BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb University announced Wednesday that 17 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play football for the Runnin' Bulldogs and new head coach Ron Dickerson, Jr., bringing the total class to 19.

"This has been a selective process for our coaching staff, and will continue. We wanted to add young men who are capable of helping us win championships and were successful in doing so," said Dickerson. "We were able to find great fits for our school and football program. Hats off to our staff for the countless hours spent in helping build our roster."

Gardner-Webb added one January enrollee in linebacker Bradley Taylor (6-1, 220) of Oak Ridge (N.C.) Military Academy, and signed a pair of junior college standouts in nose guard Kapono Asuega (6-0, 280) of two-time junior college champion Mount San Antonio (Calif.) College and offensive lineman Aaron Huck (6-4, 310) of San Jose City (Calif.) College.

Asuega, who played alongside Big South Conference Freshman of the Year Preston Pemasa at Orange Lutheran (Calif.) High, was rated the nation's No. 70 defensive tackle prospect, and the fifth-best defensive line prospect in California as a high school senior in 2008.

Huck played one season at San Jose City College after spending two seasons at the University of Nevada. Both Huck and Asuega have two seasons of college eligibility remaining.

Huck is one of five offensive linemen to sign with Gardner-Webb, adding necessary talent and depth to that position group. The rest of the offensive line class includes: Rory Gilmartin (6-8, 300) of Downey (Calif.) High; Mauola Malaga (6-3, 285) of Tafuna High in American Samoa, Matt McAlvin (6-5, 295) of Greenbrier (Ga.) High and Ashanti McPhee (6-4, 302) of West Orange (Fla.) High.

The Runnin' Bulldogs signed players from six different states and American Samoa. The group of six players from Florida marks the most signed by Gardner-Webb from the Sunshine State since moving to Division I in 2000.

2011 Gardner-Webb Football Recruiting Class (19) As Of March 23, 2011

Kapono Asuega * 6-0 * 280 * NG * Costa Mesa, Calif. / Mount San Antonio College
Trever Austin * 5-10 * 190 * PK * Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS
Wesley Brandon * 5-11 * 220 * LB * Perry, Fla. / Taylor County HS
Jonah Brooks * 5-10 * 175 * WR * Lawndale, N.C. / Burns HS
Donald Buie * 6-0 * 175 * DB * Gainesville, Fla. / Eastside HS
Tanner Burch * 6-3 * 230 * LB * Savannah, Ga. / Savannah Christian Prep
Bobby Clark * 5-11 * 175 * RB * Clemmons, N.C. / West Forsyth HS
Brian Covington * 6-1 * 180 * CB * Fayetteville, Ga. / Whitewater HS
Aaron Easterling * 6-5 * 200 * LB * Dunwoody, Ga. / Dunwoody HS
Stanley Fleurant * 6-3 * 180 * WR * Homestead, Fla. / Homestead HS
Rory Gilmartin * 6-8 * 300 * OL * Downey, Calif. / Downey HS
J.J. Hubbard * 5-9 * 175 * RB * Tampa, Fla. / Robinson HS
Aaron Huck * 6-4 * 310 * OL * San Jose, Calif. / Nevada / San Jose City College
Tellas Jones * 6-2 * 190 * LB * Miami, Fla. / Booker T. Washington HS
Mauola Malaga * 6-3 * 285 * OL * Pago Pago, American Samoa / Tafua HS
Matt McAlvin * 6-5 * 295 * OL * Augusta, Ga. / Greenbrier HS
Ashanti McPhee * 6-4 * 302 * OL * Orlando, Fla. / West Orange HS
Jordan Paul * 6-3 * 180 * QB * Brooklyn, N.Y. / New Utrecht HS
Bradley Taylor * 6-1 * 220 * LB * Yanceyville, N.C. / Oak Ridge Military Academy

SIGNEE BIOS

Kapono Asuega * 6-0 * 280 * DL * Costa Mesa, Calif. / Mount San Antonio College
Played two seasons at Mount San Antonio (Calif.) College … Standout on the defensive line for back-to-back junior college national champions … Team finished with a combined 26-1 record over two seasons … Helped Mounties to a 13-0 record and a win over City College of San Francisco in the national title game … Spearheaded an interior line on a defense that allowed just 42 yards rushing per game … Made 27 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2010 … Recovered two fumbles … A second-team All-Conference choice … Had 35 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and two sacks as a freshman … Team allowed just 79 yards rushing per game … Earned first-team All-Conference honors … Also recruited by New Mexico State. High School: Played at Orange Lutheran (Calif.) High under Coach Jim Kunau … A three-star prospect by Rivals.com … Rated the No. 70 defensive tackle prospect in the nation and No. 5 defensive tackle in California by Rivals.com … Listed as one of the top overall defensive lineman in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Times … Earned first-team All-Trinity League honors … Led team to a 10-3 record in 2008 as a senior … Led defense that allowed just 17 points per game … Named Underclass All-State as a junior by Golden State Preps … Had 32 total tackles and four sacks as a junior in 2007, helping Lancers to the CIF Southern Section PAC-5 semifinals … Team finished with a solid 10-2 record … Earned Sophomore All-State honors from Cal Hi Sports in 2006 … Recruited by UCLA and Fresno State.

Trever Austin * 5-10 * 190 * PK * Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS
Played at nearby Crest (N.C.) High under Coach Mark Barnes … Rated the No. 19 kicker nationally in the Class of 2011 by Khol's Kicking … Has excellent 4.0 hang time on kickoffs … Also rated as one of the nation's top-50 kicking prospects by ESPN.com … A first-team All-State selection as a senior by the Associated Press … Named Offensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas after booting a 43-yard field goal … Also earned first-team Class 3A All-State honors from NCPreps.com … A two-time All-Cleveland County selection by the Shelby Star … Named to the Cleveland County All-Decade Team … An All-Observer selection by the Charlotte Observer … Conference Special Teams Player of the Year … A two-time All-Conference choice … Scored 80 points as a senior, helping the Chargers to an 11-4 record and a runner-up finish in the N.C. Class 3AA State Playoffs … Connected on 53 extra points and was a solid 10-of-13 on field goals … Boomed a pair of 52-yard field goals on the season to establish a new school record … Averaged 40.0 yards per punt … Had seven field goals over 40 yards for his career … Had a 47-yard field goal to beat Burns (N.C.) High as a junior … Kicked seven total field goals in 2009 … Also recruited by LSU and Appalachian State.

Wesley Brandon * 5-11 * 220 * LB * Perry, Fla. / Taylor County HS
Played at Taylor County (Fla.) High under Coach Shane Boggs … Led team to its best record in nearly 40 years, as the Bulldogs finished with a 12-1 record … Runner up for Big Bend Defensive Player of the Year … A first-team All-Big Bend selection by the Tallahassee Democrat following senior season … Finished with 165 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, five pass break ups and eight quarterback pressures … Named Defensive MVP of the annual Florida-Georgia Border War Classic in Moultrie, Ga. ... Also played fullback, helping clear a path for a rushing attack that totaled more than 2,000 yards on the season ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Georgia Southern, Florida A&M and Jacksonville.

Jonah Brooks * 5-10 * 175 * WR * Lawndale, N.C. / Burns HS
Played at Burns (N.C.) High under Coach Matt Beam … Earned All-State honors from the Associated Press and NCPreps.com in 2010 … Played in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Cleveland County Player of the Year by the Shelby Star … Also earned All-Conference honors … Set county records for a single season with 75 receptions for 1,286 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2010 … Helped Bulldogs to an 11-2 record and the N.C. Class 3A State Playoffs … Named All-Conference and All-County as a junior.

Donald Buie III * 6-0 * 180 * DB * Gainesville, Fla. / Eastside HS
Played at Eastside (Fla.) High under Coach Kent Johnson … Earned first-team All-Area honors from the Gainesville Sun following the 2010 season … Selected to play in the Florida-Georgia Border War … Finished 2010 with 57 total tackles, six interceptions, five pass break ups , two forced fumbles and a blocked kick … Was an honorable mention All-Area selection as a junior in 2009 … Collected 35 tackles and two interceptions … Also caught 16 passes for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Earned first-team Academic All-Area honors in June, 2010 from the Gainesville Sun … Also played basketball … Chose Gardner-Webb over Charleston Southern and Wofford ... Also recruited by Furman, Massachusetts, Ohio and Bowling Green.

Tanner Burch * 6-3 * 230 * LB * Savannah, Ga. / Savannah Christian Prep
Played final two seasons at Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep under Coach Donald Chumley … Led team to a 13-2 record in 2010 … Named to the U.S. Air Force/MaxPreps Small Schools All-America Team … Named Class A Georgia Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Earned Class A All-State honors from the GACA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Selected to play in the annual GACA North/South All-Star Game … Savannah Morning News Area Defensive Player of the Year … Region 3-A East Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 … Collected 133 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks as a senior … Helped Raiders to a 14-1 record as a junior … Named first-team All-Greater Savannah by the Morning News … Registered 93 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss … Earned second-team All-Greater Savannah honors from the Morning News as a sophomore and All-Region 2-AAAA recognition at South Effingham (Ga.) High … Was the only sophomore included on the All-Region team in 2008 … Had 94 tackles and 4.5 sacks that season … Chose Gardner-Webb over Jacksonville State and Georgia Southern.

Bobby Clark * 5-11 * 175 * ATH * Clemmons, N.C. / West Forsyth HS
Played at West Forsyth (N.C.) High under Coach Adrian Snow … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … A first-team All-Forsyth County selection by Triad Sports Weekly in 2010 … An honorable mention All-Northwest selection by the Winston-Salem Journal … Two-time All-Conference choice at running back … Rushed for 1,362 yards and 15 touchdowns on 226 carries as a senior, averaging a solid 6.0 yards per attempt … Had a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Danville (Va.) George Washington … Rushed for over 900 yards as a junior … Also recruited by Appalachian State and Western Carolina.

Brian Covington * 6-1 * 185 * CB * Fayetteville, Ga. / Whitewater HS
Played at Whitewater (Ga.) High under Coach Amos McCreary … Tall, rangy corner who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds … Led team to a 10-4 record and the second round of the 4A state playoffs … Earned All-Region and honorable mention All-County honors at cornerback following the 2010 season … Collected 42 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 20 pass break ups and two interceptions … Recorded 18 total tackles and three pass break ups as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Chattanooga, Georgia Southern and Georgia State … Also recruited by UCF.

Aaron Easterling * 6-5 * 200 * LB * Dunwoody, Ga. / Dunwoody HS
Played at Dunwoody (Ga.) High under Coach Jim Showfety … A first-team All-Area selection by the DeKalb County Neighbor in 2010 … Selected to play in the DeKalb County All-Star Game … Collected a team-high 70 total tackles (40 solo), eight tackles for loss and three sacks … Added three interceptions and three forced fumbles … Paced a defense that allowed only 14.9 points per game and 74.7 yards per game rushing ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Samford and Georgia Southern.

Stanley Fleurent * 6-3 * 180 * WR * Homestead, Fla. / Homestead HS
Played at Homestead (Fla.) High under Coach Bobby McCray … Extremely athletic receiver who posted a 39.3-inch vertical leap at the February 2010 Miami Nike Combine … Also a standout sprinter with 10.7-second speed in the 100m dash … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds … Returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown vs. Southwest High … Listed as one of the top sleepers in talent-rich Dade County among 2011 prospects … Drew recruiting interest from Duke, North Carolina, Stanford, Eastern Michigan and Florida International.

Rory Gilmartin * 6-8 * 300 * OL * Downey, Calif. / Downey HS
Played senior season at Downey (Calif.) High under Coach Jack Martin … Helped Vikings to a 6-5 record … A top blocker for a team that rushed for 2,411 yards and 23 touchdowns (219.2 ypg), including 347 against Cerritos Gahr and 365 against Lynwood, both wins … Team also passed for 2,007 yards and 16 scores … Began career at Buena Park (Calif.) High ... Also recruited by Cal Poly.

J.J. Hubbard * 5-9 * 175 * RB * Tampa, Fla. / Robinson HS
Played at Robinson (Fla.) High under Coach Mike DePue … Runner up for Florida's Class 2A State Player of the Year award in 2010 … A first-team All-Hillsborough County choice by the Tampa Bay Tribune … A first-team All-Suncoast selection by the St. Petersburg Times … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game … Rushed 138 times for 1,447 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior … Caught one touchdown pass and averaged 32.1 yards and scored two touchdowns on 10 kickoff returns … Helped squad finish with a 10-3 record and led team to the third round of the Class 2A playoffs … Rushed for more than 400 yards in the playoffs … Ran for 766 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior … Also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns that season … Chose Gardner-Webb over South Alabama … Also recruited by Western Kentucky, Bethune-Cookman, Massachusetts and Towson.

Aaron Huck * 6-4 * 310 * OL * San Jose, Calif. / Nevada / San Jose City College
Played at San Jose City (Calif.) College under Coach Carlton Conner … Helped team average 336.0 yards of total offense (155 yards rushing) in 2010 … A first-team All-Conference selection. 2009 at Nevada: Did not see game action. 2008 at Nevada: Redshirted. High School: Played at Oak Grove (Calif.) High under Coach Ed Buller … Led team to a 12-1 record, league championship and CIF Central Coast Section championship … Earned first-team All-Section honors as a senior … Two-time All-League choice … Also a standout in the shot put, winning a pair of league championships … Uncle, Tim Ryan, played at Southern Cal and for the Atlanta Falcons ... Also considered San Jose State.

Tellas Jones * 6-2 * 190 * LB/SS * Miami, Fla. / Booker T. Washington HS
Played at traditional powerhouse Booker T. Washington (Fla.) High under Coach Earl Tillman … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … Linebacker MVP of the Nike Football Training Camp in Miami in March, 2010 … Nike All-Combine Team member … Named third-team All-Dade County by the Miami Herald following senior season … Led Tornadoes to an 8-3 record … Finished with 59 total tackles, one sack and a 20-yard interception return … Had eight total stops in a one-point loss to Miami Northwestern … Made nine stops and had a sack vs. Miami Edison … Helped team to a 10-2 record as a junior ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Utah State ... Also recruited by South Florida and Kansas State.

Mauola Malaga * 6-3 * 285 * OL * Pago Pago, American Somoa / Tafuna HS
Starred at Tafuna High under Coach Jason Magalei … Helped team to a 5-1 record in 2010 … Cleared a path for a rushing attack that piled up 275 yards per game on the season … One of the top players in American Somoa in the Class of 2011 … Selected to play in the first annual AIGA Polynesian All-American Football Classic in Los Angeles, Calif. … Played for the same high school that produced current Cincinnati Bengals' star Jonathan Fanene.

Matt McAlvin * 6-5 * 295 * OL * Augusta, Ga. / Greenbrier HS
Played at Greenbrier (Ga.) High under Coach Brian Smith … Helped team to a 7-5 record in 2010 … Three-year letterwinner … A second-team All-Area selection by the Augusta Chronicle … Earned first-team All-County honors from the Columbia News-Times … Voted the team's top blocker in 2010 after clearing a path for a 900-yard rusher … Earned All-Region 2-4A honors as a senior … An honorable mention All-Region 2-5A selection as a junior ... Also recruited by Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, among others.

Ashanti McPhee * 6-4 * 302 * OL * Winter Garden, Fla. / West Orange HS
Played at West Orange (Fla.) High under Coach Chip Petree … Named honorable mention Central Florida Super 60 by the Orlando Sentinel … Rated the No. 7 offensive line prospect in Central Florida for the Class of 2011 by the Sentinel … Selected to play in the 2010 Central Florida All-Star Game … Team captain … Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Three-year letterwinner in football and track & field … Graded out at 94 percent as a senior … Registered 45 pancake blocks … Allowed just two sacks all season … Graded out at 91 percent and had 39 pancake blocks as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Northern Iowa and Massachusetts … Also recruited by Temple, Ohio, Army, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, and Middle Tennessee State.

Jordan Paul * 6-3 * 180 * QB * Brooklyn, N.Y. / New Utrecht HS
Played at New Utrecht (N.Y.) High under Coach Alan Balkan … A second-team All-New York City selection in 2010 by the New York Post … A two-time All-Borough choice by the New York Daily News … Passed for 2,771 career yards and accounted for 41 total touchdowns in two seasons as a starter … Led New York City in passing yards as a senior ... Passed for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior … Had 89 carries for 668 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground … Passed for 1,369 yards and 15 touchdowns with only four interceptions as a junior in 2009 … Addded 108 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground … Chose Gardner-Webb over Hampton ... Also recruited by Central Michigan, Albany, UMass, Delaware, Fordham, Norfolk State and Marist.

Bradley Taylor * 6-1 * 220 * LB * Yanceyville, N.C. / Oak Ridge Military Academy
Played one postgraduate season at Oak Ridge (N.C.) Military Academy under Coach Otis Yelverton … Enrolled at Gardner-Webb in January, 2011 … One of 12 Oak Ridge players to sign with a Division I program … Part of a defensive unit that posted four shutouts in its first five games … Played high school football at Bartlett-Yancey (N.C.) High under Coach Dennis Bannick … An All-Triad 3A Conference selection as a senior … Played both running back and linebacker for the Buccaneers ... Chose Gardner-Webb over Middle Tennessee State ... Also recruited by Wisconsin.