Make the most of opportunity, no matter where it is

UAPB Coach Monte Coleman signs a potentially great possession receiver in LaDarius Eckwood.

High school football players in the state should take note of Arkansas' 2009 recruiting class. Razorbacks Coach Bobby Petrino and his staff used their connections to recruit players from all over the country, from California to Florida. Of the 30 players who signed, only six are from Arkansas. Petrino will still go after the very best in Arkansas, but he'll quickly look elsewhere if he can't fulfill his needs at home. That's good for the Arkansas program, but maybe not so good for a few more kids who dream of being a Razorback.

Springdale receiver LaDarius Eckwood had visions of playing for the Razorbacks since hearing stories about his great uncle, Jerry Eckwood, who was a top running back at Arkansas in the 1970s. LaDarius Eckwood had a standout senior season with 108 catches for 1,505 yards, including a school-record 19 catches for 305 yards against Fort Smith Northside. Still, Arkansas only showed little interest, and Eckwood signed with Arkansas-Pine Bluff after also considering Arkansas State and Central Arkansas.

View LaDarius Eckwood Video: Ladarius Eckwood

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UAPB Coleman targets offense in second recruiting class

The Arkansas-Pine Bluff offense ranked in the bottom half of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in several statistical categories last season. Considering that fact, finding players who can provide immediate offensive help was UAPB’s main focus this recruiting season. And when UAPB coach Monte Coleman announced his second recruiting class as coach on Wednesday, he feels most of those needs were addressed.

Eleven of the 17 players who signed national letters of intent on Wednesday are expected to play on the offensive side for the Golden Lions. That includes six wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs and an offensive lineman. Another wide receiver signed a letter of intent at a ceremony at his school on Wednesday, but as of Wednesday evening, Coleman had not yet received it. “There is a focus on that part of the ball,” Coleman said. “We needed receivers, quarterbacks and offensive (linemen).”

UAPB’s emphasis wasn’t put toward the offensive line as much as when it signed 10 players to those positions last year but directed more toward players at the skill positions. The Golden Lions, who finished 3-9 in Coleman’s first season as coach, were eighth in the SWAC in scoring offense, ninth in total offense and 10th in passing offense.

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The 2009 Signers to UAPB Golden Lion Football

Name: Pos. Height Weight Hometown/High school

1. Parker Taylor WR 6'5" 198 Brownwood, TX/ Brownwood High School
2. Kaci Robinson LB/DE 6'3" 260 Little Rock, AR/ Independence Jr College
3. Quinn Franklin WR 6'2" 215 Monticello, AR/ Warren High School
4. Joshua Boudreaux QB 6'4" 210 Baton Rouge, LA/ Sacramento Jr College
5. Raphael Hendrix FS 6'2" 190 Marshall, TX/ Marshall High School
6. Justin Billings TB 5'9" 205 El Dorado, AR/ El Dorado High School
7. John Toney TB 5'10" 210 El Dorado, AR/ El Dorado High School
8. T.Q. Mims QB 6'1" 190 Minden, LA/ Minden High School
9. Chris Bolton WR 5'11" 185 Monroe, LA/ Quachita High School
10. Hardie Ezell DL 6'3" 265 Gautier, MS/ Gautier High School
11. Arthur Washington DT 6'2" 270 Dallas, TX/ Dallas Skyline High School
12. Jeffrey Amey DT 6'3" 275 Helena, AR/ West Helena Central High
13. Jarvis Webb SS 5'11" 190 Pine Bluff, AR/ Pine Bluff High School
14. Cordara Frazier WR 6'3" 195 Pine Bluff, AR/ Pine Bluff High School
15. Damien Lee DT 6'3" 250 Little Rock, AR/ Little Rock Central High
16. Ledarius Eckwood WR 6'2" 180 Springdale, AR/ Springdale High School
17. Nicholas Clary WR 5'11" 180 Fordyce, AR/ Fordyce High School

Texas Southern 2009 Football Recruits

Texas Southern Media Relations

Houston, Texas – The Texas Southern Fighting Tigers are bringing a new group of playmakers into the football program. This is a new TSU and these young men exemplify the top quality student-athletes that we are recruiting. “We accomplished what we wanted in this recruiting class,” said football head coach Johnnie Cole. “We went after Texas kids and older kids to fill some voids and we believe we got them.”

Coach Cole got some new fuel for his high octane big play offense. Cole’s impact-players include quarterback Arvell Nelson from Iowa, wide receiver Ricky Dixon from LSU, wide receiver Chip Gregory from Arkansas and offensive lineman Ernest McCoy from LSU. “These guys are play-makers and that’s what we were missing. They are big time players who played in the big leagues,” Cole said. “And adding McCoy upfront should make our offensive line one of the best in the conference.”

When the last form is faxed in, Cole expects to have at least 35 new faces on the team… including 11 top players from Texas…nine of them from the Houston area.
“These kids will take care of business on the field and in the classroom. We are not where we want to be, but we are off to a good start,” said Cole.

2009 Texas Southern Football Signees & Transfers

NAME POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN (Previous School)

Day 1 Announced Recruits
* Jared Benton OL 6-3 320 FR Houston, TX (North Shore HS)
* Justin Coleman DL 6-2 285 JR Schulenburg, TX (Navarro College)
* Chip Gregory WR 6-4 225 Jr Carrollton, TX (Arkansas)
* Vontray Sellers OL 6-2 300 JR Dillon, SC (Feather River CC)
* Jordan Curtin TE 6-4 270 JR Manistee, MI (Eastern Arizona JC)
* Edward Collins DL 6-5 295 FR Chaneyville, LA (Northeast HS)
* Arvell Nelson QB 6-5 210 JR Cleveland, OH (Iowa)
* Antonio Bassett DB 6-0 200 JR Cincinnati, OH (Iowa Central)
* Michael Griggs FB 5-11 225 FR Southfield, MI (Valley Forge Military Academy)
* Gordi Metezier DB 6-2 190 SO Margette, FL (Dodge City CC)
* Ernest McCoy OL 6-6 330 SO Belle Glade, FL (LSU)
* Ricky Dixon WR 6-2 210 JR Reserve, LA (LSU)

Day 2 Announced Recruits
Marvin Hollie OL 6-3 320 Fr Houston, TX (Madison HS)
Kingsley Akinwole DL 6-3 330 JR Allen, TX (Trinity Valley JC)
Alvin Samuel RB 6-0 215 FR Clute, TX (Brazoswood HS)
Sean Spears DL 6-0 260 FR Baton Rouge, LA (Clinton HS)
Jonathan Ellis OL 6-4 325 Fr Houston, TX (Spring Westfield HS)
Tyrrell Jones FS 6-2 200 FR Channelview, TX (Channelview HS)

Day 3 Announced Recruits
Dedric Shipman DB 6-2 200 FR Lawrenceville, GA (Meadow Creek HS)
Eloes Whitaker LB 5-10 200 FR Houston, TX (Westbury HS)
Andrew Franklin LB 6-2 195 FR Memphis, TN (Mitchell HS)
Danny Wash OL 6-2 265 FR Memphis, TN (Mitchell HS)
Serigne Sarr OL 6-3 320 FR Houston, TX (St. Pius X HS)

* Players currently enrolled in school

New HU assistant has 'unbelievable heart'

One thing is certain about Hampton University's new recruiting coordinator: He knows how to keep a clear head. On Dec. 6, Stephen Field, then in his second season as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami, was driving near a busy interchange with I-95 when he saw a car smashed into a tree. He broke the car's windshield with a hammer and pulled the driver, a man whose identity was not released, free of the smoking car. So the coach now charged with convincing recruits to come to Hampton can tell them he's a bona fide hero, right?

"There were, like, 1,000 articles, and that's what they said," said Field, who didn't want to say much else about the rescue. Clint Hurtt, the Hurricanes' defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, wasn't as reticent."It didn't surprise me. That's the kind of heart he has," Hurtt said. "When Coach Field first got the GA job down here in Miami, he didn't have a place to stay, so I let him come stay with me. He's a great person, a great guy with an unbelievable heart. ... He's the kind of person, if you call him at 2 o'clock in the morning and you have an issue, he's going to roll right out of bed to do whatever he can to help you out."

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Hampton signees

STEVEN ROBINSON RB 6-2 220 Georgia Military/Milledgeville, Ga. Second-team All-American had more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in two years at Georgia Military.

DARYELL WALKER DE 6-5 225 Bethel High School/Hampton. Second-team all-district pick had 50 tackles and two sacks as a senior.

LANCE HAWKINS DT 6-2 310 Atlantic Shores High School/Virginia Beach. First-team all-state as a senior and as a junior.

ANTONIO McCLOUDE RB 5-7 175 Glades Central High School/Belle Glade, Fla. All-state pick and team MVP as a senior; played in the Outback Steakhouse all-star game.

RAY RIJOS OG 6-2 330 Bayside High School/Virginia Beach. Second-team All-Tidewater pick as a senior; two-time All-Beach District selection.

DENZEL BONNER C 6-2 305 Godby High School/Tallahassee, Fla. Second-team all-area and all-state pick; played in the Florida-Georgia Border War all-star game.

VINCENT HARPER FB 6-0 260 Glades Central High School/Belle Glade, Fla. All-area pick voted "Toughest Player in the Area"; had 50 pancake blocks as a senior.

GABRIEL SMITH FB 5-11 250 Friendship Collegiate High School/Washington, D.C. All-conference pick and an all-independent-school selection by The Washington Post.

JORDAN DAVIS QB 6-0 180 William Penn/York, Pa. County player of the year and all-state honorable-mention selection.

JAMIE SLAUGHTER DT 6-3 280 Hazelwood East High School/St. Louis. First-team all-state selection in Missouri.

B-CU Wildcats Sign 32 To National Letters Of Intent

Bethune-Cookman University Head Football Coach Alvin Wyatt, Sr. and his coaching staff announced Wednesday the signing of 32 high school student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend B-CU in the fall of 2009 and to play football for the Wildcats. B-CU also announced two transfers who will be joining the football program in 2009.

"I am very excited with the recruiting class," said Coach Alvin Wyatt on Wednesday. "It is the largest class in numbers we've ever had here and it is a great recruiting class. For the first time - we were able to recruit 12 offensive lineman and we added size and strength on both the offensive and defensive lines."

Coach Wyatt added that he was very pleased with the four QB recruits. "We signed four quality quarterbacks and we will have 7 quarterbacks competing at the position in the fall," said Wyatt. "We need them all and there will be a lot of talent at the position. We also helped ourselves signing two of the best high school kickers in the State of Florida."

Listed below are the 32 high school players (in alphabetical order) who signed National Letters of Intent with Bethune-Cookman University on Wednesday and the two Division I college transfers.

1. Michael Adams Quarterback Fr - HS - 6-1/180 Riverdale, Georgia (Riverdale High School)
2. J. J. Adams Defensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-2 - 240 Orange Park, Fla. (Ridgeview High School)
3. Phillip Bailey Linebacker Fr. HS - 6-1 - 210 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Spruce Creek High School)
4. Kenneth Bishop Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-2 - 275
Sunrise. Fla. (Piper High School)
5. Cory Clarke Defensive Back Fr. HS - 5-10 - 170 Miami, Fla. (Miami Central High School)
6. Benjamin De La Cruz Quarterback Fr. HS - 6-1 - 195 Deltona, Fla. (Pine Ridge High School)
7. Darrell Wilson Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-3 - 245 Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast High School)
8. Gabriel Encarnacion Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-3 - 305 Hollywood, Fla. (MacArthur High School)
9. Corey Ferguson Quarterback Fr. HS - 5-10 - 180 Orlando, Fla. (Evans High School)
10. Jarkevis Fields Linebacker Fr. HS - 5-11 - 215 Sanford , Fla. (Seminole High School)
11. Markeil Floyd Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-4 - 235 Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Bay Tech High School)
12. Kevin Grier Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-4 - 295 Spring Hill, Fla. (Brooksville Central High School)
13. Sven Hurd Kicker Fr. HS - 6-0 - 190 Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest High School)
14. Pedro Neiva Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-4 - 310 Miami, Fla. (Coral Reef High School)
15. Isidore Jackson Running Back Fr. HS - 5-11 - 180 Crestview, Fla. (Walton High School)
16. Shelby Jackson Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-2 - 270 Rockledge, Fla. (Rockledge High School)
17. Javaris Johnson Wide Receiver Fr. HS - 5-10 - 170 Gretna, Fla. (Florida High HS)
18. Kory Kowalski Kicker Fr. HS - 6-3 - 180 Rockledge, Fla. (Rockledge High School)
19. Nixon LaRoche Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-4 - 315 Miami, Fla. (Archbishop Curly High School)
20. Nesly Marcellon Linebacker Fr. HS - 6-1 - 210 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan High School)
21. Deonte McDowell Defensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-3 -265 Avondale Estates, Georgia (Avondale High School)
22. Alexander Monroe Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-4 - 305 Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast High School)
23. Shyler Morgan Running Back Fr. HS - 5-10 - 180 Mayo, Fla. (Lafayette City High School)
24. Jacoby Nelson Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-3 - 280 Lauderhill, Fla. (Piper High School)
25. Jacob Palmer Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-5 - 310 Deltona, Fla. (Pine Ridge High School)
26. Greg Ross, Jr. Quarterback Fr. HS - 5-10, 170 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland High School)
27. Marquell Rozier Defensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-7 - 345 St. Pauls, N.C. (Ft. Union Military School)
28. Greg Smith Linebacker Fr. HS - 6-0 - 215 Hollywood, Fla. (Hallandale High School)
29. Barry Stafford Defensive End Fr. HS - 6-0 - 240 Atlanta, Georgia (Chamblee High School)
30. Javaris Sutton Defensive End Fr. HS - 6-1 - 240 Lake Wales, Fla. (Lake Wales High School)
31. Dennell Wesley Offensive Lineman Fr. HS - 6-2 - 280 Hastings, Fla. (Menendez High School)
32. Erik Williams Defensive End Fr. HS - 6-4 -230 Plantation, Fla. (Stranahan High School)

JSU football inks 28 on initial signing day

Comegy's Georgia talent raid bears recruiting fruit

The Jackson State coaching staff may have narrowed the geographical reach of its recruiting efforts this year, but it certainly didn't shrink its out-of-state success. Only seven of 28 signees were Mississippi natives, with seven coming from the Atlanta area of Georgia alone. "We went in there as teams and covered a lot of Georgia," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Georgia had the gold mine this year. I think we got some of the best out of that state."

The Tigers sent four coaches to comb Georgia and walked away with, arguably, the two best players in the class from the same high school. Linebacker Milton Patterson (5-foot-11, 230 pounds) earned a three-star ranking from Rivals.com, two stars from Scout.com and received early attention from Mississippi State. Athlete Alfred Moreland (5-7, 180) was a three-star recruit according to Scout.com and originally committed to Ole Miss. The duo played at Banneker High School.

Coming out of Decatur, Ga., Richard Hughes (6-0, 185) is a physical safety who earned one star from Scout.com and second-team all-state honors."These are guys that have got big-time talent," said Yancy Porter, Mississippi scout for Scout.com. "Overall it's probably the top class, or one of the top classes, in the SWAC this year." Porter said both Moreland and Patterson possess SEC-type skill sets.

JSU 2009 Recruits

1. Alfred Moreland, ATH, Banneker HS (Atlanta, GA) 5-7, 180 pounds

2. Milton Patterson, LB, Banneker HS (Atlanta, GA), 5-11, 230 pounds

3. Akeem Williams, CB, SWMS CC (McComb, MS), 6-2, 190 pounds

4. Richar Hughes, FS, SW Dekalb HS (Decatur, GA), 6-0, 185 pounds

5. Todd Wilcher, ILB, Westlake HS (Atlanta, GA), 6-1, 220 pounds

6. Tobias Williams, ILB/RE, Stephenson HS (Lithonia, GA), 6-2, 245 pounds

7. DeAndre Davis, OT, ML King HS (Decatur, GA), 6-4, 300 pounds

8. Darius Mitchell, OG/C, Westlake HS (Atlanta, GA) 6-2, 320 pounds

9. Ameer Townes, OG, Converse-Judson HS (San Antonio, TX) 6-1, 300 pounds

10. Chris Holmes, DT, Grand Rapids CC, 6-3, 300 pounds

11. Jonathan Archie, DE, Starkville HS (Starkville, MS) 6-2, 230 pounds

12. Antowan Westry, OT, Montgomery HS (Seemes, AL) 6-2, 295 pounds

13. Antonio Brame, CB, Trinity HS (Eulies, TX) 6-1, 170 pounds

14. Jonathan Billups, DT, Picayune HS (Picayune, MS) 6-1, 305 pounds

15. Reginald Bailey, LB, Picayune HS (Picayune, MS) 6-3, 210 pounds

16. Rico Richardson, WR, Natchez HS (Natches, MS) 6-0, 185 pounds

17. Jerel Walker, C, Lackawanna CC, 6-2, 285 pounds

18. Aristacus Forster, OT, Verbum HS (Los Angeles, CA) 6-3, 305 pounds

19. Cardell Turner, WR, Reedley CC (Fresno, CA) 6-3, 190 pounds

20. Milton Thomas, DT, Auburn HS (Auburn, AL) 6-2, 295 pounds

21. Derrick Jean , C, Miami Central HS (Miami, FL) 6-3, 255 pounds

22. Jordan Miller, OT, Miami Central HS (Miami, FL) 6-2, 260 pounds

23. Quatavis Parks, ATH, Maplewood HS (Nashville, TN) 5-10, 185 pounds

24. Stephen Capler, C, Ridgeland HS (Ridgeland, MS) 6-2, 280 pounds

25. Nathan Simms, CB/ATH, Arkansas Baptist CC , 6-1, 190 pounds

26. Mike Hill,LB, Murrah HS, Jackson, MS, 6-0, 185 pounds.

Recruits Overview

* Cardell Turner, WR Reedley CC in California (Fresno CA) 6-3, 190 pounds - played one season of varsity football at Edison High School ... was a track star in high school ... originally signed with Fresno State coming out of high school ... played at Reedley CC and finished the 2008 season with 16 rec. for 233 yds and 4 TDs ... had a two TD, 160 receiving yard game against Sierra CC ... named to the California JUCO All-State 1st team and a JUCO All-American ... son of Diana Smith.

* Milton Thomas, DT Auburn HS (Auburn, AL) 6-2, 290 pounds - son of former New England Patriots All-Pro Ben Thomas ... Milton was an All-District performer at Auburn HS ... parents are Ben and Sharlyne Thomas.

* Steve Capler, C Ridgeland HS (Ridgeland, MS) 6-2, 280 pounds - state power lifting champions ... named to 1st team all-region, as well as a 2nd team All-Metro and 2nd team All-State performer .. rated a one-star center by Scout.com.

* Milton Patterson, LB Banneker HS (College Park, GA) 5-11, 230 pounds - rated a three-star performer at middle linebacker by Rivals.com ... as a senior recorded 122 tackles, 10 sacks and three interceptions ... totaled 120 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in junior season... named 1st team All-Region and 2nd team All-State ... also played baseball and was a member of the wresting team ... son of Milton, Sr. and Tiffany Patterson.

* Quatavius Parks, ATH, Maplewood HS (Nashville, TN) 5-11, 180 pounds - named All-City and All-District ... was a finalist for the 2008 William E. Hume Award (for scholarship, sportsmanship, value to the team and individual performance).

* Derrick Jean, C Miami Central (Miami, FL) 6-3, 246 pounds - A two-star prospect according to Rivals.com ... all-state and all-district performer... played in the Dade/Broward all-star game.

* Jordan Miller, OT Miami Central (Miami, FL) 6-3, 260 pounds - All-District player ... played in the Dade/Broward All-Star game.

* Mike Hill,LB, Murrah HS (Jackson, MS) 6-0, 185 pounds. - 1st team All-District.

* Nate Simms, DB/ATH, Arkansas Baptist CC, Booker T. Washington HS (Tuskegee, AL) 6-1, 190 pounds - named MVP of the Texas JUCO League ... named to the President's List ... also played basketball and baseball in high school ... named team MVP in high school ... son of Gale Simms.

* Jonathan Billups, DT, Picayune HS (Picayune, MS) 6-1, 305 pounds - 1st team All-State selection ... played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game.

* Alfred Moreland, ATH, Banneker HS (Atlanta, GA) 5-7, 180 pounds - a small, but speedy running back ... in junior season rushed for 990 yards with eight rushing touchdowns and 200 receiving yards ... as a senior he was named to the 5-AAAA all-region 1st team by the Fayette Citizen after a season in which he totaled almost 1,900 all-purpose yards (1,213 rushing) and 15 touchdowns ... he was also a track standout for the Trojans ... he is Bannaker's all-time leading rusher ... parents are Alfred, Sr. and Angela Moreland.

* Akeem Williams, CB, SWMS CC (McComb, MS), 6-2, 190 pounds - played two season at Southwest Miss. CC ... had eight interceptions and 87 tackles.

* Richard Hughes, FS, SW Dekalb HS (Decatur, GA), 6-0, 185 pounds - named to 1st team All-Region, 2nd team All-State ... had four interceptions, 48 tackles and ten pass break-ups during his senior year ... also played basketball at SW Dekalb ... son of Richard Hughes, Sr. and Rachelle Savage.

* Todd Wilcher, ILB, Westlake HS (Atlanta, GA), 6-1, 220 pounds - named to the All-Region team, All-Dekalb County team... made the honor roll all four years of high school ... favorite recording group is Outkast ... parents are Todd, Sr., and Deena Wilcher ... father played football at Morris Brown in the early 1980's.

* Tobias Williams, ILB/RE, Stephenson HS (Lithonia, GA), 6-2, 245 pounds - named an All-Region, All-County (Dekalb) performer ... a four-year letterman at Stephenson ... as a senior recorded 95 tackles, five sacks, 22 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles ... in his best game recorded 12 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss ... parents are Shelia and Lawrence Williams.

* DeAndre Davis, OT, ML King HS (Decatur, GA), 6-4, 300 pounds - named to the All-AAA Region team, All-Dekalb County and 2nd team All-State ... participated in the Dekalb County All-Star game ... son of Gerald and Stacie Davis.

* Darius Mitchell, OG/C, Westlake HS (Atlanta, GA) 6-2, 320 pounds - named to the All-Region and All-County teams.

* Ameer Townes, OG, Converse-Judson HS (San Antonio, TX) 6-1, 300 pounds - named a 1st team 5A All-State selection as senior ... earned all-district honors as a junior ... was named a top-50 prospect by Texas Prep Insider.com ... Nickname is Rashad ... was also a member of the Converse-Judson track and field team (shot put) ... Favorite recording artist is Lil Wayne ... parents are KC and Lorraine Townes.

* Chris Holmes, DT, Grand Rapids CC, Maryville HS (Maryville, Ohio) 6-3, 300 pounds - played in the JUCO All-American ... ranked No. 10 among defensive tackles in JUCO ... son of Yolanda ... raised by aunt and uncle Richard and Angie Leach.

* Jonathan Archie, DE, Starkville HS (Starkville, MS) 6-2, 230 pounds - received and All-District honorable mention ... finished senior season with seven sacks, 70 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery ... parents are Barbara and Daniel Kinder.

* Antowan Westry, OT, Montgomery HS (Seemes, AL) 6-2, 295 pounds - named 1st team All-State ... played in the Alabama -Missisisppi All-Star game ...

* Antonio Brame, CB, Trinity HS (Euless, TX) 6-1, 170 pounds - was a two-year starter on the No. 1 ranked high school team in the nation ... invited to play in the Army All-American game ... finished senior season with 57 tackles and two interceptions ... also ran the 4x400 meter relay and the 300 meter hurdles ... son of Carla Brame.

* Reginald Bailey, LB, Picayune HS (Picayune, MS) 6-3, 210 pounds - named 1st team All-State as a junior and 2nd team All-State as a senior.

* Rico Richardson, WR, Natchez HS (Natches, MS) 6-0, 185 pounds - named a Clarion Ledger top 125 player ... 1st team All-Region, 1st team All-Metro and 2nd team All-State ... set a Natches HS receiving mark with 3,500 yards ... as a senior he recorded 46 receptions for 891 yards and seven TDs ... had a season high seven receptions for 111 yards and two TDs ... also rushed for 442 yards and six TDs on 42 carries... was the a Class 5A state champion in the triple jump (46 feet, 11 inches) ... also played basketball in high school ... his nickname is Tarzan ... favorite recording artists are Lil Wayne and Ludacris ... parents are Alvin Smith and Valarie Richardson.

* Jerell Walker, C, Lackawanna CC (Prince George, MD) 6-2, 285 pounds - named 1st team All-Conference.

* Aristacus Forster, OT, Verbum HS (Los Angeles, CA) 6-3, 305 pounds - named 1st team All-District.

* Ortiss Robinson, OLB, South Panola HS (Batesville, MS) 6-1, 200 pounds -

* Xavier Lee, ATH, South Panola HS (Batesville, MS) 5-8, 179 pounds - named to the Clarion Ledger top 125.

JSU Office of Athletic Media Relations

New A&T coach Lee likes first recruits

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Alonzo Lee seemed more relaxed Thursday than when he first took over three weeks ago as N.C. A&T's new football coach. Gone was the urgency and anxiousness to beat the bushes for bodies. Lee seemed more at ease - at times ecstatic - with the 22 players the Aggies signed on Wednesday, the first day high school and junior college players could sign national letters of intent.

"It's a very deep, very talented class for us - even more so when you think about the time we had to get everything together," said Lee.Lee, who promised to tap into the Triad's football market when he was introduced last month, made good on that promise. He signed five players from Guilford County, including all-state players Ricky Lewis and Chris Neal from Dudley. Besides filling some obvious holes, Lee believes the Aggies sent a message to football players and coaches throughout Guilford County.

Click Here to view NCA&T 2009 Recruiting List

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