GWU football adds 18

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Gardner-Webb head football coach Carroll McCray announced an 18-man recruiting class on Wednesday, National Signing Day, with six enrolled for the spring semester.

The class includes student-athletes from seven states, American Samoa and Australia.

“We are excited about this group,” said McCray, who was introduced as head coach on January 28. “Coming in at the end of January, we sat down and evaluated the young men who had chosen Gardner-Webb prior to our arrival, and came away impressed with the quality of these guys on the field. The strong character we encountered when meeting with and speaking to them gave us a lot of confidence in the type of young men we are adding to the program. There is no doubt they will help us on and off the field.”

Three of the recruits – safety Spencer Havird (6-2, 185, El Cajon, Calif.), receiver Kalay Jones (6-2, 185, Union, S.C.) and linebacker Justin Miller (6-2, 210, Colorado Springs, Colo.) – earned All-State honors following the 2012 season.

Gardner-Webb added five defensive backs, six linemen – three on each side of the football – one linebacker and six offensive skill players.

Two of the lineman hail from outside the Continental United States. Defensive tackle Phillip Fata (6-3, 290, Jr.) played high school football at Samoana High in American Samoa before spending time at Golden West College in California.

Offensive tackle Jordan Stalker (6-5, 295, Fr.) is the first football player to sign with Gardner-Webb from Australia. He was a member of the IFAF World Development Team training camp and was courted by several major programs – including Hawaii, Colorado State and Georgia Tech.

2013 Recruiting Class

Thomas Adams * 6-1 * 180 * DB * Fr. * Memphis, Tenn. / Central HS

Collyn Anderson * 6-6 * 190 * QB * Fr. * Durham, N.C. / Hillside HS

Chase Arrington * 6-0 * 195 * QB * Fr. * Sanford, N.C. / Lee County HS

James “J.T.” Crosby * 6-2 * 275 * OL * So. * Catawba, S.C. / Lewisville HS / College of the Canyons

Phillip Fata * 6-3 * 290 * DT * Jr. * Utulei, American Samoa / Samoana HS / Golden West College

Angel Guzman * 5-10 * 175 * CB * Fr. * Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / University School

Spencer Havird * 6-2 * 185 * DB * Fr. * El Cajon, Calif. / Valhalla HS

Charleston Higginbotham * 6-0 * 181 * CB * Jr. * Pearland, Texas / Pearland HS / Tyler JC

Russell Hughes * 6-4 * 275 * DL * Fr. * Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney HS

Kalay Jones * 6-2 * 185 * WR * Fr. * Union, S.C. / Union County HS

Owen Lucas III * 5-11 * 185 * CB * Fr. * Durham, N.C. / Southern HS

Donovan Manning * 6-1 * 250 * DL * Fr. * Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney HS

Justin Miller * 6-2 * 210 * LB * Fr. * Colorado Springs, Colo. / Classical Academy HS

Gabe Nold * 6-1 * 295 * OL * Fr. * Tampa, Fla. / Armwood HS

Garrett Pratt * 6-1 * 180 * WR * Fr. * Smithfield, N.C. / IMG (Fla.) Academy / Fork Union Military Academy

Jordan Stalker * 6-5 * 295 * OL * Fr. * Bulli, New South Wales, Australia / Wollongong AFC

Rodrick Talley * 5-10 * 200 * RB * Fr. * Laurens, S.C. / Laurens HS

Drake Wells * 5-8 * 170 * WR * Fr. * Candler, N.C. / Enka HS

*GWU Sports Information contributed to this report