The annual race between grown men to get the signatures of 17 and 18 year old boys is officially over and NC State has added 23 players to the fold for the 2010 class.
Most of the attention around players on National Signing Day is based on ratings. Coaches and fans “seeing stars” will do pretty much anything to get the signatures of young men. Stars and ratings do matter, but they certainly don’t make or break recruiting classes. See Russell Wilson’s profile coming out of high school for proof. He was a somewhat lightly recruited “two-star” quarterback who flew under the radar for much of the recruiting process. I wonder how many schools regret not going after Wilson now. UVa maybe? Possibly even Va. Tech?
Anyway, back to the 2010 class hauled in by TOB and Co. Most of this info will be from either GoPack or Pack Pride. This post will be updated as players sign.
Here’s some highlights from TOB’s press conference. I apologize for the less than stellar transitions.
Check back in the next few days for more analysis of the 2010 recruiting class.
Four players already enrolled
David Akinniyi – 6’4″ 250 lb. Defensive End
Joined NC State in January. Three-year starter at defensive end and linebacker for Coach Rocky Hager at Northeastern University, which announced in November that it was discontinuing its football program. Will have one year of eligibility remaining. Recorded 40 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2009, including two tackles for loss against Boston College. Named to the Colonial Athletic Association Academic All-Conference team in 2007 and 2008.
A.J. Ferguson – 6’3″ 270 lb. Defensive End
Originally signed with the Pack in 2009 and spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy. Joined the team in January. Named to the USA Football Junior National squad that represented the United States in the first IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio, during the summer of 2009. A four-year starter at South Brunswick High School, he recorded 90 tackles, including 20 for loss, and 10 sacks during his senior season.
Mikel Overgaard – 6’6″ 280 lb. Offensive Lineman
Transferred to NC State from Snow College in Utah, where he started at left tackle for Coach Steve Coburn. Earned all-conference honors in 2009 and posted a 3.8 GPA. Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com . Originally enrolled at Washington State in 2007, where he walked on and red-shirted at tight end.
Deion Roberson – 6’3″ 275 lb. Defensive Tackle
Originally signed with the Wolfpack in 2009, but spent the past season rehabbing. Named a top-five defensive lineman at the U.S. Army All-American combine, he missed his entire senior campaign (2008) after severely dislocating his ankle on the second play of the season. Played defensive tackle at Tucker High School for Coach Frank Stevens. Tallied 35 tackles, 12 for loss, and three sacks in 14 games as a junior.
Incoming players for fall 2010
D.J. Green – 6’4″ 205 lb. Safety
A safety with impressive size, Green comes to NC State via Westside High School in Macon, Ga. Listed as a three-star recruit by both Scout and Rivals. Names all-region, all Middle-Georgia and All-State. Some believe that his size could mean a position switch to linebacker at some point in the future, but he will come to Raleigh looking to add depth to the defensive backfield.
Torian Box – 6’3″ 295 lb. Offensive Lineman
Played both the left and right tackle positions for coach Rodney Hackney at North Clayton High School. Considered the 16th best center in the country by Rivals.com. A big, physical blocker from College Park, Ga, Box will likely play guard at the college level. Rated as a three-star prospect according to Scout.
Art Norman – 6’1″ 225 Defensive End
Played three years of varsity football for coach Michael Collins at Chamblee High School. Recorded 57 tackles, including 18 for loss and seven sacks, during his senior year. Forced three fumbles and recovered one. Boasted 65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a junior. Another Georgia player who is rated a two-star prospect by Scout.
Theo Rich – 6’3″ 225 lb. Defensive End
Yet another kid from Georgia, Rich is a two-star defensive end prospect from Portal High School. Started during his senior campaign for Coach Justin Chester at Defensive End and Wide Receiver. Played only one season of high school football. Â Totaled 45 tackles, including a dozen stops for loss and seven sacks. Also forced three fumbles while recovering two others. As a WR had 11 receptions for 190 yards and 1 TD with a 17.3 yards per reception average.
Tyson Chandler – 6’6″ 340 Offensive Lineman
By far the biggest recruit in this year’s class, Chandler adds Jeraill McCuller-like size to the offensive line depth. Started at defensive tackle for coach John Shuman at Fork Union Military Academy. Teammate of A.J. Ferguson, who joined the team in January. Originally signed with NC State in 2009. Spent most of his high school career on the defensive line at North Plainfield High School for coach Robert Lake. Recorded 36 tackles, 14 for a loss, as a senior. Tallied eight tackles, five for loss, caused two fumbles, and blocked an extra point in his final game.
Tony Creecy – 6’0″ 196 lb. Wide Receiver
A player who could come in and contribute right away, Creecy is one of the more important pieces to this class. Ranked the No. 24 wide receiver and fifth-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com. A SuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s ninth-best player. Played for coach Adrian Jones at Southern High School. Caught 47 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Tallied 206 yards rushing.
Tyler Brosius – 6’3″ 233 lb. Quarterback
Started at quarterback for coach Donnie Kiefer at Tuscola High School. Invited to the Shrine Bowl after his senior season. Rated the No. 29 quarterback in the country by Rivals.com. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 3A all-state football team. Finished career as Western North Carolina’s career passing leader with 7,895 yards. Threw for 3,454 yards and 34 touchdowns his senior year. Brosius originally committed to Virginia but backed out and committed to NC State once Al Groh’s tenure became questionable. Brosius picked NC State over Virginia, Pittsburgh and Maryland.
Pete Singer – 5’11” 190 lb. Safety
A close “friend” of Robert Crisp, Singer will come to NC State and play safety. Rated as a two-star prospect by Scout, it will be interesting to see how much Singer can contribute. Played for coach Jeff Smouse at Athens Drive High School as a senior. Registered 132 tackles, pulled down three interceptions, broke up 13 passes, forced three fumbles and had one fumble recovery during his senior campaign. Also blocked a kick and caught two touchdown passes.
Robert Crisp – 6’7″ 299 lb. Offensive Lineman
Easily the highest rated recruit in this year’s class, Crisp could potentially start right away for the Wolfpack. Rated a fve-star prospect by Scout, Crisp is the No. 59 player in the ESPNU 150. Named to the 2010 ParadeAll-America Team. Ranked as the second-best prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com. Selected to the 2009 EA SPORTS All-American team. ASuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s second-best player. Selected to the Army All-American team. Started at right tackle for the East team at the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 4A all-state football team. Selected to the North Carolina AP all-state team. Recorded 75 pancake blocks during senior season.
Tobais Palmer – 5’11” 175 lb. Athlete
Originally signed with NC State in 2008. Played for coach Brett Williams at Georgia Military College. Carried the ball 91 times for 662 yards and 10 touchdowns during his sophomore year. Also caught 10 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. Rushed 43 times for 311 yards and three scores as a freshman, while pulling down 13 passes for 259 yards and three TDs. Played running back and safety for coach Bill Hall at Northwood HS. Rushed for over 4,700 yards and scored more than 80 all-purpose touchdowns in three seasons. Scout.com ranked him as a three-star recruit and the No. 41 cornerback in the nation.
Andy Jomantas – 6’7″ 260 lb. Offensive Lineman
Competed on the offensive and defensive line for coach Andy Helms of Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School. Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com. Named the Greater Catholic League North Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year. A first-team All-GCL North and All-Southwest Ohio performer. Ohio all-state honorable mention.
Bryan Underwood – 5’11” 170 lb. Wide Receiver
Competed at Cleveland Heights High School under coach Jeff Rotsky at wide receiver. Originally signed with the Wolfpack in 2009. A starter as a senior, he pulled down 16 catches for 156 yards and four touchdowns. Caught 40 passes for 573 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.
Thomas Teal – 6’2″ 315 lb. Defensive Tackle
Played at Marlboro County High School for coach Dean Boyd. A three-star recruit. Tallied 89 tackles, including 21 for loss and one sack as a senior. Ran for six touchdowns. Selected as a 2009 Carolina Panther Community Captain. Helped raise over $10,000 for Relay for Life. Represented South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl. Named to the High School Sports Report first-team all-state defense. Selected to the SCVarsity.com first-team all-state defense.
Dontae Johnson – 6’3″ 180 lb. Safety
Played safety for coach Jerry Eure at Pennington Prep in New Jersey. Considered the sixth-best prospect in the state of New Jersey. A first-team New Jersey all-prep performer. Recorded 108 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles during his senior campaign. Pulled down 50 passes for 600 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver. Had 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown.
David Amerson – 6’3″ 180 lb. Safety
Ranked as the nation’s No. 19 safety by Rivals.com. Ranked as the sixth-best prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com. A SuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s third-best player. Participated in the Shrine Bowl following his senior season. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 4A all-state football team. Finished the year with 55 tackles and six interceptions. Averaged 14 yards per punt return. Spent most of his high school career at safety for coach Stephen Davis at Dudley High School.
Billy Bennett – 6’1″ 220 lb. Place Kicker
Transfers from MiraCosta College. Started his college career at Boston College, where he handled the kickoff duties in 2007. Rated the No. 1 kicker by Chris Sailer Kicking as a senior at Torrey Pines High School. Considered the best kicker in the country by Rivals.com. Named a second-team Scout.com All-American. Earned All-CIF first-team honors as a senior.
Mustafa Greene – 6’0″ 190 lb. Running Back
Rated as a four-star recruit and the 26th best running back in the country by Rivals.com. Started at running back and was a team captain for coach Bob Hanna at Irmo High School. Finished his senior season with 1,367 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in eight games while averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Also caught six passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. Was a Coaches Award Winner for Irmo as a Senior. Voted Under Armour National Player of theWeek for his 283 yard rushing performance vs Summerville. Rushed for 983 yards as a freshman, 1,992 yards as a sophomore, and 1,737 yards as a junior even while missing four games
Raynard Randolph – 6’2″ 325 lb. Defensive Tackle
Played for coach Robert Prunty at Hargrave Military Academy. Originally signed with NC State in 2009. Started all four seasons at Gwynn Park High School for coach Danny Hayes. Registered 68 tackles, including four sacks, and had one interception as a senior. Tallied 35 tackles and six sacks during his junior year. Named first-team all-county as a sophomore … Named to Prep Star’s All-Atlantic Region class of 2009
Logan Winkles – 6’1″ 245 lb. Fullback/Linebacker
Started at tight end and linebacker for coach Tommy Watson at Upson Lee High School. Caught seven passes for 122 yards during senior year. Named first-team all-state in Georgia class AAAA for senior and junior years. Tabbed All-Middle Georgia honorable mention and first-team all-region as a junior