Feb. 2, 2011
CONWAY -
Coastal Carolina head football coach David Bennett announced his 2011 recruiting class Wednesday, which includes two players already enrolled at the University, players from three high schools that won at least two state titles each and two of the eight finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football Award.
Head Coach David Bennett on the 2011 Class:
"I think this group is a special group. You want every group to be special and I think these young men make us better. Hopefully they help us raise the bar so our next group is even better and so on. The freshman class from last year saw this building being built. This group got to 'touch it and see it.' I think each class from this point forward will continue to get better as we continue to be a leader in the Big South and progress nationally.
"A focus this year was getting, not only talented players, high-character kids and kids who will be student-athletes, but players who were football savvy, passionate about the game and tough. I think we have done that this year. When I talk to a Quinn Backus on the phone, he gets me excited. This group, I feel, will take great pride in this school and will go about their business knowing this is a privilege, not a right.
"The most glaring need for this class was getting some safeties and getting safeties we feel could play right away. You always have to get a corner or two and you always need to get a linebacker. We are excited about our defensive end and our inside guy in Calvin Hollenhorst. We would have liked to get another there and that will be a primary concern moving forward. You cannot always teach someone to play center, that is why Kevin Hart was so big for us, but it is important to have guys you can move around along the offensive line and it is important to get a guy who is between 6-5 and 6-7 to play tackle.
"We met our need in getting a quarterback, so the classes are spread out at that position. Also, we were not focusing on getting a running back, but when a DeAngelo Henderson comes along, we had to make room for him.
"We will have a neat situation with our depth at tight end/h-back. We will have four seniors this year at that spot and four freshman. I hope these young guys soak up everything as fast as they can because losing David Duran, Jamie Childers, Myron Rogers and Mike Limoli at once will leave big shoes to fill. In a guessing game, I'd say two of these freshmen will play and two will redshirt in order to break this class up. In particular, tight ends coach Gary Smallen is just beaming in excitement with his group of guys for next fall."
2011 Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers Football Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown / High School (Previous School)
Datarius Allen DB 5-10 170 Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa HS
DeMario Bennett * WR 6-2 190 Douglas, Ga. / Coffee County HS (Univ. of South Carolina)
Quinn Backus S/OLB 5-10 195 Greenwood, S.C. / Greenwood HS
Colton Blackburn H/FB 6-2 220 Newland, N.C. / Avery County HS
Anthony Burton S 6-1 170 Rougemont, N.C. / Northern HS
Aaron Conatser OL 6-6 255 Perry, Ga. / Perry HS
Kevin Hart # OL 6-4 265 Cornelius, N.C. / Hopewell HS (Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy)
DeAngelo Henderson RB 5-9 190 Summerville, S.C. / Summerville HS
Calvin Hollenhorst DL 6-4 235 Ashburn, Va. / Stone Bridge HS
John Israel WR 6-1 185 Florence, S.C. / Wilson HS
John Masley H/FB 6-1 245 Jacksonville, Fla. / Bishop Kenny HS
Aaron McFarland DE 6-1 215 Bailey, N.C. / Southern Nash HS
Tre'Sean McQueen LB 6-0 220 Loganville, Ga. / Grayson HS
Thomas Pauciello TE 6-6 230 Trumbull, Conn. / Trumbull HS
Michael Quick LS 6-1 200 Florence, S.C. / West Florence HS
Miles Rankin S 6-1 185 Atlanta, Ga. / Banneker High School
Denzel Rice DB/Ath. 6-1 180 Winston-Salem, N.C. / Jacket Integrated Academy at Carver HS
Rick Rivers CB 6-1 170 Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa HS
Alex Ross QB 6-1 200 Alpharetta, Ga. / Buford HS
Alkeem Thomas LB 5-11 200 Wilson, N.C. / Southern Nash HS
Craig Weick TE 6-5 215 Moore, S.C. / Byrnes HS
* —DeMario Bennett is currently enrolled at Coastal Carolina and will be a sophomore for 2011 with three years of eligibility
# — Kevin Hart is currently enrolled at Coastal Carolina and will be a true freshman for 2011
Datarius Allen
DB, 5-10, 170
Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Named all-conference and all-district, making 51 tackles and picking off four passes as a senior ... Helped Cocoa to three straight 2A state championships, posting a 42-1 record over the span ... Was in on a sack on second down and picked off a pass on third down to seal the third-straight title ... Added two picks in a 14-9 win in the first round of the 2010 state playoffs ... As a junior, logged 30 tackles and a fumble recovery ... Also a track standout, won the triple jump and was second in the long jump at the Class 2A, Region 3 Championships ... Coached by John Wilkerson.
Personal: Born Datarius Tyrone Allen on Mar. 4, 1992 in Rockledge, Fla. ... Son of Eric Williams and Latasha Allen.
Bennett on Allen: "Datarius is an athlete we feel can play safety or corner. He is a neat young man that has been a part of three consecutive state championships. Coach (John) Wilkerson seems to be a class act and when you meet a guy like that you know you can trust the players he has coached. D Allen as we call him can play at either safety or corner."
DeMario Bennett
WR, 6-2, 190, So.
Douglas, Ga. / Coffee County HS (Univ. of South Carolina)
Transferred to Coastal Carolina in January 2011 ... Will have three years of eligibility with the Chanticleers ... Hails from the same hometown as current Coastal Carolina defensive lineman Brooks Barbaree, wide receiver Akeem Wesley, cornerback Pernell Williams and student assistant coach Djaun Smith.
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Spent two seasons at the Univ. of South Carolina, redshirting one year ... 2010 (RFr.): Played in eight games for the SEC East Division Champion South Carolina Gamecocks ... Caught one pass for four yards on the season (vs. Troy) ... South Carolina's football game notes said he was "likely the fastest player on the roster" ... 2009 (Fr.): Redshirted ... High School: Considered the 84th-best prospect in the state of Georgia and a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Listed on the FoxSports.com Georgia top 150 prospects ... Also considered a two-star prospect and the nation's 202nd-best wide receiver by Scout.com ... Named to PrepStar's All-Southeast Region squad ... Helped lead his team to a 9-3 season as a senior, racking up 44 catches for close to 600 yards and seven touchdowns ... As a junior, caught 29 balls for 412 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for two touchdowns and throwing two touchdowns ... Standout on the basketball court as well ... A two-time first team All-Region 1-AAAA selection ... Was the Region 1-AAAAA co-basketball Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 16 points per game.
Personal: Born DeMario S. Bennett on June 20, 1989.
Bennett on Bennett: "By him playing at a higher level and coming to us, I think the game will slow down for him. He can be very valuable for us and give us an added weapon at wide receiver. He is a tall, slender guy that runs well and catches the ball well. By already having some guys here from his high school (Coffee County), I think he feels at home. We are already hearing from the guys who have been going out and throwing that he is doing a great job."
Quinn Backus
S/OLB, 5-10, 195
Greenwood, S.C. / Greenwood HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: One of eight finalist for South Carolina's Mr. Football ... Voted 4A Division II Defensive Player of the Year ... Two-time All-State and All-Region 1-4A selection ... Selected to play in the 74th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and helped the "Sandlappers" to a win by intercepting a pass and returning it 33 yards for a TD ... Named the Lakelands Defensive Player of the Year ... Rated 37th on South Carolina's top 50 high school football prospects ... Led the Eagles to a 13-2 record in 2010 and an appearance in the state championship ... As a senior, logged 141 tackles, 86 solo and 19 for losses, with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three sacks and scored three times on defense ... In Greenwood's only regular-season loss — falling to top-ranked Dorman, Backus returned two interceptions for touchdowns ... As a junior, tallied 105 tackles with four interceptions, one forced fumble, five sacks and scored three times on defense ... Coached by Gene Cathcart.
Personal: Born Anthony Quinn Backus on Sept. 10, 1991 in Greenwood, S.C. ... Son of Darvin and Angela Johnson.
Bennett on Backus: "Quinn is a talented guy that can come in and make an immediate impact at that outside linebacker/safety spot. He comes from a great high school program. He loves the game of football, he is passionate about being a Chanticleer and he is a tough, hard-nosed kid. We are glad he is going to be a part of our family."
Colton Blackburn
H/FB, 6-2, 220
Newland, N.C. / Avery County HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Named all-conference as a senior, rushing for 1,260 yards (153 carries) with 11 touchdowns, while catching 14 passes for 180 yards and two scores ... On defense, registered 103 tackles, including 63 solo stops, with three sacks and three interceptions ... Was a four-time Scholar-Athlete Award winner ... Coached by Darrell Brewer.
Personal: Born Colton Lee Blackburn on Mar. 13, 1993 in Boone, N.C. .. Son of Rick and Kim Blackburn.
Bennett on Blackburn: "He is coached by Darrell Brewer, who played for me at Catawba and is someone I trust. He and (fellow h-back/fullback signee) John Masley just bring so much to the table with their skill and versatility. They will push each other and it will be neat to watch them develop. He likes blocking, he can run ball and catch the ball. He is also a black belt."
Anthony Burton
S, 6-1, 170
Rougemont, N.C. / Northern HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Named All-PAC 6 as a defensive back, posting 79 tackles and eight interceptions ... Returned three interceptions for touchdowns ... Recorded 369 receiving yards on 21 receptions, scoring seven touchdowns for the Knights ... Also earned All-PAC 6 honors as a junior, hauling in 21 passes for 405 yards while compiling 57 tackles and five interceptions ... Named his team's Co-Defensive Player of the Year ... Coached by Anthony Sullivan.
Personal: Born Anthony D. Burton on Dec. 3, 1992 in Durham, N.C. ... Son of Kenneth Burton and Sheila Conley ... Is the godson of former Wake Forest standout and NBA veteran Rodney Rogers.
Bennett on Burton: "I told him he better eat and lift because all these DBs we sign, half these freshman will play, but it will be up to them and how prepared they are mentally and physically come August. He comes from a great family and we are very excited about Anthony."
Aaron Conatser
OL, 6-6, 255
Perry, Ga. / Perry HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Honorable mention All-State, while earning first team All-Region 2-AAA, first team All-Middle Georgia and first team All-Houston County ... As a senior, recorded 29 pancake blocks and 49 for his career ... Blocked for three runners who had at least 600 rushing yards each ... Voted his team's Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior ... Also plays baseball, earning his team's Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2009 ... Coached by Stacey Harden.
Personal: Born Aaron Blake Conatser on Oct. 2, 1992 in Perry, Ga. ... Son of Tim and Shannon Conatser.
Bennett on Conatser: "He is an offensive lineman who continues to put on weight. I think he may be up to 265 pounds now. He is a down-to-earth, country boy who likes to show pigs. We are hoping he can learn fast. It is not every day you get someone who is 6-6, be around 290 pounds, have great feet, have good enough hands and good enough strength to play offensive tackle. His head coach was at Warner Robbins High School, where Dominique Davenport was, which helped us in the recruiting process."
Kevin Hart
OL, 6-4, 265, Fr.
Cornelius, N.C. / Hopewell HS (Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy)
Enrolled at Coastal Carolina in January 2011 after a year at Hargrave Military Academy ... He will be a true freshman in 2011.
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Helped Hargrave Military to a 7-0 record in 2010 ... Was an honor student at Hargrave ... Coached by Trey Davis ... High School: As a senior, named All-I-Mecklenberg 4A Conference, All-Charlotte Observer and All North of the Border 4A Football Team as a defensive lineman ... Tabbed All-ME-CA 7 All-Conference on offense as a junior ... Also a standout in lacrosse, making All-Lake Norman News team ... Coached by Chris Rust.
Personal: Born Kevin Christopher Hart on June 26, 1992 in Raleigh, N.C. ... Son of Joseph and Mary-Elaine Hart ... His father played collegiately at Western Michigan and his grandfather played for the Detroit Lions ... Is the nephew of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.
Bennett on Hart: "Like DeMario (Bennett), Kevin is already here. He comes from a family of football players. He is a big piece of the puzzle we needed as we only have one true center, Pat Williams, on the team. Kevin will give us a guy who can compete with Pat at center, who already has one year of experience under his belt, coming from a prep school. We just have to keep working to get him bigger. We did not bring him in here to watch. We need him ready to play."
DeAngelo Henderson
RB, 5-9, 190
Summerville, S.C. / Summerville HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Was named one of eight finalist for South Carolina's Mr. Football ... A two-time All-State pick ... Voted as the Class 4A Running Back of the Year by the South Carolina Coaches Association ... Led the state of South Carolina in rushing yards with 2,345 yards on 251 carries and scored 27 TDs ... A three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... Played in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... Rated 41st on South Carolina's top 50 high school football prospects ... Was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" for his outstanding senior season ... Selected All-Low Country as a junior and senior ... Is the Green Wave's all-time leading rusher with 4,661 yards with 53 career TDs ... As a junior, rushed for 1,567 yards and 15 scores while catching 19 passes for 237 yards and 4 TDs ... As a sophomore, rushed for 749 yards and 11 touchdowns.
... Coached by John McKissick.
Personal: Born DeAngelo Antowyn Henderson on Nov. 24, 1992 in Charleston, S.C. ... Son of Monique Young,
Bennett on Henderson: "I kept hearing the same thing on DeAngelo, 'He is one of the best football players I have seen.' Even his high school coach, the legendary John McKissick said the same thing, which is really saying something. We feel very blessed to get a player like DeAngelo. He fits everything we were looking for in this class. He obviously is talented, he we will be a good student and he has an unbelievable will to win."
Calvin Hollenhorst
DL, 6-4, 235
Ashburn, Va. / Stone Bridge HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Honorable mention All-State and first team all-district and all-region ... Made 89 tackles as a senior, 57 solo, with eight sacks and one interception ... The Washington Post said of Hollenhorst, "was a force in the middle of the Stone Bridge defensive line that was among the most dangerous and effective in the metropolitan area" ... The Bulldogs allowed just 781 yards rushing all season, an average of 52 per game and just 1.8 yards per carry ... As a junior, registered 33 tackles with two interceptions ... Helped team to back-to-back VHSL Division 5 state title games while winning Liberty District and Northern Region titles, going 13-2 as a junior and 14-1 as a senior ... Team was 14-1 as a sophomore, winning district and region titles ... Coached by Mickey Thompson.
Personal: Born Calvin Bennett Hollenhorst on Aug. 30, 1992 in Aachen, Germany ... Son of Martin and Aimee Hollenhorst.
Bennett on Hollenhorst: "Coach (Jamel) Smith found Calvin with his Virginia ties. You can see on film that Calvin is a high motor guy. He is a real go getter. He is going to have to beef up, being just 235 pounds right now. We see him being about 275 pounds so he can mix it up with those 300-pound offensive linemen."
John Israel
WR, 6-1 185
Florence, S.C. / Wilson HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: A two-time, first team all-region pick ... Selected to play in the North-South All-Star game ... Named to the WPDE All-Zone team ... As a senior, caught 23 passes for 550 yards, for an impressive average of 23.9 yards per catch, with four touchdowns ... As a junior, hauled in 20 passes for 500 yards, scoring three times ... Also a standout in track, reaching the 3A finals as a member of the 4x400 relay team ... Coached by Darryl Page.
Personal: Born John E. Israel on Mar. 14, 1993 in Florence, S.C. ... Son of John and Angela Israel.
Bennett on Israel: "We finally get one of Darryl Page's kids from Wilson High School. (Page and CCU running backs coach Keith James were college roommates.) We wanted to find a wide out that could run good routes and catch the ball well. Some people wondered about his 40-time but I watched him. I think people get too caught up in that too much some times. I saw him run crisp routes and get separation. I believe in John Israel."
John Masley
H/FB , 6-1, 245
Jacksonville, Fla. / Bishop Kenny HS
Last name is pronounced: MAHZ-lee
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Tabbed honorable mention All-First Coast Region ... Caught 21 passes for 321 yards— an average of 18.3 yards per catch — with six touchdowns as a senior ... Received his team's "Impact Award" ... A four-time Scholar-Athlete Award recipient ... Helped the Crusaders to a 7-3 record and a district championship in 2010 ... Placed third in his weight class in wrestling at his district championships ... Coached my Mark Thorson.
Personal: Born John Richard Masley on Aug. 27, 1992 in Jacksonville, Fla. ... Son of Todd and Cindy Masley.
Bennett on Hasley: "He came to our one-day camp and it is amazing how many players you find in these one-day camps. Our coaches had players ranked on the board, but John sent me a letter and said how much he wanted to be at Coastal Carolina. That stuck in the back of our mind. He reminds me of a kid you would see at Stanford, like Toby Gerhart, who is just tough and hard-nosed while being smart. I think I may give him the nickname 'True Grit.'"
Aaron McFarland
DE, 6-1, 215
Bailey, N.C. / Southern Nash HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Selected to play in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... A two-time, first team All-Big East 3-A Conference pick, once at tight end and once at defensive end ... As a senior, recorded 63 tackles, including 25 for losses and seven sacks, with three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries ... As a junior, named all-area as his blocking helped the Firebirds rush for 4,200 yards ... As a wrestler, earned all-conference and all-area, placing second in his conference in the 285-pound weight class, weighing just 205 pounds ... Coached by Brian Foster.
Personal: Born Aaron Marcel McFarland on Jan. 9, 1993 in Smithfield, N.C. ... Son of Sevetria McFarland and Richard and Devon Hall.
Bennett on McFarland: "Aaron was the first commitment we got from this class. He also came to the one-day camp and shortly he left, he told me he was ready to 'Bleed Teal.' He was really impressed with our coaching staff and saw all the little things they did and their attention to detail. A lot of kids worry about facilities and the glamorous things like that, but I was really impressed with Aaron's level of maturity in picking Coastal."
Tre'Sean McQueen
LB, 6-0, 220
Loganville, Ga. / Grayson HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: As a senior, tallied 103 total tackles (65 solo), 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions ... Helped the Rams to a 35-6 record over his final three years with two state semifinal appearances and an Elite 8 appearance ... Honored as a Defensive Player of the Month (Nov. 2010) by The Touchdown Club of Gwinnett ... Coached by Mickey Conn.
Personal: Born Tre'Sean McQueen on Dec. 30, 1992 in Denver Colorado ... Son of Lionel Wilkes and Taza McQueen.
Bennett on McQueen: "Tre comes from a great high school program with an unbelievable staff. We are so excited about Tre. He is coming in to work behind some great linebackers in Andrae Jacobs, Derrick Frasier and Desmond Steward. Hopefully he will learn a lot, especially from the seniors, because we do not have a lot of depth there for the future years at this time."
Thomas Pauciello
TE, 6-6, 230
Trumbull, Conn. / Trumbull HS
Last name is pronounced: PAH-see-el-Oh.
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Earned Class LL first team All-State by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association as a wide receiver and first team All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletics Conference West Division honors ... Named honorable mention All-State as a wide receiver by the New Haven Register ... Caught 73 passes and rushed for 770 yards with eight touchdowns ... Added 115 tackles, including 11 sacks, with two interceptions ... Led team to an 11-3 record in 2010, finishing state runner-up ... Also plays basketball ... Coached by Bob Maffei.
Personal: Born Thomas James Pauciello on Dec. 11, 1993 in Bridgeport, Conn. ... Son of James and Thersa Pauciello ... His father played collegiately at Utah State, earning honorable mention All-American honors, and played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Cardinals.
Bennett on Pauciello: "We really, really like Thomas. He has a great frame, just like his dad who played in the NFL. We have built a great relationship in that community and hopefully we can continue to get players from there because I like their toughness. We had several travel difficulties while recruiting him with the severe winter up there, but it was definitely worth it all to have Thomas be with us."
Michael Quick
LS, 6-1, 200
Florence, S.C. / West Florence HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: A four-year Honor Roll honoree and, as a junior, a Boys' State Delegate ... Also lettered in baseball ... Coached by Trey Woodberry.
Personal: Born Michael Joseph Quick on Oct. 5, 1992 in Florence, S.C. ... Son of Mike and Pam Quick.
Bennett on Quick: "Michael's parents, like me, are from Cheraw so I know his parents well. His mother was a great basketball player, a great hustler on the court and played with a mean streak. His father was an outstanding baseball player. Michael can bring it and will give us depth at the long snapper position along with Shane Ballard."
Miles Rankin
S, 6-1, 185
Atlanta, Ga. / Banneker High School
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Named third team All-State as a safety and first team all-region as a senior ... Made 102 tackles, including 81 solo, with four sacks and three interceptions ... On offense, had 115 carries with 1,232 yards and six TDs ... As a junior, tabbed first team All-Alpha League getting 96 tackles, including 72 solo, with three sacks and two picks ... Also had 124 rushes for 1,362 yards with eight scores ... Coached by Edward Gosa.
Personal: Born Miles Austin Rankin on July 13, 1993 in Hempstead, N.Y. ... Son of Joy Rankin.
Bennett on Rankin: "Miles impressed (offensive coordinator) Kevin Brown was much as any kid that we brought in here on a visit. He is very mature and has a great air of confidence about him. When he steps on the field, he has no friends and is tough, but when the game is over, he is one of the nicest and most polite kids you will meet. I look for Miles to play as a freshman in the secondary."
Denzel Rice
DB/Ath., 6-1, 180
Winston-Salem, N.C. / Jacket Integrated Academy at Carver HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: First team 2A All-State by AP and NCPreps.com ... Led the state of North Carolina with 12 interceptions ... Added All-Northwest Region, All-PAC 6 Conference and all-county honors ... Led Carver to a 13-3 record in 2010, winning the PAC-6 and finishing state runner-up ... Is an Honor Roll student ... Finished 4th in the 2010 State 2-A Championships in the 4x100 relay and 5th in the 4x200 relay ... Coached by Melvin Palmer.
Personal: Born Denzel Ryan Rice on Mar. 31, 1993 in Winston-Salem, N.C. ... Son of Russell Rice and Evette Rice.
Bennett on Rice: "We did not get his film until a week ago. Coach (Keith) James called and said I had to see this kid. Then Coach (defensive coordinator Curtis) Walker told me the same thing. Even though we had our allotment of defensive players, we had to make room for him. He is an unbelievable athlete who has played quarterback, wideout and defensive back. You want great players that can play either side of the ball. Also, being a quarterback, he knows football."
Rick Rivers
CB, 6-1, 170
Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Named All-Cape Coast Conference and All-District 11 ... Helped the Tigers to three-straight Florida 2A state championships, going 14-1 in 2008, 14-0 in 2009 and 14-0 in 2010 ... Rivers and teammate Tyrell Denson blocked and extra point in the state final, making the score 13-7 then Cocoa would immediately answer with a six-play drive and eventually win 14-13 ... In the 2009 championship, Rivers had eight tackles, two sacks, and an interception ... As a senior, tallied 59 tackles with an interception and blocked kick ... As a junior, added 57 tackles with four picks, returning one for a TD ... Over his final two years, caught 10 passes for 166 yards and three TDs ... Coached by John Wilkerson.
Personal: Born Aldrick Tyrone Rivers on Oct. 21, 1991 in Melbourne, Fla. ... Son of Latasha McCurry.
Bennett on Rivers: "You may sign two kids from one high school, which we did twice this year, but it is rare you recruit two kids from the same high school that play the same position. Rick is a shutdown cover corner. He is very competitive. He will give us much needed depth at corner as we just have three guys on scholarship playing corner right now."
Alex Ross
QB, 6-1, 200
Alpharetta, Ga. / Buford HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Helped Buford High to three straight Georgia 2A state championships, serving as the starting quarterback in 2009 and 2010 while leading the Wolves to a 28-2 record over the span (and led his freshman team at Alpharetta HS to an undefeated season) ... Tabbed honorable mention All-State and named honorable mention on the All-Atlanta Journal Constitution all star team ... Added Gwinnett County All-Star recognition ... The Touchdown Club of Gwinnett honored Ross as a recipient of the Kevin Maloof Award, a player who puts team above himself ... As a senior, completed 96-of-158 passes for 1,785 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions, while completing 121-of-217 passes for 1,776 yards and 19 scores with seven picks as a junior ... Accounted for 5,308 yards of total offense in 2009 ... Set Buford career record for passing yards with 3,561 ... Coached by Jess Simpson.
Personal: Born S. Alexander Ross on Sept. 25, 1992 in Alpharetta, Ga. ... Son of Steve and Nancy Ross.
Bennett on Ross: "Not only does Alex throw the ball well and move well, he is mature beyond his years. The other players in the camp really listened to him and followed him. When we saw him play, you could tell he was a football player. When he ran the option, after he pitched the ball, he beat the defensive end and went down field to block the safety. Alex Ross has 'IT;' the things it takes to be a great quarterback and be a great leader."
Alkeem Thomas
LB, 5-11, 200
Wilson, N.C. / Southern Nash HS
Prior to Coastal Carolina: A two-time Wilson Times All-Area and All-Big East 3-A Conference, including first team honors as a senior ... Recorded 98 stops and an interception with seven TFL and two sacks ... As a junior, tallied 132 tackles with 10 TFL and three sacks ... Placed fifth in the 2010 state 110 hurdles while winning the both the regional and conference 110 and 300-meter hurdles titles ... Also played basketball ... Coached by Brian Foster.
Personal: Born Alkeem Disan Thomas on Mar. 11, 1992 in Plainfield, N.J. ... Son of Lamonte Thomas and Cynthia Sessoms.
Bennett on Thomas: "He looks like an outside linebacker now, but I think we can get up to 220 or 230 pounds and be an effective guy off the edge. He can run. I mean he can run. You can see his track honors and he is a very good basketball player too. You have to love getting a player with his athleticism."
Craig Weick
TE, 6-5, 215
Moore, S.C. / Byrnes HS
Last name is pronounced: WYKE.
Prior to Coastal Carolina: Prior to his senior season, listed as the top tight end in the state by SCVarsity.com ... Rated the third-best tight end in South Carolina after the 2010 season by Palmetto Football Plus ... Earned all-region as a junior and was an Academic all-area pick as a senior ... Scored 19 career touchdowns, including 12 as a junior ... Also caught 33 passes for 580 yards in 2009 ... Helped the Rebels to state titles in 2008 and 2010, while going 13-2 in 2009 ... Coached by Chris Miller.
Personal: Born Craig Michael Weick on July 24, 1992 in Ft. Wayne, Ind. ... Son of Tom and Jean Weick.
Bennett on Weick: "Craig comes from one of the nation's top programs. He knows how to play the game. He played a lot at wide receiver so he, like (Calvin) Hollenhorst, needs to keep adding bulk. He does not mind blocking and getting his nose bloody. Of course, being a tight end is not just about catching balls but being a team guy."
