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Fobbs Unveils 2008 Recruiting Class
GREENSBORO - Heading into what may be the most important season of his coaching career, Lee Fobbs Jr. realized the need to upgrade the talent level of his football team. After a busy winter, Fobbs may have taken a big step in doing just that, as he unveiled a list of 27 new recruits to his program last week. The announcement was made during the Aggies’ second annual National Signing Day Party on Wednesday, February 6. The event, held in the Alumni Events Center on A&T’s campus, attracted nearly 100 diehard fans who were able to watch video highlights of the new recruits and ask questions to members of the A&T coaching staff. It was by far the largest recruiting class Fobbs has assembled since his arrival in 2006. After back to back winless campaigns, Fobbs knows the Aggies’ rebuilding process must start to pay dividends … and quickly. With the number of veteran players he has coming back, coupled with this year’s impressive crop of incoming talent, he believes the program has finally reached a tipping point. “We were able to come through this (signing period) like we thought we would,” Fobbs said. “With the kids we were able to attract this year and the ones we have returning, good things are definitely ahead for at A&T.” This year’s class was marked by infusion of both speed and bulk, including five wide receivers, six offensive linemen and seven defensive linemen. Last year, A&T didn’t sign any wide receivers and was only able to bring in a total of four linemen. Headlining the incoming receiving corps was Derek Gould, a 6-3, 185 pound wide out from Brown Mills, NJ. Gould reportedly runs a 4.41 in the 40 yard dash and was a two-time All Conference star at Pemberton Township. Other highly-touted receiver recruits include Dudley High School’s Torrian Warren (6-3, 175), the MVP of last year’s 3-AA state championship game, and Fernando White, a 5-9, 165 LB speedster from Charlotte Independence. The Aggies also added depth in the trenches, signing a number of towering behemoths on the offensive and defensive lines. Offensive tackle David Polland from Goldsboro was by far the biggest signee, measuring 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 370 lbs. Fans at the Signing Day Party were wowed by Polland’s workout video which showed him displaying a surprising combination of quickness and agility for a man of his size. Other big men the Aggies have high hopes for include Brenton Walker, a 6-1, 285 LB center from Durham; Brandon Young, a 6-3, 250 LB defensive lineman from Louisville, KY and Isaiah Holland, a 6-5 300 LB offensive tackle from Wilson, NC. A&T offensive line coach Kenneth Ray said his staff targeted a specific type of athlete this year when they recruited lineman . “Pardon my French, but I don’t want any more fat lineman,” Ray said. “We wanted to bring in guys who were tall and lean and had frames that could put on muscle.” Unlike previous seasons, the A&T staff also concentrated more on attracting in-state talent this time around. Of the 29 signees, all but six players were from the state of North Carolina. Two of those out-of-state players came from the junior college ranks and are expected to make immediate contributions. Carlton Fears is a 6-1, 185 lb quarterback who played at Georgia Military College the past two years. He threw for eight touchdowns and just two interceptions last season and is said to possess solid leadership skills. Jerrell Herring (6-2, 260lb) was a standout defensive lineman at Grand Rapids Community College the past two years, finishing his stint there with 55 overall tackles and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. Both players are already on campus and will compete for starting jobs in spring camp. “We signed guys who can help us right away,” Fobbs said. “The biggest surprise is that in addition to getting bigger, we also got faster. I think the speed we attracted is going to make us so much better.” View complete 2008 Recruiting Tracker
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