BOILING SPRINGS - National Signing Day was fruitful for Gardner-Webb University's football program, as 20 student-athletes signed to play for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Head coach Steve Patton and his staff targeted the Southeast heavily, with 19 of the 20 signees hailing from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The Runnin' Bulldogs inked 12 players who played high school football within a two-hour drive of campus.

One signee, cornerback Terrance Thomas (5-11, 170) is already enrolled at Gardner-Webb and started classes in January. The speedy Thomas, from Pageland, S.C., led the state of South Carolina with 11 interceptions as a senior during the 2008 season - helping Central High to the Class 2A state finals.

The class was balanced, with 10 signees slated for offense and 10 for defense - although several in the class could wind up on either side of the football. Six were named All-State as seniors.

Gardner-Webb signed a pair of highly-regarded postgraduate players from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy in linebacker Traneir Fraiser (6-2, 230, Florence, S.C.) and defensive tackle Maurice Dickson (6-4, 252, Hillside N.J.). Fraiser, who helped Florence (S.C.) Wilson High to a Class 3A state championship as a junior in 2007, was courted by a host of Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

Fraiser and Dickson weren't the only teammates to sign with Gardner-Webb on Wednesday.

Athletic offensive tackle Tyler Hough-Jenkins (6-4, 250), linebacker Sean Hubbard (6-1, 194) and quarterback Lucas Beatty (6-2, 198) helped Olympic (N.C.) High in Charlotte to the state playoffs in 2009. Juanne Blount (5-8, 185), an option quarterback who will play running back for the 'Dogs, and Shrine Bowl cornerback Orlando Ratliff (6-0, 200) each starred at Forest Hills (N.C.) High. Blount accounted for 102 touchdowns during his high school career.

"We addressed some specific needs for our football program today, and this group is as balanced as we've signed in recent years," said Patton. "We signed very good tackles on both sides of the ball, and added some very tough and athletic skill guys. Several of these young men had opportunities at the FBS level, and we are thrilled they will be suiting up for the Runnin' Bulldogs. This is a class that will play a major role in our success over the next four years at Gardner-Webb. From top to bottom, all of these young men are gifted football players, and we were able to sign our top targets at a number of positions."

Gardner-Webb's 2010 Football Recruiting Class
Lucas Beatty * 6-2 * 198 * QB * Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
Juanne Blount * 5-8 * 185 * RB * Wingate, N.C. / Forest Hills HS
Seth Cranfill * 6-4 * 218 * TE * Sherrill's Ford, N.C. / Bandys HS
Maurice Dickson * 6-4 * 252 * DT * Hillside, N.J. / Fork Union
Traneir Fraiser * 6-2 * 230 * LB * Florence, S.C. / Fork Union
Terry Hollingshed * 6-3 * 280 * DT * Norcross, Ga. / Norcross HS
Tyler Hough-Jenkins * 6-4 * 250 * OT * Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
Sean Hubbard * 6-1 * 194 * LB * Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
Richard Jules * 6-0 * 170 * WR * Tampa, Fla. / Armwood HS
David McConnell * 6-6 * 270 * OT * Gainesville, Ga. / Gainesville HS
Jacob McQueen * 6-4 * 260 * OL * Rock Hill, S.C. / South Pointe HS

Ainsley Miller * 6-4 * 275 * DT * Charlotte, N.C. / First Assembly Christian

Cory Phillips * 5-11 * 175 * CB * Avondale Estates, Ga./ M.L. King HS
Orlando Ratliff * 6-0 * 200 * CB * Wingate, N.C. / Forest Hills HS
Tray Schley * 6-3 * 210 * TE * Fort Myers, Fla. / South Fort Myers HS
Deonte Swinton * 6-1 * 180 * WR * Phenix City, Ala. / Central HS
Terrence Thomas * 5-11 * 170 * CB * Pageland, S.C. / Central HS
Kelvin "Tank" Wilkins * 6-3 * 194 * LB * Spartanburg, S.C. / Spartanburg HS
Kyeonta "Keon" Williams * 6-0 * 160 * CB * Charlotte, N.C. / Providence HS
Nino Woolridge * 5-11 * 208 * RB * Honea Path, S.C. / Belton-Honea Path HS

Signee Bios
Lucas Beatty * 6-2 * 198 * QB * Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
Played at Olympic (N.C.) High under Coach Barry Shuford ... Passed for 4,162 yards and 41 touchdowns in three years as the Trojans' starter under center … Excellent student … A first-team All-Conference selection as a senior … Completed 109-of-158 passes for 1,733 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2009 … Rushed for five touchdowns … Missed playoffs after suffering an injury midway through the season finale … Led team to a 10-2 regular season mark and a school-record 459 points … Passed for 300 yards and a school-record five touchdowns vs. East Gaston … Had six total touchdowns in that game … Completed 20-of-28 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns vs. Sun Valley … Earned All-Conference honors as a junior after completing 125-of-205 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns … Ran for three touchdowns … Passed for 700 yards as a sophomore … Chose Gardner-Webb over Davidson, Marist, Cornell, Western Carolina and Wingate.

Juanne Blount * 5-8 * 185 * RB * Wingate, N.C. / Forest Hills HS
Played at Forest Hills (N.C.) High under Coach John Lowery … Led team to an 9-4 record in 2009 … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Squats 520 pounds … One of the state's most elusive runners … A Class 2A All-State selection for the second year in a row by NCPreps.com … Two-time Rocky River 2A Conference Player of the Year … Two-time Union County Player of the Year by the Monroe Enquirer Journal … A first-team All-Area selection by the Charlotte Observer on offense … Accounted for an eye-popping 102 touchdowns during his career … Registered eight career games with at least 200 yards rushing … Played quarterback on the high school level and finished with a school and Union County record 5,392 career rushing yards and 84 touchdowns … Had 12 career passing touchdowns, returned three career kickoffs and two interceptions for scores … Also caught a touchdown pass … Helped team average 38 points per game in 2009 … Ran for 2,034 yards and 35 touchdowns on 222 attempts as a senior … Passed for 833 yards and seven touchdowns … Had six rushes of more than 50 yards on the season … Ran for 272 yards and five touchdowns vs. West Stanley … Added 30 tackles and an interception on defense … Earned Class 2A All-State honors from NCPreps.com as a junior … Led team to an 11-4 record and the Class 2AA state semifinals … Ran for 2,264 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2008 on 265 attempts … Passed for 313 yards and five scores in 2008 … Chose GWU over Western Carolina … Drew recruiting interest from East Carolina, Virginia and Duke.

Seth Cranfill * 6-4 * 218 * TE * Sherrill's Ford, N.C. / Bandys HS
Played at Bandys (N.C.) High under Coach Randy Lowman … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds … Excellent receiving tight end … A first-team All-State selection by NCPreps.com, appearing on the organization's all-classification team and Class 2A team … Also a first-team All-Region selection by the Charlotte Observer … A two-time All-Unifour selection by the Hickory Daily Record … Hauled in 56 receptions for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior in 2009 … Led the state in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for a tight end … Earned All-State honors in 2008 as a junior as well … Caught 64 passes for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns that season … Earned All-Piedmont honors … Set new school career records with 169 receptions for 2,640 yards and 30 touchdowns … Set a Bandys single-game record with 10 catches for 239 yards in a game as a junior … Had 49 catches for 633 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore … Also considered Wofford and Wingate … Drew recruiting interest from East Carolina, NC State, North Carolina and Georgia.

Maurice Dickson * 6-4 * 252 * DL * Hillside, N.J. / Fork Union
Played 2009 season at Fork Union Military (Va.) Academy under Major John Shuman … Started on both sides of the football for one of the nation's top postgraduate teams … Played senior season at Hillside (N.J.) High under Coach John Power … Helped team to an 8-3 record … Earned All-County, All-Conference and All-Group 2 honors in 2008 … Registered 77 total tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense … Spearheaded a defense that allowed just 7.7 points per game for the season … Was a two-way starter as a junior and senior … Also earned All-Conference and All-Group 2 honors as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Delaware, James Madison, Monmouth and Wagner.

Traneir Fraiser * 6-2 * 230 * LB * Florence, S.C. / Fork Union
Played 2009 season at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy under Major John Shuman … Finished the season with 23 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks … Also had a blocked punt … Played high school football at Wilson (S.C.) High in Florence under Coach Darryl Page … Led team with 103 total tackles and eight sacks as a senior in 2008 ... Also recovered a fumble ... Helped Tigers to the 2007 Class AAA state championship as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Middle Tennessee State … Also considered Toledo, Maryland and Florida Atlantic.

Terry Hollingshed * 6-3 * 280 * DL * Norcross, Ga. / Norcross HS
Played at Norcross (Ga.) High under Coach Keith Maloof … Played both ways during his career with the Blue Devils … Selected to play in the Gwinnett County All-Star Game following senior season … Helped team to an 8-4 record and a region championship as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State … Also considered Louisville and Nevada.

Tyler Hough-Jenkins * 6-4 * 250 * OT * Charlotte, NC. / Olympic HS
Played at Olympic (N.C.) High under Coach Barry Shuford … A first-team All-Conference selection in 2009 … One of the state's most athletic offensive linemen … Helped team to an 11-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs … Cleared a path for an explosive offense that averaged 231.5 yards rushing for the season and 379 yards of total offense per game … Team set a school record with 459 points scored on the season … The top blocker for a 1,500-yard rusher … A second-team All-Mecklenburg County selection by the Charlotte Observer … Finished with 20 tackles, one sack and five pressures on the defensive line … Chose Gardner-Webb over Furman, The Citadel, Western Carolina, Presbyterian and Norfolk State.

Sean Hubbard * 6-1 * 194 * LB/SS * Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic HS
Played at Olympic (N.C.) High under Coach Barry Shuford … Strong, athletic player who could see time in college as a safety or linebacker … A first-team All-Mecklenburg County selection by the Charlotte Observer … A first-team All-Conference selection … MEGA 7 Conference Defensive Player of the Year … Helped team to an 11-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs … Finished season with 114 total tackles (66 solo), three sacks, eight pressures, six pass break ups and an interception … Also recovered five fumbles and forced three fumbles … Scored a pair of touchdowns … Helped team to a 9-4 record as a junior … Registered 86 total tackles in 2008 … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering Duke and several other programs.

Richard Jules * 6-0 * 170 * WR * Tampa, Fla. / Armwood HS
Played at state powerhouse Armwood (Fla.) High under Coach Sean Callahan … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Rated the No. 8 receiver in the Tampa Bay area for the Class of 2010 … Team captain … Helped team to a 13-2 record in 2009 … Finished senior season with 19 catches for 329 yards and four touchdowns … Also completed 2-of-3 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown … Had four different games with at least three catches … Caught a season-high three passes for 70 yards and a score vs. East Bay High … Caught a pair of touchdown passes vs. Newsome High … Also a strong blocker for a team that rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2009 … Helped team to a 12-1 record and the Class 4A quarterfinals in 2008 as a junior … Caught a team-high 19 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns as a junior … Completed two pass attempts for 104 yards and a pair of scores … Helped team rush for more than 2,400 yards … An All-Hillsborough County selection in Track & Field as part of Armwood's standout 4x400m relay team, which ran a top time of 3:18.00 in 2009 … Born in Haiti … Chose Gardner-Webb over Towson, Stony Brook and Liberty.

David McConnell * 6-6 * 270 * OL * Gainesville, Ga. / Gainesville HS
Played at Gainesville (Ga.) High under Coach Bruce Miller … Helped team to a 14-1 record in 2009 and the Class 3A state finals … Graded out at 91 percent and had 60 knockdown blocks … Cleared a path for an offense that averaged 214.8 yards per game on the ground and scored 44 rushing touchdowns … Red Elephants averaged 389.7 yards of total offense per game on the season … An honorable mention All-County selection by the Gainesville Times as a senior … Also earned honorable mention All-Region honors … Helped Red Elephants to the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs as a junior … Named FCA Football Player of the Year in 2008 … Three-year letterman in football and track … Also earned a letter in wrestling … Chose Gardner-Webb over Youngstown State and Western Kentucky.

Jacob McQueen * 6-4 * 260 * OL * Rock Hill, S.C. / South Pointe HS
Played at South Pointe (S.C.) High under Coach Bobby Carroll … A second-team All-State selection by the Columbia (S.C.) State newspaper as a senior … Rated the No. 43 prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com … A two-star prospect by Rivals.com … An All-Area Code selection by SCVarsity.com … Rated one of the state's top-125 players by the S.C. High School Sports Report … Helped team to a solid 10-4 record in 2009 … Cleared a path for 189.6 yards rushing per game and 41 rushing touchdowns … An All-Area selection by the Rock Hill Herald … Graded out at 82 percent and registered 52 knockdown blocks and 35 pancake blocks … Helped Stallions to the S.C. Class 4-A Division II State Championship as a junior, starting every game of that season … Earned a spot on the Rock Hill Herald's All-Area team as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Charleston Southern, The Citadel, Elon and Presbyterian … Drew early recruiting interest from a host of FBS programs as well.

Ainsley Miller * 6-4 * 275 * DT * Charlotte, N.C. / First Assembly
Played at First Assembly Christian (N.C.) School under Coach Mike Minter … One of the top defensive tackle prospects in the Carolinas … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds … Helped team to a 13-0 record and the NCISAA State Championship … An NCISAA Division II All-State choice … Had 107 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in 2009 … A first-team All-North Neighbors selection by the Charlotte Observer … Selected to play in the Oasis All-Star Shrine Classic … Made 68 hits and had seven sacks as a junior … Originally from Washington, D.C. … Chose Gardner-Webb over New Mexico … Also recruited by Nebraska, Clemson, North Carolina, East Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia, among others ... Originally from Washington, D.C.

Cory Phillips * 5-11 * 175 * CB * Avondale Estates, Ga. / ML King HS
Played at M.L. King (Ga.) High under Coach Corey Jarvis … Tremendous cover corner … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds … Second-fastest player on one of Georgia's most talented, athletic teams … Helped Lions to a 10-2 record in 2009 … Played in the GACA Georgia North/South All-Star Game … First-team All-Region 2-AAAAA selection … Rated one of the top-300 football "athletes" in the nation by ESPN.com … An All-DeKalb County selection … Also played in the DeKalb County All-Star Game … Registered 37 total tackles, three tackles for loss and four interceptions at cornerback … Chose Gardner-Webb over East Carolina, Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee State, Toledo and Eastern Michigan … Drew early recruiting interest from Tennessee, Southern Cal, Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma State.

Orlando Ratliff * 6-0 * 200 * CB * Marshville, N.C. / Forest Hills HS
Played at Forest Hills (N.C.) High under Coach John Lowery … Led team to an 9-4 record in 2009 … Selected to play in the 2009 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Registered 39 total tackles and one interception as a senior … An All-County selection by the Monroe Enquirer Journal … A first-team All-Area choice by the Charlotte Observer … Registered 39 total tackles and an interception while playing defense … Ran for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 66 carries in 2009 (10.2 ypc) … Had a career-high 76 tackles as a junior, and ran for more than 700 yards … Earned All-Union County honors from the Monroe Enquirer Journal in 2008 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina.

Tray Schley * 6-3 * 210 * TE * Ft. Myers, Fla. / South Ft. Myers HS
Played at South Ft. Myers (Fla.) High under Coach Grant Redhead … Two-year starter … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Honorable mention All-Area selection on defense by the Ft. Myers Times-News … Rated as one of Florida's top defensive end prospects by Elite Scouting … Helped team to a 10-2 record … Selected to play in the John Carrigan Rotary South All-Star Classic … Registered two sacks in that game … Finished senior season with 31 total tackles and a team-high five quarterback sacks in just six games played … Also broke up three passes … Had three sacks in a win over rival North Fort Myers High … Caught 12 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns at tight end … Made 40 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and had a team-high six sacks as a junior in 2008 … Helped team to an 8-2 record … Also recovered two fumbles and had a 48-yard interception return … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering Middle Tennessee State, Villanova, Western Michigan and Youngstown State.

Deonte' Swinton • 6-1 * 180 • WR • Phenix City, Ala. / Central HS
Played at Central (Ala.) High under Coach Ron Nelson … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds … Helped Red Devils to a 10-2 record and the second round of the Alabama Class 6A state playoffs in 2009 … A second-team All-Bi City selection at receiver by the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer … Caught 31 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns in 2009 on a run-oriented squad … Also an accomplished hurdler in track … Finished second at the 2009 Alabama State Championships in the 110m hurdles as a junior … Had the state's fastest time in the 110m hurdles during the 2009 regular season (14.50 seconds) … Finished third in the 300m hurdles at the state championship meet … Caught 22 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns as a junior … Returned one kickoff for a score that season … Chose Gardner-Webb over Alabama A&M, UT-Martin, Chattanooga and Samford.

Terrence Thomas * 5-11 * 170 * CB * Pageland, S.C. / Central HS
Played at Pageland (S.C.) Central High under Coach Joey Mangum … Enrolled at Gardner-Webb in January, 2010 … Helped team to a 13-1 record and the S.C. Class 2A state finals as a senior in 2008 … A Class 2A All-State selection by the S.C. High School Sports Report … A second-team All-State selection (all classifications) by The Columbia (S.C.) State newspaper … Led the Palmetto State with 11 interceptions … Also played running back, quarterback and receiver … Had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Keenan during the regular season.

Kelvin Wilkins * 6-3 * 194 * LB * Spartanburg, S.C. / Spartanburg HS
Played at Spartanburg (S.C.) High under Coach Freddie Brown … Rangy, athletic linebacker … A second-team All-Area selection by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2009 … An All-Region selection … Team captain … Played in the SCADA S.C. North/South All-Star Game … Helped North squad to 21-17 win with five total tackles in the game … Finished season with 101 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine quarterback pressures, eight quarterback knockdowns, six pass break ups an an interception … Also forced three fumbles, recovered one fumble and scored one touchdown … Also earned All-Region and All-Area honors as a junior … Team captain … Registered 115 total tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and three fumble recoveries in 2008 … Intercepted three passes and broke up seven passes … Outstanding student … Was a two-year starter in basketball and a two-year track letterman … Chose Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina, Wofford and Marshall.

Kyeonta Williams * 6-0 * 160 * CB * Charlotte, N.C. / Providence HS
Played at Providence (N.C.) High under Coach Randy Long … Speedy corner who covers the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds … An All-Southwestern 4A Conference selection as a senior … Rated one of the top defensive backs in Mecklenburg County by Charlotte Weekly … Originally from Buffalo, N.Y. … Registered 46 tackles (28 solo), 12 pass break ups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior … An All-Observer selection … A track standout for the Panthers as well … Won the conference title in the 100m dash with a time of 10.7-seconds at the 2009 Southwestern 4A Conference Championships … Has a personal best of 21.90 seconds in the 200m dash … Sprint times would have placed in the top-15 of last season's Big South Conference outdoor meet … Chose Gardner-Webb over Liberty and the University of Albany.

Nino Woolridge * 5-11 * 208 * RB * Belton, S.C. / Belton-Honea Path HS
Played at Belton-Honea Path (S.C.) High under Coach Wayne Green … Three-year starter … Named Western Region 3A Player of the Year … A Class 3A All-State selection … Selected to play in the SCADA S.C. North/South All-Star Game … Had seven carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in that game, leading the North to a 21-17 win … A first-team All-Area selection by the Anderson Independent-Mail … A first-team All-Region selection … Played four different positions as a senior, logging time at quarterback, running back, receiver and linebacker … Accounted for 20 total touchdowns … Carried 113 times for 822 yards and 12 touchdowns … Passed for 437 yards and three touchdowns … Caught 24 passes for 313 yards and four scores … Had 17 kick returns for 391 yards … Had a 52-yard punt return touchdown … Earned All-Region and All-Area honors at quarterback during junior season … Accumulated 1,392 all-purpose yards … Earned All-Region honors at linebacker as a sophomore in 2007 … Registered 132 total tackles that season … Chose Gardner-Webb over Elon and Coastal Carolina.

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