Feb. 6, 2008
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb announced today the signing of 16 recruits to national letters of intent.
The 16 high school seniors who signed with Furman on Wednesday include seven offensive additions and nine defensive performers.
The Paladins' recruiting class features four players from both South Carolina and Georgia, two each from Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina.
Seven of the 16 signees earned first, second, or third team all-state honors, and two recruits from the Carolinas were Shrine Bowl selections.
Among Furman's higher profile additions are 5A all-state wide receiver Matthew Gordon (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian School), 4A all-state quarterback Dakota Derrick (Conway, S.C./Conway H.S.), 1A all-state tailback Walt Lenard (Atlanta, Ga./Landmark Christian School), 3A all-state cornerback Ryan Steed (Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Pinewood Prep), and a pair of former cross-town rivals, including Shrine Bowl linebacker Chris Wiley (Anderson, S.C./Westside H.S.) and South Carolina's top rated tight end prospect, Phillip Silverstein (Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna H.S.).
Gordon, an Alabama Sportswriters Association 5A All-State selection, caught 37 passes for 1,107 yards and 18 touchdowns and also tallied 55 tackles and two interceptions as a safety on a Briarwood Christian School squad that went 14-1 and finished as state runner-up in 2007. He chose Furman over scholarship offers from Mississippi State, Air Force, Duke, and Samford.
Derrick passed for 2,472 yards and 27 touchdowns en route to earning South Carolina High School Sports Report 4A All-State accolades on a 9-3 team in 2007. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller led his team to a state runner-up finish in 2006 and set school records for career passing yards (4,882) and passing touchdowns (49).
A 2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution 1A All-State pick, Lenard rushed for 1,318 yards (9.5 ypc) and 16 touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 550 yards and five TDs for Landmark Christian Academy this past fall.
Steed registered 1,275 yards in total offense and 20 touchdown responsibilities as a quarterback at Pinewood Prep, where he garnered all-state honors in both football and basketball.
Wiley landed a prestigious Shrine Bowl invitation after garnering 136 tackles for a Westside squad that notched a 10-3 record last fall. Silverstein, meanwhile, starred at T.L. Hanna and was rated as the state's top tight end and a national Top 100 tight end prospect by ESPN.
Also included in the class are former teammates, cornerback E.J. Vinsang and Tennessee Sportswriters Association All-State safety Nathan Wade, from 2007 Division II 2A state champion Montgomery Bell Academy, which fashioned a perfect 13-0 campaign.
Furman, which opens spring practice on March 3, returns 12 regulars off its 2007 squad, which posted a 6-5 record and 4-3 Southern Conference mark good for a third place league finish.
2008 FURMAN FOOTBALL SIGNEEES
Kenny Beck, DE, 6-4, 233, Salem, Ala. (Smiths Station H.S.)
Matt Blades, OT,6-6, 272, Laurel Hill, N.C. (Richmond County H.S.)
Dakota Derrick, QB, 6-5, 200, Conway, S.C. (Conway H.S.)
Matthew Gordon, WR, 6-1, 191, Birmingham, Ala. (Briarwood Christian School)
Jordan Griffin, CB, 5-10, 162, Fairburn, Ga. (Sandy Creek H.S.)
Walt Lenard, TB, 6-0, 201, Atlanta, Ga. (Landmark Christian School)
Daniel McFadden, WR, 6-2, 178, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland H.S.)
Mitch McGrath, S, 6-2, 178, Longwood, Fla. (Lake Brantley H.S.)
Bryan Poole, DT, 5-11, 278, Marietta, Ga. (Kennesaw Mountain H.S.)
Phillip Silverstein, TE, 6-5, 228, Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna H.S.)
Daniel Spisak, C, 6-1, 250, Charlotte, N.C. (Z.B. Vance H.S.)
Ryan Steed, CB, 5-11, 179, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Pinewood Preparatory School)
Tersoo Uhaa, RB/LB, 5-8, 198, Stone Mountain, Ga. (Riverside Military Academy)
E.J. Vinsang, CB, 5-10, 183, Nashville, Tenn. (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Nathan Wade, S, 6-0, 172, Nashville, Tenn. (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Chris Wiley, LB, 5-10, 191, Anderson, S.C. (Westside H.S.)
Kenny Beck, DE
6-4, 233, Freshman
Salem, Alabama (Smiths Station High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Smiths Station (6A) High School...football coach was Woodrow Lowe...played defensive end...recorded 80 tackles, including 10 for-loss, and six sacks his senior year...registered a season high 12 tackle performance in 29-26 overtime victory over state 10th-ranked Enterprise in 2007...helped key Smiths Station to a 6-5 record in 2006 -- the program's first winning season since moving into 6A ranks...also competed in track, specializing in the shot put, javelin, and discus.
Personal: Full name is Kenneth Blake Beck...son of Blake and Wendy Blake...born April 2, 1990, in Montgomery, Alabama...has three brothers, Brandon, Jerime, and Kaleb...father played football at Columbia.
Matt Blades, OT
6-6, 275, Freshman
Laurel Hill, North Carolina (Richmond County High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of football powerhouse Richmond County (4A) High School...football coach was Paul Hoggard...served as team captain and in his only season of starting duty earned honorable mention all-conference honors in 2007...helped lead Richmond County to a 13-2 record and the program's 13th consecutive conference championship and 27th overall league crown.
Personal: Full name is Matthew Pearson Blades...son of Kelly Campbell and Bryan Blades...born November 16, 1989, in Laurinburg, North Carolina...has a brother, Jordan.
Dakota Derrick, QB
6-5, 200, Freshman
Conway, South Carolina (Conway High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Conway (4A) High School...football coach was Chuck Jordan...played quarterback...completed 366-of-571 pass attempts (64.0 percent) for Conway career record 4,882 yards and another career standard 49 touchdown in two seasons as starting signal caller...named 2007 Toast-of-the-Coast All-Area and All-Zone, South Carolina High School Sports Report All-State, and academic all-state after passing for 2,472 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2007...team went 9-3 and earned state playoff appearance...led Conway to a 13-2 record, region championship, and state runner-up finish in 2006, passing for 2,410 yards and 22 touchdowns...National Honor Society.
Personal: Full name is Dakota Julius Derrick...son of Dirk and Michelle Derrick...born August 21, 1989, in Conway, South Carolina...has a brother, Peyton...grandfather, Julius Derrick, played tight end and defensive end at South Carolina, where he served as team captain in 1957...father played tight end at Wofford in the early 1980s.
Matthew Gordon, WR
6-1, 191, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama (Briarwood Christian School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Briarwood Christian (5A) School, which also produced 2007 Paladin All-Southern Conference tight end Larry Hedden...football coach was Fred Yancey...played wide receiver, safety, and also saw duty as a placekicker and kick return specialist...2007 Alabama Sportswriters Association first team all-state pick as a wide receiver...totaled 1,300 yards in receptions, 20 touchdown receptions, 150 tackles, and eight interceptions -- five of which he returned for touchdowns -- and seven field goals in two seasons of play at Briarwood Christian...as a senior caught 37 passes for 1,107 yards and 18 touchdowns in helping his squad to a 14-1 season and state runner-up finish...also tallied 55 tackles and two interceptions...recorded a monster game in a 42-0 win over Butler with four receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns, 98-yard interception return for a score, two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, and three PAT conversions...had an 88-yard touchdown catch and 46-yard field goal in a 38-0 victory over Moody...as a junior set school records for 200 meters, 400 meter relay, and 4x100 meter relay.
Personal: Full name is Matthew Morris Gordon...son of Pat and Ovida Gordon...born August 22, 1989, in Birmingham, Alabama..has a brother, Patrick, and sister, Rebecca.
Jordan Griffin, CB
5-10, 162, Freshman
Fairburn, Georgia (Sandy Creek High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Sandy Creek (3A) High School...football coach was Chip Walker...played cornerback...registered 102 tackles, including 16 for-loss, 15 pass deflections, and two interceptions in his two-year career at Sandy Creek...earned first team all-county and all-area honors as a senior in keying his squad to an 11-1 record, region championship, and second round state playoff appearance...in all tallied 53 tackles, including 10 for-loss, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions in 2007...four-time Sandy Creek Scholar-Athlete honoree...also ran track and played baseball.
Personal: Full name is Jordan Grant Griffin...son of Kathy and Gerard Griffin...born October 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington...brother, Gerren, plays football at James Madison.
Walt Lenard, TB
6-0, 201, Freshman
Atlanta, Georgia (Landmark Christian School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Landmark (1A) Christian School...football coach was Kenny Dallas...played wide receiver as a junior before making the switch to running back his senior year...has only played football for two years...rushed 139 times for 1,404 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007...averaged 9.5 yards per carry...also caught 26 passes for 550 yards and five TDs as a senior...named region player-of-the-year and 2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution first team team all-state...currently averaging 16.8 ppg on Landmark Christian basketball team...also ran track...qualified for 2007 state track meet in four events, specializing in sprints...Leadership Academy...Beta Club.
Personal: Full name is Walter Tyrell Lenard...son of Sonya Lenard...legal guardian is his aunt, Jeannette Mackens...born October 25, 1989, in Chicago, Illinois...has a sister, La'Trese.
Daniel McFadden, WR
6-2, 178, Freshman
Daytona Beach, Florida (Mainland High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Mainland (5A) High School...football coach was John Maronto...played wide receiver and tight end...career statistics include 31 receptions for 554 yards and eight touchdowns...caught 24 passes for 474 yards, and seven TDs his senior year in keying Mainland to an 8-5 record, district championship, and second round state playoff appearance...earned all-conference honors and was a 2007 Funcoast East vs. West All-Star Game selection...recipient of Chuck Butler Leadership Award...caught eight passes for 80 yards and a touchdown on Mainland's 2006 squad that posted a 13-1 record, first undefeated regular season in school history, and best season since 1938...squad advanced into fourth round of state playoffs before losing to No. 1 team in the nation, Lakeland...also ran track, specializing in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles and 4x400 meter relay...Who's Who Among American High School Students...recipient of Mainland Leadership Award...carries a 4.2 GPA.
Personal: Full name is Daniel McFadden II,,,son of Cheryl McFadden...born August 7, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida...has a sister, Sharon...cousin of Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback Bryant McFadden....plays the keyboard.
Mitch McGrath, S
6-2, 178, Freshman
Longwood, Florida (Lake Brantley High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Lake Brantley (6A) High School...football coach was George Clayton...played free safety and wide receiver and also served as a punt and kickoff return specialist...career statistics include 240 tackles, 14 interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 39 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns, and 700 yards in returns...named Orlando Sentinel 2007 Seminole County Defensive Player-of-the-Year and Central Florida All-Star after totaling 80 tackles on 9-2 squad that made its third consecutive state playoff appearance...also had 34 catches for 470 yards and four touchdowns in 2007...registered 92 tackles and six interceptions his junior year, helping Lake Brantley to 13-2 campaign and state runner-up finish...had 12 tackles, and interception, and 73 yards in returns in 2006 state title game loss to Miami-Northwest...outstanding basketball player...earned team MVP and fourth-team all-state honors as a junior after helping key his squad to 24-5 record.
Personal: Full name is Mitchell Patrick McGrath...son of Tim McGrath and Marlene Jochum...born May 26, 1989, in Euclid, Ohio...has a brother, Connor...father played basketball at Cleveland State.
Bryan Poole, DT
5-11, 278, Freshman
Marietta, Georgia (Kennesaw Mountain High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Kennesaw Mountain (5A) High School...football coach was Scott Jones...played defensive tackle...two-time all-conference choice...earned first team all-county honors in 2007 after helping key Kennesaw to the first winning season in school history...also competed in wrestling and in track & field, specializing in the discus and shot put.
Personal: Full name is Bryan Austin Poole...son of Sharon and Paul Poole...born May 11, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia...has two siblings, Chris and Pen.
Philip Silverstein, TE
6-5, 228, Freshman
Anderson, South Carolina (T.L. Hanna High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of T.L. Hanna (4A) High School...football coach was Scott Parker...played tight end and wide receiver...registered 53 receptions for 670 yards and five touchdowns in his career...totaled 18 catches for 220 yard and three TDs in 2007...caught four passes for 66 yards and pair of touchdowns in win over Mauldin...rated by ESPN as the No.1 tight end prospect in South Carolina and the No. 95 tight end prospect in the country...National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students.
Personal: Full name is Phillip George Silverstein...son of Benjamin and Christi Silverstein...born February 4, 1990, in Anderson, South Carolina...has a brother, Adam.
Daniel Spisak, C
6-1, 250, Freshman
Charlotte, North Carolina (Z.B. Vance High School)
Projected 2008 graduate of Z.B. Vance (4A) High School...football coach was Jeff Simpson...played offensive line...served as team captain and earned all-conference and Charlotte Observer All-Mecklenburg County honors as a senior...2007 Shrine Bowl selection...also starred in wrestling...went 39-6, claimed region championship and qualified for state championships in 2007, his junior year...National Honor Society...student body vice president.
Personal: Full name is Daniel Joseph Spisak...son of David and Carol Spisak...born December 7, 1989, in Port Jefferson, New York...has three siblings, Andrew, Alex, and Brent...brother Brent plays football at Harvard...father played football at Bucknell...uncle, Matt Millen, played football at Penn State and was later an NFL All-Pro selection for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Redskins.
Ryan Steed, CB
5-11, 179, Freshman
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (Pinewood Prep)
Projected 2008 graduate of Pinewood Preparatory (3A) School...football coach was Pinckney Guerard...played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and cornerback and also served as a return specialist during his prep tenure, which also included a freshman campaign at First Baptist Church School...earned all-region, Charleston Post & Courier second team All-Low Country, and all-state honors as a quarterback after pacing his team to a 6-5 record his senior year...rushed for 696 yards and 11 touchdowns and passed for 579 yards and nine TDs in 2007...registered four interceptions...named Shrine All-Star Classic Outstanding Defensive Player-of-the-Game...playing running back, rushed for 900 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore...decorated basketball player who has played on two SCISA state championship teams at Pinewood Prep...earned all-region, all-state, and state all-tournament team honors his sophomore and junior years...has picked up Chick-Fil-A Roundball Classic and Ret Thomas Memorial All-Tournament accolades during the current campaign.
Personal: Full name is Ryan Justin Steed...son of John and Lisa S. King...born July 21, 1990, in Charleston, South Carolina...has a sister Ashley...father, Ernest Steed, played basketball at Spartanburg Methodist College.
Tersoo Uhaa, TB/LB
5-8, 198, Freshman
Stone Mountain, Georgia (Riverside Military Academy)
Projected 2008 graduate of Riverside (GISA 3A) Military Academy...football coach was Chris Lancaster...played tailback, fullback, and linebacker...career statistics include 1,709 rushing yards, 23 toucdowns, 230 tackles, 10 forced fumbles, and six interceptions...as a senior rushed for 1,351 yards and 20 TDs, racked up 65 tackles and seven forced fumbles...rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns versus Southland Academy in his career start at tailback...first team all-region and all-state pick...selected to play in 2007 GISA All-Star Game...tallied team leading 105 tackles as starting linebacker on 2005 state championship team...also starred in wrestling and track & field...2007 state wrestling championship in 189-pound class...won 2006 and `07 state titles in discus and posted third place state finish as member of 4x100 meter team his junior year...is the highest ranking cadet at RMA, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel and battalion commander.
Personal: Full name is Tersoo Solomon Uhaa...son of Miriam and Iyorlomun Uhaa...born December 14, 1989, in Woodland, California...has three siblings, Nguvan, Sesuah, and Mimi.
E.J. Vinsang, CB
5-10, 183, Freshman
Nashville, Tennessee (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Projected 2008 graduate of Montgomery Bell (Division II 2A) Academy, where he played alongside fellow Furman signee, free safety Nathan Wade...football coach was Daniel McGugin...played running back and cornerback and also served as a return specialist...in his only full season as a running back, rushed for 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007 in helping MBA to a 13-0 record and state championship...rushed for 167 yards in 12-0 state championship game win over Brentwood Academy...Tennesseean third team All-Midstate honoree...ran for 202 yards and three scores in season opening, 38-13 win over Antioch......played cornerback as a junior, totaling 20 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and an interception...outstanding track performer...state finalist in long jump, triple jump,110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and decathlon.
Personal: Full name is Edward Samuel Vinsang, Sr...son of Edward Vinsang, Sr., and Trina King...born June 5, 1990, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...has a brother, Jade, and a sister, Amber...cousin, Chris Russell, played safety at Clemson.
Nathan Wade, S
6-0, 172, Freshman
Nashville, Tennessee (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Projected 2008 graduate of Montgomery Bell (Division II 2A) Academy, where he played alongside fellow Furman signee, cornerback E.J. Vinsang...football coach was Daniel McGugin...played strong safety and wide receiver and also served as a return specialist...totaled 79 tackles, six interceptions, and seven pass deflections in a career that saw him miss almost two full seasons due to torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees...enjoyed an injury free 2007 campaign, totaling 67 tackles, six pickoffs, and seven pass breakups while helping MBA to a 13-0 record and state championship...registered three tackles and a pair of interceptions and was named Defensive MVP in MBA's 12-0 state championship Blue Cross Bowl win over Brentwood Academy...also recorded two interceptions, one of which he returned 27 yards for a touchdown, in a semi-final playoff victory over Father Ryan...2007 Tennessee Sportswriters Association All-State selection and Tennessean first team All-Midstate honoree...played two games his junior year before sustaining season ending knee injury.
Personal: Full name is Nathan Lynell Wade...son of Dawana and Troy Wade...born December 30, 1989, in Clarksville, Tennessee...has two siblings, Dorian and Teondra...father played football at Austin Peay.
Chris Wiley, LB
5-11, 190, Freshman
Anderson, South Carolina (Westside High School)
Projected 2008 graduate Westside (4A) High School...football coach was Ted Luckadoo...played outside linebacker, defensive back, and running back...in three seasons tallied 311 tackles, 10 fumble recoveries, seven sacks, six interceptions, two blocked punts, and six rushing touchdowns...notched 136 tackles as a senior and earned all-region and all-area honors on a team that posted a 10-3 record and advanced to the second round of state playoffs...2007 Shrine Bowl selection...registered a career high 18 tackles versus Greenwood his junior year, helping his squad to an 8-5 record and Upper State championship game appearance...two-time state qualifier in 4x100 meter relay...clocked an 11.2 in the 100 meters as a junior.
Personal: Full name is Christopher Glenn Wiley...son of Kelvin and Melody Wiley...born June 4, 1990, in Anderson, South Carolina...has a sister, Falita.
