University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Football Announces 2015 Recruiting Class
02/04/2015 | Football
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – University of Richmond Spiders head football coach Danny Rocco announced the signing of 17 student-athletes on Wednesday, as well as the addition of three, mid-year, FBS transfers.
All 17 signees and three transfers will be eligible to begin play in the 2015 season for the Spiders. The class includes 10 offensive players and 10 defensive players. Four of the student-athletes hail from North Carolina, with two each coming from Virginia, Florida, Maryland, Georgia and Alabama. One new Spider came from Washington D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and Canada, respectively.
“Today is a very exciting day for Spider Football as we celebrate our signing class of 2015,” Rocco said. “We received 17 national letters of intent from a number of student-athletes whom we had been involved with for an extended amount of time. The majority of the signing class had been to either our Spring Junior Day or to one of our one-day camps in June. While this class of 17 consists of players representing 10 different states, we continue to enjoy a great success in our home state with a focus on the local talent here in the Richmond area.
“The emphasis for this year's class was in the area of defensive line, offensive line and wide receiver. We are excited and feel very confident that we did very well in all three of these areas. This class consists of four players recruited to play on the defensive line and three at both wide receiver and offensive line. We were also able to secure our primary target at the quarterback position.
“In addition to our 17 signees, we have also added DL Devin Cook, TE Garrett Hudson and LB David Norris to our roster. All three players are currently enrolled in the school and are participating in our off-season program.”
Spider Football fans will be able to follow along with all the latest news beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday both on RichmondSpiders.com and on all three of Richmond's social media accounts – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Head Coach Danny Rocco will discuss the 2015 recruiting class in the Johnson Terrace of the Robins Center prior to the women's basketball game against VCU from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m on Wednesday.
Coach Rocco will be joined by members of his staff and video highlights of the 2015 recruiting class will be shown. The Signing Day Party will also be streamed live on RichmondSpiders.com via Spider TV for free.
Coach Rocco will also meet with the media at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the Spiders' signed 2015 recruiting class. The press conference audio will be carried live by RichmondSpiders.com.
Below fans can see a map and a chart of all of the Spiders signees that includes highlights and a quote on each player from Coach Rocco, with a full biography of each player underneath the chart.
|
Name
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Hometown/Last School
|
Rocco Quote
|
NLI Received
|
|
DL
|
6-4
|
240
|
Beaver Falls, Pa./Pitt
|
View |
Winter
|
|
|
TE
|
6-4
|
240
|
Raleigh, N.C./UNC
|
Winter
|
||
|
LB
|
6-2
|
205
|
Madison, Ala./UAB
|
Winter
|
||
|
DB
|
6-0
|
190
|
Indian Head, Md./Henry E. Lackey
|
7:01 AM
|
||
|
OL
|
6-5
|
275
|
Charlotte, N.C./Providence
|
7:01 AM
|
||
|
DL
|
6-3
|
245
|
Burlington, N.C./Williams
|
7:01 AM
|
||
|
LB
|
6-1
|
212
|
Apopka, Fla./Apopka
|
7:01 AM
|
||
|
LB/DB
|
6-2
|
210
|
Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood
|
7:05 AM
|
||
|
WR
|
6-2
|
180
|
Richmond, Va./L.C. Bird
|
7:19 AM
|
||
|
TE
|
6-4
|
230
|
Atlanta,Ga./Lovett
|
7:36 AM
|
||
|
WR
|
6-4
|
185
|
Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage
|
7:39 AM
|
||
| Kevin Johnson |
QB
|
6-0
|
180
|
Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy
|
View |
8:03 AM
|
| Jay Palmer |
RB
|
6-0
|
198
|
Princeton, W.Va./Princeton
|
View |
8:12 AM
|
| John Yarbrough |
OL
|
6-5
|
270
|
Homewood, Ala./Homewood
|
View |
8:23 AM
|
| Kolby Williams |
DL
|
6-2
|
255
|
Fort Washington, Md./Landon
|
View |
8:29 AM
|
| John Snodgrass |
OL
|
6-3
|
250
|
Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher
|
View |
8:50 AM
|
| Micah Keels |
DB
|
6-2
|
170
|
Washington D.C./Fork Union Military Academy
|
View |
8:54 AM
|
| Andre Booker |
DL
|
6-2
|
260
|
Richmond, Va./Manchester
|
View |
9:07 AM
|
| Ben Schrider | LB/DL |
6-3
|
218
|
Berkeley, Calif./Saint Mary's College
|
View |
10:26 AM
|
| Dejon Brissett | WR |
6-2
|
180
|
Mississauga, Ontario/Lake Forest Academy (Ill.)
|
View |
11:36 AM
|
Devin Cook
Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls (Pittsburgh)
Defensive Line
6-4 • 240
2014 (At Pittsburgh): Appeared in nine games, totaling four tackles and 0.5 sacks … Transferred to Richmond with one year of eligibility remaining.
2013 (At Pittsburgh): Played in the initial three games at defensive end before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Duke (Sept. 21) ... Totaled three tackles and one TFL on the season ... Had a season-high two stops with a TFL vs. New Mexico.
2012 (At Pittsburgh): Played in all 13 games, starting one contest at defensive end in his first active season ... Totaled 14 tackles, eight TFLs, one sack and two forced fumbles on the year ... In his first career starting assignment, had personal-best five tackles, two TFLs and a forced fumble vs. Virginia Tech ... Had an eight-yard sack vs. Gardner-Webb ... Had two TFLs (losses totaling seven yards) at USF ... Big East All-Academic Football Team honoree.
2011 (At Pittsburgh): Redshirted as a true freshman.
High School: Two-way standout for Beaver Falls as a tight end and middle linebacker ... Was Beaver Falls' top defender with 105 tackles, 15 TFLs, six sacks and two interceptions ... Averaged 18.7 yards per catch with 10 receptions for 187 yards ... Also was utilized as a fullback and rushed for 200 yards and two TDs on 20 carries (10.0 avg.) ... First-Team All-State Class AA by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers ... First-Team Pennsylvania Football News All-Class AA ... First-Team All-Midwestern Conference ... Selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic ... Led Beaver Falls to a 10-2 record as a senior and the semifinals of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs ... Rated one of the top 40 prospects in Pennsylvania by Rivals ... Played under Coach Ryan Matsook.
Personal: Son of Dannie and Deborah Cook.
Garrett Hudson
Raleigh, N.C./Heritage (North Carolina)
Tight End
6-4 • 240
At North Carolina: Walked on the team in 2013 … Earned Academic All-ACC honors … Transferred to Richmond with three years of eligibility remaining.
High School: Three-year starter at defensive end, wide receiver and quarterback … Three-year team captain … Led conference in receiving yards and touchdowns as a sophomore … Helped team reach playoffs for first time in school history … Also lettered in basketball for three years.
Personal: Son of Kevin and Jeannie Hudson … Father, Kevin, played football and basketball at Ohio Northern University … Member of FCA.
David Norris
Madison, Ala./Bob Jones (UAB)
Linebacker
6-2 • 205
2014 (At UAB): Redshirted …Transferred to Richmond with four years of eligibility remaining.
High School: Through his first six games his senior season, totaled 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, one interception and one forced fumble.
Personal: Son of Curtis and Barbara Norris.
Deontez Fleet
Indian Head, Md./Henry E. Lackey
Defensive Back
6-0 • 190
Head Coach: John Lush
High School: Honorable mention all-state … Second-Team All-SMAC … First-Team All-SMAC as a junior … Also played basketball and track … Placed first in the 4 x 800 and the 4 x 400 at indoor in track.
Personal: Son of Jonathan Thompson … Two years on honor roll.
Grant Dixon
Charlotte, N.C./Providence
Offensive Line
6-5 • 275
Head Coach: Justin Hardin
High School: Second team all-region … All-conference … Three-year starter … Helped team to a 10-4 record and playoff run his senior season … Lettered in varsity lacrosse.
Personal: Son of Robert and Brenda Dixon … Student Body Vice President.
Will Ingle
Burlington, N.C./Williams
Defensive Line
6-3 • 245
Head Coach: David Green
High School: All-region … Mid-State all-conference … Shrine Bowl selection … Team captain during his senior season … Three-year letter winner … Helped team to playoffs all four years … Three-year letter winner for track and field.
Personal: Son of Fred and Kim Black and Matt Ingle … Brother, Jacob, plays football at Elon.
Billy Caughell
Apopka, Fla./Apopka
Linebacker
6-1 • 212
Head Coach: Rick Darlington
High School: Two-star recruit by Rivals … Led the Blue Darters in tackles for the past two seasons … Recorded 315 career tackles … Helped lead team to three state finals and two state championships … Three-year starter … 2014 All-Central Florida … 2013 All-Metro conference.
Personal: Son of Bill and Mary Caughell.
Justin Rubin
Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood
Linebacker/Defensive Back
6-2 • 210
Head Coach: Steve Devlin
High School: Two-time Philadelphia All-Catholic … First team all-city … Three-year starter … Team captain … Two-time state champion.
Personal: Son of Michael and Brenda Rubin.
Tyler Wilkins
Richmond, Va./Lloyd C. Bird
Wide Receiver
6-2 • 180
Head Coach: David Bedwell
High School: First-team all-state … First-team all-region … First-team all-conference … Two-year starter … Team captain … Helped team to three state championships … Also lettered in basketball.
Personal: Son of Tracey Wilkins.
Will Geraghty
Atlanta, Ga./Lovett
Tight End
6-4 • 230
Head Coach: Mike Muschamp
High School: 2014 AJC All-State honorable mention as DE … 2014 George Sportswriters All-State Second-Team as DE … First-team all-region for TE … Second-team all-region as DE … Three-year starter … Helped lead team to state championship … Harry Lange Award for best lineman … Won a state championship with the baseball team … Also lettered two years in wrestling.
Personal: Son of Beth and John Geraghty … Mother, Beth, was on the swimming and diving team at Virginia Tech … Brother, Jack, plays baseball at North Carolina.
Gershom Ejoni
Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage
Wide Receiver
6-4 • 185
Head Coach: Jason McGeorge
High School: Two-year starter … Team captain … All-conference and MVP in track … Academic all-conference.
Personal: Son of Goodnews and Princess Ejoni … National Honors Society … National Achievers Society … Kappa Scholar … Academic all-conference in basketball.
Kevin Johnson
Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy
Quarterback
6-0 • 180
Head Coach: Chris Slade
High School: Three-star recruit by ESPN … Two-star recruit by Rivals … First-team all-conference … Lettered four years … Also lettered two years in basketball.
Personal: Son of Kevin Johnson and Tamika Fogle … Father, Kevin, played football at South Carolina.
Jay Palmer
Princeton, W.V./Princeton
Running Back
6-0 • 198
Head Coach: Randy Peek
High School: All-state and all-conference honoree … Three-year starting quarterback … Totaled over 3,000 career rushing yards and 4,600 all-purpose yards … Team captain … Also lettered in basketball.
Personal: Son of Darnell and Elizabeth Palmer … National Honor Society.
John Yarbrough
Homewood, Ala./Homewood
Offensive Line
6-5 • 270
Head Coach: Ben Bergeson
High School: Second-team all-state as a senior… All-state honorable mention as a junior … Two-time All-Metro team … Three-year starter … Team captain … Helped lead team to three area championships … Also lettered in basketball.
Personal: Son of Robbie and Nancy Yarbrough … Honor Roll … Involved in Homewood HS music program.
Kolby Williams
Fort Washington, Md./Landon
Defensive Line
6-2 • 255
Head Coach: Paul Padalino
High School: All-state honorable mention … All-IAC … All-Gazette honorable mention … 83rd ranked player in the state … Three-year starter … Team captain … Helped team to IAC championship … Also lettered in basketball and lacrosse.
Personal: Son of Jeff and Roz Williams … Honor roll.
John Snodgrass
Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher
Offensive Line
6-3 • 250
Head Coach: Josh Corey
High School: Lineman of the Year … Two-year starter … Helped lead team to four-straight playoff appearances … Also lettered in track and field.
Personal: Son of Johnnie Snodgrass and Alexis Ellyson.
Micah Keels
Washington, D.C./Fork Union
Defensive Back
6-2 • 170
Head Coach: Brian Hurlocker
High School: Two-star recruit by Rivals … All-state honorable mention … All-league … Team named top-10 in state … Lettered three years … Team captain … Mickey Sullivan Award Winner … All-state and all-prep-league in track.
Personal: Son of Eric and Audrey Adams … Brothers, Herbie and Allante, played football at Livingstone and UPenn, respectively… Honor Roll.
Andre Booker
Richmond, Va./Manchester
Defensive Line
6-2 • 260
Head Coach: Tom Hall
High School: Two-star recruit by Rivals … Two-time all-state as a defensive lineman … Two-time all-region … Three-time all-conference … Helped lead team to 10-0 record his senior season.
Personal: Son of Andre Booker, Sr. and Michelle Booker.
Ben Schrider
Berkeley, Calif./Saint Mary's College
Linebacker/Defensive Line
6-3 • 218
Head Coach: Keith Minor
High School: First-team all-state … First-Team All-Northern California … Two-time All-TCAL … Two-time Oakland Tribune All-East Bay team … Two-time SF Chronicle All-Metro … Three-year letter winner and starter … NCS division title in 2013, runner up 2014 … Also lettered in track and field.
Personal: Son of Tracy Schrider, Brad Berky and Morgan Smith … Four-time honor roll student … 2012 Alsallian Student of the Year.
Dejon Brissett
Mississauga, Ontario/Lake Forest Academy (Ill.)
Wide Receiver
6-2 • 180
Head Coach: Robin Bowkett
High School: Conference player of the year during his senior season … All-conference his junior year … Team captain and MVP during his senior season … Had 43 receptions for 862 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior year … Totaled 35 catches for 569 yards and seven scores during junior campaign.
Personal: Son of Bernard Brissett and McKeitha McFarland … Honor Roll.
