National Signing Day Open Post (With TOB Video)

'10 Football ACC College Football Football Recruiting Tom O'Brien24

The annual race between grown men to get the signatures of 17 and 18 year old boys is officially over and NC State has added 23 players to the fold for the 2010 class.

Most of the attention around players on National Signing Day is based on ratings. Coaches and fans “seeing stars” will do pretty much anything to get the signatures of young men. Stars and ratings do matter, but they certainly don’t make or break recruiting classes. See Russell Wilson’s profile coming out of high school for proof. He was a somewhat lightly recruited “two-star” quarterback who flew under the radar for much of the recruiting process. I wonder how many schools regret not going after Wilson now. UVa maybe? Possibly even Va. Tech?

Anyway, back to the 2010 class hauled in by TOB and Co. Most of this info will be from either GoPack or Pack Pride. This post will be updated as players sign.

Here’s some highlights from TOB’s press conference. I apologize for the less than stellar transitions.

Check back in the next few days for more analysis of the 2010 recruiting class.

Four players already enrolled

David Akinniyi – 6’4″ 250 lb. Defensive End

Joined NC State in January. Three-year starter at defensive end and linebacker for Coach Rocky Hager at Northeastern University, which announced in November that it was discontinuing its football program. Will have one year of eligibility remaining. Recorded 40 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2009, including two tackles for loss against Boston College. Named to the Colonial Athletic Association Academic All-Conference team in 2007 and 2008.

A.J. Ferguson – 6’3″ 270 lb. Defensive End

Originally signed with the Pack in 2009 and spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy. Joined the team in January. Named to the USA Football Junior National squad that represented the United States in the first IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio, during the summer of 2009. A four-year starter at South Brunswick High School, he recorded 90 tackles, including 20 for loss, and 10 sacks during his senior season.

Mikel Overgaard – 6’6″ 280 lb. Offensive Lineman

Transferred to NC State from Snow College in Utah, where he started at left tackle for Coach Steve Coburn. Earned all-conference honors in 2009 and posted a 3.8 GPA. Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com . Originally enrolled at Washington State in 2007, where he walked on and red-shirted at tight end.

Deion Roberson – 6’3″ 275 lb. Defensive Tackle

Originally signed with the Wolfpack in 2009, but spent the past season rehabbing. Named a top-five defensive lineman at the U.S. Army All-American combine, he missed his entire senior campaign (2008) after severely dislocating his ankle on the second play of the season. Played defensive tackle at Tucker High School for Coach Frank Stevens. Tallied 35 tackles, 12 for loss, and three sacks in 14 games as a junior.

Incoming players for fall 2010

D.J. Green – 6’4″ 205 lb. Safety

A safety with impressive size, Green comes to NC State via Westside High School in Macon, Ga. Listed as a three-star recruit by both Scout and Rivals. Names all-region, all Middle-Georgia and All-State. Some believe that his size could mean a position switch to linebacker at some point in the future, but he will come to Raleigh looking to add depth to the defensive backfield.

Torian Box – 6’3″ 295 lb. Offensive Lineman

Played both the left and right tackle positions for coach Rodney Hackney at North Clayton High School. Considered the 16th best center in the country by Rivals.com. A big, physical blocker from College Park, Ga, Box will likely play guard at the college level. Rated as a three-star prospect according to Scout.

Art Norman – 6’1″ 225 Defensive End

Played three years of varsity football for coach Michael Collins at Chamblee High School. Recorded 57 tackles, including 18 for loss and seven sacks, during his senior year. Forced three fumbles and recovered one. Boasted 65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a junior. Another Georgia player who is rated a two-star prospect by Scout.

Theo Rich – 6’3″ 225 lb. Defensive End

Yet another kid from Georgia, Rich is a two-star defensive end prospect from Portal High School. Started during his senior campaign for Coach Justin Chester at Defensive End and Wide Receiver. Played only one season of high school football.  Totaled 45 tackles, including a dozen stops for loss and seven sacks. Also forced three fumbles while recovering two others. As a WR had 11 receptions for 190 yards and 1 TD with a 17.3 yards per reception average.

Tyson Chandler – 6’6″ 340 Offensive Lineman

By far the biggest recruit in this year’s class, Chandler adds Jeraill McCuller-like size to the offensive line depth. Started at defensive tackle for coach John Shuman at Fork Union Military Academy. Teammate of A.J. Ferguson, who joined the team in January. Originally signed with NC State in 2009. Spent most of his high school career on the defensive line at North Plainfield High School for coach Robert Lake. Recorded 36 tackles, 14 for a loss, as a senior. Tallied eight tackles, five for loss, caused two fumbles, and blocked an extra point in his final game.

Tony Creecy – 6’0″ 196 lb. Wide Receiver

A player who could come in and contribute right away, Creecy is one of the more important pieces to this class. Ranked the No. 24 wide receiver and fifth-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com. A SuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s ninth-best player. Played for coach Adrian Jones at Southern High School. Caught 47 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Tallied 206 yards rushing.

Tyler Brosius – 6’3″ 233 lb. Quarterback

Started at quarterback for coach Donnie Kiefer at Tuscola High School. Invited to the Shrine Bowl after his senior season. Rated the No. 29 quarterback in the country by Rivals.com. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 3A all-state football team. Finished career as Western North Carolina’s career passing leader with 7,895 yards. Threw for 3,454 yards and 34 touchdowns his senior year. Brosius originally committed to Virginia but backed out and committed to NC State once Al Groh’s tenure became questionable. Brosius picked NC State over Virginia, Pittsburgh and Maryland.

Pete Singer – 5’11” 190 lb. Safety

A close “friend” of Robert Crisp, Singer will come to NC State and play safety. Rated as a two-star prospect by Scout, it will be interesting to see how much Singer can contribute. Played for coach Jeff Smouse at Athens Drive High School as a senior. Registered 132 tackles, pulled down three interceptions, broke up 13 passes, forced three fumbles and had one fumble recovery during his senior campaign. Also blocked a kick and caught two touchdown passes.

Robert Crisp – 6’7″ 299 lb. Offensive Lineman

Easily the highest rated recruit in this year’s class, Crisp could potentially start right away for the Wolfpack. Rated a fve-star prospect by Scout, Crisp is the No. 59 player in the ESPNU 150. Named to the 2010 ParadeAll-America Team. Ranked as the second-best prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com. Selected to the 2009 EA SPORTS All-American team. ASuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s second-best player. Selected to the Army All-American team. Started at right tackle for the East team at the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 4A all-state football team. Selected to the North Carolina AP all-state team. Recorded 75 pancake blocks during senior season.

Tobais Palmer – 5’11” 175 lb. Athlete

Originally signed with NC State in 2008. Played for coach Brett Williams at Georgia Military College. Carried the ball 91 times for 662 yards and 10 touchdowns during his sophomore year. Also caught 10 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. Rushed 43 times for 311 yards and three scores as a freshman, while pulling down 13 passes for 259 yards and three TDs. Played running back and safety for coach Bill Hall at Northwood HS. Rushed for over 4,700 yards and scored more than 80 all-purpose touchdowns in three seasons. Scout.com ranked him as a three-star recruit and the No. 41 cornerback in the nation.

Andy Jomantas – 6’7″ 260 lb. Offensive Lineman

Competed on the offensive and defensive line for coach Andy Helms of Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School. Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com. Named the Greater Catholic League North Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year. A first-team All-GCL North and All-Southwest Ohio performer. Ohio all-state honorable mention.

Bryan Underwood – 5’11” 170 lb. Wide Receiver

Competed at Cleveland Heights High School under coach Jeff Rotsky at wide receiver. Originally signed with the Wolfpack in 2009. A starter as a senior, he pulled down 16 catches for 156 yards and four touchdowns. Caught 40 passes for 573 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.

Thomas Teal – 6’2″ 315 lb. Defensive Tackle

Played at Marlboro County High School for coach Dean Boyd. A three-star recruit. Tallied 89 tackles, including 21 for loss and one sack as a senior. Ran for six touchdowns. Selected as a 2009 Carolina Panther Community Captain. Helped raise over $10,000 for Relay for Life. Represented South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl. Named to the High School Sports Report first-team all-state defense. Selected to the SCVarsity.com first-team all-state defense.

Dontae Johnson – 6’3″ 180 lb. Safety

Played safety for coach Jerry Eure at Pennington Prep in New Jersey. Considered the sixth-best prospect in the state of New Jersey. A first-team New Jersey all-prep performer. Recorded 108 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles during his senior campaign. Pulled down 50 passes for 600 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver. Had 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown.

David Amerson – 6’3″ 180 lb. Safety

Ranked as the nation’s No. 19 safety by Rivals.com. Ranked as the sixth-best prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com. A SuperPrep All-American, that publication tabs him as the state’s third-best player. Participated in the Shrine Bowl following his senior season. Named to the 2009 NCPreps.com 4A all-state football team. Finished the year with 55 tackles and six interceptions. Averaged 14 yards per punt return. Spent most of his high school career at safety for coach Stephen Davis at Dudley High School.

Billy Bennett – 6’1″ 220 lb. Place Kicker

Transfers from MiraCosta College. Started his college career at Boston College, where he handled the kickoff duties in 2007. Rated the No. 1 kicker by Chris Sailer Kicking as a senior at Torrey Pines High School. Considered the best kicker in the country by Rivals.com. Named a second-team Scout.com All-American. Earned All-CIF first-team honors as a senior.

Mustafa Greene – 6’0″ 190 lb. Running Back

Rated as a four-star recruit and the 26th best running back in the country by Rivals.com. Started at running back and was a team captain for coach Bob Hanna at Irmo High School. Finished his senior season with 1,367 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in eight games while averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Also caught six passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. Was a Coaches Award Winner for Irmo as a Senior. Voted Under Armour National Player of theWeek for his 283 yard rushing performance vs Summerville. Rushed for 983 yards as a freshman, 1,992 yards as a sophomore, and 1,737 yards as a junior even while missing four games

Raynard Randolph – 6’2″ 325 lb. Defensive Tackle

Played for coach Robert Prunty at Hargrave Military Academy. Originally signed with NC State in 2009. Started all four seasons at Gwynn Park High School for coach Danny Hayes. Registered 68 tackles, including four sacks, and had one interception as a senior. Tallied 35 tackles and six sacks during his junior year. Named first-team all-county as a sophomore … Named to Prep Star’s All-Atlantic Region class of 2009

Logan Winkles – 6’1″ 245 lb. Fullback/Linebacker

Started at tight end and linebacker for coach Tommy Watson at Upson Lee High School. Caught seven passes for 122 yards during senior year. Named first-team all-state in Georgia class AAAA for senior and junior years. Tabbed All-Middle Georgia honorable mention and first-team all-region as a junior

'10 Football ACC College Football Football Recruiting Tom O'Brien

24 Responses to National Signing Day Open Post (With TOB Video)

  1. newt 02/03/2010 at 12:43 PM #

    I put much more emphasis on stars/rankings in basketball. There is much more of a correlation between high school rankings and success for basketball.

    For football, the question is “Were we able to sign the players we wanted?”

  2. D_Medlin 02/03/2010 at 12:48 PM #

    Exactly Newt.

    All that really matters is how the staff rates people and whether or not NC State was able to get those guys.

    In the end, wins matter a whole lot more than stars.

  3. EdMar 02/03/2010 at 1:02 PM #

    Agree Newt.
    Developement and teaching seems to be a lot more important in football. I do like the mix. A lot of good size linemen. Hopefully the DB can play early and getting a guy that can kick it near the goal line on every kickoff will make a big difference.

  4. bradleyb123 02/03/2010 at 1:14 PM #

    Agree, Newt. That’s why we’re sitting pretty next year with three 4- and 5-star recruits ready to make an immediate impact. And if we get CJ Leslie, it’s on like Donkey Kong!!

    So far it’s good news for our football recruiting, except for Hunter not signing. Hopefully it’s just grades and he’s not just having second thoughts about us. But he was kicked off his high school team for something wasn’t he? Does anyone know more about that? Or what his plans are for next year?

    I heard UNX stole an unexpected recruit from the “Old Ball Coach”. They’ve got a pretty nice haul, too.

  6. hoop 02/03/2010 at 1:39 PM #

    Hunter was suspended from the team for a violation of team rules, according to the article.

    The guy is 6’5″, 250 lbs. We could sure use him. Who knows what’s next for him.

  7. tjfoose2 02/03/2010 at 2:32 PM #

    What is Singer’s status? I’ve heard nothing. Considering his legal ‘issues’, I am somewhat surprised he’s apparantly on schedule to enroll this fall w/ scholly in hand an no repercussions or consequences.

  8. tjfoose2 02/03/2010 at 2:37 PM #

    “Hunter was suspended from the team for a violation of team rules, according to the article.”

    Noah pegged that one early… as soon as Hunter gave State his verbal, Noah said he’d be surprised if Hunter ever enrolled.

  9. bradleyb123 02/03/2010 at 3:02 PM #

    Noah pegged that one early… as soon as Hunter gave State his verbal, Noah said he’d be surprised if Hunter ever enrolled.

    I believe as soon as Hunter was booted from his high school team, that Rivals.com had him no longer verbally committed to NC State. At the time, people were asking was he still coming to State, did he de-commit from us, or did WE de-commit from him?

    I’d be curious to see the timeline of events. When he verballed to us, when he got kicked off his team, and when Rivals.com started reporting him as no longer committed to us.

  10. JKL 02/03/2010 at 3:22 PM #

    Apparently, Hunter didn’t qualify academically for enrollment this fall. The story on Scout.com is saying that he is still has some work to do on the academic side of things but the NC State staff has remained loyal through everything and he “remains fully committed to NC State”.

  11. stejen 02/03/2010 at 4:01 PM #

    Who regrets not signing Russel Wilson? How about UNC? Word is he wanted to go to UNC on a baseball scholarship but he also wanted to play football. Butch Davis told him he does not allow his players to play baseball so that is when Wilson talked to NC State and TOB told him he was fine with him playing both sports.

  12. packfan03 02/03/2010 at 4:19 PM #

    http://northcarolinastate.scout.com/2/943682.html

    P Jeff Ruiz, CB DeAndre Morgan, WR Donald Bowens – all no longer with team.

    I’m not sure what to make of this – obviously Ruiz wasn’t getting the job done. I’m sensing an attitude issue with D. Morgan – especially after he was in such a tenuous position last year. Bowens, I believe, is left out of what is becoming a pretty spectacular WR unit.

  13. packplantpath 02/03/2010 at 4:25 PM #

    stejen, that was during the bunting years. And Bunting claimed it was because he had promised another QB who had the stars that there would be no other QB in that recruiting class. Not sure if it is true, but that is the story that has gone around.

  14. rtpack24 02/03/2010 at 4:45 PM #

    Chuck signed RW. Bunting promised Paulus he would not bring in another QB that year.

  15. Wolfy__79 02/03/2010 at 4:53 PM #

    bunting is a moron.

  16. Wolfy__79 02/03/2010 at 4:58 PM #

    i’m shocked at morgan, ruiz, and bowens being off the team. peace out ruiz.. really just suprised about the other two? oh well.

    i don’t look too deeply into stars or ratings with any sport. i can judge talent on my own. what i like about TOB is he’s going to red shirt most players that come in, except rb’s, wr’s and other studs we may get. this year should show how well he’s been developing talent,no?

    basketball recruits, i’ve seen so many mickie mouse all americans turn out to be chumps, so.. while the labels still remains nice.. alot of them turn out to be softies.

  17. Wolfy__79 02/03/2010 at 5:00 PM #

    thomas teal will make a HUGE impact. marlboro county sc breeds some solid athletes!!! glad to see that pipeline opening up!

  18. wolfbuff 02/03/2010 at 5:07 PM #

    were there any surprises (i.e., signings we didn’t expect, or vice-versa)?

  19. D_Medlin 02/03/2010 at 5:30 PM #

    Not really.

    Fre’Shad Hunter did not sign, but that was kind of assumed heading into today. Raynard Randolph, who was also expected to not sign, did.

    It depends on how you look at it really. On the positive side, nobody decommitted and signed with anyone else. Pretty uneventful day, just like TOB likes it.

  20. bradleyb123 02/03/2010 at 6:00 PM #

    What is the outlook for our defense in 2010? I don’t have a lot of hope for our defense because I think the problem is Mike Archer. We did have a lot of youth and inexperience, I suppose. And they will surely be a little better in 2010. But “how much better?” is the question.

    I have a sinking feeling that our defense has just gotten progressively worse with each year that we lose Amato’s defense slowly, by attrition.

    Is there any talk around the campfire that TOB might replace Archer or anything? I’ve heard that kind of thing usually doesn’t happen until after signing day, so we don’t lose recruits over it. TOB seems to support Archer, and I’m not sure why. Has he EVER had a stout defense? Anywhere he’s been?

  21. blpack 02/03/2010 at 8:57 PM #

    This is a good group. TOB really had the class about wrapped up a couple weeks ago. Secured Greene at RB to finish things off. The NE transfer can play this fall and he may be insurance for Hunter not making it. Got a kicker, a stud WR and a QB for the future. Someone told me today the 3 off the team will graduate in May. Good luck to them and that gets open 3 spots.

  22. GoldenChain 02/03/2010 at 9:28 PM #

    Having a son who played HS ball (and won at State Championship @ C-F) and went through the recruiting process I can tell you this: there are way too many HS players at all levels to be realistically evaluated by the services.
    The whole process is a farce. One of the recruiting guys mention in the article posted on the forum was usless to me in getting the video of my son on with his profile on thyeir web site.
    To top it off, what these services (Scout/Rivals) look for are kids who can come to their combines and blow out some stat (like a 4.4 40, or a 40″ verticle) doesn’t matter if they can play. They will get rated which will get them attention.
    Then you wonder why they don’t pan out.

    Oh and don’t get me started on coaches marketing kids. Newsome at Butler is a master (we went to a combine at his school where he spoke). Our coach who was a legend in NCHSAA was usless since he hadn’t kept up with the times as far as the combines and rating services.

  23. Sam92 02/04/2010 at 9:55 AM #

    all in all this looks like a pretty good haul

    we know that TOB is not going to pull in highly ranked classes, but i trust that he’s being smart and selective and finding players who fit his style.

    this recruiting class is promising, but last season was so disappointing — i really think TOB has to show improvement this upcoming season, which is before this class will make a difference.

  24. Evroccck 02/07/2010 at 11:25 PM #

    GoldenChain, who’s your kid? and is he coming to State 🙂

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