JONESBORO (2/7/07) - Arkansas State head football coach Steve Roberts has announced that 21 high school players, including six from the state of Arkansas, and three junior college transfers signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Feb. 7, to play for the Indians in 2007.

“I am very excited to introduce our 2007 recruiting class,” said Roberts.  “This a tremendous class.  We were very fortunate to meet the greater needs of our team and sign a group of athletes that can fill a lot of different roles for us.  I am very happy about these individuals and the ability that they bring to our program.  There is tremendous character among them.  The versatility in this class is greater than any other that we have signed to this point and there are a number of players that can play different positions.  You see a number of guys in this class that have the ability to help you not only at their primary positions, but also on special teams and on plays in special situations.”

Among ASU's six signees from Arkansas are players from Jonesboro, Ft. Smith (2), Monticello, West Helena and Osceola.  The remaining 18 high school and junior college standouts that signed with ASU are from 10 different states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas.

The Indians inked 11 offensive players, 10 defensive players and three players that could wind up on either side of the ball.  Among the offensive players are one quarterback, two fullbacks, one running back, six offensive linemen and one receiver.  ASU also signed two defensive ends, one defensive lineman, five linebackers and two defensive backs.

2007 ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS

1. Michael Adams - LB, 6-1, 230, Cuthbert, Georgia (Randolph-Clay High School)
2. William Anderson - FB, 5-11, 228, St. Louis, Missouri (Hazelwood East High School)
3. Josh Arauco - So., K, 5-9, 193, Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Prairie High School)*
4. Bamidele Ayoola - ATH, 6-2, 244, Plantation, Florida (South Plantation High School)
5. Alex Birton - OL, 6-2, 297, Ft. Smith, Arkansas (Northside High School)
6. Elroy Brown - LB, 6-0, 213, Osceola, Arkansas (Osceola High School)
7. Najel Byrd - LB,  6-0, 215, West Helena, Arkansas (Central High School)
8. Vernon Catlin - Jr., TE/LB, 6-4, 225, Culver City, California (Los Angeles Southwest College)
9. Spencer Canole - DE, 6-3, 230, Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus High School)
10. Brandon Ciaramitaro - OL, 6-3, 280, Batesville, Mississippi (Northeast Missippi Community College)***
11. Demario Davis - LB, 6-3, 210, Brandon, Mississippi (Brandon High School)
12. Jeremy Gibson - DE/TE, 6-6, 240, Eutaw, Alabama (Greene County High School)
13. Charlton Hankston - Jr., LB, 6-2, 256, Las Vegas, Nevada (Victor Valley (CA) College)
14. Rudy Harrell - OL, 6-6, 280, Monticello, Arkansas (Monticello High School)**
15. Linzsy Harris - WR, 5-9, 175, Hollywood, Florida (South Broward High School)
16. Paul Henry - OL, 6-8, 270,  Ft. Smith, Arkansas (Northside High School)
17.  Brandon Johnson - OL, 6-4, 307, Memphis, Tennessee (Whitehaven High School)
18. Tim Kavanaugh - OL, 6-2, 270, Chicago, Illinois (Mt. Carmel High School)
19. Jaquan Kilcrease - DB, 6-3, 195, Nashville, Tenn. (McGavock High School)
20. Chris Lambeth - QB, 6-1, 195, Daphne, Alabama (Daphne High School)
21. Derek Lawson - RB, 5-11, 210, Jonesboro, Arkansas (Nettleton High School)
22. Kelcie McCray - DB, 6-2, 180 Columbus, Georgia (Hardaway High School)
23. Delano Moore - OL, 6-5, 306, Sunrise, Florida (Piper High School)
24. Stanley Porter - DL, 6-4, 240, Rosedale, Mississippi (West Bolivar High School)
25. Jermaine Robertson - FB, 5-11, 227, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Northridge High School)
26. Dorvus Woods - LB/DE, 6-3, 259, St. Louis, Missouri (Vashon High School)
* 2005 walk-on, redshirted 2005 season
** Player originally signed with ASU in 2006 and sat out for a year to concentrate on academics
*** Mid-term junior college signee and is available for spring practice

BY STATE
ALABAMA (3):  Jeremy Gibson (DE/TE), Chris Lambeth (QB), Jermaine Robertson (FB)
ARKANSAS (6):  Alex Birton (OL), Elroy Brown (LB), Najel Byrd (LB), Rudy Harrell (OL), Paul Henry (OL), Derek Lawson (RB)
CALIFORNIA (1):  Vernon Catlin (TE/LB)
FLORIDA (3):  Bamidele Ayoola (ATH), Linzsy Harris (WR), Delano Moore (OL)
GEORGIA (2):  Michael Adams (LB), Kelcie McCray (DB)
ILLINOIS (1):  Tim Kavanaugh (OL)
MISSISSIPPI (3):  Brandon Ciaramitaro (OL), Demario Davis (LB), Stanley Porter (DL)
MISSOURI (2):  William Anderson (FB), Dorvus Woods (LB/DE)
NEVADA (1):  Charlton Hankston (LB)
TENNESSEE (2):  Brandon Johnson (OL), Jaquan Kilcrease (DB)
TEXAS (2):  Josh Arauco (K), Spencer Canole (DE)

BY POSITION
Quarterback (1):  Chris Lambeth
Fullback (2):  William Anderson, Jermaine Robertson
Running Back (1):  Derek Lawson
Offensive Line (6):  Alex Birton, Brandon Ciaramitaro, Rudy Harrell, Paul Henry, Tim Kavanaugh, Delano Moore
Wide Receiver (1):  Linzsy Harris
Defensive End (2):  Spencer Canole, Dorvus Woods
Defensive Line (1):  Stanley Porter
Linebacker (5):  Michael Adams, Elroy Brown, Najel Byrd, Demario Davis, Charlton Hankston
Defensive Back (2):  Jaquan Kilcrease, Kelcie McCray
Kicker (1):  Josh Arauco
Athlete (1):  Bamidele Ayoola
Defensive End/Tight End (1):  Jeremy Gibson
Tight End/Linebacker (1):  Vernon Catlin

BIOS:

Michael Adams - LB, 6-1, 230, Cuthbert, Georgia (Randolph-Clay High School)
Member of 6-4 Randolph-Clay HS team that recorded the programs 100th victory in 2006 . . . Helped lead the Red Devils to a 10-2 record and the region championship (first in school history) in 2005 . . . 2005 and 2006 Georgia Defensive Player of the Year . . . Posted 105 tackles (second most in state), eight tackles for loss, seven sacks (tied fourth most in state) as a senior . . . Senior season was first player in school history named to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Football Team . . . Preseason All-State selection as a senior . . . Team Captain senior senior season . . . Named 2006 Randolph-Clay HS Defensive Player of the Year . . . 115 tackles junior season broke 20-year old school record . . . Recorded seven sacks in 2005 . . . 2005 Region Defensive Player of the Year and named First Team All-State . . . Also a member of the varsity track and field team, competing in the shot put and also a member of the 4x100 relay team.

William Anderson - FB, 5-11, 228, St. Louis, Missouri (Hazelwood East High School)
Two-year varsity letterman at Hazelwood East High School, helping lead the team to an 8-2 record in both 2005 and 2006 . . . Ranked as the No. 20 player in the state of Missouri by Rivals.com . . . Ranked as the No. 9 fullback by Scout.com . . . Rushed for 964 yards and 14 touchdowns on 118 carries as a senior . . . 2006 First Team All-Conference selection and All-State selection . . . 2006 St. Louis Dispatch Super 30 (top 30 players in metro area) . . . Team Captain and Team Co-MVP senior season . . . Rushed for 584 yards and three touchdowns junior season . . . 2005 Second Team All-Conference selection . . . Also competes on the varsity track & field team at Hazelwood East HS.

Bamidele Ayoola - ATH, 6-2, 244, Plantation, Florida (South Plantation High School)
Played fullback senior season for South Plantation High School, rushing for 648 yards on 93 carries and posting 112 receiving yards on 12 receptions . . . Recorded 11 touchdowns as a senior . . . Helped lead SPHS to a 9-3 record and the playoffs in 2006 . . . 2006 Miami Herald Second Team All-Broward (Classifications 4A-6A) . . . 2006 Florida Sun-Sentinel Honorable Mention All-County Team . . . Junior season recorded 14 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns . . . Caught two passes for 181 yards and one touchdown as a junior.

Alex Birton - OL, 6-2, 297, Ft. Smith, Arkansas (Northside High School)
Three-year starter on the offensive line at Northside High School . . . Helped lead Northside to an 8-5 record and the playoffs as a senior . . . Two-time (2005, 2006) 7A All-State selection . . . Two-time (2005,2006) All-Conference selection . . . Two-time (2005, 2006) All-Area selection . . . Named to the Arkansas All-Star Team as a senior . . . Tom Lemmings Top 100 sophomore.

Elroy Brown - LB, 6-0, 213, Osceola, Arkansas (Osceola High School)
Played both running back and linebacker for an Osceola team that posted a 6-5 record, including a 5-2 mark in Conference 3-4A . . . Expected to play linebacker at Arkansas State . . . 2006 All-State selection . . . Rushed for 1,614 yards on 190 carries and scored 20 touchdowns as a senior . . . Rushed for 329 yards and five touchdowns on 19 carries against Valley View . . . Scored 132 points senior season . . . Tallied 92 tackles and four sacks from his linebacker position in 2006 . . . Named to the Arkansas All-Star Team . . . 2006 KAIT 8 Superteam, Jonesboro Best Under the Sun (Jonesboro Sun), All-Blytheville County selection, AP Superteam, All-State, All-Conference . . . 2005 statistics included 658 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 80 carries, 105 tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles . . . 2004 statistics included 85 tackles, three sacks and four forced fumbles . . . Father, Elroy Sr., played nose guard at Arkansas State.

Najel Byrd - LB,  6-0, 215, West Helena, Arkansas (Central High School)
Played both running back and linebacker for Central High School, but is expected to play linebacker at Arkansas State . . . 5A All-State selection as both a junior and senior . . . Recorded 1,210 rushing yards on 122 carries as a senior . . . Posted 75 tackles in eight games in 2006 . . . Runner-up at 2006 state track & field meet in the shot put with a best throw of 53-8 . . . Posted a season-best time of 10.78 in the 100 meters.

Vernon Catlin - Jr., TE/LB, 6-4, 225, Culver City, California (Los Angeles Southwest College)
Played outside linebacker/defensive end and wide receiver/tight end at Los Angeles SW College . . . 79-yard interception return for a touchdown among highlights . . . WSC First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District linebacker in 2006 . . . LASC MVP Linebacker in 2006 . . . LASC Most Improved WR in 2005 . . . Attended Cleveland High School . . . 2002-04 statistics included 64 rushes, 399 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, nine receptions, 135 receiving yards, one touchdown . . . Three year varsity letterman . . . Lt. Larry Stevens Memorial Award recipient . . . First Team All-City defensive end . . . Lettered in track and field and basketball.

Spencer Canole - DE, 6-3, 230, Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus High School)
Helped lead Marcus High School to an 8-3 record in and the Class 5A playoffs in 2006 . . . Marcus ranked 11th in the area among 5A high schools by the Dallas Morning News . . . Unanimous First Team All-District 6-5A selection as a senior . . . Recorded 48 tackles (32 solo, 16 assist), four sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2006 . . . Starter on the 2005 team that went 5-5 . . . Voted Best Looking Boy at Marcus High School . . . Elected Mr. Marcus.

Brandon Ciaramitaro - OL, 6-3, 280, Batesville, Mississippi (Northeast Missippi Community College)
Two-year starter at Northeast Mississippi Community College . . . Named All-MACJC as both a freshman and sophomore, earing first team honors in 2006 . . . Anchored an offensive line at Northeast that was second in the MACJC in rushing and third in total offense in 2005 and helped lead the Tigers to three straight victories to end the 2006 season . . . Played high school football for North Delta Academy.

Demario Davis - LB, 6-3, 210, Brandon, Mississippi (Brandon High School)
Three-year varsity letterman at Brandon High School who helped lead the team to its 14th playoff appearance in the last 16 years with a 7-5 record . . . Ranked No. 86 at his position by Scout.com . . . Recorded 81 tackles, six interceptions and one sack as senior . . . 2006 All-Region 3-5A, MAC First Team All-State and Clarion Ledger All-Metro selection . . . Played mostly wide receiver as sophomore and junior . . . Recorded four touchdowns and 386 receiving yards as a senior as well . . . Team Captain senior season . . . Starter on the Brandon HS basketball team and competes in the high jump with the varsity track & field team.

Jeremy Gibson - DE/TE, 6-6, 240, Eutaw, Alabama (Greene County High School)
Four-year varsity letterman than helped lead Greene County High School to its first playoff berth in four years in 2006 . . . Team Captain senior season . . . Received academic award for athlete with the highest GPA . . . Plays center/forward for the Greene County varsity basketball team.

Charlton Hankston - Jr., LB, 6-2, 256, Las Vegas, Nevada (Victor Valley (CA) College)
Helped lead Victory Valley Rams to 9-2 overall record and 7-1 record in Foothill Conference in 2006 . . . First Team All-Foothill Conference selection in 2006 . . . Named Foothill Conference Player of the Week on Sept. 9 after recording 12 tackles in a game . . . The Victor Valley College football team ended the 2006 season ranked 14th by the California Community College Football Coaches Association in the state and 8th in the final Southern California Coaches Association Poll . . . The team also ended the season with an unprecedented 9-2 record and played in the college's first-ever state playoff game . . . All-California First Team selection as a sophomore at VVC . . . Played at Eldorado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada . . . Played running back and linebacker in high school . . . All-State linebacker at Eldorado as well as All-Conference selection . . . Set the school record for most tackles in a season with 115 as a senior and also had two interceptions . . . Varsity letterman in track and field and basketball in high school.

Rudy Harrell - OL, 6-6, 280, Monticello, Arkansas (Monticello High School)
Already enrolled at ASU, Harrell originally signed with ASU in 2006 and sat out for a year to concentrate on academics . . . Two-way starter for Monticello (OL and DL) . . . Rated a 3.0 player on ESPN.com's recruiting website . . . Ranked a three-star recruit by SportingNews.com with a grade of 5.5, ranking 10th in the state among every prospect . . . Ranked by Rivals.com as a preseason Arkansas top-20 (10th) and was picked in the same position in the postseason . . . Tabbed as an All-Region performer by Rivals.com . . . All-conference as a senior . . . played basketball for Monticello.

Linzsy Harris - WR, 5-9, 175, Hollywood, Florida (South Broward High School)
Helped lead South Broward High School to an 8-2 record while competing in District 16-5A in 2006 . . . Used as both a wingback and wide receiver, led South Broward in yards per catch (25.3 ypc) and yards per rush (8.9 ypr) . . . Recorded 303 yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions and also rushed 14 times for 151 yards in 2006 . . . 2006 Miami Herald Second Team All-Broward (Classifications 4A-6A) . . . 2006 Florida Sun-Sentinel Honorable Mention Team . . . Member of the Miami-Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game roster.

Paul Henry - OL, 6-8, 270,  Ft. Smith, Arkansas (Northside High School)
Ranked No. 22 offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com . . . Helped lead Northside High School to an 8-5 record and the playoffs as a senior . . . Named to the Arkansas All-Star Team as a senior . . . 2005 and 2006 All-Conference selection 2005 All-Area Team . . . Also a member of the Northside High School varsity basketball team.

Brandon Johnson - OL, 6-4, 307, Memphis, Tennessee (Whitehaven High School)
Four year letterman . . . Named 2006 All-Metro . . . All-Region 8-5A selection as a senior . . . Selected to play in the Liberty Bowl Auto Zone game . . . Invited to and attended the U.S. Army Combine his junior year.

Tim Kavanaugh - OL, 6-2, 270, Chicago, Illinois (Mt. Carmel High School)
All-Conference offensive lineman for Mt. Carmel High School, which has won nine Illinois State Championships under coach Frank Lenti . . . Four-year varsity letterman . . . Two-year varsity starter . . . Overall high school record was 41-5 . . . Played in the Class 7A state championship game as a junior . . . 2006 Preseason First Team All-Area . . . Caroll Kikzka Award winner . . . 2006 First Team Chicago Catholic League . . . 2006 First Team All-Area . . . Played baseball as a freshman and sophomore.

Jaquan Kilcrease - DB, 6-3, 195, Nashville, Tenn. (McGavock High School)
The Tennessean Third Team All-Midstate selection as a senior . . . 2006 Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team . . . Recorded 134 tackles (125 solo, 9 assist), one interception, one sack and 14 pass break-ups as a senior . . . Four-year high school letterman . . . Two-time All-City selection (2005, 2006) . . . Named All-Region as both a junior and senior . . . Member of the McGavock High School varsity basketball team.

Chris Lambeth - QB, 6-1, 195, Daphne, Alabama (Daphne High School)
Helped lead Daphne High School to a 9-3 overall record, Region 2 championship and a No., 9 ranking in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Football Poll in 2006 . . . Posted a 22-5 record as a starter . . . Four-year All-County selection . . . Completed 120-of-174 passing attempts (68.9 pct.) for 1,873 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior . . . Recorded six rushing touchdowns as a senior . . . 2006 All-County selection . . . EA Sports 2006 Elite 11 National “Quarterbacks to Watch List” . . . 2006 Scout.com All-American Camp Invitee (Tuscaloosa, AL) . . . 2006 Nike and Elite 11 Camp Invitee (Baton Rouge, LA) . . . Completed 94-of-152 passing attempts (61.8 pct.) for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior while helping Daphne to a 13-2 record and the Alabama 6A Super 6 State Championship game . . . Named the Great American Radio Network MVP for Daphne's game against Lincoln (Fla.) on Sept. 6, 2005 after helping lead the team to a comeback victory by completing 9-of-12 passing attempts for 154 yards and two touchdowns . . . 2005 First Team All-County selection.

Derek Lawson - RB, 5-11, 210, Jonesboro, Arkansas (Nettleton High School)
Helped lead Nettleton High School to 5A state semifinals, rushing for an Arkansas high school record 3,090 yards to break Madre Hill's 13-year old record of 2,863 yards . . . 36 TDs senior season ties the fifth most in Arkansas high school history . . . 2006 Jonesboro Sun Player of the Year . . . Little Rock Touchdown Club's 5A High School Player of the Year . . . Named to the Arkansas All-Star Team . . . 2006 KAIT 8 High School Player of the Year . . . Rushed for 4,198 career yards and posted 49 career touchdowns . . . No. 2 jersey retired by Nettleton High School . . . Hooten Award and Landers Award finalist in 2006, two of the top awards in the state.

Kelcie McCray - DB, 6-2, 180 Columbus, Georgia (Hardaway High School)
Played quarterback for Hardaway High School in Class AAA-Region 2, but is expected to play in the secondary at Arkansas State . . . Three-year varsity letterman . . . Golden Hawks finished 2006 with a 6-4 record . . . Rushed for 411 yards and three touchdowns on 112 carries as a senior . . . Completed 32-of-80 passing attempts for 363 yards and two touchdowns in 2006 . . . In limited action defensively, recorded 10 tackles and one interception as a senior . . . Honorable Mention All-Bi-City . . . Team Captain as a senior . . . Also plays on the varsity basketball team at Hardaway High School.

Delano Moore - OL, 6-5, 306, Sunrise, Florida (Piper High School)
2006 Florida Sun-Sentinel Honorable Mention All-County Team (Classifications 4A-6A) . . . 3-7 Piper High School team passed for 1237 yards and rushed for 678 yards in 2006 . . . Competed in the state All-Star Game . . . Member of the high school honor roll.

Stanley Porter - DL, 6-4, 240, Rosedale, Mississippi (West Bolivar High School)
Helped lead West Bolivar High School to a 12-1 record and the playoffs as a senior . . . Posted 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior . . . Injured four games into junior season, but still posted 23 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries . . . Tallied 89 tackles and 14 sacks as a sophomore . . . First Team All-State selection by the Clarion Ledger in 2006 . . . 2006 Division 3-2A Mississippi Defensive Lineman of the Year . . . Ranked No. 70 at his position by Scout.com . . . 22nd ranked play in the state of Mississippi by Rivals.com . . . 49th ranked strongside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com . . . Competes in the shot put and discus for the West Bolivar varsity track & field team.

Jermaine Robertson - FB, 5-11, 227, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Northridge High School)
Four-year varsity letterman . . . Rushed for 1,100 yards as a senior for Northridge High School (6A) . . . All-Tuscaloosa News Team selection . . .  2006 Team Captain . . . 2006 Team Offensive Back MVP . . . 2005 Team Offensive Back MVP . . . 2003 Team Defensive Line MVP . . . Also competes on the Northridge varsity track & field team.

Dorvus Woods - LB/DE, 6-3, 259, St. Louis, Missouri (Vashon High School)
Three-year varsity letterman at Vashon High School . . . Saw limited action on the varsity squad as a freshman . . . Posted 98 tackles, four fumble recoveries, five sacks and two interceptions as a senior . . . 2006 First Team All-Conference and Second team All-District selection . . . Twice named the Suburban North and Northside Journal Player of the Week . . . Team Captain as both a junior and senior . . . Named the Team Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 . . . Junior season received Second Team All-Conference recognition . . . Sophomore season Honorable Mention All-Conference selection.