Bryant Signee's

[dgreco]

SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University head football coach Marty Fine is pleased to announce the signing of 18 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to enroll and participate in football at the University this fall. The announcement was made today by coach Fine and Director of Athletics Bill Smith.


Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/ High School

Mike Abany LB 6-1 205 Mansfield, MA / Mansfield HS

Luis "BJ"Aponte, Jr. RB 5-8 183 New Britain, CT / New Britain HS

Cody Aughney TE 6-6 220 Henderson, NV / Green Valley HS

Jack Barons OL 6-4 255 Lexington, MA / Lexington HS

DeLon Bohler-Young WR 6-3 185 Montclair, NJ / Montclair HS

Raymond Bundy OL 6-0 310 Bristol, RI / La Salle Academy

Royce Brunson OL/DL 6-2 265 Hamden, CT / Hamden Hall

Robert Edwards, Jr. OL 6-0 260 Damascus, MD / Damascus HS

Kyle Higgins WR 6-2 205 Billerica, MA / Billerica Memorial HS

Joshua Janes DL 6-3 235 Newport, RI / La Salle Academy

Michael Leavitt DB 5-9 195 Atkinson, NH / Central Catholic HS (MA)

Michael McGowan DB 6-0 180 Attleboro, MA / Bishop Feehan HS

David Morgan II DL 6-1 238 Camden, OH / Eaton HS

Adam Peloquin OL 6-1 265 Spencer, MA / David Prouty HS

John Riley FB 6-0 227 Wakefield, MA / Wakefield HS

Nick Sengotta LB 6-2 235 Wayne, NJ / De Paul Catholic HS

Franck Tebou LB 6-0 205 Mattapoisett, MA / Old Rochester Regional HS

Samad Wagstaff DB 5-8 165 New Rochelle, NY / New Rochelle HS



* * * *

[dgreco]

Mike Abany LB, 6-1, 205 Mansfield, MA / Mansfield HS

Three-year letterwinner and two-year starting fullback and linebacker for coach Mike Redding ... Recorded 77 rushes for 619 yards and 8 touchdowns plus had 52 tackles .... Led team to three Hockomock League Championships ... 29-4 three-year team record ... Lettered in baseball ... Named Hockomock League All-Star and League MVP ... Named Team MVP ... All-Scholastic selection by the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Brockton Enterprise ... Selected to Massachusetts All-State team ... Honor Roll.



Luis "BJ" Aponte, Jr. RB, 5-8, 183 New Britain, CT / New Britain HS

Four-year letterwinner at New Britain High School for coach Paul Morrell ... Rushed for 1,775 yards on 204 carries and had 22 touchdowns ... Three-year All-CCC North selection as a running back ... Second Team All-State in 2006 ... All-Conference Linebacker and First Team All-State running back in 2007 ... Honor roll student .



Cody Aughney TE, 6-6, 220 Henderson, NV / Green Valley HS

Four-year varsity letterwinner in football and basketball for coach Matt Gerber ... Two-time Second Team All-Southeast Conference as a defensive end and tight end in 2006-07 and 2007-08 ... Scholar-Athlete ... Helped lead football team to three playoff appearances ... Had 24 receptions for 326 yards and 9 touchdowns in junior and senior years.



Jack Barons OL, 6-4, 255 Lexington, MA / Lexington HS

Three-year varsity letterwinner in football at Lexington HS ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball ... Starting offensive and defensive lineman for coach Bill Tighe ...Team placed third in Middlesex League in 2007 ... Named First Team All-Middlesex League in 2007 ... Team captain and Co-MVP as a senior ... Will participate in 2008 Shriners Bowl ... Honor Roll student.



DeLon Bohler-Young WR, 6-3, 185 Montclair, NJ / Montclair HS

Four-year participant in football for coach Ed Lebida ... Two-year starting wide receiver in 2006 and 2007 ... Helped lead team to 9-3 record in 2007 and NNJIL League title ... Team finished as runners up in Section I, Group Four championship .... Recipient of Jack Davies team award for hard-work and determination ... High School teammate of currently Bulldog Steven Branch.



Raymond Bundy OL, 6-0, 310 Bristol, RI / La Salle Academy

First Team All State/All Division Offensive Line for coach Geoff Marcone … Rhode Island Football All-Academic 2007 selection …Providence Gridiron Club Offensive MVP La Salle Academy 2007 …Competed in Division I playoffs and helped lead team to the R.I. Super Bowl 2005-2007…Also a LaSalle Academy varsity lacrosse defensive starter 2005-2008 ... Teammate of Bulldog Brendan Rice.



Royce Brunson OL/DL, 6-2, 265 Hamden, CT / Hamden Hall

Lettered in football, lacrosse, wrestling, and basketball … Named Hamden Hall's Rookie of the Year 2005 … Recipient of the George Sonny Coughlin Award … Selected by the New Haven League of Officials for the Senior Football Award … Two-time All-Fairchester selection … President of student-body.



Robert Edwards, Jr. OL, 6-0, 260 Damascus, MD / Damascus HS

Four-year letterwinner in football for coach Dan Mokosy ... Helped lead team to two Maryland Class 3A state championships (2007, 2005), one state runner-up (2004) and one regional championship (2006) ... Also lettered in wrestling and track & field ... First Team All-State, All-County and All-Metropolitan in 2007 ... Second Team All-State, All-Metropolitan and First Team All-County in 2006 ... Three-time First Team All-Gazette, Examiner and Sentinel ... Four-year honor roll ... Recipient of Outstanding Academic Achievement award ... National Honor Society.



Kyle Higgins WR, 6-2, 205 Billerica, MA / Billerica Memorial HS

Three-year varsity football letterwinner ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball ... Helped lead team to 2005 Merrimack Valley Conference championship in 2005 ... Named All-Conference in 2007 and honorable mention all-conference in 2006 ... Second-team all-conference in basketball ... Had 38 receptions for 553 yards and six touchdowns ... Two SUMA Academic Awards ... Six "Student of the Term" Academic awards ... Cousin of New York Mets pitcher Tom Glavine ... Played for coach Peter Flynn and assistant and former Bryant standout Joe Knight.



Joshua Janes DL, 6-3, 235 Newport, RI / La Salle Academy

Lettered in football, basketball and track at La Salle ... Two-year varsity starter for coach Geoff Marcone as a defensive tackle ...Second Team All-Division ... Rhode Island All-Star game participant ... Honor Roll student ... Teammate of current Bulldog Brendan Rice.



Michael Leavitt DB, 5-9, 195 Atkinson, NH / Central Catholic HS (MA)

Lettered in football, wrestling, baseball and track ... starter for coach Chuck Adamopolous ... Helped lead team to Merrimack Valley Conference championship in 2006 with 8-4 record ... Two-time All-Scholastic selection by the Boston Herald for football and wrestling ... Three-time All-Conference Running back ... Three-time State Champion in wrestling ... Holder of Central Catholic rushing record with 3,700 yards ...46 total touchdowns as a running back ... 138 tackles and 13 interceptions ... Shriner's Football All-Star participant in 2008 ... Honor Roll ... Cousin Daniel Rokas is a member of the Roger Williams University (RI) wrestling team.



Michael McGowan DB, 6-0, 180 Attleboro, MA / Bishop Feehan HS

Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track at Bishop Feehan ... Basketball team captain ... Three-time EAC track all-star ... North Attleboro Sun Chronicle Track All-Star ... Member of school's 4x100 school record team ... EAC and Sun Chronicle All-Star in football ... Starting quarterback and defensive back for coach Tony Wood ... Total of 78 points scored in leading team to 10-2-1 record and state title in 2007 ... High school teammate of current Bulldogs Pete Krafka and Mike Montagna.



David Morgan II DL, 6-1, 238 Camden, OH / Eaton HS

Participated in football, wrestling and track ... Helped lead team to two Southwestern Buckeye League championships ... All-County, All-League, and All-Area honorable mention in2 007 ... Recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Best Character ... Three-time Iron Eagle weightlifting award ... 2007 team captain ... Three varsity letters in football ... Three varsity letters in track ... Member of two league championship teams and league champ in the discus ... Cousin Tommy Jones played quarterback at Indiana for Coach Fine from 1998-2003.



Adam Peloquin OL, 6-1, 265 Spencer, MA / David Prouty HS

Four-year letterwinner and two-year starter in football for coach Neal Labaire ... Lettered in track and baseball ... 2007 team MVP in football ... Division 2 East All-Star selection in 2007 ... Named Outstanding Lineman and MVP of 2007 Thanksgiving Day Game ... Named to 2008 Shrine Chowder Bowl Classic ...President of school's National Honor Society ... Recipient of White Sweater Award, Harvard Prize Book Award, Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizen Award and John and Abigail Adams Scholarship ... Three-time class president.

[dgreco]

John Riley FB, 6-0, 227 Wakefield, MA / Wakefield HS

Four-year letterwinner in football and lacrosse ... Earned two letters in Olympic Weightlifting as a junior and senior ... Two-year starter and two-time Middlesex All-Star, one as a defensive lineman (2006) and one as an offensive lineman (2007) ... Preseason Boston Herald Stars to Watch ... Led team in tackles with 72 and sacks with eight ... Had three fumble recoveries ... Will participate in Carrol Classic and Shriners Bowl in 2008 ... Voted team MVP ... Placed in top quarter for the Atlantic State Open Weight Lifting Championship ... Placed in the 105kg class during the Connecticut State Olympic Championships in 2007 ... Served as editor for Academic Journal ... Member of the Health and Wellness Council ... Wakefield High School ambassador to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.



Nick Sengotta LB, 6-2,235 Wayne, NJ / DePaul Catholic HS

Will graduate DePaul Catholic High School class of 2008…Three sport varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track … Member of conference championship teams from 2004-2006…Selected as an Elite Athlete in sport of football ... Named Second Team All-Colonial Hills Conference … Four year varsity letterman ... Had 35 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns ... Recorded 69 tackles including 6.5 ... Averaged 5.4 yards per carry ... High school teammate of currently Bryant player Mike Canfora.



Franck Tebou LB, 6-0, 205 Mattapoisett, MA / Old Rochester Regional HS

Standout from Old Rochester Regional High School …Varsity captain ... Team MVP 2007…First Team All-SCC League … Named the 2004 SCC Offensive Player of the Year … Holds all-time single season rushing record 2007 … Competed in Track and Basketball … State finalist in the 4x200, and shuttle.



Samad Wagstaff DB, 5-8, 165 New Rochelle, NY / New Rochelle HS

Starting cornerback and wide receiver for New York State Semifinal Champions and Class AA Section I Champions under coach Lou DiRienzo ... NYS Section I Football First Team All-Star and 2007 Lower Hudson Athletic Conference selection ... Recorded two interceptions returned for touchdowns ... Four catches for 4 touchdowns on the season ... Had 53 tackles ... Lettered in football, basketball and football ... Defensive Player of the Week by High School Weekly in October, 2007 ... Member of National ... Spanish Honor Society in 2006 ... Cousin of Rutgers football standout Ray Rice ... Uncle James played football at the University of North Carolina and Miami Dolphins of the NFL

[danefan]

http://www.bryantbulldogs.com/sports/fball/2008/News/2008Feb6RecruitSignings


Congrats Bryant on your first DI class!

[catbob]

Whoa, I consider myself fairly up-to-date on the workings of FCS, but somehow I missed Bryant? Never heard of em. :)

[dgreco]

Whoa, I consider myself fairly up-to-date on the workings of FCS, but somehow I missed Bryant? Never heard of em. :)

Hey it is officially our first scholarship players!

[Seawolf97]

John Riley FB, 6-0, 227 Wakefield, MA / Wakefield HS

Four-year letterwinner in football and lacrosse ... Earned two letters in Olympic Weightlifting as a junior and senior ... Two-year starter and two-time Middlesex All-Star, one as a defensive lineman (2006) and one as an offensive lineman (2007) ... Preseason Boston Herald Stars to Watch ... Led team in tackles with 72 and sacks with eight ... Had three fumble recoveries ... Will participate in Carrol Classic and Shriners Bowl in 2008 ... Voted team MVP ... Placed in top quarter for the Atlantic State Open Weight Lifting Championship ... Placed in the 105kg class during the Connecticut State Olympic Championships in 2007 ... Served as editor for Academic Journal ... Member of the Health and Wellness Council ... Wakefield High School ambassador to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.



Nick Sengotta LB, 6-2,235 Wayne, NJ / DePaul Catholic HS

Will graduate DePaul Catholic High School class of 2008…Three sport varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track … Member of conference championship teams from 2004-2006…Selected as an Elite Athlete in sport of football ... Named Second Team All-Colonial Hills Conference … Four year varsity letterman ... Had 35 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns ... Recorded 69 tackles including 6.5 ... Averaged 5.4 yards per carry ... High school teammate of currently Bryant player Mike Canfora.



Franck Tebou LB, 6-0, 205 Mattapoisett, MA / Old Rochester Regional HS

Standout from Old Rochester Regional High School …Varsity captain ... Team MVP 2007…First Team All-SCC League … Named the 2004 SCC Offensive Player of the Year … Holds all-time single season rushing record 2007 … Competed in Track and Basketball … State finalist in the 4x200, and shuttle.



Samad Wagstaff DB, 5-8, 165 New Rochelle, NY / New Rochelle HS

Starting cornerback and wide receiver for New York State Semifinal Champions and Class AA Section I Champions under coach Lou DiRienzo ... NYS Section I Football First Team All-Star and 2007 Lower Hudson Athletic Conference selection ... Recorded two interceptions returned for touchdowns ... Four catches for 4 touchdowns on the season ... Had 53 tackles ... Lettered in football, basketball and football ... Defensive Player of the Week by High School Weekly in October, 2007 ... Member of National ... Spanish Honor Society in 2006 ... Cousin of Rutgers football standout Ray Rice ... Uncle James played football at the University of North Carolina and Miami Dolphins of the NFL

Congratulations-looks like a good line up and your first signeesxthumbsupx

[dgreco]

Congratulations-looks like a good line up and your first signeesxthumbsupx

thanks. Should be an exciting year I hope we have a good season even with the harder competition. Also, I hope we grow to a top team in the NEC :D

[Pard4Life]

Nick Sengotta LB, 6-2,235 Wayne, NJ / DePaul Catholic HS

Will graduate DePaul Catholic High School class of 2008…Three sport varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track … Member of conference championship teams from 2004-2006…Selected as an Elite Athlete in sport of football ... Named Second Team All-Colonial Hills Conference … Four year varsity letterman ... Had 35 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns ... Recorded 69 tackles including 6.5 ... Averaged 5.4 yards per carry ... High school teammate of currently Bryant player Mike Canfora.



Partially true... Canfora played at Verona HS in Verona NJ. On that note, there was a group of three Verona HS football players who savagely beat and assualted a kid over girlfriend in the HS parking lot. All three of the players transfered... one to DePaul. One of the three was deemed to 'have done nothing' while two of the others were in trouble. Many people were upset the kids were allowed to keep playing football elsewhere. Don't know if he is one of the kids that was exonnerated or guilty, but nonetheless, not good bagage to be carrying around.

[UAalum72]

Whoa, I consider myself fairly up-to-date on the workings of FCS, but somehow I missed Bryant? Never heard of em. :)
I guess you missed this thread

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31253&highlight=bryant

[89Hen]

Hey it is officially our first scholarship players!
Was Bryant able to give schollies to players already on the roster?

[danefan]

I know when we went from non-scholly to scholly we could give scholly's to current players. I think only one player on the roster got a scholly though. That is most likely also because most were already on some sort of grant-in-aid package.

[dgreco]

Was Bryant able to give schollies to players already on the roster?
like dane said, I think maybe 1 or 2 current players would be scholarship players. I think they would use a lot of them to new kids. In hopes to bring in better talent. With the schedule of some good teams I am sure they want more talent.