Hamilton announces first recruiting class, adds 14 players to squad

Article courtesy of Sports Information

Elon University coach Paul Hamilton announced the addition of 14 players from six different states to his first Phoenix football team. Hamilton welcomes the following student-athletes to Elon:

Running back Kevin Bailey (Richmond, Va./Huguenot) piled up numerous accolades for coach Richard McFee’s Huguenot High School program. The 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pound Bailey was named first team all-district, second team all-region, second team all-metro, all-regional and team MVP. He was also declared the best defensive player in the Southeast Bowl.

Linebacker Anthony Barcel (Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill) helped coach John Bowles’ Science Hill High School team to an 8-3 record and a playoff appearance last fall. The 6-foot-7-inch, 220-pound Barcel was a four-year letterman and a two-year starter. He was also selected as all-conference, Johnson City Press Elite 11, Johnson City Press All-Tuff Guy and honorable mention all-state.

Defensive back Chris Bland (Shallotte, N.C./West Brunswick) led coach Jimmy Fletcher’s West Brunswick High School squad into the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs last fall for the first time since 1995. The 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Bland led his prep team in rushing, passing and scoring last season, piling up 912 rushing yards, 624 passing yards, 100 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (six rushing, three passing, two receiving) on his way to all-conference and county player of the year recognition. On the other side of the ball, he collected 32 tackles – including 15 solo stops – and a pair of interceptions.

Linebacker Mike Cullen (Roswell, Ga./Roswell) started all 12 contests for East Tennessee State as a red-shirt freshman last season, amassing a team-leading 122 total tackles. That tally – the second highest in the Southern Conference in 2003 – included 52 solo stops, eight tackles for lost yardage (-18 yards) and a sack (-7 yards). The 6-foot, 230-pound Cullen forced three fumbles and recovered two more last fall. He racked up 20 tackles, including eight solo hits and two tackles for a loss, in a game against Western Carolina, marking the highest single-game total in the Southern Conference last season.

Tight end Justin Cruze (Knoxville, Tenn./South-Doyle) – a transfer from East Tennessee State – played in 10 games and started six as a sophomore for the Buccaneers last fall. While at ETSU, the 6-foot-2-inch, 245-pound Cruze was known not only as a bruising blocker, but as a sure-handed receiver as well. He averaged 23.4 yards per reception and scored a touchdown for the Buccaneers.

Offensive guard Ricky Durham (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor) helped coach Hank Sawyer’s Lake Taylor High School program to back-to-back 8-2 playoff seasons in 2002 and 2003. Last year’s squad also captured the Eastern District championship. The 6-foot-4-inch, 285-pound Durham earned first team all-district distinction twice, second team all-region recognition once and Second Team All-Tidewater once.

Wide receiver/defensive back Stephen Gibbs (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) helped coach Ray Stackley’s Stratford High School unit to a 36-3 record with three consecutive undefeated region championships and two playoff semifinal appearances during his three years on the varsity. A three-year letterman and two-year starter, the 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound Gibbs led Stratford receivers with 29 catches for 519 aerial yards last fall – an average of 17.9 yards per reception.

Quarterback Kye Hamilton (Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill) paced coach John Bowles’ Science Hill High School team to a second-round appearance in the Class 5A State Playoffs. The 6-foot-1-inch, 170-pound Hamilton’s long list of individual prep accomplishments include First Team All-Big East Conference, team captain, team most valuable player, WJHL High School Player of the Week, WCVB High School Player of the Week and Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. The three-time team player of the week amassed 3,200 career passing yards to go with 39 touchdown passes at Science Hill.

Defensive tackle Desuan Lindsey (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) helped coach Michael F. Mischler’s Cathedral Preparatory School squad to three winning seasons during the past four years. The 6-foot-2-inch, 261-pound – a four-year letterman – Lindsey earned first team all-metro honors and an all-star game invitation last season.

Wide receiver Michael Mayers (Norfolk, Va./Landstown) led coach Chris Beatty’s Landstown High School squad to a 13-1 state runner-up finish last season. That team also claimed Eastern Region and Beach District championships. The 5-foot-9-inch, 165-pound Mayers hauled in 24 receptions for 463 yards and four touchdowns as a junior and made 63 catches for 828 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.

Offensive lineman Jamie Ownbey (Belton, S.C./Belton-Honea Path) – a transfer from East Tennessee State University – started all 12 games for the Buccaneers last season as a sophomore, making appearances at three different positions on the offensive line. The 6-foot-3-inch, 278-pound Ownbey did not yield a single sack in 2003. He made up part of the offensive line that blocked for Gavin Varner, who averaged 99.9 yards per game on the ground last season on his way to becoming the Southern Conference’s second-leading rusher in 2003.

Defensive end Marvin Price (Richmond, Va./Huguenot) was an all-district selection on both sides of the ball for coach Richard McFee’s Huguenot High School squad in 2003. A two-year starter, the 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound Price also served Huguenot as one of its team captains last season.

Wide receiver Chantz Scott (Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill) helped quarterback Kye Hamilton and coach John Bowles’ Science Hill High School team to a state playoff appearance. The 6-foot, 180-pound Scott collected First Team All-Big East Conference, Johnson City Press Elite 11 and offensive team MVP accolades. The four-time team player of the week finished his senior season with 46 receptions for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns on his way to becoming the league’s second all-time leading receiver in both receptions and receiving yards.

Strong safety Corey Weaver (New Bern, N.C./New Bern) The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound Weaver helped coach Chip Williams’ New Bern High School squad to three league titles and two eastern state crowns. In 2003, the two-time all-area selection led the Bears with 110 tackles and surpassed the 50-sack mark for his career. In 2002, he registered 22 sacks.