The complete list of 2011 Football National Letter-of-Intent Signees for Youngstown State is complete. The Penguins added 30 student-athletes today on top of five who enrolled in January.
Tahir Blount
5-10 175 | Cornerback
College Park, Ga. | Westlake
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 28 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups as a junior...three-year letterwinner...coach was Greg Minnis.
Christian Bryan
5-10 170 | Wide Receiver
Irwin, Pa. | Norwin
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team All-Quad South Conference selection as a multi-purpose player...Honorable-Mention All-WesternPAFootball.net Big School Team (Class AAA-Class AAAA)...as a senior, caught 39 passes for 644 and six touchdowns, four which came in one game...averaged 16.5 yards per catch and had a long grab of 71...had 32 rushes for 183 yards, including a long of 62...completed a 62-yard touchdown pass...returned 25 kickoffs for 423 yards and seven punts for 51 yards...on defense, credited with 63 tackles - 38 solos, 25 assists and had 2 interceptions...Knights qualified for WPIAL playoffs...team captain as a senior...was a four-year starter...as a junior was a second-team all-conference selection...part of the Knights squad that was Class A WPIAL Champions and PIAA state runners-up...coach as a senior was Art Tragesser...also played basketball.
Nick Buonavolonta
5-9 190 | Cornerback
Canfield, Ohio | Boardman
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team All-Federal League and second-team Division I All-Northeast Inland District selection as a senior...played running back and cornerback...Boardman posted a 6-4 mark...rushed for 973 yards during the year...second-team All-Federal League and Honorable-Mention Division I All-Northeast Inland District selection as a junior...Spartans reached the Division I Regional Quarterfinals in 2009 going 7-4 on the year...coach was D.J. Ogilvie.
Zach Conlan
6-0 295 | Offensive Lineman
Liberty, Ohio | Ursuline
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Division V All-Ohio selection as a senior...selected to the area's Big 22 by myvalleysports.com...first-team Division V Northeast Inland All-District pick...selected to play for the North in the Ohio North-South Classic this coming April...starter on the offensive line for three straight Division V state championship teams...was a blocker for running back Akise Teague, who was named Ohio's Mr. Football...Ursuline beat Coldwater 51-21 in title game...Irish had 611 total offensive yards, including 492 rushing in title game...team averaged more than 350 yards rushing per game...posted a 15-0 season in 2010...first-team Division I All-Ohio pick as a junior...first-team Division V Northeast Inland All-District pick...Ursuline was 11-3 in 2009, defeating Coldwater 55-25 in the Division V State Championship Game... as a sophomore, Irish posted a 15-0 mark, beating Findlay Liberty-Benton 21-0 in title contest...was a four-year letterwinner...Ursuline lost in state final his freshman year...coach was Dan Reardon.
Kintrell Disher
6-4 200 | Wide Receiver
Orangeburg, S.C. | Orangeburg-Wilkinson
HIGH SCHOOL: AAAA All-State selection as a wide receiver...also a first-team all-area selection...caught 76 passes for 1,278 yards and nine touchdowns...had 13 receptions for 218 yards in season and career finale against North Augusta...represented the South team in the 2010 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association North-South All-Star Game...Bruins were 7-4 in 2010...as a junior, was named AAAA All-State and first-team all-area...set a SCSHL record with 105 receptions for 1,350 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009...in final two campaigns, caught 181 passes for 2,628 yards and 23 touchdowns...coach was Tommy Brown...also played basketball and competed in track and field.
Jeremey Edwards
6-1 210
Junior | Safety
Los Angeles, Calif. | Compton College | Narbonne
JUNIOR COLLEGE: CCCFCA Region VI All-California First-Team selection as an all-purpose player on offense...first-team American Division Mountain Conference selection as an all-purpose player...had 306 yards on 65 carries and scored three touchdowns...completed 36-of-81 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns...caught four passes for 72 yards...credited with 54 total tackles, including 32 solo stops...played quarterback and safety during his career...as a freshman, rushed 33 times for 131 yards and a touchdown...completed 19-of-25 passes for 163 yards and a score...coach was Sean Fernandes.
Brandon Ferguson
6-8 275 | Offensive Lineman
Beloit, Ohio | West Branch
HIGH SCHOOL: As a junior, was an Honorable-Mention all-district and All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference pick...two-way starter on offensive and defensive lines...three-year letterwinner...coach was Bob Altenhof...also played basketball.
Ian Folmar II
6-4 350 | Defensive Lineman
Warren, Ohio | Warren Harding
HIGH SCHOOL: Honorable-Mention Division I All-Northeast Inland District pick as a senior...had 97 pancake blocks playing left guard...credited with 20 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, five pass breakups and three blocked punts..was a two-time All-Trumbull County selection...offense scored at least 35 points in five games...helped the Raiders to an 8-3 mark and a berth in the state playoffs...coach was D.J. Dota.
Demond Hymes
5-9 190 | Tailback
Warren, Ohio | Warren Harding
HIGH SCHOOL: Special-Mention Division I All-Ohio selection...first-team Division I All-Northeast Inland District pick...selected to play for the North in the Ohio North-South Classic this coming April...carried the ball 159 times for 1,209 yards...averaged seven yards per rush...caught 18 passes for 273 yards...averaged 15 yards per catch...scored 18 total touchdowns (16 rushing)...rushed for 348 yards on 37 carries against Massillon...helped the Raiders to an 8-3 mark and a berth in the state playoffs...Honorable-Mention Division I All-Northeast Inland District selection as a junior...coach was D.J. Dota.
Terry Johnson
6-4 200 | Linebacker
Pinellas Park, Fla. | Countryside
HIGH SCHOOL: St. Petersburg Times Pinellas County Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker...named first-team All-Suncoast...a Pinellas County Athletic Conference First-Team selection (North County)...selected to play for the North squad at the Pinellas County All-Star Football Classic...registered 95 tackles (75 solos) and a sack...returned an interception for a touchdown and had two fumble recoveries...also played running back, finishing with 819 yards and 19 touchdowns during the season...Cougars were 12-1 record and trip to the Class 5A Region 2 Finals, losing to Plant...rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries and scored both touchdowns in game...also made a spectacular fourth-down stop on Plant running back James Wilder, one of the top seniors in the nation in 2010, in the playoffs...the 12 wins set a school record...member of first Countryside senior class to make consecutive trips to the regional finals...posted school's first-ever undefeated regular season in 2010...prior to the season was named as one of Florida's top 25 inside linebackers...coach was Jared Davis.
Markuah 'Emmanuel' Kromah
6-1 235 | Defensive End
Trenton, N.J. | Hamilton West
HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team All-Group 3 All-New Jersey selection as an offensive lineman...named the Colonial Valley Conference Football Lineman of the Year, receiving the Falzone Memorial award...first-team West Jersey Football League Valley Division selection...first-team South Jersey selection as an offensive lineman...was a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines...often played the entire game on both sides of the football...had nine sacks and averaged 10 tackles per game...started at right tackle...forced a fumble and returned it 31 yards return for a touchdown in win over Steinert...blocked for a running back who rushed for more than 1,300 yards...Hornets were 8-3 and advanced to the playoffs for first time in four years...was a captain as a senior...three-year letterwinner...coach was Tom Hoglen...also competed in track and field, throwing the discus and shot put.
Jordan Markota
6-2 215 | Linebacker
Girard, Ohio | Ursuline
HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team Division I All-Ohio selection...first-team Division V All-Northeast Inland District pick...played linebacker and tight end...Ursuline beat Coldwater 51-21 in title game, capping a 15-0 season in 2010...had five total tackles and two pass breakups in title game...Ursuline was 11-3 in 2009, defeating Coldwater 55-25 in the Division V State Championship Game...was a two-year starter and three-time letterwinner...as a sophomore, Irish posted a 15-0 mark, beating Findlay Liberty-Benton 21-0 in title contest...coach was Dan Reardon.
Jimmy May Jr.
6-0 170 | Safety
Warren, Ohio | Warren Harding
HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team All-Trumbull County selection...played wide receiver and defensive back for the Raiders...helped the Raiders to an 8-3 mark and a berth in the state playoffs...coach was D.J. Dota.
Aaron Morgan
6-4 215
Junior | Linebacker
Los Angeles, Calif. | LA Southwest College | Santee
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Unanimous selection as the American Division Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the Southern California Football Association...was a Region VI All-California first-team selection...first-team all-conference pick...totaled 70 tackles (49 solos)...had 9.5 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions as a sophomore...coach was Henry Washington.
Eric Myers
6-3 235 | Defensive End
Wooster, Ohio | Triway
HIGH SCHOOL: Special-Mention Division IV All-Ohio selection...First-team Division IV All-Northeast Inland District pick...first-team All-PAC 7 selection as a lineman...named All-Daily Record...as a junior was also a special-mention all-state pick and first-team Division IV All-Northeast Inland District honoree...played offensive and defensive tackle...blocker for a quarterback that threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 2010 and had more than 6,300 in career...Titans finished 8-3 in 2009 and 10, falling in the first round of the playoffs each year...was part of three straight teams to appear in the postseason for the first time in school history...also won final 16 home games...coach was Tony Lee.
Dante Nania
6-0 195 | Quarterback
Greensburg, Pa. | Hempfield Area
HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fab 22 team for the East Zone and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Terrific 25 for the Greensburg area...earned first-team all-conference honors...as a senior, threw for 1,512 yards and 15 touchdowns...completed 101-of-201 attempts...finished the regular season ninth in the WPIAL in passing yards... honorable-mention All-WesternPAFootball.net Big School Team (Class AAA-Class AAAA)...threw for 978 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior...coach Greg Meisner...is also a standout wrestler.
Blake Novotny
6-2 215 | Defensive End
Hubbard, Ohio | Hubbard
HIGH SCHOOL: A Division III All-Ohio second-team selection as a linebacker...a first-team Division III All-Northeast Inland District pick...also played fullback...Eagles were 8-3 and reached the state playoffs in 2010...Honorable-Mention D-III All-Northeast Inland District selection as a junior...had 158 tackles, 14 for losses and eight sacks in 2009...four-year letterwinner...coach was Brian Hoffman.
Dubem Nwadiogbu
6-2 215 | Linebacker
Lawrenceville, Ga. | Peachtree Ridge
HIGH SCHOOL: Played linebacker, defensive end, safety, fullback and running back as a senior...selected to the Gwinnett County All-Star team...earned the county's Cecil Morris Award...was a two-way starter as a senior...as a junior was three-time athlete of the week and two-time Special Teams Player of the Week...Lions reached state 5A quarterfinals in 2009 and was the runners-up in 2010...was a three-year letterwinner...coach was Bill Ballard...nickname is Bam Bam...sister Tori is a member of the track and field squad at Auburn.
Luis Quinones
6-3 245
Junior | Defensive End
Gardena, Calif. | West LA College | Lynwood
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Second-team American Division Pacific Conference selection by the Southern California Football Association...as a sophomore had 48 tackles (22 solos) in 10 games played...credited with 17.5 tackles for losses, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles...had two interceptions, returning one for a score...also returned a fumble 39 yards for a touchdown...coach was Marguet Miller.
Davion Rogers
6-6 215 | Linebacker
Warren, Ohio | Warren Harding
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned Division I Honorable-Mention All-Northeast Inland District honors as a senior in 2009...recorded 55 tackles, eight sacks, one interception and five fumble recoveries...posted 60 tackles, 14 TFLs, four sacks and seven pass breakups as a junior...three-star recruit and the No. 19 prospect in the state of Ohio according to Rivals.com...listed as the No. 28 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com...three-star and the nation's 101st outside linebacker recruit according to scout.com...rated as the No. 113 overall prospect in the Midwest by SuperPrep...three-star and the nation's No. 29 outside linebacker according to Scouts, Inc...coach was D.J. Dota...orginially attended Michigan in fall of 2010.
Aronde Stanton
6-2 290
Junior | Defensive End
Detroit, Mich. | Grand Rapids CC | Martin Luther King
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Credited with 56 total tackles, including 20 solo stops...had 12 tackles for losses, including eight sacks...had two sacks on three occasions...had three interceptions...returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Joliet (25 and 24 yards) in the first quarter...also had six tackles and a forced fumble to receive National Junior College Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Week honors...Raiders appeared in the Mississippi Bowl and posted a 10-2 mark for the campaign...finished eighth in the final NJCAA rankings...in 2009, team was 9-2 and won Midwest Conference East Division...played in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl that season...coach was Tony Annese.
Trevor Strickland
6-6 245 | Defensive Tackle
Clyde, Ohio | Clyde
HIGH SCHOOL: A third-team Division III All-Ohio selection...first-team Division III All-Northwest District selection and All-Sandusky Bay Conference pick...selected to play for the North in the Ohio North-South Classic this coming April...as a senior, was credited with 82 tackles and 12.5 sacks...blocked three kicks, forced a fumble and had four pass breakups...also caught four passes for 25 yards...led the Fliers to a 10-2 record...defense posted four shutouts and allowed 101 points in the regular season...lost to Tiffin Columbian in Division III regional finals...didn't play football as a junior...named all-academic...placed sixth at state Wrestling Championships as a junior at 215 pounds...currently top-ranked heavyweight wrestler in Ohio.
Andre Stubbs
5-6 155 | Wide Receiver
Maple Heights, Ohio | Maple Heights
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Division II All-Ohio selection as a wide receiver...caught 61 passes for 1,083 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior...averaged 17.8 yards per catch as a slot receiver...had 39 rushes for 503 yards and six touchdowns...Mustangs won the 2010 Division II State Championship, beating Trotwood-Madison 45-33...in title game, caught seven passes for 170 yards and two scores...had TD grabs of 80 and 11 yards...Maple Heights was 14-1 on the year...lost to Cincinnati Winton Woods in 2009 title game to finish season 12-3...started 41 games in three seasons...three-year letterwinner...coach was Todd Filtz.
Sir Aaron Taylor
6-0 215
Junior | Safety
Carmel, N.Y. | Alfred State | Lincoln Hall
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Second-Team All-NJCAA selection...first-team All-Northeast Football Conference pick...as a sophomore, led the Pioneers with 63 tackles in 10 games...had 36 solos stops, five interceptions and four tackles for losses...returned 19 kicks (punts and kickoffs) for 379 yards and two touchdowns...on offense, rushed for 140 yards on 33 carries and scored two touchdowns...named NFC and NJCAA special teams player of the week against Apprentice...returned the opening kickoff of the second half 86 yards and had 97 return yards for the game...also had five tackles, three pass breakups and an interception in the game...recorded 52 tackles (32 solo), one sack, and picked off three passes, returning one 85 yards for a score, as a freshman...rushed for 250 yards and three scores and passed for 423 yards and four scores...coach was Mick Caba.
Brandon Thomas
5-10 180 | Wide Receiver
Cameron, S.C. | Calhoun County
HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team all-area selection...as a senior, had 950 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns...also rushed for 650 yards and 11 touchdowns...on defense had 35 tackles with five interceptions as a defensive back...was the focal point at quarterback of the team's "Wildcat" formation...finished the 2010 season with a 9-3 mark, losing to eventual state champion Abbeville in Class A Division I quarterfinals...coach was Walt Wilson.
Mike Thomas
5-10 170 | Cornerback
Youngstown, Ohio | East
HIGH SCHOOL: Special-Mention Division II All-Ohio selection...first-team Division II All-Northeast Inland District selection as a wide receiver...as a junior, had 700 yards receiving...coach was Brian Shaner.
Andrew Williams
6-2 170 | Wide Receiver
Bowman, S.C. | Bethune-Bowman
HIGH SCHOOL: All-Area second-team selection as a wide receiver...caught 50 passes for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns...Mohawks advanced to state playoffs for first time since 2007...also played safety...coach was Glynn Darby...also a standout basketball player.
Teven Williams
6-0 210 | Linebacker
Huber Heights, Ohio | Wayne
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team All-GWOC selection at linebacker...Special-Mention Division I All-Southwest District pick...first-team all-region selection...credited with 176 tackles which not only led the team, it was first in the league...returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown against Centerville...helped lead Wayne to Division I state final where it lost 35-28 to Lakewood St. Edward...Wayne posted an 11-4 mark for the season...had 10 tackles in state title game...named team Defensive MVP...coach was Jay Minton.
Justin Yuran
6-1 225 | Linebacker/Long Snapper
Sharon, Pa. | Sharon
HIGH SCHOOL: District 10 all-star selection...first-team 2010 All-WesternPAFootball.net Small School Team (Class A-Class AA)...had 190 tackles, averaging nearly 15 stops per game...Tigers were 11-3 in 2010, losing to Forest Hills in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AA playoffs...won the District 10 Championship...in 2009, Sharon was 10-3 overall, falling to Wilmington in the district finals...coach was Bob Fromm...also a standout wrestler.
Steve Zaborsky
6-2 240 | Defensive End
Mineral Ridge, Ohio | Austintown Fitch
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Division I All-Ohio selection as an offensive lineman...first-team Division I All-Northeast Inland District selection as an offensive lineman...first-team All-Federal League selection...named one of the local Five Blocks of Granite by MyValleySports.com...graded out at 87 percent on offense with 11 pancake blocks...also recorded 30 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery and also scored a touchdown on defense...handled punting duties as well...helped lead the Falcons to a 10-2 record...Austintown Fitch reached the Regional Semifinals...named to the Academic All-Ohio Football team...coach was Phil Annarella.
These Five Players joined the YSU program in January.
David Brown
5-10 170
Junior | Placekicker
Ojai, Calif. | Ventura CC | Nordhoff
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Ranked as the 17th-best placekicker by Chris Sailer (chrissailerkicking.com) for class of 2011...is ranked as the No. 2 junior college kicker for the class of 2011...second-team All-Northern Conference selection in 2010...was 34-of-38 on PAT attempts and 8-of-16 on field-goal tries...scored 58 points, second most on the squad...had a long make of 47 and a long attempt of 51...had 57 kickoffs for an average of 56.8 yards...had four solo tackles...coach was Steve Mooshagian...originally attended San Diego State out of high school, where he redshirted in 2008.
Nick DeKraker
6-3 255
Junior | Defensive End
Marne, Mich. | Grand Rapids CC | Coopersville
JUNIOR COLLEGE: First-Team All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference selection in 2010...NJCAA All-Region IV selection...credited with more than 70 tackles, including 13 for losses and four sacks...had at least one tackle for loss in nine games...Raiders appeared in the Mississippi Bowl and posted a 10-2 mark for the campaign...finished eighth in the final NJCAA rankings...served as a team captain...in 2009, team was 9-2 and won Midwest Conference East Division...played in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl that season...coach was Tony Annese.
Josh Fenderson
6-2 250
Junior | Defensive Lineman
Detroit, Mich. | Rochester CTC | Henry Ford
JUNIOR COLLEGE: First-Team All-Minnesota College Athletic Conference All-Division selection in 2010...had 35 total tackles, including 10.5 for 65 yards in losses...of the 10 TFLs, six were sacks...the Yellowjackets won State Playoffs, posting 10-2 mark...played in North Star Bowl against Iowa Central...finished 17th in final NJCAA rankings...coach was Brad LaPlante.
Lamar Mady
6-4 325
Junior | Offensive Lineman
Topeka, Kan. | Butler County CC | Topeka
JUNIOR COLLEGE: First-Team All-Jayhawk Conference selection in 2010...was a first-team All-Region VI selection...started all 12 games at right guard in 2010...Grizzlies posted an 11-1 mark and played in NJCAA National Championship Game...lost 13-12 in title game to Navarro...finished No. 2 in final polls...team was Jayhawk Conference champs finishing 7-0...team averaged 47 points per game in league play...Grizzlies scored at least 31 points on eight occasions and averaged 38 per game for the season...offense averaged 373 yards per game and set school mark with 32 touchdown passes in a season...as a freshman, started final six games at right tackle...coach was Troy Morrell...attended same junior college as current YSU men's basketball player DuShawn Brooks.
Mark Pratt
6-3 325
Junior | Offensive Lineman
Tooele, Utah | Snow JC | Tooele
JUNIOR COLLEGE: First-Team All-Western States Football League selection as an offensive lineman/center in 2010...Snow finished 10-2, winning a conference championship...Snow defeated Iowa Western 48-36 in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl to end campaign and finished ranked seventh in the country...was part of an offense that averaged 43 points per game and scored at least 31 points on nine occasions...was a member of the squad in 2007 before going on a mission during 2008 and 2009 seasons...coach was Steve Coburn.
