2007 Football Signing Day Roster
 

Feb. 7, 2007

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    Name

    Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Previous School)
    Marvin Austin DL 6-3 295 Washington, D.C. (Ballou)
    Charles Brown CB 5-10 190 Maple Heights, Ohio (Maple Heights)
    Kevin Bryant OL 6-7 375 Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Anderson)
    Bruce Carter ATH 6-3 210 Havelock, N.C. (Havelock)
    Albert Craddock LB 6-2 200 High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford)
    Mike Dykes OL 6-4 275 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills)
    Linwan Euwell LB 6-2 210 Pinetops, N.C. (Southwest Edgecombe)
    LeCount Fantroy DB 5-11 175 Washington, D.C. (Ballou/Milford Acad.)
    Carl Gaskins OL 6-5 245 Melbourne, Fla. (Palm Bay)
    Brian Gupton ATH 6-3 190 Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)
    Cameron Holland OL 6-2 275 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Perry Traditional Academy)
    Ryan Houston RB 6-2 245 Matthews, N.C. (Butler)
    Dwight Jones WR 6-5 210 Burlington, N.C. (Cummings)
    Greg Little WR 6-3 210 Durham, N.C. (Hillside)
    Rashad Mason WR 6-5 210 Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)
    Matt Merletti ATH 5-11 185 Cleveland, Ohio (St. Ignatius)
    Mike Paulus QB 6-5 220 Manlius, N.Y. (Christian Brothers Academy)
    Zack Pianalto HB 6-4 215 Springdale, Ark. (Springdale)
    Tydreke Powell DL 6-3 290 Ahoskie, N.C. (Hertford County)
    Devon Ramsay ATH 6-2 240 Red Bank, N.J. (The Lawrencevile School)
    Da'Norris Searcy DB 6-0 200 Decatur, Ga. (Towers)
    Jonathan Smith DB 6-2 185 Durham, N.C. (Hillside)
    Quan Sturdivant LB 6-3 225 Oakboro, N.C. (West Stanly)
    Jay Wooten PK/P 6-3 180 Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County)

    Marvin Austin
    Defensive Line, 6-3, 295
    Washington, D.C. (Ballou)

    SuperPrep All-America • Parade AllAmerica • Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl • Ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 7 overall player in the nation by Rivals • Defensive Player of the Year according to recruiting analyst Tom Lemming • Considered the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country by PrepStar • Ranked the No. 2 defensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 1 player in the Mid-Atlantic by SuperPrep • Earned all-metro honors from The Washington Post • Transferred from Coolidge High School to Ballou for his senior season and led team to the DC I-AA championship • Had 85 tackles, including 14 for losses and 17 sacks, as a senior • Had 26 tackles for losses and 29 sacks during final two season in high school • Coached by Moses Ware • Son of Donna Johnson • Born Jan. 1, 1989.

    Charles Brown
    Corner Back, 5-10, 190
    Maple Heights, Ohio (Maple Heights)

    Caught 37 passes for 985 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior • Versatile player who also saw time at running back, cornerback and safety and returned kicks and punts • Played at the same high school as UNC tight end Richard Quinn • Maple Heights finished 9-2 and ranked among the top 10 in Division II in Ohio • Caught five passes for 130 yards in the first half against state runner-up Mentor High School before an injury forced him to miss the second half • Coached by Jeff Rotsky • Son of Lisa and Charles Brown Sr. • Born Feb. 7, 1989.

    Kevin Bryant
    Offensive Line, 6-7, 375
    Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Anderson)

    Ranked the No. 27 offensive lineman in the country by Scout.com • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-Southeast Team • Ranked the No. 34 player in Florida by SuperPrep • Called the "biggest and "strongest Division 1-A recruit in Florida" by SuperPrep • Had 56 pancake blocked and did not allow a sack all season for Anderson High School, which went 9-3 his season season • Graded out over 80 percent as a senior on the offensive line • Earned first-team all-state honors in class 6A • Started on both sides of the ball for Hallandale High School as a junior • Coached by Mark James.

    Bruce Carter
    Athlete, 6-3, 210
    Havelock, N.C. (Havelock)

    Enrolled in January after sitting out last semester with a knee injury • 2006: SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 8 skill athlete in the country and the No. 7 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 33 safety in the country and the No. 19 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 14 player in North Carolina by The Charlotte Observer • Played quarterback, safety and running back in high school • Ran the ball from the quarterback position more than he threw it, gaining 1,063 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground • Also passed for 585 yards and five scores as a senior • Threw for nearly 700 yards and rushed for approximately 850 yards and scored 13 touchdowns as a junior • Coached by Charlie Smith • Also played basketball • Son of Tammy and Bruce Pritchard • Born February 19, 1988.

    Albert Craddock
    Linebacker, 6-2, 200
    High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford)

    Ranked the No. 11 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-Southeast Team • Made 65 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a senior on defense • Returned one interception for a touchdown • Named all-area as a senior • Nominated for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl • Also produced 917 yards rushing and scored 11 TDs as a running back on offense • Averaged 48.8 yards per kickoff return • Rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games as a junior • Coached by Bryan Davis • Also participated in track and field and basketball • Born Dec. 7, 1987.

    Mike Dykes
    Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 275
    Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills)

    Ranked among the top 30 players in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 62 offensive lineman in the country by Scout.com • Named second-team AP all-state honors in the 4A classification • Named first-team all-conference by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette • Named to the Tribune East Fab 22 • Selected to play in the East-West all-star game • Helped lead team to a 10-3 record as a junior and also had 25 tackles as a defensive lineman • Coached by George Novak • Three-sport star who also plays basketball and track • Son of Sharon Dykes • Born May 10, 1989.

    Linwan Euwell
    Linebacker, 6-2, 210
    Pinetops, N.C. (Southwest Edgecombe)

    Ranked the No. 20 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-Southeast Team • Ranked among the top 30 weakside defensive ends in the country by Rivals • Earned area defensive player of the year honors • Had 78 tackles, 11 sacks and 26 tackles for losses as a senior • Led a defense that limited opponents to 10.5 points and 193.8 total yards • Two-time first-team all-conference • Recorded 98 tackles, 27 tackles for losses and 12 sacks as a junior • Named Defensive Player of the Year by the Rocky Mount Telegram and Wilson Daily News • Coached by Raymond Cobb • Son of Elizabeth and Linwood Euwell • Born July 1, 1989.

    LeCount Fantroy
    Defensive Back, 5-11, 175
    Washington, D.C. (Ballou/Milford Academy)

    Enrolled in January after spending one semester at Milford Academy in New York • 2006: Ranked the No. 4 player in Washington D.C. by Rivals.com • Ranked the No. 28 player in the Mid-Atlantic, which includes Delaware, West Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland, by SuperPrep • Three-time all-conference selection • Washington Post All-Metro selection • As a senior, posted 53 tackles and had seven interceptions • Scored nine touchdowns, including five on special teams • Played quarterback, running back, defensive back and wide receiver in a playoff game as a senior • Coached by Noel Cyrus at Ballou and William Chaplick at Milford • Also ran track and played baseball • Son of Lisa and LeCount Fantroy • Born October 24, 1988.

    Carl Gaskins
    Offensive Line, 6-5, 245
    Melbourne, Fla. (Palm Bay)

    Ranked among the top 100 prospects in Florida by the Orland Sentinel • Earned first-team all-state honors in the 5A classification by the Florida Sportswriters Association • Also named first-team All-Space Coast • Played in Florida's North-South All-Star Game • Also played in the Central Florida All-Star Game • Coached by Dan Burke • Son of Carl Gaskins Sr. • Born July 13, 1989.

    Brian Gupton
    Athlete, 6-3, 190
    Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)

    Helped lead Pearl-Cohn High School to a 10-4 record and the semifinals of the state playoffs • Had 478 yards receiving and three touchdowns • Averaged 31.9 yards per reception as a senior • Picked off four passes on the defensive side of the ball • Teammate of Rashad Mason • Coached by Tony Brunetti • Also runs track • Son of Toni and John Gupton-Knight • Born April 18, 1988.

    Cameron Holland
    Offensive Line, 6-2, 275
    Pittsburgh, Pa. (Perry Traditional Academy)

    Ranked among the top 30 players in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 79 offensive lineman in the country by Scout.com • Named first-team 3A all-state by the Associated Press • Named Harrisburg Patriot-News "Platinum 33" team • First-team all-city honors as a senior • Earned All-WPIAL honors as a junior • Helped lead team to an 11-2 record and a city-league title • Had 47 pancake blocks as a senior • Coached by Bill Gallagher • Also participates in track and field • Son of Turley and Leroy Holland • Born March 26, 1989.

    Ryan Houston
    Running Back, 6-2, 245
    Matthews, N.C. (Butler)

    SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 7 player in North Carolina and the No. 21 running back in the country by Rivals • Considered the No. 9 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 20 running back in the country by Scout.com • Member of Tom Lemming's All-America team • Member of the Rivals250 all-star team • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Named to the East-Meets-West National All-Star Game • Rushed 377 times as a senior for 2,219 yards and 32 touchdowns • Became the all-time leading rusher and touchdown maker in Mecklenburg County, which includes the city of Charlotte • As a junior, rushed for 1,910 yards and 34 touchdowns as Butler went 10-3 • Earned all-area honors as a junior and senior • Averaged more than seven yards per carry in his career • Coached by Mike Newsome • Averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds as a forward on the basketball team • Son of Kim Singleton and Anthony Houston • Born July 23, 1989.

    Dwight Jones
    Wide Receiver, 6-5, 210
    Burlington, N.C. (Cummings)

    SuperPrep All-America • Parade AllAmerica • Considered the No. 1 player in North Carolina and the No. 4 wide receiver in the country by Rivals • Considered the No. 22 player in the country regardless of position by Rivals • Ranked the No. 1 player in North Carolina and the No. 11 wide receiver in the country by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 3 wide receiver in the country by PrepStar • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-America team • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Four-year starter at Cummings, four-time all-conference selection and three-time all-area selection • Also played defensive back his first two seasons • Had 112 receptions, 2,315 yards and 20 TDs over the last two seasons, including 67 for 1,396 yards and 12 TDs as a senior to help his team to the state 2-A title • Caught 45 passes for 919 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior • Had nine interceptions as a freshman • Coached by Steve Johnson • Also plays basketball and has led Cummings to two state titles • Son of Deborah and Dwight Jones, Sr. • Born Jan. 1, 1989.

    Greg Little
    Wide Receiver, 6-3, 210
    Durham, N.C. (Hillside)

    SuperPrep All-America • USA Today All-America selection • Ranked the No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 6 athlete in the country by SuperPrep • Member of Tom Lemming's All-America team • Has been hailed by most recruiting analysts as "the most versatile player in the country" • Excelled at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, safety and cornerback while helping Hillside to a 10-3 finish • As a senior, had 55 catches for 969 yards and nine touchdowns as a receiver, 800 yards on 140 carries and 14 touchdowns as a running back and four interceptions on defense • Returned one interception for a touchdown • Named the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina • All-conference selection • Coached by Ray Harrison • Also competed in basketball and track and field • Son of Gail and Gregory Little • Born May 30, 1989.

    Rashad Mason
    Wide Receiver, 6-5, 210
    Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)

    SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 6 wide receiver in the country by SuperPrep • Considered the No. 2 player in Tennessee by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 14 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com and the No. 18 wide receiver by Rivals • Considered the No. 4 prospect in Tennessee by Rivals • Member of the Rivals250 all-star team • Finished his senior season with 26 catches for 610 yards and 13 touchdowns as Pearl-Cohn High School went 10-4 and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs • Earned all-region, all-mid state and all-state honors as a senior • Missed his junior season due to injuries from a car accident • Is a childhood friend of UNC basketball player Brandan Wright • Teammate of Brian Gupton • Coached by Tony Brunetti • Son of Mailena Benson • Born January 25, 1989.

    Matt Merletti
    Athlete, 5-11, 185
    Cleveland, Ohio (St. Ignatius)

    Played running back, receiver and defensive back at St. Ignatius • Rushed for 1,113 yards, averaged 5.6 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns before suffering a toe injury late in the season • Team won its first six games before Merletti injured his toe • Averaged 10.6 yards on 16 receptions and made three interceptions • Named first-team All-Northeast Lakes district • Also competes in track • Was a ball boy for the Cleveland Browns when Butch Davis was Cleveland's head coach • Son of Patricia and Lew Merletti, the Browns chief administrative officer • Coached by Chuck Kyle • Born July 18, 1988.

    Mike Paulus
    Quarterback, 6-5, 220
    Manlius, N.Y. (Christian Brothers Academy)

    SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 1 player in New York by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in the country by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 7 quarterback in the country by PrepStar • Named the New York state Gatorade Player of the Year • Member of Tom Lemming's All-America team • Ranked the No. 10 quarterback in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 15 quarterback in the country by SuperPrep • Completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,304 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior • Led team to an 11-1 record as a junior, falling in the state semifinals • Completed 131 of 234 attempts for 2,084 yards and 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions • Earned third-team all-state honors as a junior • Coached by Joe Casamente • His brother, Greg, plays point guard for Duke's basketball team • Brothers David, Matt and Danny played football at Georgetown where his other brother, Chris, is a linebacker • Son of Denise and David Paulus • Born October 12, 1988.

    Zack Pianalto
    H-Back, 6-4, 215
    Springdale, Ark. (Springdale)

    Enrolled in January after graduating early from Springdale High School • Ranked the No. 7 player in Arkansas by Rivals • Considered the No. 10 player in Arkansas by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 20 tight end in the country by Scout.com • Helped lead Springdale to the 5A state championship as a junior • Had 14 receptions for 337 yards and three touchdowns as a junior despite mainly being used as a blocker • Caught 12 passes for 141 yards as a senior • Missed all but two games as a senior with a broken collarbone • From the same hometown as head coach Butch Davis • Coached by Kevin Johnson at Springdale • Son of Sherri and Kenneth Pianalto • Born May 27, 1989.

    Tydreke Powell
    Defensive Line, 6-3, 290
    Ahoskie, N.C. (Hertford County)

    SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 3 player in North Carolina and the No. 10 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 6 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-America team • Named Lemming's No. 27 player in the country • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Three-years starter who never missed a game • Two-time all-state team member • Earned Player of the Year honors in his conference as a senior after making 114 tackles and 13 sacks • Helped lead Hertford to a an 11-2 record and the second round of the 3-A state playoffs • Was among the state leaders in sacks as a junior with 11 • Coached by Greg Watford • Also played basketball • Son of Rita Powell • Born June 14, 1988.

    Devon Ramsay
    Athlete, 6-2, 240
    Red Bank, N.J. (The Lawrenceville School)

    Ranked the No. 6 fullback by Rivals • Rushed for 1,078 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior • Trenton-Times all-area team member • Posed 42 tackles, six sacks and an interception on defense • Lawrenceville Prep won its final four regular season games and finished with an overall record of 5-4 • Coached by Ken Mills • Son of Sharon Lee and Devon Ramsay • Born December 8, 1988.

    Da'Norris Searcy
    Defensive Back, 6-0, 200
    Decatur, Ga. (Towers)

    Two way standout at both defensive back and running back at Towers High School • Ranked the No. 17 player in Georgia by SuperPrep • Recorded 71 tackles, including 21 solo stops, eight tackles for losses and three sacks, as a senior • Rushed for 1,607 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior • Had 707 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as a junior • Posted 41 tackles, 18 primary hits and 12 tackles for losses in seven games as a junior • Coached by Phillip Noble • Son of Tracy and Donald Searcy • Born Nov. 16, 1988.

    Jonathan Smith
    Defensive Back, 6-2, 185
    Durham, N.C. (Hillside)

    Considered among the top 25 players in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Collected 216 career tackles, 19 sacks and seven interceptions • Posted 118 tackles with seven sacks and 11 tackles for losses as a senior • Made four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns • Earned all-state honors as a senior • Had 97 tackles, 11 tackles for losses and four sacks as a junior • Ranked the No. 33 weakside linebacker in the country by Scout.com • Coached by Ray Harrison • Son of Princess Smith • Born Sept. 28, 1989.

    Quan Sturdivant
    Linebacker, 6-3, 225
    Oakboro, N.C. (West Stanly)

    Enrolled in January after graduating early from West Stanly high school • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-Southeast Team • Earned conference offensive player of the year honors as a senior • Played quarterback for most of his career, and also spent time at safety on defense • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Completed 99 of 179 passes for 1,794 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed 111 times for 745 yards • Had 12 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups on defense • Helped lead West Stanly to a 9-4 record and the second round of the 2-A state playoffs • Earned all-state honors twice and all-conference honors three times • Coached by Rich Williams • Son of Marcella Sturdivant • Born Dec. 5, 1988.

    Jay Wooten
    Place Kicker, 6-3, 180
    Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County)

    Has the ability to kickoff, punt and kick field goals • Ranked the No. 6 kicker in the country by Rivals • Ranked the No. 17 place-kicker in the country by Scout.com • Ranked among the top 35 players in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-Southeast Team • Four-year starter • Averaged 38 yards per punts and converted 7 of 14 field goals and 40 of 44 extra-point attempts as a senior • Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team • Earned all-state honors • Made 8 of 13 FG attempts, including a 48-yarder, as a junior • Nearly 75 percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks • Made four game-winning field goals as a junior • Coached by Mark Barnes • Son of Jerry and Jim Wooten • Born April 5, 1988.

     

     

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