LEXINGTON, Va. - Virginia Military Institute head coach Sparky Woods today announced the signings of the 2013 football signing class. The group features 15 signees, seven of which come from the state of Virginia, and eight from out-of-state. Six states are represented in this year's signing day class.
"I think this class brings a lot of versatility to our program," said Woods. "Just about every one of them has played both sides of the ball and they can fill a lot of needs. There are guys who can run and are receiver-defensive back types of players and they should be able to make great contributions to special teams because of their ability to run and make plays. Also, you always try to find defensive lineman and I think we are helping our team there. I think we had to find a kicker and we found someone that can score for us a little bit. I think this recruiting class has great young men that are also very mature and can contribute. I feel like this class can step in and offer immediate help."
The following signees are members of the 2013 VMI Football recruiting class. The info below includes name, position, height, weight, high school, and hometown. Further capsule information on each signee follows, and video highlights of the signees will be posted on 'Roo Tube, VMI's athletic broadband channel located at www.vmikeydets.com, and linked to this article.
2013 VMI FOOTBALL SIGNEES (As of 2/6/13)
Darnell Ashton LB 6-2, 215, Valley View HS, Olyphant, Pa. - Video
Dillon Christopher K 6-2 175 Menchville HS, Newport News, Va. - Video
Amon-Ra Clay LB 6-1 240 N. Atlanta HS, Atlanta, Ga. - Video
Al Cobb QB 6-3 187 Giles Co. HS, Pulaski, Tenn. - Video
Dane Forlines Slot/Ath 5-9 180 Mills Godwin HS, Richmond, Va. - Video
Ryan Francis DB 6-0 190 West HS, Knoxville, Tenn. - Video
Walker Hays DL 6-1 265 Vestavia Hills HS, Vestavia Hills, Ala. - Video
Chad Jacob TE 6-3 225 Atlee HS, Mechanicsville, Va. - Video
James King DL 6-4 230 Pulaski Co. HS, Pulaski, Va. - Video
Andrew Lewis TE 6-5 220 Greater Atlanta Christian School, Snellville, Ga. - Video
Matthew Nicholson WR 6-2 180 Warren Co. HS, Front Royal, Va. - Video
Alijah Robinson DB 6-0 185 North Point HS, Waldorf, Md. - Video
Aaron Sanders WR 6-2 180 Brooke Point HS, Stafford, Va. - Video
Taylor Stout Slot 5-11 180 Midlothian HS, Midlothian, Va. - Video
Jon Strozyk DB 6-0 170 Powell HS, Knoxville, Tenn. - Video
Signee profiles below:
Darnell Ashton LB 6-2 215 Olyphant, PA / Valley View H.S.
Major: Engineering
Son of P.J. & Tiffany Ashton
Coached by George Howanitz
Hosted by James Fruehan
Academic Host: Maj. Wakeel Idewu
Athletic Stats and Awards :
Finished career with 123 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception
Helped lead the team, and its top ranked defense, to District 2 AAA Championship as a junior, and a return trip to the playoffs as a senior.
Lackawanna Football Conference Division I All-Star
Lackawanna Conference Division I Discus Champion
Academic:
National Honor Society
Dillon Christopher K 6-2 175 Newport News, VA / Menchville H.S.
Major: Psychology
Son of Fred and Jennifer Christopher
Coached by Melvin Moore
Hosted by David Eberhardt
Academic Host: Col. Dave Cotting
2012 All-757 Team - 1st Team Place Kicker (Recruit757)
2012 1st Team All-Peninsula District Place Kicker - Coaches Choice
2012 1st Team All-Region Specialist - Place Kicker - Coaches Choice
2012 1st Team All-Stars Place Kicker - Daily Press
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2011 Set new VHSL record - 60 Yard Field Goal**** |
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2011 Virginia Preps.com All- State Second Team Specialist |
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2011 1st Team All-Region Specialist - Place Kicker - VA PREPS |
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2011 1st Team All-Peninsula District Place Kicker |
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2011 2nd Team All-Peninsula District Punter |
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2011 All-757 Team - 2nd Team Place Kicker (Recruit757) |
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2011 All-757 Junior Team First Team Place Kicker (Recruit757) |
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2011 MVP AWARD Menchville High School Football Team |
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2010 2nd Team All-Peninsula District Place Kicker |
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2010 All-757 Freshman/Sophomore Team -First Team Place Kicker (Recruit757) |
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2010 All-757 Team Honorable Mention (Recruit757) 2010 Peninsula District record for season - longest FG - 45 yards Soccer: Played travel soccer for 8 years with NNFC Predators Played JV Soccer for three years (8th thru 10th) - Menchville High School - Captain 10th grade Led the team in scoring his 9th &10th grade years. Main position - Left Forward Selected as MVP for the Christine Garvey Memorial Tournament 2011 - Menchville High School Junior Varsity Team Plans to play Varsity Soccer this year 2013 Academic: Advanced Diploma GPA Current Semester = 3.57 Overall GPA 3.13 Class rank: 113/438 2010 Honorable Mention All-City Science Fair A/B Honor Roll - 10th grade B Average Honor Roll - 11th grade B Average Honor Roll - 12th Grade Attends Catalyst Church in Newport News, Virginia Works for Auto Bell Car Wash |
Amon-Ra Clay LB 6-1 240 Atlanta, GA / N. Atlanta H.S.
Major: Education/ Math
Son of DP and Veronica Pearson-Clay
Coached by Doug Britten
Hosted by Jabari Turner
Academic Host: Col. Lee Dewald
2010 - Football - Most Valuable Player - Freshman
2011 - Football - Most Valuable Player - Sophomore
2011 - Academic Honor Roll
2011 - Basketball - Most Valuable Player - Jr. Varsity
2011 - Mr. YE-Atl (Young Entrepreneurs - Atlanta)
2012 - Student of the Month (January)
2012 - Basketball - Coaches Award
2011 - Morehouse College STEM Dreams to Teach Scholarship
2012 - Student of the Month (January)
Al Cobb QB 6-3 187 Pulaski, TN / Giles Co. H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Bubba & Donna Cobb
Coached by David O'Connor / Thomas Osteen
Hosted by Eric Kordenbrock
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
2012 Class 4A MR. Football Finalist
District 12-AA MVP
Selected to Tennessee East v. West All-Star Game
MVP for West All Star Game
Awarded Golden Arm in Elite II QB Camp
Channel 2 Prep Player of the Week
Awarded Tradition of Service Award from Music City Bowl Sponsors
3,883 total yards and 55 total TDs
73% passing, 2,860 yds., 34 TDs, 6 int.
1,023 yds. rushing and 21 TDs
2011 All District 12-AA
MVP - Quarterback
Selected to play on "West Tennessee Express" 7 on 7 team
3,709 total yards and 29 total TDs
64% passing, 2,722 yds., 22 TDs, 10 int.
987 yds. rushing and 7 TDs
2010 All District 12-AA
MVP - Quarterback
2,373 total yards and 20 total TDs
63% passing, 1,778 yds., 13 TDs, 9 int.
595 yds. rushing and 7 TDs
Dane Forlines Slot/Ath 5-9 180 Richmond, VA / Mills Godwin H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Mark & Carol Ann Forlines
Coached by John Phillips
Hosted by Chris Harper
Academic Host: Col. Cliff West
Varsity Football Godwin High School 4 Year Starter
Football Captain Junior and Senior Years
Three time First Team All District Defensive Back
Two time First Team All District Quarterback
First Team All District Returner
First Team All Region Returner
First Team All Metro Defensive Back
Over 6000 career all-purpose yards
70 career combined touchdowns (rushing & passing)
Over 150 career tackles as a defensive back
12 career interceptions
Ryan Francis DB 6-0 190 Knoxville, TN / West H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Jeff & Kathy Francis
Coached by Scott Cummings
Hosted by Ty Garvin
Academic Host: Col. Francis Bush
2010-11 Class 5A All-State DB - 8 ints., 75 tackles
2010-11 Prep Extra 1st Team
2012-13 Class 5A All-State DB, Prep Extra 1st Team
Threw for 1,400+, Rushed for 1,000+
West High School Single Season TD Record: 33 TD's
District MVP
Tied Single Season Int. Record: 8
1st QB in school history to rush for 1,000
Won Gold Medal in the Knoxville Interscholastic League in the 4 x 100 relay
Elected Team Captain 2012
AP Scholar with Honors
Elected Mr. West by peers
Walker Hays DL 6-1 265 Vestavia Hills, AL / Vestavia Hills H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Kevin & Suzan Hays
Coached by Buddy Anderson
Hosted by Miller Williams
Academic Host: Col. Cliff West
3 year Varsity starter - Sophomore & Junior at DT, Senior year at OT
Started in 37 varsity games during the three years
Graded 94% senior year and allowed no sacks
FBU Top Gun
FBU Gatorade Defensive Lineman of camp
Birmingham News All Metro Football Team
Birmingham News key player to watch (2011 and 2012)
Honoree at the 2012 Pat Patricks Best in High School football
Over the Mountain Journal All Star team
Birmingham News South All Metro team
Vestavia Hills Football Courage Award winner
Led his team to a 10-3 record, Area Champs and Quarterfinals of State Playoffs
Chad Jacob TE 6-3 225 Mechanicsville, VA / Atlee H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Read & JoEllen Jacob
Coached by Roscoe Johnson
Hosted by Travis Hawkins
Academic Host: Col. Francis Bush
2012 Season Awards:
- 1st Team All-Metro TE
- 2nd Team Richmond Times Dispatch All-Region TE
- 1st Team All Capital District TE
- Capital District All-Academic
- 1st Team Virginia Prep All-Region TE
- 2nd Team Virginia Prep All-State TE
- Team Captain
2012 Season Stats:
- 59 receptions for 961 yards
- 16.3 yards/catch
- 13 receiving TDs
Academic:
- Member National Honor Society
- Member Beta Club
- Academic Excellence Award
- Hanover County Scholar
2011 Season Awards:
- Capital District All-Academic
2011 Season Stats:
- 19 receptions for 304 yards
- 16 yards/catch
- 3 receiving TDs
James King DL 6-4 230 Pulaski, VA / Pulaski Co. H.S.
Major: Engineering
Son of Mike & Leslie King
Coached by Todd Jones
Hosted by Miller Williams
Academic Host: Col. Ned Riester
2012: Honorable Mention All State
1st Team All Timesland
1st Team All Region IV
River Ridge Defensive Lineman of the Year
1st Team All River Ridge District
Team Captain
Played in the 2012 Chesapeake Bowl All-Star Game
2011: 2nd Team All Region IV
1st Team All River Ridge District
Honorable Mention All State Underclassman
2010: Honorable Mention All Region IV
1st Team All River Ridge District
Timesland Sizzlin Sophomore
Andrew Lewis TE 6-5 220 Snellville, GA / Greater Atlanta Christian School
Major: Biology
Son of Gregory & Lesa Lewis
Coached by Tim Hardy
Hosted by Derrick Ziglar
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
Football Team Captain and Leadership Council (2012
Gwinnett Touchdown Club Player of the Month (2012)
Cecil Morris Award (Gwinnett TD Club)
4 year letterman in basketball
Basketball State Champions 2 out of 3 years (2010-2013)
National Honor Society
Beta Club
All-County Academic Team (Basketball)
Matthew Nicholson WR 6-2 180 Front Royal, VA / Warren Co. H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Ron & Kim Nicholson
Coached by Tony Tallent
Hosted by John Washington
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
Senior Year: 1st Team All-District Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Yards: 356, Avg: 13.7; Catches: 26, TD's: 7; Tackles: 46; 3 Int's.
Basketball: 21 points per game / 6.8 rebounds per game / 3.0 steals per game
Junior Year: 2nd Team All-Disstrict Defensive Back
Yards: 295, Avg: 21.1; Catches: 14; TD's: 5; 42 Tackles; 3 Int's.
All State Track Long Jump - Longest Jump 22'4"
Basketball: 16 points per game / 5.1 rebounds per game / 1.6 steals per game
Alijah Robinson DB 6-0 185 Waldorf, MD / North Point H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Antoinette & Arthur Robinson
Coached by Ken Lane
Hosted by Caleb Furlow
Academic Host: Col. Francis Bush
Senior:
2012 Team Captain
1st team All County
2nd team All Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC)
Two-way starter at cornerback and running back
69 carries for 450 yards and 7 touchdowns.
One 107 yard missed field goal touchdown return
One interception and 30 tackles
Received 2012 North Point High School Defensive Back Award
Selected to the Chick-Fil-A Prince George's County vs. SMAC All-Star football game
Aaron Sanders WR 6-2 180 Stafford, VA / Brooke Point H.S.
Major: Psychology
Son of Reginald & Jacqueline Sanders
Coached by Jeff K. Berry
Hosted by Caleb Furlow
Academic Host: Col. Dave Cotting
3 year letterman in football
2 year letterman in basketball
2012 Free-Lance Star Week 11 Player of the Week (7 rec. for 125 yards and 3 TDs)
2012 All-Area Selection (WR/LB)
2012 All-District Selection (WR/LB)
2012 Virginia Preps Honorable Mention All-Region (WR)
2012 Stats: 38 receptions and 10 touchdowns
67 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions
Navy ROTC
Member of "Little Forest Baptist Church" in Stafford, VA
Taylor Stout Slot 5-11 180 Midlothian, VA / Midlothian H.S.
Major: Business
Son of Dirk & Susan Stout
Coached by Kevin Thomas
Hosted by Logan Staib
Academic Host: Col. Cliff West
Varsity Running Back Sophomore, Junior and Senior Year
Dominion All District Team
Dominion District All Academic
Dominion District All Metro Team Track and Field
Virginia All Region Track and Field
Jon Strozyk DB 6-0 170 Knoxville, TN / Powell H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Bill & Cindy Strozyk
Coached by Derek Rang
Hosted by James Fruehan
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
5A All State (2011, 2012)
5A All-District (2010, 2011, 2012)
All KIL (2011, 2012)
Prep Xtra First Team (2012)
All KIL Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
2012 TN East-West All Star Team
School Career Interceptions (21 Int.)
Season Interceptions (7)
KNX Defensive Player of the Week (2011)
Knoxville Trophy & Awards / Joy 62 Player of the Game - 2010 (twice), 2011, 2012
Team Awards: Freshman MVP (2009), Defensive Back Award (2011)
Special Teams Player of the Year (2012), Best Defensive Back (2012)
Most Valuable Player (2012), Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
Statistics: 120 Tackles, 55 assists, 21 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 3 blocked FG's
