Furman Football Signs 12 To National Letters Of Intent

Feb. 1, 2006

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb announced today the signing of 12 recruits to national letters of intent.

"This was a small recruiting class but we addressed our two biggest needs, which were offensive line and defensive backs," said Lamb early Wednesday afternoon. "We also signed one player at virtually every other area, so overall we feel like we met our goals."

The 12 high school seniors who signed with Furman on Wednesday include seven offensive additions and five defensive standouts. Offensively, Furman inked three linemen, two wide receivers, a tailback, and a quarterback. On defense the Paladins claimed a defensive lineman, a linebacker, and three defensive backs.

The Paladins' recruiting class, which sports an average SAT score of 1,110, features six players from Georgia, two each from Alabama and Tennessee, and one from North Carolina and South Carolina.

Among Furman's higher profile recruits were 6A Alabama all-state safety Max Lerner (Birmingham, Ala./Hoover H.S.), North Carolina Associated Press all-classification all-state linebacker Alex Crisp (Burlington, N.C./Williams H.S.), and four all-state selections from Georgia, including cornerback Julian Hicks (College Park, Ga./Riverwood H.S.), offensive guard Dustin Chancellor (Byron, Ga./Peach County H.S.), and quarterback Cody Worley (Rome, Ga./Calhoun H.S.).

Lerner racked up 85 tackles and three interceptions on a 14-1 state championship Hoover squad that was ranked seventh nationally by USA Today in 2005. An Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game selection, he played on three state championship teams at Hoover, helping the program to a 43-2 record.

Crisp totaled 116 tackles and six interceptions for Williams in 2005, and Hicks racked up over 3,000 all-purpose yards and over 400 tackles in his career en route to becoming the first Riverwood product in 20 years to garner first team all-state honors.

Chancellor, meanwhile, helped captain a 3A Peach County squad to a 14-2 record and state championship in 2005, and Worley passed for 1,667 yards and 20 touchdowns this past season in guiding 2A Calhoun to a 14-1 mark and state runnerup finish.

Furman's only running back signee, tailback Mike Brown (Marietta, Ga./South Cobb H.S.), rushed for 1,517 yards and 11 touchdowns last year to pace South Cobb to a 9-1 campaign and its first region championship since 1967.

In addition to Lerner, Furman mined Alabama for speedy wide receiver Adam Mims (Birmingham, Ala./Spain Park H.S.), who caught 39 passes for 617 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2005.

The Paladins' also secured the services of a pair of Volunteer state standouts, including offensive tackle Antonio Frazier (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor H.S.) and wide receiver Eric Atchley (Chattanooga, Tenn./Soddy Daisy H.S.). Frazier earned first team Division II all-state honors in 2005, and Atchley was named first team all-state by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association after catching 75 passes for 1,050 yards, and nine touchdowns last fall.

Other signees include defensive end Channing Welch (Atlanta, Ga./Fayette County H.S.), offensive tackle Nic Ayoob (Athens, Ga./Oconee County H.S.), and Furman's lone state recruit, cornerback Dustin Gourdin (Greer, S.C./Riverside H.S.).

Frazier, Ayoob, Worley, and Gourdin attended Paladin football camps during the course of their prep careers.

Furman, which opens spring practice on March 6, returns 15 regulars off its 2005 squad, which posted an 11-3 record, advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA I-AA playoffs, and finished the campaign ranked No. 3 nationally.

2006 FURMAN PALADINS FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Eric Atchley, WR, 6-3, 175, Chattanooga, Tenn., Soddy Daisy (5A) High School

Nic Ayoob, OG, 6-2, 290, Athens, Ga., Oconee County (3A) High School

Mike Brown, TB, 5-8, 178, Marietta, Ga., South Cobb (5A) High School

Dustin Chancellor, OG, 6-2, 260, Byron, Ga., Peach County (3A) High School

Alex Crisp, LB, 6-1, 200, Burlington, N.C., Williams (3A) High School

Antonio Frazier, OT, 6-4, 260, Chattanooga, Tenn., Baylor (Division II-3A) High School

Dustin Gourdin, CB, 5-11, 185, Greer, S.C., Riverside (3A) High School

Julian Hicks, CB, 5-9, 187, College Park, Ga., Riverwood (3A) High School

Max Lerner, S, 6-0, 205, Birmingham, Ala., Hoover (6A) High School

Adam Mims, WR, 5-9, 177, Birmingham, Ala., Spain Park (6A) High School

Channing Welch, DE, 6-2, 230, Atlanta, Ga., Fayette County (5A) High School

Cody Worley, QB, 6-1, 210, Rome, Ga., Calhoun (2A) High School

PLAYER PROFILES

Eric Atchley, WR

6-3, 175, Freshman

Chattanooga, Tennessee (Soddy Daisy High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Soddy Daisy (5A) High School...football coach was Tom Weathers...played wide receiver and safety, and also returned kicks and served as a holder...career statistics include 125 receptions for 1,850 yards and 15 touchdowns, as well as four interceptions...caught 75 passes for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns in 2005...first team all-state selection by Tennessee Sportswriters Association...named all-city by Chattanooga Times Free-Press...also garnered Region 2-5A Receiver-of-the-Year and Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year honors for a second consecutive year...caught 14 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, and also intercepted two passes against Hixson his senior year....had 13 catches for 209 yards and a pair of scores versus Farragut...racked up 45 receptions for 750 yards and six scores his junior year, helping his squad to a 9-3 campaign...four-time Soddy Daisy High School Scholar-Athlete Award recipient...also ran track and played basketball and baseball...carried a 4.0 GPA through high school...ranks eighth in 350-member senior class...chose Furman over Princeton and Wofford. Personal: Full name is Eric Christopher Atchley...son of Greg and Lori Atchley...born October 24, 1987, in Chattanooga, Tennessee...has two sisters, Brynn and Paige.

Nic Ayoob, OG

6-2, 290, Freshman

Athens, Georgia (Oconee County High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Oconee (3A) High School...football coach was Neal Auer...played offensive and defensive line and also served as a long snapper...attended Furman's Offensive Lineman Camp...two-year starter on the offensive and defensive fronts...named first team All-Northeast Georgia as a tackle in 2005 after making the same team as an offensive guard his junior year...served as co-captain in 2005...two-time recipient of Oconee County's Scholar-Athlete Award...helped his squad go 8-4 in 2004, capture the Region 8-AAA championship, and advance three rounds into the state playoffs...committed to Furman last fall after also drawing interest from Georgia Southern, The Citadel, and Coastal Carolina. Personal: Full name is Nicholas Elias Ayoob...son of John and Marianne Ayoob...born September 26, 1987, in Athens, Georgia...has a brother, Christrian...mother played volleyball at the University of Maine-Presque Isle from 1978-82.

Mike Brown, TB

5-8, 178, Freshman

Marietta, Georgia (South Cobb High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of South Cobb (5A) High School...football coach was Shane Queen...played running and cornerback...rushed for 2,632 yards and 26 touchdowns during his two-year tenure at South Cobb...two-time All-Cobb County selection...served as team captain as both a junior and senior...named county running back-of-the-year in 2005 after rushing for 1,517 yards and 11 touchdowns...led South Cobb to 9-1 regular season and school's first region championship since 1967, and first win over rival McEachern since 1984...ran 18 times for 304 yards against North Cobb...Georgia North-South All-Star Game selection...rushed for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns his junior year...scored five touchdowns in seven-overtime, 70-68 playoff game loss to Collins Hill -- the longest playoff game in state history...also played baseball...chose Furman over Wofford, Chattanooga, Villanova, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, and Tennessee-Martin. Personal: Full name is Michael Charles Brown...son of James and Aleah Brown...born May 13, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana...has a sister Ambria...father played basketball at Dillard University.

Alex Crisp, LB

6-1, 200, Freshman

Burlington, North Carolina (Williams High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Walter M. Williams (3A) High School, the same high school of 2005 Furman All-Southern Conference tight end John Rust and current Paladin starting senior point guard Tony Carter...football coach was Sam Story...saw action at outside linebacker and strong safety...racked up 256 tackles and nine interceptions in his career...served as team captain and earned all-area and first team Associated Press all-classification all-state honors as senior after totaling 116 tackles and six interceptions while leading his squad to a 14-2 record and state runnerup finish...Mid-State Defensive Player-of-the-Year and Burlington Times-News Player-of-the-Year selection in 2005...tied a school record with three interceptions in Williams' Mid-State Conference championship game victory...tallied 84 tackles and three interceptions and garnered all-conference all-region honors as a junior in 2004...also competed in basketball and track...plays bass in the school orchestra...was also recruited by Elon, Richmond, William & Mary, and Wofford. Personal: Full name is Hannibal Alexander Crisp...son of Roslyn Crisp...born December 23, 1987, in Burlington, North Carolina...uncle, Pete Moore, played football at Duke and currently serves as assistant commissioner of marketing/development for the Southern Conference...has a black belt in tae kwon doe.

Dustin Chancellor, OG

6-2, 260, Freshman

Byron, Georgia (Peach County High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Peach County (3A) High School...football coach was Rance Gillespie...played offensive tackle, offensive guard, and defensive end during his career...served as a team captain of 2005 squad that went 14-2 and captured state championship...earned all-region and first team Georgia Sportswriters Association all-state honors...helped Peach County post a 44-11 record and make four state playoff appearances, including 11-2 quarterfinal finish in 2004, and 13-2 record and state runnerup finish in 2003...three-time scholar-athlete award recipient...also competes in weightlifting...chose Furman over Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, and Wofford. Personal: Full name is Dustin Kyle Chancellor...son of Darrin and Sherry Chancellor...born March 26, 1988, in Wiesbaden, Germany...has a brother Dylan.

Antonio Frazier, OT

6-4, 260, Freshman

Chattanooga, Tennessee (Baylor School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Baylor (Division II-3A) School...football coach was David Bibee...played offensive tackle and defensive end during his prep tenure...first team Division II all-state selection and two-time first team All-Super 7 honoree...named to 2005 Chattanooga Times Free-Press Best of Preps Team...attended Furman's Offensive Lineman Camp...also competes in track and baseball...was also recruited by Harvard, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, and Chattanooga. Personal: Full name is Antonio L'Juan Frazier...son of Amos and the late Delsa Frazier...born August 18, 1988, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Dustin Gourdin, CB

5-11, 185, Freshman

Greer, South Carolina (Riverside High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Riverside (3A) High School...football coach was Don Frost...played defensive back, running back, and wide receiver...served as team captain and caught 44 passes for 623 yards in 2005 in his first season as a wide receiver...reeled off 99-yard kickoff return in final two minutes of game to defeat Union...two-time all-county and all-region selection...was twice named to the South Carolina Strength Coaches Association All-Strength Team...attended Furman Quarterbacks & Receivers Camp...also competed in track and field, specializing in the 4x400 and 4x1600 meter relays, long jump, and triple jump...committed to Furman in October...was also recruited by Northwestern. Personal: Full name is Dustin Isaiah Gourdin...son of Dexter and Deborah Gourdin...born December 2, 1987, in Greenville, South Carolina...has two brothers, Daniel and Michael, and a sister, Mary-Esther...family members Joy Gourdin played basketball at Mercy (N.Y) College and Kahlil Gourdin played baseball at New York Tech.

Julian Hicks, CB

5-9, 187, Freshman

College Park, Georgia (Riverwood High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Riverwood (3A) High School...football coach was Harris Rainbow...saw action as a running back and defensive back in his career...started every game, racked up over 3,000 all-purpose yards, and totaled over 400 tackles in his prep tenure...became the first player in the last 20 years of Riverwood football to garner first team all-state accolades when he was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State squad in 2005...served as a team captain his senior year and earned all-area, all-county, North Fulton Super 11, and All-North Fulton honors in 2005...also starred in track and basketball...keying Riverwood to a region championship in 2005...member of school record 4x100 meter relay team...was recruited by UAB, Southern Illinois, and Lafayette. Personal: Full name is Julian Lamar Hicks...son of Garry and Cassandra Echols...born November 24, 1987, in Paterson, New Jersey...has a brother, Jarrett, and a sister, Destiny.

Max Lerner, S

6-0, 205, Freshman

Birmingham, Alabama (Hoover High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Hoover (6A) High School...football coach was Rush Propst...played safety and cornerback and also punted during his prep tenure...racked up 183 tackles, nine interceptions, three touchdowns during his career, helping Hoover to a 43-2 record and three state championships in his three varsity campaigns...rated No. 65th nationally among safeties by ESPN.com...two-year captain and two-time all-state, all-metro, and all-over-the-mountain selection...totaled 85 tackles, three interceptions, and a touchdown as part of a 14-1 state championship campaign in 2005...squad was ranked seventh nationally by USA Today and played in first national high school game televised by ESPN...selected to play in the prestigious 2005 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game...registered 53 tackles, five interceptions, and two touchdowns in 2004, helping Hoover to 15-0 season, state championship, and a USA Today No. 4 final national ranking...named MVP of the North-South All-Star Game...registered 35 tackles and an interception on a 2003 Hoover state title team that went 14-1 and was ranked 12th nationally in USA Today final poll...also starred in baseball as a centerfielder...his high school senior season and arrival at Furman will be featured in soon-to-be-released 13-week show on MTV...ranks as Furman's highest profile recruit, having chosen the Paladins over Rice, UAB, Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Tulsa, Army, Air Force, and Navy. Personal: Full name is Maxwell Sands Lerner...son of Jim and Cindy Counts...born September 8, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama...has four siblings: Alexandra, Jason, Megan, and Chris.

Adam Mims, WR

5-9, 177, Freshman

Birmingham, Alabama (Spain Park High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Spain Park (6A) High School...football coach was Vince DiLorenzo...played wide receiver and also returned punts and kickoffs during his career...caught 67 passes for 1,051 yards and 11 touchdowns while also rushing for 473 yards and four touchdowns during his prep tenure...led team in receptions (39), receiving yards (617) and touchdown receptions (7) his senior year...set school single game records for touchdown catches (3), receiving yards (131), and longest rush from scrimmage (83 yards)...helped Spain Park to 9-3 record his junior year...also starred in basketball and track & field...three-time team basketball MVP...first player in school's young history to score 1,000 points...placed second in the state in the long jump and third place in the triple jump in 2005...was also recruited by Navy, Tennessee Tech, and Samford. Personal: Full name is Adam Keith Mims...son of Keith Viola Mims...born May 26, 1988, in Birmingham, Alabama...born May 26, 1988, in Birmingham, Alabama...has two brothers, Damon and Jason...brother Jason plays football at Stillman College...cousin, Sam Mitchell, ranks first on Minnesota Timberwolves all-time games played list (757).

Channing Welch, DE

6-2, 230, Freshman

Atlanta, Georgia (Fayette County High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Fayette County (5A) High School...football coach was Tommy Webb...played fullback, middle linebacker, and defensive end in his prep career...rushed for 1,992 yards, scored 25 touchdowns, registered 185 tackles, including 15 sacks, and tallied two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles during his prep tenure...served as team captain and earned all-county honors as senior after rushing for 967 yards and 13 touchdowns, and registering 59 tackles in five games...had 1,025 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, as well as 30 tackles and seven sacks as a junior...has fashioned an even more impressive basketball career at Fayette County, playing every position from point guard to center...currently serving as basketball team captain and averaging 20 points and 16 rebounds per game on squad that had 22-1 record through the end of January...garnerned all-tournament and tournament MVP honors after leading his squad to Thanksgiving and Christmas tournament championships, respectively...had four successive double-double performances and led team in assists during one stretch in January...was also recruited by Tulane and Western Carolina. Personal: Full name is Channing Napolean Welch...son of Larry and Judy Welch...born February 3, 1988, in Atlanta, Georgia...has a sister, Chasity, and a brother, Cedric...cousin, Willie Williams, played basketball at LSU...great-great grandfather, John T. Arnold, a former slave, helped build Edgefield Baptist Church, the first black church in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Cody Worley, QB

6-1, 210, Freshman

Rome, Georgia (Calhoun High School)

Projected 2006 graduate of Calhoun (2A) High School...football coach was Hal Lamb, brother of Furman head coach Bobby Lamb...played quarterback exclusively during his prep career...completed 246 passes for 467 yards (52.7 percent) for 4,394 yards and 51 touchdowns during his tenure...rated No. 80 nationally among quarterbacks by ESPN.com...program went 36-4 during his three-year starting career...led Calhoun to a 14-1 record and state runnerup finish in 2005, passing for 1,667 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only three interceptions...captured Rome News-Tribune and Chattanooga Times-Free Press All-Area, and Coaches' Choice All-State honors...was named all-area as a junior after throwing for 1,621 yards and 23 touchdowns on 12-1 team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs...attended Furman Quarterbacks & Receivers Camp...chose Furman over Georgia Southern, Ball State, and Central Michigan. Personal: Full name is Nathan Cody Worley...son of Donny and Sandra Worley...born September 14, 1987, in Rome, Georgia...has a sister, Cassie.