Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Terry Sims enjoys third stellar NSD class

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --Bethune-Cookman Football third-year head coach Terry Sims wrapped up another successful National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 1, inside the Signing Day Headquarters at the Michael & Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University.
 
Coming off last year's class that saw Bethune-Cookman sign well over 25 players, this year's class always intended to be smaller, but to hit on exactly the key positions in which Sims and the staff needed improvement from the 2016 campaign.
 
"We truly added some exciting additions to an already great Wildcats football team," expressed Sims. "We wanted to go out and hit the key areas that we had injuries from in 2016, as well as some areas we felt needed some more depth. And today, I thought the staff and I did just that with the guys we were able to sign to this 2017 class."
 
Of the 16 signees to the 2017 class, 12 come from the football talent heavy Sunshine State. B-CU was able to secure four student-athletes from South Florida, while landing several more from the west coast, middle of the state and north coast.
 
Additionally, the Wildcats inked two players from the state of California, both on the offensive side of the ball.
 
"I thought the staff did an excellent job evaluating and going out and securing a solid class of athletic and intelligent student-athletes that we are proud to have join us here in Daytona Beach," remarked Sims.
 
In a position breakdown, Bethune-Cookman signed a total of eight players to the defensive side of the ball, while another eight play on the offensive side. Defensively, the Cats were focused up front, as they signed three defensive tackles. Offensively, B-Cu focused on the receivers and running backs.
 
"As we get ready for spring ball soon, this signing class sets the tone for the upcoming 2017 season," said Sims. "Every position will be up for grabs, and we have plenty of guys that want to play each week. So, every single meeting, practice and game will be competitive."
 
For complete bios and the up-to-date list of the 2016 signing class, please click here.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

2017 BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
PLAYER	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN	TIME SIGNED	BIO	VIDEO
Devin James	LB	6-2	235	Port St. Lucie, Fla.	7:08 a.m.	Bio	View
Jonathon Thomas	WR	6-0	195	Port St. Lucie, Fla.	7:10 a.m.	Bio	View
Teaki Fuller	OL	6-3	300	Miami, Fla.	7:12 a.m.	Bio	View
Adul Yates Jr.	WR	6-0	175	St. Petersburg, Fla.	7:51 a.m.	Bio	View
Gerome Howard	DT	6-4	275	Sarasota, Fla.	8:23 a.m.	Bio	View
Uriah Gilbert	DT	6-2	325	Ocala, Fla.	8:53 a.m.	Bio	View
Kris Holt	DT	6-5	285	Baltimore, Md.	9:08 a.m.	Bio	View
Isaac Washington	RB	5-9	190	Cape Coral, Fla.	9:56 a.m.	Bio	View
Titus Curry	LB	6-1	235	Jacksonville, Fla.	10:53 a.m.	Bio	View
Kennedy Ndukwe	SAF	6-0	190	Baltimore, Md.	10:58 a.m.	Bio	View
Marquis Hendrix	LB	6-1	230	Ocala, Fla.	11:21 a.m.	Bio	View
Cedric Jackson	OL	6-2	300	Miami, Fla.	11:43 a.m.	Bio	View
Marquis Wimberly	WR	6-2	205	Upland, Calif.	12:30 p.m.	Bio	View
Keon Jackson	CB	6-2	184	Jacksonville, Fla.	3:19 p.m.	Bio	View
Cecil Fleming	RB	6-2	185	Claremont, Calif.	3:27 p.m.	Bio	View
Dominique Linton	WR	6-2	185	Naples, Fla.	4:33 p.m.	Bio	View

DEVIN JAMES • LB

6-2 • 235 • PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. • TREASURE COAST HS

A very versatile linebacker that can play either spot, but played primarily inside during his high school years at Treasure Coast High… Very athletic with above-average ball skills… Displays good range… High school teammate of B-CU recruit Jonathon Thomas… Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports… Also received offers from Alabama State, Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic… Helped Treasure Coast High to a 7-4 overall record in 2016, using a 2-1 record against district competition… Averaged just under six tackles per game as a senior… What Sims has to say: “Athletic, physical, very exciting middle linebacker with a nose for the football”

JONATHON THOMAS • WR

6-0 • 195 • PORT ST. LUCIE. • TREASURE COAST HS

Great blocking receiver… Helped Treasure Coast High to a 7-4 overall record in 2016, using a 2-1 record against district competition… Very athletic with great hands… Ability to turn quick passes into points with long, bursting runs… Good job of high pointing the football… Also received offers from Albany, Robert Morris and Stetson… Participated in the Army National Combine… Bench press is 245 pounds, while hi squad is 365 pounds… What Sims has to say: “A very rangy, great hand-eye coordination, exciting young man with the ability toi make plays with the ball in his hands”

TEAKI FULLER  • OL

6-3 • 300 • MIAMI, FLA. • BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HS

Listed as a two-star recruit by 247sports… Served as an offensive guard and tackle throughout high school… Played for legendary South Florida program Booker T. Washington in Miami under veteran head coach Tim "Ice" Harris… Also received offers from Charlotte and Northern Colorado… Helped the Tornadoes to a record of 9-4 overall in 2016, as well as a perfect 3-0- mark in district play… Ranked 17th among offensive line in the state of Florida by MaxPreps… Participant in the Blue-Grey All-American Combine… What Sims has to say: “A road grader; a powerful, young offensive lineman with great hips and great feet and gets on his targets in order to finish blocks”

ADUL YATES JR.  • WR

6-0 • 175 • ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. • ST. PETERSBURG HS

Finished the 2016 season at St. Petersburg High with 522 receiving yards on 29 catches… Quick, speedy receiver that runs routes well… Averaged 18 yards per reception as a senior… That includes 26.1 receiving yards per game… Hauled in nine touchdowns through the air… Attended Northeast High as a junior… In 2015, caught 45 passes for an average of 11.3 receiving yards per game… Also played free safety, hauling in 26 solo tackles on the year… What Sims has to say: “A rangy receiver with great hands and has the ability to make yards after the catch”

GEROME HOWARD  • DT

6-4 • 275 • SARASOTA, FLA. • SARASOTA HS

Long, thick defensive end that has an upside also at defensive tackle… Big, strong, quick and can run well for a bigger player… Tough at the point of attack… Good hips and feet… Can rush off the edge well… Played defensive end and defensive tackle at Sarasota High… Accumulated 27 tackles as a sophomore, using four solo stops against 23 assisted tackles… Pulled down three quarterback sacks during his sophomore year… What Sims has to say: “Talented defensive lineman with speed and quickness; does a great job getting to the ball”

URIAH GILBERT  • DT

6-2 • 325 • OCALA, FLA. • TRINITY CATHOLIC HS

Named First Team Defense for Class 3-A as a junior in 2015… FHSAA First Team All-State Defense as a senior in 2016… Quick, tough at the point of attack with good short area quickness… Two-star recruit by MaxPreps… Finished his senior year with 148 total tackles, including 96 by solo performance… Averaged 4.2 tackles per game… Accumulated 10.5 sacks… Picked up 19 quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles… On the offensive line, he registered four pancake blocks in six games as a tackle… Displays very good footwork for a big man, and plays with good hand use and the ability to dominate most blockers at the point of attack… What Sims has to say: “Displays willingness and effort for long pursuit; has very good footwork and plays well with his hands”

KRIS HOLT  • DT

6-5 • 285 • BALTIMORE, MD. • FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY

Played one year at Fork Union Military Academy in 2016… Previously prepped at Dundalk High in his hometown of Baltimore… Helped his team to a 2015 record of 14-2, as well as a 10-1 mark in the region… Ranked as the 24th best defensive lineman in Maryland in the class of 2016 by MaxPreps… Played both defensive end and defensive tackle along the line… Also played basketball at Dundalk High… What Sims has to say: “Big, physical guy that is great at pass rush, as well as stopping the run”

ISAAC WASHINGTON JR.  • RB

5-9 • 190 • CAPE CORAL, FLA. • CAPE CORAL HS

A member of the Cape Coral Seahawks varsity roster since his freshman year in 2013… Midway through his senior year, had established himself at or near the top of several school records… Played in 31 games throughout his career, amassing 3,104 yards and 24 touchdowns (20 rushing TDs) on 474 carries… Accumulated five games of 180 yards or more… Averaged 100.1 yards per game… What Sims has to say: “Has all of the intangibles of a great back; tough, hard runner”

TITUS CURRY  • LB

6-1 • 235 • JACKSONVILLE, FLA. • UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HS

A stout and thick linebacker that is a strong blitz specialist as well as a cover defender from the linebacker position… Listed as a good football player and hitter… Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports… Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals… Also received offers from Western Kentucky, Charleston Southern, Florida A&M, FIU, Hawai'i and North Texas… Two-star recruit as graded by Scout… Helped University Christian to an overall record of 10-2 in 2016, while using a 3-0 mark in district play… Averaged 2.8 tackles per game in his senior year… What Sims has to say: “A strong blitzer with upside at middle linebacker; flashes ability to play on perimeter and finish plays in space”

KENNEDY NDUKWE  • SAF

6-0 • 190 • BALTIMORE, MD. • ASA COLLEGE

Junior college transfer from ASA College in Brooklyn, New York… Tracks the ball well in space… Very explosive with a good change of direction… Listed as a playmaker… Good range and closing ability… Has good ball skills and coverage awareness… Prepped at Overlea High in his hometown of Baltimore… Finished the 2016 season at ASA with 24 solo stops against four assisted tackles… Averaged 3.1 tackles per game… Hauled in three interceptions… Returned two picks for touchdowns… Recovered one fumble… What Sims has to say: “Very explosive safety that has great range, play making ability and closing speed”

MARQUIS HENDRIX  • LB

6-1 • 230 • OCALA, FLA. • COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Played at the outside linebacker position for Coffeyville Community College… Prepped at Trinity Catholic High in his hometown of Ocala, Florida… Originally signed with Boise State out of high school… Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com coming out of high school… Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals, and as a three-star by 247sports… Also received offers from Appalachian State, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee State and Texas State… Rated as the No. 21 middle linebacker in the South and No. 10 in Florida per Scout.com… Three-time first team all-county honoree, also garnering second team all-state honors as a senior… Recorded 129 tackles and three quarterbacks sacks during his final prep campaign… What Sims has to say: “Very aggressive linebacker that has great football instinct with a nose for the football”

CEDRIC JACKSON  • OL

6-2 • 300 • MIAMI, FLA. • NORLAND HS

Prepped at Norland High School in his hometown of Miami… Spent time all across the offensive line in a variety of positions… Played primarily at offensive guard… Also received interest from Howard, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Louisville… Powerful and flexible as a drive blocker… Picked up double-digit pancake blocks for the second consecutive year in 2016… What Sims has to say: “Great run blocker as well as pass blocker; well-rounded offensive lineman”

MARQUIS WIMBERLY  • WR

6-2 • 205 • UPLAND, CALIF. • CHAFFEY COLLEGE

Prepped at Norland High School in his hometown of Miami… Spent time all across the offensive line in a variety of positions… Played primarily at offensive guard… Also received interest from Howard, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Louisville… Powerful and flexible as a drive blocker… Picked up double-digit pancake blocks for the second consecutive year in 2016… What Sims has to say: “Fast and very athletic receiver that plays the position very aggressively”

KEON JACKSON  • CB

6-2 • 184 • JACKSONVILLE, FLA. • MANDARIN HS

Two-star recruit as ranked by Scout.com… Speedy cornerback with size… Can play man coverage… Rangy with a good change of direction for his size… Helped his team to a 6-2 record in 2017, as well as a 3-1 mark in district play… Rated No. 99 in the state of Florida… Squats 315 pounds, while cleaning at 185 pounds… Also played wide receiver in high school… What Sims has to say: “Long, athletic cornerback with a lot of explosiveness; good speed and size”

CECIL FLEMING  • RB

6-2 • 185 • CLAREMONT, CALIF. • CHAFFEY COLLEGE

Powerful young running back that brings west coast flare to the program… Prepped at Claremont High in Claremont, California… Spent the previous year at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California… As a senior in high school, rushed for 1,235 yards and 10 touchdowns… Picked up 15 total touchdowns on the year… Averaged 7.31 yards per rush, while maintaining an average of 137.2 yards per game… Runs a time of 4.43 in the 40 yard dash… What Sims has to say: “An exciting football player that can play running back and receiver; a dominating force with the ball in his hands”

DOMINIQUE LINTON  • WR

6-2 • 185 • NAPLES, FLA. • PALMETTO RIDGE HS

Listed as a playmaker… Runs routes well… Has good speed and burst quickness… Listed as No. 9 on The Big 15 list of Southwest Florida recruits, as noted by the News-Press… Also recruited by Kentucky… Participated in track, running the 100 and 200m, as well as competing in the long jump… Finished the 2016 campaign with 578 yards receiving and nine touchdowns during a season where the Bears produced 28 points per game and the program's first winning season since 2007… BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

WSSU signs 5 in latest football recruiting class

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State went with quality instead of quantity in its latest football recruiting class.

Headlining the five players who have signed is running back Josh Wilhite, a former player at Wake Forest. Wilhite, who is 5-10 and 190 pounds, is from Fresno, Texas, and originally signed with the Deacons in 2012.

Wilhite redshirted in 2012 and then played his one and only season for the Deacons in 2013, which was coach Jim Grobe’s last as Wake Forest’s head coach.



“He played for Independence Community College in 2015 but then went back to Wake Forest to work on his academics,” said Ryan McManus, the quarterbacks’ coach of the Rams and a former quarterback for the Deacons. “He’s been in Winston for awhile, and he wants to play again, so he’ll have two years of eligibility.”

In Wilhite’s only season at Wake Forest he played in eight games, rushing 22 times for 75 yards and a touchdown.

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Terry Sims Announces Staff Changes for BCU Football

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman Football third year head coach Terry Sims announced changes to the B-CU Football staff on Monday, Jan. 30. The changes include the addition of two coaches, as well as three coaches changing positions/titles. Greg Ruffin will join the Wildcats as the new tight ends coach, while former Bethune-Cookman standou

 Allen Suber returns to the coaching staff as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and associate head coach.

"We made some necessary changes on our staff recently, and they were needed in order for us to continuing moving forward," said Sims, the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. "It was necessary to continue to mold and build these young men in this program. And needed in order to continue playing at the pace that we need in order to win a conference championship."

A 1995 graduate of Lane College (Tenn.), Greg Ruffin is no stranger to the collegiate coaching ranks. He has been a head coach at three institutions on the Division II level of athletics, and been a consistent and aggressive recruiter that has brought positive results everywhere in which he has served.

Most recently, he served as head coach at Texas College before his arrival to Daytona Beach. However, prior to his stint at Texas College, Ruffin was head coach for Paine College in the school's resurgence of football in 2013, after the program was dormant for more than 50 years. He served in that capacity for one season before the program was eventually suspended due to financial troubles at the college.

Ruffin also spent time in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at a pair of schools, most recently Texas Southern. With the TSU program, he served as the recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach during the 2012 campaign. Prior to TSU, he served six seasons at Jackson State, helping the Tigers win the 2007 SWAC title and collect a runner-up finish in 2009. In his duties at JSU, Ruffin served as the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach. Ruffin came to JSU from Tuskegee where he served as running backs coach under Rick Comegy, who ultimately accepted the head coaching position at JSU and brought Ruffin along with him.

"Greg Ruffin brings a great wealth of knowledge of the game, of offense and just of running quality programs," commented Sims. "I think he will certainly help us out in those areas, and I think he will definitely add some fire to us in the area of recruiting as well."

For the first time since 2012, Bethune-Cookman has a new offensive coordinator. Following the 2016 season, veteran coach and offensive coordinator Jim Pry announced his plans for retirement. After spending two years as receivers coach at Alabama State, Allen Suber – second all-time in Bethune-Cookman history for career rushing yards (2,897) and fifth in passing yards (4,917), returns to his alma mater as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Suber, an All-MEAC performer under center for the Wildcats from 2000-03, was the 2002 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, while helping the Wildcats to the 2002 MEAC title – the first of its kind for the Maroon and Gold since 1988.

While at Alabama State, Suber helped the Hornets receivers in a variety of areas. In 2016, the receiving core amassed 1,824 yards through the air, while the duo of Willis White (36 rec., 337 yds.) and Nygel Lee (26 rec., 357 yds.) finished in the top 15 of the SWAC in receptions per game. White would go on to finish 10th in the league in that category. The Tampa native and former professional footballer is no stranger to life as an offensive coordinator, having served in that area at Treasure Coast High School from 2008-09.

He also served as an offensive coordinator for the HBCU All-Star Game (HBCU Spirit of America Bowl) in January 2017.

"Allen Suber possesses a great offensive mind; is very energetic; and a very detail-oriented football coach," expressed Sims. "He is a guy that I think is ready to take the reins of an offense and go. I am excited to have him here, and excited to have an opportunity to work with him."

Other changes for the Wildcats include assistant coach Aashon Larkins being named recruiting coordinator, in addition to his duties as special teams coordinator. Assistant coach Lawal McCray will oversee the offensive line after serving as tight ends coach the previous two seasons under Sims, and additionally serve as run game coordinator for the Wildcats. Lastly, Charles "Yogi" Jones moves to Assistant Head Coach, while continuing to serve as the program's defensive coordinator.

"It is a great feeling to finally have everyone in and for the staff to be complete," ended Sims. "They are meeting. They are putting plans together for spring practice. And they are continuing to get us ready for the 2017 football season here at Bethune-Cookman University."

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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Gold Nuggets cool off, lose in overtime at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Alabama — For the second consecutive Monday, Xavier University of Louisiana lost a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball game in overtime and on the road. GCAC leader Talladega rallied from an 18-point first-half deficit and defeated the Gold Nuggets 75-66.
Sashanique Washington's basket for the Lady Tornadoes (14-7, 5-0) with one second remaining in regulation tied the score at 65, then Talladega outscored XULA 10-1 in the extra period.

It was the best of times and the worst of times for the Gold Nuggets (13-7, 4-2), whose 50 points were their most in the first half of a road game in eight years. But they followed that with their fewest points after halftime in 30 years.

Tajanee Wells scored 18 points, Tasheba Henry and Youngblood had 16 apiece, and Jasmine Lee-Stackhouse scored 11 for Talladega. Wells made 4-of-5 3-pointers, Lee-Stackhouse grabbed eight rebounds, and Henry scored six points in overtime, including the first four.

XULA finished with no double-figure scorers for the first time this season. Mikayla Bates (3-of-3 3-pointers in the first half) and Ireyon Keith scored nine points apiece. Gina Smith grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, and Kelsee Singleton — whose 3-pointer at the buzzer beat Dillard on Saturday — blocked five shots to tie her career high.

The Gold Nuggets shot 60.6 percent from the floor to build a 50-35 halftime lead, but they were 4-of-29 from the floor — 1-of-16 on 3-pointers — in the final 25 minutes. They scored their only overtime point when Brittany Thomas made the first of two free throws with 55 seconds remaining. Those were the only overtime free throws for XULA, which missed seven freebies in the second half. In overtime the Gold Nuggets were 0-of-9 from the floor, including six from behind the arc.

Jalyn Hodge made 1-of-2 free throws with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give XULA its largest lead, 30-12.

XULA is 0-4 in overtime games this season. In its last 12 games against NAIA opponents, XULA is 8-0-4 in regulation.

A victory would have given the Gold Nuggets sole possession of first place in the GCAC. Instead they remained in second place, but now they're tied with Dillard, which was idle. XULA will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to play fourth-place Edward Waters at 3 p.m. EST Saturday.

BOX SCORE

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets defeat Loyola, both by 9-0

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana dropped only two sets in 18 matches Sunday and rolled to 9-0 men's and women's tennis victories at home against city rival Loyola.
     
Every player on the active rosters earned at least one victory. Winning in doubles and singles were Catalin Fifea, Karan Salwan, Tushar Mandlekar and Pierre Andrieu of the Gold Rush (1-2) and Charlene Goreau, Emma Kranendonk, Brandi Nelson, Sha'Nel Bruins and Dasia Harris of the Gold Nuggets (1-0).
     
Also winning were Adam Albrecht and Oran Reznick in men's singles, the men's doubles team of Moses Michael and Antoine Richard, Lacee Ancar in women's doubles and Lyndsey Clark in women's singles.
    
Fifea clinched the men's dual with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Steven Le at No. 1 singles. Salwan, the NAIA's third-rated singles player nationally, defeated Galileo Cabrales 6-0, 6-2.
     
Kranendonk clinched the women's dual at No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against Nadja Ochsner. Goreau, No. 30 nationally in singles, won 6-2, 6-0 against Koral Martinez. Ancar and Kranendonk, No. 10 in the South in NAIA doubles, won 8-4 against Martinez and Ochsner.
     
Nelson and Bruins both posted 6-0, 6-0 singles victories — Nelson against Mirando Cano and Bruins against Margaret Adams.
     
"It's always good, no matter what, to get your first win," 14th-year coach Alan Green said.
     
The XULA men extended their home win streak, which began in 2015, to 14. They were 7-0 at home last season.
     
Both Loyola teams are 1-1.
     
Next for XULA will be an 11 a.m. Saturday women's dual at South Alabama. The next Gold Rush dual will start at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at home against Nicholls State.

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