Feb. 7, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Catamount head football coach Bill Bleil has announced that 25 student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Western Carolina during the 2001-02 year.
"I felt we did extremely well in filling our needs in the skill positions," said Bleil. "We were able to recruit great speed at all positions. The skill level along the offensive and defensive lines may be the best we have signed."
The class includes 13 players from North Carolina, six from Georgia, two from South Carolina, two from Tennessee and one from Virginia. Also, Pat Cilento, who enrolled this past January at Western Carolina, transferred from Montgomery (Md.) Junior College.
Two signees, James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) and Tracey Smith (Bunn, N.C.), were two time all-state performers, while WCU boasts five players listed on the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Star team.
"I would like to thank our coaches and players who did an excellent job in the recruiting process," said Bleil. "I would also like to say how much I appreciate the support from our administration, in particular Chancellor (John) Bardo."
Western Carolina announced last month that the University had increased its commitment to the athletic department with an allocation of over $225,000 in scholarship funds. With the increase, the WCU football team will have an advantage in the Southern Conference by recruiting the region more effectively, which includes East Tennessee, Northeast Georgia and Northern South Carolina, as well as the state of North Carolina.
The Catamounts will open the 2001 football season on Aug. 30 (Thursday) versus Mars Hill.
2001 WESTERN CAROLINA FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Ronnie Boyd Back 5-10 180 Arden, N.C./Clyde A. Erwin HS
Teddy Burgis WR 6-0 185 Marietta, Ga./Pope HS
John Bush LB 5-11 220 Mableton, Ga./Pebblebrook HS
Jason Chambers OL 6-1 285 Mooresville, N.C./Mooresville HS
Pat Cilento # QB 6-2 200 Brookeville, Md./Sherwood HS/Montgomery JC
Deonte Cook DB 5-11 175 Marietta, Ga./Marietta HS
Josh Galloway OL 6-6 250 Rosman, N.C./Rosman HS
Jerry Gardner OL 6-3 320 Newport News, Va./Heritage HS/Fork Union Military Academy
Luis Herron DT 6-3 265 Morehead City, N.C./West Cateret HS
Javon Howell # DB 6-0 200 Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro HS/SUNY-Canton
Austin Hunter P/K 6-4 190 Cosby, Tenn./Cosby HS
Josh Lee QB 6-3 210 Kannapolis, N.C./A.L. Brown HS
Todd McLaurin Back 5-11 180 Newton Grove, N.C./Hobbton HS
Pat Newcomb LB 6-2 220 Weaverville, N.C./North Buncombe HS
Tyler Norman LB 6-2 190 Duluth, Ga./Duluth HS
Chase Patterson OL 6-4 275 Roswell, Ga./Lassiter HS
James Rainer WR 5-7 170 Alcoa, Tenn./Alcoa HS
Mike Reeder WR 6-3 190 Wagener, S.C./Wagener-Salley HS
Caleb Reel LB 6-1 263 Iron Station, N.C./East Lincoln HS
Rico Reese DE 6-2 220 Austell, Ga./Pebblebrook HS
Wes Rumbough LB 6-1 200 Asheville, N.C./Clyde A. Erwin HS
Tracey Smith WR 6-2 170 Bunn, N.C./Bunn HS
Jada Sullivan DB 6-1 175 Simpsonville, S.C./Hillcrest HS
Jarrett Wishon OL 6-2 275 Spencer, N.C./North Rowan HS
Craig Younce WR 5-11 165 Franklin, N.C./Franklin HS
#-will be a junior and have two years of eligibility at Western Carolina.
Ronnie Boyd
5-10, 180, Back
Arden, N.C., (Clyde A. Erwin HS)
Named Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year ... Selected as an Asheville Citizen-Times All-Star (first team) and All-Western North Carolina ... Was preseason All-State as a wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist ... Had 27 tackles as a senior, including two sacks, with an interception ... Had three sacks as a junior and three interceptions for his career ... Rushed for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior and 1,854 with 24 TDs for his career ... Caught 27 passes for 513 yards and five TDs as a junior, earning All-WAC and All-Western North Carolina honors ... Accounted for 43 TDs for his career (24 rushing, four passing, six receiving, three kick returns and three punt returns) ... Led Erwin to its first playoff appearance in 13 years in 1999 as well as a 10-2 mark and a WAC championship in 2000.
Teddy Burgis
6-0, 185, WR
Marietta, Ga. (Pope HS)
Named second team All-State by the Marietta Daily Journal ... Caught a school-record 10 touchdown passes as a senior, earning All-Cobb County and all-region honors ... Led his squad to region championships during the 1998 and 2000 seasons ... Member of the regional academic team ... Tabbed second team All-Cobb County as a junior ... Also an outstanding track performer, winning his region and placing eighth in the state in the high jump.
John Bush
5-11, 220, LB
Mableton, Ga. (Pebblebrook HS)
A four-year starter for Pebblebrook, including three year on both offense and defense ... Named honorable mention All-Cobb County twice (1999 and 2000) ... Ranked third on his team in tackles in both seasons, while ranking second in rushing as a junior ... Also participates in track.
Jason Chambers
6-1, 285, OL
Mooresville, N.C. (Mooresville HS)
Selected to play in the East/West All-Star game ... A two-time All-Western Foothills Conference performer ... Named to the All-Iredell County and All-Piedmont teams.
Pat Cilento
6-2, 200, QB
Sherwood, Md. (Sherwood HS/Montgomery JC)
Enrolled at Western Carolina in January and will have two years eligibility remaining ... A second team All-American by JuniorCollegeFootball.com while at Montgomery (Rockville, Md.) J.C. ... Also an honorable mention All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ... A two-time team MVP ... As a freshman, ranked seventh in NJCAA in total yards, passing for 1,800 and rushing for 327 ... At Sherwood H.S., was named Maryland's High School Player of the Year.
Deonte Cook
5-11, 175, DB
Marrietta, Ga. (Marietta HS)
A versatile athlete who can play cornerback, free safety or strong safety ... Named honorable mention all-county as a junior and senior ... Led his team in interceptions as a junior, while blocking two punts that led to touchdowns ... Also a standout on the track team ... Led Marietta to the 4A state championship last season ... Currently the top-ranked 100-meter high hurdler in Georgia ... Finished fourth the state last season (14.1) in the event.
Josh Galloway
6-6, 250, OL
Rosman, N.C. (Rosman HS)
Recipient of the "Heart of the Champion Athlete Award" by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) ... Member of the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Star team (Honorable mention) ... A two-time all-conference performer ... Selected all-area and honorable mention All-Western North Carolina as a junior ... Class president in his sophomore, junior and senior years at Rosman.
Jerry Gardner
6-3, 320, OL
Newport News, Va. (Heritage HS/Fork Union Military Acad.)
Named First team all-district and all-area as a defensive tackle ... Helped his team to a district championship and the region finals as a junior, while reaching the state finals as a sophomore ... Also a member of the track team, placing second in the state for the shot put on two occasions ... Was listed four times in Who's Who Among American High School Students ... A Virginia Boy's State delegate.
Luis Herron
6-3, 265, DT
Morehead City, N.C. (West Cateret HS)
An all-conference selection and team MVP as a senior ... Led West Cateret in tackles for losses and receiving yards, while ranking second on the team in rushing yards ... Also participates in wrestling, track and field and baseball ... Currently carries a 28-0 record and a 31-match winning streak in wrestling ... Ranked No. 1 in the state in his weight class ... Ranked sixth in the state as a junior and placed fourth at the state championship ... Placed second in his conference and region championships in the shot put ... Earned MVP honors as a sophomore in baseball at the Easter Tournament in Kinston.
Javon Howell
6-0, 200, DB
Tarboro, N.C. (Tarboro HS/SUNY-Canton)
A first team All-Northeastern Football Conference selection ... Also named first team all-region ... Was credited with 52 tackles this past season ... Recorded three interceptions and blocked five punts ... Will have two years of eligibility at Western Carolina.
Austin Hunter
6-4, 190, P/K
Cosby, Tenn. (Cosby HS)
Named all-region 1A as a punter/kicker ... As a sophomore, attended Sheridan (Ind.) H.S. and won a state championship there ... Won the Indiana Punt, Pass and Kick competition at the age of 15.
Josh Lee
6-3, 210, QB
Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown HS)
Selected to play in the North Carolina East/West All-Star game ... Passed for 1,800 yards as a senior at A.L. Brown.
Todd McLaurin
5-11, 180, Back
New Grove, N.C. (Hobbton HS)
An all-conference and all-area selection as a senior, leading Hobbton to the third round in the state playoffs ... Rushed for 1,292 yards and scored 31 touchdowns, including seven covering 50-plus yards ... Tallied 92 stops and had three interceptions on defense as a linebacker ... As a junior, an all-area and all-conference selection, rushing for 1,020 yards and 24 touchdowns and recording 88 tackles ... Rushed for 780 yards and scored 12 TDs as a sophomore, while gaining over 600 yards as a freshman ... A two-time all-conference selection in basketball ... Also a member of the baseball team ... A four-year varsity starter in football, basketball and baseball, he is only the second athlete in 44 years at Hobbton to earn 12 letters.
Pat Newcomb
6-2, 220, LB
Weaverville, N.C. (North Buncombe HS)
Named first team All-Western North Carolina ... Also a first team All-Mountain Athletic Conference selection ... Member of the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Stars (first team) ... Was tabbed his team's MVP and captain as a senior after pacing North Buncombe with 133 tackles ... Registered 17 tackles for losses, including one sack ... Forced four fumbles and recovered two.
Tyler Norman
6-2, 190, LB
Duluth, Ga. (Duluth HS)
Named Linebacker of the Year for all classifications in Gwinnett County ... A first team 5A All-Gwinnett County selection ... Led Duluth in tackles as a senior with 131 stops in 10 games ... Was the Gwinnett football player of the month (September) ... Selected MVP as a senior ... Also a two-year starter for the Duluth basketball team.
Chase Patterson
6-4, 275, OL
Roswell, Ga. (Lassiter HS)
A first team All-Cobb County selection in the 5A classification ... Named the Cobb County Coaches and Big League Barber Player of the Week ... As a junior, earned honorable mention All-Cobb County honors and was tabbed Utilities Protection Center of Georgia's Lineman of the Week.
James Rainer
5-7, 170, WR
Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa HS)
A two-time 2A first team All-State performer ... Led Alcoa to a 15-0 record and the state championship, scoring two touchdowns in the title game (27-20 win over Union City) ... Accumulated 4,250 all-purpose yards and scored 50 touchdowns in his career ... Had three interceptions, returning one for a TD, and returned both his fumble recoveries for scores ... Named all-county, all-region and All-East Tennessee as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Also a standout in track ... A two-time champion in both the 100-meters and 4x100-meter relay ... Added a 200-meter title as a junior.
Mike Reeder
6-3, 190, WR
Wagener, S.C. (Wagener-Salley HS)
Named Receiver of the Year in Region 5A as a junior and senior ... Listed among the top 10 receivers in South Carolina by several recruiting services... Participated in South Carolina's North-South All-Star game, catching four passes for 40 yards ... Named all-area and all-county each of his four years at Wagener-Salley ... Also a four-time All-Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) selection ... Is his school's all-time leading receiver ... Had 31 receptions for 739 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, while hauling in 34 receptions for 719 yards and eight TDs as a junior ... Logged 97 tackles and seven interceptions this past season and four picks as a junior ... Selected his team's best receiver two times and best defensive back as a senior ... Tallied 25 receptions for 607 yards and six TDs as a sophomore, while getting 25 receptions for 498 yards and four TDs as a freshman ... Also an all-region, all-area and all-county performer in basketball.
Caleb Reel
6-1, 263, LB
Iron Station, N.C. (East Lincoln HS)
Registered 73 total hits as a senior ... Tallied 11 tackles for losses, including two sacks ... Earned all-county honors as an offensive lineman as a junior ... A member of the All-Western Foothills Conference and All-Gaston Gazette teams ... Had a 14-tackle performance versus St. Stephen's as a senior, including nine solo tackles, two for losses, a sack and a quarterback hurry ... A Scholar-Athlete, Honor Roll student and member of the baseball team.
Rico Reese
6-2, 220, DE
Austell, Ga. (Pebblebrook HS)
Led Pebblebrook in sacks as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Selected second team all-county as a senior ... Named his team's Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman and received the Coach's Award ... Ranked second on the team in total tackles ... Is a member of his school's student leadership team.
Wes Rumbough
6-1, 200, LB
Asheville, N.C. (Clyde A. Erwin HS)
An Asheville Citizen-Times All-Star (first team) ... Led Erwin with 163 tackles, including 90 solo ... Blocked three punts, one of which was returned in a playoff win over East Lincoln ... Registered six tackles for losses, including three sacks, with three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two passes broken up ... Earned All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) honors was tabbed All-Western North Carolina ... Helped his team to a 10-2 record and a WAC title a senior ... Logged 129 total hits, 73 solo, in earning honorable mention All-WAC honors as a junior.
Tracey Smith
6-2, 170, WR
Bunn, N.C. (Bunn HS)
A two-time 1A All-State performer ... Named All-Tar-Roanoke Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Had 33 receptions for 467 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior ... Also recorded 65 tackles and three interceptions ... For his career, picked off 19 passes and scored 35 touchdowns, including two kickoff returns this past season ... A three-year starter on the basketball team and a three-time all-conference performer in track ... As a junior, placed third in the long jump and second in the triple jump at the state championships.
Jada Sullivan
6-1,175, DB
Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)
Selected all-region on defense as a safety and all-region on offense as a wide receiver ... Also an all-county performer on both sides of the ball ... Named his team's MVP ... Is Hillcrest's all-time receptions leader.
Jarrett Wishon
6-2, 275, OL
Spencer, N.C. (North Rowan HS)
Selected to play in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl and the East/West All-Star game ... A three-time all-area honoree.
Craig Younce
5-11, 165, WR
Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS)
Named first team All-Western Athletic Conference and All-Western North Carolina ... Member of the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Stars (first team) ... Earned North Carolina 3A Player of the Week in the final week of the season after a four-touchdown performance versus Tuscola ... Helped turn Franklin from a 1-8 team in 1999 to a playoff team in 2000, catching 56 passes for 1,028 yards and 13 TDs ... Also rushed for 96 yards on 13 attempts ... A preseason All-State selection.
