ELON, N.C. -- New Elon Phoenix head football coach Jason Swepson announced that his program has inked 15 high school seniors to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The class includes seven players who played their prep ball in North Carolina.

The 2011 class also includes three players from South Carolina and one each from Florida, Georgia, Iowa, New York and Virginia.

"I think that this class will not only help to bring us a championship, but has the possibility of repeating as champions," said Swepson when speaking at Elon's annual signing day luncheon.  Swepson added, "We did our research.  We wanted to bring in kids who know how to win and these guys know how to win.  These kids want to be here."

The group is comprised of a quarterback, two wide receivers, a running back, a tight end, an offensive lineman, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, three defensive backs and a long snapper.

The Phoenix posted an overall record of 6-5 in 2010 with a Southern Conference mark of 5-3 to finish in a tie for third in the league.

2011 Elon Football Signing Class:
Jerrell Armstrong (DB • 5-9 • 160 • New Bern, N.C. • New Bern)
Odell Benton (LB • 6-1 • 185 • Jacksonville, N.C. • Richlands)
Mark Bridges (DB • 5-11 • 186 • Matthews, N.C. • Butler)
Ricky Brown (WR • 6-3 • 195 • Winston-Salem, N.C. • West Forsyth)
Gary Coates (DL • 6-2 • 230 • Irmo, S.C. • Dutch Fork)
Michael Crispi (LS • 5-11 • 230 • Dix Hill, N.Y. • Half Hollow Hills West)
Andre Davis (WR • 5-10 • 165 • Bunn, N.C. • Bunn)
Robert "Bear" Davis (LB • 6-1 • 225 • Thomasville, N.C. • Thomasville)
Joe Jones (RB • 6-1 • 190 • East Point, Ga. • Tri-Cities)
Thomas McGuire (OL • 6-3 • 250 • Gilbert, Iowa • Gilbert)
Michael Pearson (DL • 6-2 • 230 • Laurens, S.C. • Laurens)
Blake Rice (QB • 5-10 • 180 • Tampa, Fla. • Robinson)
Derek Vereen (OL • 6-3 • 280 • Durham, N.C. • Hillside)
Will Wentz (TE • 6-4 • 230 • Virginia Beach, Va. • Atlantic Shores)
Miles Williams (DB • 6-1 • 185 • Roebuck, S.C. • Dorman)

Defensive back Jerrell Armstrong (New Bern, N.C./New Bern) participated in the 2010 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas where he recorded five tackles and was often matched up with the nation’s top-rated wide receiver. At the Shrine Bowl combine, Armstrong was clocked with a 4.23-second time in the 40-yard dash. During his senior season at New Bern, Armstrong picked off six passes and returned three punts for touchdowns. Armstrong was a first-team all-area selection by the New Bern Sun Journal as well as a second-team all-state pick by NCPrep in 2010. The Associated Press named him to their all-state team as a special teams player. Armstrong helped lead Bobby Curlings’ New Bern squad to a 2010 Mideastern Conference title as well as a 2007 4AA state crown. As a member of the track team, Armstrong helped the school to three state titles. Jerrell is the son of Edward and Tamica Armstrong.

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Odell Benton (Jacksonville, N.C./Richlands) is a linebacker who was a first-team all-area selection by The Daily News in 2010. He also claimed all-area distinction in 2009. A two-time all-conference honoree, Benton served as a team captain in both 2009 and 2010. Benton won four letters and helped lead Mike Natoli’s Richlands program to an 8-4 overall record, 6-1 in the league, in 2010. The team averaged 38 points per game and made an appearance in the state playoffs. Odell is the son of Odell and Topeka Benton.

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Defensive back Mark Bridges (Matthews, N.C./Butler) earned a three-star safety rating by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com as well as a two-star rating by Scout.com. Last season Bridges tallied 110 total tackles, picked off five passes, forced four fumbles and scored a touchdown. As a junior Bridges racked up 80 tackles, five interceptions and forced two fumbles. A four-year starter, Bridges was a three-time Southwestern 4A all-league member. He was also named to the All-Mecklenburg Observer Team in both 2009 and 2010. Bridges helped Mike Newsome’s Butler squad to North Carolina state 4AA titles in both 2009 and 2010 as well as league crowns in 2007, 2009 and 2010. ESPN rated the Butler program eighth in the nation while Rivals.com ranked the program ninth in the country. The team went undefeated the past two seasons, winning 32 consecutive contests. Mark is the son of Mark Bridges, Sr. and Patricia McLaughlin.

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Ricky Brown (Winston-Salem, N.C./West Forsyth) snared 58 balls for 783 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior season for coach Adrian Snow. Following the season Brown was named to the Winston-Salem Journal’s All-Northwest team. Brown also collected 4A all-league accolades as West Forsyth reached the state playoffs. Ricky is the son of former North Carolina A&T football standout Ricky and Janice Brown.

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Defensive lineman Gary Coates (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork) set a school single-season record for tackles for loss during his senior campaign during which he also led the team in sacks. Coates earned on defensive player of the week award from The State newspaper following a contest against Burns High. Coates helped lead coach Tom Knotts Dutch Fork program to the 2010 region crown. Gary is the son of Gary and Pamela Coates and the nephew of former NFL tight end Ben Coates.

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Long snapper Michael Crispi (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) was a three-year varsity starter and never had an errant snap in 30 career games. A team captain as a senior, Crispi was a three-year New York State Scholar Athlete Award recipient. He claimed one MSG Varsity Athlete of the Week honor during his senior season. Crispi helped lead coach Kyle Madden’s Half Hollow Hills West team to a perfect 12-0 season in 2009 as well as a Long Island Championship that same season. In 2009 the team won the Rutgers Cup which is awarded to the county’s top team. Michael is the son of Paul and Danielle Crispi.

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Andre Davis (Bunn, N.C./Bunn) is a wide receiver who accounted for 2,598 total yards and 35 touchdowns while playing quarterback for Chris Miller’s Bunn squad. Davis passed for 1,584 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,014 yards and another 15 scores. He was named the league player of the year as well as all-area and was a 2A all-state selection. Davis, a team captain, helped Bunn advance to the third round of the state playoffs last season.

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Linebacker Robert "Bear" Davis (Thomasville, N.C./Thomasville) was named The Dispatch 2010 All-County Defensive Player of the Year and participated in the 2010 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Davis also picked up county defensive player of the year honors from The Dispatch in 2009. He was honored as the Central Carolina Conference’s top defender in 2010 and led a defense that allowed just 10.3 points per game last season. A three-time all-league selection, Davis helped lead Allen Brown’s Thomasville squad to a 2008 state title. Robert “Bear” Davis is the son of Robert Davis and Deborah Jones.

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Joe Jones (East Point, Ga./Tri-Cities) is a running back who was a second-team all-region pick. Also a standout on the track, Jones has earned his squad’s most outstanding and best performer awards in his career. Jones helped lead Kenneth Miller’s Tri-Cities program to a 7-3 record and a playoff appearance in 2010. The 7-3 ledger was the second-best mark in school history. Joe is the son of Nathaniel Jones and Karen Parks.

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Offensive lineman Thomas McGuire (Gilbert, Iowa/Gilbert) was a three-year starter who made 32 consecutive starts. McGuire was a two-year team captain and helped lead Gilbert to three state playoff appearances. He was a first-team all-district selection in 2010. Following his senior season in which he totaled 43 pancake blocks, McGuire also earned first-team All-Mid Iowa honors as well as second-team all-state accolades from the Des Moines Register. As a junior, McGuire was a second-team all-district pick and was an all-state honoree by Iowa Preps. McGuire was a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee who was selected to attend the World Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. Thomas is the son of George and Shirley McGuire.

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Defensive lineman Michael Pearson (Laurens, S.C./Laurens) who claimed All-Laurens County honors following his senior season. Pearson, the vice-president of his student council, is a four-year letter-winner. He was a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee who has earned all-district accolades. Pearson helped lead coach Greg Lawson’s program to a 2008 state runner-up finish. Michael is the son of Olin and Vanessa Pearson.

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Blake Rice (Tampa, Fla./Robinson) is a quarterback who guided Robinson High to 20 victories and back-to-back regional crowns and Class 2A state semifinals appearances over the past two seasons. In that span he threw for over 3,300 yards and nearly 50 touchdowns. As a senior Rice threw for 1,430 yards and 21 scores while also rushing for 257 yards and a touchdown. Rice was a 2009 first-team all-conference selection as well as a second-team all-state pick. He played for coach Mike Depue at Robinson. Blake is the son of Daron and Amanda Rice.

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Offensive lineman Derek Vereen (Durham, N.C./Hillside) was a three-time all-conference selection for coach Antonio King’s Hillside program. He was also an all-area selection and served two years as a team captain. Derek is the son of former North Carolina Central football standout Rod and Patricia Vereen.

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Tight end Will Wentz (Virginia Beach, Va./Atlantic Shores) was a first-team all-state and all-757 player in 2010. He was also named his squad’s offensive player of thee year after racking up 698 yards and six touchdowns on 48 receptions. During his senior season, Wentz also recorded 67 tackles – including 7.5 sacks – to go along with three interceptions and two scores on the defensive side of the ball. In both 2009 and 2010, Wentz helped coach Wayne Lance’s squad to the state semifinals on the gridiron. Wentz is also a standout on the basketball court where he helped Atlantic Shores to a 2009 state title game appearance and the state semifinals in 2010. On the hardwood, Wentz was a 2009 All-Beach District selection as well as team MVP. The following season he was a first-team all-league and first-team all-state selection after averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 assists and 9.0 rebounds per game. Will is the son of former Virginia Tech football team member Bill and Terri Wentz. His grandfather, Willard Wentz, Jr. played football at Virginia.

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Miles Williams (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman) is a defensive back who tallied 100 total tackles, forced a fumble and broke up six passes during his senior season. The student body vice-president at Dorman, Williams was selected as a SCADA North-South All-Star and has served as a team captain. He was named a first-team all-area player by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and was also an all-region honoree. In 2010, Williams helped Dave Gutshall’s Dorman program to a Division I 4A state runner-up finish as well as a region 4A crown. In 2009, the program posted a 14-1 record, was ranked seventh in the country and won the state title. Dorman also captured a region title in 2008. Miles is the son of former Navy football player Jonathan and Monica Williams.

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