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Feb. 3, 2010
6:36 a.m. - The FSU football offices -- located outside of Capel Arena -- are quieter than usual. The fax machine is silent, doors are closed and a place that is normally bustling with activity is still. That will soon change as the FSU staff will begin receiving national letters of intent (NLI) from prospects across the state and the country. Check FSU's Signing Day Blog -- which will be updated all day -- for player profiles, quotes and insider scoop from the Broncos' coaching staff on the newest members of the FSU football family. 7:35 a.m. - The first member of the 2010 FSU class is Colon Bailey Jr. an athlete from Manteo HS. "He's an athlete that was being recruited heavily in our region," said recruiting coordinator David Bowser. "We're excited to have him and he's a good athlete that he could play on either side of the ball." 8:25 a.m. - After a refreshing breakfast, the FSU coaching staff is sitting by the fax machine waiting for more LOIs to stream in. 8:41 a.m. - The second member of the 2010 FSU class is Antonio Mayo, a kicker/punter from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, N.C. "Tony has the leg and the ability to help us in the kicking game," Bowser said. "He'll get a chance to study under CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year Austin Turner. Tony considered it an honor to be a part of a program that puts a great emphasis on special teams." 8:46 a.m. - The fax machine has to be getting a little tired. Two more letters of intent are in. Chris Person, a defensive back from West Craven High School and Shamiir Hailey, a dynamic running back out of Monroe High School. "This young man is fast enough that he could be a great addition to Coach Wayman Westbrook's receiving corps," said Bowser of Person. "However, we feel he has the potential, speed and ability to be a great cornerback in Coach (Kenny) Phillips' defense."
9:03 a.m. - Monroe High School is turning out to be a great place for FSU this morning. Donnard Covington, an athlete and cousin of FSU signee Shamiir Hailey, has sent his LOI into Coach Phillips. Covington is the fifth FSU signee. 9:14 a.m. - Signing day is a nervous yet exciting time for college coaches. Knowing the impact a particular player could have if he signs with a school is both exciting and terrifying. "Most of the kids that we recruit have the potential to be early contributors," said defensive line coach Damien Adams. "When you do get them, you immediately start working in your mind where you're going to play them at and what your rotation is going to be. When you don't get them, you just have to pick yourself up and move on to the next one." 9:28 a.m. - More on Hailey and Covington... The pair helped Monroe HS to one of its best seasons in school history. Bowser expects both to contribute early. "Coach Johnny Sowell has done an outstanding of developing talent at Monroe HS and Hailey and Covington are examples of that," he said. "Hailey is a man that possesses power, speed and heart. He can play any skill position in our program, and he also is a great three sport athlete." "Covington is a speedster that will be a great addition to the secondary at Fayetteville State University. His vision and speed will make him a dangerous return man as well." 10:17 a.m. - We're attempting to get video up on the Web site of some of the signees. If it's successful, we'll post a link so you can see some of the new Broncos in action. 10:30 a.m. - We have video. FSU fans can watch clips of signees at www.fsubroncos.com/webcasts.html 10:41 a.m. - Daniel Pinnix's letter of intent is into the football office. Pinnix is out of H.P. Andrew's High School in High Point, N.C. and is being recruited to play DE/LB. "He's a long, rangy kid that is very athletic," said Gary Lowery, FSU's offensive line coach who handle Pinnix's recruitment. "He has great speed and he should be a great addition to Broncos' defenses of the future." 10:57 a.m. - Derrick Washington from Parkland HS in Winston-Salem is the newest Broncos defensive back. His LOI just came into the football offices. "Derrick is physical, aggressive, smart and a tough football player," Bowser said. "He will be an early contributor on special teams and in the secondary for us, if he continues to work hard in the weight room and classroom prior to arriving in the fall." 11:07 a.m. - West Charlotte's C.J. Montgomery, a 2009 Shrine Bowl selection, is one of the most physically gifted athletes the Broncos have signed this year. At 305 pounds, his blend of athleticism, skill and quickness make him an ideal candidate to anchor FSU's offensive line for several years to come. "C.J. is a physically talented lineman that uses his hands, body position and strength very well," said Bowser. "We believe he can reach a level over the next couple of years that will make him considered a recruiting coup." 11:19 a.m. - Richmond County Senior High School has long been considered one of the best programs in the state. Each year several Raiders sign LOIs to play for teams across the state and country. This year, Fayetteville State is one of the programs. Kasheem Reid, a hard-hitting safety, will be heading east to Fayetteville State. "He's an aggressive safety that has great range and speed," said Lowery. "He reminds me of some of the great safeties that I've seen in my 10-year coaching career." 11:36 a.m. - We're going to take a break to head to the WFSS 91.9 studios for the head coach Alphonza Kee show inside the Bronco Cafe' with Ray Thomas. That beings at Noon. Then at 1 p.m., FSU head coach Kenny Phillips and recruiting coordinator David Bowser will be on with Ray Thomas to talk FSU football and Signing Day 2010. To watch go to www.fsubroncos.com/webcasts.html 11:39 a.m. - Before we go, another LOI came in. Michael Fogg, a strong safety from Raleigh, N.C. is in the fold. "Fogg was the first verbal commitment from this class and is probably the most versatile and athletic kid in this signing class," Bowser said. "We are extremely excited to have this young man in the Bronco family." 2:29 p.m. - We're back in the football offices were five more LOIs have come in. Among those are Pinecrest defensive end Blade Shoop. "I've known about Blade Shoop for almost four years now," Adams said. "I saw him when he was a sophomore at Southern Lee High School. When I took the job here, I wrote on Coach Bowser's board that Blade was the first recruit we should look at. He has a tremendous upside. He has an amazing balance of size, speed and skill. He'll be a tremendous asset to the defensive line." 2:50 p.m. - Broncos fans should probably get to know Hakeem Vinson. A product of Mt. Zion Academy in Durham, N.C., Vinson, like fellow signee C.J. Montgomery, is a rare blend of speed, size and athleticism. "Vinson is an unbelieveably talented kid," said Adams. "There aren't a whole lot of people that have the ability he has. It's a honor that he chose us as his institution of higher learning." 4:28 p.m. - Things have slowed down here in the FSU football offices. The last signee is a familiar one to Fayetteville-area fans. Kenneth Short, a tight end from Douglas Byrd High School, will play in front of his hometown fans. "Short is one of the better football recruits out of Cumberland County this year," said Lowery. "He was a member of the Douglas Byrd football team that played in the state championship game. He's a devastating blocker at the tight end position and he has also shown promise on the defensive side of the ball. He's strength will help him compete for playing time and a starting position. Keeping Cumberland County's best in Cumberland County is important to us and getting Short is a big step towards that goal." |
