison HS. Notes: First-team All-National District and honorable mention All-Northern Region offensive lineman…helped team to a 7-4 mark and a berth in the Northern Region playoffs…blocked for unit which ran for over 2,000 yards and averaged 330 total yards per game…all-academic team member...named team’s top offensive lineman. Adrian says: “E.J. is a big, physical guard who is light on his feet as a big man. We’re expecting big things from him.”
10. Ali Scott, OL, 6-4, 330, Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS. Notes: First-team All-Eastern District on both sides of the line…second-team All-Tidewater as an offensive lineman…named team MVP…also plays basketball for Churchland. Adrian says: “Much like Rogers, Scott is an athletic player who should be a fine college guard. He comes off the ball like a truck.”
11. Dionte Sullivan, DB, 5-10, 170, O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon HS. Notes: A first-team all-conference and all-area selection as a junior and senior… tallied 55 tackles, five interceptions and 16 pass deflections as a senior…also played receiver, catching 28 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns...also a standout track athlete for O'Fallon. Adrian says: “Sullivan is a great man-to-man cover guy. Though he isn’t really big, he is a physical football player and runs a 4.4 in the 40.”
12. Nick Taylor, DB, 5-9, 175, Richmond, Va./Varina HS. Notes: A first-team all-district and second-team All-Metro and 2nd team All-Central Region pick as a senior…started 44 games in his career for Varina, one of the top teams in the state…four-time all-district and academic all-district selection. Adrian says: “Nick is a great athlete, a heck of a defensive back who hits well. He started every game since his freshman season at Varina, which says a lot.”
13. Chris Walley, QB, 6-2, 190, Tallahassee, Fla./Joliet JC (Ill.) Notes: Passed for a school-record 2,656 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore at Joliet…named to the all-conference and all-region second teams…was a first-team All-State 1A-1B player as a senior at North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee…enrolled at NSU in January of 2010 and has two years of eligibility remaining. Adrian says: “Chris is a veteran quarterback who makes good decisions on film. He is a drop-back passer but can also run the football.”
14. Nico Washington, DL, 6-4, 300, Waldorf, Md./North Point HS. Notes: First team All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference at both OL and DL…first-team all-county and second-team All-Met by the Washington Post at OL…honorable mention Big School All-State team selection at DL. Adrian says: “Nico can really run for a player his size. He has a lot of ability and could get into our rotation as a freshman.”
15. DeAnte Williams, OL, 6-3, 250, Hyattsville, Md./St. Johns College HS. Notes: Honorable mention all-conference selection…two-way starter on both sides of the line.
Adrian says: “We’ll look at DeAnte as a center because he has good movement for that position. He needs to get a little bigger, but he should develop into a very good player.”
16. Julius Wormley, OL, 6-5, 285, Yorktown, Va./Tabb HS. Notes: A first-team All-Bay Rivers and second-team All-Region I selection on defense...had 39 tackles and six tackles for loss despite missing a game due to injury…started on both sides of the line for the Tigers…helped pave the way for Tabb to average 370 total yards of offense per game. Adrian says: “Julius can play offense or defense, but he is just what we’re looking for in an offensive tackle. He moves very well and is an extremely tough kid.”
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