FOOTBALL: SIGNING DAY UPDATE

Looking to build on last year's sucess, the Concord football coaching staff has announced its 2012 recruiting class.

Concord went 7-4 in 2011, 7-1 in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, winning the league title for the first time in 21 years.  The Mountain Lions qualified for the NCAA Super Region 1 playoffs -- their first post-season trip since 1992.

Head coach Garin Justice, going into his second season in Athens, says last year's success has helped Concord in this year's recruiting effort.

“Before, a lot of our recruiting battles were against local and state schools.  We still have those battles, but more and more we're starting to see Concord and some I-AA schools," Justice said.  "That means you're getting a better quality of athlete.  We're still recruiting against Division II schools, and we're still losing to some Division II schools.  But you can tell the better quality of players we're getting by the schools we're going against.”

The incoming class will grow as the newest Mountain Lions submit their National Letters of Intent.  Keep checking cumountainlions.com for updates.


UPDATED:  11:45 am, 3 February 2012


JOHN BAILEY
Coalwood, WV / River View HS
5-8 180 RB/LB

Bailey played for Mitchell Estep at the new River View High School, and joins Raiders teammate Leshon Benton in Concord's incoming class. He plans on majoring in accounting and would like to work in West Virginia to give back to the state. 
“After visiting Concord, I felt a great relationship with the staff.  I think Concord will help me grow as a football player and a person.”



LESHON BENTON
Berwind, WV / River View HS
6-4 215 WR/DE

Benton comes to CU with high school teammate John Bailey, after both played for Mitchell Estpep at River View.  Benton was named 1st Team All State and 1st Team All Area / Coalfield Conference in 2011rst season. 
After college he plans to start a career and raise a family.  Benton chose concord because it's a “great football program with a great coaching staff.  I really felt at home in Athens.  Plus, it's close to home so my family can watch on Saturday.”


NIGEE BREHON
Norfolk, VA / Booker T. Washington HS
6-1 170 DB

Brehon joins a CU back seven that grabbed a WVIAC-best 21 interceptions last season.  His high school career, playing for Che Jacobs at Booker T. Washington, included 1st Team All-Eastern District accolades.  He's currently undecided on a major but future plans include success.  Brehon chose Concord because “It's the best choice for me.”
HIGHLIGHTS



THOMAS BURK
Willilamsport, PA / Willamsport HS / Lackawanna College
6-2 260 TE

Burk moves to Concord a stint in junior college and joins a wide-open race for playing time at tight end.  He played in high school for head coach Tom Girovish, with Mark Duda as his head coach at Lackawanna.
Burk was 1st Team All-Northeastern Conference and and East-West Pennsylvania All-Star.
He plans to major in communications and pursue a career as a sports broadcaster.  He chose Concord because it offers him a "better learning" environment.
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AUSTIN DOTSON
Pound, VA / Clintwood HS
6-1 250 FB/LB

Playing for Rick Mullins at Clintwood High School, Dotson was All-District, All-Region and All-State.  Dotson also won All-District and All-Region player of the year awards.
He's undecided on a major but definitely knows he wants to become a coach one day.  Dotson chose Concord because it's a “nice campus and I will have the opportunity to play on an up-and-coming team.




Scott Depot, WV
5-10 175 PK

Ellington plans on majoring in Business and Marketing at CU, with hopes for a career in marketing with a large US-based company. 
“I chose to play for Concord because the Mountain Lions are in need of a place kicker in the fall of 2012 and I would have the opportunity to immediately play for the defending 2011 WVIAC Champions.  Although I didn't verbally commit until late January, Coach (John) Pennington began recruiting me back in early October of 2011 and Coach Justice gave me a written offer in late October of 2011, both of which have a great reputation and proven record of success.  On top of that, Concord University has an outstanding business curriculum!” 
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JONATHAN HAGINS
Roanoke, VA / William Fleming HS
6-2 205 LB

Hagins joins the Mountain Lions after a high school career that ended with back-to-back seasons as 1st Team All-District, 2nd Team All-Timesland and team MVP playing for Lee Johnson at Fleming.
He's yet to declare a major but plans to be successful in whatever career he chooses.
Hagins decided on Concord because it's a “small college where I can get a good education and play football.”




ANDREW HUSKA
Ford City, PA / Ford City HS
5-8 160 K/P

Huska was an all-conference performer as a sophomore, and earned All-State recogntion as a kicker and a punter as a junior and a senior playing for John Bartolovic at Ford City.  He plans to major in physical education.
Huska chose Concord because it has a "great campus, and I was looking for somewhere outside Pennsylvania.  The coaches are very down to earth, which makes you feel at home."





LOGAN JENKINS
Martinsburg, WV / Martinsburg HS
6-0 215 LB

Jenkins excelled for the Bulldogs and head coach Dave Walker. He was the West Virginia AAA All-State Defense team captain, the winner of the Sam Huff Award as the state's defensive player of the year, 1st Team All-Potomac Valley Conference and a member of the Martinsburg Journal's All-Area team.
He plans to major in accounting at Concord and to attend law school after graduation.
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CALVINAUGH JONES
Fort George Meade, MD / Mead HS
5-6 185 RB

Jones set the Mead High School rushing record with 2700 yards, playing for head coach Rich Helzer.  Jones was 1st Team All-County twice, 1st Team All Met and 2nd Team All State.  He was also an Elite Eight recipient and 1st Team Capital and Baltimore Sun.  Jones plans on majoring in physical therapy while at CU.  He chose Concord because it was the “best offer and the staff are friendly and good.” 
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AARON LAW
Monaca, PA / Central Valley HS
5-11 200 SS/RB

Law has succeeded on both sides of the ball, and was a unanimous 1st Team all-conference selection as a running back playing for Mark Lyons in high school.  He's undecided on a major, and says he chose Concord because "I like the players, coaches and atmosphere."
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JUSTIN LYLES
Hampton, VA / Phoebus HS
5-10 220 ILB

Lyles joins a CU defense that was among the best in the WVIAC last year, and comes to CU with All District, All Region, and All-State credentials while playing for Stan Sexton at Phoebus HS.  He was all named USA Today's 2nd Team All American.
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Shinnston, WV / Lincoln HS
6-4 275 OL

McDougal earned 1st Team All-Harrison County and 1st Team All-Big 10 honors during his high school career, playing for Robert Herrod at Lincoln.  He comes to CU with high school teammate Frank Wright.
McDougal plans on becoming a teacher once he's graduated.  He chose Concord because “I like the staff and campus.”




DA'VON McGILL
Landover, MD / Bladensburg HS
6-2½ 200 WR/FS

McGill earned all-state honors as a safety playing for Derek Tyler at Bladensburg HS.  He plans to major in communications at CU and hopes to play in the NFL; otherwise, he'll pursue a career in his chosen field. after graduation.  He joins high school teammate Brandon Rivers at CU.
McGill says “I chose Concord because they never gave up on me even through my injury.  When I visit I enjoyed myself and the coaches showed great interest.  Every coach knew who I was when I first walked through the room!  So I am looking forward to being a Mountain Lion!”
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TONY MILLER
Gretna, VA / Gretna HS
6-1 210 LB/RB

Miller was a key player in Gretna's run to a state championship in 2011 under head coach Kevin Saunders.  In 2010, Miller was an All-District Utility Player and All-Region Kick Returner.  As a senior, he received All-Region Offensive Player of the Year, All-Region Linebacker, All-State Offense and Defense, All-District Offense and Defense, Max Preps All-American and Virginia Preps Single A Player of the Year.  He plans on majoring in Business at Concord.  Tony became a Mountain Lion because he “likes the coaches and the environment there.”
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DEANDRE MOON
Rochester, PA / Rochester HS
5-10 210 RB

Moon played for Gene Matsook at Rochester HS and hopes his playing career extends beyond college – he aspires to reach the NFL.  Moon says he decided to come to Concord “to win a National Championship.”
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BRIAN NOVAK
College Park, MD / Bishop Sullivan HS
6-1 200 QB

Novak earned All-State and All-TCIS honors playing for Rick Cox at Bishop Sullivan.  He'll major in sports management or physical education at Concord and hopes to pursue a career as a college football coach.
Novak says he chose Concord because of its “outstanding coaching staff.”
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COLEMAN OSBORNE
Gretna, VA / Gretna HS
6-4 250 OL/DL

Osborne was All-District, All-Region and All-State 2009-2011 and ended his high school career as a two-time District Lineman of the Year while playing for Kevin Sanders at Gretna.  He's undecided on his major as a Mountain Lion.  Osborne says he chose Concord because he “likes the coaches, the teachers, and the players.”





NATHANIAL PAULEY
St. Albans, WV / St. Albans HS
6-2 225 OL/DL

Pauley captained the Red Dragons and earned all-conference recognition while playing for Derek Christian at St. Albans.  He plans to major in pre-physical therapy at Concord and pursue a career in the field. 
Pauley says he chose Concord “because of the quality football program and the pre-physical therapy major … a top-notch academic program tied together with football to ensure that players succeed all year.”






Dayton, OH / Wayne HS / Air Force Academy
6-1 249 DE

Pyle joins the Mountain Lions after a high school career playing for Jay Minton at Wayne HS and a stint at the Air Force Academy under head coach Troy Calhoun.
He'll major in accounting with plans to earning his CPA.
Pyle matter-of-factly says he chose to come to Concord to "win football games."



BRANDON RIVERS
Landover, MD / Bladensburg HS
5-8 185 OLB
Rivers was an honor roll student at BHS, playing for head coach Derek Tyler.  He plans to major in psychology at Concord and to pursue a career as a child psychologist.  Rivers joins high school teammate Da'von McGill at CU.
Rivers says he chose Concord for its “good academic program.  The players are good people.  It's a great fit for me to focus on school and football.”
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Portsmouth, VA / Norfolk Christian School
5-9 180 RB

Robins brings a long list of accolades to Concord after playing for Heath Gibbs in high school.  He was All-Eastern District (2009-2011), Team MVP (2010, 2011), All District Team RB (2010, 2011), Offensive MVP (2011), TCIS Player of the Year (2011), All State RB/DB (2011), and Team Captain (2010-2012).  He completed his HS career with 3615 rushing yards, 715 receiving, and 44 touchdowns. 
Robins will major in sports management.  Upon graduation, Robins would like to become and athletic director and open a sports facility.  “Concord is a great fit for me, athletically, academically, and socially.”
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PAUL SMITH
Roanoke, VA / North Cross School
6-5 265 DE

Smith racked up awards in his last two high school seasons playing for Stephen Alexander at North Cross.  Smith was 1st Team All-State in 2011 and 2nd Team in 2010.  He earned 1st team all-conference those two years, and was a 1st Team All-Timesland selection as a senior.
Smith is undecided about a major.
Smith says he chose Concord for its “great atmosphere and great family feel.”
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DEREK TAITANO
Virginia Beach, VA / Bayside HS
6-1 285 NT

Taitano earned All-State, All-Tidewater and All-Beach honors playing for Darnell Moore at Bayside HS.
He plans to major in social work and pursue a career as a social worker after graduation.
Taitano says he chose Concord "because I felt like it was a good fit for me.  I really liked what they had to offer."
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DERRIL THOMAS
Ashburn, VA / Broad Run HS
5-10 170 WR/RB

During Derril's high school career, playing for Matthew Griffis, he was named 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-Region honors.  Thomas has aspirations to become a personal trainer once he has graduated from Concord.
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Point Pleasant, WV / Point Pleasant HS
6-1 180 WR

Toler accumulated many honors while playing for David Dorst at Point Pleasant.  As a wide receiver for Point Pleasant High School, Toler gained many accolades including most receiving yards and touch downs in a season.  He 1st Team All-Conference and 2nd Team All-State in 2011, after earning 2nd Team all-conference honors the year before.  He was an Academic All-Conference performer all four years of high school.
Toler plans on majoring in Athletic Training and work as an AT while continuing his education to become a physical therapist.  He chose Concord because he was “impressed with the academic programs and excited about the direction the football team is heading.”
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SHAUN WORKINGER
Greensboro, NC / Page HS
5-11 235 RB

Workinger was All-Conference, 2nd Team All-Area and All-950 Player of the Game honoree, playing for Kevin Gillispie at Page HS.   Workinger was part of a defense that ranked #1 in North Carolina, as the Pirates won the 2011 4AA state championship.  He was Offensive MVP of the title game.
He plans on majoring in sports medicine and business.  Workinger chose Concord because of the “football program, size, and academics.”






FRANK WRIGHT
Shinnston, WV / Lincoln HS
6-3 270 OL

Wright earned 1st-Team All-State honors, and was All County and All-Big Ten while playing for Robert Herrod at Lincoln.  He'll join high school teammate David McDougal at Concord.
As a student at CU he's planning on majoring in Biology to become a Wildlife Biologist.  Frank chose Concord because “I liked the campus and the location.”
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SAM WRIGHT
Roanoke, VA / Cave Spring HS
5-11 195 RB

Wright was All-District all four years playing for Tim Fulton in high school and was All-Region 2010-2012.  The Roanoke Times named him its Offensive Player of the Year after his senior season.  Sam was also the District Offensive Player of the Year and the AA All-State Player of the Year. 
He plans to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism at CU with hopes to work as a sports analyst or broadcaster.  He chose to become a Mountain Lion because it's a “perfect fit for my priorities.”
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Concord is expected to announce its 2012 schedule in March.