ELON, N.C. - Elon University head coach Pete Lembo announced the addition of 18 players from seven different states to his first Phoenix football team during Wednesday's National Signing Day. All 18 student-athletes are high school seniors who have signed a national letter-of-intent.
“I am very pleased with the quality of this recruiting class, especially considering the fact that January 2nd was our first day on the road as a new coaching staff,” said Lembo. “Despite the late start, I am confident that each member of this group will be a great addition to the Elon football program.”
Lembo, who served the last five years as the head coach at Lehigh University, was announced as Elon's 19th head football coach in a press conference held Dec. 19 at Rhodes Stadium. The country's second-youngest NCAA Division I head football coach at 35, Lembo posted a 44-14 overall record (.759) at Lehigh for the second-highest winning percentage among active NCAA-IAA coaches.
“I am appreciative of the efforts of our assistant coaches during this intense process,” said Lembo. “They worked extremely hard to thoroughly evaluate the academic credentials, athletic ability and the character of these young men in a very short period of time. I am also thankful for the vital assistance of others on campus during our visitation weekends, including faculty, administrators and the football support staff.”
Last month, Lembo announced the hiring of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jay Bateman, defensive ends coach Shane Burnham, recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Louis Clyburn, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Warren Ruggiero, offensive line coach Rich Skrosky, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach Tony Trisciani and defensive line coach Marc Yellock.
“The combination of our staff's arrival and the recent success of the men's basketball team (which currently leads the Southern Conference's North Division) really seemed to enhance the positive atmosphere that already exists on this campus,” said Lembo. “I believe the recruits and parents that visited Elon could sense this energy.”
Lembo will welcome the following student-athletes to the Elon campus this fall:
Luke Allen (TE/6-1/220/Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park H.S.)
Tyler Bullard (DL/6-0/290/Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic H.S.)
Andre Campbell (DE/6-1/235/Plantation, Fla./American Heritage H.S.)
Chris Carter (LB/6-2/210/Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale H.S.)
Leamon Cozart (WR/6-4/185/Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford H.S.)
Joseph Droz (FB/6-0/215/Fairfield, N.J./West Essex H.S.)
Mark Hoffer (OL/6-5/242/Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough H.S.)
David Hunt (DE/6-4/240/Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek H.S.)
Donny Kirby (QB/6-2/195/Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown H.S.)
Kyle Johnson (LB/5-10/195/Apex, N.C./Apex H.S.)
Matt Leddy (TE/6-3/240/Havertown, Pa./St. Josephs Preparatory H.S.)
Kevin Light (OL/6-1/275/Tallahassee, Fla./Chiles H.S.)
Cameron McGlenn (DB/6-0/180/Belmont, N.C./South Point H.S.)
Brandon Newsome (RB/5-10/205/Windsor, Va./Windsor H.S.)
Corey O'Shea (OL/6-4/270/Kennesaw, Ga./Kennesaw Mountain H.S.)
John Rubertone (OL/6-3/320/Acworth, Ga./Harrison H.S.)
Karlos Sullivan (DB/5-9/175/Greenville, S.C./J.L. Mann Academy)
Nolan Ward (DB/6-1/190/Brandon, Fla./Riverview H.S.)
Tight end Luke Allen (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park H.S.) helped coach Jim Ruark's squad advance to the 2004 quarterfinals and the 2005 semifinals of the state playoffs. A team captain last fall, the 6-1, 220-pound Allen earned all-conference honors the past two seasons. He is also a member of the Myers Park track and field squad. He is the son of Steve and Ashley Allen.
Defensive lineman Tyler Bullard (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic H.S.) helped coach Jim Oddo's team to a pair of 16-0 state championship campaigns in 2004 and 2005. Last season, the 6-0, 290-pound Bullard reached all-state status and was crowned the state championship contest's player of the game. The four-time all-conference and two-time first team all-area selection racked up both conference and area player of the year accolades in 2005. He is the son of John and Dolores Bullard.
Defensive end Andre Campbell (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage H.S.) tallied 57 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, on his way to second team all-county distinction for coach Byron Walker's 7-2 squad last fall. The 6-1, 235-pound Campbell, who recently played in the Broward County All-Star Classic, is also a member of the American Heritage wrestling and track and field teams. He is the son of Gwendolyn and the late Hector Campbell.
Outside linebacker Chris Carter (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale H.S.) helped coach Tommy Norwood's unit advance to second-round action of the playoffs each of the past two seasons. Ragsdale followed up its 8-4 record in 2004 with a 9-3 campaign in 2005. As a senior, the 6-2, 210-pound Carter amassed 112 tackles and a pair of interceptions - one for a score - en route to all-conference and all-area accolades. He is the son of Elon alum Larry Gilbert and Tammy Carter.
Wide receiver Leamon Cozart (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford H.S.) helped coach Fritz Hessenthaler's team find its way to the second round of the 2005 playoffs. The 6-4, 185-pound Cozart hauled in 17 receptions for 450 yards and seven touchdowns in a run-oriented offense last fall on his way to honorable mention all-conference status for the second consecutive season. He advanced to regional and state competition in track and field last spring. He is the son of Leamon and Joann Cozart.
Fullback Joseph Droz (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex H.S.) paced coach David Drozjock's squad to state championships in both 2003 and 2004. The 6-0, 215-pound Droz earned first team all-league distinction as well as conference offensive player of the year recognition as a senior. For his prep career, he rushed for over 2,800 yards and 28 touchdowns. Droz currently garners a 13-3 record with nine falls on the wrestling mat this winter. He is the son of Gary and Dana Droz.
Offensive tackle Mark Hoffer (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough H.S.) helped coach Rick Mantz's unit to a 9-2 record during his junior campaign and a 6-4 ledger during his senior season. On defense, the 6-5, 242-pound Hoffer collected 52 tackles, including six sacks, en route to first team all-conference, all-county and all-area honors as a senior. As a junior, he earned all-conference and all-county accolades. The versatile Hoffer is also the starting center on the Hillsborough basketball team. He is the son of John Hoffer and Sandy Baumel.
Defensive end David Hunt (Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek H.S.) earned defensive line MVP and turnaround player distinction for coach Jared Zito's squad last fall. Also a team captain last season, the 6-4, 240-pound Hunt earned game MVP status once for his squad. The Daytona News-Journal Quarterback Club dubbed him its player of the week twice in 2005. He is the son of Gary and Linda Hunt.
Quarterback Donny Kirby (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown H.S.) led coach Chris Beatty's team to a 13-1 mark and an appearance in the state championship game in 2005. Along the way, the 6-2, 195-pound Kirby passed for 3,800 yards - the state's single-season passing record - and 42 touchdowns while earning USA Today player of the week, first team All-Beach, first team All-Tidewater and second team all-state recognition last season. For his career, he tossed for 5,300 yards and 75 touchdowns. He is the son of Donny and Twila Kirby.
Linebacker Kyle Johnson (Apex, N.C./Apex H.S.) helped coach Bob Wolfe's program to the playoffs as well as its eight consecutive winning season in 2005. The 5-10, 195-pound team captain piled up a plateau of honors last season, including first team All-Tri-Seven Conference, Apex defensive hit-man award, Apex defensive player of the year, conference defensive player of the year, team MVP and academic all-conference accolades. He is the son of Richard Johnson, Debbie Kenyon and step-father Chuck Kenyon.
Tight end Matt Leddy (Havertown, Pa./St. Josephs Preparatory H.S.) paced coach Gil Brooks' squad to a pair of league titles in the past three years. The 6-3, 240-pound Leddy was tabbed first team All-Catholic as both a junior and senior. Last season, he was also declared all-city and offensive team MVP as well as honorable mention all-state by Pennsylvania Football News. He is the son of James and Joann Leddy.
Guard Kevin Light (Tallahassee, Fla./Chiles H.S.) anchored the offensive line for coach Jodie Sprenkle's team, which finished 6-4 last fall - the best record in the program's history. The 6-1, 275-pound Light amassed team MVP, All-Big Bend, third team all-state and FACA North All-Star honors for Chiles in 2005. He is the son of Steven and Patricia Light.
Defensive back Cameron McGlenn (Belmont, N.C./South Point H.S.) helped coach John Devine's team to a state title in 2003 as well as state playoff appearances in 2004 and 2005. The 6-0, 180-pound McGlenn registered team captain and MVP accolades last fall after receiving his squad's sportsmanship award the previous season. The two-time all-conference selection also competes for the South Point basketball and track and field teams. He is the son of April McGlenn.
Running back Brandon Newsome (Windsor, Va./Windsor H.S.) earned all-district distinction twice for coach Bruce Carroll's team. As a senior, the 5-10, 205-pound Newsome rolled up 1,782 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground - 2,253 all-purpose yards - on his way to becoming the 2005 Tri-Rivers district's leading rusher. He amassed 4,250 yards and 40 touchdowns for his prep career. He is the son of Destry and Harriet Newsome.
Offensive tackle Corey O'Shea (Kennesaw, Ga./Kennesaw Mountain H.S.) racked up all-county accolades the past two years for coach Scott Jones. As a senior, the 6-4, 270-pound O'Shea was the only offensive lineman to be selected to the Preseason Dynamite Dozen and Super 11. The North-South all-star also logged offensive lineman of the year and all-state honors for his team last fall. He is the son of Sean and Jennifer O'Shea.
Offensive lineman John Rubertone (Acworth, Ga./Harrison H.S.) helped coach Bruce Cobleigh's squad to a region championship in 2005 after claiming region runner-up finishes in both 2003 and 2004. The 6-3, 320-pound Rubertone was named first team all-county and honorable mention all-state en route to being honored as the Cobb County offensive lineman of the year last fall. He is the son of John and Colleen Rubertone.
Defensive back Karlos Sullivan (Greenville, S.C./J.L. Mann Academy) brought home all-region recognition as both a defensive back and running back for coach Mickey Crocker's program each of the past two years. Last season, the 5-9, 175-pound Sullivan also reached all-county and all-state status. He is also a point guard for the J.L. Mann basketball team and an all-region honoree for the track and field squad. He is the son of Marlon and Carolyn Sullivan.
Safety Nolan Ward (Brandon, Fla./Riverview H.S.) helped coach Dan Oregan's district championship squad advance to second-round action of the playoffs. The 6-1, 190-pound Hillsborough County all-star was named to the St. Petersburg Times All-Hillsborough County first team. Ward was tabbed the District 13 6A player of the year by the Florida Coaches Association. The captain and all-conference pick intercepted four passes last fall. He is the son of Troy and Cheryl Ward.
Elon will enter its 85th football season next fall as well as its eighth campaign as an official NCAA-IAA member and fourth in the Southern Conference. The 2006 season will include the sixth Phoenix home schedule in Rhodes Stadium.
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