Feb. 7, 2008
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University Head Football Coach, Tom Masella announced the signing of 27 football players to letters of intent with Fordham for the 2008 season.
Masella, who enters his third season at Fordham, led the Rams to the 2007 Patriot League title last fall, after the Rams were picked to finish sixth in the seven-team league. He led Fordham to an 8-4 overall record and a 5-1 Patriot League mark, winning the League title for the second time in the past five years (2002). The Rams displayed one of the biggest turnarounds in the NCAA, going from 3-8 in 2006 to 8-4 last fall.
For his exploits, Masella was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year as well as the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) 2007 Region 1 Co-Coach of the Year
The new class features 14 offensive players and 13 defensive players. By position offensive linemen lead the way with seven, followed by defensive linemen (6), linebackers (4), running backs (3), wide receivers (2), quarterbacks (2), defensive backs (2) and kickers (1).
The 27 freshmen hail from nine different states, from New York to Texas, with seven from Florida, five from Texas, five from New York, three from New Jersey, two each from Maryland and Pennsylvania and one from Ohio, Georgia and Virginia.
Included in the recruiting class are three sets of high school teammates.
The new recruiting class will join 17 starters who return for the 2008 season, nine of those from the offense and eight on defense.
Last fall, 12 Rams were named All-Patriot League led by senior punter Benjamin Dato, a First Team selection who went on to earn consensus All-America honors, and freshman running back Xavier Martin, who was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Dato led the Patriot League and was third in the NCAA I-AA with a 44.7 punting average in 2007.
Other Rams receiving First Team All-Patriot League honors included senior running back Jonte Coven and senior linebacker Earl Hudnell. Martin, sophomore quarterback John Skelton, senior center Mike Breznicky, senior offensive lineman Mike Nardone, sophomore wide receiver Asa Lucas, junior defensive lineman Ryan Mehra, sophomore linebacker James Crockett, senior linebacker Dominique Owens and senior defensive back Sam Orah were all named to the Second Team.
The Rams are scheduled to open their 109th season of varsity football on Saturday, September 6th, when they host the University of Rhode Island on Jack Coffey Field. Fordham is entering its 19th season as a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Patriot League.
Here is a complete list of the newcomers:
Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown/High School
Derrick Bell, DL, 6-4, 240, Bryans Road, Md./Lackey
Andrew Bonner, OL, 6-2, 265, Coral Gables, Fla./Gulliver Prep
Kevin Carter, DB, 6-0, 197, Alexandria, Va./Thomas A. Edison
Chris Coratti, LB, 6-0, 215, Pawling, N.Y./Trinity Pawling
Benjamin Daley, LB, 6-2, 180, Alva, Fla./La Belle
Cameron Dean, P/K, 6-3, 220, Gulf Stream, Fla./Saint Andrews
Cahill Hooker, OL, 6-4, 260, Dallas, Tex./Bishop Lynch
William Horan, DB, 5-11, 180, Temple Terrace, Fla./Jesuit
Joshua Johnson, OL, 6-4, 280, Alpharetta, Ga./Wesleyan
Daniel Kessler, OL, 6-3, 290, White Oak, Pa./McKeesport
Isaiah Leake, RB, 6-0, 210, Key Largo, Fla./Saint Andrews
Jamir Livingston, RB, 5-8, 165, Drexel Hill, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep
Thomas Lloyd, DL, 6-0, 265, Hurst, Tex./L.D. Bell
Rodney Mann, DL, 6-2, 240, Staten Island, N.Y./Midwood
Patrick McGee, DL, 6-5, 250, Glen Ridge, N.J./Canterbury
Lloyd Morrison, OL. 6-3, 275, Teaneck, N.J./Bergen Catholic
Andy Okonkwo, DL, 6-2, 218, Richardson, Tex./L.V. Berkner
Doug Papy, QB, 6-2, 190, Coral Gables, Fla./Gulliver Prep
Jock Payten, LB, 6-0, 208, Richardson, Tex./L.V. Berkner
Wesley Perryman, DL, 6-0, 275, Plano, Tex./Plano Senior
Brad Pierre, WR, 6-3, 205, Lake Worth, Fla./Lake Worth Community
Jonathan Sheridan, OL, 6-4, 290, Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea
Brian Taaffe, QB, 6-3, 215, Clarksville, Md./Saint Paul's
Matt Van Orden, OL, 6-1, 250, Morris Plain, N.J./Delbarton
Jason Weston, WR, 6-3, 195, Queens, N.Y./Campus Magnet
Darryl Whiting, RB, 6-4, 200, Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross
Nick Womack, LB, 6-2 , 205, Maple Heights, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel
2008 Fordham University Football Recruiting Class
Derrick Bell (DL, 6-4, 240, DL, Bryans Road, Md./Lackey)
- Second Team All-SMAC
- Coach Masella on Bell: "We are very excited to have Derrick join the Fordham Football team. He adds size, speed and athleticism to our defensive front."
Andrew Bonner (OL, 6-2, 265, Coral Gables, Fla./Gulliver Prep)
- 2007 All-Miami Dade (Second Team)
- 2007 team Co-MVP
- Named Best Offensive Lineman at Gulliver Prep in 2007
- 2007 Team co-captain
- Joins Gulliver Prep teammate Doug Papy in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Bonner: "Andrew is a late addition to our recruiting class. We welcome his size and athletic ability to our offensive line."
Kevin Carter (TB/DB, 6-0, 197, Alexandria, Va./Thomas A. Edison)
- A three-year starter at running back and safety
- An All-District selection in both football and lacrosse
- Earned Second Team All-District at both running back and defensive back
- Recorded 236 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns in a game versus Yorktown
- Team won 2006 Northern Region Division 5 title and advanced to championship game last year
- Also played two years of basketball
- Masella on Carter: "Kevin is a fast, versatile athlete who can play multiple positions on either side of the ball."
Chris Coratti (LB, 6-0, 215, Pawling, N.Y./Trinity Pawling)
- 2007 Erickson Conference Player of the Year
- 2007 All-New England - 2006 & 2007 All-Erickson Conference
- 2007 Team MVP
- Two-year captain
- Led team to 2007 Erickson Conference title, making 13 tackles in championship game
- Helped 2005 team to first undefeated season and the New England Championship
- Played for father, David, in high school
- Coach Masella on Coratti: "Chris is a great addition to our linebacking corp. He is a player who plays with great intensity."
Benjamin Daley (LB, 6-2, 180, Alva, Fla./La Belle)
- 2007 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Honorable Mention All-State
- 2007 First Team All-Southwest Florida
- Was second in sacks in the state of Florida as a junior in 2006
- 2006 First Team All-Southwest Florida
- 2006 La Belle High School Defensive MVP
- Coach Masella on Daley: "Ben may be one of the more versatile athletes we have recruited. He is a player who can play many positions on our defense."
Cameron Dean (P/K, 6-3, 220, Gulf Stream, Fla./Saint Andrews School)
- 2007 First Team All-Palm Beach Area
- Rated by Chris Sailer Kicking.com as one of the nation's top 20 punters
- 2007 Saint Andrew's Coach's Award
- Most Outstanding Player
- 2006 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Second Team All-State
- 2006 Second Team All-Palm Beach Area
- Joins Saint Andrew's teammate Isaiah Leake in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Dean: "Cameron fills a void in our program right now. He is a kicker who is just starting to reach his potential."
Cahill Hooker (OL, 6-4, 260, Dallas, Tex./Bishop Lynch)
- 2005 and 2006 First Team All-State
- 2006 and 2007 Second Team All-District - First Team All-State in track in 2007
- Coach Masella on Hooker: "Cahill is a big, athletic offensive lineman from Texas who is a welcome addition to our program"
William Horan (DB, 5-11, 180, Temple Terrace, Fla./Jesuit)
- Senior starter at free safety
- Recorded 51 tackles, four fumble recoveries and scored one touchdown in 2007
- Also handled long snapping duties
- Two-year varsity letter winner
- Coach Masella on Horan: "Will is one of the few specialists we took this year. He should add great depth to our team."
Joshua Johnson (OL, 6-4, 280, Alpharetta, Ga./Wesleyan)
- 2007 All-Gwinett County
- Gwinett County Player of the Month for September
- Gwinett County All-Star Game participant
- Gwinett County Athletic Honor Roll seven times
- Three-year starter
- Coach Masella on Johnson: "Joshua is a big, strong athletic offensive linemen who we hope will play early in his career."
Daniel Kessler (OL, 6-3, 290, White Oak, Pa./McKeesport)
- 2007 All-Conference selection
- Selected to play in the Pennsylvania East-West All-Star Game
- Team captain
- Member the 2005 Pennsylvania State Championship team
- Coach Masella on Kessler: "Dan brings a physical, aggressive style of play to Fordham from a championship high school program."
Isaiah Leake (RB, 6-0, 210, Key Largo, Fla./Saint Andrews)
- 2007 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Honorable Mention All-State
- 2007 Florida Sports Writers Association Honorable Mention All-State
- Offense-Defense Preseason All-American nominee
- 2007 Sun-Sentinel Second Team All-County
- 2007 Boca News First Team All-County
- 2007 Palm Beach Post Honorable Mention All-Area
- Rushed for 1,041 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007
- Palm Beach Post Second Team All-County as a junior
- High school teammate of Fordham signee Cameron Dean
- Joins Saint Andrew's teammate Cameron Dean in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Leake: "Isaiah is another multi-talented athlete who can play many positions here at Fordham."
Jamir Livingston (RB, 5-8, 165, Drexel Hill, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep)
- Finished high school career as the sixth all-time leader rusher in Philadelphia high school history
- All-time leading rusher in St. Joseph's Prep history with 3,996 career yards
- Rushed for 1,390 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior
- 2007-08 Philadelphia Maxwell Award winner
- 2007 First Team All-Catholic and All-City
- Three-time All-Catholic League selection
- Two-time All-City and All-Area selection
- 2007 team captain - Team offensive MVP as a junior and senior
- Joins former high school teammates Brian Tracz and David Mendez on the Fordham roster - High school coach was former Fordham running back Lance Shaw `99
- Coach Masella on Livingston: "Jamir comes from a great high school program in Pennsylvania and is one of the most exciting players we saw on film this year."
Thomas Lloyd (DL, 6-0, 265, Hurst, Tex./L.D. Bell)
- 2007 Second Team All-District
- 2007 team captain
- Recorded 40 tackles, six for loss, two forced fumbles, and five sacks as a senior
- Recorded five sacks in seven games as a junior, earning All-District honors
- Also a three-year member of the L.D. Bell Powerlifting team, being ranked in the Top Ten in the Dallas/Forth Worth area
- Started high school at St. Bernard High School in Louisiana where he earned All-District honors on the offensive line as well as the "Coaches Award" for hard work and dedication
- Family was displaced from New Orleans to Texas by Hurricane Katrina in 2005
- Scobre Publishing Co. is in the process of writing a book of his Hurricane Katrina experience
- Coach Masella on Lloyd: "Thomas is a powerful inside force at the defensive nose and is a great addition to our program."
Rodney Mann (DL, 6-2, 240, Staten Island, N.Y./Midwood)
- Made 15 tackles in 2007
- Coach Masella on Mann: "Rodney is a great local talent that should add athleticism to our defensive line."
Patrick McGee (DL, 6-5, 250, Glen Ridge, N.J./Canterbury School)
- 2006 All-Verducci Conference selection
- Also a 2006 All-Conference pick for track & field
- Member of the 2007 New England Prep championship team
- Coach Masella on McGee: "Patrick is a tall, athletic lineman who will have a chance to play on either side of the ball."
Lloyd Morrison (OL, 6-3, 275, Teaneck, N.J./Bergen Catholic)
- 2007 First Team All-League
- 2007 Second Team All-County
- 2007 team captain
- Holds school record for longest touchdown run for a lineman
- Joins former Bergen Catholic players Greg DeMarco and Frank and Gerard Rizzo on the Fordham roster
- Coach Masella on Morrison: "Lloyd is a big, athletic lineman who can run as well as knock people off the ball."
Andy Okonkwo (DL, 6-2, 218, Richardson, Tex./L.V. Berkner)
- 2007 Second Team All-District at defensive end
- All-City defensive lineman
- Named Player of the Week in rival game against Lake Highlands
- Recorded 64 total tackles with two sacks in 2007
- 2007 First Team All-District Academic
- Recipient of the 110% Award given by football peers
- Joins L.V. Berkner teammate Jock Payten in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Okonkwo: "Andy is a fast, versatile athlete who will have an impact at Fordham."
Doug Papy (QB, 6-2, 190, Coral Gables, Fla./Gulliver Prep)
- 2007 Second Team All-Miami Dade County
- Led 2007 team to the FHSAA state playoffs
- Led 2007 team to national adidas 7 on 7 tournament third place finish
- 2007 recipient of the University of Miami accuracy award
- Threw for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007
- 2006 Miami Dade Honorable Mention All-Area
- Joins Gulliver Prep teammate Andrew Bonner in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Papy: "Doug is an athletic quarterback who is extremely accurate with the football. He fits in very well with our offensive system."
Jock Payten (LB, 6-0, 208, Richardson, Tex./L.V. Berkner)
- Second Team All-District in 2006 and 2007
- 2007 First Team All-City - 2007 team captain
- Recorded 134 tackles with two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight tackles for a loss as a senior
- Academic All-District for three straight years
- Joins L.V. Berkner teammate Andy Okonkwo in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Payten: "Jock is an athletic, physical inside linebacker who plays the game with intensity."
Wesley Perryman (DL, 6-0, 275, Plano, Tex./Plano Senior)
- 2007 First Team All-District (unanimous decision)
- 2007 First Team All-County
- 2007 Second Team All-Area
- 2007 Honorable Mention All-State
- Member of the 2007 state semi-finalist team at Plano Senior
- 2007 team finished ranked ninth in the state
- Did not allow a sack on the offensive line as a junior
- Named 2005 Sophomore of the Year
- Made a school record 39 consecutive starts at left guard
- Coach Masella on Perryman: "Wes in another inside force on the defensive line. He has the potential to be a premier run stopper in this league."
Brad Pierre (WR, 6-3, 205, Lake Worth, Fla./Lake Worth Community)
- 2007 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 6A First Team All-State
- 2007 Palm Beach County First Team All-Area
- 2007 Sun-Sentinel Second Team All-Area
- 2007 Palm Beach county leading receiver among big schools
- 2006 Palm Beach County Second Team All-Area
- 2006 Lake Worth High School Most Improved Player
- Coach Masella on Pierre: "Brad is a big, athletic target whom our quarterbacks will love to throw the ball to. He uses his hands and catches the ball extremely well."
Jonathan Sheridan (OL, 6-4, 290, Staten Island, N.Y./Saint Joseph by the Sea)
- 2007 Second Team All-State
- 2007 All-City, All-Borough and All-CHSFL selection
- 2007 New York Daily News All-Star
- 2007 CHSFL All-Star
- Selected to play in the Outback Steakhouse Bowl
- Coach Masella on Sheridan: "Jonathan is another local talent who adds depth to our offensive line. He is big, strong and physical."
Brian Taaffe (QB, 6-3, 215, Clarksville, Md./Saint Paul's)
- Two-time All-State, All-League and All-County quarterback
- 2007 First Team All-Baltimore Touchdown Club Super-22 selection
- Football Rivals 2 star rating - Team captain of the BTC Super 22 Game as a senior
- Father, Charlie, is the former Offensive Coordinator at Maryland and currently the head coach of the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats
- Coach Masella on Taaffe: "Brian adds depth to our already strong quarterback position."
Matt Van Orden (OL, 6-1, 250, Morris Plains, N.J./Delbarton)
- 2006 Second Team All-Conference
- Made 40 tackles in 2006, including 6.5 sacks
- 2005 Honorable Mention All-Conference
- Joins former Delbarton player Jeff Van Note on the Fordham roster
- Coach Masella on Van Orden: "Matt comes from a proven program and will add depth to our offensive line."
Jason Weston (WR, 6-3, 195, Queens, N.Y./Campus Magnet)
- 2007 All-Queens selection
- Appeared in the 2007 Fugazzi Bowl
- Also a member of the track squad at Campus Magnet
- Coach Masella on Weston: "Jason is another local recruit who has the potential to become a difference maker."
Darryl Whiting (RB, 6-4, 200, Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross)
- Named 2007 All-Queens by the Queens Ledger
- 2007 All-League
- Named team MVP
- Gained 241 yards rushing on 14 carries with two touchdowns in a win over Kellenberg
- Rushed for 1,018 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior
- Appeared in the Catholic League All-Star game
- Selected to play in the Outback Steakhouse Bowl
- Coach Masella on Whiting: "Darryl's athletic ability and size creates many possibilities for him. He can play numerous positions on offense."
Nick Womack (LB, 6-2, 205, Maple Heights, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel)
- 2007 First Team All-State - 2007 First Team All-District
- 2007 First Team All-Conference
- Recorded 21 sacks and five forced fumbles
- Also had 29 receptions for 530 yards and five touchdowns as a wide receiver
- Played high school football with current Ram James Crockett
- Coach Masella on Womack: "Nick has tremendous speed, quickness and athleticism for his size and he can play several positions for us on defense."
