Feb. 4, 2009
Click here to watch free video coverage featuring highlights for each of the new members of the Tech football program.
Fans can also attend the annual Signing Day Celebration this evening at 6:00 p.m. in Atlantic Station’s Twelve Hotel. Click here for details.
2009 Georgia Tech Football Signees
Ray Beno • OL • 6-1 • 270 • Newnan, Ga. • Newnan HS
Julian Burnett • LB • 5-10 • 210 • Macon, Ga. • Westside HS
Christopher Crenshaw • DE • 6-3 • 235 • Louisville, Ga. • Jefferson County HS
Izaan Cross • DE • 6-4 • 250 • Flowery Branch, Ga. • Flowery Branch HS
Euclid Cummings • DE • 6-4 • 230 • Atlanta, Ga. • Centennial HS
Emmanuel Dieke • DE • 6-6 • 220 • Riverdale, Ga. • North Clayton HS
Daniel Drummond • B-Back • 6-3 • 230 • Flowery Branch, Ga. • Flowery Branch HS
Jay Finch • OL • 6-4 • 255 • Acworth, Ga. • Kennesaw Mountain HS
Antonio Foster • OL • 6-4 • 280 • Valdosta, Ga. • Valdosta HS
Stephen Hill • WR • 6-4 • 190 • Lithonia, Ga. • Miller Grove HS
Will Jackson • OL • 6-4 • 275 • Knoxville, Tenn. • Farragut HS
J.C. Lanier • DT • 6-4 • 335 • Stillmore, Ga. • Emanuel County Institute
Jordan Luallen • QB • 6-4 • 200 • Greenwood, Ind. • Center Grove HS
Carl Miles • CB • 6-0 • 185 • Miramar, Fla. • Cypress Bay HS
Jeremy Moore • WR • 6-3 • 170 • Austin, Texas • LBJ HS
Lance Richardson • S • 6-2 • 195 • Ware Shoals, S.C. • Ware Shoals HS
David Sims • QB • 5-11 • 210 • St. Matthews, S.C. • Calhoun County HS
Orwin Smith • A-Back • 6-0 • 190 • Phenix City, Ala. • Central HS
Rod Sweeting • CB • 6-0 • 170 • Locust Grove, Ga. • Luella HS
Jemea Thomas • A-Back • 5-10 • 185 • Fitzgerald, Ga. • Fitzgerald HS
Brandon Watts • LB • 6-2 • 230 • Tennille, Ga. • Washington County HS
2009 Georgia Tech Football Signees Bio’s
OL / 6-1 / 270
Newman, Ga. (Newnan HS)
• Blessed with is good feet and athleticism and gets a good push because he moves so quickly
• Attacks the second level (linebackers) like a fullback
• Ranked #65 among his position by Scout, #50 by Rivals and #62 by ESPN
• Played for coach Robert Herring at Newnan High School
• Earned two varsity letters in football and served one year as team captain
• First team all-state by GHSA and AJC in 5A
• First team all-region 4-AAAAA in 2008
• All-county selection in 2007
• 2008 Georgia High School Magazine 2008 Preseason All-State Team for Class AAAAA
• Helped lead Newnan to three consecutive regional championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008
• Played in the 2008 North-South Classic and was one of four South team captains
• Maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the academics, the coaching staff and the campus
• “I felt comfortable with all the coaches from the beginning,” Beno said.
• Also received offers from Navy, Army, Air Force, Southern Mississippi, Georgia Southern, Miami and Wake Forest
• Personal: Full name is Raymond James Beno… son of Raymond and Elizabeth Beno… born Dec. 9, 1990 in Jacksonville, Fla… has previously lived in Norfolk, Va., and Tampa, Fla… has two younger siblings, Christopher and Tyler.. began playing football at age 10… plans to pursue a degree in engineering
LB / 5-10 / 210
Macon, Ga. (Westside HS)
• Has a knack for reading the play and being in on every tackle he conceivably can
• Excels in run support because of his vision and anticipation
• Middle Georgia player of the year, selected by the Macon Telegraph
• GHSA 4A Defensive Player of the Year
• First team all-state GHSA and AJC
• Ranked #46 for his position by Scout and #49 by ESPN
• Finished with 170 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries (one returned for touchdown) in 2008
• Rushed for 13 touchdowns as well in 2008
• Had a school-record 546 career tackles
• Led team to a regional championship in 2008
• Played for coach Robert Davis at Westside High School, earning four varsity letters and serving two years as team captain
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the education, the proximity to family and the football program
• Also received offers from NC State, Purdue, South Carolina and Wake Forest
• Personal: Full name is Julian Kenneth Burnett… son of Julian and Sonja Burnett… born Dec. 26, 1990 in Macon, Ga… a left-hander… has five siblings — Desmond, Dionta, Destiny, Daniella and Derrian… considering a major in business management
DE / 6-3 / 235
Louisville, Ga. (Jefferson County HS)
• 2008 Georgia all-area 1st team, 3AA all-region 1st team, 1st team all-state GHSA and AJC in 2A
• Ranked #68 for his position by Scout and #115 by ESPN
• In 2008, had 89 tackles (61 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 30 quarterback hurries
• 2008 Augusta Chronicle Dream Sixteen Team
• Played in the Georgia North/South All Star Game
• Nominated for the U.S. Army All-American Game
• Set school records for sacks in a single-season (13.5) and career (28)
• Led Jefferson County to a 3A regional championship
• Played for coach J.B. Arnold at Jefferson County HS, earning three varsity letters as a defensive end and linebacker
• Served one year as a team captain
• A good student who made the honor roll in high school
• Chose Georgia Tech because “it better prepares me for life after school”, the tradition and the location
• Also received an offer from Mississippi State and considered Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt
• Personal: Full name is Christopher Dontray Crenshaw… son of Karen McGruder… born Oct. 4, 1990 in Augusta, Ga… uncle, Earnest Thompson, played for the Kansas City Chiefs… undecided on a major
DE / 6-4 / 250
Flowery Branch, Ga. (Flowery Branch HS)
• A high effort player who chases plays down from the backside and downfield well into the fourth quarter when most high school players his size are out of gas
• Has good pass rushing moves
• Strong at the point of attack
• Ranked #57 in his position by Scout, #28 by ESPN and #18 by Rivals
• GHSA 3A Defensive Player of the Year
• First team all-state GHSA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Recorded 13 sacks in 2008 along with 115 tackles and 20 tackles for loss
• Had 80 tackles, 14 for a loss and four fumble recoveries during his junior 2007 season
• Played for coach Lee Shaw at Flowery Branch, the same school that produced Yellow Jacket quarterback Jaybo Shaw
• Earned two varsity letters in football playing defensive end and tight end, and served one year as team captain
• Led FBHS to the state championship game in 2008
• Also received offers from Central Florida, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, NC State, Oklahoma and South Carolina
• Chose Georgia Tech because it is close to home, his connection with the Tech coaches and the school’s academic reputation
• Personal: Full name is Izaan Thomas Cross… began high school career at Buford HS before transferring to Flowery Branch… son of Tim and Sharon Cross… Tim played football at Livingstone College and Sharon played basketball on the junior college level… born May 1, 1991 in Boston… has previously lived in Framingham, Mass., and Marietta, Ga… started playing football at age nine… considering a major in business management
DE / 6-4 / 230
Atlanta, Ga. (Centennial HS)
• An ultra-talented athlete with a ton of potential
• Long and fast, he has all of the tools to be a prototypical defensive end
• Has a huge frame and plays with linebacker speed and technique
• Had 45 tackles, four tackles for loss, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles
• AJC 5A all-state honorable mention
• Ranked #51 for his position by Scout, #69 by ESPN and #49 by Rivals
• Played for coach Jeff Measor at Centennial High School, earning two varsity letters
• Also played three seasons of basketball in high school and helped lead team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament as a sophomore
• Selected Georgia Tech because of the education, the ability to win and the alumni base
• Received offers from Indiana, Maryland North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
• Personal: Full name is Euclid Patrick Cummings… son of Peter and Patricia Cummings… born May 6, 1991 in Atlanta… has two older siblings, Omar and Jaysen… wants to one day serve as a global brand manager… began playing football at age 16 after being convinced by his high school coaches… considering a major in management
DE / 6-6 / 220
Riverdale, Ga. (North Clayton HS)
• Enrolled at Georgia Tech in January
• Has great size, similar to former Yellow Jacket defensive end Michael Johnson
• Plays with outstanding effort and his lateral quickness and change of direction will improve as he fills out his frame and gets stronger
• Ranked #46 for his position by Scout, #23 by Rivals and #77 by ESPN
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution and GHSA 4A honorable mention all-state
• (AAAA) all-region first team and Atlanta Touchdown Lineman of the Week
• Was second on the team with 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a senior
• Also had eight quarterback hurries, five pass blocks and 68 solo tackles
• Led North Clayton to a regional championship in 2008
• As a junior, had 87 tackles and 9.5 sacks
• Played four seasons of football at North Clayton and served two seasons as team captain
• Earned three letters on the North Clayton basketball team where he played forward and center
• Graduated in the top 20 of his senior class and made the academic honor roll
• Also received offers from Auburn, Stanford, South Carolina and Mississippi
• Chose Georgia Tech because of its academic reputation, the athletic program and the value of a degree from Tech
• Personal: Full name is Emmanuel Mang Dieke (pronunciation: D-Akay)… parents are Mang and Elizabeth Dieke… of Nigerian descent… born in Jackson, Miss., on Sept. 23, 1990… previously lived in Boston… has three siblings… began playing organized football in ninth grade as a 15-year old… considering a major in biomedical engineering
B-Back / 6-3 / 230
Flowery Branch, Ga. (Flowery Branch HS)
• Runs extremely well for his size, is difficult to tackle and rarely loses yardage
• Possesses a rare skill set and is the epitome of an every-down back
• Athletic enough to take direct snaps and knows what to do in space
• GHSA 3A honorable mention all-state
• AJC first team all-state
• Ranked #5 for his position by Scout, #3 by ESPN and #14 by Rivals
• Had 102 tackles from his linebacker position and averaged six yards per carry as a fullback with over 700 yards total as a junior
• As a senior, rushed for 1,102 yards and 13 touchdowns
• Recorded 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks during senior year
• Played for coach Lee Shaw at Flowery Branch High School, the same school that produced Tech quarterback Jaybow Shaw, and was a team captain in 2008
• Began high school career at West Hall High School
• Earned four varsity letters in football and two in track (shot put, discus) at West Hall HS and Flowery Branch HS combined
• Led Flowery Branch to a second-place finish in the AAA state playoffs
• 2008 state champion in the discus and earned state championship top performer award
• Owns the Flowery Branch HS single-game rushing record after running for 258 yards and three touchdowns in just two quarters
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the outstanding academics, it’s close to home, and family and friends
• Received offers from Arkansas, Marshall, Troy and Oklahoma State, while also considering Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest
• Personal: Full name is Daniel Alan Drummond… son of Jim and Robbie Drummond… born April 30, 1991 in Atlanta… has one sister, Caitlin… considering a major in management… enjoys scuba diving, bowling and water sports… began playing football at age six
OL / 6-4 / 255
Acworth, Ga. (Kennesaw Mountain HS)
• AJC 5A 1st team all-state
• Atlanta Touchdown Club Player of the Week
• Cobb County Offensive Lineman of the Year
• First team all-region
• Played in the Cobb Senior Bowl II
• Ranked #40 for his position by Scout, #84 by Rivals and #92 by ESPN
• Received offers from East Carolina, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi, NC State and Central Florida.
• In 2008, started on both the offensive and defensive line along with deep snapping responsibilities
• Recorded 67 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks
• Had an average grade of over 90-percent for his offensive line blocking
• Holds Kennesaw Mountain HS all-time record for tackles-for-loss and sacks
• Played for coach Scott Jones at Kennesaw Mountain HS, earning four letters
• Also ran track for one season and participated on the wrestling team for one season
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the football program, the coaching staff, the location and the academics
• Personal: Full name is John Hillary Finch IV… son of John III and Cheryl Finch… father, John III attended Georgia Tech… born Jan. 24, 1991 in Atlanta.. began playing football at age 11
OL / 6-4 / 280
Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta HS)
• Played for coach Rick Tomberlin
• AJC 5A 1st team all-state
• Ranked #27 for his position by Scout, #32 by Rivals and #27 by ESPN
• Also received offers from Florida State, Indiana, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, South Florida and Tennessee. Previously committed at Tennessee
• Keeps his head on a swivel and never takes a play off
• Plays assignment football and if there’s no one in his space to block, he’ll help double a defender with a teammate
• An instinctive blocker in that he has a great feel for when the ball carrier has beaten the man that he is blocking and then he will release his man and move to the next level to pick up a second block
WR / 6-4 / 190
Lithonia, Ga. (Miller Grove HS)
• Has great size for a receiver, uses size well to seal smaller defenders and has exceptional hands
• Shows outstanding speed for a player his size, both on the track and on the field, and gets in the end zone in a hurry
• A good down-field blocker for his height
• AJC and GHSA 4A honorable mention all-state
• Ranked #23 for his position by Scout, #99 by Rivals and #92 by ESPN
• In 2008, had 30 receptions for 577 yards and 8 touchdowns on a team that went 3-7 during his senior season
• Also had touchdowns on a 95-yard kickoff return and a 68-yard fumble return
• Was a standout at the Under Armour/Scout.com Combine in Atlanta in June 2008 where he ran a 4.4 40
• Had 24 receptions for 500 yards with eight touchdowns in 2007
• Played for coach Jasper Jewell at Miller Grove HS, earning three letters in football as a receiver and kick and punt returner
• Named team MVP and earned all-region honors in 2008
• Also played basketball and ran track in high school
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the academics, athletics and it is close to home
• Also received offers from Georgia, Boston College, Miami (Ohio), Mississippi State, North Carolina, UAB and Central Florida.
• Personal: Full name is Stephen Trevon Hill… son of Henry and Karen Hill… has one sibling, Kayla… born April 25, 1991 in Tucker, Ga… comes from an athletic family… father, Henry, played basketball at Lake City College… has three cousins who played college sports
OL / 6-4 / 275
Knoxville, Tenn. (Farragut HS)
• Athletic and aggressive player with good size
• Scout.com 3-star recruit
• No. 8 offensive guard in the nation (ESPN.com)
• No. 26 offensive guard in the nation (Scout.com)
• As a senior, finalist for 5A linemen Mr. Football award
• First team 5A all-state in 2008
• As a junior, Jackson earned first team all-state, all-county, all-region, all-city and All-East Tennessee honors at Farragut
• Played in Tennessee’s East-West All-Star Game and served as a team captain
• Coached by Eddie Courtney at Farragut High School, earning four letters in football
• Led Farragut to a regional championship in 2007
• Played on both the offensive and defensive line in high school
• A good student who made the academic honor roll in high school, maintaining a 3.75 GPA
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the education, the relationship with the coaches and players, the potential to play early and the ability to compete for championships
• Also received offers from Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and West Virginia
• Personal: Son of Steve and Janet Jackson… full name is William Patrick Jackson.. born August 13, 1990 in Athens, Ga… a left-hander… has two siblings, Thomas and Sarah… began playing football in the seventh grade… considering a major in management
DT / 6-4 / 335
Stillmore, Ga. (Emanuel County Institute)
• Possesses great size and power and has an excellent first-step
• Scout.com 4-star recruit
• No. 25 DT in the nation (Scout.com)
• No. 24 DT in the nation (ESPN.com)
• 2008 Class A first team all-state selection (GHSA and AJC) and a three-time first team all-region selection
• Played in the 2008 Georgia North-South All-Star Game
• Emanuel County was the 2008 Class A State runner-up and regional champions
• ECI won the state title and regional crown in 2007 while going 15-0
• The 2006 ECI team won a regional championship
• 2007 Class A All-State selection as a junior
• Coached by Milan Turner at Emanuel County High Institute
• Earned four varsity letters in football and served two years as team captain
• Won the Dar Good Citizenship Award
• Also played three seasons of basketball in high school, playing the center position
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the prestige of the school, the location and the opportunity to play under Paul Johnson
• Also considered Clemson, Georgia and LSU
• Personal: Son of Jerry and Jennifer Lanier… full name is Jerry Carnell Lanier… born Nov. 11, 1989 in Statesboro, Ga… has three older siblings, Sakelia Smith, Katina Starks and Orlondo Kirkland…began playing football at age 12… considering a major in history, technology and society
QB / 6-4 / 200
Greenwood, Ind. (Center Grove HS)
• An athlete with good size and excellent speed
• Scout.com 4-star recruit
• No. 26 QB in the nation (Scout.com)
• No. 22 QB in the nation (ESPN.com)
• Finalist for Indiana’s Mr. Football Award and the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in 2008
• Earned all-conference, all-county, all-metro and Indianapolis Star Super Team honors as a senior
• Was all-county, all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior
• Led Center Grove HS to a state championship in 2008
• 2008 Stats: 46-for-85 passing for 941 yards, two interceptions, and 14 touchdowns; rushed for 622 yards on 84 carries in the Wing-T offense… set school record for touchdown passes in a season and career, career completions and career completion percentage
• 2007 Stats: Helped team to a 9-2 record. Completed 60 percent of his passes for 756 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 475 yards and 13 touchdowns… set school record for single-season completion percentage
• Coached by Eric Moore at Center Grove HS, earning three varsity letters as a quarterback and wide receiver
• Also ran track (sprinter) for four years in high school
• Chose Georgia Tech because it was “athletically and academically the best fit for me”, the character and leadership of the coaching staff, and the city of Atlanta
• Also received offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Maryland and Stanford
• Personal: Son of William and Michelle Luallen… given name is Jordan William Luallen… born Nov. 15, 1990 in Greenwood, Ind… has two older siblings, Whitney and Kelsey… wants to be a college football coach… began playing flag football at age six… heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes… has served on two church missions, including a trip to Nicaragua… considering a major in science, technology and culture, or economics
CB / 6-0 / 185
Miramar, Fla. (Cypress Bay HS)
• Has great range and is a quick-closer
• Helped lead Cypress Bay High School to a 20-4 record and back-to-back district championships over his junior and senior seasons combined
• Ranked 98th at his position nationally by Scout.com
• Recorded 36 tackles and five interceptions as a senior en route to All-Broward County honors
• Selected to play in the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game
• Produced 31 tackles and three interceptions as a junior
• Miles is one of four Cypress Bay HS seniors to sign with FBS schools
• Played for coach Mark Guandolo at Cypress Bay
• Played two seasons of football and also ran track at Cypress Bay, and served as a team captain for both teams
• Played football and ran track at St. Thomas Aquinas before transferring to Cypress Bay
• Helped lead Cypress Bay to two district titles and St. Thomas Aquinas to one district crown
• Selected Georgia Tech because of the academics, the tradition of the football program and the family-like atmosphere
• Chose Georgia Tech over Troy, Kansas State, Tennessee, FIU and Pittsburgh
• On why he chose Georgia Tech: ”It came down to where I felt most comfortable. The coaching staff, the tremendous academics were all part of what I was looking for.”
• Personal: Parents are Carl and Susan Miles… full name is Carl Washington Miles… born Nov. 2, 1990 in Miami, Fla… has two younger sisters, Sarah and Stephanie… considering a major in management
WR / 6-3 / 170
Austin, Texas (LBJ HS)
• A tall, lanky receiver who runs smooth routes and has great hands
• 2008 Stats: Had 25 catches for 526 yards and five touchdowns … averaged 21.0 yards per catch… had three rushing attempts for 17 yards
• 2007 (as a junior): Caught 18 passes and scored six touchdowns
• Named all-district as a junior
• Coached by Demo Odens and Claude Mathis at LBJ High School
• Played three seasons of basketball and two seasons of track and field at LBJHS, and finished fifth in the state in the long jump
• Led football team to a district title as a senior, a bi-district crown as a junior and a district championship as a sophomore
• Named to the academic honor roll and won the fine art outstanding achievement award in high school
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the athletics, the choices of majors and the location
• “I chose to attend Tech because it has been my childhood dream to go there,” Moore said.
• Received offers from UTEP, New Mexico and Utah
• Personal: Son of Anthony and Mary Moore… full name is Jeremy Lamont Moore… born October 18, 1990 in Austin, Texas… a left-hander… has two siblings, Tiffany and Brandy… began playing Pop Warner football at age five… the first team he played for was called the East Austin Yellow Jackets… wore jersey No. 4 in high school because he idolized former Texas wide receiver Roy Williams… considering a major in business management
S / 6-2 / 195
Ware Shoals, S.C. (Ware Shoals HS)
• A sound safety with good size and outstanding range
• Recruited to play defensive back but has the skills to play at the A-back position on offense
• Led Ware Shoals High School to four consecutive regional championships
• Earned all-state honors and played in the North-South All-Star Game in 2008
• A four-time all-region selection
• Recorded 82 tackles and seven interceptions on defense and had 1,129 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns on offense in 2008
• Produced 3,429 yards of total offense and 63 touchdowns, and 160 tackles and 18 interceptions for his career
• Played for coach Jeff Murdock, earning four varsity letters and serving one year as team captain
• Also played four years of basketball in high school
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the education, the city of Atlanta, and the football program
• Also received offers from Texas A&M, Marshall, Oregon and Toledo
• Personal: Full name is Lance Leon Richardson… son of Willie Richardson and Anjenet Leverett… born Sept. 21, 1990 in Greenwood, S.C… a left-hander… has one older sibling, Terrance… Terrance played football for four years at Newberry College.. active in the FCA… considering a major in management
QB / 5-11 / 210
St. Matthews, S.C. (Calhoun County HS)
• A dual-threat quarterback who should fit nicely into Paul Johnson’s system
• An excellent athlete who was a playmaker on both sides of the ball in high school
• Scout.com 3-star recruit
• No. 54 QB in the nation (Scout.com)
• No. 20 athlete in the nation (ESPN.com)
• Finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football award
• Second team all-state selection for all classifications
• Named ESPN’s National High School Player of the Week
• Played in South Carolina’s North-South All-Star Game
• Passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior in 2008
• Threw for 1,492 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 895 yards and 11 TDs, picked off five passes including two for touchdowns as a junior in 2007
• Holds school records for total offense in a season (3,900), passing touchdowns (37), career passing yards (5,800) and career rushing yards (2,800)
• Led CCHS to three regional championships and Sims was 28-6 as a starter during his career
• Coached by Walter Wilson at Calhoun Country High School, earning four varsity letters in football including two seasons as team captain
• Also played two seasons of basketball in high school
• Also received offers from Kansas, Kentucky, N.C. State and South Carolina
• Personal: Son of David Sims, Sr. and Carolyn Jackson… full name is David O’Briann Sims… born Sept. 14, 1990 in Orangeburg, S.C… began playing football at age 11… may want to pursue a career as a sports agent… considering a major in management
A-Back / 6-0 / 190
Phenix City, Ala. (Central HS)
• A very strong runner, productive as a slashing, straight-line ball-carrier
• 2008 Stats: Rushed for 1,252 yards on 214 carries and scored 18 touchdowns during his senior season
• His 18 touchdowns in 2008 tied a school record
• 2007 Stats: As a junior, rushed for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns
• A first team all-state selection, two-time All-Bi-City and two-time team MVP
• Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic
• Coached by Ron Nelson at Central High School, earning three varsity letters as a running back
• Also ran track for four years (sprinter) and played basketball for three seasons
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the academics, the football program and the city of Atlanta
• Also received offers from Clemson, UAB and Vanderbilt
• Personal: Son of Stacy Henry and Monica Smith.. full name is Orwin Dante Smith… has two siblings, Robert and Malik.. began playing football at age seven
CB / 6-0 / 170
Locust Grove, Ga. (Luella HS)
• Scout.com 4-star recruit
• No. 22 CB in the nation (Scout.com)
• No. 28 safety in the nation (ESPN.com)
• 2008 Georgia Class 5A first team all-state selection, and a two-time first team all-region
• Earned Golden Helmet Award for academic and athletic performance and was team MVP in 2008
• Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Game in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
• 2008 Stats: Had 36 receptions for 723 yards and 10 TD’s
• Defensively, had 58 tackles and two interceptions and also served as a kickoff and punt returner
• 2007 Stats: junior season had 58 tackles, one interception, one blocked field goal, one fumble recovery and a 99-yard kickoff return
• Coached by Paul Burgdorf at Luella High School
• Earned three varsity letters in football and served two years as team captain
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the education, the athletics and the coaching staff
• Also received offers from Auburn, Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio State.
• Personal: Son of Norris and Williesa Toomer… full name is Roderick Hilary Sweeting… born Sept. 28, 1990 in Miami… has two siblings, Garrett Toomer and Tyrikka Hudson… uncle, John Henry, played basketball at Oral Roberts… enjoys riding horses and four-wheelers… started playing football at age eight… considering a major in management
A-Back / 5-10 / 185
Fitzgerald, Ga. (Fitzgerald HS)
• A smooth, natural athlete who can play on either side of the ball
• Scout.com 3-star recruit
• 2008: Class AA Defensive Player of the Year (AJC)
• Class AA first team all-state selection (GHSA and AJC), all-district and was named to the North-South All-Star Classic roster
• 2008 Stats: 59 rushes for 518 yards and seven touchdowns, an average of 8.8 yards per carry
• Defensively, had 140 Total Tackles (84 Solo) with three blocked field goals and four Interceptions
• Coached by Robbie Pruitt at Fitzgerald High School and also ran track
• Chose Georgia Tech because “it’s the perfect place”, the Yellow Jacket players and because it is close to home
• Also received offers from Purdue, Troy and Vanderbilt among others
• Personal: Full name is Jemea I. Thomas… born April 7, 1990 in Fitzgerald, Ga… has five older siblings… brother, Fabian Daniel, played football at Shorter College… began playing football at age nine… undecided on a major
LB / 6-2 / 230
Tennille, Ga. (Washington County HS)
• Athletic linebacker with a good blend of size, speed and range • Scout.com 3-star recruit • No. 30 weak-side linebacker in the nation (Scout.com)
• No. 49 outside linebacker in the nation (ESPN.com)
• 2008 Stats: 86 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three interceptions; three rushing touchdowns as a quarterback
• Played in only eight games in 2008. Played second half of season with a torn labrum in shoulder
• Honorable mention All-State (GHSA)
• Augusta Chronicle All-Georgia Team
• Region 3AAA Defensive Player of the Year
• First team All-Middle Georgia
• Earned four varsity letters in football at Washington County HS, playing quarterback and safety, and served two years as a team captain
• Had single-game highs of two interceptions and 20 tackles
• Also ran track for four years (sprinter) and played basketball for two seasons in high school
• Wore No. 10 in high school because it’s the same number his cousin, Stacy Walls, wore
• Chose Georgia Tech because of the coaching staff, the academics and because he “felt at home”
• Also received offers from Clemson, Florida, N.C. State among others
• Personal: Parents are Jimmy and Sabrina Watts… born Jan. 21, 1991 in Augusta, Ga… has one sibling, Marquise… began playing football at age seven… undecided on a major
