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Football
Rhode Island Football Announces 2008 Recruiting Class
Feb. 6, 2008
2008 University of Rhode Island Recruits Roster
KINGSTON, R.I. - University of Rhode Island head football coach Darren Rizzi announced Wednesday that 20 high school standouts have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play football for the Rams beginning in the fall of 2008. The recruiting class includes four offensive lineman, three linebackers, three defensive lineman, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two defensive backs, two tight ends, and one kicker. "I am very pleased with the quality of the student-athletes that we were able to recruit in such a short period of time," said Rizzi. "My hats off to our coaching staff for doing such a tremendous job with this class. The URI football program took a major step forward today. I look forward to working with these fine young men." Rizzi also announced the addition of defensive end/linebacker Chenry Lewis, a transfer from Rutgers University who appeared in 10 games for the Scarlet Knights in 2007. Last month, Rizzi announced that WR Tyquan Bynum and OL Michael Farr have enrolled at URI and will begin practice in the spring. The 2008 Rams open the season August 30 with a home contest against Monmouth. URI will face Division I Boston College on Sept. 27 and three teams which qualified for the Division I Football Championship Series Playoffs (FCS) in 2007 - Fordham (Sept. 6), New Hampshire (Sept. 13), and Massachusetts (Nov. 1). Kyle Bogumil Tight End - 6-6, 240 Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood Hauled in 32 passes for 462 yards and four touchdowns last season, earning Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAA Second Team All-State honors... 2007 Times Tribune Second Team Tight End ... posted 658 yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 2006 ... all-state honorable mention (2006) ... First Team All-Scholastic (2006) ... four-year starter on Crestwood basketball team. Coach Greg Myers on Bogumil: "Kyle is an extremely hard worker who is very coachable. His size, coupled with his athletic ability and great hands, makes him a great signee for URI. I wish him and URI the best in the future." Tyquan Bynum Wide Receiver - 6-2, 195 Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley/Milford Academy Two-time Associated Press Quad-A First Team All-State selection ... established Lancaster-Lebanon League records for career receiving yards with 2,327 ... hauled in 70 passes for 1,098 yards and 19 touchdowns last season as Conestoga Valley captured the Section 2 Championship and a second round berth in the District 3 Quad-A Playoffs (7-0 regular season) ... recipient of Eugene Oakie O'Connell Memorial Award, which is presented 'For significant personal character which exemplifies dedication, courage, and loyalty' (past recipients include Arizona Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp) ... caught 70 passes for 1,229 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Milford Coach Bill Chaplick on Bynum: "I think he will be a great addition for URI, especially with the system coach Rizzi is going to run. He was one of my captains this year, and he has good speed and hands. He had offers to play I-A, but he fell through the cracks, so Rhode Island is really getting a I-A player." Devon Dace Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - 5-10, 180 St. Louis, Mo./Salisbury School Hauled in 31 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns as a senior ... St. Louis American All-Metro and all-conference ... also returned five punts for 66 yards, including a long of 36 yards, made 16 tackles (11 solo), and posted one interception ... six catches for 37 yards and a TD against Taft (10/6/07) ... six catches for 44 yards and a TD against Cushing Academy (11/10/07) ... posted season-highs in reception (eight) and yards (68) against Avon Old Farms (9/26/07) ... recipient of Renaissance Award and Blue Top Hat Award at Webster Groves High School ... four-year member of basketball team, helping them to the Class 5 State Quarterfinals in 2006-07 and the Semifinals in 2005-06 ... three-year member of track & field team and was a member of the state finalist 4x400m relay team. Coach Chris Adamson on Dace: "Devon was a huge part of our program. He's very explosive with the ball in his hands and was a very effective corner. Nobody threw the ball his way. He was very good in the return game - he was really our most explosive offensive weapon. He did some real good things for us carrying the ball as a running back and catching the ball as a wide receiver. We tried to get the ball into his hands as many ways as we could. He's a very focused young man who works his tail off and has been a great addition to our school." Kyle Elliot Quarterback/Punter - 6-3, 215 Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill Passed for 1,327 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while rushing for 841 and 11 touchdowns ... First Team All-Bergen County selection ... was 93-for-178 for 1,607 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior; recorded 43 tackles and five sacks on defense ... Class of 2008 Special Teams Solutions (STS) Elite ... third team all-county ... ranked as No. 4 QB by The McCarthy Report (NJ)... standout wrestler who finished No. 2 in region ... throws javelin for track & field team. Coach Bob Valli on Elliot: "Kyle is a great all-around athlete who can do so many things on the football field. He was a three-year starter for us at quarterback and linebacker, and he can do so many great things at either position. He was one of the best, if not the best, punters in school history. He's a tremendous all-around athlete who works extremely hard in the off-season. He's going to be a great addition to Rhode Island." Michael Farr Offensive Lineman - 6-3, 310 Cornwall on Hudson, N.J./Don Bosco Prep/Navy Prep Helped Don Bosco Prep to a Parochial Group IV State Championship and a No. 7 national ranking in 2006 ... ranked as No. 10 offensive lineman by The McCarthy Report (NJ) ... advanced to the consolation semifinals at the NJ State Wrestling Championship as a senior ... placed second in the discus throw (Non-Public A) with a throw of 139.09 at the 2006 NJSIAA/Star-Ledger Group Championships after placing sixth as a sophomore with a throw of 129-11. URI Coach Darren Rizzi on Farr: "I've had the pleasure of watching Michael his last few years of high school, and I'm very pleased he enrolled at URI this semester. Mike will add athleticism and depth to our offensive line." Louis Feinstein Kicker - 5-10, 185 Irvine, Calif./University High School Converted 40-of-42 PAT and 10-of-12 FGA last season, including a long of 45 ... Special Teams MVP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 ... Irvine World News All-City First Team ... Pacific Coast League First Team ... All-CIF Southern Section First Team ... Orange County Register First Team ... Scout.com GSP All-Southern California Second Team ... Irvine All-City Honorable Mention as a sophomore ... five-time Player of the Week ... connected on 18-of-21 PAT and three-of-six FGA, including a long of 42, as a junior in 2006 ... made 21-of-23 PAT and five-of-six FGA with a long of 36 as a sophomore in 2005. Coach Chris Sailer (Chris Sailer Kicking) on Feinstein: "Louis is a very talented kicker. He has the leg strength, accuracy, and mental toughness to be an outstanding college kicker. Rhode Island got a great player." Jason Foster Offensive Line - 6-4, 270 East Pittsford, Vt./Mt. St. Joseph Academy (Bridgton Academy) First Team All-League New England Prep ... first team all-state as a senior ... first team all-league. Coach Rick Marcella on Foster: "Jason Foster will be an immediate impact player at URI. His desire and work ethic will lead him to do great things and help URI to a championship." Matt Greenhalgh Offensive Line - 6-2, 275 Chepachet, R.I./Ponaganset Providence Journal Second Team - Offense last season ... team captain and MVP as a senior, when he posted 76 tackles (43 solo), two fumble recoveries, and one blocked punt ... four-year letterwinner and DIII All-Academic selection ... two-year DIII All-Division ... ranked No. 10 in Rhode Island with four sacks in 2007 ... season-high 10 tackles (seven solo) against Johnston (11/4/07) ... recorded two sacks against Narragansett (10/6/07) ... 2006 Providence Journal Division III Second Team - Offense ... registered 58 tackles (41 solo) and 5.5 sacks as a junior ... National Honor Society member. Coach Tom Marcello on Greenhalgh: "Matt was a huge part of our championship season. His phenomenal ability, knowledge of our game plan, and high football IQ were pivotal to the success of our football team. Whenever there was a tough down & distance, we always looked to run behind Matt. His all-state and multiple all-division selections attest to his skill on the football field and how he is viewed by other coaches across the state. However, they can't sufficiently explain how valuable he has been to our football team. His hard work, leadership, heart, and sheer determination will not be easily replaced." Michael Gross Offensive Line/Defensive Line - 6-4, 280 North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington Recorded 83 tackles, 13 sacks, eight batted balls, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries as a defensive lineman last season ... First Team All-State Group 1 and First Team All-Bergen County as a senior ... First Team All-BCSL as a defensive lineman as a junior and senior ... All-Bergen Honorable Mention (DL) after tallying 73 tackles and nine sacks as a junior. Coach Anthony Marck on Gross: "Mike Gross is a tremendous athlete who was a pleasure to coach. He works hard in practice and possesses a tireless work ethic. He strives to be the best and will do some great things at Rhode Island." Brandon Johnson-Farrell Wide Receiver - 5-10, 180 Odenton, Md./Arundel Established single-season school records for receptions (103), yards (1,394) and touchdowns (25) as a senior; also returned two kicks and two punts for touchdowns ... 2007 consensus first team all-state ... owns Maryland state record for career receptions (174) and touchdowns (40) ... 2007 Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection ... caught three touchdown passes in Class 4A Regional Semifinal Championship win against North County (11/16/07) and two touchdowns in state semifinals against Suitland ... hauled in 41 passes as a junior en route to earning All-Anne Arundel County honors ... member of Arundel basketball team. Coach Chuck Markiewicz on Johnson-Farrell: "Brandon is very good player and even better person. We are certain that he will make a great contribution to the University of Rhode Island team and community. We, here at Arundel, are very proud of his accomplishments." John Kilpatrick Defensive Line/Tight End - 6-4, 260 Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights Captain who moved from tight end to guard last season ... helped Abington win Lackawanna Conference and District 2 Championship in 2005 and 2006 (All Quad 4) ... recorded 62 tackles (30 solo) and 5.5 sacks as a senior ... earned PFN Honorable Mention (DL) and PFN All-Academic Silver Team honors in 2007 ... blocked two punts and scored a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery against Hazelton Area (9/1/07) ... also served as captain of freshman football team ... member of JV baseball team as a freshman and sophomore ... member of National Honor Society ... won a Silver Award in the National Russian Essay Contest in 2005, and was an Honorable Mention in the National Russian Essay Contest the following year ... attended Rotary Leadership Camp at Keystone College in 2006. Coach Joe Repshis on Kilpatrick: "John is a talented and physical football player who plays with great intensity. He has a rare combination of strength and speed that helped him excel throughout his high school career. John has all the tools necessary to have a successful career at the next level and will be a great addition to the URI football program." Matt Kolojejchick Running Back - 5-10, 180 Plymouth, Pa./Wyoming Valley West Established single-season records at Wyoming Valley West for rushing yards (2,295) and touchdowns (34) last season ... two-time Times Leader All-WVC selection (2006 at Hoban, 2007 at WVW) ... rushed for 386 yards and seven touchdowns in a playoff win over Delaware Valley (11/9/07) ... scored five touchdowns against Williamsport (9/22/07) and three against Dallas (9/29/07) ... piled up 256 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Pittstown Area (10/27/07) ... rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns against Pleasant Valley (9/14/07) ... rushed for two touchdowns against Abington Heights (9/7/07), Stroudsburg (10/5/07), and Parkland (11/16/07) ... two scores (one rush, one kick return) against Scranton (8/31/07) ... won gold and bronze medals at PIAA Class 2 Championship in swimming. Coach George Curry on Kolojejchick: "He has all the ingredients a great back needs - speed, strength, vision, cutting ability, and toughness. He found extra strength in the fourth quarter. Matt is a great role model with a terrific work ethic. He was a pleasure to coach." Ryan Lawrence Running Back - 5-9, 185 Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield 2007 Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) Division B First Team selection ... rushed for 1,200 yards and hauled in 20 passes ... first team all-county, coaches all-county, and Group IV All-State selection as a senior ... second team all-league as a junior, when he rushed for nearly 500 yards ... rushed for 650 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore, earning first team all-conference honors. Coach Mike Carter on Lawrence: "I think he is one of the most outstanding, explosive players I've had the pleasure to coach. He's a terrific kid with a ton of ability. He's a multi-dimensional player with the ball. We're excited about him going to Rhode Island and a program that is going to do very, very well under coach Rizzi." Chenry Lewis Defensive End/Linebacker - 6-1, 230 Paterson, N.J./Rutgers University Transfer from Rutgers University ... three-year starter for the Scarlet Knights - two years at defensive end and one at linebacker ... helped Rutgers to wins in the 2007 Texas Bowl and the 2008 International Bowl ... appeared in 11 games for the Scarlet Knights in 2007, making 11 tackles (four solo) ... recorded a season-high three tackles against Navy and (9/7/07) and two each against Maryland (9/29/07) and Syracuse (10/13/07) ... also had 0.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup ... 2003 WGHT All-Area First Team ... 2003 Gannett First Team All-State ... helped Paterson Catholic to 2003 BCSL Championship ... has one year of eligibility remaining. URI Coach Darren Rizzi on Lewis: "Chenry will be a welcome addition to the URI football family. His experience in the Big East will benefit our team. Chenry is one of the best pass rushers I have ever coached, and I look forward to continuing our relationship at Rhode Island." Marc Lucarini Quarterback - 6-2, 200 Laurel Springs, N.J./Camden Catholic All-South Jersey, all-conference, and All-Parochial as team captain last season, when he threw for 1,582 yards and 18 touchdowns at Camden Catholic, who finished 7-2 and earned a berth in the playoffs ... also rushed for 289 yards and five touchdowns and kicked 29 extra points ... MVP of 2007 Thanksgiving Day win over Paul VI, passing for three touchdowns while also catching one ... threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns against Bordentown (11/3/07) ... tossed for 128 yards and two touchdowns against Camden (9/22/07) ... passed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior ... ranked as No. 2 QB and No. 32 overall by The McCarthy Report (NJ). Coach Rick Brown on Lucarini: "Marc is a great leader who can make every throw you need a quarterback to make." Joe Migliarese Tight End/Wide Receiver - 6-4, 215 Blue Bell, Pa./La Salle College Finished his career with 91 receptions for 1,063 yards and 17 touchdowns ... appeared in six games as a senior before suffering season-ending injury ... team captain last season, when he was an All-Catholic Honorable Mention ... hauled in 60 catches for 699 yards as a junior, earning Second Team All-Catholic honors ... helped La Salle to a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship in 2006 ... hauled in game-winning touchdown in overtime against Cardinal O'Hara in those playoffs, and later caught the game-winning touchdown in the championship game against St. Joseph's Prep ... all-area as a junior and senior ... recipient of 2006 Tex Flannery Award, which is given to the Outstanding Junior Class player ... four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on La Salle basketball team ... father, Joseph, played football at Lycoming College (1979-82) ... Kairos Retreat Leader. Coach Brett Gordon on Migliarese: "Joe is a tremendous competitor with outstanding hands and limitless potential. He excelled in both football and basketball and will be a great player in the CAA." Phil Morman Fullback/Linebacker - 6-2, 220 Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill Ranked No. 51 at middle linebacker in the nation by Scout.com and No. 101 at inside linebacker by Scouts, Inc. ... posted 84 tackles and eight sacks last season ... Third Team All-Bergen County as a junior, when he rushed 100 times for 800 yards and eight touchdowns ... also recorded 80 tackles and seven sacks in 2006, earning first team all-league honors ... tallied 86 tackles and eight sacks as a sophomore ... ranked as No. 5 linebacker and No. 5 fullback and No. 33 overall by The McCarthy Report (NJ) ... forward on Cresskill basketball team. Coach Bob Valli on Morman: "He was our Team MVP. He's a stud running back and linebacker who can really get after the quarterback. He's a though, physical player who really likes contact. He can play either inside or outside linebacker, and he's a very athletic running back who can do a lot of things. He can catch the ball, block, and run." Josh Previte Defensive Tackle - 6-1, 290 Brockton, Mass./Brockton Boston Herald Preseason All-Herald Second Team selection and team captain as a senior last year, when he recorded 30 tackles ... two-time all-league selection ... three-year starter for Super Bowl Champions ... Brockton Enterprise All-Scholastic. Coach Peter Columbo on Previte: "Josh is a leader in every sense of the word: scholastically, on the field, and in the community." Matt Rae Defensive Line - 6-4, 240 York, Pa./Dallastown Area Team captain and three-year letterwinner ... registered 107 tackles and three sacks last season ... earned YAIAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year honors ... first team all-county on both offense and defense as a senior ... recorded a sack and an interception against Delran (10/19/07) ... rushed 43 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns as a junior ... standout volleyball player on nationally-ranked team. Coach Kevin Myers on Rae: "Matt is a tremendous athlete who has great potential." Matt Sheard Linebacker - 6-2, 230 Mt. Laurel, N.J./Camden Catholic First team all-conference and All-Parochial ... three-time all-league performer ... Second Team All-South Jersey ... 2007 TheFanNJ Impact Player Team selection. Coach Rick Brown on Sheard: "Matt is the best linebacker in New Jersey and one of the best defensive players in state." James Taylor Linebacker - 6-2, 220 Westwood, N.J./Westwood First team all-league and second-team as a running back all-county last season, when he rushed 114 times for 1,031 yards and 13 touchdowns - six of which were 50+ yard runs ... recorded 98 tackles, a team-high 13 sacks, and two interceptions ... caught eight passes for 212 yards and one touchdown in 2007; also had two two-point conversions ... helped Westwood to a North 1 Group 2 State Championship as a junior, appearing in 12 games ... first team all-league (RB), Second Team All-North County (RB), and First Team All-North Jersey (LB) as a junior, when he notched 106 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, four blocked kicks, and three forced fumbles ... carried 128 times for 1,141 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006; also caught 12 passes for 256 yards and four two-point conversions ... ranked as No. 2 fullback and No. 51 overall by The McCarthy Report (NJ). Coach Bill Straub on Taylor: "James is a special player and a special individual who is going to have a great career at the University of Rhode Island. His versatility as a player makes him a great fit for what seems to be a new and exciting era at Rhode Island thanks to the arrival of Coach Rizzi." Robert Walker Defensive Back - 6-2, 205 New Haven, Conn./Chesire Academy/Hyde Leadership School 2007 New Haven County All-Star ... tallied 53 tackles and two interceptions last season; also rushed for 842 yards and six touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns ... rushed for 135 yards and one TD in a win over St. Thomas More (10/26/07). Coach Dan O'Dea on Walker: "He's one of the most athletic kids I've ever coached. He can do everything on the football field. He has a tremendous frame that's going to grow on the college level. He does a little bit of everything - he can play safety, linebacker, and wide receiver. He has all those talents. He works very hard in the classroom and is very consistent with his work ethic. He's a leader within our school and for our football program." Ronald Woodley Cornerback - 6-0, 185 East Providence, R.I./East Providence First team all-league and second team all-state last season, when he scored nine touchdowns ... played in Rhode Island/Connecticut All-Star game ... scored three touchdowns against Rogers (9/21/07) ... first team all-area, second team all-division and second team all-state selection as a junior ...eight touchdowns and nine interceptions ... all-league track performer. Coach Sandy Gorham on Woodley: "Ron is an outstanding athlete with great speed and tremendous upside. He only allowed two pass receptions all year while playing against the opponent's top receiver." 2008 Rhode Island Football Recruiting Class
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