UNCP Football Announces 19-Member Signing Class

PEMBROKE - The University of North Carolina at Pembroke signed 19 football players to national letters of intent on Wednesday during the first day of the 2012 spring signing period.

UNCP, which returns 13 starters (4 offense, 9 defense) off of last season's 8-3 club, found recruits at eight different positions, including four linebackers and offensive linemen, as well as three defensive backs and defensive linemen. The Braves will also welcome two wide receivers, a quarterback, a running back and a multi-purpose athlete. The class includes five all-state honorees, as well as three athletes that played for state championship teams in the fall.

"Our goal every year is to fill immediate needs, and then to try and recruit an entire team," said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. "If you combine this year's and last year's recruiting class, defensively, we are really solid. Our focus was really on the defensive and offensive line and, with the seven guys that we got, we filled those needs. We're always looking to find the right athlete for our University, and then the best athlete that we can at the positions that we are looking at."

Complete list of signees, with biographical sketches (PDF)

MATT BOSWELL
6-7, 320, Offensive Line
Bailey, N.C./Southern Nash HS
An all-area standout for coach Brian Foster at Southern Nash High School … Helped lead Firebirds to a 7-4 record and a state playoff appearance … Earned second consecutive all-conference and all-area laurels … Helped pave the way for 1,300-yard rusher and fellow UNCP signee Terron Huffman … Anchored an offense that scored 27.7 points per game.

PHILLIP BOWLES
6-6, 325, Offensive Line
Wilmington, N.C./Hoggard HS
An all-conference standout for Scott Braswell at Hoggard High School … Captained Vikings to a 7-4 record and a spot in the state playoffs as a senior … Earned second consecutive all-conference accolades … Anchored an offense that accounted for 26.3 points per game.

B.J. BUNN
6-0, 200, Wide Receiver
Elon, N.C./Western Alamance HS
An all-state standout for coach Gregory Jones at Western Alamance High School … Hauled in 91 catches for a state-best 1,551 yards and 14 touchdowns as a prep senior en route to first team all-state laurels … Helped lead Warriors to a 9-4 record and the second round of the state playoffs … Earned all-state accolades, as well as second consecutive all-region, all-area, all-conference and academic all-conference nods … Also earned region offensive player of the year honors … Tallied seven catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns against Eastern Alamance … Caught 60 passes for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … Averages 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.8 assists per game as a starter for the Western Alamance basketball team.

TERRENCE CLYBURN
6-0, 190, Wide Receiver
Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg HS
An all-conference standout for coach Mike Bradley at North Mecklenburg High School … Hauled in 56 catches for 642 yards and five touchdowns as a prep senior, while also rushing 48 times for 307 yards and five additional scores … Returned five kicks – three kickoffs and two punts - for touchdowns … Also had three interceptions as a cornerback … Earned second consecutive all-conference nods … Named area special teams player of the year … Also earned team most valuable player laurels … Scored four touchdowns, including one on a 78-yard punt return, in the season opener with Olympic.

TY EDWARDS
6-0, 205, Linebacker
Red Springs, N.C./Red Springs HS
An all-conference standout for George Coltharp at Red Springs High School … Booked 97 tackles, including 32 tackles for loss, as a prep senior in leading the Red Devils to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals … Also turned in a pair of sacks and two fumble recoveries … Earned all-conference and all-area honors.

B.J. FIELDS
5-8, 150, Defensive Back
Parkton, N.C./South View HS
An all-state performer for coach Randy Ledford at South View High School … Booked 49 tackles, including one for loss, as a prep senior in leading the Tigers to a state playoff appearance … Also registered a state-best 10 interceptions (254 interception return yards), including a pair of picks he returned for touchdowns … Also returned 10 kickoffs for 179 yards (17.9 avg.) and four punts for 103 yards (25.8 avg.) … Earned two all-state accolades and second consecutive all-conference and all-region honors … Earned two DK Sports Player of the Game honors and one all-state Player of the Week award … Tallied 70 tackles (1 TFL) and five interceptions (149 INT return yards) as a junior.

JEREME GAMBLE
6-0, 185, Defensive Back
Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor HS
An all-conference standout for Laymarr Marshall at Mount Tabor High School … Recorded 56 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, as a senior in pacing the Spartans to an 11-2 record and a spot in the state quarterfinals … Also booked nine pass break-ups and three interceptions … Recorded a time of 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash … Also a standout track & field athlete for the Spartans.

BLAKE HICKMAN
6-1, 200, Linebacker
Greensboro, N.C./Page HS
An all-state performer for coach Kevin Gillespie at Page High School … Booked 188 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss (seven sacks), as a prep senior in leading the Pirates to a perfect 15-0 record and the 4AA state championship … Also forced two fumbles … Earned second consecutive all-conference, all-region and all-area laurels, as well as a spot on the all-state team … Amassed 145 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss (seven sacks), as a junior … Also broke up three passes, picked off one pass, recovered a fumble, scored a defensive touchdown and registered a safety.

EDWARD HOPPER
6-0, 320, Defensive Line
Kings Mountain, N.C./Kings Mountain HS
An all-conference standout for coach Greg Lloyd at Kings Mountain High School … Booked 55 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and two sacks, in leading the Mountaineers to the second round of the state playoffs … Also recorded one interception … Earned all-conference, all-county and all-area laurels.

TIREK HOLLOWAY
5-11, 165, Defensive Back
Lexington, N.C./Lexington HS
An all-county performer for coach Joe Gaddis at Lexington High School … Registered 77 tackles and five interceptions as a prep senior in leading the Yellowjackets to a state playoff appearance … Also averaged 38.0 yards as a kickoff returner, while also forcing four fumbles … Earned second consecutive all-district and all-county laurels … Booked 63 tackles and four interceptions as a junior … Also recorded one interception return for touchdown, as well as two fumble returns for better than 40 yards.

TERRON HUFFMAN
5-7, 155, ATH
Bailey, N.C./Southern Nash HS
An all-area standout for coach Brian Foster at Southern Nash High School … Ran for 1,304 yards and 16 touchdowns on 137 carries (9.5 yards/carry) in leading the Firebirds to a 7-4 record and a state playoff appearance … Also caught seven passes for 146 yards and two additional scores … Earned second consecutive all-conference and all-area laurels … Accounted for at least three touchdowns against three different opponents, including a 4-touchdown night against Rocky Mount in which he ran for a season-best 214 yards on 21 carries (10.2 yards/carry) … Rushed for 1,066 yards (152 carries) and 11 touchdowns as a prep junior.

MIKE KECK
6-3, 255, Defensive Line
Fayetteville, N.C./Gray's Creek HS
An all-region performer for coach David Lovette at Gray's Creek High School … Booked 75 tackles (26 solo), including eight sacks, as a prep senior in leading the Bears to a 10-2 record and a deep run in the state playoffs … Logged 97 tackles (25 solo), including 11 sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery as a prep junior … Earned third consecutive all-conference and all-region honors following standout senior season … Also earned all-state laurels and second-consecutive conference defensive player of the year honors … Helped lead Bears to two conference championships and four state playoff appearances during prep career.

RONNIE MOORE
6-0, 215, Linebacker
Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County HS
An all-conference performer for coach Chip Williams at Scotland County High School … Booked 32 tackles (22 solo), two quarterback hurries and one pass break-up as a prep senior en route to pacing the Fighting Scots to a perfect 15-0 record and the 4A state championship … Earned all-conference accolades … A member of the national honor society with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

MARTIN MUNN
5-10, 195 Linebacker
Siler City, N.C./Jordan-Matthews HS
An all-state standout for coach Marty Scotten at Jordan Matthews High School … Racked up 89 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, as a prep senior in pacing the Jets to a 7-5 record and a second round appearance in the state playoffs … Earned all-county and all-state accolades after accumulating a 43-16 record during his prep career at Jordan Matthews … A 2011-12 Shrine Bowl selection … Earned defensive most valuable player and Spark Plug award laurels for the Jets as well.

CODY SMITH
6-4, 300, Offensive Line
Maysville, N.C./White Oak HS
An all-area standout for coach Bob Blick at White Oak High School … A two-year starter at right tackle, helped lead the Vikings to a state playoff appearance … Team captain for White Oak … Earned second consecutive all-area and all-conference laurels following standout senior campaign.

RONTONIO STANLEY
5-8, 175, Running Back
Nakina, N.C./South Columbus HS
An all-conference standout and three-year starter for coach Jake Fonvielle at South Columbus High School … Rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and then increased those statistics to 2,005 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior … Finished prep career with 3,946 rushing yards and 570 receiving yards ... A three-time all-conference and all-county selection ... Named county player of the year honoree as a junior (2010).

KRIS TYNDALL
6-0, 280, Defensive Line
Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County HS
An all-state standout for coach Chip Williams at Scotland County High School … Totaled 47 tackles (27 solo), including 15 tackles for loss and three sacks in helping to lead the Fighting Scots to a perfect 15-0 record and the 4A state championship … Also booked two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and an interception that he returned for a touchdown … Earned all-region and all-state laurels, as well as second consecutive all-conference accolades … Was captain of the defensive line, while also earning defensive line most valuable player laurels … Also grabbed defensive MVP honors in the 4A state championship game after scoring on a 24-yard interception return.

DAVID WALRATH
6-2, 205, Quarterback/Athlete
Raeford, N.C./Hoke County HS
An all-conference standout for coach Julian Brown at Hoke County High School … Threw for 701 yards and five touchdowns on 39-of-95 passing as a prep senior, while also rushing 48 times for 380 yards and three additional scores, in leading the Bucks to a spot in the state playoffs … Also registered a 36.5 yard punting average … Earned all-conference and all-area honors …Threw for 500 yards and two touchdowns as a junior, while also running for 293 yards and a pair of scores.

JOSH WHITE
6-2, 290, Offensive Line
Thomasville, N.C./East Davidson HS
An all-conference standout for coach Bryan Lingerfelt at East Davidson High School … A two-year starter on the offensive line … Helped lead Golden Eagles to a state playoff appearance as a prep senior … Earned second consecutive all-conference and all-county laurels … A four-time scholar-athlete selection.