Feb. 6, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The first Florida A&M Football recruiting class of the Joe Taylor Era features a blend of offensive and defensive talent in the early group of 12 players signed.

The "Rattler Dozen," features one quarterback, a running back, two linebackers, a wide receiver, one defensive back, a kicker, one offensive lineman, plus four two-way players.

Heading the class of new Rattler prospects is Deerfield Beach, Florida cornerback Jerrell Stewart and California two-way athlete Sean Rush.

•Stewart, a 5-9, 165-pound All-State defensive back from Deerfield Beach High School, was a four-year letterwinner in both football and baseball. Tabbed to the Super 11 squad, Stewart was also being recruited by Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic, Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

•Rush, a 6-3, 205-pounder from Chula Vista, California's Otay Ranch High School, was born in Tallahassee and played one year of high school in the area before his family moved to the West Coast.

Signed as an athlete, Rush compiled impressive performances on both defense and offense. Defensively, he had 278 career tackles, 54 for loss with 13 sacks, five forced fumbles and four interceptions the past three seasons on defense, while making 33 career receptions for 500 yards and 11 TDs, along with 105 rushing yards.

TAYLOR'S COMMENTS: "I take my hat off to my staff... They did a yeoman's job in a short period of time.... We are very excited about the class from their talent to their academics... Recruiting is about networking. After 25 years of experience, you build a lot of relationships.... We used the `three-prong approach' in recruiting this year.... One, 10 to 12 high school, local and from the area... Two, continue to evaluate what is already here.... Three, withhold a couple of spots for transfers.... We knew a lot of these kids already from having recruited their siblings... We like the idea of recruiting local kids, because they grew up here and they have a following, so the same people that saw them play in high school, will have a chance to see them here at FAMU."

Herewith is a complete list of signees as of late Wednesday evening.

2008 Florida A&M Football Signees

Jerrell Stewart (CB) • 5'9 • 165

High School: Deerfield Beach FL

Football Honors: First Team All-State CB, First All-Broward County; Super 11; Four-year letter winner in football and baseball; versatile athlete who also starred in baseball; Recruited Middle Tennessee; Florida Atlantic, Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

Sean Rush (ATH) • 6'3 • 205

Chula Vista CA

Parents Name: Sean Rush Sr. & Sharhonda Rush

High School: Otay Ranch

Head Coach: Brad Burton

High School Honors: Honor Roll, 3.4 GPA, 1530 SAT score

Football Honors: 278 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 12 hurries, 13 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions and 1 PAT block on defense in three years. On offense, 105 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 500 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns total during his career at Otay Ranch High.

Corey Dawe (OG/OT) • 6-3 • 275

Hometown: Orlando, Fla.

High School: Dr. Phillips

High School Honors: Honor Roll

Football Honors: Voted best offensive lineman junior & senior Year. Athletic lineman with versatility to play any lineman position.

Joseph Hall (DE/OT) • 6-2 • 265

Hometown: Metuchen, N.J.

High School: Metuchen, N.J.

High School Coach: Bob Ulmer

High School Honors: WEB Debois Scholar, Honor Roll

Bryant Frazier (LB) • 6'2 • 230

Hometown: Chesterfield, Va.

High School: Meadowbrook

Football Honors: 1st Team All District, 1st Team All Metro, 2nd Team All Region, Defensive Player of the year in Central District, Digital Sport All star. Versatile LB with a tremendous upside.

Michael Greene (WR) • 6-1 • 183 Hometown: Atlanta Ga.

High School: Lovejoy High School

Football Honors: Recorded 40 inch vertical at the Atlanta Nike Combine and finished second in the Georgia Class 4A State Meet in the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 6 inches. Greene received interest from Tennessee- Chattanooga and Rivals.com listed Green as a two- star prospect and gave him a rating of 5.1, which is equal to a division 1 mid major- caliber talent.

Kevin Noble (LB)• 6-3 • 218 Hometown: Burlington, N.C.

High School: Burlington, High School

Football Honors: 89 Tackles; 31 PBU (School Record); 11 Sacks; First Team All-Conference, Mid-State 2A; Second Team All-Region; Pre-Season All-State

Lavontae Page (RB) • 5-11 • 180

Hometown: Douglasville, Ga.

High School: Douglas County

High School Coach: John Uglesby

Football Honors: Douglas County Player of the Years (2006); All Region (2007) & All State (2007); 1,100 yards rushing, nine (9) TDs, 30 receptions, 300 yards receiving

Oye "John" Ojo (FS/WR) • 6'4• 190

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

High School: Florida High

High School Coach: Coach Hickman

High School Honors:

Football Honors: All district team, all state honorable mention, Player of The year Junior & Senior year at Florida High. First Team All District, Second Team All Big Bend.

Martin Ukpai (QB) • 6'3 • 180

Hometown: Coral Springs FL

High School: Fort Lauderdale High

High School Coach: Bob Wood

High School Honors: Honor Roll student

Football Honors: All county selection, 3000 yards passing , 900 yards rushing, 25 Passing touchdowns in two years at Fort Lauderdale High.

Derrick Warthen (RB/CB) • 5'10 • 175

Lauderdale Lakes FL

High School: Boyd Anderson

Parents: Marlo & Todd Warthen

High Coach: Mark James

Football Honors: 4.38 speedster, 1200 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns 20 touchdowns and 2 touchdowns.

Nickardo Blake (PK) • 5-11 • 170

Plantation, FL

Parents Name: Myrtel Fisher and Foyle Blake

High School: Boyd Anderson

High School Honors: Honor Student, Born in Jamaica.

Football Honors: Broward All-Star Team 10th, 11th, 12 Grade... Led team in overall points as a sophomore.... Honorable mention All-State team, soccer team captain.