Davenport Announces SSU 2013 Recruiting Class

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport has announced his 2013 recruiting class which includes 13 student-athletes.

Of the 13 signees, four are junior college transfers. Three of the JUCO transfers are already enrolled at SSU.

Davenport addressed the needs to improve in the trenches with the addition of three offensive linemen and two defensive linemen.

The rest of the class includes three linebackers along with a running back, kicker, quarterback, wide receiver and an athlete.

All of the high school recruits hail from Georgia while the junior college transfers hail from California, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

The coastal empire will be represented with the addition of Statesboro High School running back De'Quan Daniels (5-10, 185) and Brunswick High School linebacker Jerry Clark (6-3, 235). Daniels ran for 1,700 yards and scored 21 touchdowns last season while Clark had 22 sacks over the past two seasons and led his team in tackles as a junior.

Davenport was high on linebacker Troy Wyche (6-1, 215) who hails from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia. Wyche was named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution AAAA All-State team, Region 4-AAAA Defensive Player of the year, MVP of the East vs. West Georgia Senior All-Star game and the Georgia Minority Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his senior year with 145 tackles.

The biggest signee was juco transfer Sebastian Pittman (6-4, 330). The Chicago, Illinois native played on the defensive line at College of Dupage where he made All-Conference with 45 tackles and 4 ½ sacks. Also coming from the JUCO ranks are defensive lineman Christian Martinez (6-1, 295) and offensive lineman Matthew Kimbrough (6-1, 285). Martinez played at Lackawanna College while Kimbrough comes to SSU from El Camino College. Zach Hutcheson (6-4, 210), a native of Newman, Georgia came from Yuba Community College where he threw for 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Offensive lineman Rafeeq Badee (6-4, 275), linebacker Kevin Holmes (6-2, 230) and athlete Damion Gordon (6-1, 180) all attended Salem High School in Conyers, Georgia. Badee was a first team selection in Region 8-AAAAA, Holmes made 87 tackles, five tackles for losses and three sacks while Gordon was the Region 8-AAAAA All Purpose Player of the Year after finishing the season with 1,100 yards passing and 900 yards rushing and 4 interceptions.

Others signing with the Tigers were kicker John Barron (5-10, 155), wide receiver Miles Wallace (5-8, 160) and offensive lineman Stephen Washington (6-3, 300).

Barron, an All 6-AAAAAA Region selection, made 14 of 18 field goal attempts this season and had a long of 49 yards at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. Wallace, an All 7-AAAAA Region selection, caught 35 passes for 850 yards and 9 touchdowns this season at Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. Washington made the second team All- Region team in 8-AAAAA as well as 2^nd Team All-County.

SSU 2013 Football Signees (Full List)

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State Football Signing Day 2013

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY 2013

OLs
Dominique Woods 6-2, 290, Skyline, Tex./Skyline HS
Earned First Team All-District, Second Team All-State and was a Two-star on Rivals.com. Watch

Andre Logan 6-3, 305, Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah HS
First Team All-Western, First Team All-Metro and was selected Lineman of the Year award for his team

Calvin Skinner 6-3, 280, Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah HS
All-Western team selection in Alabama

Brian Williams 6-4, 330, South Oak Cliff, Texas/South Oak Cliff HS
All-District and All-Conference selection, recorded 102 pancakes

Steven Escoboza 6-4, 280, Glendale College (Calif.)
Two year All-League selection and earned Offensive Lineman of the Year Watch

TE/FB
Ladarius Spearman 6-2, 220, Beaumont, Texas/Westbrook HS

Adam Miller 5-11, 230, Fort Worth, Texas/Trinity HS
First Team All-District

RBs
Herb Walker Jr. 5-8, 190, Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Glenville Ginn Academy
Third Team All-Ohio, First Team Northeast Ohio selection and ranked Top 10 in Class

Arthur Dukes III 6-2, 220, Ypsilanti, Mich./Milan HS
Earned All-State, Monroe County Player of the Year, All-Region, Rivals.com

Orlando Johnson, 5-8, 170 Memphis, Tenn.; Ridgeway HS
All-District, Player of the Year, First Team All-State, First team All-District, Best of the Preps Offensive Finalist, Autozone Liberty Bowl All-Star, Memphis/Shelby County's top rusher (2,018 yds) Watch

WRs
Landon Malbrough 6-1,180, Beaumont (TX);
Second Team All-District, First Team Super Gold-Track

Brandon LeDay 5-11, 170, Memorial, Texas/Port Arthur Memorial HS

Antonio Jefferson 6-0, 175, Suffolk, Va./Lakeland HS
Two year All-District selection and two year All-Eastern selection in Virginia.

QBs
Chris Clack Jr. 6-3,190, Beaumont, Texas/Westbrook HS
All-District selection

Ricky Fisk 6-1, 175, Port Arthur, Texas/ Port Arthur Memorial HS
Earned District MVP, All-State Golden Triangle Player of the Year, Super Team MVP

LBs
Adam Collins 6-1, 220, Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS
Best of the Preps Defensive Player of the Year, Team MVP, All-State, Two star on Rivals.com

Donyae Olton 6-2, 210, East Los Angeles College

Isaiah Lewis 6-1, 200, Cedar Hill, Texas/ Cedar Hill HS
Three year All-District, THSCA Bowl Game, Two star on Rivals.com Watch

Gregory Gibson 6-2, 215, Houston, Texas/Lamar HS
First Team All-District

DBs
Terry Harris Jr. 5-10, 175, Douglass, Okla./Douglass HS
Won Class 4A State Title in 2010, selected All-District, All-State and All-City

Cravon Rodgers Jr. 6-0, 185, Houston, Texas/Lamar HS

Eric Alvis Jr. 6-2, 185, Houston, Texas/ Eisenhower HS
Second Team All-District

Jaquatin Victrum 5-11, 185, Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
Rivals.com and All-Conference

Darez Diggs 6-2,190, Washington, D.C./Friendship HS
Two star on Rivals.com

Darren Kelley 6-2, 190, Owens Mills, Md./Potomac HS
First team All-County, Maryland Bowl selection, City vs. County Bowl selection, Honor roll student

DLs
George Ramos 6-5, 270, Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster HS
High School Heroes, Two star on Rivals.com

Brad Sanchez 6-3, 310, East Los Angeles College
Rivals.com and All Conference

LaCory Britton 6-3, 240, Hendersonville, Tenn./Beach HS Super Senior Award, State 5A Champs, All-District, All-County

Walter Oliver, 6-1, 290, Port Arthur, Texas/Port Arthur Memorial HS
First Team All-District

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

PVAMU Panthers Add All-State Defensive Back To 2013 Class

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas  --  Prairie View A&M head football coach Heishma Northern announced an additional signee Thursday afternoon as Birmingham, Ala. All-State cornerback Kenneth Jordan inked with the Panthers.

Jordan is a 6-0 cornerback from Birminmgham's Wenonah HIgh School and provides the Panthers with a shutdown option at cornerback. He was a 2012 Class 5A All-State Team Honoree as senior as teams avoided his side of the field. Jordan was targed only 12 times throughout the season and he made teams pay with a team-high nine interceptions. He also led the team with nine passes defended while recording 40 total tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.

 

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Northern Announces 2013 Football Signing Class

 

 

Prairie View A&M head football coach Heishma Northern announced the 2013 Panthers' recruiting class this evening. A total of 14 student-athletes will join the Panthers this upcoming season with several expected to play instantly as the team inked five junior college standouts from the state of California. Two of the junior college signees in David Metcalf and Darrien Patterson are already enrolled and will participate in spring drills while the rest of the class will join the team this summer.

With defense a priority entering the 2013 campaign, the Panthers sought immediate help as they inked four defensive linemen, three linebackers and a defensive back. The team also added depth in the backfield with two running backs along with two wide receivers and a pair of offensive linemen. The state of California was fertile recruiting ground for the team this recruiting cycle with five players from the state while Texas followed with four student-athletes. Prairie View A&M also tapped into the state of Alabama with twoC signees while returning to the familiar ground of Florida with three signees.

(CLICK ON RECRUIT NAME FOR VIDEO)

Dominique Brisco	OLB	6-2	215	Fr.	Manor, Texas (Manor)
Trey Brown	LB	6-2	215	Fr.	Dothan, Ala. (Northview)
Rayshawn Givens	WR	6-2	185	Fr.	Houston, Texas (Eisenhower)
Jovante' Ham	RB	5-8	180	Fr.	Plantation, Fla. (Plantation)
Dontae Ingraham	WR	5-8	185	Jr.	Miami, Fla. (Mt. San Antonio College)
Arthur Lockett	RB	5-9	170	Fr.	Houston, Texas (Yates)
David Metcalf	DB	5-11	190	Jr.	Los Angeles, Calif. (Citrus College)
Ekene Mordi	DE	6-3	210	Jr.	Granada Hills, Calif. (LA Valley College)
Chima Nduka	DL	6-1	250	Jr.	Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Citrus College)
Shafique Neloms	LB/DE	6-0	200	Fr.	Miami, Fla. (Norland)
Darrien Patterson	DE	6-3	240	Jr.	Culver City, Calif. (West LA CC)
Shawn Pierce	OL	6-4	285	Fr.	Odessa, Texas (Permian)
Tomaz Thornton	OL	6-3	262	Fr.	Montgomery, Ala. (Carver)
Markele Williams	DT	6-2	256	Fr.	Los Angeles, Calif. (Locke)

Dominique Brisco OLB 6-2 215 Fr. Manor, Texas (Manor)Named to the District 17-4A Second Team following his senior campaign…guided team to the 2012 Class 4A Division II State Semifinals…logged 45 tackles with two fumble recoveries in 2012.

Trey Brown OLB 6-2 215 Fr. Dothan, Ala. (Northview)
Finished his senior season with 85 tackles and three quarterback sacks...ranked second on the team in tackles.

Rayshawn Givens WR 6-1 185 Fr. Houston, Texas (Eisenhower)
Completed his senior season as the leading receiver on Eisenhower's team with 22 receptions for 432 yards…caught seven of Eisenhower's eight touchdown passes…named to the District 18-5A Second Team.

Jovante' Ham RB 5-8 180 Fr. Plantation, Fla. (Plantation)
Led team to the regional round of the playoffs…selected to participated in the Dade vs. Broward County All-Star Game…eighth-leading rusher in Broward County with 1,118 yards and 15 touchdowns…rushed for 193 yards on 15 carries versus South Broward…scored three touchdowns and had 160 rushing yards versus Nova…also caught eight receptions for 85 yards as a senior.

 

Dontae Ingraham WR 5-8 185 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Mt. San Antonio College)
Earned Central Conference Second Team Honors of the Southern California Football Association…team captain on a squad which finished 11-1 and participated in the Southern California Championship Game…finished with 35 receptions for 564 yards and four receiving touchdowns…averaged 16.1 yards per catch…had a 101-yard receiving performance at Cerritos College…played high school football at powerhouse Carol City in Miami, Fla.

 

Arthur Lockett RB 5-9 170 Fr. Houston, Texas (Yates)
Carried the load for his high school team with 1,801 yards and 23 touchdowns as senior in 2012…named Class 3A Second Team All-State and 22-3A District MVP…averaged 7.9 yards per carry…named to the Houston Top 100 List after his senior season…named honorable mention All-Houston Offense as a junior after rushing for 1,902 yards and 26 touchdowns…named Marine Corps Elite Warrior of the Week after rushing for 348 yards on 31 attempts in his junior campaign.

 

David Metcalf DB 5-11 190 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Citrus College)
A two-year starter who ranked fifth on the team with 49 tackles and four tackles for loss as Citrus College finished 7-4 in 2012…broke up a team-high six passes…finished with 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in win versus Moorpark College…posted five or more tackles on four occasions in 2012…prepped at Gahr High School in Los Angeles and earned All-Area honors as a senior…junior college teammate of fellow signee Chima Nduka...is already enrolled and will participate in spring drills.

 

Ekene Mordi DE 6-3 210 Jr. Granada Hills, Calif. (LA Valley College)
Logged 16 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore…named to the Pacific Conference Second Team of the Southern California Football Association…had a season-high six tackles versus LA Pierce…prepped at Grenada Hills High Schools in which he was named all-league.

 

Chima Nduka DL 6-1 250 Jr. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Citrus College)
Tallied 29 tackles in his final season at Citrus College as team posted a 7-4 mark…had a game-high five tackles versus Riverside College…garnered 2.5 tackles for loss versus Long Beach CC… broke up two passes against Mt. San Antonio CC…junior college school teammate of fellow signee David Metcalf…prepped at Etiwanda High School and was a All-CIF and All-Baseline Honoree…also played in the Inland Empire All-Star Game.

 

Shafique Neloms LB 6-0 200 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Norland)
Rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com…helped high school team advance to the regional playoffs as a senior…named to the All-Dade Team by the Miami Herald as a junior after guiding Norland to the 2011 Class 5A State Championship…finished his senior season with 33 tackles and a fumble recovery.

 

Darrien Patterson DE 6-3 240 Jr. Culver City, Calif. (West LA CC)
Tallied 40 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks in his final junior college season…recovered a fumble for 38 yards…finished with 33 tackles and six tackles for loss as a freshman…rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...signed with the Panthers in 2012 but did not enroll in the fall...is now enrolled and will participate in spring drills.
 

Shawn Pierce OL 6-4 285 Fr. Odessa, Texas (Permian)
Blocked for a team which advanced to the playoffs in his junior and season campaigns…earned Honorable Mention District 3-5A basketball honors as a junior…hails from the same storied high school which was featured in the movie and TV series Friday Night Lights.
 

Tomaz Thornton OL 6-3 262 Fr. Montgomery, Ala. (Carver)
Key blocker on a team which advanced to the Alabama Class 6A State Semifinals in 2012…paved the way for an offense which rushed for over 3,200 yards and 41 touchdowns while also throwing for more than 3,500 yards.
 

Markele Williams OT/DT 6-2 256 Fr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Locke)
Four-year starter on the offensive line…named as one of the top offensive line prospects in Southern California by the LA Times…registered 40 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball…earned Coliseum League First Team honors as an offensive lineman following his senior year.

CLASS BREAKDOWN

Pos.			State
DL:	4		California:	5
LB:	3		Texas:	4
OL:	2		Florida	3
RB:	2		Alabama:	2
WR:	2
DB:	1

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

 

Delaware State Annouce Seven National Signing Day Additions

DOVER, Delaware  --  Delaware State University head football coach Kermit Blount has announced that seven high school seniors have signed the National Letter of Intent to attend DSU and join the Hornets for the 2013 season.

The incoming freshmen, highlighted by three 2012 Delaware All-State selections, include two quarterbacks, two offensive linemen, a wide receiver, defensive back and tight end.

In addition, DSU has announced the addition of three players who transferred to the university and are enrolled this semester.

Among the Hornet newcomers is wide receiver Marquel Knight, a two-time Delaware All-State selection at Indian River High School. Knight tallied 73 receptions for nearly 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012 for the Indians. He also rushed for 1,800 yards and 30 touchdowns during his senior season.

Knight was a 2012 All-State First Team selection as a running back and was named to the 2011 team as a receiver.

Delaware State is looking to strengthen its receiving corps, which graduated record-setters Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson, along with Justin Brewton.

Also signing to attend DSU is Delaware All-State First Team offensive lineman Darren Helwig of Smyrna High School. A three-year starter, Helwig has been selected to compete in the 2013 Delaware Blue-Gold All-Star Game.

The Hornets have also inked tight end Ameer Watson, also of Smyrna High School and a 2012 All-State First Team selection.

The two quarterbacks signing to attend Delaware State today are Emmett Hunt of Coatesville, Pa., and Garrison Duncan of Kernersville, N.C.

The Hornets will have a new starting QB this season following the graduation of Nick Elko, the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year. Elko, the third all-time leading passer in team history, threw for a team record 2,828 yards last season.

Hunt was the 2012 Ches-Mont (Pa.), All-Area and Southeastern Pennsylvania Offensive Player-of-the-Year after completing 157-of-247 passes (63.6%) for 3,123 yards and 44 touchdowns for Coatesville High School last season. He was a high school teammate of DSU sophomore running back Dae-Hon Cheung at Coatesville High.

Duncan passed for 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1,410 yards and 18 scores as a senior at East Forsyth High School near Winston-Salem, N.C., last season. A 2012 North Carolina 4AA All-State First Team selection, he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record last season, including 11-0 in conference play.

Delaware State has also signed defensive back Kevin Rowan of Hyattsville, Md. The Washington, D.C., All-Metro selection recorded 46 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception as a senior at Bladensburg High School last season. Rowan, who is expected to compete at cornerback for the Hornets, is also a track field standout at Bladensburg High.

The Hornets hope to bolster their offensive line with the addition of Anthony Mengoni of Eynon, Pa. Mengoni, a 2012 All-Lackawanna Football Conference Second Team selection, helped lead Valley View High School to the league rushing title in each of the last three seasons. He also recorded 50 tackles as a defensive lineman last season. Mengoni helped lead the team to Eastern Conference and District championships during his scholastic career.    

The mid-year transfers signed by the Hornets include former Hodgson Vo-Tech standout running back Jamaal Jackson, who previously attended Toledo University and Nassau Community College (N.Y.). Jackson rushed for 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Hodgson Vo-Tech in 2009.

Will Womack, a linebacker/defensive end, has joined the Hornets after previously attending Hargrave Military Academy. Womack, of Richmond, Va., was a standout at Monaco High School.

The Hornets have also signed offensive lineman Sal Carrero of ASA College in New York.

Delaware State posted a 6-5 overall record in 2012, its first winning season since 2007. The Hornets were fourth in the MEAC with a 5-3 league record last season. 

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Golden Lions Football Announces 2013 Signing Class

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  -- The NCAA National Letters of Intent poured in all day on Wednesday as University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman and his Golden Lions coaching staff received commitments from local and nationwide high school and junior college football players.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which captured the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship after going 10-2 overall and 8-1 in the conference, signed 15 players on the initial day of the signing period, including five in-state players and 10 out-of-state players.

 “I think today was a good day. We received the majority of the offers that we extended,” said head coach Monte Coleman. “We've got the size that we needed, and a good group of skill position players. Overall, it's been a very good day, and I'm excited to see these young men come in and put on the black and gold.”

For more signing day news, please follow us on twitter: @UAPBGoldenLions and on facebook at UAPBGoldenLions.  Golden Lions athletic news can always be found on our athletic website at www.uapblionsroar.com.

 The following players have committed to play as Golden Lions in the upcoming 2013 campaign:

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff 2013 Football Signees

Name Pos Ht. Wt. Hometown School

Walter Ashley RB 5'9 175 Pine Bluff, AR Pine Bluff H.S.
Michael Blanco CB 5'9 175 Dallas, TX South Oak Cliff H.S.
Brandon Duncan QB 6'3 205 Roosevelt, NY North Carolina Prep
Tavion Garrison SS 5'11 185 Little Rock, AR Parkview H.S.
Caelon Harden F/S 6'0 190 Little Rock, AR Parkview H.S.
John Hawkins WR 5'11 180 Montgomery, AL St. Jude H.S.
 Lawrence Henderson DT 6'2 270 Houston, TX Trinity Valley J.C.
Braxton Hoof WR 5'11 175 Camden, AR Camden Fairview H.S.
Jarvis Jackson S/S 6'2 180 Winnfield, La Winnfield H.S.
Jeremy Jamison RB 5'9 180 New Orleans, La Edna Karr H.S.
Kendall Richardson WR 6'3 190 Montgomery, AL St. Jude H.S.
Jamal Smith LB 6'2 210 Rowlett, TX Rowlett H.S.
Jamie Smith RB 6'0 220 Camden, AR Camden Fairview H.S.
Joshua Turnage OT 6'6 350 San Diego, CA Lincoln H.S.
Dave White DB 6'1 178 Baton Rouge, LA McKinley H.S.




COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Aggies Announce Signing Day Class

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  North Carolina A&T head coach Rod Broadway released his initial signees on Wednesday with a heavy concentration on offensive linemen.

The Aggies announced the signing of five offensive linemen and a tight end. They also signed five linebackers, three defensive backs, three wide receivers, three defensive linemen and two running backs. Broadway, who led the Aggies to their first winning season in nine years this past fall, says winning was a big help.

"I was talking to my staff as we were looking at our board," said Broadway. "It's totally different than it was even last year this time with the number of kids we had in our program. We're moving in the right direction, and winning helps. We heard from a number of recruits who said it appeared we had the program moving in the right direction in terms of wins and losses."

The Aggies head into the season without all-time leading rusher Mike Mayhew, but do return four starters along the offensive line, including first-team All-MEAC tackle William Ray Robinson III. Defensively, they return nine players from a defensive unit ranked No. 2 in Division I-FCS.

"On paper, it's a good class," said Broadway. "We met a lot of our needs. What scares me is, if you listen to all these experts, they say it's not who you sign, but it is your junior and senior class that makes a difference. We're not going to have a junior class, so hopefully these young men can come in, develop and start making an impact early. If they are able to do that, then we will be okay."

The Aggies signees include:

Marcus Albert
Outside Linebacker
6-0, 205, College Park, Ga.
Banneker High School  
   
He has a 37-inch vertical and a 59-inch swingspan. He rushed for 1,072 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. He made 57 tackles, two interceptions, forced two fumbles, recovered three and had a sack as a junior.

Jerome Beatty
Safety
5-10, 170, Charlotte, N.C.
Vance High School

He was named to the All-Mecklenburg County second-team defense. He made four pass breakups, recovered a fumble, caused a fumble and had four sacks as a senior.

Tarik Cohen
Running Back
5-8, 170, Bunn, N.C.

Cohen rushed for 808 yards, including 252 yards in a playoff win against North Brunswick. He also scored 17 touchdowns and averaged 9.18 yards per carry. He had three touchdown receptions and returned three kicks for touchdowns. 

Wes Cole
Offensive Lineman
6-6, 330, Norwood, N.C.
Jireh Prep

He played his high school football at South Stanley. He brings with him tremendous size and strength. He played at Jireh Prep last season, and was one of nine players to earn a Division I scholarship from Jireh last season.

Xavier Griffin
Wide Receiver
6-2, 190, New Castle, Del.
Fork Union Prep

He originally committed to N.C. State out of high school. He made 30 receptions for 645 yards and eight touchdowns his junior year at New Castle High School. He was ranked among the top-5 players in Delaware as a senior in high school.

Malik Hampton-Prioleau
Defensive Lineman
6-4, 250, Greensboro, N.C.
Northern Guilford High School

His defensive presence helped Northern Guilford win its third straight Class 3-AA NCHSAA State Championship.

Dwayne Johnson
Outside Linebacker
6-0, 200, Jacksonville, N.C.
Northside High School

Johnson was named to the 2012 All-Area team after helping Northside to a 15-1 record. He was also the 2012 All-Area Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,661 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Charlie Jones
Tight End
6-4, 260, Greensboro, N.C.
Hargrave Prep (Va.)

He is the only tight end in the Aggies 2013 class. He attended nearby Grimsley High School and had several offers from Division I institutions.

Denzel Keyes
Wide Receiver
6-4, 210, Kinston, N.C.
Kinston High School

He made 39 receptions for 646 yards and 13 touchdowns. He led the Kinston Vikings to a 7-5 record. He was an all-conference selection in the Class 2A Eastern Plains conference.

Zerius Lockhart
Safety
6-0, 180, Auburn, Ala.
Auburn High School

Lockhart made 97 tackles, including 57 solo stops. He had three tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Offensively, he made 34 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns.

Darriel Mack
Offensive Lineman
6-4, 280, Marlboro, S.C.
Marlboro County High School

A big aggressive offensive lineman the Aggies had to battle S.C. State and others to sign. He led the way for an offense that averaged 165.8 yards rushing per game and 185.4 yards passing per game. The Marlboro offense also averaged 30.8 points per game.

Tard McCoy
Cornerback
5-11, 185, Boca Raton, La.
Boca Raton High School

He played quarterback and defensive back at Boca Raton. He possesses tremendous speed and should be an asset in the Aggies defensive backfield.

Josh Mattocks
Offensive Lineman
6-3, 325, Swansboro, N.C.
Swansboro High School

He played center in high school. He led Swansboro to a 7-5 record. He also played defensive line, and was named Max Preps Player of the Week after making nine tackles and an interception.

Rayshaun Mayfield
Linebacker
6-2, 215, Greensboro, N.C.
Grimsley High School
He played at nearby Grimsley. He made 80 solo and 50 assisted tackles with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. He was an all-conference selection.

Kenneth Melton
Defensive End
6-2, 215, Elizabeth City, N.C.
Northeastern High School

Melton earned all-conference honors as a senior. He also made All-Area after making 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 79 tackles.

Brandon Parker
Offensive Lineman
6-7, 275, Kannapolis, N.C.
A.L. Brown High School
Parker led his team to an 8-4 record as a senior. He ranked 46^th in the state by Max Preps. His team averaged 287 yards rushing per game, and completed 62.4 percent of its passes.

Daniel Robinson
Running Back
5-10, 195, Lumberton, N.C.
Lumberton High School

He rushed for 757 yards as a junior. He averaged 4.73 yards per carry and scored eight total touchdowns. He runs a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash.

D'Anthony Ross
Defensive Lineman
6-2, 255, Atlanta, Ga.
Grady High School

He was named the conference's Most Outstanding Lineman from 2009-11. He was also a Chick-fil-Bowl All-Academic MVP. He averaged 3.0 pancake blocks per game from his left tackle position.

Justin Smith
Linebacker
6-2, 225, Garland, N.C.

Union High School

Smith made 8.5 tackles per game. He also recorded 11 sacks and 93 tackles, including 70 solo tackles. Smith also scored twice, while leading Union to a 7-6 record.

Joseph Spann
Wide Receiver

5-10, 175, McDonough, Ga.

Ola High School

He made 15 all-purpose touchdowns as a senior.

Lorenz Suttles
Outside Linebacker
6-2, 190, Dallas, Ga.
East Paulding High School

Suttles was named Region 5-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at East Paulding High School.

Reginald Tyler
Offensive Lineman
6-3, 295, Kenansville, N.C.
James Kenan High School

Tyler played guard, center and offensive tackle at Kenan. Kenan went 13-1 Tyler's season, and Tyler helped KHS rush for 302.7 yards per game.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush, in first men's dual at new facility, beat Loyola

NEW ORLEANS — Nikita Soifer and Kyle Montrel didn't lose a game in singles Wednesday to lead NAIA No. 8 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 7-2 men's tennis victory against city rival Loyola.
    
It was the first XU men's dual at the new XU Tennis Center, which opened in late October. The Gold Rush (1-1) and Wolfpack (0-2) finally played after their Jan. 25 meeting was postponed.
    
Soifer, playing No. 2 singles, defeated Jaron Belcher 6-0, 6-0. Montrel defeated Joshua Laviolette by the same score at No. 3.
    
Xavier and Loyola played the singles matches before doubles. Loyola won by default at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles because the Gold Rush had only five available players.
    
All-American Loic Didavi clinched the dual with a 6-2, 6-2 decision against Tarun Surat at No. 1 singles. In the other singles matches, Benjamin Brading beat David Mayhall 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4, and Viktor Svoboda defeated Gregory Jones 6-1, 6-0 at No. 5.
    
In doubles, Didavi and Montrel defeated Surat and Belcher 8-3 at No. 1, and Soifer and Brading beat Laviolette and Mayhall 8-5 at No. 2.
    

"We played well," XU coach Alan Green said. "We were anxious to get out there because we hadn't played in more than a week. We'll get back to work tomorrow and get ready for a big one Friday against William Carey."
    

The Gold Rush will play William Carey, ranked sixth in the NAIA, at 2 p.m. Friday at XU.
    

NOTES:  All four Xavier teams in new facilities this season won their home openers. Men's basketball beat Morehouse and women's basketball beat Johnson & Wales (Fla.) to christen the Convocation Center on Nov. 3, and women's tennis defeated Loyola on Jan. 25 . . . Green said the XU men's home match against Jackson State was pushed back one day to April 14 at 11 a.m. . . . Both Loyola losses this semester are to ranked opponents. The Wolfpack lost 7-2 Friday to NAIA No. 12 Belhaven.

Results      Facebook photos

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

MRA's McCraney gives Alcorn historic signee

LORMAN, Mississippi  --   Madison Ridgeland Academy (MRA)  kicker/punter Haiden McCraney, first-team punter on the All-State football team, signed with Alcorn State on Wednesday.

Alcorn coach Jay Hopson, who became the first white head football coach in the SWAC this past season, says it was a monumental signing.

“I think it makes a statement, not just statewide but nationwide,” said Hopson. “We have a young man from MRA that will be playing at an HBCU. We think it’s a historic occasion and we are glad he is a Brave. He is a guy who can do it all. ”

McCraney made 13 of 16 field goals, including a 52-yarder for the Patriots this season. He also averaged 43.2 yards per punt, earning first-team honors on The Clarion-Ledger’s All-State team. He says he has kicked a 67-yarder in practice.

“I heard I may be the first academy kid to be recruited for a scholarship, so I know it’s kinda historic,” said McCraney. “I went down there for a visit and I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”



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Florida A&M Rattlers Get Help By Way Of Talented Class of 2013

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M head football coach announced the signing of 22 young men to a National Letters of Intent, here Wednesday afternoon at the Alfred Lawson, Jr., Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

"I am very excited about this recruiting class, because it is my first recruiting class as a head coach," said first year Head Football Coach Earl Holmes. "Our coaches have made tremendous relationships and have done an outstanding job with this year's recruiting class," Holmes added.

FAMU went heavily on the defensive side of the ball as the Rattlers signed four defensive lineman, four linebackers and two defensive backs to lead the list of signees. The Rattlers also added three offensive lineman, two running backs, two wide receivers, two athletes and one quarterback to round out the cast of FAMU signees.

The Rattlers tallied 16 of their 20 signees from the Sunshine State, with the other four signees hailing from, Alabama (1), Georgia (1), Mississippi (1) and South Carolina (1).

2013 Florida A&M Football Signees

(By Position)

Offensive Linemen:

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School

SIMS, Chole OL 6-3 275 Tallahassee, Fla./ Lincoln HS

SMITH, Craig  OL 6-5 310 Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach HS
Willis, Addarius  OL 6-6 340 Grenada, Miss./Holmes CC

Running Backs/ Quarterbacks:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
BUICE,Lemond  RB 6-1 220 Gaston, Ala./Clemson/ Ariz. J.C.
CASH, Keonte  FB 6-0 300 Miami, Fla. /Belen Jesuit Prep
ROBINSON, Traveze QB 6-1 190 Quincy, Fla. / East Gadsden HS

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
LOVE, Victor WR 6-5 185 Orlando, Fla./Oakridge HS
WILLIAMS, Joseph WR  6-3 190 Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach HS

Defensive Linemen:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
HOLSTON, Darien  DL 6-6 280 Brookwood, Ga./Brookwood HS
HOWARD,Juwan DL 6-3 250 Birmingham, Ala./Woodlawn HS
TOLBERT, Darius DL 6-4 305 Orlando, Fla./ Edgewater HS
WILLIAMS, Tyrone DT 6-2 295 Sumter, S.C./Sumter HS

Linebackers/Defensive Backs:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
ALEXANDER, Curtis LB  6-1 220 Quincy, Fla./East Gadsden HS
DORNEVIL, Jules DB  5-10 170 Naples, Fla. / Naples HS
HELMS, Luke LB 6-1 225 Tallahassee, Fla./Godby
MAKEY,Craig DB  6-0 180 Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
SHROEDER,Shane LB  6-4 230 Altamonte Springs, Fla.
SMITH, Raphael LB  6-1 235 Plant City, Fla./Durant HS

Athletes:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
HOLMES, Tra'von ATH 5-8 165 Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
DENMARK, Brian  ATH 6-3 185 Tallahassee, Fla. /Rickards HS

2013 Florida A&M Football Signees

Snake Bites

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/ Previous School
ALEXANDER, Curtis LB 6-1 220 Quincy, Fla./East Gadsden HS
Snake Bites: Tallied 76 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks as he led his team to a 10-3 finish in his senior season of play...

BUICE, Lemond RB 6-1 220 Gaston, Ala./Clemson/ Ariz. J.C.
Snake Bites: Finished Career at Gaston High School with 5,500 career rushing yards on 511 carries...A two-time finalist for the Mr. Football Award in the State of Alabama...His senior season was ranked No. 17 player in the state of Alabama and No. 40 in the nation at the running back position by rivals.com...Ranked No. 18 player in the Alabama and No. 61 in the nation by ESPN by Super Prep....All-Southeast Region pick by Prep Stars.

CASH, Keonte FB 6-0 300 Miami, Fla. /Belen Jesuit Prep
Snake Bites: Miami Herald First Team All-Dade Offense 6A-8A Football...First Team Florida Class 6A selection...247sports.com two-star Offensive Lineman...2013 District Champion Heavy Weight Division Wrestling...2013 Regional Finalist...3.6 GPA

DENMARK, Brian ATH 6-3 185 Tallahassee, Fla. /Rickards HS
Snake Bites: Earned First Team All-Big Bend honors as he finished the season with three interceptions, eight sacks and two caused fumbles...

DORNEVIL,Jules DB 5-10 170 Naples, Fla. / Naples HS
Snake Bites: In his senior season recorded 39 total tackles (33UA, 6 Asst) as he led his team in interceptions with six...Was named MVP for his performance against North Miami High School...

HELMS, Luke LB 6-1 225 Tallahassee, Fla./Godby HS
Snake Bites: Led his team to the 2012 5A Florida Football State Championship... Reaped 2012 First Team All-Big Bend Defensive Honors (all divisions) and All District Honors (all divisions).... 2012 5A State Championship Scholar Athlete, 2012 US Marines American Rivalries Game Scholar Athlete Award and the 2012 Wendy's Heisman Award for Football-Florida Big Bend Honoree...Ranked No. 19 2012 Orlando Sentinel Florida Panhandle Super 60 Pre-Season... Led his team to 2011 2A Florida Football State Championship...Reaped 2011 First Team All State Football Defense Honors....

HOLMES, Tra'Von ATH 5-8 165 Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
Snake Bites: Recorded 50 catches with seven TDs and had two kickoff returns for TDs...

HOWARD,Juwan DL 6-3 250 Birmingham, Ala./Woodlawn HS
Snake Bites: Recorded 83 tackles and 10 sacks in his senior season of play...

LOVE, Victor WR 6-5 185 Orlando, Fla./Oakridge HS
Snake Bites: Two-Sport Athlete in football and track and field... Recorded 488 receiving yards on 24 receptions with nine TDs... 2.9 GPA....

MACKEY,Craig DB 6-0 180 Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
Snake Bites: Recorded 26 total tackles (19 solos, 7 Asst); 11 pass breakups...Rated as a two-star athlete by rivals.com....

SIMS, Chole OL 6-3 275 Tallahassee, Fla./ Lincoln HS
Snake Bites: Recorded over 80 pancakes in his senior season of play...First Team All-Big Bend and Third Team All-State selection... Named Tallahassee Quarterback Club Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Bucholtz...Two-Year Starter on Offense and led his team to the 2010 State Championship as a defensive tackle...
.
SHROEDER,Shane LB 6-4 230 Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lake Brantly HS
Snake Bites: Reaped First Team All-District, All-Seminole County honors and earned Second Team All-Central Florida Honors....Ranked in the Orlando Sentinal Top 60 at the linebacker position.... 2.9 GPA...

SMITH, Craig OL 6-5 310 Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach HS
Snake Bites: Reaped Second Team Palm Beach Post All-Area Honors...

SMITH, Raphael (Chris) LB 6-1 235 Plant City, Fla./Durant HS
Snake Bites: Recorded 50 tackles, three caused fumbles and three pass deflections as he led his team to a perfect 11-0 regular season record. Durant finished the season 11-1... Is a two-time Defensive Player of the Week honoree in Hillsborough County... Finished junior season with 25 tackles, one caused fumble and four sacks....Also ranked in the state of Florida in Wrestling as he finished his senior season with a 29-9 record....

TOLBERT, Darius DL 6-4 305 Orlando, Fla./ Edgewater HS
Snake Bites: Participated in both football and track and field in High School....2.8 GPA...

WILLIAMS, Joseph WR 6-3 190 Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach HS
Snake Bites: Recorded 39 reception as he reaped Second Team All Palm Beach County honor in his senior season of competition... "

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern stays at home for Odums’ first class

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The day in December when he was introduced as Southern’s new football coach, Dawson Odums promised to make anybody “within a tank of gas” the focus of the program’s recruiting efforts.

Odums made good on the commitment in putting together his first recruiting class.

Seventeen of the 26 newcomers whom Southern celebrated Wednesday are prospects who will not be leaving Louisiana to continue their football careers. Fifteen of the in-state signees hail from high schools in Louisiana, and two others are Division I transfers.

“We knocked on every door of every high school in the state of Louisiana and tried to draw some of the best talent here to Southern,” Odums said. “I feel like we’ve got a great backyard that plays football. We don’t have to go outside the state to get a whole lot of talent.”

Southern signed only three Louisiana products last year after signing six the year before.

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