Albany State signs nine in first wave of 2012 Class

[Ramese98]

ALBANY — Albany State signed nine promising recruits on Wednesday, including Bainbridge’s Quincy Fortson and Mitchell County’s Grover Stewart.

But if you think head coach Mike White and the ASU coaching staff is done adding to next season’s roster, think again.

“No way are we done,” White said. “No way, no way. We have a lot of work to do. As a matter of fact, we are just getting started.”

And if Wednesday’s signing class is any indication of what is to come, the Rams could have a fruitful offseason after finishing 8-4 in 2011 and qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the eighth straight year.

Along with Fortson and Stewart, the Rams signed Malcom Simpson (DL, Sequoyah High School, Canton), Cedric Ashe (DB, Shaw High School, Columbus), Gerald Farms (OL, Warner Robins High School), Trey Hamilton (RB, Charlton County High School, Folkston), Jabri Menefee (WR, Columbia High School, Decatur) Mials Woodberry (WR, Columbia High School) and Javoris Wilburn (DL, Warren County High School, Warrenton).

“They are some pretty good players,” said White, who will be entering his 13th year as head coach of the Rams. “They are definitely needs that we had. We hope to add more to that number. We were hoping to sign about 13 (Wednesday) afternoon. A few got away, but we are pleased with the guys we got.”

The new class specifically addresses issues at the line of scrimmage, where four of those big-body recruits will help the Rams strengthen both the offensive and defensive lines.

Wilburn and Stewart are a pair of 6-foot-5 defensive linemen weighing in at around 290 pounds, while Simpson is a 6-4, 235-pound defensive lineman.

Farms is the biggest of them all at 6-5 and 320 pounds.

“I like the size and the height of these lineman,” said White, a former NFL defensive lineman. “They are athletic and ready to compete. That’s probably the big thing I like about this group.”

Stewart, who started both ways the last two years for Mitchell County, could have an immediate impact on ASU’s defensive line.

“We were looking at some big guys, and Grover was probably the best looking one,” White said. “We think he will be a really good player for us, 6-5, 290 (pounds) says it all. And he wears it well. He’s a good athlete, and I think he will be a great student-athlete at Albany State.”

Stewart also thinks he will fit in well at ASU.

“When I met with coach White, he talked to me about everything and really made me feel good about going there,” Stewart said. “I really liked him.”

ASU ranked toward the bottom of the conference in passing defense all season, so the additions of Ashe and Fortson are also key. Fortson is a defensive back by trade but was forced into the quarterback position last season at Bainbridge when Steven Bench darted to Cairo. While Fortson will be competing for a spot in the ASU secondary, White is also looking forward to using his diversity in other spots on the field.

“We are leaning to putting Quincy at corner even though he played a lot of different positions,” White said. “He was even a good returner. He’s one of the athletes we are looking to help us in a lot of different positions.”

As White does year after year, he will continue to recruit throughout the offseason, targeting players whose recruitments with FBS or FCS teams don’t work out.

“Division II recruiting is a little different than recruiting in Division I,” White said. “On our level, you are always seeking and looking for the next student athlete who can play for you. You can’t put a time limit on that. During the off season you are very flexible.”

[ASURAMS07]

Albany St. football inks 9 on signing day

By Shayne Wright

        The Albany State football program kicked start its signing period with nine high school athletes from the state of Georgia. 


      Head coach Mike White said  "Our goal for this year was to recruit speed and strength, and players who could make a major impact on the team," White said. "Our staff did a good job of recruiting and we are pleased with our 2012 class. I think we were successful in meeting some of our needs."

        White said he expects to sign more athletes before the April 1 deadline.

 

Name                              Pos., Ht., Wt, Hometown, High School 

Malcolm Simpson           DL, 6-4, 235, Sequoyah HS, Canton, GA

 

Cedric Ashe                    DB, 6-0, 190, Shaw HS, Columbus, GA

 

Gerald Farms                  OL, 6-5, 320, Warner Robins HS, Warner Robins, GA

 

Trey Hamilton                 RB/R, 5-8, 170, Charlton Ct. HS, Folkston, GA

 

Jabri Menefee                 WR, 6-3, 185, Columbia HS, Decatur, GA

 

Mials Woodberry            WR, 6-2, 175, Columbia HS, Decatur, GA

 

Javoris Wilburn              DL, 6-5, 284, Warren Ct. HS, Warrenton, GA

 

Qunicy Fortson              ATH, 5-10, 180, Bainbridge HS, Bainbridge, GA

 

Grover Stewart               DL, 6-5, 290, Mitchell HS, Camilla, GA   

http://www.walb.com/story/16655209/albany-st-football-inks-9-on-signing-day

[Ramese98]

In looking at the recruits and the way team has been morphing over the years, I have noticed we are trying to get more speed and athletic type players verus the past years of extremely large players.

[ASURAMS07]

In looking at the recruits and the way team has been morphing over the years, I have noticed we are trying to get more speed and athletic type players verus the past years of extremely large players.

Ramese, I was thinking the same thing when I looked at the players we signed yesterday. I think White has maybe decided to change up the defense and play more fast and aggressive rather than the old power defense of old. Who knows? 

[Ramese98]

07:

I think we both are right and I am glad to see this change. This is where we are losing the game at against the PWCs and Pass Offense.

[ASURAMS07]

07:

I think we both are right and I am glad to see this change. This is where we are losing the game at against the PWCs and Pass Offense.

Ramese,

Exactly!!! I think we need to pick up a few more DL's and OL's and maybe a few more RBs and DBs. 2 of each will do well for me.

[Golden Ram]

This player Gregg Farms is the real deal. Watched him play 3 yrs. The Demons ran all of their running plays right behind him. He is an outstanding player. The Rams are lucky to get him.

[wsm]

http://www.wtoc.com/story/16664382/beach-star-sign-nli

There were 2 more signings Thursday, the second day of the signing period for football.

At beach high school, Orlando Dixon signed on the dotted line to play football at Albany State. The versatile athlete played both offense and defense for the Bulldogs, but says he expects to play at corner for the Rams. He's excited about the next stage in his life. "It's like a burden off my shoulder because I never thought I would make it to college," said Dixon. "But, I just kept my head on tight. I'm looking at DB. They want me to go to DB, cornerback. They were short on DBs and I told them I would be a good benefit at DBs."

[M.R.S.B. RAM]

Looks like a decent group of HS kids....cant wait to see what type of JUCO and Transfer players White inks

[M.R.S.B. RAM]

CAMILLA --- Mitchell County always turns out some of the top football players in Southwest Georgia and this season was no different as two Eagles signed football scholarships in Camilla on Wednesday afternoon, including two-way lineman Grover Stewart, who is headed for Albany State.

#It was one and done for Stewart, who was a leader on both sides of the line for the Eagles.

#“After I talked to Albany State I didn’t even want to talk to any other colleges,’’ Stewart said. “It was nobody but Albany State.’

#“I like their winning program. I love to win. There are two reasons why I liked Albany State so much. First of all, it’s close to home, and I also have a teammate who is there (Jesse Atkins, who signed with ASU last year out of Mitchell County). I visited the campus and liked everything about it.’’

#There was another reason.

#“They gave me the number 68,’’ Stewart said. “That was the number my father wore when he played football in high school, and my number (at Mitchell County). I wanted that number and coach (Mike) White gave it to me.’’

#Stewart, who will major in criminal justice, started two years on both lines, and was a leader for Mitchell County, which went to the playoffs two season in a row.

#“He graded out about 87 to 88 percent as an offensive lineman and he did a tremendous job on the defensive line,’’ Mitchell County coach Dondrial Pinkins said. “I think he will go on and represent Mitchell County very well.’’

[Maddogfall84]

Looks like a decent group of HS kids....cant wait to see what type of JUCO and Transfer players White inks

The Mike White special.

[Herbie Mac]

Good start.

[wsm]

http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=16698193

[ASURAMS07]

http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=16698193

wsm,

Thanks for the info. Yes!!! We got a catching TE for a change. We will need one with this new QB. He is going to need all the weapons he can get for next season.

[M.R.S.B. RAM]

http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=16698193

wsm,

Thanks for the info. Yes!!! We got a catching TE for a change. We will need one with this new QB. He is going to need all the weapons he can get for next season.

9 times out of 10 we will get a JUCO or transfer that will end up starting at QB.... I cant remember the last time one of our recruits (outta HS) started a game at QB.....Yes I can, that Ransom kid from Monroe and that didint end well.......