Feb. 1, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head football coach Kent Briggs announced today the signing of 23 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The list includes 11 from North Carolina, six from Georgia, two from South Carolina, one from Tennessee and one from Pennsylvania. Also, the Catamounts have signed two players from opposite sides of the United States, getting a junior college transfer New York and a JuCo from California. The list includes three players who are already on Western's campus that will participate in spring drills, but not transfer quarterback Todd Spitzer (Cincinnati) and linebacker Josh Smith (Navy Prep), who are on campus and working with the team.
WCU Head Coach Kent Briggs on the 2006 Class:
"Recruiting is a team effort by the administration, faculty/staff, coaches, their family and players. Once again they have done an outstanding job attracting quality student-athletes to Western Carolina.
"We have greatly improved our quality and depth at every position, particularly at quarterback, offensive and defensive front, safeties and running back. We also defensive lineman whose paper work has been held up due to some minor technicalities so we look forward to releasing his signing in the near future.
"I am also excited about the recruits we have signed locally, who will join our other Western North Carolina players in defending the mountains. Also, we expect to have several quality walkon players for next season who are from Western North Carolina."
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 2006 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL SIGNEESName Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown (Previous School) Emeka Abanifi 6-0 225 FB/LB Marietta, Ga. (Kell HS) Albert Ashcraft * (So.) 6-3 200 RB Monroe, N.C. (Univ. of South Carolina/Monroe HS) Dorian Battle 6-1 215 LB Middlesex, N.C. (Southern Nash HS) Angelo Brown 6-0 190 DB Columbia, S.C. (Eau Claire HS) Matt Baugh 5-10 180 RB Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield HS) Kurt Clouden (Jr.) 6-1 215 DB Brooklyn, N.Y. (Morrisville State College/Canarsie HS) Chris Collins 6-1 195 DB High Point, N.C. (T. Wingate Andrews HS) Patrick Fitzgerald 6-2 240 FB Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola HS) Antoine George 5-9 180 CB Decatur, Ga. (Decatur HS) Richard Harb 6-1 195 QB Knoxville, Tenn. (Christian Academy of Knoxville) Willie Harper 5-10 190 RB Asheville, N.C. (A.C. Reynolds HS) Adam Hearns * (Fr.) 6-1 210 QB Philadelphia, Pa. (Milford (N.Y.) Academy/North Penn HS) Chris Huffman (Jr.) 6-1 300 OL Columbus, Ga. (Georgia Military College/Shaw HS) CJ Johnson 6-2 245 DL Roswell, Ga. (Centennial HS) Charles Johnson 6-2 280 DE Charlotte, N.C. (Berry Academy) Zach Klutz 6-2 230 TE/DE Candler, N.C. (Enka HS) Wes Lancaster 6-4 280 OL York, S.C. (York Comprehensive HS) Kadeem Morgan 5-11 215 LB Asheville, N.C. (Asheville HS) Mordy Ornguze * (Jr.) 6-1 205 DB Ladera Ranch, Calif. (Orange Coast CC/Corona del Mar HS) Brandon Phelps 6-2 235 TE Greensboro, N.C. (Ragsdale HS) Gene Singletary 6-2 245 TE Kernersville, N.C. (Robert B. Glenn HS) Jamaal Stewart 6-3 280 OL Lawrenceville, Ga. (Collins Hill HS) Jonathan Troy 6-3 290 OL Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside HS)
* - indicates already enrolled at Western.
Emeka Abanifi
6-0, 225, FB/LB
Marietta, Ga. (Kell HS)
Prior to Western: Named first team all-county as a linebacker ... Tallied 120 tackles with two sacks and two tackles for loss ... Helped the Longhorns to an 8-4 record as a senior ... Also led his team to the program's first Class 5A state playoff appearance and first postseason victory ... As a junior, named to the 6A All-Region Team ... Was the Georgia state champion wrestler at 215 pounds in 2004 ... Posted a 64-2 record as a junior and was rated No. 4 junior by Wrestling USA ... As a senior, ranks seventh in the nation in the 215-pound weight class by Wrestling USA and 20th nationally by InterMat.
Albert Ashcraft
6-3, 200, RB, So.
Monroe, N.C. (Univ. of South Carolina/Monroe HS)
Already enrolled at Western and will be a sophomore with three years of eligibility.
Prior to Western: Spent two years at the University of South Carolina ... Did not see game action in 2005 and redshirted the 2004 season ... At Monroe HS: Ranked as the 43rd-best running back prospect in the country by Rivals.com ... Rated the #17 prospect in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com ... Also ran track in high school ... Won the 200 meters in the North Carolina 2A State Championships with a time of 21.86, while placing third in the 100-meters.
Dorian Battle
6-1, 215, LB
Middlesex, N.C. (Southern Nash HS)
Prior to Western: As a senior, earned first team All-NEW-6 Conference honors, as well as all-area ... Was his team's captain and defensive MVP ... Registered 110 tackles, including five tackles for losses 1.5 sacks, with two fumbles forced and two fumble recoveries ... Led team from a 3-7 record in 2004 to a 7-6 scoresheet in 2005 and the second round of the playoffs ... As a junior, second team All-NEW-6 Conference ... Recorded 45 stops, including four TFLs and 1.5 sacks, with two fumbles forced and one fumble recovery.
Angelo Brown
6-0, 190, DB
Columbia, S.C. (Eau Claire HS)
Prior to Western: Played in the SCADA North-South All-Star Game ... A two-time All-Region IV 3A selection ... Tallied 122 tackles with four interceptions as a senior ... Added six pass breakups, four blocked kicks, four tackles for losses, one sack and 523 yards in kick returns ... As a junior, amassed 89 tackles with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, scoring twice on defense ... For his career, had 278 tackles with 10 picks, 10 blocked kicks and 767 yards as a kick returner ... Offensive career stats include nine completions for 160 yards and a TD, 37 receptions for 387 yards and five TDs ... Also a two-time All-Region pick in baseball ... Hails from the same high school as WCU Hall of Fame member Steve Williams, who was the first Catamount to play in the NFL.
Matt Baugh
5-9, 185, RB
Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield HS)
Prior to Western: Rushed for 2,518 yards and 38 touchdowns in his senior season ... Named to the 2005 NCPreps.com 4A All-State team ... Named CAP-7 Conference Player of the Year and first team all-conference ... Played in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game ... Set Wakefield records for touchdowns in a career, rushing yards in a season, rushing TDs and season rushing yards per carry (11.2) ... Also had two kick returns for touchdowns in his career, including a 93-yarder as a sophomore for the first kick return for a score in school history ... Also All-CAP-7 conference in track and field ... Was part of the wining 4x100 relay team at his regional meet.
Kurt Clouden
6-1, 215, DB, Jr.
Brooklyn, N.Y. (Morrisville State College/Canarsie HS)
Prior to Western: Played two years at Morrisville College ... Recorded 34 tackles as a sophomore, including one for a loss ... Added an interception and a blocked kick ... Played against fellow WCU signee and defensive tackle Ricardo Henry, getting nine tackles versus Lackawanna ... Prior to his time at Morrisville, played at Canarsie High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chris Collins
6-1, 195, DB
High Point, N.C. (T. Wingate Andrews HS)
Prior to Western: Named All-County by the Greensboro News-Record in 2003 and All-Area by the publication in 2004 ... A preseason All-State selection in 2004 ... A two-time Piedmont-Triad 2A All-Conference pick ... Named his team's Defensive Back MVP ... As a senior, recorded 53 solo tackles with 13 assists with two interceptions, two TFLs, two forced fumbles, six pass breakups ... For his career, tallied 150 solo stops, 53 assists, 13 interceptions, 11 TFLs, two sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 14 PBUs ... Also a standout in basketball, being named to his conference's All-Tournament Team ... Participates in the triple and long jumps in track in field ... A NCHSAA Scholar Athlete ... A 2005 Boy's State Representative ... Principal's List for Honor Roll and a member of the Career and Technical Education Honor Society.
Patrick Fitzgerald
6-2, 240, FB
Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola HS)
Prior to Western: Played in the 2005 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, scoring a touchdown in the game ... All-conference as a running back ... A first team All-Western North Carolina selection at linebacker by the Asheville Citizen-Times ... Had 657 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns, while tallying 293 receiving yards with three scores ... On defense, logged a team-best 64 tackles, including 12 tackles for losses and three sacks ... An all-conference pick as a junior as well ... That year, rushed for 447 yards with four TDs, while getting 454 yards receiving with three TDs.
Antoine George
5-9, 180, CB
Decatur, Ga. (Decatur HS)
Prior to Western: Collected 71 tackles as a senior with 36 pass breakups and one interception ... Also caught 21 passes for 460 yards and two touchdowns ... As a junior, recorded 61 tackles with 23 PBUs and four interceptions, while catching 17 passes for 290 yards and three scores ... In his sophomore year, had 25 tackles and 10 PBUs on defense with 17 receptions and 390 yards and two TDs on offense.
Richard Harb
6-1, 195, QB
Knoxville, Tenn. (Christian Academy of Knoxville)
Prior to Western: Named 2A All-State by the Tennessee Sports Writers and Football Coaches Association ... Also selected first team All-Knoxville Football League and his region's Most Valuable Player ... Led his team to the Region 2A finals and an 8-4 record ... Threw for 2,643 yards, completing 205-of-383 passes, with 34 touchdowns ... As a junior, was honorable mention All-State, while earning first team All-Region honors ... Completed 163-of-306 passes for 2,208 yards with 22 TDs ... Led CAK to an 8-5 record as a sophomore ... Set school records with 4,881 passing yards and 56 passing TDs ... Also a standout in basketball, , setting a Tennessee state single-season record by making 93.4 percent of his free throws in 2004-05 ... Led his team to district championships in baseball (2003 and '04) and golf in 2005.
Willie Harper
5-10, 190, RB
Asheville, N.C. (A.C. Reynolds HS)
Prior to Western: Northwestern Conference Player of the Year ... A three-time All-Western North Carolina selection by the Asheville Citizen-Times ... Rushed for 1,796 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior ... As a junior, rushed for 1,495 yards, while tallying 1,755 yards as a sophomore ... All-time leading rusher at school with 5,046 yards ... Also as a senior, completed 2-of-3 passes for 94 yards and a score, while getting eight receptions for 110 yards and a score.
Adam Hearns
6-1, 210, QB, Fr.
Philadelphia, Pa. (Milford (N.Y.) Academy/North Penn HS)
Already enrolled at Western and will be a freshman this coming season.
Prior to Western: Played safety at Milford Academy ... At North Penn HS: Committed to play quarterback at Syracuse out of high school before enrolling at Milford ... As a senior, completed 68-of-124 passes for 1,016 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions ... In the District One championship game, rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries to lead North Penn to the title ... In 2003, as a junior and his first year as the Knights' starting quarterback, threw for 1,201 yards, completing 60 of 110 pass attempts ... Had 13 touchdowns and only one interception ... In addition, rushed for 966 yards and 13 scores, including an 18-yard touchdown in a 37-10 win over Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the state championship game.
Chris Huffman
6-1, 300, OL
Columbus, Ga. (Georgia Military College/Shaw HS)
Prior to Western: Two-year starter at Georgia Military College, playing both center and guard ... Led team to a 9-2 record in 2005, a win at the Golden Isles Bowl and a final ranking of #2 in the NJCAA poll ... Graded out at 85 percent in each of his games as a sophomore with three pancake blocks ... Only allowed three sacks in his two-year career ... At Shaw HS: A three-year starter at offensive line ... Tabbed first team All-State as a senior and played in the Georgia-Florida All-Star game ... Shaw went 54-3 over his four-year career, including a 15-0 scoresheet as a sophomore.
CJ Johnson 6-2, 245, DL
Roswell, Ga. (Centennial HS)
Prior to Western: Named to the Fulton County Super 11 team ... 2005 team captain, starting at both defensive and tight end ... Logged 40 tackles, including six sacks ... As a junior, was a starter at nose guard ... Two-year basketball player at Centennial ... Member of the Spanish club and FBLA.
Charles Johnson
6-2, 280, DE
Charlotte, N.C. (Berry Academy)
Prior to Western: Tabbed first team All-Queen City Conference and was the runner up for league's Defensive Player of the Year ... Also first team All-Mecklenburg County ... Registered 98 solo tackles and 32 assists, including six tackles for losses, two fumble recoveries, five sacks and two interceptions ... As a junior, selected first team All-Big South on offense and defense ... Won his conference title in shot put and discuss, placing sixth in shot at state.
Zach Klutz
6-2, 230, TE/DE
Candler, N.C. (Enka HS)
Prior to Western: A first team All-Western North Carolina selection by the Asheville Citizen-Times ... Named first team All-Mountain Athletic Conference and first team all-region at tight end ... Recorded 21 receptions for 132 yards ... Forced to play fullback due to an injury to a teammate and rushed for team-high 487 yards and two touchdowns ... Also a standout in wrestling, placing fifth in the NCHSAA 3A 215-pound weight class ... Tallied 100 career wins in wrestling, earning All-Mountain Athletic Conference twice and first team All-State and all-region once ... His father, Mike, played baseball at Western in 1982.
Wes Lancaster
6-4, 280, OL
York, S.C. (York Comprehensive HS)
Prior to Western: Played all snaps at right tackle on the winning North team in the South Carolina North-South All-Star game ... A two-time All-Area selection by the Charlotte Observer and Rock Hill Herald ... Tallied 45 knockdown blocks and graded out at 85 percent ... Led York to the second round of the state playoffs ... On eight occasions (including five times as a senior) was named Tri-County Coaches Association Lineman of the Week ... Was twice York's "Best Offensive Lineman" and earned his team's "Impact Player of the Year" award as a senior ... Also plays basketball and golf ... Was a five-year letterman in golf, earning all-region in 2004 and qualifying for the state championship ... In the classroom, a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, while ranking in the top 15 percent in his class of 342 ... His father was an All-State baseball player at Kings Mountain ... His mother is a former South Carolina 4A basketball Player of the Year and went on to play basketball and volleyball at Clemson.
Kadeem Morgan
5-11, 215, LB
Asheville, N.C. (Asheville HS)
Prior to Western: A three-year varsity starter at linebacker and a two-year starter at tight end ... Registered 115 tackles, including four tackles for losses and two sacks, with two recovered fumbles, two interceptions - returning one pick for TD - and four caused fumbles ... Named first team All-Western North Carolina by the Asheville Citizen-Times as a junior and senior ... Also a two-time All-Mountain Athletic Conference ... Led Asheville to a career 43-3 record ... Team won the North Carolina 3A state championship in 2005, while reaching the state semifinals twice.
Mordy Ornguze
6-1, 205, DB, Jr.
Ladera Ranch, Calif. (Orange Coast CC/Corona del Mar HS)
Already enrolled at Western and will have two years eligibility remaining.
Prior to Western: Named second team All-Mission Football Conference at safety ... Ranked fourth on the team with 76 tackles, including six tackles for losses ... Added six pass breakups and two forced fumbles ... As a freshman with the Pirates, also ranked fourth on his team with 66 stops, including two for losses ... Tallied six PBUs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... Played at Corona del Mar High School before going to Orange Coast.
Brandon Phelps
6-2, 235, TE
Greensboro, N.C. (Ragsdale HS)
Prior to Western: Named to the All-Mid-Piedmont Conference team ... Listed on the Fab 50 recruits list on the NC Prep Report ... As a senior, had 17 receptions for 268 yards and six touchdowns, helping Ragsdale to a 9-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs ... For his career, had 24 receptions for 446 yards and six scores ... Also plays baseball for Ragsdale.
Gene Singletary
6-2, 245, TE
Kernersville, N.C. (Robert B. Glenn HS)
Prior to Western: Brother of current Catamount tight end James Singletary, who will be a redshirt sophomore this coming season, and cousin of former Catamount offensive lineman Wendell Singletary... As a senior, named All-Northwest Conference ... A two-time All-Piedmont Triad 3A selection ... Listed among the Super 25 of Forsyth County ... A crucial lead blocker on Glenn's off-tackle sweeps ... In addition to his solid blocking, had 14 catches for 218 yards and four touchdowns as a senior ... Added 12 receptions for 232 yards and four scores as a junior ... Led Glenn to a 20-6 record over his final two years, including a 12-2 mark as a senior and a state quarterfinal appearance.
Jamaal Stewart
6-3, 280, OL
Lawrenceville, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)
Prior to Western: Named first team All-State, All-7AAAAA Region and all-county ... Named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Honor Roll ... Tallied 38 pancake blocks and graded out at 88 percent by his coaches.
Jonathan Troy
6-3, 290, OL
Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside HS)
Prior to Western: Tabbed honorable mention South Metro Super 11 as a senior ... A three-year starter at Creekside ... Led Creekside to a 20-3 record over the past two years and two playoff appearances ... In 2005, team was 10-1 and Region 4A champions ... His older brother (Al, Jr.) coaches baseball at Creekside, while his sister (Mekia) is the head girls basketball coach at Creekside ... Comes from the same high school that produced former Catamount offensive lineman Kevin McAlmont.
