Football National Signing Day
2/6/2008 5:06:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Georgia Southern head coach Chris Hatcher announced the Eagle Football program received 37 signed commitments for 2008. The announcement came during Wednesday’s (Feb. 6) press conference in the Parrish Football Center.
Hatcher announced that five of the 37 recruits signed with the program and began classes during the spring 2008 semester. They are currently working out with the team this spring. They include two Division I FBS transfers, two junior college players and one freshman.
“One area we lacked last year was depth. We took steps in the right direction last year but we lose several key contributors. I felt that was our number one priority, to sign players that have the ability to contribute immediately,” said Hatcher. “Overall I thought everything went well. Southern Ambassadors, the entire Georgia Southern administration and the community really helped sell the city of Statesboro and the traditions here at Georgia Southern. Our goal every year is to get the best football players we can. With recruiting classes time always will tell, but I am excited about what this class might be able to accomplish. I want to commend my coaching staff, I thought they worked hard and did a great job signing the players we did.”
The Eagles returned to the national rankings last year, finishing 17th in The Sports Network poll. Georgia Southern finished 7-4 overall last year, 4-3 in the Southern Conference. Spring practice begins March 10 and will conclude with the annual Blue-White spring game on Saturday, April 12th at Paulson Stadium.
David Arnold * RB * 6-0, 201 * Adel (Valdosta)
Rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 15 touchdowns his senior year... versatile back who caught 40 passes and averaged more than 10 yards per reception... Honorable Mention All-State... All-Region... recorded a 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash... three star recruit by Rivals.com... named ?Athlete of the Year’ at Valdosta HS... selected to participate in the GACA All-Star game.
Samair Baker * WR * 5-7, 170 * Valrico, FL (Brandon)
Versatile player who saw playing time on both sides of the ball ... All-State selection... surpassed 1,700 all-purpose yards last season, scoring 24 touchdowns... rushed for 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns... recorded 54 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions... led the Eagles to the Class 5A-District 7 title before losing to three-time defending state champion in the first round... named Defensive First Team All-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Tribune... named ?Most Valuable Player’ in the Hillsborough County All-Star game.
Leander Barney * QB * 5-8, 187 * Irmo, S.C. (Irmo)
Named 4A Region ?Player of the Year’ his senior year... last fall rushed for 1,101 yards (on 134 attempts), averaging 8.2 yards per carry, and scored 14 touchdowns... completed 32-of-52 passes for 551 yards and nine touchdowns... caught seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns... averaged 31.3 yards on eight kickoff returns... 12.6 yards on 18 punt returns and a touchdown... 1,724 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns on the year... tabbed 4A ?Player of the Week’ seven times... junior year took over as starting quarterback... completed 33-of-65 passes for 687 yards and 10 touchdowns... rushed 133 times for 788 yards and five scores... averaged 17 yards on 11 punt returns, including a 70-yard return for a touchdown... recorded 1,275 yards of total offense... named 4A ?Player of the Week’ five times... sophomore year caught 28 passes for 536 yards and six touchdowns... returned 10 kickoffs for a 30.5 yard average... 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown... 717 all-purpose yards... lettered four years in football... twice won team Coaches’ Award.
Nick Bass * WR * 5-11, 200 * Warner Robins (Northside)
Broke three career receiving records during his stellar career at Northside HS: touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions... All-State honors his senior year... also named All-Middle Georgia and All-County... caught 97 passes for 1,597 yards and 24 touchdowns... averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game... rushed for 162 yards on 30 carries and scored a touchdown... played for a state championship all four years and won three titles... three year starter at wide receiver... twice named the team’s ?Wide Receiver of the Year’... named ?Player of the Week’ several times throughout his career... joined teammate Jerome Bibbins in signing with the Georgia Southern program.
Jerome Bibbins * OL * 6-2, 305 * Warner Robins (Northside)
Two-time All-Region honors... twice earned All-State honors in Class 4A... played for a state championship three times ... joined teammate Nick Bass in signing with the Georgia Southern program... career blocking percentage of 85 percent... recorded 38 knockdown blocks his senior year.
Stephen Bolt * OL * 6-1, 272 * Grayson (Grayson)
First Team All-Gwinnett County... GACA All-Star game participant... Offensive Player of the Month for Gwinnett County... graded out at 88 percent his senior year with 50 knockdown blocks... helped Grayson to a second place finish in Region 8 of 5A... advanced to the state quarterfinals last fall.
Victor Daniels * DB * 5-8, 182 * Waycross (Ware County HS)
Lettered in football (4), track (4), basketball (3) and wrestling (1)... First Team All-State honors last fall... named Player of the Year in Region 3-AAAA... Three-time First Team All-Region pick... named to the GACA All-Star team... helped Ware County to a 4A state runner-up finish... turned in a 4.40 time in the 40-yard dash... 15 receptions for 255 yards and three touchdowns... totaled 205 rushing yards and scored four TDs... 33 tackles, two forced fumbles, one tackle for a loss and broke up seven passes... member of the Florida Times-Union Preseason Super 11.
Oliver Davis * DB * 5-8, 160 * Acworth (North Cobb HS)
Named ?Defensive Back of the Year in Cobb County... played in the Cobb County All-Star game... earned All-County honors as a defensive back... earned ?Defensive Player of the Week’ accolade during his senior year... played for coach Shane Queen... recorded 50 tackles, 16 pass break-ups, four interceptions, one forced fumble and scored two touchdowns his senior year.
Dion Dubose * LB * 6-0, 225 * Dacula (Norcross)
Named Gwinnett County’s ?Defensive Player of the Year’... Honorable Mention All-State... First Team All-County... recorded 174 tackles during his senior year, including 23 tackles for a loss and six sacks... helped Norcross HS win the Region 7-AAAAA title last fall... selected to participate in the GACA and Gwinnett County All-Star game.
Daniel Few * OL/DL * 6-4, 269 * Ellenwood (Grady)
Voted ?Best Offensive Lineman’ on his team following his senior year... recorded 20 knockdown blocks on the offensive line last fall, in addition to 25 tackles and four sacks on defense... his junior year finished with 16 knockdown blocks and 20 tackles on the D-Line... joined HS teammate Demarcus Watts in signing with Georgia Southern.
Franklin Green * RB * 5-11, 207 * Savannah (Jenkins)
Two-time ?Greater Savannah Offensive Player of the Year’ by the Savannah Morning News... rushed for 5,047 yards and 55 touchdowns in his storied career... lettered in football (4), track (4) and basketball (2)... rushed for 1,663 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall, helping the Warriors to an 8-3 record and first state playoff berth in more than 20 years... ?Most Valuable Player’ last fall in Region 3-AAAAA... named Player of the Week a combined seven times by WSAV-TV and WTOC-TV... WTOC-TV ?Player of the Year’ in 2006... two-time winner of the Mike Finochario Award... named to the GACA All-Star game... a track standout as well, winning the Region 3-AAAAA 100-meter dash in 2005 and 2006.... ran for 267 yards and three touchdowns against Bluffton (S.C.) in the season-opener, a game in which he had three more touchdown runs called back due to penalties... three star recruit by Rivals.com... played for coach Tim Adams, a former Georgia Southern offensive lineman.
Derek Heyden * DB * 6-1, 177 * Atlanta (Marist)
Played on both offense (running back) and defense (secondary) for Marist HS... recorded 512 yards on 72 carries (7.1 yards per carry) with nine touchdowns last year... caught seven passes for 106 yards and averaged 18 yards on seven kickoff returns... on the defensive end recorded 50 tackles, five pass break-ups and two interceptions... continues long line of football recruits from Marist, including current Eagle Chris Ashkouti... missed most of his junior year with a broken ankle.
LaVelle Larry * RB/DB * 6-0, 211 * Roswell (Roswell)
All-around talent who helped the Hornets finished with a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A... recorded 43 tackles last year... two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown... five pass break-ups... two star recruit by Rivals.com.
A.J. McCray * DB * 5-8, 203 * St. Marys (Camden County)
Lettered in football (4), track (4) and basketball (2)... First Team All-Region last fall... First Team All-Coastal Georgia his senior year... earned Second Team All-Region honors his junior year and was named Honorable Mention All-Region as a sophomore... twice helped his team advance to the state semifinals in the Georgia Dome (2004, 2007)... named ?Special Teams Player of the Year’ in Region 3-AAAAA... named to the GACA All-Star game in 2007... two star athlete by Rivals.com.
Fred Moore * DL * 5-11, 291 * Douglas (Coffee County)
Earned All-American honors following his senior year... twice received All-State honors... four-time All-Region pick... during his senior year finished with 13 sacks and 96 tackles in all.
Larry Murphy * DB * 5-10, 165 * St. Petersburg, FL (Gibbs)
First Team All-Pinellas County... received All-State honors... Honorable Mention All-Suncoast... recorded 55 tackles, eight pass break-ups and of his five interceptions returned two for a touchdown... blocked six kicks on special teams... offensively caught 21 passes for 293 yards and scored a touchdown... named ?Defensive Most Valuable Player’ following the Pinellas County All-Star game... joins teammate Marcus Russ as signing with the Georgia Southern program.
David Noel * OL/DL * 6-2, 289 * Albany (Monroe)
Played both offensive and defensive line... First Team All-State... earned First Team All-Region honors as an offensive and defensive lineman... named All-Area and All-Metro on the offensive line... named to the GACA All-Star game... helped Monroe HS qualify for the 2007 playoffs... team lost to eventual state champion in the second round... graded out at 90 percent last year on the offensive line, in addition to 42 knockdown blocks... recorded 61 tackles (including 11 for a loss), five forced fumbles and three sacks.
Darreion Robinson * RB * 5-9, 185 * Bishop (Clarke Central)
Two-time First Team All-Region... twice named First Team All-Northeast Georgia... Honorable Mention All-State... finished his stellar career with a Clarke Central HS record 4,045 yards on 626 carries, a 6.5 career yards per rush average, and 47 touchdowns... caught 41 passes for 667 yards... senior year tied a school record with a 90-yard touchdown run versus Decula HS... rushed for 1,376 yards last fall on 190 carries... 13 rushing TDs... named team’s Most Valuable Player... averaged more than seven yards per carry... junior year registered 1,249 yards on the ground on 177 carries... 13 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per rush... eight kick returns, averaging nearly 40 yards per return and scored two touchdowns... selected to play in the GACA All-Star game... older brother Dunta Robinson is a defensive back with the Houston Texans... turned in a 4.44 time in the 40-yard dash... played for coach Leroy Ryals.
Marcus Russ * WR * 6-1, 195 * St. Petersburg, FL (Gibbs)
First Team All-Pinellas County his senior year... caught 28 passes for 530 yards, averaging 19 yards per reception, and eight touchdowns... on defense made 25 tackles... two interceptions and broke up four passes... joins teammate Larry Murphy in signing with the Georgia Southern program, who also played in the Pinellas County All-Star game.
Brent Russell * DT * 6-2, 287 * Bowman (Madison County)
Registered 85 tackles, three sacks his senior year, earning First Team All-Region 8-AAAA honors for the second straight year... First Team All-Northeast Georgia... also forced one fumble, recovered two, had two pass break-ups, two blocked kicks, scored a touchdown and one safety... named AAAA Preseason Honorable Mention All-State by the Georgia HS Football Magazine... Preseason All-Northeast Georgia Terrific Ten by the Athens Banner-Herald... junior year won the Region 8-AAAA shot put title... won the Class 4A Heavyweight wrestling title, posting a 56-1 record... four year starter... led Madison County HS to consecutive state playoff appearances for the first time in 20 years and only the second time in school history... played for coach Randle Owens.
J.B. Shippy * LB * 5-11, 205 * Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney)
Helped Gaffney HS win two state championships (2005, 2006)... junior year team finished 16-0... First Team All-State honors his final two years... two-time All-Area selection... finished his senior year with 137 tackles (including six sacks and eight tackles for a loss), one interception and three forced fumbles... invited to play in the Shrine Bowl (North Carolina vs. South Carolina)... recorded 203 tackles his junior year as he was named the High School Sports Report ?Defensive Player of the Year’... clocked a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash... listed as a three star recruit by Rivals.com.
K.R. Snipes * DB * 5-9, 175 * Opelika, AL (Opelika)
Named to the Area Super 8 his senior year... Second Team All-State... junior year earned First Team All-Area honors... Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year... recorded six interceptions, 14 pass break-ups and 54 tackles his junior year.
Tyler Sumner * WR/ATH * 6-2, 212 * Pooler (Savannah Christian)
Lettered three years in football, twice in baseball and basketball... First Team All-Region his final three years... Three-time All-City pick... named Player of the Year in Region 3-AA... his senior year recorded 28 receptions for 662 yards (23.6 ypc) and 12 touchdowns... defensively recorded 89 tackles and intercepted a pass.
Jamical Tatum * OL * 5-11, 335 * LaGrange (Troup)
Three-year starter at Troup HS... twice named to the LaGrange Daily News All-Area team... two-time Valley News All-Area... All-Region 2-AAA... selected to the GACA All-Star game... named ?Most Valuable Lineman’ at Troup HS... played for coach Bubba Jeter.
Marc Thomas * LB * 5-10, 215 * Tampa, FL (Hillsborough)
Three-time All-Hillsborough County selection... earned All-State honors last fall... recorded 361 tackles throughout his stellar prep career... finished his senior year making 151 stops... offensively rushed for 600 yards and 13 touchdowns... joins brother Ricky Ponton as a signee with the Georgia Southern program... played for coach Earl Garcia... selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star game... also participated in the FHSA North-South game last fall.
Roderick Tinsley * DE * 6-3, 236 * Soperton (Treutlen)
Earned First Team All-Region 2-A accolades as a junior (linebacker) and senior (defensive end)... two-time First Team Heart of Georgia... Honorable Mention All-State... senior year recorded 92 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 10 sacks... at linebacker his junior year finished with 78 tackles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and five sacks... selected to play in the GACA All-Star game.
Adam Urbano * RB * 5-8, 190 * Calhoun (Calhoun)
Three times selected First Team All-Area by the Rome News-Tribune... twice earned First Team All-Area honors by the Chattanooga Times Free Press (sophomore/senior year) and was named ?Offensive Player of the Year’ as a sophomore... First Team All-State by the Georgia Sports Writers Association... recorded 4,434 career rushing yards and 70 touchdowns... entered the starting line-up midway through his freshman year and was there the rest of his career... recorded more than 1,300 rushing yards on 161 carries last fall (8.2 ypr) scoring 24 touchdowns... caught 21 passes for 117 yards and returned 11 punts for 155 yards.
Darryl Walker * DB * 6-2, 176 * LaGrange (Callaway)
A nominee for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award... twice named First Team All-County by the LaGrange Daily News... earned Second Team All-Region 5-AA accolades his final two years... senior year helped Callaway HS to a school record 8-3 record and second consecutive playoff appearance... recorded 54 tackles, eight pass break-ups, and one interception his senior year... received ?Defensive Back of the Year’ award... a standout track runner, won two region titles in the 4x100 relay (sophomore, junior years)... finished fourth and sixth in state, respectively, the past two seasons in the 4x100 relay... earned six ?Player of the Week’ awards in basketball his junior year... averaged 12.3 points per game, finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer... recorded 56 tackles and one interception his junior year as Callaway returned to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus... an accomplished musician as well, he was named ?Best Instrumental Player’ for the LaGrange orchestra and ?Most Outstanding Musician’ for the high school concert band.
Gordon Warnell * OL * 6-2, 273 * Claxton (Pinewood Christian)
Earned All-State honors in the GISA... three-time GISA All-Region... four year starter... played on both offense and defense... in 2005 and 2007 helped the Patriots win the regional championship and advance to the state finals... senior year named team’s ?Most Valuable Lineman’... selected to and started in the GISA All-Star game... saw time at tight end as well, catching nine passes for 155 yards... averaged 40 yards per punt last year and also served as the placekicker.
Demarcus Watts * WR * 6-0, 200 * Atlanta (Grady)
Lettered in both football and track... All-City in 2007... Honorable Mention All-State... member of the 2007 CSS All-Chevy football team... recorded 2,500 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns throughout his career... caught 45 passes for 900 yards and 13 touchdowns last year... selected to participate in the GACA All-Star game... track standout who has turned in a 4.40 time in the 40-yard dash... two star recruit by Rivals.com... sophomore year won the regional championship in the 100 (10.6 seconds) and 200 (22.3) meters... joined HS teammate Daniel Few in signing with Georgia Southern.
Tavaris Williams * LB * 5-11, 200 * Hahira (Lowndes County)
Helped Lowndes County capture the 2007 Class 5A state championship... led the state class in tackles with 161... All-Region and All-State accolades... in addition to his impressive tackles total finished with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass break-ups... offensively averaged nearly nine yards per rush, 410 yards in all with seven touchdowns... selected to participate in the GACA North/South All-Star game.
Markeith Wylie * DL * 6-0, 286 * Washington (Washington-Wilkes/Georgia Military)
Played two years at Georgia Military College... last year recorded 18 tackles, including 10 for a loss and nine sacks... helped fourth-ranked GMC advance to the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl game last fall, going 9-1 in the regular season... GMC finished the year ranked ninth nationally... top-ranked team nationally in rush defense... position coach is former Eagle all-conference defensive lineman Victor Cabral... team MVP at Washington-Wilkes HS.
ENROLLED IN JANUARY
Chris Gray * OL * 6-5, 250 * Landrum, S.C. (Landrum)
Signed with the Eagles in February 2007... did not enroll in classes last fall and enrolled at Georgia Southern in January... will have four years of eligibility remaining... HIGH SCHOOL: Missed the first part of his senior year with an injury... earned Associated Press Class A All-State honors as an offensive lineman... ranked among The State’s ?Top 50’ list... All-Region accolades... registered 48 knockdown blocks in just eight games... participated in the 2006 SCADA North-South All-Star game... team advanced to the second round of the Class A playoffs... three year starter... brother Sean lettered in football ... played for coach John Cann.
Terence Hall * WR/ATH * 5-7, 180 * Milton, FL (Pace/Highland CC)
Joined the Eagle Football program in January... has two years of eligibility remaining... AT HIGHLAND CC: Preseason All-American at Highland... earned First Team All-Jayhawk Conference honors... played one year at Florida Atlantic and started his first game as a true-freshman... transferred to Valdosta State but did not play... HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time First Team All-State performer at Pace HS... played for coach Mickey Lindsey... 2005 Northwest Florida ?Player of the Year’... selected to play in the Emerald All-Star game... has a brother Bruce who is a member of the Ole Miss football team.
Darell Norman * WR/ATH * 5-10, 195 * Lincolnton (Lincoln County/UAB)
Joined the Eagle Football program in January... will have four years of eligibility remaining... AT UAB: Redshirted in 2007... HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked as the No. 10 all-purpose back and No. 41 overall prospect in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com ... helped lead Lincoln County to 2006 Class A championship (21-14 win over Clinch County in final), the program's 14th all-time football state title... rushed for 1,167 yards on only 108 attempts (10.8 yards per rush) with 13 touchdowns his senior year... tabbed First Team Class A All-State by Atlanta Journal-Constitution... regarded as back with "extreme quickness" by his high school coach, Larry Campbell, who has more than 400 career victories in 35 years of coaching... helped RedDevils to back-to-back Class A state titles and two-year record of 26-4... named to Augusta Chronicle's ?Dream 16’ for 2006 season... junior year rushed for 783 yards... played in three consecutive state championship games... attended same high school as former NFL RB Garrison Hearst.
Darrel Pasco * DB * 6-0, 170 * Clearwater, FL (Countryside/Georgia Military)**
AT GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE: Lettered two years at GMC... recorded 10 career interceptions... participated with GMC in the 2005 Isles Bowl... HIGH SCHOOL: Honorable Mention All-State... named team’s Most Valuable Player his senior year... played for coach John Davis... lettered in football, track and wrestling.
Ricky Ponton * RB * 5-11, 215 * Tampa, FL (Hillsborough/South Florida)
Joined the Eagle Football program in January and will have two years of eligibility remaining... AT SOUTH FLORIDA: Three-year member of the Bulls Football program... redshirted in 2004... saw action in a reserve role in 2005, totaling 93 carries for 373 yards and two touchdowns... recorded 83 yards against Florida A&M, 75 against UCF and 66 yards versus Syracuse later that season... played in the final seven games of the 2006 season... 73 carries totaling 306 yards and two touchdowns... 101 yards on 17 carries and scored twice against North Carolina... 41 yards against Syracuse and registered 42 versus Louisville... caught four passes for 48 yards overall... did not play last season... HIGH SCHOOL: Two-way standout with the Hillsborough HS... played for Terriers coach Earl Garcia... PERSONAL: Younger brother Marc Thomas also signed with the Eagles...
