03 February 2011
In terms of size, the Youngstown State 2011 football recruiting class is one of the largest, if not the largest, classes in all of college football. Yesterday, Coach Eric Wolford signed 30 total commitments on top of the five JUCO recruits that signed in December 2010. It was no secret that Coach Wolford's focus in this recruiting class was on the defensive end of the football that surrendered four fourth quarter leads in the final two minutes of each contest this season. Of the 35 total recruits, 24 will be groomed to play for Defensive Coordinator Rick Kravitz, while 9 others will play under the lead of Offensive Coordinator Shane Montgomery. The lone remaining recruit, kicker David Brown, will fill the void at the kickers position with the departure of Stephen Blose due to graduation and Jake Smith who left the program following the disappointing 3-8 season. Coach Wolford said, "Everybody will have a chance to play next season. If you started last year, you better work your tail off. Let's see what happens now."
Recruit Breakdown By State
Ohio: 15 (Mahoning Valley: 11)
California: 4
Pennsylvania: 3 (Mahoning Valley: 1)
Michigan: 3
South Carolina: 3
Georgia: 2
Florida: 1
New Jersey: 1
Kansas: 1
Utah: 1
New York: 1
Here are highlights of all 35 recruits:
To read about all 35 recruits, click here:
1. Dante Nania
- Completed 101 of 201 passes for 1,512 yards and 11 touchdowns.
2. Steve Zaborsky
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Location: Mineral Ridge, OH
School: (Austintown) Fitch High School
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 224 pounds
40 Time: 5.0 seconds
- All-Ohio Associated Press Division I First-team, All-Northeast Inland District First-team, All-Federal League First-team.
- Helped lead the Falcons to one of their best starts in school history at 9-1. Fitch finished the year 10-2.
3. Christian Bryan
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Location: Norwin, PA
School: Norwin High School
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 160 pounds
40 Time: 4.73 seconds
- Rushed 32 times for 183 yards.
- Caught 39 receptions for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns.
- Had 63 total tackles on defense.
- Had 25 kickoff returns for 423 yards.
4. Mike Thomas
Location: Youngstown, OH
School: East High School
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 170 pounds
40 Time: 4.43 seconds
- Had 700 yards receiving as a junior for East High School.
5. Brandon Ferguson
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Location: Beloit, OH
School: West Branch High School
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 265 pounds
40 Time: 4.8 seconds
- Stayed true to his commitment despite heavy recruiting from West Virginia.
- Two-Way starter on the offensive and defensive line for West Branch.
6. Demond Hymes
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Location: Warren, OH
School: Warren G. Harding High School
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 190 pounds
40 Time: 4.52 seconds
- Rushed 159 times for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns.
- Selected to play in Ohio's North vs. South game at Ohio Stadium.
- Rushed for 348 yards, 2 touchdowns on 37 carries at home against Massillon Washington High School.
7. Lamar Mady
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Location: El Dorado, KS
School: Butler County Community College
Position: Guard
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 330 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- First team All-Jayhawk Conference Selection.
- Helped lead Butler County Community College to NJCAA National Championship Game and 11-1 season.
8. Josh Fenderson
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Location: Rochester, MN
School: Rochester Community College
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Had 35 total tackles and 6 sacks for Rochester Community College in 2010.
9. David Brown
Location: Nordhoff, CA
School: Ventura Junior College
Position: Kicker
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Ranked 17th best kicker in America by ChrisSailor.com.
- Ranked 2nd best JUCO kicker in America.
- Consistently kicks touchbacks on kickoffs.
10. Mark Pratt
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Location: Ephraim, UT
School: Snow College
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 325 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- First team All-Western States League selection for Snow College, 10-2 on the 2010 campaign.
11. Nick DeCraker
Location: Marne, MI
School: Grand Rapids Community College
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 255 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- First team All-Iowa Community College Conference Selection on 2010 campaign.
12. Trevor Strickland
Location: Clyde, OH
School: Clyde High School
Position: Tight End/Defensive End
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 245 pounds
40 Time: 4.8 seconds
- Projected Defensive End for Youngstown State.
- Recorded 82 tackles and 12.5 sacks for Clyde High School in 2010 season.
13. Andre Stubbs
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Location: Maple Heights, OH
School: Maple Heights High School
Position: Athlete
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 150 pounds
40 Time: 4.4 seconds
- High School coaches in Cleveland said Stubbs is by far the fastest player in Northeast Ohio this past season.
- Helped lead Maple Heights to Division 2 State Championship in Ohio.
- Caught 61 passes for 1,083 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior.
- Had 39 rushes for 503 yards and six touchdowns.
14. Brandon Thomas
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Location: St. Matthews, SC
School: Calhoun County High School
Position: Athlete
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Had 950 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns as a senior.
- Rushed for 650 yards and 11 touchdowns.
15. Jimmy May
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Location: Warren, OH
School: Warren G. Harding High School
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 170 pounds
40 Time: 4.5 seconds
- Recruited as an athlete that can play on offense, defense, and/or special teams.
- Projected to be a cornerback, unless there is a greater need on offensive side of the ball.
- One of the fastest players in Northeast Ohio in 2010.
- Second team All-Trumbull County selection.
16. Sir Aaron Taylor
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Location: Alfred, NY
School: Alfred State Community College
Position: Safety
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- First team All-Northeast Conference selection.
- Had 63 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 5 tackles for a loss in 2010 season.
- Potential starter right away out of Alfred State.
17. Ian Folmar
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Location: Warren, OH
School: Warren G. High School
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 363 pounds
40 Time: 5.2 seconds
- One of the largest players in the state of Ohio at 363 pounds.
- Although he has the ability to play offensive line, expected to start out on defensive side of the football.
- Was a pancake machine on the offensive line for Warren G. Harding High School.
18. Nick Buonavolonta
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Location: Boardman, OH
School: Boardman High School
Position: Athlete
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 175 pounds
40 Time: 4.56 seconds
- Was the fastest player at YSU football camps this summer.
- Quality defensive back that can also contribute on special teams.
19. Andrew Williams
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Location: Orangeburg, SC
School: Bethune-Bowman High School
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 170 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- One of the top basketball players in the State of South Carolina.
- Caught 50 passes for more than 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns on 2010 season.
20. Tevin Williams
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Location: Huber Heights, OH
School: Wayne High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- All-GWOC selection at linebacker.
- Teammate to Ohio State QB Recruit Braxton Miller.
- Helped lead the Wayne defense to the Division 1 State Championship Game against Lakewood St. Edward's.
21. Zach Conlan
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Location: Youngstown, OH
School: Ursuline High School
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 300 pounds
40 Time: 5.4 seconds
- Four year letter winner at Ursuline. Three year starter for the Irish.
- Helped lead the Ursuline OL to four straight Division 5 State Championship games in Ohio, winning three straight from 2008-2010.
22. Kintrell Disher
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Location: Orangeburg, SC
School: Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 190 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- South Carolina AAAA All-State selection.
- Caught 76 passes for 1,278 yards and 9 touchdowns.
- Has an 84 inch wingspan and has a giant frame.
- Potential freshmen starter.
23. Blake Novotny
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Location: Hubbard, OH
School: Hubbard High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- Helped lead Hubbard to a first round playoff appearance vs. Akron SVSM.
- Played LB and FB/FB for the Eagles.
- Had 158 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 8 sacks his junior season.
24. Jordan Markota
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Location: Youngstown, OH
School: Ursuline High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- Like Conlan, helped lead Ursuline to three straight Division 5 State Championships and four straight appearance in the finals.
- Was a three year letter-winner for the Irish.
25. Tahir Blount
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Location: Atlanta, GA
School: Westlake High School
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Had 28 tackles and 1 interception his junior season.
26. Markauh Kromah
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Location: Hamilton, NJ
School: Hamilton West High School
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 222 pounds
40 Time: 5.27 seconds
- One of the earliest commitments in the 2011 class.
- Had 9 sacks and averaged 10 tackles per game his senior year.
27. Terry Johnson
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Location: Clearwater, FL
School: Countryside High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- Received high praise from Plant, FL Head Coach Weiner. Said of Terry, "He is the only player in open space to tackle James Wilder Jr. (#1 RB recruit in 2011).
- Had 95 tackles and a sack his senior season.
- Potential freshmen starter.
28. Jeremey Edwards
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Location: Compton, CA
School: Compton College
Position: Safety
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210 pounds
40 Time: 4.52
- Credited with 54 tackles on defense. Also played some quarterback and running back at Compton College.
- Another potential starter.
29. Eric Myers
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Location: Wooster, OH
School: Wooster Triway High School
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 235 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Special-Mention Division IV All-Ohio selection.
- First-team Division IV All-Northeast Inland District pick
30. Dubem Nwadiogbu
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Location: Lawrenceville, GA
School: Peachtree Ridge High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 215 pounds
40 Time: 4.5 seconds
- Goes by the nickname "Bam-Bam."
- Helped lead Peachtree Ridge High School to Georgia State Championships in 2009 and 2010.
31. Luis Quinones
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Location: Gardena, CA
School: West Los Angeles College
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 245 pounds
40 Time:
- Had 48 tackles, of which 17.5 tackles were for a loss.
32. Davion Rogers
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Location: Warren, OH
School: Warren G. Harding High School
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 215 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- Former Warren G. Harding Raider that committed to play for Michigan in 2010.
- Due to grades, left Michigan to focus on academics.
- Potential starter right away with another former Michigan LB Taylor Hill.
33. Aronde Stanton
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Location: Detroit, MI
School: Grand Rapids Community College
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 290 pounds
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
Credited with 56 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and 8 sacks in his second season at GRCC.
34. Justin Yuran
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Location: Sharon, PA
School: Cardinal Mooney High School
Position: Linebacker/Long Snapper
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225 pounds
40 Time: N/A
- Likely to be teams long snapper next season.
- Had one of the highest total numbers of tackles in Pennsylvania at 190 tackles on his entire season.
35. Aaron Morgan
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