BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb head coach Steve Patton announced Wednesday that 18 student-athletes had decided to join the Bulldogs' program as part of National Signing Day.

The group signified a major step in shoring up the offensive line, receiver and the secondary - areas that will be depleted due to graduation losses after 2007 and 2008.

"We needed to get more size on the offensive line, and we accomplished that," said GWU head coach Steve Patton. "We needed to get faster and more talented in the secondary, we did that. We signed our top four guys at receiver and our best two prospects at tight end - two areas we knew going into February that we needed help due to graduation losses.

"We wound up with the top four guys on our recruiting board at cornerback as well, and that's very tough to do at this level. Our staff did a tremendous job recognizing and identifying young men who could help us win championships and be assets to our University academically. This class ranks at the top since I've been here academically, and we're proud of that."

Offensively, the Bulldogs' skill position additions - four receivers, two tight ends and a running back - combined to score an eye-popping 81 touchdowns on the high school level in 2006, with speedy local receivers Tyson Petty (Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney HS) and Marquis Sanders (Mt. Holly, N.C. / East Gaston HS) each averaging better than 20 yards per catch. Both Petty (6-0, 165) and Sanders (5-11, 170) cover 40 yards in less than 4.4 seconds, giving GWU a pair of game-breaking threats on the outside. The duo combined for 25 touchdown receptions in 2006.

Another local product, Gastonia (N.C.) Ashbrook running back Patrick Hall (5-11, 218) was the top touchdown man among that group of seven, rushing for 1,651 yards and 27 scores for the Green Wave.

Gardner-Webb signed a large collection of offensive linemen, paced by All-State tackles Corey O'Daniel (Louisville, Ky. / St. Xavier) and Patrick Wilson (Atlanta, Ga. / St. Pius X). Both O'Daniel (6-7, 330) and Wilson (6-4, 290) provide excellent size - and each played in high-powered offenses last season. All-State center C.J. Bryant, a 6-foot-1, 275-pounder from Greer (S.C.) Blue Ridge, and guard Zach Welch (6-3, 295) from Greensboro (N.C.) Southern Guilford round out a quartet that averages 6-foot-3, 297 pounds per man.

A complete list of Wednesday's signees is included below, followed by in-depth bio sketches.

Gardner-Webb's Football Additions For Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Kendrick Best * 6-1 * 165 * CB * Goldsboro, N.C. / E. Wayne
C.J. Bryant * 6-1 * 275 * OC * Greer, S.C. / Blue Ridge
Patrick Hall * 5-11 * 218 * RB * Gastonia, N.C. / Ashbrook
Kyle Hoffner * 6-2 * 240 * TE * Sebring, Fla. / Sebring
Chris James * 5-11 * 185 * CB * Tyrone, Ga. / Sandy Creek
Lyndon Leslie * 6-2 * 195 * WR * Lithonia, Ga. / ML King
Josh Miller * 6-2 * 225 * TE * Danville, Ky. / Boyle County
Bryce Nixon * 5-10 * 170 * CB * Lithonia, Ga. / ML King
Corey O'Daniel * 6-7 * 330 * OT * Louisville, Ky. / St. Xavier
Tre Perry * 5-11 * 170 * CB/ATH * Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley
Tyson Petty * 6-0 * 165 * WR * Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney
Kenny Rivers * 6-2 * 180 * WR * Mocksville, N.C. / Davie Co.
Nelson Rushing * 6-1 * 275 * DL * Wadesboro, N.C. / Anson Co.
Marquis Sanders * 5-11 * 170 * WR * Mt. Holly, N.C. / E. Gaston
Zach Welch * 6-3 * 295 * OG * Greensboro, N.C. / S. Guilford
Bradley Williams * 6-3 * 190 * PK * Greenville, S.C. / Greenville
Jeffrey Williams * 6-0 * 205 * LB * Frisco City, Ala. / Frisco City
Patrick Wilson * 6-4 * 290 * OT * Atlanta, Ga. / St. Pius X

BIOS

Kendrick Best * 6-1 * 175 * CB * Goldsboro, N.C. / Eastern Wayne HS
Played at Eastern Wayne (N.C.) High under Coach Jeff Price … One of the fastest corners in the state … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds (2006 Elite 8 Combine) … A first-team All-Conference selection as a prep senior … Helped Warriors to a 7-5 record … Intercepted seven passes and returned three for touchdowns in 2006 … Among the state leaders in both categories … Moved from receiver to running back in the final two games of the season, and finished with 452 yards and four touchdowns on just 56 carries … In addition to his three interception returns for touchdowns, also had a 74-yard punt return for a score … An honorable mention All-Area selection by the Goldsboro News-Argus as a junior … Had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2005 … Was the team's track MVP as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over The Citadel, Western Carolina and Coastal Carolina.

C.J. Bryant * 6-1 * 275 * OC * Greer, S.C. / Blue Ridge HS
Played at Blue Ridge (S.C.) High under Coach David Farnham … A Class 3A All-State selection by the S.C. High School Sports Report … A first-team All-County selection by the Greenville Touchdown Club … Cleared a path for the Tigers' single-season rushing record of 2,532 yards and 28 touchdowns … Tigers' offense recorded over 3,500 total offensive yards in 2006 … Played in the SCADA North/South All-Star Game … Chose Gardner-Webb over Coastal Carolina, Elon and The Citadel.

Patrick Hall * 5-11 * 218 * RB * Gastonia, N.C. / Ashbrook HS
Played at Ashbrook (N.C.) High under Coach Mike Briggs … Named Big South 3A/4A Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 … A first-team All-Gaston/Lincoln selection by the Charlotte Observer … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds at the 2006 Shrine Bowl Combine in Charlotte, the third-best time among running backs tested … Carried 235 times for 1,651 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2006 … Scored 75 percent of the team's total touchdowns on the season … Averaged a strong 7.0 yards per carry … Ran 14 times for 149 yards and five touchdowns in a win over West Mecklenburg … Had 202 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries vs. East Gaston … Had 22 carries for 212 yards and three scores vs. North Gaston, including scoring runs of 80 and 49 yards … Rushed 38 times for 212 yards and four touchdowns against rival Hunter Huss … Had an 80 yard kickoff return for a score vs. Forestview, and added 192 yard rushing and two touchdowns on 18 carries … Carried 19 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns vs. Burns … Bulled for 106 yards and two scores on 15 carries vs. Shelby … Rushed for 1,196 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … Ran for a career-high 292 yards and a touchdown in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs … Two-time All-Conference selection … Is the nephew of former Clemson University and Ashbrook High standout Junior Hall … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina.

Kyle Hoffner * 6-2 * 240 * TE * Sebring, Fla. / Sebring HS
Played at Sebring (Fla.) High under Coach Jared Hamlin … A first-team All-Highlands County selection by the Tampa Bay Tribune … Selected to play in the 2006 South Central Florida All-Star Game … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds … Caught 28 passes for 631 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an amazing 22.5 yards per catch … Helped team to its first winning season since 1999, finishing with a 6-4 mark … Hauled in on catch, a 90-yard touchdown grab, in the season finale win over Bradford (Fla.) High … Had a season-high six catches for 114 yards and touchdown vs. Winter Haven … Also a solid defensive end for the Blue Streaks as a senior … Also recruited by Florida Atlantic.

Chris James * 5-11 * 185 * CB * Tyrone, Ga. / Sandy Creek HS
Played at Sandy Creek (Ga.) High under Coach Chip Walker … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds … Helped team to a 7-4 record in 2006 … A second-team All-Area selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Chose Gardner-Webb over UT Chattanooga, Delaware and Coastal Carolina.

Lyndon Leslie * 6-2 * 195 * WR * Lithonia, Ga. / Martin Luther King HS
Played at Martin Luther King (Ga.) High under Coach Corey Jarvis … An honorable mention All-DeKalb/Rockdale selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Helped Lions to a 10-2 mark and the Class 5A state playoffs … Led team and finished third in DeKalb County with 35 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns … Accounted for half of the Lions' receiving yards and touchdowns … Big, athletic, receiver with excellent leaping ability … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … A prep teammate of 2007 GWU signee Lanorris Nixon ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Hampton and Western Kentucky.

Josh Miller * 6-2 * 225 * TE * Danville, Ky. / Boyle County HS
Played at Boyle County (Ky.) High under Coach Chris Pardue … Rated the No. 18 senior prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds … Carries a 3.67 grade point average ... A third-team All-State choice by the Louisville Courier-Journal … An honorable mention 2006 All-State selection by the Associated Press … Named to the Kentucky High School Football Association (KHSFA) Tremendous 26 Team … An All-Area selection by the Danville Advocate Messenger … Led the area with 41 catches for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air … Also rushed 34 times for 252 yards and three scores … Averaged 15.8 yards per touch on offense … Named District Player of the Year … An All-Mid State Football Association selection as a junior … Also an All-Area selection … Had 19 catches for 579 yards and seven touchdowns receiving … Rushed 40 times for 258 yards and four touchdowns at fullback … Added 85 tackles and two interceptions at linebacker … Drew recruiting interest from Louisville, Kentucky and West Virginia, among others.

Lanorris Nixon * 5-10 * 170 * CB * Lithonia, Ga. / Martin Luther King HS
Played at Martin Luther King (Ga.) High under Coach Corey Jarvis … Helped Lions to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Class 5A state playoffs … The leader of a talented secondary that allowed just 73.3 yards per game through the air … Registered 47 tackles and led the team with three interceptions … Played in 10 games as a junior, helping Lions to a 9-3 record … A teammate of 2007 Gardner-Webb signee Lyndon Leslie ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Elon.

Corey O'Daniel * 6-7 * 325 * OT * Louisville, Ky. / St. Xavier HS
Played at state powerhouse St. Xavier (Ky.) High under Coach Mike Glaser … A first-team Associated Press All-State selection as a senior … Also named first-team All-Bluegrass State by Bluegrasspreps.com … Earned first-team All-Region honors … Helped team to a 9-3 record … Top blocker for one of the nation's top running backs, 2007 University of Louisville signee Victor Anderson … Named All-State by the Associated Press as a junior after helping the Tigers to a 14-1 record and the Class 4A finals … Helped produce a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his two seasons as a starter … Played for one of the Bluegrass State's most storied programs (11 overall state football titles) … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Kentucky … Was recruited by Kentucky, Louisville, NC State and Miami (Ohio).

James Perry III * 5-11 * 170 * ATH * Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley HS
Played at Dudley (N.C.) High under Coach Steven Davis … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Standout academically who was nominated for the 2007 Wendy's High School Heisman Award … An honorable mention All-Area selection by the Greensboro News & Record at quarterback … Two-time All-Conference selection … Played both ways for the Panthers, starring at quarterback during the 2006 season, as well as in the secondary … Completed 74-of-143 passes for 1,677 yards and 18 touchdowns under center, directing a successful Panthers' offense … Also rushed for six touchdowns ... Also took snaps at receiver … Passed for over 1,500 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns as a junior ... Started at receiver and cornerback as a sophomore ... A baseball standout for Dudley, earning All-Conference honors as a junior in that sport … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina and Morgan State.

Tyson Petty * 6-0 * 165 * WR * Gaffney, S.C. / Gaffney HS
Played at Gaffney (S.C.) High under Coach Phil Strickland… Big play receiver with blazing 4.33-second speed in the 40-yard dash … Class 4A Division I State Player of the Year by the S.C. High School Sports Report … An All-State selection by SCVarsity.com … All-Region selection … A first-team All-Area choice by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal ... Played in the SCADA North/South All-Star Game … Caught 71 passes for 1,550 yards and 13 touchdowns, an impressive 21.8 yards per catch … Led Indians to a 15-0 record and their second Class 4A Division state championship … Team finished ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals.com … Had five catches for 141 yards and a 59-yard touchdown in the state title game win over Irmo (S.C.) High … Scored both of Gaffney's touchdowns in a 16-13 playoff win over nationally-ranked Byrnes (S.C.) High, taking a kickoff 97 yards for a score and turning a short pass into a 77-yard touchdown play … Had 150 receiving yards and a touchdown in a regular season defeat of Byrnes … Chose Gardner-Webb over The Citadel and Western Carolina … Also recruited by Wake Forest, South Carolina and Kentucky.

Kenny Rivers * 6-2 * 180 * WR * Mocksville, N.C. / Davie County HS
Played at Davie County (N.C.) High under Coach Doug Illing … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … Finished as the War Eagles' career leader in receiving yardage with 1,091 … Played in just six games as a senior in 2006 … Had 32 catches for 674 yards and seven touchdowns … Averaged 105.3 yards per game to help War Eagles to a 6-0 start … Had seven catches for 194 yards in a win over West Rowan … Had 417 receiving yards as a junior … Helped team to an 11-3 record … Chose Gardner-Webb over Coastal Carolina.

Nelson Rushing * 6-1 * 270 * DL * Wadesboro, N.C. / Anson County HS
Played at Anson County (N.C.) High under Coach Jody Grooms … Two-way standout on the line … Excellent student … Earned All-Southern Piedmont Conference honors as a junior and senior … Helped Bearcats to a 10-4 record in 2006 … Finished with 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks at defensive tackle ... Added five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Furman, Wofford, Western Carolina and William & Mary … Also recruited by Navy.

Marquis Sanders * 5-11 * 170 * WR * Mt. Holly, N.C. / East Gaston HS
Played at East Gaston (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Lloyd … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds … Has run the 100m dash in a strong 10.9 seconds … A first-team All-Gaston/Lincoln County selection by the Charlotte Observer … All-Conference … Had a career-best 47 catches for 1,011 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006 … Had five catches for 126 yards and an 86-yard touchdown vs. Burns … Had three catches for 106 yards and a 65-yard score vs. Carson High … Had four catches for 111 yards and an 85-yard touchdown vs. North Gaston … Saw limited action as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina.

Zach Welch * 6-3 * 296 * OG * Greensboro, N.C. / Southern Guilford HS
Played at Southern Guilford (N.C.) High under Coach Darryl Brown … A first-team All-Area selection by the Greensboro News-Record … All-Conference … Excellent in the classroom with a 4.08 grade point average … Helped young team to a 6-6 record in 2006 … Registered 28 pancake blocks and allowed just one quarterback sack in 11 games of pass protection … Helped squad to a 9-4 record and the Class 2A playoffs as a junior … Team's most valuable offensive lineman … Chose Gardner-Webb over Elon.

Bradley Williams * 6-3 * 190 * PK * Greenville, S.C. / Greenville HS
Played at Greenville (S.C.) High under Coach Jim Sosebee … Rated the No. 118 player in South Carolina's Class of 2006 by the High School Sports Report … Connected on 40 consecutive PAT attempts and scored 272 career points for the Red Raiders … Boomed kickoffs to the opposition's two-yard line on average in 2006 … All-Region as a senior … Earned Class 3A All-State honors from the S.C. High School Sports Report in 2005 … Set a state record with 76 extra point makes that season … Tied state record twice, once as junior and once as a senior, with 11 extra point makes in a single game … Earned All-Region honors as a sophomore in 2004.

Jeffrey Williams * 6-0 * 205 * LB * Frisco City, Ala. / Frisco City HS
Played at Frisco City (Ala.) High under Coach Troy Quinn … First-team Class 1A All-State choice by the ASWA (Alabama Sportswriters Association) … Led the state of Alabama with 19.6 tackles per game … Outstanding student who ranks at the top of his senior class … An All-Region selection by the Mobile Press-Register … Had 196 tackles (155 solo) and 37 tackles for loss for the Whippets … Had six games with at least 20 tackles … Also a standout on offense, rushing 87 times for 880 yards and six touchdowns at fullback (10.2 yards per rush) … Had a 92-yard touchdown run vs. McIntosh (Ala.) High … Had four 100-yard rushing games … Also caught 13 passes for 361 yards and seven touchdowns (27.7 yards per catch) … Best all-around game came vs. Blacksher (Ala.) High, rushing for 105 yards on 15 carries, catching five passes for 169 yards and recording 27 hits on defense … Chose Gardner-Webb over Samford, Jacksonville State and Furman … Also recruited by Vanderbilt.

Patrick Wilson * 6-4 * 290 * OT * Atlanta, Ga. / St. Pius X HS
Played at St. Pius X (Ga.) High under Coach Paul Standard … A consensus first-team Class 4A All-State selection by the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Played in the annual Georgia North/South All-Star Game … First-team All-DeKalb County by the DeKalb County Coaches Association … A first-team All-Area choice by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006 … Led team to a 12-2 record and the Class 4A semifinals at the Georgia Dome … Graded out at 92 percent in 14 starts as a senior … Top blocker on an offense that set school records with 4,112 rushing yards and 406 points … Team's Offensive Player of the Year … Graded out at 84 percent as a junior … An All-Area choice by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2005 … Also Named first-team All-DeKalb County by the Dunwoody Crier in 2005 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Georgia Southern, Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga.