Pittsburgh Announces 2001 Football Recruiting Class

2/7/2001

Panthers sign 22 to national letters of intent.

PITTSBURGH -- On the strength of its most successful season in more than a decade, the University of Pittsburgh announced its 2001 recruits today who were hailed by Head Coach Walt Harris as "our most outstanding class to date."

"Each year our recruiting efforts get better and better," said Harris. "Coming off a bowl season and with the tremendous advancements we have made in the area of facilities, I believe we were able to assemble our strongest class since coming to Pittsburgh. We addressed some key positional needs and most importantly are bringing in young men who are dedicated to continuing our mission of putting the Panthers back among the nation's elite.

"We're excited about this group and we're excited about our future."

The Panthers signed 22 prospects on national letter of intent day and saw their recruiting arm stretch to seven different states as well as the District of Columbia this year.

Pittsburgh had its most successful recruiting effort in Pennsylvania in recent memory as eight All-State performers signed with the Panthers. Included in that group are linebacker Joe Dipre, who starred for Class AAAA champion Erie Cathedral Prep, defensive back Bernard Lay and linebacker Monroe Weekley of WPIAL Class AA champion Aliquippa, record-breaking running back Marcus Furman of Connellsville, tight end Erik Gill of Belle Vernon, defensive lineman Kevin Harris of Sharon and linebacker Tyre Young of Woodland Hills.

The Panthers also signed three recruits from talent-rich Florida, including receiver Roosevelt Bynes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper), running back Darren Felder (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood Senior) and receiver Joe Stephens (Tampa, Fla./Armwood).

Pittsburgh additionally inked one of the top prospects in the state of New York in defensive lineman Craig Akins. Named an All-American by SuperPrep and PrepStar magazines, Akins recorded nearly 160 tackles the past two seasons in leading Webster High to a cumulative 23-1 record.

Harris also announced the addition of defensive back Tyrone Gilliard (Princeton, W.Va./Princeton H.S./Valley Forge Military Academy) and running back Mike Jemison (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim), who both joined the Panthers in mid-year. A three-time All-State selection while at Princeton, Gilliard attended Valley Forge Military Academy last year and was a standout linebacker. Jemison is another All-State performer from Pennsylvania who rushed for nearly 5,000 yards at Greencastle-Antrim High.

In breaking down Pittsburgh's 22 signees by position the Panthers signed six running backs, five defensive linemen, four wide receivers, two defensive backs, three linebackers, one offensive lineman and one tight end.

University of Pittsburgh 2001 Football Recruits

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School/Prep School
Abdur Abdullah	RB	6-0	215	Akron, Ohio/Kiski School (Pa.)
Craig Akins	DL	6-6	295	Webster, N.Y./Webster
Troy Banner	DL	6-3	285	Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills
Roosevelt Bynes	WR	6-1	170	Sunrise, Fla./Piper
Jason Capizzi	OL	6-9	265	Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland
Joe Dipre	LB	6-4	241	Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep
Darren Felder	RB	5-9	187	St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood Senior
Marcus Furman	RB	5-8	172	Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville
Erik Gill	TE	6-5	245	Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon
*Tyrone Gilliard	DB	5-11	175	Princeton, W.Va./Princeton H.S./Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.)
Kevin Harris	DL	6-5	245	Sharon, Pa./Sharon
J.J. Horne	WR	6-3	210	Franklin, Pa./Franklin
*Mike Jemison	RB	5-11	215	Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim
James Johnson	RB	6-1	220	Capitol Heights, Md./H. D. Woodson
Raymond Kirkley	RB	5-10	220	Madison, Va./Madison County H.S./Fork Union Military Academy
Bernard Lay	DB	6-1	184	Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa
Tez Morris	DB	5-10	173	Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton
Tim Murphy	RB	5-10	230	Akron, Ohio/John R. Buchtel
David Reese	WR	5-11	175	Washington, D.C./H.D. Woodson H.S./Milford Academy (Conn.)
Thomas Smith	DL	6-4	245	Capitol Heights, Md./Suitland
Charles Spencer	DL	6-5	295	Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie H.S./Trinity-Pawling School
Joe Stephens	WR	6-0	175	Tampa, Fla./Armwood
Monroe Weekley	LB	6-3	252	Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa
Dale Williams	OL	6-5	290	Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep
Tyre Young	LB	6-0	250	Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills
Woodly Telfort	OL	6-6	320	Miami, Fla./North Miami

*Joined Pittsburgh in mid-year

Abdur Abdullah, RB, 6-0, 215, Akron, Ohio, Kiski School (Pa.)

Three-year two-way starter at Kiski, playing tailback and defensive back

Two-time first-team All-Interstate Prep School League selection on offense and defense

Rushed for 3,174 yards in three seasons

As a senior, had 1,428 yards on 177 attempts (8.1 avg.) and scored 13 total touchdowns

Rushed for a career-high 346 yards versus the Linsly School (W.Va.)

Also had 12 receptions for 193 yards (16.8 avg.) on the season

As a junior, rushed for 1,046 yards on 117 carries (8.9 avg.) and had 14 total touchdowns

Led Kiski to the 1999 IPSL championship

PrepStar All-Eastern Region

Craig Akins, DL, 6-6, 295, Webster, N.Y., Webster

First team All-State

Two-time All-Greater Rochester

Two-time All-County

2?-year starter and three-year letterman at nose guard for state power

Had 82 tackles, 15 tackles for losses, 12 sacks and 12 passes defended as a senior

Had 77 tackles, 18 tackles for losses and 12 sacks as a junior

Led Webster High to a two-year record of 23-1, which included 23 straight wins and the 1999 New York Class AA (large schools) championship

Team was ranked as high as No. 3 in the Eastern Region by USA Today during the 2000 season and was also ranked first in the state for 20 weeks

SuperPrep All-American

PrepStar All-American

Third-ranked prospect in the state of New York by SuperPrep

Nation's 23rd-ranked defensive line prospect by SuperPrep

Listed as one of the top 50 defensive tackles in the country by Rivals100.com

Troy Banner, DL, 6-3, 285, Pittsburgh, Pa., Penn Hills

Only the fourth player in Penn Hills High history to letter all four years

Played defensive tackle, linebacker, tight end offensive guard and also punted during his career

Logged 48 tackles, seven sacks and five tackles for losses as a senior

As a tight end, caught 14 passes for 404 yards (28.9 avg.)

As a junior had 42 tackles, nine tackles for losses and eight sacks

All-Quad East selection and Honorable Mention All-State

Nation's 18-ranked defensive tackle by Rivals100.com

25th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

PrepStar Super 30 All-Eastern Region

Roosevelt Bynes, WR, 6-1, 170, Sunrise, Fla., Piper

Had 28 receptions for 425 yards (15.2 avg.) and six touchdowns as a senior

Played only one season of varsity football as he sat out his junior year due to a transfer rule

Had a season-high six receptions for 140 yards (23.3 avg.) with two touchdowns versus South Plantation High

Played in the Dade-Broward County All-Star Game

Also a track standout

Jason Capizzi, OL, 6-9, 265, Gibsonia, Pa., Pine-Richland

At 6-7 and 270 pounds, ranks as one of the biggest lineman prospects in state

First-team All-Greater Allegheny Conference selection by league coaches

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Greater Allegheny Conference

Three-year starter at offensive tackle and a starter on the defensive line as a senior

Also contributed at long snapper

Led team to the WPIAL playoffs the last two seasons

Team captured the 1999 conference championship, its first league title in 25 years add three...pittsburgh recruits

Joe Dipre, LB, 6-4, 241, Erie, Pa., Cathedral Prep

Two-time first-team honoree on The Associated Press Big School All-State Team

Three-time first team All-Metro League

First team All-Allegheny Conference

Team captain for Cathedral Prep, which went 14-0 and won the Pennsylvania Class AAAA championship

Team finished the year ranked No. 2 in the country by ESPN and No. 4 by USA Today

Three-year starter at linebacker and also started at tight end as a senior

Led team in tackles each of his three seasons, logging 90 tackles as a senior

Helped Cathedral Prep to a combined 36-6 mark (.857) during his career

PrepStar Dream Team and All-American

SuperPrep All-American

Rivals100.com All-American

Nation's 11th-ranked linebacker by PrepStar

Nation's 15th-ranked linebacker by Rivals100.com

Nation's 19th-ranked linebacker by Tom Lemming

Nation's 27th-ranked linebacker by SuperPrep

11th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

PrepStar Super 30 All-Eastern Region

Darren Felder, RB, 5-9, 187, St. Petersburg, Fla., Lakewood Senior

Class 3A All-Florida honorable mention

Two-time St. Petersburg Times All-County

Two-time first team All-Conference

Two-year starter at running back for Lakewood Senior and four-year track letterman

Rushed for 2,136 yards and 16 touchdowns his final two seasons

Averaged 7.9 yards per carry as a senior, rushing for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns on 137 attempts while also compiling 380 receiving yards

Had a season-high 197 yards on 14 carries (14.1 avg.) versus Boca Ciega School

As a junior had 1,050 rushing yards, 450 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns

Led team to the 1999 district championship and a berth in the state playoffs with an 8-2 record

Marcus Furman, RB, 5-8, 172, Connellsville, Pa., Connellsville

Two-time member of The Associated Press Big School All-State Team

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Quad East

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-Class AAAA

Finished as the ninth-leading rusher in WPIAL history with 5,041 career yards

Rushed for 1,787 yards with 21 touchdowns in 10 games this season

Set a state single-game rushing record with 455 yards on 28 carries (16.3 avg.), while scoring five touchdowns versus Hempfield

Led the WPIAL in rushing as a junior with 2,037 yards on 196 carries (10.4 avg.) and scored 30 touchdowns

Four-year starter for Connellsville

Defending WPIAL Class AAA champion in the 100 meters and also placed third in the state in that event last year

Nation's 24th-ranked wide receiver prospect by Tom Lemming

18th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

PrepStar All-Eastern Region

Erik Gill, TE, 6-5, 245, Belle Vernon, Pa., Belle Vernon

Two-time member of The Associated Press Big School All-State Team

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Keystone Conference

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-Class AAA

Two-time first-team All-Keystone Conference selection by league coaches

Three-year starter at tight end and linebacker

Led team to a 30-4 record, including three WPIAL playoff berths and three conference championships during his career

Caught 17 passes for 335 yards (19.7 avg.) and five touchdowns as a senior

Defensively, had 89 tackles, 14 sacks and two interceptions in 2000

As a junior had 25 receptions for 519 yards (20.8 avg.) and six touchdowns

PrepStar All-American

PrepStar Super 30 All-Eastern Region

Nation's 15th-ranked tight end by Tom Lemming

24th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

Tyrone Gilliard, DB, 5-11, 175, Princeton, W.Va., Princeton H.S., Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.)

Spent the 2000 season at Valley Forge Military Academy after graduating from Princeton High School in West Virginia

Started at weakside linebacker at Valley Forge and also played tailback, helping the team to an 8-1 mark

Recorded over 90 tackles, had six sacks and a 30-yard fumble return for a TD in 2000

Three-time All-State honoree at Princeton High in West Virginia (1997-99), earning first team as a senior and junior and second-team honors as a sophomore

Three-time first team All-Area

Three-time first team All-Conference

Three-year starter at free safety and tailback

Rushed for 1,260 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 7.1 yards per carry

Also had 16 receptions for 300 yards (18.8 avg.) and 118 tackles (50 solo) his senior year

Rushed for 3,792 yards with 62 touchdowns during his career

Totaled eight interceptions over his junior and senior seasons

Led team to the state playoffs as a senior

PrepStar All-East Region

Valley Forge Military Academy also was attended by current Pittsburgh cornerback William Ferguson

Kevin Harris, DL, 6-5, 245, Sharon, Pa., Sharon

The Associated Press Small School All-State Team (first team)

First team All-Conference

Sharon Herald "Heralded 22"

Two-year starter and three-year letterman

Started at offensive and defensive tackle as a senior

Also played tight end as a junior

Had 64 tackles, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception as a senior in helping Sharon to a 12-2 record and the Western finals of the state playoffs

Helped team to a 34-7 record (.829) during his career, including three district championships, three conference titles and state playoff berths each season

PrepStar All-Eastern Region add five...pittsburgh recruits

J.J. Horne, WR, 6-3, 210, Franklin, Pa., Franklin

Three-year starter at defensive back and wide receiver

Two-time All-Conference

As a senior had 24 receptions for 466 yards (19.4 avg.) and two touchdowns and rushed 32 times for 282 yards (8.8 avg.) and two TDs

Defensively, had 34 tackles (22 solo) and three interceptions

Also had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown

As a junior, caught 23 passes for 515 yards (22.4 avg.) and six touchdowns, rushed for 81 yards and two TDs and had 65 tackles and two interceptions

Led team to two playoff berths during his career and the conference championship as a junior

PrepStar All-East Region

Also a track and field standout

District 400-meter champion

Selected District Track Athlete of the Year

School record holder in the 400 meters (50.2)

Mike Jemison, RB, 5-11, 215, Greencastle, Pa., Greencastle-Antrim

The Associated Press Big School All-State Team (third team) selection as a senior

Also an AP All-State selection his junior season as a kick return specialist

Two-time Mid-Penn Colonial Division Player of the Year

Four-year two-way starter at Greencastle-Antrim

Started all four years at running back, finishing with 4,989 career rushing yards

Defensively, started two years at safety and two years at linebacker

Rushed for a school-record 1,687 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior

Rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior

PrepStar All-American

31st-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

James Johnson, RB, 6-1, 220, Capitol Heights, Md., H.D. Woodson

2000 Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington D.C.

Two-time first-team All-DCIAA selection, earning honors at running back as a senior and punt returner as a junior

Rushed for 1,276 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior

Rushed for 1,708 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior

Had seven kick returns for touchdowns as a sophomore

PrepStar Dream Team and All-American

PrepStar Super 30 All-Atlantic Region

Was a teammate of fellow Pittsburgh recruit David Reese at H.D. Woodson (Reese spent the 2000 season at Milford Academy in Connecticut)

Raymond Kirkley, RB, 5-10, 220, Madison, Va., Madison County H.S., Fork Union Military Academy

Led Fork Union with 800 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 2000

Previously attended Madison County High in Madison, Va.

Was a two-time All-Virginia Group A selection at Madison County

Rushed for 5,362 yards and 87 touchdowns in his high school career

Is Central Virginia's all-time career leading rusher

As a senior rushed for 2,963 yards and 19 touchdowns and caught seven passes for 163 yards (23.3 avg.) and three TDs

Becomes the second Fork Union Military Academy product to sign with Pittsburgh in the last two years, joining junior receiver Lamar Slade add six...pittsburgh recruits

Bernard Lay, DB, 6-1, 184, Aliquippa, Pa., Aliquippa

The Associated Press Small School All-State Team (first team)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Male Athlete of the Year (1999-2000)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year (WPIAL and City League)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WPIAL Class AA Player of the Year and All-Midwestern Conference

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Class AA Player of the Year as a senior and junior

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Three-year starter at cornerback

Started sophomore year at wide receiver and junior and senior seasons at quarterback

Threw for 1,368 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 71-of-139 passes (.511) as a senior

Also rushed for 556 yards on 63 carries (8.8 avg.) and caught two passes for 51 yards (25.5 avg.) this season

Over his junior and senior years, Lay completed 147-of-300 passes (.490) for 2,831 yards and 37 touchdowns

Was Aliquippa's leading receiver as a sophomore with 29 receptions for 637 yards (21.9 avg.)

Had 18 career interceptions, including four as a senior, five as a junior and nine as a sophomore

Had two interceptions in this year's WPIAL championship game despite playing with a broken hand

Led Aliquippa to a 14-1 record, the 2000 WPIAL Class AA championship and the state finals

Led the Quips to a 34-5 record (.872) during his career

PrepStar All-Eastern Region

Nation's 27th-rated defensive back by Rivals100.com

16th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

Also a basketball standout, was named to the Post-Gazette's "Fabulous Five" and the Tribune-Review's "Terrific 10" as a junior, leading the Quips to the WPIAL Class AA championship and state semifinals with a 25-7 mark

Joins Monroe Weekley as one of two Aliquippa products to sign with Pittsburgh this year

Tez Morris, DB, 5-10, 173, Hamilton, Ohio, Hamilton

First-team all-star selection in the Greater Miami Conference, considered one of the elite leagues in the state of Ohio

First team All-Southwest Ohio

First team All-County

"All-Dream Team" selection by the Southwestern Ohio Coaches Association

Three-year starter

Defensively, started at outside linebacker the last two years and defensive back as a sophomore

Started at running back as a senior and sophomore

Averaged over 11 tackles per game in 2000, compiling 116 stops (73 solo)

Also had four caused fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery

Tim Murphy, RB, 5-10, 230, Akron, Ohio, John R. Buchtel

First team All-State

Two-time first team All-Northeast Ohio

Three-time first team All-Akron City Series

1999 Akron Beacon Journal City Player of the Year

Averaged 10.3 yards per rush as a senior, carrying 174 times for 1,795 yards and 23 touchdowns

Averaged 10.9 yards per rush as a junior, carrying 197 times for 2,147 yards and 27 touchdowns

For his career, compiled 5,427 yards and 65 touchdowns

Three-year starter and four-year letterman at running back

Led Buchtel to a 37-12 record (.755) over the last four years, including four straight City Series championships

Led Buchtel to a 12-2 mark in 2000 and its third state playoff berth in four years

PrepStar All-Midwest Region

Is the latest in a growing line of Buchtel players to attend Pittsburgh, joining junior defensive back Ramon Walker, sophomore defensive lineman Darrell McMurray and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Brandon Hayes

David Reese, WR, 5-11, 175, Washington, D.C., H.D. Woodson H.S., Milford Academy (Conn.)

Spent the 2000 season at Milford Academy after graduating from H.D. Woodson High in Washington D.C.

Had 11 interceptions for Milford, including four in one game against Army's junior varsity team

First team All-DCIAA as a wide receiver at H.D. Woodson

Played in the DCIAA and Beltway Classic all-star games

Was a teammate of fellow Pittsburgh recruit James Johnson while at H.D. Woodson

Thomas Smith, DL, 6-4, 245, Capitol Heights, Md., Suitland

First team All-State (big schools classification)

Washington Post All-Metropolitan First Team

Pigskin Club All-Metropolitan First Team

Pigskin Club Metropolitan Defensive Player of the Year

Two-year starter at defensive end

2000 season marked only his third year of organized football

Collected 58 solo tackles and 11 quarterback sacks as a senior

Also had a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown

PrepStar All-Atlantic Region

Nation's 54th-ranked defensive end prospect by Rivals100.com

21st-ranked prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Region by SuperPrep

Charles Spencer, DL, 6-5, 295, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Poughkeepsie H.S., Trinity-Pawling School

Spent the 2000 season at Trinity-Pawling, a preparatory school in Pawling, N.Y., which also produced Major League Baseball star Mo Vaughn

Starter at defensive end and tight end at Trinity-Pawling

Had a team-high 75 tackles

Offensively, had 25 receptions for over 300 yards with three touchdowns

Prior to Trinity-Pawling, was a three-year two-way starter at Poughkeepsie High in New York

All-County, All-Section and All-Region honoree at Poughkeepsie

Defensive MVP of the Exceptional Senior All-Star Game

Also a three-year starter in basketball

Joe Stephens, WR, 6-0, 175, Tampa, Fla., Armwood

St. Petersburg Times All-Sun Coast

First team All-Western Conference

First team All-County

Two-year starter at wide receiver

Had 39 receptions for 842 yards (21.6 avg.) and nine touchdowns as a senior

Tied for the team lead this year with 60 points, which included three two-point conversion receptions

Had 20 catches for 401 yards (20.1 avg.) and three touchdowns as a junior

Led team to the regional championship and the Class 3A state semifinals with an 11-3 record

Monroe Weekley, LB, 6-3, 252, Aliquippa, Pa., Aliquippa

The Associated Press Small School All-State Team (first team)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Midwestern Conference

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-WPIAL Class AAA

Three-year starter and four-year letterman

Started the last three seasons at linebacker and offensive guard

Led team with 174 tackles as a senior

Had 110 tackles as a junior

Led Aliquippa to a 14-1 record, the 2000 WPIAL Class AA championship and the state finals

Led the Quips to a 34-5 record (.872) during his career

PrepStar All-American

Listed as one of the top 50 linebackers in the country by Rivals100.com

Also plays basketball and helped the Quips to the WPIAL Class AA championship and state semifinals with a 25-7 mark last season

Joins Bernard Lay as one of two Aliquippa products to sign with Pittsburgh this year

Tyre Young, LB, 6-0, 250, Pittsburgh, Pa., Woodland Hills

The Associated Press Big School All-State Team (second team)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Quad East

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-WPIAL Class AAAA

A rare three-year starter at Woodland Hills High

All-time leading tackler in Woodland Hills history with 193 stops (103 solo)

Had 83 tackles (46 solo) as a senior, including four quarterback sacks

Led Woodland Hills to WPIAL AAAA finals each of his last two seasons, including the 1999 championship

Team went 34-5 during his career, going 12-1 in 2000, 13-1 in 1999 and 9-3 in 1998

Becomes the fourth Woodland Hills product to sign with Pittsburgh in the last two years, joining sophomore defensive backs William Ferguson and Shawntae Spencer and sophomore fullback Lousaka Polite

University of Pittsburgh Athletics

Pittsburgh Announces 2001 Football Recruiting Class

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