February 2, 2000
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN INKS 16 TO NATIONAL LETTER-OF-INTENT;
EASLEY¹S TANT, MAULDIN¹S SCHROEDER AMONG RECRUITS

GREENVILLE -- Easley High School standout Corey Tant and versatile Mauldin High School performer Stephen Schroeder are among 16 recruits to sign national letters of intent with Furman University, head football coach Bobby Johnson announced today.

³We think we¹ve signed the type of student-athlete we want here at Furman -- good students and good football players with a big interest in our university,² said Johnson Tuesday afternoon. ³We¹re confident we¹ve found the players to fill our needs, both offensively and defensively, although I don¹t think we¹ll count on any of these players to start next year.²

Tant, a 6-0, 200-pound fullback, rushed for 2,013 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior for the Easley Green Wave. The 6-3, 250-pound Schroeder, meanwhile, starred as a defensive end and fullback at Mauldin. As a senior he rushed for 773 yards and 16 touchdowns and also caught three touchdowns in helping the Mustangs to a 7-6 record and state 4A playoff appearance.

In addition to Tant and Schroeder, Furman inked two other Palmetto state products, including Allendale-Fairfax linebacker Cedrick Ritter and Marlboro County defensive back Cam Newton. Ritter tallied a team leading 145 tackles this past season and was South Carolina North-South All-Star Game participant.

Besides its four state signees, Furman inked eight players from Georgia, two from North Carolina, and one each from Alabama and Virginia. In position terms, the Paladins signed four defensive backs along with a pair of running backs, wide receivers, defensive linemen, defensive ends, and linebackers. Furman also inked one offensive lineman and a placekicker, Danny Marshall, the son of former Paladin player and assistant coach Tommy Marshall.

Among the notable out-of-state recruits, the most heralded is Acworth, Ga., offensive linemen Ben Bainbridge, who was recruited by several NCAA I-A schools, including Marshall, Maryland, and Memphis. All-State wide receiver Isaac West from Augusta, Ga., caught 49 passes for 766 yards and nine touchdowns this past year at Butler High School, where he also returned kicks and handled his squad¹s punting and kicking duties. Mobile, Ala., defensive end Glenn Smith also signed with Furman after totaling 117 tackles and 19 sacks at St. Paul¹s Episcopal School.

Furman, which opens spring practice on Feb. 7, returns 18 starters off its 1999 squad that posted a 9-3 record, Southern Conference championship, and NCAA I-AA playoff appearance. Included in the 1999 campaign was a 28-3 win over North Carolina.

2000 FURMAN FOOTBALL SIGNEES