Feb. 7, 2007
VILLANOVA, Pa. - With the early signing period complete for the current year, Villanova head coach Andy Talley has announced the signing of 16 scholastic players to National Letters of Intent. Each of the signed players is expected to enroll in the University for the 2007-08 academic year. This year's recruiting class for the Wildcats includes eight offensive players and eight on the defensive end.
Seven different players from the group of 16 are from New Jersey, the most among the group. The signing class also includes four players from Pennsylvania, one from Connecticut and one each from California, Georgia, New York and Ohio.
On the offensive end, Villanova added three offensive linemen and two wide receivers in addition to a pair of running backs and one quarterback. Defensively, the Wildcats signed three defensive backs and three linebackers, in addition to a safety and a defensive lineman.
Following are profiles of each of the 16 players signed to NLIs.
Louis Adeyemi (RB, 5-11/205, Los Angeles, Calif./Santa Monica)
2006 Max Preps CIF Top 20 Rusher
2006 Max Preps Top 25 California Rushing State Leader
2006 Football Dale Dehnky Award
First Team CIF Ocean League
Holds school record for most touchdowns scored in a freshman season
Ryan Bennett (OL, 6-5/280, Somerville, N.J./Immaculata)
First team All-League and All-County
New Jersey Top 100
Team Captain
Brant Clouser (OL, 6-3, Altoona, Pa./Altoona)
First team All-State and All-Region
Earned first team All-Conference accolades on both offense and defense
First team All-Academic squad
Played in the East-West All-Star Game
John Dempsey (S, 6-0/205, Secane, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara)
Received All-Catholic honors as a running back three times
Senior captain
Nominated to Big 33 Game and US Army All-American Bowl
Chosen for East-West All-Star Game
Benjamin Ijalana (OL, 6-5/290, Hainesport, N.J./Rancocas Valley)
First team All-County
Second team All-Conference, All-Area and All-South Jersey
Mini Max Award Winner
Anthony Johnson (LB, 5-10/215, Atlanta, Ga./Grady)
All-City First Team defense
Team captain
Listed in Who's Who Among High School Students
Wendy's Heisman Nominee
Marquis Kirkland (LB, 6-1/225, Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger)
First team All-League, All-Central New York and All-State
All-American Nominee
Nominated to play in the Governors' Bowl (New York vs. New Jersey)
Fred Maldonado (DB, 5-11, West Chester, Pa./West Chester East)
First team All-Chester-Montgomery as a kicker, running back and defensive back
First team All-Area and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania as defensive back
Daily Local News 2006 Player of the Year
2006 Maxwell Club Mini-Max recipient
2006 Chester County Male Athlete of the Year
Dom Scarnecchia (DB, 5-10/190, Youngstown, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney)
Named to All-State, All-Northeast Ohio and All-Steel Valley Conference squads
Winner of the Curbstone Coaches Award
Matt Szczur (WR, 5-11/190, Erma, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional)
First team Cape Atlantic League at quarterback
First team All-South Jersey as a defensive back
Atlantic City Press All-Area defensive back
2006 Maxwell Football Club Nominee
Two-time Gazette Leader Player of the Year
Team captain
Terence Thomas (LB, 6-0/225, Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrenceville School)
First team All-Prep, All-Prep State and All-Conference selection
Leading tackler on team
Team captain
Shaquan Virgil (DB, 6-0/190, Bordentown, N.J./Florence Township Memorial)
First team All-Conference, All-County and All-Area as a linebacker
County Defensive Player of the Year
First team All-South Jersey and All-State as a linebacker
Nominated to play in Governors' Bowl (New York vs. New Jersey)
Nominated to play in New Jersey North-South Game
Florence Flashes Player of the Year
Thomas Weaver (DL, 6-2/270, Irvington, N.J./Irvington)
First team All-League and All-County
Chosen first team All-State and All-Area
Named the Top Lineman in the Area
Watchung Conference Defensive Player of the Year
Team captain
Richard White (RB, 5-9/200, Atlantic City, N.J./St. Joseph's Prep)
First team All-South Jersey defensive back and All-State running back
Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club Scholar-Athlete
First team All-Atlantic City Press and All-Cape Atlantic League
Invited as a running back to play in Governors' Bowl (New York vs. New Jersey)
Christopher Whitney (QB, 6-3/220, Warminster, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep)
First team All-Catholic League both offensively and defensively
Red Division MVP
Daily News first team (offense and defense)
First team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania as an offensive player
Garnered All-State accolades
Maxwell Club Award recipient
Selected to the All-American Defense East vs. West (Orlando, Fla.)
Selected to Big 33 Game (offense)
Tex Flannery Scholar-Athlete
Team MVP
Terrell Wilks (WR, 6-2/180, New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse)
First team All-League, All-County and All-State
League Offensive Player of the Year
Team captain
