RETURNING LETTERMEN 19

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2 JEFFERSON ADCOCK Quarterback 5-11, 200 RS-Sophomore Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy : Served as a backup quarterback for the Bulldogs... participated on special teams. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: First-team All-State as a senior at Brentwood Academy... team was state runner-up in sophomore, junior and senior seasons... National Honor Society member. Personal: Born Aug. 28, son of Jeff and Dawn Adcock... majoring in accounting. JEFF BENNETT Running Back 5-10, 230 RS-Junior Maylene, Ala. West Virginia Wesleyan : Rushed five times for 17 yards on the season, all in the season opener against West Alabama. 2003: Redshirted. Previous College: Spent one year at West Virginia Wesleyan. High School: Played football at Mountain Brook High School. Personal: Born June 24, son of Larry and Julia Bennett... majoring in computer science. Bennett s Career Offensive Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Jefferson Adcock JONATHAN BEVERLY Offensive Line 6-1, 335 RS-Sophomore Lexington, Ky. Dunbar HS : Served as a backup on the offensive line throughout the season. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman and Most Improved Defensive Lineman at Dunbar High School. Personal: Born July 31, son of Clyde and Michelle Beverly... majoring in political science. BRAD BOOTH Free Safety 6-1, 195 RS-Senior Baton Rouge, La. Air Force : Registered 63 tackles, including 28 solo stops... had eight tackles in the season opener against West Alabama... registered nine tackles at Murray State... had 10 tackles against UT Martin... registered a seasonhigh 15 tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Recorded 10 tackles on the season, including six solo stops... intercepted three passes for a total of 122 yards... returned two kickoffs for 26 yards... had one solo tackle and an interception, and returned one kick for 11 yards at San Diego State... had a tackle and an interception against Murray State... registered three tackles and an interception at UT Martin... returned a kick for 15 yards against Tennessee State. 2002: Redshirted at the Air Force Academy. High School: Played football at Parkview Baptist... named the 3A All-State Offensive MVP... also named Louisiana Magazine s East Louisiana Athlete of the Year... was a finalist for The Baton Rouge Advocate s Athlete of the Year... named All-Metro MVP. Personal: Born March 18, son of Calvin and Denise Booth... majoring in business management. Booth s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL

3 TAYLOR BRADFORD Defensive Tackle 6-0, 280 Sophomore Antioch, Tenn. Antioch HS : Had 13 tackles for the season... registered a season-high four tackles in the season opener against West Alabama... had two tackles at Georgia Tech and two at Jacksonville State. High School: Played football at Antioch High School. Personal: Born March 14, son of Jimmie and Marva Bradford... majoring in prebusiness. Bradford s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL JOSH BRENNARD Tight End 6-3, 225 RS-Junior Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood HS : Caught 18 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns for the season... hauled in a season-high five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown at Southeast Missouri... caught three passes for 10 yards at Murray State... caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown at Tennessee State. 2003: Caught 19 passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns... caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown against West Alabama... hauled in three passes for 14 yards and a touchdown at San Diego State... registered three catches for 65 yards and a touchdown at UT Martin... had two receptions for 14 yards at Tennessee Tech... caught two passes for 21 yards against Jacksonville State... hauled in three passes for 22 yards at Eastern Illinois. 2002: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the Bulldogs scout team. High School: Named All-District, All-Region and All-Mid-State at Brentwood High School... received the football Spirit Award, the only award given to a football player... recipient of the Bruin Scholarship, given to the most outstanding student-athlete... National Merit Scholar. Personal: Born Feb. 4, son of Jim and Chris Brennard... majoring in computer science. Brennard s Career Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Josh Brennard SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: BRAD BOOTH What is your fondest memory of Samford? Flying to San Diego State [in 2003] and playing a hardfought game in QualComm Stadium. What will you miss the most about Samford? All the guys. You get to know each other pretty well when you spend so much time together like we do in football. If you could play any other position, what would it be and why? Quarterback, because I played it growing up, and I know from experience that quarterbacks have it easy. What lessons have you learned from football that help you in everyday life? Adversity is going to be there you just can t let it hold you down. 21

4 OSSIE BUCHANNON Receiver 6-0, 202 RS-Senior Birmingham, Ala. Carver HS : Second on the team in receiving with 43 receptions for 400 yards and a touchdown... caught five passes for 40 yard and a touchdown in the season opener against West Alabama... caught nine passes for 44 yards at Georgia Tech... had four receptions for 32 yards at Murray State... caught four passes for 25 yards against UT Martin... had eight receptions for 87 yards against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Totaled 35 receptions for 549 yards and four touchdowns on the season... caught three passes for 15 yards at San Diego State... hauled in five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown against Southeast Missouri... registered eight receptions for 72 yards at Eastern Kentucky... caught three passes for a careerhigh 164 yards and two touchdowns, including one 84-yard score at UT Martin... caught three passes for 16 yards against Tennessee State... registered five receptions for 139 yards and a 64-yard touchdown at Tennessee Tech... had four catches for 62 yards at Eastern Illinois. 2002: Saw action in 10 games, catching six passes for 60 yards... caught a season-high three passes for 39 yards at Southeast Missouri... also had receptions against North Alabama and Tennessee Tech. 2001: Medical redshirt. High School: Four-year letterman who was team captain as a senior... made the National Honor Society with a 3.6 GPA... earned honorable mention All-American and All- Metro honors at defensive back... recorded six interceptions and 45 tackles as a defensive back... snagged 25 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns as a wide receiver his senior year. Personal: Born Dec. 10, the son of Ossie Buchannon, Jr., and Maggie Evans... majoring in business management. Buchannon s Career Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Ossie Buchannon ANDREW CHILDERS Tight End 6-3, 246 Junior Tucker, Ga. Tucker HS : Served on special teams as the long snapper for punts. 2003: Played on special teams as the team s long snapper and blocking tight end. High School: Named Team MVP and Player of the Year at Tucker High School... received the Stars Rising Award... a member of the honor roll for four years... named Homecoming King... also played basketball, track and soccer in high school. Personal: Born April 18, son of David and Marcia Childers... majoring in prebusiness. SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: OSSIE BUCHANNON 2005 Charles Williams Memorial Jersey Recipient What is your fondest memory of Samford? The day I met Charles Williams. I met him the first time I worked out at Samford, and I will always cherish that memory. What will you miss the most about Samford? I will miss hanging out with my teammates and building relationships with other students and professors. What would you like to accomplish before leaving Samford? A goal I would like to accomplish before leaving is becoming a leader among my teammates. Nobody believes you when you tell them... I had a phone conversation with Michael Jordan when I was a kid. 22

5 AIDAN CLIFFORD Offensive Line 6-5, 315 RS-Sophomore Chamblee, Ga. Chamblee HS : Served as a backup offensive lineman throughout the season. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Four-year starter at Chamblee High School... voted Most Valuable lineman as a junior and senior... named second-team All-State and All-Region in his senior season... named All-Region and All-County as a junior... also named to the DeKalb/Rockdale County Super 11 team as a junior... as a sophomore, was named to the Top 25 underclassmen in Metro Atlanta and honorable mention All-County. Personal: Born March 29, son of James and Edie Clifford... majoring in prebusiness. MATT CRUM Offensive Line 6-3, 302 RS-Junior Russellville, Ala. Russellville HS : Was the starter at left guard throughout the season... started in all 11 games. 2003: Started all 11 games on the offensive line. 2002: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the Bulldogs scout team. High School: One of two offensive line signees in 2001 class... Russellville High School offensive team captain and recipient of his team s Best Offensive Lineman Award... Class 5A first-team All-Area and All-Region 8 selection as a senior... FCA president and member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Born Feb. 2, son of Ricky and Alice Crum... majoring in biology. BLAKE DAVIDSON Quarterback 6-3, 225 RS-Junior Hoover, Ala. Hoover HS : Completed 2-of-3 passes for seven yards on the season, all against West Alabama... also had one rush for five yards against West Alabama. 2003: Served as a reserve quarterback but did not see game action. 2002: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the Bulldogs scout team. High School: An Honorable Mention All- Metro and All-State selection as a senior at Hoover High School... threw for more than 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing more than 60 percent of his passes... prior to an injury late in the 2001 season, Davidson earned Player of the Week honors from The Birmingham News, Dr. Pepper and ABC 33/40, and Over the Mountain Journal for his performance against Hewitt-Trussville... following his effort against Vestavia Hills, Davidson also earned Player of the Week honors by Over the Mountain Journal, the Birmingham Touchdown Club and Pat Patrick Promotions... member of the Gridiron Great All-Star Team... won Hoover s Captain and Football Top Gun awards. Personal: Born April 15, son of Tom and Sherri Davidson... majoring in accounting. Davidson s Career Stats Passing YEAR ATT COMP PCT INT YDS TDS LONG TOTAL Rushing YEAR ATT YDS AVG TD LONG TOTAL Blake Davidson 23

6 MICHAEL DEEN Tight End 6-3, 285 RS-Sophomore Oviedo, Fla. Master s Academy : Served as a backup tight end... also served on special teams. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named second-team honorable mention for Central Florida... named All- Conference as a junior and senior in basketball... named captain of basketball team as a junior and senior. Personal: Born March 9, son of Jeff Deen and Sarah King... majoring in history. DAVID FISHER Defensive End 6-0, 275 Junior Jonesboro, Ga. Mount Zion HS : Registered 16 tackles, including five solo tackles for the season... had two tackles at Georgia Tech... registered two tackles against Furman... had two tackles against Eastern Kentucky... registered two tackles against UT Martin and Tennessee Tech... had a season-high four tackles against Jacksonville State. 2003: Finished the season with 18 total tackles, including 12 solo stops... registered two sacks for 10 yards on the season... had three tackles at Eastern Kentucky... tallied three tackles, including one for a loss of three yards against Murray State... had a season-high six tackles at UT Martin. High School: A three-year starter at Mount Zion High School... earned All-Region honors as a senior... set a school record with a 350-pound bench press... four-year letterwinner... recorded 82 tackles as a senior... earned the Mount Zion Golden Helmet Award and was named to the Georgia All-Star team... also served as team captain. Personal: Born Sept. 7, son of David and Ruby-Smith Fisher... majoring in sociology. SHANNON FLEMING Place-kicker 5-10, 165 Sophomore Waycross, Ga. Ware County HS : Took over the place-kicking duties midway through the season... made 3-of-5 field goals for the season and 13-of-15 extra points... was good on 4-of-5 extra points against UT Martin and Tennessee State... was 2-for- 2 in field goals against Tennessee Tech, including a career-long 45-yarder... made his last five extra points against Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville State and Eastern Illinois. High School: Made 8-of-11 field goals at Ware County High School... was also 43- for-47 on extra points... named first-team All-Area and second-team All-Region as both a junior and a senior. Personal: Born Aug. 14, son of Steve and Maria Fleming... undeclared major. Fleming s Career Offensive Stats YEAR FGM FGA PCT LG TOTAL Fisher s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL David Fisher 24

7 CORTLAND FINNEGAN Defensive Back 5-11, 195 Senior Milton, Fla. Milton HS First-Team All-Conference Defensive Back 2003 OVC Defensive Player of the Year 2003 First-Team All-Conference Defensive Back, Third-Team All-Conference Kick Returner 2003 Don Hansen Second-Team All-America Defensive Back 2003 Sports Network Third-Team All-America Defensive Back 2002 Sports Network Third-Team All-America Kick Returner 2002 Don Hansen First-Team All-America Kick Returner 2002 I-AA All-Independent First-Team Defense/Special Teams 2002 I-AA All-Independent Special Teams Player of the Year 2004: Led the team with 86 tackles, including 37 solo stops... intercepted two passes in the season opener against West Alabama... had 16 tackles, nine solo, at Georgia Tech... registered eight tackles against Furman... had 13 tackles, 11 solo, at Southeast Missouri... had 14 tackles against Eastern Kentucky... registered eight tackles against Tennessee Tech... registered 15 tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Named the Ohio Valley Conference s Defensive Player of the Year... led the OVC, averaging 9.8 tackles per game... named third-team Sports Network All-American... named to the All-Conference team as both a defensive back and kick returner.. returned 21 kicks for an average of 27.4 yards per return... intercepted three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown... recorded 11 tackles and returned four kicks for 203 yards, including one for an 89-yard touchdown against West Alabama... had 15 tackles, including 12 solo stops at San Diego State... also returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown at San Diego State... had nine tackles, including one for a loss, and returned three kicks for 60 yards against Southeast Missouri... recorded a career-high 20 tackles, including 14 solo tackles at Eastern Kentucky... had seven tackles and two interceptions at Murray State... returned two kicks for 51 yards against Tennessee State... had 13 tackles at Tennessee Tech... registered 15 tackles and a fumble recovery against Jacksonville State... had seven tackles and one kick return for 33 yards at Eastern Illinois. 2002: Saw action in all 11 games, starting the last seven games... finished the season with 46 tackles, 35 solo and 11 assisted... led the defense with nine pass break-ups and finished third on the team with two interceptions... first career interception came at Morris Brown... posted a season and career-high nine tackles against Alcorn State... on special teams, returned 23 kickoffs for 741 yards, averaging 32.2 yards per return with two touchdowns... named I-AA Independent special teams Player of the Week after returning six kicks for 263 yards, including a pair of 95- yarders for touchdowns... returned four kicks for 133 yards against Nicholls State and three kicks for 109 yards at Youngstown State. High School: Played at Milton High School... earned first-team All-State, All-Northwest Florida and 3A District Player of the Year honors... was Milton s team captain and 2001 Most Valuable Player... caught 22 passes for 403 yards as a receiver... also averaged 6.4 yards per rush and scored 11 touchdowns rushing... averaged 14 yards per punt return and scored twice on returns... recorded 115 tackles and intercepted five passes in Personal: Born Feb. 2, son of Robert Grant and Linda Finnegan... majoring in family studies. Finnegan s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL Kick Returns YEAR NO YDS TD LG AVG TOTAL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: CORTLAND FINNEGAN What is your fondest memory of Samford? The first day on campus when God said he cared more for the person I would become than the football player I wanted to be. If you could play any other position, what would it be and why? Kicker, because sometimes, when everyone is depending on you, you may only have one chance to make a lasting impression. What lessons have you learned from football that help you in everyday life? You need three things in life if you want to be successful and stay ahead: love, passion and hard work. Nobody believes you when you tell them... That I want to be a firefighter and run through burning buildings. 25

8 JONATHAN FRAZIER Defensive End 6-5, 240 RS-Sophomore Huntsville, Ala. Grissom HS : Registered seven tackles for the season... had a season-high two tackles against UT Martin. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named All-City in football and basketball at Grissom High School... also named All-Region in both football and basketball, and played in North-South All-Star basketball game. Personal: Born Oct. 10, son of Henry and Natalie Frazier... majoring in prebusiness. Frazier s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL PARKER GARGIS Quarterback 5-10, 185 Sophomore Homewood, Ala. Homewood HS : Completed 4-of-4 passes for 29 yards and a touchdown... completed 3-of-3 passes for 24 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Illinois... splits time between football and baseball. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member of the Bulldogs practice squad... also participated on the Bulldogs baseball team. High School: Named MVP of state championship... played on two state championship teams... named honorable mention All-State. Personal: Born July 29, son of Phil and Scarlotte Gargis... father played football at Auburn... undeclared major. Gargis Career Stats Passing YEAR ATT COMP PCT INT YDS TDS LONG TOTAL Rushing YEAR ATT YDS AVG TD LONG TOTAL QUINTON GRIFFIN Defensive Back 5-9, 202 RS-Junior Stanhope, Ala. Stanhope- Elmore HS : Totaled 43 tackles, including 16 solo tackles for the season... led the team with four interceptions for 28 yards... had seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky... had six tackles and an interception against UT Martin... had two interceptions at Tennessee State... had seven tackles against Tennessee Tech... registered a season-high nine tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Had 64 tackles, including 30 solo tackles... had one sack and two fumble recoveries... had four tackles against West Alabama... had a season-high 14 tackles, including one tackle for a loss of four yards against Southeast Missouri... had nine tackles at Eastern Kentucky... had five tackles at Tennessee Tech... had 11 tackles, including five solo tackles against Jacksonville State... tallied five tackles at Eastern Illinois. 2002: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the Bulldogs scout team. High School: A two-time All-County and All- Metro selection... voted Stanhope-Elmore High School s Most Valuable Player in compiled 457 yards rushing and 492 yards passing for 949 yards of total offense in only four games as a senior... Montgomery s Quarterback Club also named him Best Athlete in Elmore County in Personal: Born Nov. 5, son of Maurice and Audrey Griffin... majoring in business management. Griffin s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL Quinton Griffin DREW GUESS Running Back 5-11, 210 Sophomore Arab, Ala. Arab HS : Rushed 61 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns... caught 19 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown... had seven rushes for 22 yards in the season opener against West Alabama... rushed seven times for 26 yards and a touchdown at Southeast Missouri... had five rushes for a season-high 25 yards and a touchdown against UT Martin... rushed seven times for 22 yards at Tennessee State... had six rushes for 16 yards and a touchdown at Jacksonville State. 26

9 High School: Named MVP of his Arab High School team for three seasons... Named All- Region and All-County for three straight seasons as well as being named team captain his senior year... rushed for an Arab High School record 3,109 yards and 39 touchdowns in his career... in 2003, rushed for 968 yards on 147 attempts, averaging 6.6 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns. Personal: Born Dec. 27, son of Barry and Teresa Guess... majoring in international relations. Guess Career Offensive Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL B. T. HARTLOGE Defensive Back 5-10, 185 Sophomore Hoover, Ala. Hoover HS : Registered 16 tackles for the season... had a season-high six tackles against Furman... had four tackles against Eastern Kentucky. High School: Was a two-time All-State and All-Metro team selection... led his team and was third in the state in receptions... was a two-time recipient of the Super Senior of the Week Award... was a member of the 2002 state championship team, and served as a captain of the 2003 team that won a second straight state title. Personal: Born Jan. 1, son of Carl Hartloge and Beth Hartloge... undeclared major. CHRIS HICKS Punter 5-10, 160 Junior Calhoun, Ga. Calhoun HS : Punted 63 times for 2,648 yards, an average of 42.0 yards per kick... had a long kick of 60 yards... punted four times for an average of 42.0 yards in the season opener against West Alabama... punted seven times for an average of 40.7 yards per kick at Georgia Tech... averaged 44.5 yards per kick in six tries against Furman... punted five times for an average of 41.2 yards versus Eastern Kentucky... averaged 44.2 yards on six kicks against Tennessee Tech... averaged a 44.7 yards on 11 punts at Jacksonville State. 2003: Became the team s main punter in the sixth game of the season... punted 25 times for an average of 42.0 yards per punt... placed 11 of his 25 kicks inside the 20-yard line... had four kicks over 50 yards... named OVC Specialist of the Week in his first week as the team s main punter... punted eight times for an average of 42.1 yards per kick in his collegiate debut against Murray State... had five punts for an average of 45.8 yards against Tennessee State... punted three times for an average of 45.3 yards against Jacksonville State... punted five times, averaging 40.6 yards per kick at Eastern Illinois. High School: Connected on 9-of-13 field goals and 43-of-46 PATs as a senior... averaged 42.7 yards per punt with a long of 73 yards... had seven kicks downed inside the 20-yard line of his 62 kickoffs were touchbacks... named to the Chattanooga Free Press first team... earned All-North Georgia offensive honors... named to the Rome News Tribune All-Area first team, Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State AA first team and Georgia Sports Writers All-State AA team as a punter... set Calhoun High School records for most touchbacks in a season (42), longest field goal (49 yards) and longest punt (73 yards). Personal: Born Sept son of Michael and Krista Hicks... majoring in prebusiness. Hicks Career Offensive Stats YEAR ATT YDS AVG LG BL TB FC I TOTAL YEAR FGM FGA PCT LG TOTAL Hartloge s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL Chris Hicks 27

10 SEAN HILL Defensive Back 5-9, 170 RS-Sophomore Atlanta, Ga. Landmark Christian : Had 39 tackles, including 24 solo stops for the season... registered five tackles at Murray State... had five tackles at Tennessee State... had a season-high eight tackles against Tennessee Tech. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named Region 5A MVP at Landmark Christian... won the Golden Helmet Award. Personal: Born Oct. 24, son of Emmett and Sarah Hill... majoring in computer science. Hill s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL CALVIN HODGE Linebacker 6-0, 222 Junior Columbus, Ga. Kendrick HS : Totaled 69 total tackles, including 31 solo stops for the season... registered 10 tackles at Georgia Tech... had eight tackles against Furman... had a season-high 16 tackles against Eastern Kentucky... registered 10 tackles against UT Martin. 2003: Had 57 total tackles for the season, including 28 solo stops... had a season-high 10 tackles, seven solo, at San Diego State... had six tackles, including five solo tackles at Eastern Kentucky... tallied six tackles against Murray State... had seven tackles, including six solo stops at UT Martin... had seven tackles, including one and a half for a loss of two yards against Tennessee State... had eight tackles against Jacksonville State... tallied seven tackles at Eastern Illinois. High School: Second-team All-Region Selection... team MVP as a senior... was selected first-team All-Area and recorded 151 tackles his senior season... was a three-time All-Bi-City selection... voted best linebacker at Kendrick High School... recipient of Coaches Award. Personal: Born Aug. 24, son of Calvin Hodge and Melissa Kelley... majoring in sociology. HOUSTON HOLMES Linebacker 6-0, 225 Junior Dothan, Ala. Dothan HS : Served as a backup middle linebacker... registered six tackles on the season, including three solo stops... had two tackles against Eastern Kentucky and two tackles at Tennessee State. 2003: Recorded two tackles during the 2003 season... had one solo tackle and one assisted stop, both at UT Martin. 2002: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the Bulldogs scout team. High School: Prepped at Dothan High School. Personal: Born June 29, son of Tony and Aleda Holmes... majoring in accounting. Holmes Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR QBH TOTAL Hodge s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR INT TOTAL Colby Hooper 28

11 COLBY HOOPER Offensive Line 6-4, 265 RS-Sophomore Mayo, Fla. LaFayette HS : Served as the backup at left guard throughout the season. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named first team All-State as a senior... named first team All-Area as a junior and senior... named team Defensive Player of the Year. Personal: Born Feb. 25, son of Ken and Yvette Hooper... majoring in art. JOE JONES Wide Receiver 5-11, 175 Sophomore Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook HS : Caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown... had two catches for 28 yards against Eastern Kentucky... caught a 12-yard touchdown against UT Martin. Personal: Born Nov. 21, son of Joey and Elise Jones... majoring in prepharmacy. HARIS KOVACEVIC Defensive Line 6-2, 275 Sophomore Marietta, Ga. Pope HS : Had 27 total tackles for the season, including 12 solo stops... had four tackles at Georgia Tech... registered a season-high seven tackles against Eastern Illinois. High School: Named All-Region as a junior and senior, and All-County as a senior... finished his senior season as the leading tackler in Cobb County, with 149 tackles, 93 solo and 56 assists, setting a new school record... voted the team MVP and best defensive player. Personal: Born June 10, son of Kent and Selma Miller... undeclared major. Kovacevic s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR INT TOTAL DAVID LEE Wide Receiver 5-11, 185 RS-Sophomore Odenville, Ala. St. Clair County HS : Caught four passes for 24 yards on the season... had one reception for 11 yards against Eastern Kentucky... also had receptions against West Alabama, Murray State and Jacksonville State. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named Dandy RV 1A-3A Alabama River Player of the Year in All-County Offensive Player of the Year and honorable mention All-State at defensive back in All-County at receiver in Personal: Born May 3, son of Alan and Karen Lee... majoring in nursing. Lee s Career Offensive Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Jones Career Offensive Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Joe Jones 29

12 JERMAINE LIVINGSTON Defensive Back 5-9, 190 RS-Junior Mobile, Ala. UAB : Registered nine tackles, including three solo stops for the season... had two tackles in the season opener against West Alabama... had two tackles at Murray State... totaled a season-high three tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member 2002: Was on the football team at UAB but did not play. High School: Named second-team All-Region at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School... named Alltell 1st and 10 Club Player of the Week and Catholic Weekly Player of the Week. Personal: Born Aug. 23, son of James A. Gaillard and Monica Livingston... majoring in fitness and health promotion. Livingston s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR INT TOTAL JAY McCURTY Free Safety 6-1, 210 RS-Sophomore LaGrange, Ga. LaGrange HS : Had 42 tackles, including 20 solo stops... registered five tackles in the season opener against West Alabama... had six tackles at Southeast Missouri... totaled six tackles against Eastern Kentucky... had five tackles at UT Martin... registered six tackles at Jacksonville State. 2003: Redshirted... participated as a member High School: Named first team All-County and All-Area as a senior at LaGrange High School... named second team All-Region and awarded Best Defensive Back. Personal: Born Sept. 24, son of Kenneth McCurty and Veronica Jackson... majoring in sociology. McCurty s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR INT TOTAL CHASE McTORRY Defensive Back 5-11, 195 Sophomore Brentwood,Tenn. Brentwood Academy : Totaled 21 tackles, including 11 solo stops... had a season-high six tackles in the season opener versus West Alabama... registered four tackles at Murray State. 2003: Tallied 14 tackles for the season, seven solo tackles and seven assists... had two tackles at San Diego State... totaled two tackles at Eastern Kentucky... had two tackles against both Murray State and Tennessee State... had a season-high five tackles at UT Martin. High School: Made first-team All-State and recorded three interceptions and three fumble recoveries... scored two defensive touchdowns and had 52 tackles... also had 16 catches and 300 yards receiving on offense. Personal: Born April 18, son of Charles and Cleatrice McTorry... majoring in business management. McTorry s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR QBH TOTAL Jay McCurty 30

13 JEFF MOORE Wide Receiver 5-11, 187 Sophomore Jackson, Miss. Jim Hill HS : Caught 30 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns on the season... also threw three passes, completing one... hauled in five passes for a career-hight 110 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Kentucky... caught seven passes for 46 yards at Tennessee State... caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown at Jacksonville State... had four receptions for 64 yards against Eastern Illinois. High School: Named to the Clarion Ledger s first-team All-Metro team and to the publication s Top 40 Most Wanted Players List... also named first-team All-District and the team s Most Valuable Player... as a senior, caught 35 passes for 832 yards and 14 touchdowns. Personal: Born April 13, son of Jeffery and Lisa Moore... undeclared major. Moore s Career Offensive Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL T. C. MYERS Defensive Back 5-7, 175 Junior Pace, Fla. Pace HS : Totaled 45 tackles, 23 solo, for the season... also had one interception on the season... had four tackles against Furman... registered six tackles at Southeast Missouri... had six tackles against UT Martin... had an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery at Tennessee State... had a seasonhigh nine tackles against Tennessee Tech... registered six tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Recorded 18 tackles, including nine solo stops... had one tackle for a loss of three yards... also registered one pass breakup... recorded four tackles in his collegiate debut at Chattanooga... had two tackles, including a tackle for a loss against Southeast Missouri... registered two tackles at UT Martin... had two tackles at Tennessee Tech. High School: First-team All-Northwest Florida selection... recorded 32 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles... caught 14 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Personal: Born July 16, son of Anthony Myers and Gwen Myers... majoring in sociology. JOHN POST Defensive Line 6-0, 284 Sophomore Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian : Recorded six tackles on the season, including one solo stop from the defensive tackle position... had tackles against West Alabama, Furman, Eastern Kentucky, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech and Eastern Illinois. High School: Named honorable mention All- State... named to the second team of the All- Metro team... first-team Over-the-Mountain selection. Personal: Born April 23, son of Robert and Kim Post... majoring in prebusiness. Post s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR QBH TOTAL Myers Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS PBU FF FR QBH TOTAL Jeff Moore 31

14 KEVIN PUGHSLEY Offensive Line 6-4, 290 Senior Madison, Miss. Madison Central HS 79 All-Star Candidate 2004: Started 10 games at left tackle on the offensive line... missed one game due to injury. 2003: Started all 11 games on the offensive line... did not allow a sack all season... also recorded three tackles on the season... had one tackle against West Alabama, UT Martin and Jacksonville State. 2002: Started all 11 games at right tackle, taking 692 snaps along the offensive line. High School: Four-year starter for Madison Central High School... helped his team to the Class 5A District II Championship for two consecutive years... earned Capital City Conference Honorable Mention honors during his sophomore season in as a junior, he was a member of the All-Metro second team... began senior season as a Top 40 prospect in Mississippi... did not allow one sack in 2001 en route to membership to the All-State second team. Personal: Born June 20, son of Dale and Barbara Pughsley... majoring in education. JUSTIN RAY Running Back 5-10, 205 Junior Hoover, Ala. Hoover HS 2 Ray will move from defensive back to running back this season. 2004: Had 51 tackles, including two sacks on the season... also intercepted one pass... had seven tackles at Georgia Tech... registered seven tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss at Southeast Missouri... had seven tackles at UT Martin... had a season-high nine tackles and a sack against Tennessee Tech. 2003: Played in all 11 games as a freshman... recorded 40 tackles on the season, including three and a half tackles for a loss of 15 yards... also had one sack and three interceptions on the season... had three tackles and a sack in his collegiate debut at Chattanooga... recorded seven tackles and an interception against West Alabama... had five tackles at San Diego State... had an interception returned for 26 yards at Eastern Kentucky... tallied six tackles against Murray State... had seven tackles and an interception at UT Martin... had four tackles against Tennessee State. High School: A first-team All-Metro selection... rushed 80 times for 449 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at Hoover High School... also had 24 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns... on defense, had four interceptions and one fumble recovery. Personal: Born Oct. 11, son of John Ray and Bettye Ray... majoring in communication studies. Ray s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR INT TOTAL Justin Ray SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: KEVIN PUGHSLEY What is your fondest memory of Samford? My freshman year. It was an experience that changed my life for the better with football, school and making friends. What will you miss the most about Samford? All of my friends, the atmosphere, my teammates and coaches. What would you like to accomplish before leaving Samford? Get my degree in elementary education, and succeed on and off the field. What advice would you give to the freshmen on this year s team? Hang in there. Invest your time and body in the program and you will see amazing results. Trust in God. Nobody believes you when you tell them... I m going to be an elementary teacher. 32

15 BOBBY SHERMAN Linebacker 6-0, 230 RS-SOPHOMORE Birmingham, Ala. Georgia Southern : Sat out season after transferring from Georgia Southern. 2003: Redshirted at Georgia Southern. High School: Named All-County for football and golf at Briarwood Christian... named to the All-Metro team for football. Personal: Born March 14, son of John and Terry Sherman... undeclared major. STEVE TENNIN Linebacker 6-2, 227 RS-Junior Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian : Totaled 78 tackles, including 35 solo stops for the season... had nine tackles for a loss and two sacks... also recorded a safety... had seven tackles at Georgia Tech... registered seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky... had six tackles against UT Martin... had six tackles, a sack and a safety at Tennessee State... had a season-high 16 tackles against Tennessee Tech... had 15 tackles, including 12 solo stops at Jacksonville State. 2003: Had 82 tackles in 11 games... registered five tackles for a loss, including two sacks... recovered two fumbles... had a season-high 11 tackles, including six solo stops and had a fumble recovery in the season opener at Chattanooga... had seven tackles against West Alabama... recorded 10 tackles at Eastern Kentucky... had nine tackles against Murray State... totaled six tackles against Tennessee State... had nine tackles, including a sack at Tennessee Tech... recorded nine tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery against Jacksonville State... had nine tackles at Eastern Illinois. 2002: Redshirted... participated as a member Personal: Born May 17, son of Jackie Tennin... majoring in communication studies. Tennin s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH PBU FR TOTAL Steve Tennin CLYDE TRIPLETT Defensive Line 6-2, 285 Junior Jonesboro, Ga. Mount Zion HS : Registered 24 tackles, including 13 solo stops for the season... had four tackles against Furman... had three tackles against Eastern Kentucky... had three tackles and a forced fumble at Tennessee State. 2003: Served as a backup at defensive tackle behind Ross Newton... recorded seven tackles on the season, including four solo stops... had two solo tackles at San Diego State... had a solo tackle against Southeast Missouri... had one solo tackle and one assisted tackle against Murray State... registered two assisted tackles at Tennessee Tech. High School: Earned 2002 Atlanta South Metro first-team honors... was also named second-team All-Region as a senior... chosen Mount Zion High School s best offensive lineman. Personal: Born Aug. 19, son of Clyde and Paulette Triplett... majoring in prebusiness. Triplett s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR TOTAL

16 JONATHAN VANCE Defensive Line 6-0, 225 RS-Sophomore Leeds, Ala. Leeds HS : Had six tackles on the season, including one solo tackle... had three tackles against Tennessee Tech... registered two tackles at Jacksonville State. 2003: Participated as a member of the Bulldogs practice squad. High School: Prepped at Leeds High School. Personal: Born April 5, son of David and Joanie Vance... majoring in business management. Vance s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH FF FR TOTAL STEVE WISDOM Defensive End 6-1, 235 RS-Senior Tuscumbia, Ala. Deshler HS : Had 38 tackles, including 15 solo stops for the season... had five tackles in the season opener against West Alabama... registered five tackles, including 1.5 for a loss against UT Martin... had a season-high nine tackles against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Registered 38 total tackles, including 16 solo stops... eight tackles for a loss of 32 yards... registered four tackles and a sack against West Alabama... had eight tackles at Eastern Kentucky... made four tackles against Tennessee State... had four assisted tackles at Tennessee Tech... had four tackles against Jacksonville State. 2002: Played in all 11 games on defense and special teams, earning the start against Nicholls State at defensive end... posted nine tackles with one tackle for loss, one quarterback sack and two quarterback hurries... three tackles against North Alabama and two tackles against Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech. 2001: Redshirted... contributed as a member of the scout team. High School: A versatile athlete, he made plays for Deshler High School on offense and defense... first-team All-Area and honorable mention All-State player... caught 12 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns... defensively, he recorded 75 tackles, eight sacks, 30 assists, three fumble recoveries and three caused fumbles as a senior. Personal: Born March 25, son of Johnny and Lesley Wisdom... older brother plays football at North Alabama... majoring in communication studies. Wisdom s Career Stats YEAR SOLO AST TOT TFL SKS QBH PBU FR INT TOTAL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: STEVE WISDOM What would you like to accomplish before leaving Samford? Win the OVC Championship! If you could play any other position, what would it be and why? Linebacker, so I can have a running start to hit somebody. I watched my brother do it my whole life, and it looks like fun. What lessons have you learned from football that help you in everyday life? That things don t always go the way you want them to, but you have to adjust and keep going. What advice would you give to the freshmen on this year s team? To sell out to the Samford football program. It s not about working; it s about working hard! 34

17 FREDDY YOUNG Wide Receiver 6-1, 190 Junior Homewood, Ala. Homewood HS : Caught 38 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns for the season... had three catches for 14 yards against Furman... caught eight passes for 41 yards at Southeast Missouri... caught five passes for 60 yards against Eastern Kentucky... caught four passes for 38 yards at Murray State... caught four passes for 27 yards against Eastern Illinois. 2003: Caught 19 passes for 202 yards as a freshman... caught a pass for 17 yards in collegiate debut at Chattanooga... caught two passes for 44 yards against West Alabama... caught three passes for 25 yards against Southeast Missouri... hauled in five passes for 59 yards against Jacksonville State... caught five passes for 40 yards at Eastern Illinois. High School: Caught a school-record 77 passes for 1,158 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior... was named first-team All-State and to the Super All-Metro team. Personal: Born Feb. 21, son of Fred Young and Sandra Young... majoring in sociology. Young s Career Stats YEAR RUSH YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD TOTAL Freddy Young 35

18 2004 REDSHIRTS R. J. BARNETT Rover 5-9, 180 Pinson, Ala. Pinson Valley HS 46 High School: Won the Senior Athlete Award and the Most Hard-Working and Dedicated Award at Pinson Valley High School... also participated in wrestling, track and baseball. Personal: Born July 27, son of Randy Barnett and Sharon Crocker... majoring in history and social science. JOHN HALL Whip 6-0, 200 Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian 51 High School: Prepped at Briarwood Christian in Birmingham... also participated in soccer and track. Personal: Born May 27, son of Grayson and Susan Hall... majoring in prebusiness. ANDREW JOHNSON Place-kicker 5-10, 180 Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech HS 92 High School: Won the TSSAA Award for GPA while playing a sport... graduated in the top 10 percent of his class at Beech High School. Personal: Born Aug. 13, son of Chris and Kathy Johnson... undeclared major. JOE BELL Wide Receiver 5-10, 190 Franklin, Tenn. Franklin HS HARLEY KENNEY Offensive Line 6-4, 275 Huntsville, Ala. Grissom HS GRAHAM LEMMOND Offensive Line 6-2, 275 RS-Junior Hayden, Ala. Hayden HS 31 High School: Named to the All-State team in 2004 at Franklin High School... named a Scholar Athlete of the Week... played in the Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game... also participated in track. Personal: Born Jan. 2, son of Bryan and Jody Bell... undeclared major. 77 High School: Was a two-time All-City and All-Region selection at Grissom High School... also participated in baseball, basketball and track in high school. Personal: Born Aug. 30, son of Stephen and Cecilia Kenney... undeclared major. 57 High School: Named All-Area, All-North Jefferson and All-Blount County teams for three years... also named to the Birmingham All-Metro Team... named team MVP. Personal: Born Nov. 20, son of Kris and Nancy Lemmond... majoring in journalism and mass communication. 36

19 2004 REDSHIRTS JEREMY LONG Linebacker 5-11, 205 Tyrone, Ga. Sandy Creek HS 24 High School: Named first-team All-County as a senior... also competed in track and power lifting... was the second leg of the 4 x 100 meters relay team and was the two-time county power-lifting champion. Personal: Born Oct. 12, son of Gerald and Valerie Long... undeclared major. JONATHAN LOUDERMILK Offensive Line 6-3, 265 RS-Sophomore Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett HS 56 High School: Named Honorable Mention All- County as both a junior and senior at North Gwinnett High School... named team captain as a senior... achieved A.T.A.C. Dawg, his team s highest overall achievement award. Personal: Born May 27, son of Jeff and April Loudermilk... majoring in communication studies. KYLE MORTON Defensive Back 5-9, 170 Macon, Ga. Southwest Macon HS 28 High School: Two-time All-Middle Georgia selection... named best defensive back twice... member of the National Honor Society... also participated in track, baseball and wrestling. Personal: Born Sept. 3, son of Stanley and Dorothy Morton... majoring in computer science. MARCUS RICE Defensive Back 5-11, 188 College Park, Ga. Banneker HS 23 High School: First-team All-South Metro selection... as a senior, received the Coaches Award for the most outstanding senior... honor roll student. Personal: Born Oct. 5, son of Carl Rice and Chantal St. Victor... undeclared major. JOHN SELPH Wide Receiver 5-10, 163 Olive Branch, Miss. Evangelical Christian HS 34 High School: Prepped at Evangelical Christian High School in Mississippi. Personal: Born June 21, son of Paul and Peggy Selph... undeclared major. JAMES STEINBERGER Punter 6-1, 181 Marietta, Ga. Lassiter HS 89 High School: Prepped at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga. Personal: Born April 6, son of Dan and Liz Steinberger... majoring in engineering physics. 37

20 2004 REDSHIRTS TOMMY SMITH Offensive Tackle 6-2, 280 Memphis, Tenn. Whitehaven HS 60 High School: Named All-Region and All- Shelby Metro at Whitehaven High School... played in the City High School All-Star Game. Personal: Born Dec. 15, son of Tommy and Barbara Smith... majoring in prebusiness. J. T. WASHINGTON Wide Receiver 6-1, 185 Mobile, Ala. St. Paul s HS 16 High School: Named to the Mobile County All-Region team in named the Most Versatile Player in 2002 and 2003, and the Most Superlative Player in as a senior, rushed for 627 yards on 69 carries and nine touchdowns, and caught 20 passes for 529 yards and six touchdowns... registered six interceptions in also participated in basketball and track. Personal: Born April 23, son of John Wesley Washington, Jr. and Gina Studdard Vann... undeclared major. MITCHELL WATERS Offensive Line 6-4, 270 Montgomery, Ala. Trinity Presbyterian 78 High School: Named the Alabama Sports Writers Association 4A Lineman of the Year and the Montgomery Advertiser Class 4A-5A Player of the Year... also named to the Class 4A All-State Team by both The Birmingham News and the Montgomery Advertiser... member of the Montgomery Advertiser All- Metro team for Class 4A-5A... three-year starter and a member of the National Honor Society... also participated in basketball and track. Personal: Born April 2, son of Michael and Melinda Waters... majoring in sports medicine. 38

21 2004 REDSHIRTS/2005 NEWCOMER DANTE WILLIAMS Quarterback 5-10, 199 Roswell, Ga. Duluth HS 17 DEREK WOLCOTT Defensive End 6-3, 250 Americus, Ga. Americus HS 58 MICHAEL McCRAVEN Place-kicker 5-10, 155 Freshman Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook HS 69 High School: Passed for 1,796 yards and nine touchdowns, and rushed for 390 yards as a senior... was a first-team All-County quarterback after leading Gwinnett County in passing... named the county Player of the Month... also named the team captain and MVP... set a school record with 22 completions in a game... also competed in track. Personal: Born March 14, son of Earl and Lori Williams... undeclared major. High School: Played all four seasons in high school, with his teams posting a record of was a member of the top run defense in Class AA in was a first-team All- Region team member in 2002, and a first-team All-Area selection in 2002 and as a senior, registered more than 80 solo tackles, three fumble recoveries and four sacks. Personal: Born Feb. 14, son of Gregg and Sandra Wolcott... undeclared major. High School: Prepped at Mountain Brook High School... also participated in soccer and tennis. Personal: Born Aug. 28, son of James and Tricia McCraven... majoring in history. 39

22 2005 SIGNEES 11 Wes Alexander, Quarterback, 6-4, 210 Sparkman HS, Harvest, Ala. Alexander was named the ESPN Radio North Alabama Player of the Year. He was selected to the All-Metro team in his junior and senior seasons. He was a two-time team captain and was the team s Offensive MVP as a senior. Alexander recently was named among the Best of the Rest of The Birmingham News Super Senior Class of Coach Gray on Alexander: We had Wes in our passing camp last summer, and we were very impressed with him after three days of watching him work. We are excited about Wes; he didn t get the chance to throw the ball a lot in high school, but we liked what we saw when he threw the ball here at our camp. He is big enough that he could do a number of things athletically, but he definitely will get a shot at the quarterback spot. 20 Ryan Anderson, Corner Back, 6-1, 180 Thomasville HS, Thomasville, Ala. Anderson was named to the All-Southwestern Region team in his senior year of high school. He was named Defensive Back of the Year and won the Leadership Award as a senior. He also played basketball in high school and was named the Offensive Player of the Year and team MVP as a sophomore. Coach Gray on Anderson: Ryan is a very athletic corner. He has good strength, and we are excited about the way he runs and plays the game. He can play strong safety or corner and can do a number of things in the secondary. He will come in and fill a need for us quickly. 87 Jordan Blevins, Wide Receiver/Athlete, 5-9, 150 Arab HS, Arab, Ala. Blevins was a two-time All-Region and All-County selection in high school. In his high school career, Blevins amassed 3,500 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. He also competed on the track team, where he was a two-year team MVP and was the county-wide MVP in Coach Gray on Blevins: Jordan is a wide receiver who can run, and if you can run, you have a chance to play. We are bringing him in as an opportunity for him to compete for a kick returner or punt returner position. He may play a little inside receiver as well. 29 Justin Borden, Strong Safety, 6-0, 190 Midfield HS, Midfield, Ala. Borden intercepted three passes and registered 75 tackles last season. He also broke up six passes. Borden caught 27 passes for 585 yards and six touchdowns, and he averaged 38 yards per punt on the season. Coach Gray on Borden: Justin could play on the defensive side and is athletic enough to play wide receiver as well. He will get a look at wide receiver. He is a good basketball player and he moves around well. What we noticed about him on film is he will strike you. He plays a very aggressive brand of football, and we feel good about him coming in and helping us in the secondary. 33 Adrian Bradley, Running Back, 5-9, 230 Prattville HS, Prattville, Ala. As a senior, Bradley rushed for 687 yards in eight games, including 496 yards after contact. He rushed for 12 touchdowns and had no fumbles in 128 carries. He was named to the Central Alabama Area Postseason All-Region team and All-Metro team. Bradley was named the team s Most Valuable Offensive Back. He was selected by CBS SportsLine Magazine as one of the Most Outstanding Football Prospects in 2004, and he was named among the Best of the Rest of The Birmingham News Super Senior Class of He was named by the Montgomery Advertiser as one of the Great 8 Play-Off Players of the Week. Coach Gray on Bradley: Adrian is a bigger back type who could play either in the one-back offense or fullback when we go to a two-back look from time to time. He is coming off a state finalist football team, and he comes from a good football program. He has a very strong lower body. He ll have a chance to come in and do some good things for us. 39 C. J. Brown, Linebacker, 6-0, 220 Prattville HS, Prattville, Ala. Brown started at linebacker on the 2004 state runner-up team at Prattville High School. He was a high school teammate of fellow signee Adrian Bradley. Coach Gray on Brown: C. J. is a good-sized linebacker, 6-0, 220 pounds, and strong. He will give us some immediate help against the run. We feel good about all four of our linebackers coming in, and competing and providing some depth at that position. 98 Mark Brown, Defensive End, 6-2, 250 Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga. Brown was named among the DeKalb County Top Ten Players and a Player of the Month as a senior. He was also named his team s captain. He competed as a member of the Stephenson track and baseball teams. Brown was named to the Who s Who of America Club and to the National Honor Roll. Coach Gray on Brown: Mark is a defensive end who turned down Tulane University, which tells you the type of student he is. He is also a Division I prospect on the field. He committed to us early and hung on through the rest of the recruiting season, and we are excited about him coming in. I think he has a chance to compete early on for some playing time. 37 Burton Elrod, Quarterback/Athlete, 5-9, 170 David Lipscomb HS, Nashville, Tenn. Elrod was named his team s captain as a senior and the Best All- Around Senior superlative. He also was named to the Who s Who in Sports for He was chosen for the highest honor for a Lipscomb senior for academic performance, moral character and school and community service. Coach Gray on Elrod: Burton is a quarterback/athlete, who can do a lot of things. He came out of an option offense, which is not what we run here, so we are looking at him as an inside receiver or maybe a kick returner. He is a strong kid and can run well. We have a chance to plug him in at a number of different spots. He is an excellent student. 40 Ryan Fordham, Linebacker 6-1, 210 Oak Mountain HS, Birmingham, Ala. Fordham was selected 6A first-team All-Metro, All-County and All- State Honorable Mention. As a senior, he was named team captain and led the team in tackles with 117. He was selected by The Birmingham News Super Senior, Player of the Week and Scholar Athlete. 40

23 2005 SIGNEES Coach Gray on Fordham: Ryan is a player who, when you watch him on film, all he does is make plays. He just makes tackle after tackle after tackle. He plays a well-disciplined brand of football, and he is a hard worker. He is going to be a good fit for us. 32 Harris Johnson, Running Back, 5-11, 185, Vestavia Hills HS, Vestavia Hills, Ala. Johnson was named to the Super All-State and Super All-Metro teams as a senior. In 2004, he rushed for 1,806 yards on 228 carries (7.9) and 21 touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 169 yards and four touchdowns. For his high school career, Johnson rushed for 4,449 yards on 649 carries (6.9) and 49 touchdowns. He had 62 career receptions for 317 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, he was nominated to the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game. Coach Gray on Johnson: Harris was one of the most productive backs in the Birmingham area, if not the state. He has good strength and also can catch the ball out of the back field. He was as excited about us as we were about him, so we are excited to have him come in and provide a spark in our backfield. 84 Matt Knauss, Wide Receiver/Athlete, 5-10, 180 Greater Atlanta Christian School, Atlanta, Ga. Knauss was named by Student Sports as One of the Top Players in Georgia. He was named to the All-County team, and he was named the Gwinnett Touchdown Club Player of the Month. He was his team s leading receiver as a junior and senior, and he led the team in interceptions with three. He holds his school s record for the longest punt of 64 yards. Coach Gray on Knauss: Matt is a smaller, inside receiver type player. We expect him to come in and compete for a returner s position. He is a special teams player who can do a lot of things and is very athletic. 55 Andrew Kucera, Linebacker, 6-1, 215 Norcross HS, Norcross, Ga. Kucera was named to the All-Gwinnett County team as a linebacker. As a senior, he led the county in tackles at the end of the regular season with 132. He was voted his team s captain and Most Valuable Defensive Player. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Week and was named the Gwinnett County Player of the Month. Coach Gray on Kucera: Andrew was highly recruited, and we were excited to get a commitment from him. He, along with the other linebackers we ve signed, has a chance to come in and compete. We need some depth at that position, so we are excited about him joining us. 10 Luke Landers, Running Back, 6-0, 195 Christ Presbyterian Academy, Brentwood, Tenn. Landers holds his school s record for career rushing yards with 4,167. As a senior, he rushed for 1,377 yards on 127 carries, averaging yards per carry. He was named TFCA first-team All-State, All- Williamson County and team MVP in both 2003 and As a senior, he was named his team s captain. Coach Gray on Landers: Luke has a chance to come in and help us at either receiver or running back. He did a little of both in high school. We will see where he ends up fitting in here, but he is definitely a guy who can make some things happen with the football. 12 Jonathan Lowery, Quarterback/Wide Receiver, 6-3, 185 Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Lowery was a Wendy s High School Heisman nominee as a senior. Also in his senior season, he was the recipient of the Phi Beta Sigma African American Male Image Award. He was named to The Birmingham News Academic All-State team as a junior. He was a three-year starter on the Hillcrest baseball team and a one-year starter on the basketball team. Coach Gray on Lowery: Jonathan played quarterback in high school, but we are projecting him as a wide receiver. He can come in and add some strength, and about 15-to-20 pounds to a good-sized frame, and he has a chance to be a very good player for us. He is very athletic, and he played shortstop on the baseball team at Hillcrest. He is an excellent student as well, and he is going to do a good job for us. 47 Rodney Shepherd, Linebacker/Defensive End, 5-11, 185 Homewood HS, Homewood, Ala. In 2004, Shepherd recorded 160 tackles and six sacks. He was named All-State, Super All-Metro, All-Metro and All-Over the Mountain in his senior season. As a junior, he was named team captain and Defensive MVP. He played on two state championship teams and one state runner-up team. He recently was named among the Best of the Rest for The Birmingham News Super Senior Class of Coach Gray on Shepherd: Rodney is smaller in stature, but he makes a lot of plays. He comes from a great program and is used to winning. I don t think you could ever have too many of those players in the locker room. He can play linebacker or defensive end at Samford. He is a guy who can make some plays for us. 97 Curt Smith, Defensive End, 6-3, 225 Susan Moore HS, Blountsville, Ala. Smith had 38 receptions for 529 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. He also registered 125 total tackles, including 75 solo stops, and intercepted two passes, returning them for 100 yards and a touchdown in his senior season. He recently was named among the Best of the Rest for The Birmingham News Super Senior Class of As a junior, Smith had 90 total tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and 30 receptions for over 300 yards and five touchdowns. Coach Gray on Smith: Curt is another good-sized kid at 6-3, 225. He has a linebacker/defensive end type of body, and that obviously was a focus of ours during recruiting. We signed four linebacker and three defensive end type guys. He can come in and compete; he has good size and he comes from a good program. 90 Scott Smith, Defensive End, 6-5, 225 Wetumpka HS, Wetumpka, Ala. Smith was a three-year starter at defensive end. He was a two-time All-County and All-Metro selection. As a senior, Smith posted a team-high 82 tackles and nine sacks. He was voted his team s Defensive MVP, team captain and Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Coach Gray on Smith: Scott has a lot of potential, and he has the size, range and speed to be effective for us. We are excited to get him on campus and develop him into a great player here at Samford. 41

24 2005 SIGNEES 95 Matt Staver, Defensive End, 6-4, 225 Nease HS, Nease, Fla. Staver was selected for the 2005 Team USA All-Star Game. He was named to the 2004 St. Augustine Record All-County team. As a senior in 2004, Staver recorded 17.5 sacks, and he scored two touchdowns. Staver chose Samford over Appalachian State, Eastern Michigan, Liberty and Connecticut. Coach Gray on Staver: Matt was highly recruited and had several offers. He has a strong work ethic, both on the field and in the wieght room. He also will do a great job in the classroom. He is a kid who can come in and play early. He has good size and is a defensive end. We recruited a couple of defensive end type guys, and he is definitely one we think can help us quickly. 42