 |  |
Shorter University Football inks 19 on National Signing Day
ROME -- The Shorter University football program welcomed
19 athletes who signed their national letters of intent to play
football for the Hawks next season.
Wednesday marked arguably the most successful National Signing Day in the program's six-year history as the Hawks addressed several needs on the defensive line, at linebacker and at quarterback, where for the first time in three seasons a new individual will line up under center to engineer the Hawks' spread option attack.
"Signing Day for us this year was exciting because there were some last minute decisions to be made," said Shorter assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Paul Pitts. "For the first time we were in contention with, and beat out, some bigger and more established programs across the country.
"Today says a lot about what our program has become and how much it has developed in the last few years," Pitts added. "Our coaches worked their butts off this year and were really dedicated to this signing class."
The Shorter coaching staff expects its 2011 recruiting class to contribute immediately and provide the Hawks with levels of depth on both sides of the football that the program has never seen before.
"I think this group of freshmen has the ability to have us playing in Rome in December," said Pitts, aluding to the NAIA Football National Championship that has been played at Rome's Barron Stadium for the past three seasons and is scheduled to remain in Rome through 2015. "I think this class gives us depth in a lot of places and an opportunity to accomplish a lot of goals."
This latest recruiting class isn't just exceptional on the football field -- while the collective talent level may be the highest it has ever been, the academic records of this latest group of newcomers is outstanding.
Pitts points out that the mean grade point average of the 19 signees is a lofty 3.4 while the avearge SAT (1431) and ACT (22) scores are also extremely high.
"These guys have the opportunity to make our football program better, but they are also joining a great academic tradition here at Shorter University and fit in well with that tradition," Pitts said. "They bring alot of talents to the field, but they are also going to bring talents to the classroom as well."
Below you will find the complete list of Shorter's National Signing Day commitments along with some brief biographical information and a quote from Pitts:
Shorter University Football 2011 National Signing Day Commits
Demery Hawkins – LB, 6-2, 235, Lyons, Ga. (Georgia Military College)
Hawkins, a transfer from Georgia Military College, has the potential to be the best player to ever come through the Shorter University football program. He comes from the same high school program as former Hawks’ All-American Logan Lollis and current fullback C.J. Scott. A linebacker with great size, speed and athleticism, Hawkins will contribute immediately and help sure up Shorter’s inside linebacker corps as part of the Hawks’ 3-4 scheme. As a senior at Toombs County High School during the 2008 season, Hawkins was one of the state’s top defensive prospects, racking up 127 tackles – 54 for loss – in 13 games. He also rushed for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. At Georgia Military, Hawkins totaled 71 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 3.0 sacks over the past two seasons.
Pitts on Hawkins: “Demery replaces the experience at inside linebacker that we lost due the graduation of [All-Mid-South linebacker] Garrett Hochstetler and Josh Hines. Demery is the total package for us – he can run, fill the hole and cover the pass. We fully expect him to be a force next year.”
Eric Dodson – QB, 5-8, 170, Thomasville, Ga. (Thomas County Central High School)
Dodson comes to Shorter having established himself as one of the state’s top option quarterbacks over his past two seasons at Thomas County Central High. In two seasons as a starter, Dodson piled up 3,820 total yards of offense and scored 33 total touchdowns. He rushed for 2,010 yards and scored 22 rushing touchdowns while passing for 1,826 yards and tossing 10 TD passes. Dodson, the younger brother of Shorter University All-America sprinter Nick Dodson, was a two-time All-Area and All-Region 1AAAA selection and was named to the Georgia Coaches Association All-State team in 2009. Dodson chose the Hawks over Carson-Newman, Georgia Southern and The Citadel.
Pitts on Dodson: “Eric was the best option quarterback in the state of Georgia this year. He is extremely quick and has true breakaway speed on the outside. He is a very intelligent kid that excels in making split second decisions, which is important when running the veer. Eric also has the ability to throw the ball and take advantage of teams that stack eight or nine defenders in the box.”
Dominique Henfield – LB, 6-3, 225, Savannah, Ga. (Calvary Day School)
Henfield gives Shorter tremendous size and speed at the linebacker position. Henfield had an offer from NCAA Division II Valdosta State of the Gulf South Conference, but chose the Hawks, and will have a chance to make an immediate impact following the graduation of Shorter’s top two inside linebackers following the 2010 season.
Pitts on Henfield: “Dominique is a big kid with a big frame that is extremely athletic. He has the ability to make plays sideline to sideline. We look for him to resemble the mold of [NAIA All-American and Shorter all-time leading tackler] Logan Lollis very soon.”
Chris Beno – OL, 6-0, 255, Newnan, Ga. (Newnan High School)
Beno comes to Shorter after being recognized as a two-time All-Region selection out of Newnan High School. He was named the area's top lineman in his final two seasons and served as a team captain.
Pitts on Beno: “Chris plays with a great tenacity. We always look for players that possess a great motor and Chris certainly has that. He also comes from a tremendous high school program at Newnan, for which he was a three-year starter.”
Claude DeRiso – CB, 5-9, 170, Americus, Ga. (Americus-Sumter High School)
DeRiso provides Shorter with a skilled cover corner with excellent hands and ball skills. DeRiso can also impact a game on special teams as a returner. He can also help in run support and is not afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage.
Pitts on DeRiso: “Claude is a very physical corner that has a whole lot of speed. He reminds me of [All-MSC corner and Shorter all-time interceptions leader] A.J. Baker with his great vision and ability to adjust in coverage to find the ball. Claude is a quick and explosive player who also knows how to read blocks and make plays in run support.”
Wesley Clay – CB, 5-10, 160, Royston, Ga. (Franklin County High School)
Clay was an All-Region selection as a slot back and defensive back at Franklin County High School. He was twice named area player of the week and brings a wealth of talents to the Hawks' lineup as a cover corner and return man.
Pitts on Clay: “Wesley is a guy that can really, really run. He played a lot of slot back on offense in high school, but also played a good deal of corner and showed great ball skills. Wesley will also help us in the return game on special teams.”
Damien Riden – DL, 6-1, 285, Royston, Ga. (Franklin County High School)
Riden brings raw athletic ability and aggressiveness to the Hawks' defensive line. An imposing figure at nearly 300 pounds, Riden can also impact a game with his quickness in the trenches.
Pitts on Riden: “Damien is a big kid that moves extremely well for his size. He is very physical and when he makes contact, he destroys whatever is in his way. Damien played some offensive line during his senior season and it was impressive watching him get up the field and make devastating blocks.”
Logan Masley – DL, 6-2, 250, Calhoun, Ga. (Sonoraville High School)
Masley comes to the Hawks after a standout career at Sonoraville High School. His versatility adds even more speed and skill to what is becoming a talent-rich position for Shorter.
Pitts on Masley: “Logan was a big time prospect who got hurt during his senior year. He is another big kid that will give us some much-needed size and athleticism on the defensive line. He has a great ability to change direction and make plays.”
Alan Samson – LB, 6-3, 200, Kingsland, Ga. (Camden County High School)
Samson adds even more depth to Shorter's inside linebacking
corps. His size and physicality should make an immediate impact.
Pitts on Samson: “Alan comes from a great high school program and played in a bunch of big football games during his career. He is a physical kid who can really be a great run stopper at inside linebacker.”
Kedron Aker – LB/S, 6-0, 200, Calhoun, Ga. (Calhoun High School)
Aker, an alumnus of state power Calhoun High School, can double as an outside linebacker or safety in Shorter's defensive system.
Pitts on Aker: “Kedron is a great athlete that has the ability to play either outside linebacker or safety for us. We look for him to add a ton of speed and versatility to our defense.”
Jermel Bennett – DE, 6-1, 245, Augusta, Ga. (Georgia Southern)
A good looking athlete, Bennett figures to improve Shorter's pass rush, which was ranked as one of the worst in the Mid-South Conference last season. Bennett could see time at defensive end in Shorter's 3-4 scheme.
Pitts on Bennett: “We needed experience on the defensive line and Jermel provides that. He is a big and athletic kid who we think will really help us put pressure on the passer next year.”
Jake Nix – LB, 6-2, 170, Calhoun, Ga. (Armuchee High School)
A tremendous all-around athlete, Nix can play a multitude of positions on the defensive side of the football.
Pitts on Nix: “Jake was the best all-around player in the area this year. He played in a lot of places for Armuchee High and helped spark their reemergence as one of the area’s best programs.”
Other signees
Ethan Bennett – S, 5-11, 185, Rocky Face, Ga. (Dalton High School)
Tyler Bradford – OL, 6-0, 215, Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove High School)
Tyler Edgeman – LB, 5-11, 215, LaFayette, Ga. (LaFayette High School)
John Foley – LB, 6-0, 210, Dacula, Ga. (Hebron Christian School)
Elijah Goodrich - LB, 6-0, 205, Peachtree City, Ga. (Starr's Mill High School)
Ryan Kerr – OL, 6-4, 255, Suwanee, Ga. (Hebron Christian School)
David Richardson – OL, 6-2, 225, Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater High School)
