LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — On football’s Signing Day, Lincoln University football coach O.J. Abanishe is pleased to announce the signing of 15 athletes from six states for the class of 2010.
“Going into this recruiting class, we knew we had the majority of our guys coming back,” Abanishe said. “But we lost several members of the offensive line, so we knew we needed to recruit depth. We also emphasized depth on the defensive line. The other signings are guys we know are going to be major contributors in the future. We feel that this class shows we have the program headed in the proper direction. We expect other signees in the coming days and weeks.”
Ryan Murray, a 6-foot-6 offensive lineman highlights the class. A Philadelphia native, he was most recently at Hargrave after attending Bok High School.
Defensively, linebacker Erick Smith will be an immediate contributor. An Marine with two years of eligibility, he figures to start alongside current LU playmakers Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) and Brucelee Sterile (Miami, Fla./N. Miami Beach).
In just its second year of football since 1960, Lincoln went 3-7 last year, a two-win improvement from the inaugural 2008 campaign. It included major firsts, tallying the first win over an NCAA opponent since 1959 with a route 41-20 of Cheyney as well as the first conference and road win, a 10-0 victory of Livingstone.
Pennsylvania
Gary Brown QB 6-1 175 pounds Erie, Pa./Erie East
Coach Abanishe says: He’s an athletic quarterback that led Erie East High School to its first winning record since 1991. He ran for more than 700 yards and threw for 1,300. He is a dual-threat guy with potential.
Ryan Murray OL 6-6 320 pounds Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave (Bok HS)
Coach Abanishe says: Ryan is a great kid with a ton of ability. He is a definitely a Division I talent. He has the potential to be an All-America candidate.
Erick Smith LB 6-0 210 pounds Conshahocken, Pa./Lackawanna J.C.
Coach Abanishe: The one thing Erick’s going to bring is leadership being a Marine and an older guy. Those are the X-factors that really appealed to us with Erick.
Brandon Terrace OL 6-3 315 pounds Philadelphia, Pa./ West Catholic
Coach Abanishe says: Brandon can come in and compete for our of our guard spots right away. Being a cousin with Ryan Murray, they have a family connection, and that closeness should benefit our offensive line.
Illinois
Deangelo Whitlow FS 6-3 215 pounds Chicago, Ill./Morgan State
Coach Abanishe says: He has NFL-type size for a free safety and plays with intelligence. He will sure up the secondary.
Georgia
Jose Avelar C 6-0 300 pounds Atlanta, Ga./Maynard Jackson
Coach Abanishe says: He’s smart and strong. He can squat more than 500 and bench more than 330. He’s going to add depth along the offensive line.
Autavious Earls DL 6-3 230 pounds Maynard Jackson High
Coach Abanishe says: He’s a speed rusher at the defensive end position. He has a number of different pass-rush moves. His best years should be ahead of him.
Jonathon Gordon DB 6-1 190 pounds Atlanta, Ga./Stone Mountain
Coach Abanishe says: A very versatile player, he can play either wide receiver or corner. We’ll put him where we need him, but we need to get him on the field. He may debut on special teams or in the secondary.
Domineek King OL 6-4 300 pounds Atlanta, Ga./Stone Mountain
Coach Abanishe says: Domineek can compete at a tackle position right away. He excels in pass protection. He gets his hands up and quick steps very well. He also plays with great leverage.
Oscar Simms Ath. 5-11 210 pounds Atlanta, Ga./Maynard Jackson
Coach Abanishe says: Oscar is a quality ball-player. He can play three different positions: linebacker, free safety or corner. He’s a smart, heady guy. He has a lot of power for his size. He can really tackle. We’re excited to see him play.
Florida
Keano Brown OL 6-2 305 pounds Miami, Fla./American
Coach Abanishe says: He has a lot of athletic ability; he’s not just big and strong. He has plenty of agility. He can possibly compete for one of the tackle spots.
Davion Holman DL 6-4 285 pounds Orlando, Fla./Fort Scott J.C.
Coach Abanishe says: He’s a big, athletic defensive lineman that signed with East Carolina two years ago but he’s so athletic that despite his size, he can do a back flip standing up. He should be able to come in right away and play at defensive end.
New York
Bryan Walker Dl 6-4 350 pounds Hempstead, N.Y./Beacon Hill
Coach Abanishe says: He reminds me as a lot of Eugene Lancaster. A big interior defensive lineman, he takes up a lot of space and can contribute right away.
South Carolina
Laverne Bethea DL 6-0 320 pounds Bennettville, S.C./Louisburg J.C.
Coach Abanishe says: He is a powerhouse defensive tackle that can easily bench 400 pounds. He plays low to the ground and frees up the linebackers to run sideline to sideline. We feel he can play well with his former teammate Eugene Lancaster.
Freddie Peterkin OL 6-3 315 pounds Dillon, S.C./Feather River J.C.
Coach Abanishe says: Freddie is a big, athletic offensive lineman out of Feather River in California. He can do a lot of things including pull with power and play with speed and leverage.
— LU —