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The University of Mississippi Athletics
2000 Signing Class Bios
2/2/2000 | Football
Ole Miss Signing Day Press Conference Summary
CHARLIE ANDERSON, L, 6-4, 220, Jackson, Miss. (Provine) -- First team All-Metro tight end as selected by Clarion-Ledger ... Other team honors include Defensive Rookie of Year and Outstanding Receiver of Year ... As a senior, caught 18 passes for 240 yards and four TDs ... Also played defensive end and was credited with 10 QB sacks ... Saw action on special teams ... Explosiveness is evident in that he high jumps 6-3 and throws the discus 130 feet, while running the 400 meters ... Helped lead Provine to 10-2 record and Class 5A state runner-up spot, losing to Madison Central ... Started at defensive end in 10th grade and at tight end as a junior before playing both positions senior season ... Coached in high school by Willie Collins ... Earned letters in football, track, and soccer ... PERSONAL: Son of Beverly Anderson and Charles Hough ... Full name is Charlie Alexander Anderson ... Born: December 8, 1981 ... Brother, Tobias, is a member of the Ole Miss track team.
DANIEL BOOTH, L, 6-4, 260, Amory, Miss. (High) -- First team All-State 3A selection ... Second team Clarion-Ledger All-State pick and member of Top 40 list ... Made SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Named to Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal All-Area squad ... All-Monroe County ... Selected to play in Mississippi High School All-Star game ... Most Valuable Defensive Player in Division 2-3A ... Most Intense and Most Valuable Defensive Player on team ... Played several defensive line positions ... Although he missed two games his senior season due to a neck injury, still racked up 72 tackles, including 38 solo stops, with 17 tackles for losses ... Also had five QB sacks, recovered two fumbles, caused one fumble, and had five QB hurries ... Had 10 tackles, with five for losses, in only one half against Senatobia ... As a junior in 1998 when Amory won the Class 3A state football championship, had 117 tackles with 23 hits for losses, while being credited with five QB sacks ... Also returned one pass interception for a TD and caused three fumbles ... Career totals included 279 total tackles, including 53 behind the line of scrimmage, 16 QB sacks, one pass interception, and one TD ... Coached in high school by Pat Byrd and Bobby Hall ... Earned four letters in football, three in baseball, and one in basketball ... During junior season (1999) in baseball, was selected to All-District designated hitter honors as he hit .389, rapped out seven homers, and had 35 RBI in helping Amory win 3A state championship ... His 35 RBI earned him the team's RBI Award ... Amory also won 3A state baseball title in 1997 ... National Honor Society ... Superintendent's List and Principal's List ... PERSONAL: Son of Danny and Pam Booth ... Full name is Thomas Daniel Booth, Jr. ... Born: March 20, 1982 ... Mother, Pam, and sister, Heather, both attended Ole Miss.
DOUG BUCKLES, L, 6-5, 275, Madison, Miss. (Madison Central) --Considered one of the nation's top offensive linemen of 1999 ... SuperPrep All-America and National Top 50 selection ... PrepStar Top 100 Dream Team and Super 30 All-Southeastern Region ... Second team All-American pick of USA Today and Dick Butkus Football Network ... Clarion-Ledger and USA Today Mississippi Player of the Year ... SuperPrep Dixie Team ... Rated No. 1 on Clarion-Ledger Top 40 list and member of Dandy Dozen ... First team All-State and All-Metro ... Clarion-Ledger/Bank Plus Metro Player of the Year ... First team Borderwars All-South ... Football Recruiting Annual Mississippi Top 12 ... 1999 preseason SuperPrep All-America ... Pigskin Preps 1999 Pre-Season Super South 75 ... Received recognition from national publications Street & Smith, Lindy's, Athlon, and Sporting News ... Selected to play in Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic ... Was Sophomore Player of the Year at Madison Central in 1997 and Offensive Player of the Year in 1998 ... Made 1998 Clarion-Ledger All-State and All-Metro teams, and was first team All-District 2 ... As a senior, helped lead Madison Central to 15-0 record and Class 5A state title ... His dominating blocks at left guard helped team average 302.7 yards rushing per game ... Also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a TD ... Started 43 consecutive games as Jaguars were 36-7 and won three Region 2-5A titles to go with their state crown ... Missed only one game, that due to a sprained ankle during sophomore season ... Earned three letters ... Coached in high school by Mike Justice ... Three-time Citizenship Award recipient ... Mr. Madison Central High of 1999, Senior Class Favorite, and selected Most Likely to Succeed ... PERSONAL: Son of Matt and Karen Buckles ... Full name is Douglas Matthew Buckles, Jr. ... Born: June 18, 1982.
RODNEY BURGESS, B, 6-2, 180, Del Ray Beach, Fla.(Olympic Heights, Hutchinson J.C.) -- All-Conference selection in 1999 while playing at Hutchinson (Kansas) Junior College ... Was credited with 14 tackles, 18 pass break-ups, and returned one pass interception 55 yards for a TD ... Received a medical redshirt for 1998 season and has three years of eligibility remaining at Ole Miss ... Coached in junior college by Dave Wheeler ... HIGH SCHOOL: All-State, All-Conference, All-Area, and All-County selection while playing at Olympic Heights near Boca Raton, Fla. ... Two-time All-District selection ... During senior season, had eight receiving TDs and was credited with 51 tackles and five pass interceptions ... Coached in high school by Willie Dodaro ... Earned three letters in football and one in track ... PERSONAL: Son of Carla Thomas and Gus Burgess ... Full name is Rodney Allen Burgess ... Born: January 19, 1980.
JAMES CAMPBELL, L, 6-6, 290, Olive Branch, Miss. (High) -- Named PrepStar All-America and Dream Team ... Selected to SuperPrep Dixie Team ... First team Clarion-Ledger All-State pick and member of newspaper's Ten Most Wanted and Dandy Dozen lists ... Named first team All-Division and All-County junior and senior years ... Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist ... Selected to play in Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic ... Had an outstanding senior season and was credited with 56 tackles from his defensive tackle position, while his blocking as an offensive tackle graded out at 80 percent ... Coached in high school by Mike Moore ... Earned three letters in football and four in track ... Helped lead track team to 1999 state runner-up spot ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Beta Club ... Who's Who Among American High School Students ... State Leadership Conference Representative ... National Electric Power Association Leadership Tour Representative ... Page for the Mississippi State Senate ... PERSONAL: Son of James L. Campbell, Sr., and Wendy Campbell ... Full name is James L. Campbell, Jr. ... Born: February 6, 1982.
CHRIS COLLINS, B, 6-2, 190, Liberty, Miss. (Amite County) -- SuperPrep All-America and Dixie Team selection ... First team Clarion-Ledger All-State pick as a defensive back ... Rated No. 4 on Clarion-Ledger Ten Most Wanted and was on Dandy Dozen list ... Also named All-District and All-Area ... Pigskin Preps 1999 Pre-Season Super South 75 ... Selected to play in Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game ... Had more than 2,100 yards receiving and accounted for 34 TDs during prep career ... Although wide receiver is his regular position, played quarterback senior year and helped lead Amite County to playoffs ... As the quarterback, rushed for 550 yards on 66 carries, completed 30 of 60 passes for 350 yards, returned an interception 94 yards for a score, and had a pair of receiving TDs, good for a total of 130 yards ... As a 10th grader, caught 10 TD passes and returned one interception for a score ... Caught 40 passes for 936 yards and 12 TDs junior season while also returning three punts for TDs ... Coached in high school by Jesse Terrell ... Earned letters in football, basketball, and track ... Averaged 15 points per game in basketball, making All-District, All-Area, and All-State ... All-State, All-District, and All-Area performer on track team that won three relays in state meet in 1999 ... Also won state championship in 200 meters (21.4) and long jump (24-6) ... Has 33" vertical jump ... PERSONAL: Son of Cynthia Bateaste ... Full name is Leon Christopher Collins ... Born: August 16, 1982.
JOHNNY DUCKING, B, 6-4, 240, Greenville, Miss. (High) -- Second team Clarion-Ledger and Associated Press All-State pick and member of Top 40 list ... All-District pick ... Named to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Delta Democrat-Times first team All-Delta ... As a senior, was credited with 100 tackles, including nine QB sacks ... Career stats included 235 tackles, 20 QB sacks, 15 hurries, and seven fumble recoveries ... Coached in high school by Phil Short ... Earned four letters in football, four in track, two in weight lifting, and two in basketball ... Two-time Team Captain ... National Honor Society ... Presidential Classroom's Future World Leader Alumnus, Hugh O'Brien National Leadership Ambassador ... USA Academy All-America Scholar ... Who's Who Among American High School Students ... Mississippi Police Explorer Academy #1 Male Cadet ... U.S. Army Reserve Scholar Athlete Award ... Honor Roll Award ... Good Citizenship Award ... Scholastic Award in football three times, track three times, and basketball once ... Heart of a Champion Award in football, track, and weight lifting ... Mt. Bethel Baptist Church Meritorious Award for Academic Excellence ... Student Council Representative four years ... Chess Club ... Greenville Police Department Cadet Corp Corporal ... PERSONAL: Son of Johnny L. and Carol G. Ducking ... Full name is Johnny Clanard Ducking ... Born: December 20, 1981.
BILL FLOWERS, B, 6-1, 180, Pelham, Ala. (High) -- Selected Gatorade Athlete of the Year in Alabama ... SuperPrep All-America and Dixie Team ... Two-time Super All-State, and All-Super Metro pick ... Prep Star Dream Team and All-America ... During four year career at Class 6A Pelham High, caught 174 passes for 2,623 yards and 23 TDs, setting the all-time 6A record for receptions ... Also rushed for 201 yards on 15 carries, scoring twice ... As a senior, had 75 receptions for 1,060 yards and 10 TDs, while rushing four times for another 100 yards and one TD ... During junior season, caught 57 passes for 1,100 yards and seven TDs ... Caught 41 passes as a sophomore and 22 freshman year ... Coached in high school by Rick Rhodes ... Earned four letters in football and four in track ... All-State high hurdles selection in track sophomore and junior years ... Won state championship in 300 meter hurdles and was 55 high hurdles state champ ... Senior Class Student of Month, January of 2000 ... PERSONAL: Son of Richmond and Diane Flowers ... Full name is William Russell Flowers ... Father, Richmond, was a star at Tennessee and then played with Dallas and the New York Giants of the NFL ... Brother, Richmond, III, is a standout at Duke ... Born: December 13, 1980.
TREY FRYFOGLE, B, 6-2, 180, Lucedale, Miss. (George County) -- Received All-America recognition from PrepStar and Blue Chip magazines ... Second team Clarion-Ledger All-State selection and member of Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen and Top 40 lists ... SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Was All-District, Sun-Herald All-Coast, and All-Area junior and senior seasons ... Rated All-District MVP wide receiver junior and senior years ... Mississippi Press Top 10 pick ... Four star pick of Borderwars ... Super Southern 100 Recruits ... Football Recruiting Annual Mississippi Top 12 ... Pigskin Preps 1999 Pre-Season Super South 75 ... Was Most Outstanding Receiver at Florida Football Camp ... Career totals included 3,070 all-purpose yards and was George County's kickoff and punt return specialist ... As a senior, despite constant double coverage and an ankle injury that cost him two games, had 34 catches for 700 yards and 12 TDs (10 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 punt return) and also had six pass interceptions ... Had 1,682 all-purpose yards final prep year as George County was District 8-9A runner-up ... Also had 90 tackles ... Had eight catches for over 200 yards and four TDs in playoff game against Picayune senior season ... During junior year, had 43 catches for 962 yards and 12 TDs, while intercepting five passes from free safety position ... Averaged 21.4 yards per catch and broke every receiving record at George County ... Coached in high school by Andrew Hickman ... Earned four letters in both football and track ... Also earned three letters in basketball before passing up senior year on hardwood to devote more time to lifting weights and getting stronger ... Finished second in the 1999 state track meet in the 400 meters, running a 49.4 ... Ran the 100 meters in 10.79 ... Long jumped 22-4 and triple jumped 44-5 ... Has 36-inch vertical jump ... Member of Student Council ... PERSONAL: Son of Gordon and Cindi Fryfogle ... Gordon, and his uncle, Vaughn, were both college QBs ... Grandfather, Bruce, signed with Tennessee as a running back ... Full name is Bruce Gordon Fryfogle ... Born: January 9, 1982.
BO HARTSFIELD, L, 6-4, 240, Birmingham, Ala. (Mountain Brook) -- Super All-State, Super Metro, Super All-Over-The-Mountain ... Selected by Birmingham News as No. 1 tight end prospect in Alabama ... During three-year prep career, caught 91 passes for 1,505 yards and 11 TDs ... As a senior, led team with 42 receptions for 712 yards and seven TDs ... Helped lead Class 6A Mountain Brook High to 12-1 record and 1999 Area 12 Championship ... Coached in high school by Joey Jones ... Earned three letters in football ... Also played baseball and basketball ... Averaged 7.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in basketball ... All-Over-The-Mountain ... All-Metro honorable mention ... Honor Roll student ... National Honor Society ... PERSONAL: Son of Billy and Libba Hartsfield ... Full name is William Harrison Hartsfield ... Born: August 7, 1981.
TAVARUS HORNE, B, 6-1, 195, Hattiesburg, Miss. (High) -- "Tee" was a second team Clarion-Ledger All-State pick and a member of Top 40 list ... Made SuperPrep Dixie Team ... CBS Sportsline All-Region and All-American defensive back ... Mississippi Gridiron Association No. 10 Super Senior ... Two-time first team All-District 4-5A selection ... Had 60 tackles, two pass interceptions, 17 pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal as a senior ... As a junior, had 80 tackles, one pass interception, and 15 pass break-ups ... Career statistics included 170 tackles, three pass interceptions, one forced fumble, one blocked field goal, and 32 pass break-ups ... Helped lead Hattiesburg High to 1998 South 5A state title and runner-up spot to state champ South Panola ... Team went 29-8 over final three years ... Coached in high school by Doug Merchant ... Earned three letters in football ... PERSONAL: Son of Brenda Horne and Connie Young ... Full name is Tavarus L. Horne ... Born: November 25, 1980.
KENNETH JACKSON, L, 6-3, 300, New Orelans, La. (St. Augustine, Hinds C.C.) -- Enrolled at Ole Miss in January and will participate in spring drills ... Transferred from Hinds (Miss.) Community College where he made The Clarion-Ledger Top 25 JUCO list for Mississippi ... Was credited with 66 tackles, including two QB sacks, during 1999 season ... Coached in junior college by Gene Murphy ... Attended Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College in 1997, but did not play any sports ... Transferred to Hinds C.C. for 1998 season, but hurt a knee and didn't participate ... Has two years of eligibility remaining ... HIGH SCHOOL: Was an outstanding player at Class 5A St. Augustine High in New Orleans ... Rated All-District, All-Orleans, and All-Metro ... While playing in only eight games, still had 82 tackles senior season, including 11 QB sacks ... As a junior, had 92 tackles, including five QB sacks ... Was credited with 30 tackles, including three QB sacks, as a sophomore ... PERSONAL: Son of Carolyn Jackson ... Full name is Kenneth Renee Jackson ... Born: September 14, 1977.
KERRY JOHNSON, B, 6-3, 185, Oxford, Miss. (High) -- After moving to the quarterback position fulltime as a senior, completed 56 of 108 passes for 696 yards and seven TDs, while rushing for another 363 yards and four more TDs ... Started at wide receiver and was backup quarterback junior season and tied for the lead in receiving with 26 catches for 428 yards and three TDs ... Was a multi-sport athlete at Oxford High, running cross country with the varsity as a freshman and sophomore and playing football and basketball all four years ... Coached in high school by Tim Carter ... Earned three letters in football, three in basketball, and two in cross country ... Received Charger Award ... Was Team Captain ... Selected to play in Australia 2000 All-Star Down Under Bowl ... Earned Offensive Player of the Game once and Q93.7 Player of the Game twice ... Also Charger Award winner in basketball ... Cross Country Most Improved in 9th grade ... Student Council ... FCA Member ... Boys State ... PERSONAL: Son of Harold Johnson and Barbara Buford ... Full name is Kerry Cortez Johnson ... Born: March 6, 1982.
MARCUS JOHNSON, L, 6-6, 330, Coffeeville, Miss. (High) -- First team Clarion-Ledger All-State pick and member of newspaper's Top 40 list ... Also earned All-Division, All-District, and All-Area honors ... Chosen to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Quick lineman who has explosive power ... Squats 450 and dead lifts 550 ... Three-year starter who played offensive tackle and defensive end as a junior, while seeing playing time at both guard and tackle on offense and end and nose tackle on defense during senior season ... On defense as a senior, was credited with 60 tackles, including four QB sacks ... Coached in high school by Perry Liles ... Earned three letters in football ... PERSONAL: Son of Glenda Smith ... Full name is Marcus Allen Johnson ... Born: December 1, 1981 ... Older brother, Belton, is a sophomore offensive lineman at Ole Miss.
BRYAN LESTER, B, 6-2, 210, Holly Springs, Miss. (High) -- Played running back, linebacker and defensive end for Holly Springs ... Rated All-District honors as linebacker ... Gained 582 yards rushing senior season and 683 as a junior and also caught seven passes ... On defense as a senior, was credited with 66 tackles, including six QB sacks ... Coached in high school by Sammie Greer ... Earned three letters in football ... Also runs track as he participates in the quarter, 4 x 200, and 4 x 400 relays ... PERSONAL: Son of Enoch and Linda Lester ... Full name is Brian Ketrel Lester ... Born: July 18, 1982.
JONATHAN NICHOLS, PK, 6-0, 185, Greenwood, Miss. (Pillow Academy) -- First team All-State pick of Clarion-Ledger ... Also first team All-MPSA ... Selected to Clarion-Ledger Top 40 list as a kicker ... Greenwood Commonwealth first team All-Area ... Named to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Two-time All-North 4A selection ... Had 94 percent of his kickoffs reach the end zone ... Hit some balls out of the end zone ... Connected on 98 of 100 extra points during prep career and made 27 of 42 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards ... Made nine field goals over 40 yards ... Made 55 of 56 extra point attempts senior year and connected on 10 of 17 field goal attempts with a long of 45 ... As a sophomore, won the Auburn Kicking Camp competition with a 60-yarder, then returned to win the same award as a senior ... Also played quarterback at Pillow Academy ... Completed 58 of 109 passes (53.2 percent) for 950 yards and 14 TDs during senior season ... On defense, broke up 10 passes while seeing limited duty in the secondary ... Helped lead Pillow to football state championships in 1997 and 1999 ... Coached in high school by Riley Myers, who played split end at Ole Miss (1968-69-71) ... Earned three letters in football, four in soccer, four in baseball, and two in track ... In baseball, was All-Conference infielder in 1997 and All-Conference pitcher in 1998 ... Made All-State in soccer in 1998 and 1999 ... PERSONAL: Son of John and Robbie Nichols ... Full name is Jonathan Robert Nichols ... Born: Sept. 28, 1981.
RICK RAZZANO, B, 6-0, 230, Milford, Oh. (High) -- Second team All-State selection who also was named first team All-Southwest Ohio, All-City, and All-Conference ... Named to SuperPrep Midwest team ... Rushed for 750 yards on 125 carries as a senior, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and scoring seven TDs ... Also led team with 106 tackles ... Helped Milford High to 1997 state runner-up spot ... Coached in high school by Bob Smith ... Earned four letters in football and one in basketball ... PERSONAL:Son of Rick and Jodi Razzano ... Full name is Richard Anthony Razzano ... Born: January 28, 1981 ... Father played in the CFL with Toronto (1978-79) and with the NFL Cincinnati Bengals five years (1980-84).
CODY RIDGEWAY, P, 6-2, 185, Jackson, Tenn. (Central-Merry) -- Selected first team All-State by Associated Press and Tennessee Sportswriters Association in Tennessee's 5A classification as a senior ... Also named to Super 16 team in State of Tennessee ... Three-time All-Region pick ... Named to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Rivals Top 500 nationally ... First team All-Region as junior and senior, plus honorable mention All-Region as sophomore ... Was 1999 Academic All-Region ... Combined consistency, accuracy, and power to average 41.4 yards on 50 punts ... Punting helped Central-Merry to 8-3 record while giving up only 65 points in 1999 as his punts kept opponents in poor field position with 18 downed inside the 20 and 10 inside the 10 ... Averaged over 38 yards on 42 punts junior year ... A two-step punter who didn't have a punt blocked in high school ... Was the holder on extra points and field goals ... Attended several punting campus during summers as he worked hard to improve his punting skills ... Coached in high school by David Duncan ... Earned four letters in football, three in golf, two in tennis, and one in baseball ... In golf, was Junior GPA Tour Player of the Year in 1998 ... Also was selected Most Valuable Player of golf team in 1998 ... National Honor Society ... Ranked in Top 30 of class of over 380 seniors ... PERSONAL: Son of Danny and Cheryl Ridgeway ... Full name is Cody Christopher Ridgeway ... Born: March 18, 1982.
ROB ROBERTSON, B, 6-3, 215, Centreville, Miss. (Academy) -- Selected to Clarion-Ledger Top 40 list ... Named to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Also earned All-State, All-District, and All-Star honors ... Injured a knee early in senior season, but still had 100 tackles, three QB sacks, two TDs, and three fumble recoveries, while blocking three punts and three extra points ... As a junior, was second team All-State, plus All-District, Enterprise-Journal All-Area, and Natchez Democrat All-Area ... Was All-District sophomore year ... Had 260 career tackles, including nine QB sacks, and rushed for 853 yards and 15 TDs ... Helped lead Centreville Academy to state championships in 1998 (14-0) and 1999 (11-3) ... Coached in high school by Bill Hurst ... Earned three letters in football, four in baseball, three in track, and two in basketball ... Won Rebound Award in basketball ... Was All-District outfielder, winning Offensive Award and making it to the State Games ... In track, was a member of 1998 state championship 400 meter relay team and 1999 400 meter and 800 meter relay teams ... Also won 1998 state shot put championship ... Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Science Merit Award, Beta Club, Student Council, and Student-Athlete Spotlight ... PERSONAL: Son of Robbie Robertson and Karen Robertson ... Father played at Ole Miss ... Full name is George Hasting Robertson, III ... Born: December 31, 1981 ... Related to the Pools of Ole Miss -- Ray Poole, Barney Poole, Buster Poole, and Paige Cothern -- who were all football standouts with the Rebels.
CORY ROBINSON, L, 6-5, 240, Knoxville, Tenn. (Central) -- First team All-State pick of The Associated Press and Tennessee Sportswriters Association ... Two-time All-State, All-Region, All-Knoxville Football League, and All-East Tennessee ... Earned Player of the Week honors three times ... Saw action at linebacker, defensive end, and tight end, never missing a practice or a game ... Played as early as his freshman year when he was thrown into the fire as an outside linebacker ... Also played OLB sophomore year ... Moved to strong linebacker junior year as he went from 6-3 to 6-5 and from 205 pounds to 230 ... Was then moved to defensive end for senior season and helped team to 12-3 record and Class 4-A state runner-up spot when he was credited with 132 tackles, including 65 solo stops with 15 hits for minus yardage ... Was moved back to middle linebacker late in the year when a teammate was hurt ... Central went 11-2 in 1998, making it to the quarter-finals ... Coached in high school by Joel Helton ... Earned four letters in football and two in basketball ... PERSONAL: Son of Robert L. and Tracy R. Fair ... Full name is Cory Alexander Robinson ... Born: May 6, 1982.
KEVIN TIMOTHEE, B, 6-0, 175, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Plantation) -- First team All-City by Miami Herald ... Was named second team All-City defensive back by Sun-Sentinel --- Honorable mention All-State defensive tack ... Was team Most Valuable Defensive Back ... As a senior, was credited with 75 tackles and two pass interceptions ... Also rushed for over 100 yards ... Coached in high school by Frank Hepler ... Earned three letters in football and three in track ... PERSONAL: Son of Denise Timothee ... Full name is Kevin Timothee ... Born: November 30, 1981.
ERIC TUCKER, B, 6-3, 220, Starkville, Miss. (High) -- Selected to Clarion-Ledger Top 40 list ... All-Region 1-5A first team and All-State second team ... Named to SuperPrep All-Dixie Team ... Played wide receiver and linebacker at Starkville High, which went 9-4 senior season, losing to eventual Class 5A state champ Madison Central ... Caught 25 passes for 414 yards and six TDs senior season ... As a junior, caught 16 passes for 336 yards and one TD, earning All-District honors ... Coached in high school by Chuck Friend ... Earned two letters in football and two in basketball ... Played first to varsity seasons at Moor High School before transferring to Starkville his junior year ... PERSONAL: Son of Jimmy and Shavell Rice ... Full name is Eric Dejuan Tucker ... Born: January 9, 1982 ...Uncle is NFL star wide receiver Jerry Rice.
TRAY VARDIMAN, L, 6-2, 250 , Jackson, Tenn. (Central-Merry) --Selected Class 5A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year in Tennessee senior season ... Also two-time West Tennessee (Region 7-5A) Defensive Player of the Year ... Two-time first team All-State selection ... Two-time Region Player of the Year ... As a senior, was credited with 79 tackles, including 23 for losses, while also getting 8 QB sacks and two fumble recoveries ... Career stats included 151 tackles ... Coached in high school by David Duncan ... Earned four letters in football and one in track ... PERSONAL: Son of Cheryl Jordan ... Full name is Tray T. Vardiman ... Born: November 19, 1980.
LARRICK WOMACK, L, 6-5, 250, Memphis, Tenn. (East) -- Helped lead Memphis East to 13-2 record and Class 4-A state championship ... Was credited with 142 tackles, including 63 solo hits and nine QB sacks, Also scored one touchdown on a 61-yard fumble recovery ... Batted down eight passes ... Played only one year at East where he earned first team All-Region 8-4A honors and was also selected the Most Valuable Defensive player in Region 8 ... Was named Most Outstanding Newcomer, Most Valuable Defensive Player, and Most Improved Player at Memphis East ... Leading tackler in state championship win over Knoxville Center with eight hits, including two QB sacks for a minus 21 yards ... Coached at Memphis East by Wayne Randall ... Transferred to East from Southeast High School in Macon, Georgia ... Was All-City and Best of Preps while playing in Georgia ... Earned four letters in football, four in basketball, and one in track during prep career ... Averaged 12.2 points and eight rebounds in basketball ... PERSONAL: Son of Gwendolyn Womack ... Full name is Larrick J. Womack ... Born: April 18, 1982.
JASON YOUNGS, L, 6-7, 285, St. Mary's, Oh. (High, College of the Canyons) -- All-America junior college selection ... First team All-State JUCO and All-Conference pick ... Had 62 tackles and five quarterback sacks as a defensive end during freshman season ... Didn't give up a sack and averaged four "pancakes" per game ... Earned two football letters at College of the Canyons in Santa Cerrida, Calif. ... Coached in junior college by Chuck Lyons ... After graduating from high school, played one year of basketball at Hiwassee Junior College in Tennessee, where he averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game ... HIGH SCHOOL: Helped lead St. Mary's High to two state titles and a pair of conference titles ... Team was 13-1 and 14-0 ... Earned first team All-Conference and All-Area honors ... Coached in high school by Bob Priddy ... Earned three letters in football as an offensive end, defensive tackle, punter, and kicker ... Also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track ... Rated first team All-Conference and All-Area honors in basketball as he averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds ... High jumped 6-3 ... PERSONAL: Son of Sandy Youngs ... Full name is Jason H. Youngs ... Born: December 30, 1976.
