Today is National Signing day for college football. While Villanova football's recruits don't get as much press as the kids who sign with big time programs like Alabama, Andy Talley has proven that his guys can still play ball. This year Talley brings in a haul of 14 future Wildcats.
So who's enrolling? Meet your new Football 'Cats:
Offense:
Dustin Thomas, QB (Ventnor, N.J./St. Augustin Prep): This 6'2", 185lb quarterback was the career passing yardage and touchdown leader in South Jersey and the Cape Atlantic League. He was rated at two-stars by Rivals, and is considered a dual-threat QB.
Corey Reeder, WR (Brown Mills, N.J./Pemberton Twp. H.S.): Reeder was the Burlington County Offensive Player of the Year. He is 6'2" and 185lbs and was second team all-state in High School. Reeder was also rated two-stars and chose Villanova over an offers from Iowa, Albany, and Rhode Island.
Ransford Quarrie, RB (Hamilton, N.J./Notre Dame H.S.): Quarrie was CVC player of the year and a captain on his high school squad. Rated two-stars by Rivals but does not possess the speed to attract major programs.
Austin Medley, RB (Franklinville, N.J./Delsea H.S.): Medley, a 5'11", 195 pound runningback and was a captain of his high school team. He was the Gloucester County Player of the Year, South Jersey TD Club Back of the Year and Philadelphia Inquirer Offensive Player of the Year.
Donovan Allieri, OL (Boonton Twp., N.J./Mountain Lakes H.S.): A first-team all-league defensive lineman in High School, he is projected to play offensive line at the college level. He is 6'5" and 265 pounds.
Ross Hall, OL (Leola, P.A./Lancaster Catholic): A 6'3" and 265 pound former team captain, Hall was the Lebanon/Lancaster Lineman of the Year. Ross played both offensive and defensive tackle in high school, but will play either Center of Guard at Villanova (which is important since both the starting and backup Center on this year's team will be graduating in May). He also had scholarship offers from Akron, Buffalo, Monmouth, New Hampshire, Old Dominion and Richmond.
Josh Polonio, OL (Diamond Bar, C.A./Damien H.S.): A 6'3" and 300 pound lineman from California.
Defense:
Tyrone Armstrong, LB (Washington, D.C./Friendship Colligiate Acad.): A 6-foot, 230 pound inside linebacker, Armstrong was 1st Team All-District of Columbia as well as making the Washington Post 1st Team. He also had offers from Eastern Michigan, Temple, Ohio, Maine and New Hampshire.
Emeka Ndichie, LB (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield H.S.): Ndichie is 6-foot tall and 205 pounds, and was a captain and defensive MVP for his high school team. He also played basketball, wrestled, and threw shot-putt & discus for his high school.
Dennis Leighton, DB (Paoli, P.A./Conestoga H.S.): A very fast and athletic 5'10, 165 lbs defensive back who also played runningback in high school.
Shane Harris, DB (Montclair, N.J./Montclair H.S.): Harris is 5'11" and 190lbs and was the Montclair Scholar-Athlete in high school.
Craig James, DB (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest H.S.): This 6'0", 195 pound defensive back was South Jersey Scholar-Athlete in high school and a captain on his high school team.
Antoine Lewis, DL (Somers Point, N.J./Mainland H.S.): Lewis is a 6'3", 270lbs defensive tackle who chose Villanova over William and Mary, Maine and New Hampshire. Lewis had 104 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown this past season with Mainland. He also wrestles and runs track in the spring.
Keelan Malone, DL (Santa Monica, C.A./Santa Monica H.S.): At 6'3" and 230lbs, Malone played both fullback and defensive end for Santa Monica High School. At Villanova he will play on the defensive line. He also was recruited by the University of San Diego and Montana.
In addition to these freshmen, Villanova Football has also given a 2010 scholarship to former Hofstra offensive lineman Jordy Paulemon. Paulemon has already enrolled at Villanova. He will have sophomore status (he redshirted his freshman year) and is immediately eligible to play because Hofstra cancelled their football program. He plays both right guard and right tackle, and can probably be expected to compete for the starting job at right tackle at Villanova next season.