- Second year head coach Pat Kirkland and staff have hit the road hard all year long in preparation for today. Today marks the first National Letters of Intent from players who will suit up for the Golden Eagles in 2012.
This is Kirkland's first full-class as head coach for the University of Charleston and he expects it to add a great deal of quality depth to the already dangerous UC lineup.
Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny
Notes: Nick was 29-2 as a starter with a 21-game winning streak at North Allegheny High School outside Pittsburgh, Pa under coach Art Walker. His team finished the 2011 season ranked 15th nationally by USA today. In 2010 his team won the PIAA State Championship, while capturing WPIAL titles in both 2010 & 2011.
As an individual he was All-Conference (running back) his junior and senior years. Last season he accumulated 598 total yard for 11 touchdowns in 96 carries.
Waldorf, Md. / Westlake
Notes: Marcel Edwards played a hybrid linebacker and safety position at Westlake for coach Dominic Zaccarelli, giving him the freedom to roam near the line of scrimmage or drop back in coverage depending on the situation.
Edwards has great instincts in pass coverage and a knack for coming up with a big play at the right time. Edwards attacks the ball when it is in the air and can also quickly break on the ball.
He is a heavy hitter and is a great addition to the UC run defense. He will add another great talent to the secondary for the future of the Golden Eagles. He was recently named as an All-SMAC selection in 2011, while also taking Westlake's Most Outstanding Linebacker of the Year honors.
Waldorf, Md. / Westlake
Notes: Justin Lawrence played three years of varsity football and served as Team Captain for the last two years at Westlake under the guidance of coach Dominic Zaccarrelli. He was named First Team TE and DT for both All-County and All-SMAC.
Lawrence was most recently named to Maryland’s All-State Team. He was selected to play in two All-Star games with the final being the Maryland Crab Bowl.
In 2011, he averaged over 12 yards per reception with four touchdowns on the season. Defensively, Justin averaged 4.8 tackles per game, and had one interception which he ran back 82-yards for a touchdown.
Lawrence will bring a big presence at tight end for the University of Charleston. Justin was also named to the All-SMAC Academic Team for the past three years and continues to be placed on the high honors list with a 3.8 GPA.
8:46 AM
Zack Seifert
TE/DE - 6'4'' - 220
Pasadena, Md. / Chesapeake
Video Highlights
Notes: Seifert was named First Team All-County in Anne Arundel County, Maryland for coach Rob Elliot. He was also selected to the Baltimore Touchdown Club All-Star Game last season.
In 2011, Seifert led his team and the county in tackles with 96 total and was also the second leading receiver for the Chesapeake program earning him the Ultimate Cougar Award as the team MVP. On defense, he led Chesapeake in sacks with 12 and also had four fumble recoveries.
He was a four year varsity starter at Chesapeake on offense, defense, and special teams. Zack also gets it done in the classroom and has been named the Chesapeake High School Scholar Athlete Award winner and the Maryland Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award winner for all four years of high school. Zack was the team captain for football and basketball the last two seasons.
9:10 AM
Cyril Nuworsoo
OL/DL - 6'2'' - 260
Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin
Video Highlights
Notes: Cyril Nuworsoo is a versatile lineman that is a dominating force on both sides of the football. He will be an integral part of the future for Charleston in building their offensive line.
He helped lead his team to two-consecutive Maryland state playoff appearances. Nuworsoo helped pave the way for a rushing attack that average 160 yards on the ground and 27 points per game.
He played in Maryland Crab Bowl this year at defensive tackle. He was recently named First Team All-County and Second Team All-Metro as an offensive lineman, while taking First Team All-County honors as a defensive lineman. Played for coach Anthony Borgos at Franklin H.S.
11:04 AM
Zach Erb
OL - 6'3'' - 300
Mechanicsville, Va. / Hanover
Video Highlights
Notes: Zach Erb is a powerful, two-way lineman from a strong program in the state of Virginia. Hanover, under coach Josh Just, won the Central Region Championship and made an appearance in the State semi-finals.
In 2011, Zach helped pave the way to over 2700 yards rushing, while Hanover rushers averaged 6.2 yards per rush attempt. He was named Secont Team All-Capital District as an offensive lineman. Zach is an Honor student with a GPA over 3.5, as well as, a standout heavyweight wrestler.
11:10 AM
Cody Carter
Ath. - 5'10'' - 170
Huntington, W.Va. / Cabell Midland
Video Highlights
Note: A standout athlete for Coach Luke Salmons at Cabell Midland High School. Cody was name first team All-State class AAA, rushing for over 1,300 yds to go along with 20 touchdowns, while defensively accounting for five interceptions.
He was named team captain last season and ranked as the No. 1 recruit in WV last pre-season by Rivals.com
11:45 AM
Toquan Hayes
WR - 6'3'' - 200
Huntington, W.Va. / Huntington
Video Highlights
Notes: A two-sport standout and All-State athlete for Huntington High School under coach Billy Seals.
Hayes had 26 catches for 446 yards and 7 TDS for the Highlanders in 2011. On defense, Toquan also showed of his skills with four interceptions and eight pass breakups. He was an All-MSAC and AAA All-State receiver. On special teams he also earned All-State honors.
As a member of the Huntington basketball team he is currently averaging over 15 points per game. He was a 2010-11 basketball All-State award winner.
3:06 PM
Marcus Schofield
WR - 6'4'' - 200
Mullens, W.Va. / Wyoming East
Video Highlights
Notes:
Marcus is a dynamic two-way player for Coach Gary Poindexter at Wyoming East HS.
He accumulated over 1,500 all-purpose yards, as well as, 50 tackles on defense. He was named Second Team class AA All-State last season, and also excels on the hardwood for the Warrior basketball team. Marcus carries a 3.8 overall GPA.
Dezmond Dennis
LB - 6-0 - 208
Madison, Ala. / Bob Jones
Notes: Dez Dennis is an athletic outside linebacker from Bob Jones High School in Madison, AL.
In 2011, Dez led the Bob Jones defense with 95 tackles en route to a 10-2 record. He also accounted for seven sacks, seven tackles for loss and one interception to go along with nine QB hurries.
He was named Second Team All-Metro along with receiving the BancorpSouth Player of the Game award for his effort in a 50-7 win vs. Sparkman on October 14. As a team captain for Bob Jones High he was the recipient of the Bob Jones High School Leadership award.
Josef Hinnant
RB - 5'9'' - 180
Upper Marlboro, Md. / Frederick Douglas
Video Highlights
Notes: Josef was an explosive athlete for Coach JC Pinkney at Frederick Douglass High School. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as, catching 11 passes for 133 yards, while scoring two touchdown receptions.
He was named First TEAM All PG-County in the state of Maryland and selected to the Washington Post News All-League team. He led the Eagles to the state 2A Championship, the school’s first appearance since 1975.
3:27 PM
Qu'ron Jacquette Jones
S - 6'1'' - 190
Fleming Island, Fla. / Fleming Island
Video Highlights
Notes: Moved to Jacksonville, Fla. area in 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina and flourished as a three-year starter at safety for Fleming Island H.S.
Under coach Jeff Webb he recorded 64 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two interceptions during his senior season. Was an All-Area First Team selection in 2011, while also seeing time in the offensive backfield as a running back. Plans to study marketing, while at the University of Charleston.
Zach Hammond
QB - 6'3'' - 190
Punta Gorda, Fla. / Charlotte
Video Highlights
Notes: Transferred to Charlotte High School from Bradenton Prep for his senior season in 2011 to play under coach Binky Waldrop.
Was a four-year starter at quarterback. Led Bradenton Prep to perfect 13-0 season and Florida 1A state Championship as a sophomore in 2009, while bringing home Third Team All-American honors after throwing for 2,800 yds and 30 TD’s.
Led Charlotte High to 9-2 record and the Florida 7A State Playoffs in 2011. Last season, earned All-Area and Florida 7A All-Region honors.
Tossed for over 6,800 career yards and accounted for 95 touchdowns (75 passing, 20 rushing), while accumulating a 46-4 high school career record as a starting quarterback.
Father Joe Hammond coaches in Florida and played professionally after his career at Muskingum College
3:40 PM
Torie Wagner
DB - 5'10'' - 178
Millersville, Md. / Old Mill
Video Highlights
Notes: Torie Wagner is a lockdown ball-hawk defensive back who has the ability to take a receiver out of a game. Wagner is physical at the line and actively sought to throw his man off his route. Not only does that help when he's jamming, but it helps him outmuscle receivers when he's going up for a ball. It's also an advantage when he's angling in for a tackle -- Wagner can scrape off blocks and get into the backfield.
Wagner showed impressive coverage skills as well. He is a fundamentally sound corner with a tight backpedal, loose hips and sound footwork. He showed the ability to turn and run with a receiver throughout his pattern. Wagner is a highly ranked DB in the state of Maryland. He earned First Team All-County, First Team All-Metro and Second Team All-State awards last season. Wagner was also named the Anne Arundel County Defensive Back of the Year in 2011.
Justin Davidson
TE - 6'5'' - 245
Flatwoods, Ky. / Russell
Video Highlights
Notes: Justin was a two-way standout for Coach Ivan Mcglone at Russell High school.
He Led the Red Devils to a 7-5 record and a Kentucky state playoff berth. Justin was named to the All-state and All-Area teams. He was also selected to play in the Max Emfinger All-American game, where he was named the game’s MVP last season.
