LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI head coach Sparky Woods today announced the signings of the 2011 football signing class. The group features 17 signees, eight of which come from the state of Virginia, and 9 from out-of-state. Eight states are represented in this year's signing day class.
"It's going to be a talented class -one I think we can all be proud of here at VMI," said Woods."There will be some that will step in and play as freshman, I think. This class has positions across the board. We were able to get pretty much equal numbers on offense and defense. The guys will be a great addition to what we already have here, and I'd like to thank everyone at the Institute who was involved in our recruiting process."
The following signees are members of the 2011 VMI Football recruiting class. The info below includes name, position, height, weight, high school, and hometown. Further capsule information on each signee follows, and video highlights of the signees will be posted on 'Roo Tube, VMI's athletic broadband channel located at www.vmikeydets.com, and linked to this article when available.
2011 VMI FOOTBALL SIGNEES (As of 2/2/11)
Parker Cherlin - DL, 6-3 ½, 250, Tucker HS, Richmond, Va
Emmanuel Cooper - DL, 6-5, 265, Spain Park HS, Irondale, Ala.
Chris Copeland - OLB, 6-2, 215, Bethel HS, Hampton, Va.
Denton Ensminger - DL, 6-3, 255, Greencastle-Antrin HS, Chambersburg, Pa.
James Fruehan - RB/DB/RET, 5-9, 170, Abington Heights HS, Clarks Summit, Pa.
Caleb Furlow - CB, 6-2, 175, Montgomery Blair HS, Silver Spring, Md.
Riley Julian - WR, 6-2, 185, Hargrave HS, Humble, Texas.
Nate Murray - OL/DL, 6-2, 290, Satellite HS, Melbourne, Fla.
Tommy Payne - OL, 6-3, 295, Louisa Co. HS, Louisa, Va.
Jonathan Payne-Wimbish II - DB, 6-0, 200, Hargrave Military Academy, Alta Vista, Va.
Wardel Penn-Timity - DB/RB, 5-9, 190, Northside HS, Roanoke, Va.
John Portee - WR, 6-1, 175, Gar-Field HS, Woodbridge, Va.
Justin Price - DB, 5-10, 170, Crest HS, Shelby, N.C.
Jaron Rice - OL, 6-4, 330, Brunswick HS, Lawrenceville, Va.
Cody Shirley - RB, 5-9, 205, Knoxville Catholic HS, Knoxville, Tenn.
Deon Watts - OLB/RB, 5-11,190, Blessed Sacrament Huguenot HS, Powhatan, Va.
Miller Williams - LB, 6-1, 218, Mountain Brook HS, Mountain Brook, Ala.
2011 VMI FOOTBALL SIGNEES PROFILES
Parker Cherlin DL 6-3 ½ 250 Richmond, VA / Tucker H.S.
Major: International Studies
Son of Alex & Lisa Cherlin
Coached by Matt Crenshaw
Hosted by Chris Harper
Academic Host: Capt. Blair Turner
Senior Stats: 90 tackles, 10 sacks, 20 tfl, 3 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and one pick 6
Senior Awards:
First Team All District Defensive Line
Second Team All District Guard
Academic All Colonial District
Academic All Central Region
Honorable Mention Central Region and Team Defensive MVP
Junior Awards:
Second Team All Colonial District Defensive End
Honorable Mention Tight End
All Academic
Sophomore Awards:
Honorable Mention Colonial District
Academic All Colonial District
Emmanuel Cooper DL 6-5 265 Irondale, AL / Spain Park H.S.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Son of Gary & Sharentina Cooper
Coached by Ben Berguson
Hosted by Justin Smith
Academic Host: Capt. Ned Riester
Two year starter as a junior and senior
Senior Season: 60 tackles (including 2 sacks and 8 tackles for loss), 3 blocked PAT/Field
Goals, 1 interception, a 36 yard touchdown, 1 caused fumble,
1 pass break up, 5 quarterback hurries, and 5 quarterback hits.
Awarded Player of the Game vs. Bob Jones
Awarded & Recognized as an Honoree of the Best in High School Football
Ranked #2 Defensive Tackle in the State
Minority Achievement Council - peer helper
Habitat for Humanity
Chris Copeland OLB 6-2 215 Hampton, VA / Bethel H.S.
Major: Engineering
Son of Marisol Rodriguez
Coached by Jeff Nelson
Hosted by Charlie Jones
Academic Host: Col. Don Jamison
Team Captain
Tackles - 94 (65 solo)
Sacks - 12
Forced Fumbles - 6
Fumble Recoveries - 2
Second Team All Peninsula District Defensive End
Varsity Track/Field - High Jump
National Honor Society
Honor Roll 9th - 12th Grade
Ranked 21st in Class
Member of Superintendent Advisory Board
Denton Ensminger
DL 6-3 255 Chambersburg, PA / Greencastle-Antrim H.S.
Major: Criminal Justice / Psychology
Son of Mike & Lori Ensminger
Coached by Chuck Tinninis
Hosted by Weston Reber
Academic Host: Maj. Dave Cotting
2010 - 65 tackles, 2 sacks
2010 - 1st Team AP Pennsylvania AAA All State Defensive Line
2010 - Public Opinion Defensive MVP and 1st Team Offensive & Defensive Line
2010 - Mid Penn Colonial Division Defensive MVP 1st Team Offense & Defensive Line
2010 - Patriot News Big 11 Defensive Team
2009 - All League Tight End / Defensive Line
2008 - All League Honorable Mention Tight End
James Fruehan RB/DB/RET 5-9 170 Clarks Summit, PA /Abington Heights H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Dr. Jim & Debbie Fruehan
Coached by Joe Repshis
Hosted by Josh Sneed
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
Career Stats: Offense - 246 rushes, 2,274 yards, 9.2 yds. per carry, 36 rushing TD's,
11 receptions for 171 yds., 2 receiving TD's, 38 total offensive TD's, 228
points scored.
Defense - 312 tackles (216 solo/96 assists), 7 tackles for loss, 14 INT's
(1 returned for TD), 24 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
Special Teams - 2 Special Teams TD's.
Honors/Awards:
4 Year Varsity Letter Winner
2010 Team Captain
2009 & 2010 Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State - 2nd Team - DB
2010 Pennsylvania Football News AAA All-State - 2nd Team - DB
2010 Old Spice Red Zone "Athlete of the Year" - RB/DB
2009 & 2010 Scranton Times-Tribune All-Region - DB
2010 Lackawanna Football Conference Division I All-Star - 1st Team - RB
2009 & 2010 Lackawanna Football Conference Division I All-Star - 1st
Team - DB
2010 Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic - Bronze Team (3.0-3.4)
2009 Pennsylvania Football News AAA All-State - Honorable Mention - DB
2009 Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic - Silver Team (3.5-3.7)
2008 Lackawanna Football Conference Division I All-Star - Honorable
Mention - DB
Wrestling: 4 yr. varsity letter winner. Team Captain
All-League & All-Region (2009, 2010)
Surpassed 100 win mark
Track: 4 yr. varsity letter winner
Caleb Furlow CB 6-2 175 Silver Spring, MD / Montgomery Blair H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Herman & Mary Furlow
Coached by Jeff Seals (West Virginia)
Hosted by Trae Watkins
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
Senior Season: 80 carries for 900 yards 25 catches 550 yds. 8 TDs, 4 Ints.
Washington Post two time All County
All Gazette Utility Player
Riley Julian WR 6-2 185 Humble, TX / Hargrave H.S.
Major: Business/Economics
Son of Ed & Pam Julian
Coached by Mike McEachern
Hosted by Adam Morgan
Academic Host: Col. Francis Bush
12 games played
15 touchdowns
59 caught passes
1094 yards
9-3 Season
Second round of the playoffs
All State - Honorable Mention
All State Southeast Texas - 1st Team
1st Team All District
Nate Murray OL/DL 6-2 290 Melbourne, FL / Satellite H.S.
Major: Criminal Justice / Psychology
Son of Elaine Murray
Coached by Andrew Disney
Hosted by Chaz Jones
Academic Host: Maj. Dave Cotting
2 year letterman
2 year starter on OL & DL
Team Captain as a Senior
Iron Scorp Club 2010 (top lifter with 1065 lbs. in squat, clean, bench)
All-Florida District 11 2010
All Cape Coast Conference Team 2010 OL
Brevard County All-Star 2010 OL/DL
Regional Finalist in Track & Field 2010 - Shot and Discus
Accomplished Musician - Saxophone
2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do Black
Tommy Payne OL 6-3 295 Gordonsville, VA / Louisa Co. H.S.
Major: English
Son of Glenn & Sue Payne
Coached by Mark Fisher
Hosted by Robert Collins
Academic Host: Col. Roger Thompson
Senior Year:
Team Captain
VHSCA - First Team All State offensive tackle
First Team All Region II offensive tackle
First Team All Jefferson District offensive tackle
First Team All Area by the Free-Lance Star
Junior Year:
Honorable Mention All District
3.7 GPA
Member of the National Honor Society
2010 Falcon Club Citizenship Award
Jonathan Payne-Wimbish II
DB 6-0 200 Altavista, VA / Hargrave Military Academy
Major: Psychology
Son of Janice Payne
Coached by Mike Scharnus (Altavista H.S.) & Troy Davis (Hargrave)
Hosted by Trae Watkins
Academic Host: Maj. Dave Cotting
Senior Year:
1st Team All District DB
2nd Team All District RB
1st Team All Region B DB
1st Team All State DB
Selected to the Lynchburg News & Advance All Area Team
Tracy H. Poindexter Memorial Award (3 sport athlete, good academic standing, positive
attitude)
State Medal - 100 yd. Relay in Track
Wardel Penn-Timity
DB/RB 5-9 190 Roanoke, VA / Northside H.S.
Major: Engineering
Son of Samuel & Vivian Penn-Timity
Coached by Burt Torrence
Hosted by Trae Watkins
Academic Host: Capt. Ned Riester
Senior:
2nd Team All District DB
Sophomore:
1st All Blue Ridge Running Back
Honorable Mention Region III
Roanoke Times Timesland Sizzling Sophomore
Member 2009 Division II State Champions
John Portee WR 6-1 175 Woodbridge, VA / Gar-Field H.S.
Major: Business/Economics
Son of John Portee Sr. & Camelia Portee
Coached by Tom Gryder (Bridgewater College)
Hosted by Stefawn Ross
Academic Host: Col. Francis Bush
2 time All District
2 time All Region
48 Rec. 834 Yds. 11 TDs
3 year starter at Wide Receiver
Justin Price DB 5-10 170 Shelby, NC / Crest H.S.
Major: Psychology / Navy
Son of Wayne Merritt & Teresa Price
Coached by Mark Barnes
Hosted by Michael Johnson
Academic Host: Maj. Dave Cotting & Cmdr. Jon Baca
Four year letterman in football
Stats: Four year starter played both ways as WR & DB, Return Punts and Kicks.
Backup QB as a senior. Holder four years.
Defensive Stats: 17 career interceptions, 40 passes defense
2010 All Cleveland County Football Honorable Mention Award
Admirable love for sports never missed a football game in his high school career
Track - Four years. 2009 & 2010 All Conference Track Team / 4x2, 4x4
2008 Congressional Youth Leadership Council, Leadership Nominee
Jaron Rice OL 6-4 330 Lawrenceville, VA / Brunswick H.S.
Major: Biology
Son of Anthony & Donna Rice
Coached by Harold Williams
Hosted by T.J. Talley
Academic Host: Col. Tom Baur
Senior:
1st Team All State
1st Team All Region Offensive Line
1st Team All District
1st Team VA Preps Offensive Line
1st Team Virginia High School Coaching Association Offensive Line
Junior:
1st Team All Region Defensive Line
1st Team All District Offensive Line
Sophomore:
2nd Team All District Defensive Line
1st Team All Region Offensive Line
1st Team All District Offensive Line
2nd Team All State Offensive Line
Freshman:
2nd Team All District Offensive Line
Three time state runner up - basketball
Bats cleanup - baseball team
Cody Shirley RB 5-9 205 Knoxville, TN / Knoxville Catholic H.S.
Major: Education
Son of Ron & Denise Shirley
Coached by Scott Meadows
Hosted by Josh Sneed
Academic Host: Capt. Chad Joyce
Over the past two years rushed for 871 yds. and 10 touchdowns, while making 88
tackles with 1 interception returning it for a touchdown
Nominated All District 4-AAA TSSAA in 2009 and was the starting Fullback and
Outside Linebacker for the State Champions Knoxville Catholic H.S.
2010: Finished 11th overall - Nike Combine in Pittsburgh, PA out of over 500 athletes
and listed as Top Talent in TN - Football Time in TN Magazine
Member of the 2009 State Runner-up team in baseball playing Centerfield, leading
off and batting .369 during league play.
Deon Watts OLB/RB 5-11 190 Powhatan, VA / Blessed Sacrament Huguenot H.S.
Major: Psychology
Son of Eric & Sondra Watts
Coached by Mike Henderson
Hosted by Michael Johnson
Academic Host: Steve Ross
Senior:
1st Team All Conference RB, LB, P
Defensive Player of the Year for the Conference
1st Team All State RB, LB, P
2nd Team All Metro Utility Player
Junior:
1st Team All Conference RB and Punter
1st Team All State RB
2nd Team All State P
Honorable Mention All-Metro RB
Sophomore:
1st Team All Conference RB, LB
Defensive Player of the Year for the Conference
2nd Team All Conference Punter
1st Team All State LB
2nd Team All State RB
Stats: 329 carries, 2,943 yards, 39 TD, 31 receptions, 429 yards, 7 TD
Defensive Stats: 140 solos, 97 assists, 237 total, 50 ½ TFL, 6 sacks, 8 rec. fumbles,
11 int., 7 TD
Miller Williams LB 6-1 218 Mountain Brook, AL / Mountain Brook H.S.
Major: Engineering
Son of Miller & Dootsie Williams
Coached by Chris Yeager
Hosted by Weston Reber
Academic Host: Capt. Ned Riester
3-year starter with over 340 tackles
Helped lead The Spartans to the 6A semi-finals his senior year.
Played in the AL/MS All Star game in Mobile December 2010
2010 Birmingham News All Metro Team
2010 Birmingham South All Metro Team
2010 South Lineman of the Year
2010 Over The Mountain Football Team
Permanent Team Captain for Mountain Brook High School
Honoree at the 2010 Best in High School Football Pat Patrick Promotions Award Banquet
Junior Year: Selected to the Birmingham All Metro Team after having 127 tackles & one TD
Awarded "Outstanding Athlete" his freshman year when he played football & baseball
Member of Carpenter Hands Ministry through his church
