Duke Signs 22 To Football Recruiting Class

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University head football coach Carl Franks and his staff announced on Wednesday that 22 student-athletes have signed national letters-of-intent to join the Blue Devil football program.

The class includes four defensive linemen, four linebackers, three offensive linemen, three defensive backs, three running backs, three wide receivers, and a pair of tight ends. Thirteen states, as well as Canada, are represented within the class.

On offense, the group includes West Virginias Player of the Year in wide receiver Mark Wigal (Morgantown, W.Va.) as well as Ben Kittleson (Buckner, Ky.), a wideout who captured the 200-meter dash at the 2000 Kentucky high school track and field championships, and North Carolina Shrine Bowl receiver Lance Johnson (Hickory, N.C.). Other skilled position players are running backs Cedric Dargan (Jacksonville, N.C.), Brendan Dewan (Austin, Texas) and Jamin Pastore (Lisbon, Ohio).

Up front, linemen Ben Baker (Tustin, Calif.), Kurt Falke (Bellville, Texas) and Jim Moravchik (Sun Prairie, Wis.) join the program as well as tight ends Chris Best (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), a member of Team Canada which participated in the Global Junior Football Championships last month, and Andy Roland (West Lawn, Pa.), an all-state pick from Pennsylvania.

Defensively, Shrine Bowl participant David Gutshall (Spartanburg, S.C.) and SuperPrep All-America Demetrius Warrick (Wilmington, Del.) lead a group of four linemen that also includes David Martin (Plano, Texas) and Orrin Thompson (Charlotte, N.C.).

The linebacking corps consists of a New York-duo of Giuseppe Aguanno (Farrell, N.Y.) and Phillip Alexander (Bronx, N.Y.) along with Ohio all-state pick Micah Harris (Poland, Ohio) and Jim Scharrer (Erie, Pa.), a former prep All-America selection who spent the past six years playing professional baseball and enrolled into Duke last month.

The defensive secondary features Maryland all-state choice Alex Green (Hyattsville, Md.), Brian Greene (Kennesaw, Ga.), who led Harrison High School to the Georgia Class 5A state finals, and John-Paul Kimbrough (Hendersonville, N.C.), who earned Western North Carolina Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	High School
Giuseppe Aguanno	LB	6-1	217	Farrell, N.Y.	Monsignor Farrell
Phillip Alexander	OLB	6-3 1/2	203	Bronx, N.Y.	Mt. St. Michael Academy
Ben Baker	OL	6-5 1/2	290	Tustin, Calif.	Tustin
Chris Best	TE	6-4 1/2	252	Calgary Alberta, Canada	Western
Cedric Dargan	RB	5-11	184	Jacksonville, N.C.	White Oak
Brendan Dewan	RB	6-0	197	Austin, Texas	Westlake
Kurt Falke	OL	6-5 1/2	279	Bellville, Texas	Bellville
Alex Green	DB	6-2	180	Hyattsville, Md.	Northwestern
Brian Greene	DB	6-1	177	Kennesaw, Ga.	Harrison
David Gutshall	DL	6-4	225	Spartanburg, S.C.	Dorman
Micah Harris	OLB	6-3 1/2	227	Poland, Ohio	Poland Seminary
Lance Johnson	WR	6-0	184	Hickory, N.C.	Hickory
John-Paul Kimbrough	DB	5-11	181	Hendersonville, N.C.	Hendersonville
Ben Kittleson	WR	5-11 1/2	172	Buckner, Ky.	Oldham County
David Martin	DL	6-3 1/2	225	Plano, Texas	Plano
Jim Moravchik	OL	6-5 1/2	287	Sun Prairie, Wis.	Sun Prairie
Jamin Pastore	RB	5-9	198	Lisbon, Ohio	Beaver Local
Andy Roland	TE	6-3	215	West Lawn, Pa.	Wilson
Jim Scharrer	LB	6-3 1/2	233	Erie, Pa	Erie Cathedral
Orrin Thompson	DL	6-7	230	Charlotte, N.C.	Charlotte Christian
Demetrius Warrick	DL	6-6	237	Wilmington, Del.	Mount Pleasant
Mark Wigal	WR	5-10	171	Morgantown, W.Va.	Morgantown

Giuseppe Aguano
LB 6-1 217 Farrell, N.Y. Farrell High School

Listed as the 10th-top overall prospect in New York by PrepAtlantic.com ... named the 12th-best overall prospect in New York by SuperPrep ... charted as the eighth-best linebacker prospect in the East by Prep Star magazine ... helped Farrell High School to 10-1 record in 2000 and 9-2 ledger in 1999, winning back-to-back Catholic League championships in the process ... as a senior, picked up 108 tackles ... registered 95 tackles during junior season ... played under head football coach Ben Saryllo ... finished prep career with 22 sacks ... two-time all-league selection ... named All-City and All-Tri-State by The Daily News ... recipient of the Junior Heisman Trophy following senior season ... earned scholar-athlete award from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame ... also participated in baseball and basketball.

Personal: Son of Silvana and Frank Aguano ... born August 15, 1983.
Return to Top

Phillip Alexander
OLB 6-3 1/2 203 Bronx, N.Y. Mount St. Michael Academy

Named all-league in football as a senior ... earned All-Bronx honors from The New York Daily News in 2000 ... played in the Catholic High School Football League Senior Bowl ... as a senior, had 93 tackles, 12 sacks and one interception ... also had 10 pass receptions for 415 yards and five TDs ... played football for Mario Valentini ... also participated in basketball and track and field ... member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Cleodora Alexander ... born June 1, 1983 in St. Louis, Mo.
Return to Top

Ben Baker
OL 6-5 1/2 290 Tustin, Calif. Tustin High School

Listed as the 91st-best overall prospect in California by SuperPrep ... earned all-league honors in both 1999 and 2000 ... also tabbed All-Orange County ... served as team captain in senior campaign ... helped Tustin High School to three straight league championships under head coach Myron Miller.

Personal: Son of David and Patricia Baker ... father serves as the commissioner of the Arena Football League ... born January 1, 1983.
Return to Top

Chris Best
TE 6-4 1/2 252 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Western Canada High School

Member of Team Canada, the countrys national football squad which participated in the Global Junior Championships last month in Tampa, Fl., falling in the finals to the United States, 21-19 ... received the Harry Hood Award as Calgarys top high school student-athlete ... helped Western Canada High School to a 9-1 overall record, the Calgary city championship and a semifinal berth in the provincial playoffs in 2000 ... caught 27 passes for 434 yards and six TDs as a senior ... member of Canadas Under-19 National Rugby squad ... played football for Paul Kerber ... also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Randy and Gillian Best ... born April 3, 1983.
Return to Top

Cedric Dargan
RB 5-11 184 Jacksonville, N.C. White Oak High School

Listed as the 53rd-best overall prospect in North Carolina by PrepAtlantic.com ... named all-conference and all-area following his senior season ... in 2000, rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 22 TDs while helping White Oak High School to a 9-5 record and berth in the playoffs ... played under head football coach Robbie Ellis ... also participated in track and field.

Personal: Son of Ronnie and Carolyn Dargen ... older brother, Ronnie, plays football at Elon College ... born February 19, 1983.
Return to Top

Brendan Dewan
RB 6-0 197 Austin, Texas Westlake High School

Ranked as the 31st-top running back prospect in Texas by TexasPrepFootball.com ... helped Westlake High School to a 14-1 overall record and an appearance in the Texas Class 5A Division I state championship game ... rushed for five touchdowns in a playoff win over San Antonio Holmes ... Westlake ended the year ranked 21st in the final USA Today national poll ... served as team captain in 2000 ... gained over 2,000 rushing yards in his career along with 41 TDs ... named all-district in 1999 ... played for Ron Schroeder ... also participated in track and field ... Academic All-State selection in 2000 ... attended same high school as Heisman Trophy finalist Drew Brees of Purdue.

Personal: Son of Diane and Stephen Dewan ... born September 26, 1982.
Return to Top

Kurt Falke
OL 6-5 1/2 279 Bellville, Texas Bellville High School

Ranked as the 71st-top offensive lineman prospect in Texas by TexasPrepFootball.com ... named 3A All-District 25 in both 1999 and 2000 ... served as team captain during senior season ... helped Bellville High School to bi-district championship in 1999 and 2000 and second round of the state 3A playoffs as a senior ... played for Huey Chancellor ... also participated in basketball and track and field ... member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Judy and Thomas Falke ... born July 10, 1983.
Return to Top

Alex Green
DB 6-2 180 Hyattsville, Md. Northwestern High School

Rated as the 41st-best safety in the country by Rivals100.com ... listed as the eighth-best overall prospect in Maryland by PrepAtlantic.com ... charted as the 15th-top overall prospect in the Mid-Atlantic by SuperPrep ... All-Mid Atlantic Region choice and the regions eight-best defensive back by Prep Star magazine ... first team all-state pick in 2000 ... helped Northwestern High School to a 7-3 overall record in 2000 ... as a senior, recorded 52 tackles and eight interceptions while returning two fumbles for touchdowns ... also had 10 pass receptions for 230 yards and three TDs ... had 60 tackles and four interceptions as a junior ... posted totals of 273 tackles and 21 interceptions for his career ... played for Ed Shields ... also participated in basketball and track and field.

Personal: Son of Leta and Robert Green ... brother, Sterling, plays football at Georgia Tech ... cousin, Tyronne Drakeford, is a member of the Washington Redskins ... born June 29, 1983.
Return to Top

Brian Greene
DB 6-1 177 Kennesaw, Ga. Harrison High School

First team all-county and second team all-state selection following senior season ... helped Harrison High School to a 12-3 overall record and Georgia Class AAAAA runner-up finish ... compiled over 1,800 yards of total offense with 11 touchdown passes as a senior ... had nine interceptions on defense over final two seasons ... helped Harrison to a 9-2 record in 1999 and 10-2 ledger in 1998 ... also participated in basketball and track and field ... played under head coach Bruce Colbeigh.

Personal: Son of Sharon and Tim Greene ... born February 18, 1983.
Return to Top

David Gutshall
DL 6-4 225 Spartanburg, S.C. Dorman High School

Rated as the 62nd-best defensive end in the country by Rivals100.com ... charted as the eighth-best overall player in South Carolina by SuperPrep ... All-America choice by Prep Star magazine ... listed as the 11th-top overall prospect in South Carolina by PrepAtlantic.com ... helped Dorman High School to the 2000 AAAA state championship after a runner-up finish in 1999 ... named all-state by the Associated Press ... represented South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl ... also earned all-area and all-region accolades ... played for his father, David Gutshall ... honored as the top scholastic player on South Carolinas Shrine Bowl roster ... had 19 career sacks in 25 games ... member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of David and Donna Gutshall ... born September 1, 1982.
Return to Top

Micah Harris
OLB 6-3 1/2 227 Poland, Ohio Poland Seminary High School

All-Midwest Region choice by Prep Star magazine ... first team all-state honoree ... also tabbed all-conference and all-county ... helped Poland Seminary High School to 15-0 record and state championship in 1999 ... slated to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game as well as the Big 33 All-Star Game this summer ... played under head football coach Paul Hulea ... also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Diane and Richard Harris ... born September 28, 1982.
Return to Top

Lance Johnson
WR 6-0 184 Hickory, N.C. Hickory High School

As a senior, caught a league-leading 49 passes for 861 yards and nine TDs while posting 51 tackles and a school single-season record 11 interceptions ... had 33 catches for 634 yards and eight TDs as a junior ... finished prep career with 84 receptions for 1,513 yards along with 94 tackles and 16 interceptions ... played football for David Elder ... established school single-game records for pass receptions (12) and receiving yards (202) ... holds school records for interceptions in both a season (11) and career (16) ... represented North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl, catching two passes for 12 yards in the contest ... named All-Western Foothills Conference ... tabbed to the All-Unifour Team by the Hickory Daily Record ... earned Team MVP honors ... named all-state by the N.C. Prep Football News ... also participated in basketball and track and field, earning all-conference honors in both sports.

Personal: Son of Kathy and Richard Johnson ... father is the Athletic Director at Hickory High School ... father played football at Fayetteville State University while mother played basketball at Voorhees (S.C.) College ... born March 14, 1983.
Return to Top

John-Paul Kimbrough
DB 5-11 181 Hendersonville, N.C. Hendersonville High School

Had over 3,200 rushing yards and 15 interceptions in prep career ... as a junior, rushed for 1,419 yards while intercepting seven passes ... named Western North Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year following senior campaign by the Asheville Citizen-Times ... helped Hendersonville High School to an 11-2 record in 2000 and a berth in the state 1A playoffs ... all-conference and all-area pick in football ... listed as the 45th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by PrepAtlantic.com ... played for B.J. Laughter ... also participated in basketball and track and field ... member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Lydia and Lawyer Kimbrough ... born June 11, 1983.
Return to Top

Ben Kittleson
WR 5-11 1/2 172 Buckner, Ky. Oldham County

Named as one of the top 11 overall prospects in the state of Kentucky by FoxStudentSports.com ... honorable mention all-state selection in 2000 ... rushed for over 800 yards as a senior ... rushed for a single-game career-high 255 rushing yards on 13 carries in 2000 season-opener ... returned four kicks for touchdowns during senior season ... recorded over 1,300 all-purpose yards as a junior ... played football for Mike Jackson ... at the 2000 Kentucky High School Class AAA Track and Field Championships, captured first place in the 200-meter dash (21.38) and finished second in the 100-meter dash (10.88) ... earned Academic All-State honors.

Personal: Son of Jane and Scott Kittleson ... born February 2, 1983.
Return to Top

David Martin
DL 6-3 1/2 225 Plano, Texas Plano High School

Named Class 5A All-District 9 as a senior ... helped Plano High School to a 9-3 record and state playoff berth in 2000 ... registered 50 pancake blocks as a senior ... played football for Gerald Brence ... also participated in basketball, power lifting and track and field.

Personal: Son of Bill and Jeannie Martin ... born April 8, 1983.
Return to Top

Jim Moravchik
OL 6-5 1/2 287 Sun Prairie, Wis. Sun Prairie High School

Rated as the 89th-best offensive lineman in the country by Rivals100.com ... charted as the 95th-top overall prospect in the Midwest and the 10th best overall prospect in Wisconsin by SuperPrep ... charted as the 19th-best offensive lineman prospect in the Midwest by Prep Star magazine ... two-time all-conference, all-area and all-state honoree ... earned Sun Prairies Lineman of the Year honor after both his junior and senior seasons ... played football for Mike Hahn ... helped Sun Prairie High School to an 8-3 record in 2000 ... also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Jim and Maureen Moravchik ... youngest of nine children ... born March 7, 1983.
Return to Top

Jamin Pastore
RB 5-9 198 Lisbon, Ohio Beaver Local High School

Rushed for a school record 3,101 career yards with 29 TDs ... in eight games as a senior, rushed 126 times for 1,298 yards and 18 TDs while completing 28-of-65 passes for 583 yards and 10 TDs ... named the Division III All-Eastern District Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press ... named First Team All-Ohio ... finalist for Ohios Mr. Football Award ... served as team captain in both 1999 and 2000 ... set school single-game record with 259 rushing yards ... helped Beaver Local High School to a pair of state playoff berths ... played football for Richard Wright ... also played baseball ... member of the National Honor Society

Personal: Son of Toni DeLiscia and James Pastore ... born August 7, 1982.
Return to Top

Andy Roland
TE 6-3 215 West Lawn, Pa. Wilson High School

Listed as the 39th-best overall prospect in Pennsylvania by PrepAtlantic.com ... charted as the 32nd-top overall prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep ... charted as the sixth-best tight end prospect in the East by Prep Star magazine ... first team all-state selection ... earned Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in the Lancaster-Lebanon League ... first team all-league on both offense and defense ... named Wilson High Schools Most Valuable Lineman ... in 2000, hauled in 25 passes for 503 yards and 10 TDs ... had 26 pass receptions and 10 TDs as a junior ... finished career with a school-record 24 touchdown receptions ... played football for coach Jim Cantafio ... helped Wilson to a 10-2 record and sectional championship in his final season ... in junior campaign, helped Wilson to a 12-1 overall ledger and berth in the state semifinals ... attended same high school as current New York Giants quarterback Kerry Collins.

Personal: Son of Jan and John Roland ... born March 24, 1983.
Return to Top

Jim Scharrer
LB 6-3 1/2 233 Erie, Pa. Erie Cathedral Prep

Enrolled at Duke in January of 2001 ... graduated from Erie Cathedral Prep in 1995 ... played professional baseball in the Atlanta Braves and Anaheim Angels organizations for the past six years ... 1994 All-America pick by SuperPrep ... registered 134 tackles during senior season while serving as team captain ... played football under coach Michael Mischler ... second round pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 1995 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Personal: Son of Barbara and James Scharrer ... born November 5, 1976.

Jim Scharrer Minor League Baseball Statistics

Year	Team	Avg.	HR	RBI
1995	GCL Braves	.180	2	22
1996	Danville	.227	3	32
1997	Macon	.245	20	57
1998	Danville	.193	6	31
1999	Myrtle Beach	.260	7	54
2000	Lake Elsinore	.233	0	10
	Erie	.172	0	1
Career (6 years)		.227	38	207

Return to Top

Orrin Thompson
DL 6-7 230 Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte Christian High School

Honorable mention All-State selection by the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association ... earned All-Conference CISAA honors ... named the recipient of the Charlotte Touchdown Clubs Mike Fox Defensive Player of the Year Award which is given to a high school senior football player who has excelled on defense and in the areas of scholarship, sportsmanship, citizenship and leadership ... as a senior, recorded 40 tackles, four quarterback sacks and five pass break-ups while playing in just six games ... also plays basketball, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game as of February 2, 2001 ... member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Myrna and Oliver Thompson ... born November 11, 1982.
Return to Top

Demetrius Warrick
DL 6-6 237 Wilmington, Del. Mount Pleasant High School

Named SuperPrep All-America ... charted as the 26th-best defensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep ... listed as the sixth-top overall prospect in the Mid-Atlantic and the second-best prospect in Delaware by SuperPrep ... listed as the fifth-best overall prospect in Delaware by PrepAtlantic.com ... All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by Prep Star magazine ... tabbed all-conference and all-state following senior season ... led team in sacks (10) as a senior while finishing third on the team in tackles (75) ... selected to play in the Blue-Gold All-Star Game (June, 2001) ... helped Mount Pleasant High School to a 7-3 overall record in 2000 ... first team all-conference pick as a junior ... four-year letterman in football, playing for Jim Simmons ... also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Lisa Dickson and Julius Warrick ... born July 29, 1983.
Return to Top

Mark Wigal
WR 5-10 171 Morgantown, W.Va. Morgantown High School

As a senior, helped Morgantown High School to a 14-0 record and the Class AAA state championship - the schools first football state title since 1983 ... named the recipient of the Kennedy Award as West Virginias Player of the Year ... garnered West Virginias state Gatorade Player of the Year honors ... charted as the 13th-top overall prospect in the Mid-Atlantic and the number one overall prospect in West Virginia by SuperPrep ... charted as the third-best prospect in West Virginia by PrepAtlantic.com ... named All-America by Student Sports ... a two-time first team all-state pick by the Associated Press ... finalist for the High School Heisman Award presented annually by the Downtown Athletic Club of Dallas ... three-time all-conference honoree ... in the 2000 state championship game versus Parkersburg High School, rushed for 129 yards and scored three touchdowns in the 38-13 victory and was named the games MVP for his efforts ... as a senior, rushed for 1,810 yards and 41 TDs while amassing 596 receiving yards ... also had eight interceptions in 2000 ... as a junior, rushed for 1,650 yards and 24 TDs ... finished career with 80 touchdowns ... career-best game was 16-carry, 315-yard, 6-touchdown effort against Lewis County in 1999 ... played football for Glen McNew ... also participated in basketball and track and field.

Personal: Son of Gary and Grace Wigal ... born September 18, 1982.
Return to Top

Duke Signs 22 To Football Recruiting Class

Related News

Related Videos

Duke information