Feb. 21, 2008

Updated List of Signees in PDF Format

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina Central University head football coach Mose Rison has announced the addition of four more recruits, bringing the total number of signees for the 2008 class to 23.

The four new signees are Jonathan Nicely, a wide receiver from Evans (Ga.) High School; James Reese, a defensive back from Southern High in Durham, N.C.; Joe Hutchinson, a defensive end from Harding University High in Charlotte, N.C.; and Marcel Way, an offensive lineman from Jack Britt High in Fayetteville, N.C.

Nicely, a 6-5, 210-pound receiver from Evans, Ga., earned All-State, All-Region and All-County honors as a senior with 54 catches for 869 yards and four touchdowns for the Knights of Evans High School. "Jonathan is what you look for in a wide receiver," said Rison, comparing Nicely to NCCU's 2006 all-conference receiver Charles Futrell. "He has great size with 4.6-speed and tremendous paws."

Reese, a 6-0, 185-pound defensive back from Durham, N.C., amassed 125 tackles, three interceptions, 10 pass break-ups, six fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles as an All-Conference and All-Area linebacker at Southern High School. "James is a tremendous athlete that is explosive, physical and runs to the ball extremely well," Rison said.

Hutchinson, a 6-3, 225-pound defensive end from Charlotte, N.C., collected 59 tackles and 13 sacks as a senior, earning recognition as the 2007 Queen City 3A/4A's Defensive Player of the Year. In the past two seasons at Harding University High School, Hutchinson recorded 23.5 sacks. "Joe is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde type of kid," Rison said. "Off the field, he is real quiet and a good, solid student. On the field, he plays with great tenacity."

Way, a 6-3, 280-pound offensive lineman from Fayetteville, N.C., was a two-year starter and two-time All-Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference selection at Jack Britt High School, who also picked up All-Cape Fear Region honors as a senior grading out at more than 90 percent on his assignments. "Marcel is one of the top offensive linemen in the state," Rison said. "He does a good job of coming off of the football, and Fayetteville has been a great recruiting area for us."