Alcorn State Goes Offensive With 23 New Signees

The Alcorn State University football program has announced the signing of 23 new Braves for the 2010 recruiting class. Coach Earnest Collins Jr., and his staff focused on the offensive side of the ball by signing seven offensive linemen, three quarterbacks and three wide receivers. The offensive linemen average 6-3/305 in size. The gem of the group is all-state selectee, Derrick Henderson, (6-4/310) Brookhaven High School (Mississippi).

On paper, quarterback Jeremy Collins appears to be a potential star with over 4,000 career passing yards and 20 touchdowns. In his junior year at Greenwood High School (M.S.), the All-Region quarterback had only six interceptions the entire season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Braves signed Ricky Joseph from Miami Northwestern H.S. (Florida), who comes from a great program with a winning tradition. ESPN has this to say about the 6-2/275 defensive tackle: "Joseph comes from a program that produces many good prospects so you know he is used to competing against good competition. He has solid size for the defensive tackle position and displays the frame to be able to add more good bulk."

Joining Joseph from South Florida is Fort Lauderdale Stranahan H.S. safety/DB Derwin Brown, a 6-1/180 athlete that can play running back or wide receiver. Brown played on both sides of the ball for the 9-3 Stranahan Dragons.

At this time of the year, every coach will tell you that they have fulfilled their needs with the incoming recruiting class. And Coach Earnest Collins, Jr. is no difference in that regard. The "undefeated" and new Alcorn University Braves are:

Derrick Henderson- OL 6’4” 310 Brookhaven High School (MS)
Brandon Bridge- QB 6’5” 195 St. Marcellinus Secondary School (ONT)
Jacody Rose- OL 6’3” 309 O.P. Walker High School (LA)
Rodney Whitmore- WR 6’1” 175 Mansfield High School (TX)
LaRon Trigg- LS 6’2” 205 Hinds Community College (MS)
Michael Young- QB 6’2” 207 McLaurin High School (MS)
Chris Perkins- WR 6’6” 205 Hazlehurst High School (MS)
Ricky Joseph- DL 6’2” 275 Miami Northwestern High School (FL)
Jamison Knox- DB 5’9” 185 East High School (TN)
Maurice Redick- OL 6’3” 298 East High School (TN)
Fred Avery- DL 6’1” 278 Mobile Christian School (AL)
Jeremy Collins- QB 6’2” 210 Greenwood High School (MS)
Joshua Dupre- OL 6’4” 285 Captain Shreveport High School (LA)
Thomas Lacy- OL 6’2” 305 Robert Lee High School (TX)
Orlando Stringer- LB 6’0” 195 Carver High School (AL)
Derwin Brown- DB 6’1” 180 Stranahan High School (FL)
Terrence Barnes- DT 6’0” 295 Mize Attendance Center (MS)
Josh Dotson- ATH 5’10”175 Port Gibson High School (MS)
Stephen Fields- DB 5’11”175 Cedar Hill High School (TX)
Brian Malone- OL 6’5” 310 Hinds Community College (MS)
Avis Shelton- OL 6’3” 320 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Kenny Roby- LB 6’1” 220 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Ramon Brown- DB 6’2” 195 College of Dupage (IL)

-beepbeep

Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Collins, Jr. finished his first season with a 3-6, 3-4 SWAC record.

Alcorn fills needs with signing class

LORMAN, MS — Having a full year to get to know players makes a huge difference in recruiting, especially compared to only a few months. Now that Alcorn State head football coach Earnest Collins has been on the job for about a year, his hard work convincing athletes to sign with the Braves is much more evident. This past Wednesday, the Braves landed signatures from 23 high school and junior college athletes who will be joining the Braves in the fall.

“We had some needs we needed to fill, and the biggest one was on the offensive line,” Collins said. “We signed six total on Wednesday, so that was a big need we got filled.” In addition, Collins said he needed more athletes in the secondary, and competition at quarterback.

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Delaware State Strikes "Lucky 13" with Football Recruits

Delaware State University Head Football Coach Al Lavan (R) on the sidelines at Michigan.

Dover, DE -- Delaware State University has announced that 13 football recruits have accepted offers to attend the university and compete for the Hornets next season. DSU head coach Al Lavan has also announced the addition of two major college transfers who are enrolled at the university, and expect to participate in the upcoming spring camp. The signees include six defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, a wide receiver, offensive lineman and tight end.

"I am pleased with the quality athletes we have signed so far," said Delaware State head coach Al Lavan, who is 38-28 in six seasons as head coach of the Hornets. "We graduated some top players on our defense, so our focus was filling needs on that side of the ball, in addition to improving our overall strength and speed. We are off to a good start, and expect to announce more signings in the days ahead."

The Delaware State defensive line will be bolstered the addition of Josh Alaeze (fr. 6-1/240), Darian Scott (fr. 6-4, 210), Lafeit Frierson (fr. 6-2/240), Craig Woodus (fr. 6-5/265), Darrel Brown (jr. 6-2/285), and Rodney Gunter (fr. 6-4, 240). Alaeze and Scott were teammates at Dunbar High School in Baltimore. They helped lead the Poets to an 11-2 record and state playoff berth in 2009. Alaeze was a Maryland All-State First Team and All-Baltimore Metro First Team selection. He ranked 24th among Maryland high school prospects, according to 3-Star Rivals. Scott was a 2009 Maryland All-State Second Team and All-Baltimore Metro selection. He ranked in the top five in the state in sacks last season.

Frierson was a two-time All-Passaic County defensive end at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, N.J. He recorded 50 tackles, including 10 sacks as a senior year in 2009. Woodus was an All-Southeastern Virginia and All-Tidewater First Team selection as a defensive lineman and offensive lineman at Lakeland High School in Suffolk, Va. Brown joins the Hornets after two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College, where he helped lead the team to a 7-3 record last season. Prior to attending Hudson Valley, he was a standout at Pennwood High School in Philadelphia.

The Hornets have also inked offensive lineman Trevor Sales (fr. 6-2/285) of La Porte, Indiana. Sales was an All-Indiana First Team and all-conference selection at La Porte High School. In addition, he was a "National Underclassman Strong Man" award recipient. According to ESPN.com, Sales "is a fundamentally sound offensive lineman." Delaware State has added helped in the defensive backfield with the signing of Jermond Colston (fr. 5-11/175) of Norfolk, Va., and Joe Boyd from Fort Washington, Md. Colston was a 2009 All-Tidewater (Va.) selection, and is the school record holder in the 55-meter dash.

Bo Cerravolo (fr. 6-1/190), a standout wide receiver from Venice, Fla., will join the Hornets this year. Last season, the Florida high school all-star had 48 catches and helped lead Venice High to a No. 48 USA Today ranking. Tight end Nick Brackett (fr. 6-4/235) of Lawrenceville, N.J. has also signed to attend DSU. The Hornets have also welcomed University of Maryland transfer Dominique Herald (DB) and former Rutgers defensive lineman Wayne Thomas to the team. Herald competed in 14 games at Maryland. As a senior at Pennington School in New Jersey, he was one of the top defensive backs in the nation, ranking No. 6 nationally among safeties by Scouts, Inc. In addition, he was the 16th-ranked prospect in the state of New Jersey by Rivals.com. Thomas signed with Rutgers as the No. 11 prospect in New Jersey as a senior at Nottingham High School.

Delaware State Football 2010 newcomers

Josh Alaeze FR DE 6-1/240 Baltimore, Md./Dunbar HS
Joe Boyd FR DB 6-0/180 Ft. Washington, Md./Friendly HS
Nick Brackett FR TE 6-4/235 Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrenceville HS
Bo Cerravolo FR WR 6-1/190 Venice, Fla./Venice HS
Jermond Colston FR DB 5-11/175 Norfolk, Va./Booker T. Washington
Lafeit Frierson FR DE 6-2/240 Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy
Rodney Gunter FR DL 6-4/240 Haines City, Fla./Haines City HS
Kennedy Ogbonna FR LB 6-1/215 Wash., D.C./Friendship Academy
Trevor Sales FR OL 6-3/285 La Porte, Ind./La Porte HS
Darian Scott FR DE 6-4/210 Baltimore, Md./Dunbar HS
Dominic Shepard FR LB 6-1/200 Hyattsville, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt
Craig Woodus FR DL 6-5/265 Suffolk, Va./Lakeland HS

Transfers
Darrel Brown JR DL 6-2/285 Phila., Pa./Hudson Valley CC/Pennwood
Dominique Herald JR DB 5-11/195 Newark, N.J./Maryland/Pennington
Wayne Thomas SO DL 6-5/285 Nottingham, N.J./Rutgers/Nottingham HS

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations, Release: 2/4/2010

Alabama A&M Bulldogs Signs Top Playmakers

Alabama A&M head football coach Anthony Jones and his staff signed 24 future Bulldogs on National Signing Day. The 2010 recruting class represents six states ranging from California to Florida, and includes 13 players from the state of Alabama. The class is expected to grow over the coming days as more recruits finalize their college choices.

Alabama A&M University head football coach Anthony Jones

Alabama A&M Bulldog 2010 Recruiting Class

Frederick Barnes - DT, 6-1, 300, Memphis, TN, Westwood HS
Christopher Boykin - OL, 6-4, 270, Birmingham, AL, Parker HS
A.J. Clark - QB, 6-2, 185, Pensacola, FL, Pine Forest HS
Alan Cruz - OL, 6-2, 270, Huntsville, AL, Buckhorn HS
Giba Goba - OL, 6-5, 265, Philadelphia, PA, Overbrook HS
Justin Goodrich - OL, 6-1, 325, Huntsville, AL, Buckhorn HS
Derrick Harris - DB, 5-10, 170, Stone Mountain, GA, Stone Mountain
Kierri Issac - DB, 6-0, 180, Stone Mountain, GA, Stone Mountain HS
Vandrick Jackson - DB, 5-11, 185, Birmingham, AL, Jackson-Olin HS
Brendan Johnson - RB, 5-7, 180, Atlanta, GA, Carver HS
Brandon Knight - RB, 5-8, 205, Dothan, AL, Dothan HS
Chris Leachman - QB, 6-3, 180, Long Beach, CA, Long Beach HS
Ricky Morton - DE, 6-2, 215, Memphis, TN, Oak Haven HS
Joseph Porter - FB, 5-8, 220, Phenix City, AL, Central HS
Terrance Pride - WR, 5-10, 170, Harvest, AL, Sparkman HS
Jordan Roman - LS, 5-11, 200, Lithonia, GA, Lithonia HS
Brandon Savage - DE, 6-1, 225, Bay Minette, AL, Baldwin County HS
Montarius Smith - WR, 6-0, 170, Birmingham, AL, Jackson-Olin HS
Terrance Spinks - TE, 6-1, 215, Opelika, AL, Opelika HS
Derrick Square - WR, 6-2, 170, Birmingham, AL, Parker HS
Jonathan Sullivan - OL, 6-2, 310, Holly Pond, AL, Fairview HS
Jawanza Vickers - DT, 6-0, 280, Enterprise, AL, Enterprise HS
Nathan Woodard - OL, 6-1, 260, Mobile, AL, Theodore HS
Dominique Wright - DE, 6-2, 220, Hallandale, FL, Hallandale HS

Maryland Bill would mandate Morgan State, Towson football match-ups with the Terps

Maryland Delegate Jay "Sky" Walker has introduced legislation that would require the University of Maryland to play the Tigers (Towson) and Bears (Morgan State) once every four years in a "money" football game. Terps, Tigers and Bears! Oh, my!

Bill would mandate Towson, Morgan State football match-ups‎

The University of Maryland Terrapin football team is scheduled to play Morgan State this fall (Sept. 11, 2010) and Towson in 2011. But if a state legislator has his way, there might be rematches — a lot of them. Del. Jay "Sky" Walker (D-Prince George’s) has introduced a bill requiring the Terps to play either Morgan State or Towson once every four years, arguing it would help fund the two smaller schools’ football programs. But university officials are opposing the bill, saying it would strip the Athletics Department of flexibility in scheduling and force it to subsidize the smaller programs.

“The university should be making its decisions on scheduling football, not the legislature,” university lobbyist Ross Stern said. “This really is stepping on the university’s autonomy.” The Terps are generally regarded as the most prestigious football program in the state, but Walker said the state’s two Football Championship Series (formerly called Division 1-AA) teams would benefit financially and otherwise from playing their in-state ACC counterpart. Instead of playing out-of-state FCS schools, he said, the Terps should play the Tigers or the Bears.

“It’s definitely about keeping money in the state of Maryland,” said Walker, a former NFL quarterback who also works as a college football commentator for ESPN. “In the past two years, Maryland has played James Madison and Delaware, which are both FCS schools. We have two FCS schools right here in Maryland. “Now we can have these schools play all the time, not just once in a lifetime,” added Walker, who starred for Howard University before playing for the New England Patriots, Barcelona Dragons and Minnesota Vikings as a professional in the 1990s.

House bill would require more in-state matchups

State Del. Jay Walker, an ESPN college football commentator and former NFL player, has introduced House Bill 482, the Maryland Football Act, which would require the University of Maryland, a Football Bowl Subdivision school, to play at least one game every four years against Morgan State or Towson, two Football Championship Subdivision schools. Walker said he was inspired to create the bill when he saw Maryland schedule FCS team James Madison instead of one of the state schools.

"The football commentator in me understands football," Walker said. "The legislator in me sees a way to help fund the football programs at our FCS schools properly. We've got one flagship program, Maryland, and two FCS teams, Towson and Morgan State. When you see Maryland play James Madison, you say: 'Wait - we have Towson and Morgan State. They could do so much for their programs with the proceeds from that game.' "And Morgan and Towson should have the ability to play Maryland more than once in a lifetime. We want to see it happen on a more frequent basis."

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READ Jay "Sky" Walker BIO:
www.friendsofjaywalker.com/bio.htm
Jay Walker, Maryland State Delegate

Note to Fans: In the past, Maryland has scheduled games with Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1-AA) Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) members James Madison, William and Mary and Villanova. Towson is also a member of the CAA and is scheduled to open the 2010 season at Indiana (money game). The Tigers recently have played money games at Northwestern (2009) and Navy (2008). Morgan State (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) has played money games at Akron (2009), Rutgers (2008) and San Jose State (2004). Both are experienced at taking a butt kicking and picking up a $100,000 to $350,000 check from the home team. If Maryland does not want to play Tigers and Bears --the 1-AA Howard Bison (MEAC) are less than 15 miles away from Byrd Stadium and does not recruit the same type student/athletes as Maryland. Howard standards are higher on the academics.

No excuse for the Terps not playing two local teams twice in a decade which are located within a 50 mile radius of College Park. "Sky" Walker is right--keep some of the money in Maryland and give the local teams an opportunity to knock off the Terrapins. We expect House Bill 482 to get some traction with the push from state delegates from Towson and Morgan. All three are state-supported and funded schools. Terps, Tigers and Bears! Oh my!

-beepbeep

Texas Southern Signs 29 Players for the 2010 Season

Texas Southern Signs 29 Players for the 2010 Season

The Texas Southern Tigers football team finished the 2009 with the second best record for the school this decade. The Tigers finished the season 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference…both records were only matched by the TSU’s 2000 season. Nearly all of the 2009 team will return in 2010, which means competition will be tough and this season’s signees will have an opportunity to learn and grow.

“Our 2010 class will have the best of both worlds. They won’t be pressured to make an impact right away, but they also have an opportunity to fight for a spot in the rotation,” said head coach Johnnie Cole. Coach Cole focused on two areas main areas in this class…quarterback and defensive line. “We have our senior quarterback Arvell Nelson returning and he will be the leader for the guys coming in. We brought in three capable young quarterbacks as we look toward the future of this program,” Cole said.

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Texas Southern University Tigers Football 2010 Recruits

NAME HT WT POS HOMETOWN SCHOOL
Le'Tevin Wilcox 6'0" 200 FB/LB Bay City, TX Bay City HS
JohnHolt III 6'4" 315 OL Tallahassee, FL Leon HS
Leonard Moon 6'0" 170 DB Houston, TX Lamar HS
Andre Kelly 6'1" 175 QB Houston, TX Chavez HS
Darveon Trahan 6'4" 200 QB Houston, TX Jack Yates HS
Rudy Johnson 6'1" 185 QB Chula Vista, CA Horizon HS
Tim Turner 6'3" 190 WR Houston, TX Madison HS
Andre Coleman 5'11" 180 WR Houston, TX Madison HS
Jacolby Joseph 6'0" 180 WR Houston, TX Westfield HS
Trevion Porter 6'0" 170 DB Houston, TX Reagan HS
Cory Williams 6'3" 215 LB Converse,TX Converse Judson HS
Donovan Roberts 6'5" 220 WR Missouri City, TX Willowridge HS
Micah Tillotson 6'0" 170 WR Pearland, TX Pearland Dawson HS
Jerome Thomas 6'2" 200 DB Miami, FL. Northwestern HS
Byron Blake 6'2" 200 DB Belle Glade, FL Belle Glade Central HS
Johnathan Craig 6'1" 210 ATH San Antonio, TX SA MacArthur HS
Tim Benford 6'5" 240 DL Houston, TX Jersey Village HS
Broderick Simpson 6'1" 295 DL Duluth, GA Duluth HS
Robert Lee 6'1" 195 DB Reedly, CA Central East HS
Lagrone Shields 6'3" 270 DL Memphis, TN Ridgeway HS
David Rue 6'6" 250 TE New Orleans, LA Richwood HS
Mario Goins 6'1" 185 DB Copperas Cove, TX Copperas Cove HS
Cedric Everson 6'2" 185 DB Detroit, MI Martin Luther King HS
Porter Hill 6'5" 300 DL Long Beach, CA Compton HS
Michael Edwards 5'11" 190 DB Cleveland, OH Glenville HS
Deandre Savage 6'3" 295 DL Flint, MI. Southwestern HS
Dechon Daniels 6'0" 225 RB Miami, FL Southridge HS
Markee Drummer 6’4” 230 DL West Palm Beach, FL Cardinal Newmann HS
Cohren Alexander 6’3” 315 OL Houston, TX Westfield HS

2010 Signees: 29
Offense 13 (QB 3, FB 1, RB 1, TE 1, WR 5, OL 2)
Defense 16 (DB 8, LB 1, ATH 1, DL 6)
By State: Texas 15, Florida 5, Ohio 1, California 3, Georgia 1,
Tennessee 1, Louisiana 1, Michigan 2
Author: Rodney Bush, Sports Information Director

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Signing Tidewater recruits is a big step for North Carolina Central football program

Rison Signing Tidewater recruits is a big step ...

DURHAM, N.C. - The needs were few for N.C. Central, but the haul of players signed on Wednesday exceeded the expectations of Coach Mose Rison. "We're upgrading at every position," Rison said. "We're recruiting Division I kids now. We need to recruit those types of players because we're playing against those types of players." With NCCU's move to the MEAC, Rison was able to open a recruiting front in the Tidewater area of Virginia by signing two players.

"For us to break into the Tidewater are was big," Rison said. "It's a tremendous accomplishment. The area has such a rich tradition of producing football players. Going into the MEAC helped make us attactive." The Eagles only have to replace five departed seniors from the 2009 squad that posted a 4-7 record. The recruiting class Rison is bringing in consists of 14 players. Most of the newcomers were recruited for offense, including three linemen, three receivers, two tailbacks and a fullback.



NCCU ANNOUNCES 15 AMONG 2010 FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS

1. Dennis Alleyne, WR, 6-3, 180, Winston-Salem, N.C., Parkland H.S. - Selected All-Conference. Recorded 48 catches for 872 yards in 2009. Lettered in three sports (football, basketball, track).
2. Ty Brown, FS, 6-3, 215, Claremont, N.C., Newton-Conover H.S. - Selected Associated Press First-Team All-State, First-Team All-Western Region and All-Conference. Collected 83 tackles, eight interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), seven pass break-ups and three forced fumbles.
3. Dajuan Calloway, OL, 6-4, 320, Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville H.S. - Named 2009 Associated Press Northeast Lakes All-District First Team. Three-year starter. As a senior, graded out at 86 percent blocking efficiency with 12 pancake blocks.
4. Andre Clarke, RB, 5-10, 220, Mauldin, S.C., Mauldin H.S. - Chosen 4A All-State, All-Region, All-County. All-time leading rusher at Mauldin High School. As a senior, ran for 1,685 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Team posted a 10-3 record.
5. Ryker Goodell, LB, 6-1, 220, Woodstock, Ga., Etowah H.S. - Selected as the 2009 Cherokee County co-Defensive Player of the Year. Amassed 101 tackles with six sacks as a senior.
6. Shaun Millien, OL, 6-8, 350, Roslindale, Mass., Dean College, Catholic Memorial H.S. - Transfer from Dean College in Franklin, Mass. Two-year starter at Dean, where team won back-to-back conference championships. Selected All-Northeast Conference. All-Conference honoree at Catholic Memorial High School. Starter on both sides of the ball.
7. Darren Moore, OL, 6-5, 315, Fayetteville, N.C., Westover H.S. - Selected to 2009 Mid-Southeastern 4A All-Conference Team. Also lettered in track & field.
8. Fred Ominde, DB, 6-0, 180, Rochester, Minn., Rochester Community & Technical College, Bloomington Kennedy H.S. - Selected All-Division and All-Conference (Minnesota College Athletic Conference) Second Team. As a sophomore in 2009, recorded 47 tackles (37 solo) with 13 pass break-ups, two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. As a freshman in 2008, collected 36 tackles (27 solo) with 12 pass break-ups, five interceptions and a sack. Named 2008 All-MCAC Honorable Mention.
9. Rasheen Person, LB, 6-3, 250, Newport News, Va., Heritage H.S. - As a senior, topped team with 94 tackles, including 12 hits for a loss with eight sacks, along with two interceptions. Scored three touchdowns and five 2-point conversions as a short-yardage back.
10. Demontray Ryland, LB, 6-1, 230, Portsmouth, Va., Norcom H.S. - Two-time First-Team All-Tidewater and All-District selection. Named 2008 Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year. 2009 All-Region honoree.
11. Duval Smith, RB, 5-10, 185, Roswell, Ga., Roswell H.S. - Rushed for 1,119 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 7.0 yards per carry.
12. Shavarez Smith, WR, 6-2, 180, McDonough, Ga., Henry County H.S. - Named 2009 Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention, First-Team All-Region, First-Team All-County, Henry County Player of the Year. Selected to the North/South All-Star Game. Collected 32 receptions for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 26 yards per catch.
13. Jordan Toomer, FB, 6-2, 235, Gastonia, N.C., Ashbrook H.S. - Selected 2009 All-Big South 3A Conference Team. Averaged more than four yards per carry.
14. Chase Tripp, DL, 6-2, 245, Chocowinity, N.C., Winston-Salem State University, Washington H.S. - Transfer from Winston-Salem State University. Played in six games for WSSU in 2009, recording five tackles and a pass break-up as a freshman. Two-time All-Area First Team pick as a defensive end at Washington High School. Topped team in total tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.
15. Lamar Whidbee, WR, 6-3, 180, Hertford, N.C., Winston-Salem State University, Perquimans County H.S. - Transfer from Winston-Salem State University. Started in all 11 games for WSSU in 2009 as a redshirt freshman. Caught 16 passes for 208 yards on the season. Earned All-Conference and All-Region honors in both junior and senior seasons (2006, 2007) as a wide receiver at Perquimans County High School. Three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) in high school.

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Norfolk State goes for the beef; 16 players signed

Norfolk State signs 16, expects more

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 Class


















1. 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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