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UD announces new crop of football recruits
The 2006 Recruiting Class includes 20 scholar-athletes who have signed NCAA National Letters of Intent to attend UD on athletic scholarships and compete for the Blue Hen football team this fall. In addition to the 20 high school recruits, Keeler also announced the transfer of former University of Pittsburgh tight end Robbie Agnone, who has transferred to Delaware and is currently enrolled in classes for the spring. Agnone will participate in spring drills and will be eligible to compete this fall. Keeler, who has a 36-16 record in four seasons at UD, including back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference titles in 2003 and 2004 and an NCAA Division I-AA national title in 2003, made the announcements on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in a press conference at the Bob Carpenter Center. Last year, nine freshmen saw action during a season when the Fightin’ Blue Hens posted a 6-5 record and won their final two games on the road against the College of William & Mary and Villanova University. “We put a lot of time and effort in this class and are excited about it,” Keeler said. “We are bringing back a lot of experience, but we are going to need some help at positions like wide receiver.” Delaware’s only in-state recruit is the Tatnall School’s Scott Von Duyke, a 6-3, 220-pound defensive lineman from Newark. As a senior, Von Duyke had 51 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was a three-time first-team all-conference selection. “Every year is a little bit different. One year Maryland might be good and then the next year it is New York or Pennsylvania.” Keeler said. “We did a great job in Pennsylvania this year, but I’m not sure if we got anybody from there last year.” Quarterback Sean Scanlon comes to UD from Camden Catholic High in New Jersey, where he was coached by Rick Brown, who spent several seasons of years as special teams coordinator at UD, Keeler said. The 6-1 Scanlon, who weighs in at 201 pounds, led his high school team to three New Jersey state playoffs, winning two Burlington County Olympic League titles and a berth in the New Jersey state championship in 2003. “We got a chance to see him [Scanlon] run a version of our offense, and see what he could really do,” Keeler said. “He is a competitor, and he is a leader. When we were looking to offer the quarterback scholarship, this was something that was very important to us.” Jared Bradley, a 6-0, 215-pound running back from Strath-Haven High School, in Swarthmore, Pa., fits into Keeler’s plans for a player capable of getting first-down yardage in crucial game situations. “We felt that even with terrific players like Danny Jones and Omar Cuff, we still needed a guy who could get down and get you a yard when you need it,” Keeler said. “You need a guy who is just going to bang it in there.” Keeler said that while many positions among the recruiting class of 2006, including quarterback and offensive linesmen will be red-shirted, there will be an opportunity for wide-receivers to see action this fall. Wide receivers in the recruiting class include Tommy Crosby (6-5, 190 pounds), from Hammonton, N.J., Martwain Johnston (6-3, 205 pounds), of Pawling, Mass., and Mark Mackey (6-4, 210 pounds), of Harrisburg, Pa. “The wide receivers are a spot where we might have somebody play early for us this year,” Keeler said. “These three guys might have to come in and get some snaps for us because we do not have a lot of wide receivers.” Among the five linebackers recruited is 6-4, 260-pound Raymond Jones of Woodrow Wilson High School in Sicklerville, N.J. Jones has enrolled at UD after graduating from high school last fall and will take part in spring drills at UD, Keeler said. The two-time All-Cape Atlantic Conference selection posted 65 tackles, including eight sacks and seven tackles for loss as a senior, leading Woodrow Wilson High to a conference title in 2005. “We might need to have some help on the defensive teams, so one or two of the linebackers could play right away for us,” Keeler said. “On the defensive line we will have to see how these kids mature for us. Obviously, Ray Jones will have a leg up on everybody because he will be right here practicing this spring.” Spring practice for the Fightin’ Blue Hens kicks off on Saturday, March 11, Keeler said. “I’m a believer in starting spring ball as early as you can,” Keeler said. “Our winter conditioning has been phenomenal. This is a good time for our kids.” Below is more background on members of this year’s incoming class of recruits and transfers. ROBBIE AGNONE, TE, 6-6, 245, Red Land HS/Etters, PA (University of Pittsburgh) Transfer from the University of Pittsburgh who has enrolled in classes for the spring semester and will take part in spring drills. He will have sophomore eligibility this fall and will battle for playing time with returning seniors Steve Selk and Mike Mailey. He is the second Pitt player to transfer to Delaware this year after quarterback Joe Flacco transferred this pastfall. JARED BRADLEY, RB, 6-0, 215, Strath-Haven HS/Swarthmore, Pa. Played running back, linebacker, and punted for coach Kevin Clancy at Strath-Haven High School. He comes from outstanding program that has sent many players to Delaware, including 2005 All-Atlantic 10 linebacker and team tackle leader John Mulhern. Bradley led Strath-Haven to the state Eastern championship and second place state finish as a freshman. He set the school’s single-season rushing record with 1,829 yards and scored 29 touchdowns this past season and ended career with nearly 4,000 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns. He was named Delaware County Player of the Year as a senior while also being named All-Delaware County twice and All-Central League twice as a running back. He will play in state East-West All-Star Game. Bradley also is a standout in track and field where he finished fifth in the state indoor championships last season in the 4 x 200 meter relay and sixth in the state outdoor 4 x 100 meter relay this past spring. He also averaged 13.9 points and 15.0 rebounds per game for basketball team as a junior. Bradley plans to major in business at Delaware. ANTHONY BRATTON, DB, 6-2, 185, Osbourn Park/Manassas, Va. A standout wide receiver and defensive back for head coach Brian Beaty at Osbourn Park High School. He attended same high school as current Blue Hen sophomore tight end David Beachy and led the team to a 9-3 record and a district last fall. Last fall, he recorded 63 tackles and two interceptions and also returned a fumble for a touchdown. He also caught 37 passes for 511 yards and three touchdowns, returned to punts for touchdowns and two kickoffs for touchdowns. COREY BROYLES, RB, 5-7, 160, William Allen/Allentown, Pa. Bryoles was a standout running back and defensive back for head coach Kevin Ronalds at William Allen High School. He also was a standout in track and field as a three-year letter-winner. While a senior, he carried 83 times for 700 yards (8.4 avg.) and also caught six passes for 70 yards while making 24 tackles. CHARLES BURTON, DB, 5-11, 180, Northwest/Germantown, Md. Burton played defensive back, wide receiver, running back and returned punts and kickoffs at Northwest High School for head coach Randy Rivers. He was part of a team that captured the 2004 AAA state championship and served as a team captain during senior year this pastfall even though he was injured in the season opener and did not play the remainder of the season. Burton received the team's most dedicated player award in 2005. TOMMY CROSBY, WR, 6-5, 190, Hammonton/Hammonton, N.J. A three-year starter at Hammonton High School for head coach Pete Lancetta, Crosby earned All Cape-Atlantic League and second team All-Group III honors during senior season when he served as team captain. He led his team to a 10-2 record and to the Group III state finals in 2003. Hammonton went 9-2 in 2004, when it advanced to the Group III semifinals and was the Cape Atlantic League champion. He finished his career with 75 catches for 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns and made 40 receptions for 790 yards (19.8 yards per catch) with nine touchdowns during senior season. He also was a member of the track & field team, where he set the school record by running the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds. CHRISTOPHER DAINO, OL, 6-5, 275, Neshaminy/Feasterville, Pa. A standout offensive tackle and defensive end at Neshaminy High School for head coach Mark Schmidt, Daino led his team to record of 25-4 over the last two seasons, winning Suburban One League title each season. As a junior, he led team to 13-2 record, District 1 title. During his career, he posted seven sacks, nine pass breakups, 25 tackles for loss, 11 fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles while also scoring a touchdown. He was a second team All-State and a first team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania as a senior. He earned All-Suburban One first team honors at defensive end twice and was first team offensive tackle as a senior and second team pick as a junior. CHARLES GRAVES, DB, 6-0, 185, Southeast Raleigh HS/Raleigh, N.C. Graves played safety, cornerback and running back at Southeast Raleigh High School for coach Chad O’Shea. He started his final 35 high school games, and led squad to record of 20-15 during that span. Graves led the 2003 team to the state semifinals and a second place spot in the Eastern Regionals. Career totals include 207 tackles (150 solo) and a school record of 13 interceptions. CHAD HORTON, OL, 6-5, 255, Pope John Paul II/Boca Raton, Fla. A three-year stater at Pope John Paul II for head coach Gene Boley, Horton was named first team All-State Division AA as an offensive tackle this fall. He was selected first team Palm Beach Post All-Area and Sun Sentinel All-County honorable mention, as well as Boca Raton News All-Conference first team. RICHARD JANAGIN, LB/TE, 6-2, 220, Liberty/Bethlehem, Pa. Janagin played linebacker and tight end for head coach Tim Moneman at Liberty High School, where he led team to record of 23-4. He earned first team All-Lehigh Valley Conference honors at linebacker and tight end the last two seasons. JUSTIN JOHNSON, DL, 6-4, 260, General Brown HS/Watertown, N.Y. A standout two-way tackle at General Brown High School for coach Steve Fisher, Johnson led his team to a three-year record of 30-4, including a 9-2 mark last fall. MARTWAIN JOHNSTON, LB/WR, 6-3, 205, Trinity Pawling HS/Pawling, Mass. A receiver with outstanding size who could also play linebacker, Johnston also played strong safety for Trinity Pawling and head coach David Coratti. He led team to 9-0 record this past fall as the team outscored opponents 329-86. As a senior, earned first team All-New England Prep A honors after catching 21 passes for 543 yards (25.0 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns while posting 40 tackles and three interceptions RAYMOND JONES, DL, 6-4 / 260, Woodrow Wilson HS/Sicklerville, N.J. Jones enrolled at UD after graduating from high school this past fall, and will take part in spring drills at Delaware. He earned first team All-South Jersey honors as a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School this past fall as a two-way lineman for head coach Mike McBride. Jones also received All-Area honors by the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Camden Courier Post. MARK MACKEY, WR, 6-4, 210, Central Dauphin/Harrisburg, Pa. A wide receiver with outstanding size, Mackey was a two-year standout at Central Dauphin High School for head coach Paul Plott. He led his team to record of 17-6 over the last two seasons, including a 10-2 record and Mid-Penn Conference title his junior year in 2004. BENARD MAKUMI, LB, 6-1, 198, Lowell/Lowell, Maine. Makumi played linebacker and running back at Lowell for head coach Scott Boyle, and led the team to a four-year record of 30-12. He rushed for over 500 yards and three touchdowns as a running back. SEAN SCANLON, QB, 6-1, 201, Camden Catholic/Cherry Hill, N.J. The only quarterback in 2006 recruiting class for UD, Scanlon was a three-year starter at for head coach Rick Brown this past season at DURELL SOLOMON, LB, 6-1, 215, West Orange/Winter Garden, Fla. A three-year starter at West Orange High School for head coach Tim Smith, Solomon was named third team All-State, second team All-Metro, and first team All-Orange County as a defender in 2005 He posted 110 tackles this fall, including 10 for a loss. As a running back averaged 6.5 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns, and he also posted two sacks, an interception, and a blocked kick. KEVIN UHLL, OL, 6-4, 240, North Penn HS/North Wales, Pa. A standout two-way lineman and deep snapper at North Penn High School for head coach Dick Beck, Uhl led his team to a three-year record of 37-5, including 15-0 mark in 2003. His team captured three straight Suburban One titles and won District I championships in 2003 and 2005. BRIAN VOID, LB, 6-0, 200, Mt. St. Michael Academy/Bronx, N.Y. A three-year starter at Mt. St. Michael Academy for head coach Mario Valentini, Voild was a first team all-league and Daily News All-City selection as a senior. He led the team with 981 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this fall and led the defense, which ranked third in the league, with 92 tackles including 10 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. SCOTT VON DUYKE, DL, 6-3, 220, Tatnall/Newark. UD’s only in-state signee for 2006, Von Duyke was an outstanding two-way lineman at Tatnall School for head coach and former Blue Hen tight end Jody Russell. As a junior had 67 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, while as a senior he had 51 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. ANTHONY WALTERS, DB, 6-1, 183, Cardinal O’Hara/Philadelphia. Walters played quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back at Cardinal O’Hara High School for head coach Dan Algeo, where he led the team to two-year record of 20-4, including the Philadelphia Catholic League title his junior year. He earned numerous awards this fall, including second team All-State, first team All-Catholic, first team All-Delaware County, first team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania, first team All-Delaware County Daily Times, and first team All-City. He was named Catholic League Most Valuable Player and has been selected to play in state’s Big 33 All-Star Game this summer. Article by Jerry Rhodes |
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