Feb. 4, 2015 For Immediate Release, Contact: Tom Whitestone 2015 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY INFO Charlotte, N.C. - Head coach Brad Lambert has announced the fourth-ever recruiting class for the Charlotte 49ers football program. Today s 16 signees join mid-december signee Cameron Clark to give Charlotte 17 new players for the 2015 season. For the first time, the 49ers will be competing as an FBS institution as a member of Conference USA in 2015 after starting up as an FCS Independent just two years ago. The 17-member signee class has nine in-state players from North Carolina and 12 from the two-state North and South Carolina area. The other five signees come from Georgia, Florida, Virginia and West Virginia. Six signees hail from the Charlotte region. Two come from NC 4AA State Champion Mallard Creek High. The 49ers signed three Shrine Bowl participants and four signees are regarded as three-star recruits by ESPN.com. FEBRUARY 4, 2015 SIGNEES: Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown Previous School(s) Alex Barrow 5-11 170 WR Matthews, N.C. Butler AD Cunningham 6-1 220 LB South Charleston, W. Va. South Charleston Darren Drake 6-3 300 OL McDonough, Ga. Luella Desmond Floyd 6-5 250 DL Jonesville, S.C. Union County/Wake Forest Jeff Gemmell 6-3 216 LB Wake Forest, N.C. Heritage Jonathan Hardy 6-4 257 DL Wilmington, N.C. New Hanover Tyriq Harris 6-3 215 LB Roanoke, Va. Hidden Valley Michael Holmes 6-4 230 TE Charlotte, N.C. Victory Christian Darius Irvin 6-0 184 DB Winter Garden, Fla. Foundation Academy Ben Jacques 6-6 225 TE Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Wando Nafees Lyon 5-10 180 DB Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek AJ McDonald 6-0 190 DB Bamberg, S.C. Bamberg-Ehrhardt Nate Mullen 5-9 170 WR/KR/PR Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge Akease Rankin 6-0 210 RB Mooresville, N.C. Mooresville Trevor Stacy 6-5 300 OL Huntington, W. Va. Spring Valley Randy Suydam 6-3 245 DL Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek DECEMBER, 2014 SIGNEE: Cameron Clark 6-5 260 OL Greensboro, N.C. Ben L. Smith Cameron Clark 6-5; 260; OL Greensboro, N.C. Ben L. Smith 2014 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection for head coach Antonio Kirkpatrick... an all-metro 4A player for the Golden Eagles... named to North Carolina s all-gridiron Second Team... had 88 pancakes as a senior and 42 as a junior... attended The Academy at Smith and played for Ben L. Smith High... a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and two-star nod by Rivals.com and 247 Sports... named NCPreps.com 4A all-state team.
Alex Barrow 5-11; 170; WR Matthews, N.C. Butler H.S. A two-star (247 Sports) standout wideout for Butler Bulldogs that were ranked as high as #3 in the state in 2014... Brian Halescoached Bulldogs finished 11-4 overall and were eliminated from 4AA state playoffs by eventual champion Mallard Creek... reached state semifinals in his junior season (11-5)... named all-southwest 4A Conference as a junior and senior... had 46 catches for 822 yards and 11 receiving TDs as a senior with 275 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs (1097 total yards; 16 TDs)... had 40 catches for 838 yards as a junior (20.9 yds/rec) with 11 touchdowns with 99 rushing yards; and 1 rushing TD... scored a TD in all but 2 games... a member of the school s 4x100 relay team that won the West Regional Championship and placed as state runner-up... originally from Clemmons, N.C., he was an all-central Piedmont receiver for West Forsyth High as a sophomore (700 yards receiving; 13 TDs) before transferring to Butler. AD Cunningham 6-1; 220; LB South Charleston, W. Va. South Charleston H.S. A two-star (Rivals) recruit who helped South Charleston to the West Virginia AAA state championship game... Black Eagles lost in the title game to Capital, 55-15 after beating Huntington, 35-21 in the state semifinals... finished year 11-3 and were ranked 4th in the state... played running back as well and ran for over 1,000 yard (1,042) with 11 TDs as a junior for head coach Donnie Mays. Darren Drake 6-3; 300; OL McDonough, Ga. Luella H.S. A three-star recruit according to ESPN.com... a three-time all-region selection... 2014 first team All-Region 4-AAAAA... 2013 second team all-region 2-AAAAAA... 2012 HM all-region 2-AAAAAA... three-year letterwinner... Earned team s Blue Collar Award and Permanent Captain honor as a senior for coach Nic Vasilchek... also won Blue Collar Award as a junior... team s strongest player with a combined lift total of 1185, including team records in the squat (525) and bench (365)... Lions advanced to state playoffs in 2013... received two stars from both Rivals and 247 Sports... A/B Honor Roll in 2014 and earned school s Citizenship Award in 2014. Desmond Floyd 6-5; 250; DL Jonesville, S.C. Union County/Wake Forest Final year of eligibility in 2015 as a 5th-year grad student... played last three seasons at Wake Forest... 10 games with 12 tackles in 2014... 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks with 4 quarterback hurries... 11 games in 2013 with 11 tackles (7 solo; 3 TFL; 1 sack)... had 3 solo tackles at Maryland... TFL vs. Florida State... six games as a red-shirt freshman in 2012 for first varsity letter... made 4 tackles (all solo)... red-shirt during the 2011 season... earned all-area and all-region honors at Union County H.S.... selected to South Carolina s North-South game... had 49 tackles, 25 TFL, 15 sacks and 29 QBh as a senior... played for coach David Lipsey... helped team reach state playoffs in 2009 and 2010.
Jeff Gemmell 6-3; 216; LB Wake Forest, N.C. Heritage H.S. Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com... two -time all-cap-8 Conference selection... had 251 receiving yards as a senior tight end with 5 touchdowns for the Huskies... two-way starter as a junior and senior for coach Jason McGeorge... set school single-season records for most tackles (122) and sacks (15) as a senior... team captain led Huskies to an 8-4 record and a spot in the NC 4AA playoffs as a senior... competed at Raleigh VTO as well as Rivals Camp presented by Under Armour and Nike camp... transfer from North Raleigh Christian Academy where he had 65 tackles and 9 sacks as a sophomore. Jonathan Hardy 6-4; 257; DE Wilmington, N.C. New Hanover H.S. Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com... an honorable mention all-mideastern Conference selection... helped Kevin Motsinger-coached Wildcats to a 7-5 mark... posted a 5-1 conference record to finish second in 3A/4A Mideastern Conference... advanced to the 4A state playoffs... Wildcats went 9-4 in junior season, reaching second round of 4A state playoffs... placed second in conference with a 5-1 mark... 2014 Blue-Grey all-american combine top performer... A-B Honor Roll. Tyriq Harris 6-3; 215; LB Roanoke, Va. Hidden Valley H.S. Second team all-state selection (all-purpose defense) as a senior with 87 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sack... two-time first-team all-conference defensive lineman... first team all-region as a senior (all-purpose defense)... 2014 team captain... two-star recruit by Rivals.com... A three-year letterwinner for the Titans... led Hidden Valley to an 8-3 record and a Virginia 3A Tournament appearance... senior season included a seven-game win streak under head coach Scott Weaver... had 70 tackles, 11.0 sacks and one interception as a junior... President of the Beta Club and member English Honor Society. Michael Holmes 6-4; 230; TE Charlotte, N.C. Victory Christian Center NCISAA DIII first team all-state selection... three-year letterwinner helped Kings to three straight NCISAA Div. III state title appearances, winning the state championship in 2012 and 2014... led Kings to the 2014 NCISAA Div. III state title (W, 46-13 over Rabun Gap-Nacoochee)... Kings went 7-2, with a 3-1 mark in NCISAA Queen City Conference... two-star recruit by Rivals.com for coach Dee Brown... had 856 receiving yards and six TD s as a junior Darius Irvin 6-0; 184; DB Winter Garden, Fla. Foundation Academy Two-time second-team all-state 2A linebacker... two-time first team all 2A District 4 LB... 2014 first team all-orange and Osceola Counties... had 70 tackles and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a TD... versatile talent who has been a linebacker, running back, kick returner... three-year starter for the Lions... transfer from West Orange High, where he played as a freshman... Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com... named to Orlando Sentinel s Super 60 Top Players in Central Florida... team captain at Foundation Academy for head coach Brad Lord... Lions were ranked #6 in 2A in the state... 2A-District 4 Runner-up... twin brother of 2014 signee and current 49ers defensive back Denzel Irvin.
Ben Jacques 6-6; 225; TE Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Wando H.S. Three-year letterwinner... led Warriors to the South Carolina AAAA state tournament each of the last three years... placed third in region in 2014 (6-6) and were eliminated from state playoffs by defending champ... two-star recruit according to Rivals.com and 247 Sports... Rivals (Jim Baxter) named him one of top 2 tight ends in state... averaged 9.0 yards per catch and had two TD s as a senior for head coach Jimmy Noonan... named to Post & Courier s Low Country s Top 10 players prior to senior season... named one of South Carolina s Top 30 players by The State... one of top 50 players of 2015 by Athlete Vault... lettered in football and track... Academic Leadership Award... National Honor Society... 3rd degree black belt. Nafees Lyon 5-10; 180; DB Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek H.S. A member of Mallard Creek s two-time 4AA State Champions... Mavericks went 31-1 over last two seasons under head coach Mike Palmieri... four-time conference and regional champions... Nationally-ranked Mavericks peaked at 7th in 2014 and 9th in 2013 by USA Today... had 3 INT s (1 for TD) and a punt return for TD as a senior... 6 INT s, 2 fumbles recoveries for TDs and a punt return for a TD as a junior... had three INT s in one game... named first team all NC Preps preseason all-state as a senior and 2nd team NC All-Gridiron Team... nominated for Gatorade Defensive Player of the Year... named the Top Defensive Back at Charlotte s TVO Top 100 in Mar., 2014... three-star recruit according to ESPN.com and Rivals.com who had 14 Division I offers... ranked 35th in state and 71st in nation at position... Mallard Creek went 15-1 in his senior season and defeated Wake Forest, 25-14 to win its second straight state title... three-year letterwinner... 2013 and 2014 A/B Honor Roll AJ McDonald 6-0; 190; DB Bamberg, S.C. Bamberg Ehrhardt H.S. Helped Red Raiders to the 2014 SCHSL Class A Div. I State Championship game... state runners-up fell to Christ Church Episcopal, 23-14, in title game to post 12-2 season... Finished second in Class A Region V standings to Allendale-Fairfax but knocked Allendale-Fairfax out in state semifinals, 20-8... Reached state semifinals of Class AA Div. II playoffs in 2013... finished second in Class AA Region V standings with a 4-1 mark to state finalist Silver Bluff... two-star recruit by Rivals. com and 247sports... 1st team all-area Defensive Back as a senior (The Times and Democrat) for head coach Kevin Crosby... Honorable mention all-area in 2013. Nate Mullen 5-9; 170; WR/KR/PR Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge H.S. 2014 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection... first Shrine Bowl representative from Hickory Ridge High... named third-team all-charlotte Observer area as a return specialist... led Ragin Bulls to a 10-3 record and into the 2nd round of the NC 3AA state playoffs... South Piedmont 3A Conference runner-up... had over 1500 total yards with 819 rushing (6.8/carry) and 727 receiving (14.8/rec.) for coach Marty Paxton... 25 touchdowns included 16 on the ground and 9 through the air... had over 2600 all-purpose yards and 19 TD s as a junior... helped Bulls to South Piedmont 3A Conference title as a sophomore... Bulls reached playoffs all four years... three-time all-conference selection and two-time Special Teams Player of the Year... school s single-season and career record holder for all-purpose yards, touchdowns, punt and kickoff return touchdowns, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns... a two-star recruit by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com... named NCPreps.com 3A all-state team... 2013 Golden Gloves Novice Division runner-up... is the son of 49ers Offensive Coordinator Jeff Mullen.
Akease Rankin 6-0; 210; RB Mooresville, N.C. Mooresville H.S. 2014 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection for head coach Hal Capps... put up 1,543 rushing yards as a senior with 23 touchdowns and eight 100-yard games... averaged 140.3 yards per game and 10.0 yards per carry... led Blue Devils to a 10-2 record and a 6-1 mark in conference play... exploded as a junior with over 2100 yards rushing and 21 TDs... also added a 91-yard TD reception... listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com. Trevor Stacy 6-5; 300; OL Huntington, W. Va. Spring Valley H.S. A three-time first-team Class AAA all-state selection... 2014 Hart Award Winner as the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Top Lineman for head coach Brad Dingess... Named the Herald-Dispatch Tri-State Player of the Year and to the all-tri- State team... four-year starter holds record for most starts in school history... Led Timberwolves to a 7-4 mark and a spot in the AAA playoffs as a senior... Timberwolves reached state playoffs in each of his four years including trip to state quarterfinals in sophomore year (8-4)... a three-time first team all-area and first-team all-mountain State Athletic Conference choice... a threestar recruit by ESPN.com and received two stars from Rivals.com and 247 Sports... Herald Dispatch writer Tim Stephens said of the standout offensive lineman that he had more pancakes than IHOP... Charlotte 49ers offensive line coach Phil Ratliff coached at Spring Valley High before moving into the college ranks. Randy Suydam 6-3; 245; DL Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek H.S. A member of Mallard Creek s two-time 4AA State Champions... Mavericks went 31-1 over last two seasons under head coach Mike Palmieri... four-time conference and regional champions... Nationally-ranked Mavericks peaked at 7th in 2014 and 9th in 2013 by USA Today... A first team all-charlotte Observer offensive lineman who was a two-year starter on Mallard Creek High s back-to-back NC 4AA State Championship teams... O-line helped Mavericks put up over 3000 yards rushing and 3000 yards receiving... Mavericks went 15-1 in his senior season and defeated Wake Forest, 25-14, in the state title game... named all-mecka 4A... strong performance at Charlotte s VTO Top 100 in March, 2014... a two-star recruit by Rivals.com... added 30 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries on the defensive side of the ball.
2015 SIGNEE BREAKDOWN: OFFENSE (8): Offensive Line Darren Drake 6-3 300 OL McDonough, Ga. Luella Trevor Stacy 6-5 300 OL Huntington, W. Va. Spring Valley Cameron Clark* 6-5 260 OL Greensboro, N.C. Ben L. Smith Receivers: Alex Barrow 5-11 170 WR Clemmons, N.C. Butler Nate Mullen 5-9 170 WR/KR/PR Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge Running Backs: Akease Rankin 6-0 210 RB Mooresville, N.C. Mooresville H: Michael Holmes 6-4 230 TE Charlotte, N.C. Victory Christian Ben Jacques 6-6 225 TE Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Wando DEFENSE (9): Defensive Line Desmond Floyd 6-5 250 DL Jonesville, S.C. Union County/Wake Forest Jonathan Hardy 6-4 257 DL Wilmington, N.C. New Hanover Randy Suydam 6-3 245 DL Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek Linebackers AD Cunningham 6-1 220 LB South Charleston, W. Va. South Charleston Jeff Gemmell 6-3 216 LB Wake Forest, N.C. Heritage Tyriq Harris 6-3 215 LB Roanoke, Va. Hidden Valley Defensive Backs Darius Irvin 6-0 184 DB Winter Garden, Fla. Foundation Academy Nafees Lyon 5-10 180 DB Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek AJ McDonald 6-0 190 DB Bamberg, S.C. Bamberg-Ehrhardt SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Nate Mullen 5-9 170 WR/KR/PR Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge * - Signed in December, 2014 and enrolled in university in spring semester, 2015.