BRYANT FOOTBALL SIGNS 27 TO NLI WEDNESDAY

February 3, 2010

BRYANT UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SIGNS 27 STUDENT-ATHLETES TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Bryant University football coach Marty Fine is pleased to announce the signing of 27 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to enroll and participate in intercollegiate football at the school this fall.  The Class of 2014 includes student-athletes from nine different states and features a balance of 12 offensive and 15 defensive players, 10 of whom are defensive linemen or linebackers.   

John Abutu of Meriden, Conn. signs a national letter of intent Wednesday with Bryant University.

  "We are very pleased to welcome these 27 young men to Bryant University and the Bulldog football program," said Fine.  "They are all exceptional student-athletes who will be outstanding ambassadors of our program in the classroom, the community and on the football field as we look to continue to compete against the very best of Division I."

Fine, now in his seventh season at Bryant, returns 12 starters from last year's squad but the Bulldogs will need to replace six starters on a defense that ranked first in the Northeast Conference in scoring defense and second in pass defense.

This year's recruiting class features a strong balance of defensive talent in four linebackers, three defensive backs and five defensive linemen, including local products Douglas Flink (Auburn, Mass.) and Maduka Nwanekezi (Milton, Mass.).

Offensively, Bryant signed three quarterbacks, four receivers, four offensive linemen, one tight end and 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back Michael Perry (Dunmore, Pa.), the all-time career rushing leader at Dunmore High School with 6,661 yards and 93 touchdowns. 

John Abutu     LB, 6-2, 195 , Meriden, Conn. / Woodberry Forest (Va.)
High School:  Starting defensive back and linebacker for coach Clinton Alexander at Woodberry Forest prep in Virginia ... Had 55 total tackles as a senior, averaging 7.1 tackles per game ... Team went 8-1 in each of the last two seasons and won the Virginia Prep League championship both years ... Lettered in football, basketball and track and participated in junior varsity lacrosse as a freshman ... Magna Cum Laude National Latin I exam.  Personal: Son of John and Janice Abutu ... Born August 8, 1992 in Meriden, Conn. ... One sister Jennie ... Intends to major in Business Finance at Bryant. 

Charles Argast                               DL, 6-3, 275, Mount Kisko, N.Y. / Fordham Prep/Worcester Acad
High School: Two-year starter at graduate of Fordham Prep ... 2008 Senior Bowl participant and named Team Defensive MVP ... Team Captain ... Earned NYCHSFL All-Conference honors at Fordham Prep and participated in the 2009 Boomer Esiason Empire Challenge ...  Attended Worcester Academy (Mass.)  as a post-graduate where he was an offensive tackle and defensive end for coach David Dykeman in 2009
Personal:  Son of Edward and Jane Argast ... Born September 23, 1991 in Hamilton, N.Y. ... Has three brothers, Daniel, Patrick and John and one sister, Deirdre ... Father is the offensive line coach at Columbia.

Patrick Basil                           DL, 6-0, 255         Huntington, N.Y. / St. Anthony's
High School: Two-year starting defensive tackle for coach Rich Reichert at St. Anthony's ... Team went 22-2 in two seasons including an 11-1 record in 2008 and reaching the NYCL championship game and 11-1 in 2009 and this time winning the NYCL title ... Had 78 total tackles as a senior and added five sacks and one pass breakup ... Averaged 7.1 tackles per game.
Personal: Son of Harry and Helen Basil ... Born December 23, 1991 ... One brother, Dan, who plays at Colgate University.

Enoch Clarke                                  DL, 6-1, 255, Swedesboro, N.J. / Kingsway Regional
High School:  Starting defensive lineman and fullback for coach Tony Barchuk .... Four-year varsity letter ... First Team Tri-County Royal league selection in football and track ... Placed third in the state in the shot put with a throw of 47 feet, 9.5 inches ... Member of the Honor Roll and National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Mark and Rosa Clark ... Born March 18, 1992 in Wilmington, Del. ... Has four brothers, Angel, Randolph, James and Cameron and two sisters, Jalaya and Amaro ... Intends to major in Business Management at Bryant.

Dale Codrington                            LB, 6-2, 215 , Brooklyn, N.Y. / Holy Cross High School
High School: Two-year starting defensive end for coach Tom Pugh at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, N.Y. ... Team went 7-3 in 2009 and reached the second round of the New York City Catholic High School Football League playoffs ... Boomer Esiason Outback Empire All-Star Game participant in 2010 ... Named First Team All-Queens as a defensive lineman ... Awarded the CHSFL Joe Thomas Award in 2009 that goes to the league's top lineman ... Led team in tackles as a senior and registered nine sacks ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Son of Patrick and Marilyn Codrington ... Born April 6, 1992 in Brooklyn ... One sister Alyia ... Intends to major in Communication at Bryant ... Attends the same high school as Bulldog Marcus Ellis and his position coach is Tim Smith, father of former Bryant standout running back Jerell Smith. 

Justin Corrales                               OL, 6-4, 265             Beaumont, Calif. / Redlands
High School:  Three-year starting offensive lineman and defensive end for coach Jim Walker at Redlands High School ... Four-year Team Captain ... First-Team All-League selection as a senior ... Named first team all-county and selected to the San Bernardino All-Star game during senior year ...  Selected as an All-California Interscholastic League and All-Area  selection ... Team placed second in conference in 2009 ... Second team All-County as a sophomore and junior ... Team MVP and two-time coaches award recipient ... Earned First Place Citrus Belt League in the shot put (54 feet, 1 inch) as a sophomore and second-place in discus ... Earned second team all-league honors as a sophomore and named Schumanns National Underclassman MVP in San Diego and Ultimate 100 MVP Offensive Lineman.



Trent Eckel     QB, 6-2, 175,
The Woodlands, Texas / Woodlands
High School: Two-year starting varsity quarterback at Woodlands ... Varsity team went 11-1 as a senior for coach Mark Schmid and captured the District 14-5A Championship and placed second in Area ... Perfect record of 30-0 as the starting junior varsity quarterback ... Team won three district titles during those three years ... Woodlands All-Time single season passing leader ... Second in school record books in single season touchdowns ... Ranks seventh in career passing yardage ... Earned First Team All-District and First Team All-County ... Passed for 2,263 yards with 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions during senior season ... First Team All-Academic and Academic All-District.
Personal: Son of Tom and Laura Eckel ... Born March 15, 1992 in Humble, Texas ... One brother, Tyler ... Concentration major in Business.

Douglas Flink   DL, 6-2, 255, Auburn, Mass. / Auburn
High School: Defensive end for coach Jeff Cormier ... Team went 25-1 over the past two seasons and won back-to-back Massachusetts Division 2 Super Bowl titles in 2008 and 2009 ... Team went 13-0 as a senior ... Earned varsity letters in football and track ... Named to Massachusetts Super 26 All-State Team ... Worcester Telegram & Gazette Central Mass Defensive Player of the Year ... Named Southern Worcester County League Defensive MVP ... Southern Worcester County All-Star selection as a junior ... Holds the school discus record and was a state finalist in the discus as a member of the track team ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Son of Doug and Lisa Flink ... Born May 15, 1992 in Worcester, Mass. ... Has one brother, Dan.

Kelvin Fowler                                WR, 6-2, 185, Gaithersburg, Md. / Georgetown Prep
High School: Two-year varsity member and starting wide receiver as a senior for coach Dan Paro at Georgetown Prep ... Team went 7-3 in 2009 and placed third in the M.I.A.A. league ... Had 11 receptions for 143 yards and one touchdown as a senior ... Averaged 13.0 yards per catch ... Had one rush for 12 yards ... Led position with eight knockdown blocks .... School's Vice President for Black Student's Association.
Personal: Son of Kelvin and Karen Fowler ... Born September 23, 1992 in Washington, D.C. ... Mother played basketball at North Carolina Sate ... Sister, Lawryn, is a member of the women's volleyball team at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Jordan Harris       WR, 6-1, 205, Lincoln University, Pa. / Avon Grove HS
High School: Played running back, defensive back and served as the team's punter at Avon Grove High School ... Team went 11-2 as senior and captured the Chester-Mont League title under coach Mervin Dooley ... Rushed for 1,015 yards ... Three-year starter in football and four-year starter in basketball ... Scored 1,200 points in basketball and is the school's all-time scoring leader ... All-League and All-Area selection as a junior and senior ... Played in the Valor Bowl ... Dean's List student and member of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes Leadership Association.
Personal: Son of Arthur and Tanya Harris ... Born December 8, 1991 in Dallas, Texas.

Robert Ingebretsen                      WR, 6-2, 185, Berkeley Heights, NJ / Governor Livingston
High School:  Two-year starting receiver for coach Terry Hanratty ... Team went 7-5 as a junior and reached state championship game ... Earned All-Conference, All-Area and All-County honors as junior and senior .. Named MVP of the 2009 Investor's Cup All-Star game ... Two-time All-Conference, All-Area and All-County honors in basketball ... Had 27 receptions for 615 yards and four touchdowns as a senior and had 25 catches for 544 yards plus seven TDs as junior ... Member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Link Crew and Religious Education Aide.
Personal: Son of Robert and Elaine Ingebretsen ... Born April 1, 1992 ... One brother, John ... Intends to major in International Business at Bryant.

Michael Johnson     DB, 5-9, 180            
New Market, Md. / Linganore
High School: Two-year starting cornerback and three-year varsity member for coach Rick Connor at Linganore High School in Ijamsville, Md. ... Team went 36-3 during three-years as a member of the varsity team including a 13-1 record as a junior and perfect 14-0 record as a senior in 2009 ... Team reached the state championship game in 2008 with only loss of the year coming in the finals but won the state title a year later with 14-0 record ... Named MVAL First Team All-League as a senior ... Recorded five interceptions plus 15 pass breakups ... Had 61 tackles plus two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles during senior season ... Four-year Honor Roll student ... Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Personal: Son of Michael Johnson and Tamara McClure ... Born February 11, 1992 ... One brother, Xander, and two sisters, Tyatianna and Celina.

Max Machado                                DB, 6-0, 175, Berkeley Heights, N.J. / Governor Livingston
High School: NJFCA Super 100 All-State selection ... Played quarterback, defensive back , wide receiver and running back as a senior .... Led team in touchdowns and all-purpose yards ... ... Team captain for coach Terry Hanratty ... Union County Outstanding Athlete  Honoree ... First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference selection as a defensive back ... First Team All-Union County Defense ... All-Area First Team Offense and Defense ... All Group Two Defense ... Selected MSG Defensive Player of the Week ... Honor Roll and Athletic National Honor Society member ... Member of Student Council, Spanish Club, Link Crew and Student Advisory ... Team Captain of both football and basketball teams as a senior ... Also lettered in track ... Helped lead Governor Livingston's football team to first state championship appearance in over 20 years.
Personal: Son of William and Randi Machado ... Born April 16, 1992 in Forest Hills, N.Y. ... One sister, Bari ... Father played football at Albany ... Intends to major in business at Bryant.

John Mahoney                                DB, 6-2, 205, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons
High School: Two-year starter for coach Michael Morrill at Cardinal Gibbons ... Team qualified for the playoffs during junior and senior seasons ... Registered 86 tackles as a safety during his senior season ... Recorded two interceptions and pair of sacks as well in 2009 ... Lettered in track and played soccer as a freshman ... Academic honors all four years.
Personal: Son of Joe and Jane Mahoney ... Born August 13, 1991 in Miami ... One older brother, Joe and two older sisters, Shannon and Meaghan ... Both sisters competed as members of the varsity swimming team at Ohio State.

John McDermott                           OL, 6-5, 225 , Greenlawn, N.Y. / John Glenn
High School: Starting offensive guard and tackle for coach Dave Shanahan at John Glenn High School in Elwood, N.Y.  ... Team went 20-2 during the last two seasons and won back-to-back Suffolk County League Championships ... All-County as a senior in 2009 and team captain ... Earned four varsity letters in lacrosse ... 2008 and 2009 Scholar Athlete Award recipient ... Member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Donna and Paul McDermott ... Born June 4, 1992 ... Has one sister Makayla and one brother Matthew ... Father played lacrosse at C.W. Post from 1983-1985 and is the head lacrosse coach at Huntington High School ... Intends to major in business with a concentration in marketing at Bryant.

Connor McNamara                       DL, 6-2, 275, Sandy Hook, Conn. / Newtown
High School:  Three-year varsity starter as a defensive lineman and center for coach Steve George at Newtown High School ... Team posted an 8-2 record as a senior in 2009 ... Named Southwest Conference All-Star as a defensive lineman and All-State Defensive Line ... Three-time varsity letterwinner in lacrosse ... Team captain in football and lacrosse ... Honor Roll student ... Fusion-peer mentorship participant.  Personal: Son of Mike and Mary Jane McNamara ... Born July 22, 1992 in Lake Zurich, Illinois ... Two brothers, Kyle and Brendan ... Kyle plays lacrosse at Delaware.

Dominick Mitchell                       DB, 5-11, 195           Silver Spring, Md. / Good Counsel
High School: Starting linebacker at Good Counsel in Olney, Md. for coach Bob Milloy ... Team went 33-3 during three-year span including an 11-1 record in 2009 and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference league championship ... Recorded 46 tackles including four for a loss and three sacks as a senior in 2009 ... Had one interception and one fumble recovery for 27 yards ... Lettered in track and played on junior varsity basketball and baseball team ... Member of Xaverian Leadership Program, Peer Counseling and Senior Leader Board. Personal: Son of Joseph Mitchell and Yolanda Graves ...Born May 2, 1991 in Silver Spring, Md. ... Has one older brother, Allen Burrell ... Intends to major in communications at Bryant ... Father played football at Howard University.

Joe Norrell                                      TE, 6-1, 225, Katy, Texas / Cinco Ranch
High School: Two-year starter and three letters earned as a receiver and tight end at Cinco Ranch ... Team went 24-4 during junior and senior seasons for coach Don Clayton, winning the District Championship and finishing as the Regional Runner Up in 2008 and reaching the state semifinals in 2009 with a 13-2 overall record ... Named 17-5A All-District as a tight end as a senior ... Third Team All-State selection and Academic All-District ... Bayou Bowl selection and Space City Classic Bowl selection ... Had 11-catches for 95 yards as a junior in earning Honorable Mention All-District. Personal: Son of Bob and Lisa Norrell ... Born January 10, 1992 in Forth Worth Texas ... Has one brother Jacob and one sister, Amber ... Intends to major in business at Bryant.

Maduka Nwanekezi                    DE, 6-3, 225 , Milton, Mass. / Milton
High School: Three-year varsity starting defensive end and guard ... Named Bay State All-League and All-Scholastic by the Patriot Ledger as a senior ... Lettered in both football and varsity track ... Was just one of three selected to represent Milton High School at the Neponset Valley Leadership Institute ... Member of Amnesty International and Outdoor Club. Personal: Son of Ignatius and Chinyere Nwanekezi ... Born December 31, 1991 in Boston ... Has two brothers and one sister ... Intends to major in mathematics at Bryant.

Eric Pedroli                             OL, 6-0, 240         Huntington, N.Y. / St. Anthony's
High School: Two-year starting offensive guard for coach Rich Reichert at St. Anthony's ... Team went 11-1 in 2008 and reached NYCL championship game ... Team went 11-1 again in 2009, this time winning the NYCL title.
Personal: Son of Eugene and Jill Pedroli ... Intends to major in mathematics at Bryant.

  Devin O'Connor                            QB, 6-1, 190, Midland Park, N.J. / St. Joseph Regional
High School:

Three-year letterman and starting quarterback as a senior for coach Tony Karcich at St. Joseph Regional ... Led team to 8-3 record in 2009 and back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009 ... Named First Team All-NNJIL  and Honorable Mention All-County as a senior after passing for more than 1,500 yards and throwing 16 touchdowns ... Rushed for four touchdowns and had a 60 percent completion percentage ... Team Captain ... Two-year letterwinner in baseball ... Honor Roll student ... Member of National Honor Society and member of Mock Trial, Clothing Drive organization and Big Brother program.
Personal: Son of William and Maureen ... Born September 5, 1991 in Ridgewood, N.J. ... One sister, Meghan.

Michael Perry         RB, 5-10, 215, Dunmore, Pa. / Dunmore
High School: Four-year starting running back for coach Jack Henzes at Dunmore High School ... All-time leading rusher in school history with 6,661 yards and 93 career rushing touchdowns ... Team won 47 games during his four-year career and won three District Championships an, one Lackawana League title and state runner-up in 2007 ... Leading rusher at Dunmore ... Averaged 140.2 yards per game during the 2008 season ... Had 1,823 yards on 218 carries and 27 touchdowns as a junior ... Followed with 1,830 yards rushing as a senior on 280 carries and 31 touchdowns .... Four-Time All-League selection and two time All-Regional Offensive Player of the Year honoree ... First Team All-State selection ... Old Spice Redzone Player of the Year ... Member of National Honor Society ... Three-year Class President ... Serves as Vice President of Students Against Drunk Driving and T.A.C.T. Club member.
Personal:  Son of Connie Buckley ... Born August 18, 1991 ... Has four brothers, Daiquan, Jayden, Cristian and Nico ... Intends to major in Actuarial Science at Bryant.

Zach Roberts     DL, 6-0, 260 , Boerne, Texas / Boerne-Samuel V. Champion
High School:  Starting defensive tackle and noseguard for coach Danny Threadgill at Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School ... Earned Honorable Mention All-District as a junior ... Unanimous First Team All-District and Two-time Academic All-District selection as a senior ... Second Team All-Area ... Two-time Defensive Player of the game and six-time defensive lineman of the game honoree ... Defensive Lineman of the Year ... Participant in the San Antonio All-Star game ... Second Team All-State Academic ... A.P. Scholar Award recipient ... Marine Corp Scholar Award ... Member of Student Council and Church Youth Group ... Ranks in top 10 percent of class.
Personal: Son of Mike and Mitzi Roberts ... Born July 25, 1992 in Manhattan, Kansas ... Both parents attended Kansas State.

Robert Wallace   LB, 5-9, 210 , Succasunna, N.J. / Roxbury
High School: Three-year starting linebacker for coach Cosmo Lorusso at Roxbury High School ... Team won 23 games during three-year span including two Iron Hills-Iron conference championships in 2008 and 2009 and the 2009 state championship with an 11-1 record ... Second Team All-State selection ... Named Super 100 All-State team ... First Team All Group 4 ... Two-time First Team All-County and All-Area ... Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 ... All-time leader in career tackles ... Tallied 96 tackles including 61 solo this past season ... Had 14 tackles against Delbarton in 21-7 win ... Registered 8 sacks on the year ...  Named as the Verizon Player of the Game at the State Championship ... Renaissance Award recipient and Scholar Athlete ... F.B.L.A. member and Varsity "R" Club.
Personal: Son of Bob and Virginia Wallace ... Born February 4, 1992 in Nutley, N.J.

Mike Westerhaus                         QB, 6-3, 200             Farmingville, N.Y. / Sachem East
High School: Three-year starting quarterback for coach Biran Harvey ... Led team to first playoff appearance in 2008 ... Threw for 1,257 yards and 62.3 completion percentage plus 12 touchdowns ... Named All-League and All-Long Island Honorable Mention .. .Team Offensive MVP ... Single season leader in passing ... Three varsity letters in baseball earning Suffolk All-Star honors as a pitcher ... Volunteer member of the school's food drive and DECA Business Club.
Personal: Son of Ray and Angela Westerhaus ... Born March 30, 1992 in Stony Brook, N.Y. ... Intends to major in Business with a concentration in marketing at Bryant.

Rohan Williamson                        DB, 5-10, 175, Silver Spring, Md. / Good Counsel
High School: Starting cornerback for coach Bob Milloy in 2009 for team that went 11-1 and captured the Washington Colonial Athletic Conference league title ... Team also went 11-1 in 2008 finishing as league runners-up that year ... Named Most Improved by coaching staff as a senior ... Earned All-Washington Colonial Athletic Conference honors as a senior ... Had 41 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery as a senior ... Named to Honor Roll ... Member of Xaverian Leaders, Senior Leader and President of YCLA. 
Personal: Son of Rohan and Wanda Williamson ... Both parents attended the University of Dayton ... One younger brother, Jelani.

Jeremy Woodson                           DB, 5-8, 155, Fresno, Texas / Hightower
High School: Four-year varsity member and two-year starting cornerback at Hightower High School in Missouri City, Texas ... Team won 38 games during three-year span under coach Shane Hallmark, reaching the Texas State 5A Finals in 2008 with 14-1 record and second round in 2009 ... Also served as punt and kick returner ... Elected to Space City Classic All-Star game in Houston ... Team captain ... Recorded six blocked punts on special teams including two returned for touchdowns ... Had six career interceptions - two going for touchdowns ... 49 career tackles ... Named Player of the Week during fourth week ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Son of Jeffery and Jessica Woodson ... Born December 7, 1991 in Houston, Texas ... One older brother, James Fisher Jr.,.

 --BULLDOGS--