February 7, 2001
FURMAN FOOTBALL SIGNS 23 TO NATIONAL
LETTERS-OF-INTENT;
FOUR ADDITIONAL RECRUITS JOIN PROGRAM ON ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
GREENVILLE -- Furman University head football coach Bobby Johnson announced today the signing of 23 recruits to national letters of intent, plus the commitments of four recruits to attend school on academic scholarships and play football for the Paladins.
"We're very pleased with our recruiting effort this year because we think we've addressed our needs with high caliber student-athletes who in time should be outstanding football players," said Johnson Tuesday afternoon.
In position terms, the Paladins signed three quarterbacks, four running backs, four offensive linemen, two tight ends, and two wide receivers. Defensively Furman inked seven defensive linemen, two linebackers, and three defensive backs.
Furman's recruiting class features nine Palmetto state products, including a pair of Shrine Bowl participants in defensive lineman Travis Jones (Greenville/Southside H.S.) and offensive lineman Clayton Dyson (North Augusta/North Augusta H.S.). Two highly regarded cornerbacks, Keith Johnson (Belvedere/North Augusta H.S.) and Maurice Duncan (Aiken/Silver Bluff H.S.), a star on a 15-0 AA state championship team this past season, also signed with Furman, as did quarterback/wide receiver Deric Mills (Laurens/Laurens H.S.), defensive end Keenan Adams (Columbia/Richland Northeast H.S.) and linebacker William Freeman (Swansea/Swansea H.S.). Quarterback Matt Cain (Easley/Easley H.S.) and David Wright (Blacksburg/Blacksburg, H.S.) committed to Furman as recipients of academic scholarships on Tuesday.
Besides its nine state recruits, Furman's newest freshman class includes nine products from Georgia, five from North Carolina, three from Tennessee, and one from Ohio.
Among Furman's more heralded signees from Georgia are Willis Sudderth (Lilburn, Ga./Parkview H.S.), a 5A all-state defensive end who racked up 122 tackles on a 15-0 state championship team, and offensive lineman Brian Laggis (Stockbridge, Ga./Heritage H.S.), a Georgia-Florida All-Star Game selection. Other Peach state signees include linebacker Andrew Carson (Newnan, Ga./Woodward Academy), the brother of Clemson linebacker Chad Carson; fullback/linebacker Eric Emerson (Newnan, Ga./East Coweta H.S.); defensive lineman Brant Glover (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville H.S.); offensive lineman Jesse Grier (Acworth, Ga./Etowah H.S.); quarterback Bo Moore (Madison, Ga./Morgan County H.S.); defensive lineman Justin Porter (Bowman, Ga./Elbert County H.S.); and defensive end Ken Striggles (Stockbridge, Ga./Riverdale H.S.).
Furman's five recruits from North Carolina include tailback Brandon Mays (Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson H.S.), a North Carolina East-West All-Star Game selection who rushed for 1,961 yards and 20 touchdowns this past season; wide receiver Daric Carter (Fuquay-Varina, N.C./Southeast Raleigh H.S.); wide receiver/defensive back Elton Daniels (Leland, N.C./North Brunswick H.S.); and tight end John Rust (Burlington, N.C./Williams High School). Furman also picked up tight end/linebacker Justin Perdue (Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson H.S.) on Tuesday as an academic scholarship recipient.
From Tennessee, the Paladins inked two players -- safety Jason Latimer and defensive end John Shields -- off Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy's state championship team and added an academic scholarship commitment from fullback linebacker Brent Blankenship (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School).
Fullback Jon Mohr, who rushed for 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns at Cincinnati, Ohio's Colerain High School, also signed with the Paladins Tuesday.
Furman, which opens spring practice on March 8, returns 17 starters, including Walter Payton Award winning tailback Louis Ivory, off its 2000 squad that posted a 9-3 record and finished ranked 10th in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll.
2001 FURMAN FOOTBALL RECRUITS
Keenan Adams, DE/TE, 6-3, 230, Fr.,
Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast H.S.
Brent Blankenship, FB/LB, 5-11, 200, Fr., Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University
School
Matt Cain, QB, 6-2, 200, Fr., Easley, S.C./Easley H.S.
Andrew Carson, LB, 6-4, 210, Fr., Newnan, Ga./Woodward Academy
Daric Carter, WR, 6-1, 200, Fr., Fuquay-Varina, N.C./Southeast Raleigh H.S.
Elton Daniels, WR/DB, 6-1,
180, Fr., Leland, N.C./North Brunswick H.S.
Maurice Duncan, CB, 5-8, 165, Fr., Aiken, S.C./Silver Bluff H.S.
Clayton Dyson, OL, 6-2, 255, Fr., North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta H.S.
Eric Emerson, LB/FB, 5-11, 215, Fr., Newnan, Ga./East Coweta H.S.
William Freeman, LB, 6-2, 195, Fr., Swansea, S.C./Swansea H.S.
Brant Glover, DL, 6-0, 260, Fr., Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville H.S.
Jesse Grier, OL, 6-2, 260, Fr., Acworth, Ga./Etowah H.S.
Keith Johnson, CB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Belvedere, S.C./North Augusta H.S.
Travis Jones, DL, 6-1, 255, Fr., Greenville, S.C./Southside H.S.
Brian Laggis, OL, 6-3, 255, Fr., Stockbridge, Ga./Heritage H.S.
David Latimer, S, 6-0, 192, Fr., Nashville, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian Academy
Brandon Mays, TB, 5-11, 190, Fr., Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson H.S.
Deric Mills, QB/WR, 6-4, 205, Fr., Gray Court, S.C./Laurens H.S.
Jon Mohr, FB, 6-1, 230, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain H.S.
Bo Moore, QB, 6-1, 170, Fr., Madison, Ga./Morgan County H.S.
Justin Perdue, TE/LB, 6-2, 210, Fr., Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson H.S.
Justin Porter, DL, 6-2, 235, Fr., Bowman, Ga./Elbert County H.S.
John Rust, TE, 6-4, 210, Fr., Burlington, N.C./Williams H.S.
John Shields, DE, 6-7, 220, Fr., Nashville, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian Academy
Ken Striggles, DE, 6-2, 265, Fr., Stockbridge, Ga./Riverdale H.S.
Willis Sudderth, DE, 6-3, 240, Fr., Lilburn, Ga./Parkview H.S.
David Wright OL 6-3 280 Fr. Blacksburg, S.C./Blacksburg H.S.
2001 FURMAN FOOTBALL RECRUIT BIOS
KEENAN ADAMS, DE/TE
6-3, 230, Freshman
Columbia, South Carolina
Richland Northeast High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Richland
Northeast High School...football coach was Jay Frye...played tight end and defensive
end...two-time all-region selection...totaled 80 tackles, including 16 tackles-for-loss,
nine sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, three batted passes, three interceptions,
five caused fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries as a senior in helping Richland
Northeast to a region 4-AAAA championship...team lost in state semifinals to
eventual state champion Greenwood...had 11 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss,
two sacks, and two interceptions versus Spring Valley last year...caught two
passes for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns and tallied 43 pancake blocks and
27 knockdowns as a tight end in 2000...registered 65 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss
five sacks, seven pass deflections, four caused fumbles, and five fumble recoveries
as a junior...also ran track at Richland Northeast.
Personal: Full name is Keenan Jerome Adams...son of Richard and Maria
Adams...born October 8, 1983, in Lonsteul, Germany...has a brother who plays
basketball at Presbyterian (S.C.) College.
BRENT BLANKENSHIP, FB/LB
5-11, 200, Freshman
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis University School
Projected 2001 graduate of Memphis
University School...football coach ws Bobby Alston...played fullback and linebacker...led
team with 119 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, a sack and fumble recovery his
senior year...named to Memphis All-Metro and coaches all-state teams.
Personal: Fulll name is Brent Hughes Wales Blankenship...son of Earl and Kim
Blankenship...born July 7, 1982.
MATT CAIN, QB
6-2, 200, Freshman
Easley, South Carolina
Easley High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Easley
High School...football coach was Mike Barnes...played quarterback, wide receiver,
and free safety...earned first team all-area honors as a quarterback in 2000
after helping Easley to playoff appearance in region 1-AAAA...also played baseball
in high school...earned all-region honors after leading his squad in home runs
and RBI his junior season...member of National Honor Society.
Personal: Full name is Robert Matthew Cain...son of Ted and Susan Cain...born
March 18, 1983, in Greenvile, South Carolina...father is current Paladin tight
end and wide receiver coach, a three-year Furman football letterman, and 1974
Furman graduate.
ANDREW CARSON, LB
6-4, 210, Freshman
Newnan, Georgia
Woodward Academy
Projected 2001 graduate of Woodward
Academy, which also produced rising Paladin sophomore offensive guard Matt Mangum...football
coach was Dale Wiggins...registered playing time at six positions during his
prep career, including quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver,
linebacker, and punter...in seven games his senior year rushed for 681 yards,
passed for 358 yards, and averaged 37.0 yards per punt...earned team offensive
MVP and first team all-region honors...had 15 carries for 168 yards and two
touchdowns against Houston County...tallied 50 tackles and two sacks on 1999
Woodward Academy squad that went 10-3 and finished as state quarterfinalist.
Personal: Full name is Andrew Finley Carson...son of Tom and Nancy Carson...born
October 8, 1982, in Atlanta, Georgia...sports an impressive family football
lineage with strong Furman ties...brother Chad is currently a standout linebacker
at Clemson...father played fullback at Georgia Tech (1968-72)...grandfather,
Earle Carson, was a three-year letterman at end and honorable mention All-American
at Furman (1928-30)...great uncle M.A. Carson was a two-time letterwinner as
an offensive guard at Furman (1926-27), and another great uncle, Tom Carson,
was an All-South offensive tackle selection and three-year letterman who served
as captain of Furman's 1931 squad.
DARIC CARTER, WR
6-1, 200, Freshman
Fuquay-Varina, North
Carolina
Southeast Raleigh High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Southeast
Raleigh High School...football coach was Chad O'Shea...played quarterback, wide
receiver, running back, and defensive back...two-time all-conference selection...as
running back, rushed for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 25 passes for
345 yards and five touchdowns as a senior...served as team captain for 2000
season...registered his top performance in a win over Broughton, rushing eight
times for 160 yards on the way to 210 yards in total offense and three touchdowns...also
had an interception and key fumble recovery that sealed the win...started at
quarterback his junior year...in all tallied 373 rushes, 2,345 yards, and 20
touchdowns during his career...also caught 49 passes for 748 yards and seven
touchdowns while at Southeast Raleigh...four-year letterman in basketball.
Personal: Full name is Crantonio VonDaric Carter...son of Preshirl Carter...both
February 4, 1983, in Lake Providence, Louisiana.
ELTON DANIELS, WR/DB
6-1, 180, Freshman
Leland, North Carolina
North Brunswick High School
Projected 2001 graduate of North
Brunswick High School...football coach was Gary Bishop...played wide receiver,
defensive back, and quarterback...earned all-conference and all-county honors
after posting over 750 yards in receptions and 12 touchdowns his senior year...helped
pace North Brunswick to a 12-1 record and conference championship...also starred
in baseball and basketball during his prep career...member of National Honor
Society.
Personal: Full name is Elton Ray Daniels...son of Glatha and Rayfield
Daniels...born December 5, 1982, in Leland, Florida.
MAURICE DUNCAN, CB
5-8, 165, Freshman
Aiken, South Carolina
Silver Bluff High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Silver
Bluff High School...football coach was Al Lown...starred at cornerback, earning
all-area and all-state honors as a junior and senior...also named to all-state
strength team...helped pace Silver Bluff to a 15-0 record and state AA championship
in 2000, totaling 73 tackles, five interceptions, and 12 pass deflections...named
to the Augusta Chronicle "Dream 16" Team and participant in South Carolina North-South
All-Star Game...notched 52 tackles, a school record 10 interceptions, and three
fumble recoveries his junior year in helping his squad to a 13-1 record and
region 6-AA title...picked off two passes and returned one 63 yards for a touchdown
to spark Silver Bluff to a 36-6 win over Gilbert in second round of 1999 playoffs...team
eventually fell in Lower State championship...also starred in track at Silver
Bluff.
Personal: Full name is Maurice Dwight Duncan, Jr...son of Maurice and
Judy Duncan...born September 24, 1982, in Miami, Florida.
CLAYTON DYSON, OL
6-2, 255, Freshman
North Augusta, South Carolina
North Augusta High School
Projected 2001 graduate of North
Augusta High School...football coach was Joe Long...teammate of Paladin freshman
cornerback signee Keith Johnson...registered action as an offensive and defensive
linemen...fashioned an outstanding senior year, earning all-county, all-area,
All-Metro Augusta, and all-state honors despite team's 4-7 record...was a Shrine
Bowl participant...tallied a career blocking grade of 88 percent with 60 pancake
blocks and 40 knockdowns...senior class president and member of National Honor
Society.
Personal: Full name is Clayton DeJuan Dyson...son of Lucile and Jimmie
Dyson...born February 3, 1983, in Augusta, Georgia.
ERIC EMERSON, LB/FB
5-11, 215, Freshman
Newnan, Georgia
East Coweta High School
Projected 2001 graduate of East
Coweta High School, the same high school of former Paladin All-American defensive
back John Keith, now a member of the San Francisco 49ers...football coach was
Danny Cronic...played linebacker and fullback...garnered first team all-area,
all-region, and all-state honors as a senior after helping lead East Coweta
to a 12-1 record and third round state playoff finish...career statistics include
162 tackles, 87 assisted tackles, eight quarterback sacks, three pass deflections,
five caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions...also rushed
84 times for 474 yards and 10 touchdowns during his career.
Personal: Full name is Eric Lavell Emerson...son of Sidney and Annie
Emerson...born January 6, 1983, in Cleveland, Ohio.
WILLIAM FREEMAN, LB
6-2, 195, Freshman
Swansea, South Carolina
Swansea High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Swansea
High School...football coach was B. Stroud...saw action at linebacker and tailback...three-time
all-region selection...named all-area by The State and Orangeburg Times & Democrat
after rushing 236 times for 1,445 yards, and 16 touchdowns during the 2000 season...also
notched 62 tackles and five sacks as senior...had 682 yards rushing, five touchdowns,
and 55 tackles as a junior...outstanding wrestler...posted a 40-4 record and
was state champion in 189-pound class as a junior...sports a current 32-0 wrestling
record this year.
Personal: Full name is William Cain Freeman...son of Robert and Roslyn
Freeman, Jr...born May 1, 1983, in Charleston, South Carolina.
BRANT GLOVER, DL
6-0, 260, Freshman
Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Gainesville
High School...football coach was Steve Wilson '77, a four-year Paladin letterman
who served as a Furman assistant coach from 1986-98...saw action primarily at
defensive tackle where he earned all-area honors and served as team captain
for 2000 seasons...had 72 unassisted tackles and 30 assisted stops...had 10
tackles-for-loss...also recovered four fumbles, one of which he returned for
a touchdown, and caused five fumbles.
Personal: Full name is Brant Edward Glover, Jr...son of Brant and Anita
Glover...born March 23, 1983, in Illinois.
JESSE GRIER, OL
6-1, 260, Freshman
Acworth, Georgia
Etowah High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Etowah
High School...football coach was Rick Swales...played center, guard, and tackle
as well as defensive tackle and defensive end...also handled long snapping chores...was
a two-time 6-AAAA all-region selection as an offensive lineman and an all-region
pick as both an offensive and defensive lineman for the 2000 season...took home
Etowah's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman honor his senior year after earning
a similar honor as a defensive lineman in 1999...totaled 87 tackles, 26 assists,
and five sacks his senior year...was a standout wrestler and track performer
at Etowah...won the state AAAA heavyweight championship his junior year...senior
class vice-president.
Personal: Full name is Jesse Blake Grier...son of Kenny and Cheryl Grier...born
January 3, 1983, in Marietta, Georgia.
KEITH JOHNSON, CB
5-11, 175, Freshman
Belvedere, South Carolina
North Augusta High School
Projected 2001 graduate of North
Augusta High School...football coach was Joe Long...high school teammate of
Paladin freshman offensive lineman signee Clayton Dyson...saw action exclusively
at cornerback...tallied 25 tackles and four interceptions in five games before
having his senior season cut short with a fractured forearm...was still named
to the Augusta Chronicle "Dream 16" Team...was tabbed by several publications
and organizations as a pre-season all-state selection and one of South Carolina's
top defensive backs prior to 2000 campaign...notched 55 tackles and a pair of
interceptions in 1999 on the way to earning All-Metro Augusta and Aiken Standard
All-Area honors...member of National Honor Society.
Personal: Full name is Keith Bernard Johnson...son of Kenneth and Sherry
Johnson...born May 3, 1983, in Augusta, Georgia.
TRAVIS JONES, DL
6-1, 255, Freshman
Greenville, South Carolina
Southside High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Southside
High School...football coach was Lee Taylor...played offensive tackle and defensive
end...totaled 78 tackles and 11 sacks during the 2000 season en route to earning
all-county, all-region, and all-state honors...prestigious Shrine Bowl participant...had
12 tackles and a pair of sacks against Seneca his senior year...totaled 105
tackles and garnered all-county and all-region accolades in 1999...also starred
in wrestling while at Southside...named Greenville County Wrestler-of-the-Year
and finished second in the state with a 30-3 record in 2000.
Personal: Full name is Travis Allen Jones...son of Delores Jones and
Robert Byrd...born October 12, 1982, in Greenville, South Carolina.
BRIAN LAGGIS, OL
6-3, 255, Freshman
Stockbridge, Georgia
Heritage High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Heritage High School...football coach was Chuck Landy...played offensive guard, defensive end, and nose guard...earned all-county, all-area, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Area "Super 11" recognition following the 2000 season...selected to play in the Georgia North-South All-Star and prestigious Georgia-Florida All-Star Games...tabbed Rockdale Neighbor Male Athlete-of-the-Year...also starred in wrestling and track at Heritage. Personal: Full name is James Brian Laggis...son of Jim and Kathy Laggis...born October 14, 1982, in Stockbridge, Georgia.
DAVID LATIMER, S
6-0, 192, Freshman
Nashville, Tennessee
Christ Presbyterian Academy
Projected 2001 graduate of Christ
Presbyterian Academy where he played alongside incoming Paladin freshman defensive
end John Shields...football coach was David Pack...saw action as a running back
and safety...member of 15-0 state A championship team in 2000...registered over
2,300 yards rushing, 200 yards in returns, 150 yards receiving, and an amazing
40 touchdowns his senior year...also totaled 85 tackles and four interceptions...named
all-region MVP, all-midstate (all classifications), and first team all-state...garnered
Blue Cross Bowl (state championship) Offensive MVP honors...served as team captain...had
10 carries for 380 yards and six touchdowns in win over Ezell-Harding during
2000 campaign...registered 11 career interceptions at Christ Presbyterian Academy.
Personal: Full name is Erwin David Latimer V...son of Eddie and Ellen
Latimer...born March 7, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee.
BRANDON MAYS, TB
5-11, 190, Freshman
Arden, North Carolina
T.C. Roberson High School
Projected 2001 graduate of T.C.
Roberson High School...football coach was Jerry Wilkins...high school teammate
of Paladin freshman tight end/llinebacker Justin Perdue...played tailback and
free safety and also returned kicks...earned all-region, all-county, conference
player-of-the-year, and Asheville Citizen-Times Offensive Player-of-the-Year
honors after rushing for 1,961 yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2000 season...team
went 7-5, beat Reynolds, Owen, and Asheville, and advanced into the second round
of the state AAA playoffs for first time in school history...in all set eight
school records and landed team MVP honors...selected to play in North Carolina
East-West All-Star Game...reaped all-conference and all-county accolades as
a junior after totaling 1,520 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns...in all rushed
for 4,406 yards and 50 touchdowns during his career at T.C. Roberson.
Personal: Full name is Brandon Kingsley Mays...son of Bobbette and Herschel
Mays...born February 24, 1983, in Los Angeles, California.
DERIC MILLS, QB/WR
6-4, 205, Freshman
Gray Court, South Carolina
Laurens High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Laurens
High School...football coach was Doug Painter...played quarterback and free
safety...career statistics include 1,172 rushing yards and nine touchdowns...also
completed 197 passes on 472 attempts for 3,176 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Personal: Full name is Deric Rashad Mills...son of David and Mattie Mills...born
December 7, 1982, in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
JON MOHR, FB
6-1, 220, Freshman
Cincinnati, Ohio
Colerain High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Colerain
High School, the same high school as rising senior Furman all-conference cornerback
Richie Jackson...played fullback...rushed for 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns
his senior year en route to earning all-league, all-city, and honorable mention
All-Southwest District honors...ran for 232 yards and three touchdowns in game
against Princetown and had 159 yards and four touchdowns in the first half in
win over Hughes...helped lead Colerain to a 13-1 record and state semifinal
finish in Division I...also starred in baseball as a prep.
Personal: Full name is Jonathon Frederick Mohr...son of Pam and Dan Mohr...born
November 26, 1982, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
BO MOORE, QB
6-1, 170, Freshman
Madison, Georgia
Morgan County High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Morgan
County High School...football coach was Kenny Moore, his father...played quarterback
and punted...passed for 919 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 322 yards
and seven scores during 2000 season...recipient of Golden Helmet (MVP) Award...named
to Northeast Georgia "Tremendous 10" Team...played in only eight games as junior
before sustaining a knee injury...team went 9-2...in all passed for 2,574 yards
and 28 touchdowns and rushed for over 900 yards and 18 touchdowns in his prep
career...also played baseball at Morgan County.
Personal: Full name is Haynes Kenny Moore, Jr...son of Kenny and Sherry
Moore...born April 22, 1982, in Augusta, Georgia.
JUSTIN PERDUE, TE/LB
6-2, 210, Freshman
Arden, North Carolina
T.C. Roberson High School
Projected 2001 graduate of T.C.
Roberson High School...football coach was Jerry Wilkins...high school teammate
of Paladin freshman tailback signee Brandon Mays... played tight end and linebacker...team
went 7-5, beat Reynolds, Owen, and Asheville, and advanced into the second round
of the state AAA playoffs for first time in school history.
Personal: Full name is Justin Freeman Perdue...son of Bill and Renee
Perdue...born November 11, 1982.
JUSTIN PORTER, DL
6-2, 235, Freshman
Bowman, Georgia
Elbert County High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Elbert
County High School...football coach was Mike Falluer...played offensive and
defensive tackle...missed the first four games his senior year due to injury
but returned to help Elbert County to an 8-3 record...named all-state...recorded
13 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection in 7-6 playoff game loss to North
Forsyth...earned all-area honors as an offensive tackle his junior year.
Personal: Full name is Stalin Justin Porter...son of Stalin Porter and
Cobolea Dye...born May 21, 1983, in Royston, Georgia.
JOHN RUST, TE
6-4, 210, Freshman
Burlington, North Carolina
Williams High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Walter
M. Williams High School...football coach was Sam Story...played tight end and
returned punts...moved from Illionis to North Carolina after his junior year...earned
all-conference and all-region honors in 2000 after helping lead Williams to
a 9-3 record, conference championship, and state playoff appearance...caught
20 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 2000...had a 55-yard punt return
for a touchdown against Bartlett Yancey...landed all-conference and all-area
honors as a junior at Woodstock (Illinois) High School after catching 29 passes
for 550 yards and five scores...also starred in basketball and track as a prep...basketball
squad at Woodstock went 21-7 and won second consecutive region championship
in 2000...member of National Honor Society.
Personal: Fulll name is John Carl Rust...son of Joy and Steve Rust...born
February 6, 1983, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
JOHN SHIELDS, DE
6-7, 220, Freshman
Nashville, Tennessee
Christ Presbyterian Academy
Projected 2001 graduate of Christ
Presbyterian Academy where he played alongside incoming Paladin freshman safety
David Latimer...football coach was David Pack...saw action at guard, tackles,
tight end, and defensive end...registered a team leading 147 tackles and earned
second team all-midstate and all-state honors (all classifications) as senior
after helping pace his team to a 15-0 record and state A championship...recorded
14 tackles and a pair of sacks in a 49-15 win over Knoxville-Webb...garnered
Blue Cross Bowl (state championship) Defensive MVP honors...served as a team
captain his senior year...also competed in track.
Personal: Full name is John Paul Shields...son of Harry and Mary Beth
Shields...born March 16, 1982, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
KEN STRIGGLES, DE
6-2, 265, Freshman
Stockbridge, Georgia
Riverdale High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Riverdale High School, the same high school as rising senior Paladin cornerback Bobby Wright...football coach was Thomas Smith...played defensive end...served as captain of his football team for 2000 season...earned all-region and County "Elite Eight" recognition his senior year. Personal: Full name is Kenneth Daughtry Striggles, Jr...son or Janis Striggles...born April 14, 1983, in Miami, Florida.
WILLIS SUDDERTH, DE
6-3, 240, Freshman
Lilburn, Georgia
Parkview High School
Projected 2001 graduate of football
powerhouse Parkview High School, the same high school as Paladin rising senior
All-Southern Conference tight end Trent Sansbury...football coach was Cecil
Flowe...played tight end, defensive end, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle...was
a key member of 15-0 state AAAAA championship team in 2000...earned Atlanta
Journal-Constitution first team All-State honors after totaling 122 tackles,
14 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, two caused fumbles, and two fumble recoveries...garnered
11 tackles in an 8-7 overtime win over Harrison, 11 tackles in 21-0 shutout
of South Gwinnett, 13 tackles and two sacks in 18-17 triumph over Brookwood,
and 10 tackles in 27-10 victory over Westside-Macon...registered 79 stops and
six sacks his junior year on a Parkview squad that went 11-2...in all totaled
271 tackles and 14 sacks in his career...Parkview program posted 48-8 record
and won two state championships in his four-year tenure...also played baseball.
Personal: Full name is Willis Mychal Sudderth...son of Sheila and Marcus
Sudderth...born November 11, 1982, in in San Antonio, Texas.
DAVID WRIGHT, OL
6-3, 280, Freshman
Blacksburg, South Carolina
Blacksburg High School
Projected 2001 graduate of Blacksburg
High School...football coach was Robbie Blanton...played offensive tackle and
defensive tackle...earned all-region and all-state honors...named Spartanburg
Herald-Journal Academic Player-of-the-Year...Wendy's High School Heisman finalist...national
Merit Scholarship finalist.
Personal: Full name is David Allen Wright...son or Harold and Judy Wright...born
November 26, 1982.