Tigers Land 24 On National Signing Day

Feb. 6, 2002

Memphis, TN - The University of Memphis received 24 signed national letters of intent on the first day of national signing for high school football players and according to head coach Tommy West, the class is as impressive as last year's group.

"I want to thank my assistant coach and our players for the job they did in recruiting this year," West stated at his 3 PM press conference. "The staff did a tremendous job of getting players to our campus and the players did a great job of selling the program."

The Tigers landed eight linemen for the 2002 season including six offensive linemen and two defensive linemen. The offensive linemen are Blake Butler, David Davis, Ed Hutt, Bruce McCaleb, Phillip Walls and LaVale Washington. The defensive group is highlighted by All-American Willie Henderson and Haracio Colen.

The U of M inked two wide receivers in junior college standout Tavares Gideon and Memphis all-stater Mario Pratcher and added tight end John Douchette, who had committed to Georgia on Monday but decided to sign with Memphis.

The offensive backfield received future help in the person of quarterback Maurice Avery of Atlanta, Georgia. Avery is listed on virtually every top prospect list and totaled over 2,500 yards of total offense and 34 touchdowns in 2001.

"I think we really improved this team with speed, speed and more speed," West continued. "We may have signed the fastest freshman in the nation in Brian Davis."

The Tigers landed several speedy defensive backs from across the Southeast including Davis from Columbus, Georgia, Sam Brewer from Colleyville, Texas, O.C. Collins from Dacula, Georgia, Cato Mott from Orlando, Florida, Wesley Smith from Oxford, Mississippi and Olen Whitely from Boynton Beach, Florida.

According to West, Memphis improved in the area of special teams in inking kicker Danny Haynes, punter-kicker-quarterback Patrick Byrne and deep snapper Rusty Clayton.

"You always want to have competition at every positions," West said. "I think we have now created competition on our special teams".

Three mid-semester transfer were also included in today's list of signees. Derron Parquet, a tailback from LSU, David Davis, an offensive lineman from Hamilton, Mississippi and Jeff Hilliard, a quarterback from Tyler Junior College in Texas, have enrolled in school and will participate in spring drills.

West closed by indicating that the Tigers might add one signee later in the day.

2002 TIGER FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Maurice Avery - QB, 6-1, 195, Atlanta, GA (McNair High)
Was one of the most highly rated quarterbacks in the Southeast in 2001 ... Was twice named the Offensive Player of the Year in DeKalb County ... Was an All-DeKalb County selection as a senior ... Passed for over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2001 and rushed for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns ... Was a 4-A All-State selection in 2001 and is rated as the number one quarterback prospect in the state of Georgia for 2001 ... Newberg Recruiting compares Avery to former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick in arm strength and running ability ... Is listed by Rivals.com as the no. 26 quarterback prospect in the nation ... Rated by FansOnly.com as a Super Prospect for 2001 ... Is rated as one of the Top 13 Athletic Quarterbacks in the nation by Max Emfinger ... Is rated by The Sporting News as the no. 26 quarterback prospect in the nation in 2001 ... Selected by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as the top quarterback prospect in Georgia for 2001 ... Rated by Insiders.com as one of three Southern Sleepers for 2001 ... Fab50Recruiting.com rated as one of top 50 quarterbacks in the nation ... Ranked by OKScouting.com as one of the top 130 players in the nation for 2001 ... Rushed for 215 yards and passed for 185 yards and six touchdowns in win over Dunwoody in 2001 ... Passed for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior ... Completed 52% of his passes as a junior ... Was an All-DeKalb County selection as a junior ... Was selected honorable mention All-State as a junior ... Was honorable mention All-DeKalb County as a sophomore ... Offered by North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisville, West Virginia before selecting Memphis.

Sam Brewer - DB, 6-1, 185, Colleyville, TX (Heritage High)
Was an All-District 5-5A selection as a free safety in 2001 ... Was the third ranked tackler on his Heritage High team in 2001 ... Led his team in pass interceptions in 2001 with four picks ... Also led District 5-5A in pass interceptions in 2001 ... Received Associated Press honorable mention Texas All-State honors in 2001 ... Was a 1st team All-District 5-5A selection in 2001 ... 1st Team All-Northeast Tarrant County pick in 2001 ... Was ranked third on Heritage High team in tackles in 2001 with 50, including three for lost yardage and five blocked passes ... Was a two-year starter in the secondary at Heritage ... Cousins Jacks Brewer and Tellis Redmund both started for four years at Minnesota ... Also lettered in track as a sprinter and long jumper.

Blake Butler - OL, 6-3, 270, Hudson, OH (Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy)
Is the son of former Tiger All-American linebacker and former Memphis assistant coach Keith Butler ... Played offensive line for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the Hudson, OH, a suburb of Cleveland ... Was named to the Associated Press Division IV first team as an offensive lineman in 2001.

Patrick Byrne - QB/K, 6-1, 185, Brewton, AL (T.R. Miller High)
Played quarterback at T.R. Miller High School and served as the team's kicker and punter ... Was named to the Birmingham News All-State team in 2001 as a punter ... Was also named to the Mobile Press Register All-State team as a punter ... Lettered for four years in football at T.R. Miller High ... Served as the team's starting kicker for four seasons and was the starting quarterback for two seasons ... Completed 78-of-172 pass attempts for 1,348 yards and nine touchdowns in 2001 in leading his team to a 12-2 record ... Connected on two-of-five field goal attempts in 2001 and had a long field goal of 55 yards ... Made 56-of-60 PATs in 2001 ... Had 85% of his kickoffs go into the end zone for touchbacks in 2001 ... Was named to the Mobile Press Register All-Region team in 2001 ... Completed 103-of-184 pass attempts for 1,636 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior ... Made seven-of-13 field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards in 2000 ... Connected on 60-of-63 PATs in 2000 ... Had 70% of his kickoffs go into the end zone for touchbacks ... Averaged 39.0 yards per punt and had a long punt of 58 yards ... Led his team to the AAAA State championship in 2000 ... Was named to the Birmingham News and Mobile Press Register All-State teams as a kicker in 2000 ... Was an all-region selection as a junior ... Also lettered in basketball for two years and in baseball for three years ... Was offered by West Virginia before deciding on the Tigers.

Rusty Clayton - DS, 6-2, 225, Hattiesburg, MS (Oak Grove High)
Lettered as a deep snapper and defensive end at Oak Grove High School ... Was an All-District selection in football in 2001 ... Was a 2001 1st team Defensive All-Academic selection ... Was an honorable mention all-district selection as a junior ... Carries a 3.66 grade point average ... Attended the Ray Guy Kicking Academy during the summer to work on special team skills ... Also recruited by Southern Mississippi, Yale, Dartmouth and Penn but has family ties to Memphis ... Brother is 1995 Memphis graduate.

Haracio Colen - DE, 6-2, 255, Russellville, AR (Russellville High)
Lettered as a linebacker for the Russellville Cyclones ... Helped Russellville High to the AAAAA-West championship in 2001 ... Was credited with 10.5 quarterback sacks during the 2001 season ... Logged 63 solo tackles and 79 assisted stops ... Had 16 tackles for lost yardage ... Has been timed at 4.8 in the forty yard dash ... Started at defensive tackle as a sophomore and junior but was moved to linebacker as a senior ... Also lettered in basketball for Russellville High ... Selected the Tigers over Tulsa, Rice and Arkansas State.

O.C. Collins - DB, 6-0, 175, Dacula, GA (Dacula High)
Was a four year starter at Dacula High ... Played quarterback and free safety and led his team in tackles as a junior ... Logged 130 tackles during his junior season ... During senior season helped his team to a 10-3 record and a spot in the state playoffs ... Team reached the quarterfinals ... Was named the Atlanta Constitution-Journal Player of the Week in 2001 for his play against No. 3 ranked Collins Hill ... Logged two pass interceptions and returned one 55-yards for a touchdown in upset win ... Was timed at 4.47 in forty yard dash at the Georgia Tech camp ... Rated as the number 49 prospect in the state of Georgia by SuperPrep Football Magazine ... Was recruited by Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Louisville.

Brian Davis - DB, 6-1, 195, Columbus, GA (Carver High)
Lettered as a tailback and defensive back at Carver High School in Columbus, GA ... Also lettered as a member of the Carver state championship track team ... Had 163 rushes for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2001 ... Led Carver High to the 2-A regional title in track in 2001 ... Qualified for four events in the state meet ... Won the 100 meters with a time of 10.43 and followed that with a time of 21.57 in the 200 meters ... Helped Carver win the 2000 2-A state track championship by winning the 100 meters and the 200 meters ... Has run a 10.33 100 meters and a 20.24 200 meters ... Has been timed at 4.38 in the forty yard dash ... Father Carl Davis played defensive end for the University of Wisconsin.

David Davis, OL, 6-4, 285, Jr., (Itawamba Junior College)
Named to the Jackson Clarion Ledger Top 25 Junior College Recruits for 2001 ... Named to the 2001 Mississippi Junior College All-State team (2nd) ... Named to the 2001 All-Mississippi North Team ... Selected Memphis over Clemson.

John Douchette - TE, 6-2, 248, New Orleans, LA (St. Augustine High)
Lettered as a tight end and defensive end at St. Augustine High ... Rated as the top tight end in the state of Louisiana according to SuperPrep Magazine ... Was named to SuperPrep Football Magazine's All-Region Team for 2001 ... Is rated as the number 14 overall prospect in the state of Louisiana by SuperPrep ... Has been rated as high as the number 10 tight end prospect in the country by one recruiting service ... Caught 11 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown in 2001 ... Was an All-Metro selection in New Orleans ... Had committed to Georgia before deciding on the Tigers ... Was also recruited by Auburn, Michigan, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Tulane.

Tavares Gideon - WR, 6-3, 190, Greenville, MS (Mississippi Delta JC)
Is the cousin of former Southern Mississippi standout receiver Sherrod Gideon ... Is rated by SuperPrep JUCO Top 100 as the number 71 prospect in the nation ... Listed on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger's Top 25 JUCO Prospects report as the 14th best prospect in the state for 2001 ... Helped lead Mississippi Delta Community College to the finals of the state junior college championships in 2001 ... Had 54 receptions for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2001 ... Had 11 receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown in MDCC's 34-10 win over Northwest Mississippi CC ... Had 12 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown in win over Holmes CC ... Had a three yard touchdown catch in the state playoffs against Jones County CC ... Was named first team All-Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges ... Was also named to the 2001 All-Mississippi North Squad ... Helped Mississippi Delta CC to a 5-5 record in 2000 ... Also recruited by Baylor and West Virginia.

Tim Goodwell - LB, 6-2, 210, Lithonia, GA (Tucker High)
Lettered as a fullback and linebacker at Tucker High ... Was the team's leading tackler in 2001 ... Credited with 103 total tackles including 54 solo stops ... Had eight tackles for lost yardage, two pass interceptions and five pass breakups ... Rushed the ball 53 times for 641 yards in 2001 ... Scored on an 11-yard touchdown run against Marist High to help his team snap Marist's 41-game home winning streak ... Was a 1st team All-DeKalb County selection as both a junior and senior ... Received the Tucker High MVP Award and was twice the team's leading tackler ... Also lettered in basketball.

Danny Haynes - K, 5-10, 185, Killen, AL (East Central Community College & Brooks High)
Signed with the University of Alabama after a prep career at Brooks High School ... Was redshirted at Alabama in 1999 and was a member of the travel squad in 2000 ... Transferred to East Central Junior College in Mississippi in 2001 ... Was the fourth ranked kicker in Mississippi Junior College football in 2001 ... Helped East Central Mississippi JC to a berth in the state playoffs in 2001 ... ECMJC reached the state semifinals ... Played his prep football at Brooks High School ... Was named to the Birmingham News Super All-State team as a senior in high school ... Named to the Alabama Sportswriter's Association Class 4-A All-State team in 1998 ... Listed by USA Today as one of top players in Alabama in 1998 ... Converted on 32-of-50 field goal attempts in high school ... Connected on a 54-yard field goal as a junior in high school ... Has made a 73-yard field goal in practice as reported by USA Today ... Prior to his senior year in high school, Haynes earned preseason All-America honors and was featured on several nationally syndicated television shows ... During his prep career he missed just one PAT attempt, a 35-yarder after a penalty ... Had long field goals of 42, 49 and 54 yards in high school ... Set the Alabama record for high school freshman kickers making 11-of-14 attempts.

Willie Henderson - DT, 6-7, 275, Memphis, TN (Ridgeway High School)
Considered by many as the top lineman prospect in Tennessee in 2001 ... Played both offensive and defensive tackle at Ridgeway High School ... Registered 15 quarterback sacks for Ridgeway High in 2001 ... Was named to Prep Star Magazine's Top 125 Dream Team for 2001 ... Was named to Prep Star Magazine's Super 30 All-Southeast Region Team for 2001 ... Was named to SuperPrep Football Magazine's 2001 All-America Team and All-Region Team ... Is ranked as the number three prospect in the state of Tennessee ... Is rated by SuperPrep Magazine as the number 21 offensive lineman in the nation ... Is rated as the number 11 defensive line prospect in the nation by Rivals.com ... Named to the Associated Press All-State Team in 2001 ... Was named to the MIAA All-Metro team for Divisions 4A/5A in 2001 ... Was named a finalist for Class 3-A Mr. Football in 2001 ... Was selected on the Tennessee Sportswriter's 3-A All-State team in 2001 ... Had 25 tackles, four quarterback sacks and four fumble recoveries as a junior ... Was named to the All-Tennessee 3-A Team (2nd) in 2000 as an offensive lineman ... Committed to Tennessee before deciding on Memphis ... Also recruited by Arkansas and Florida ... Lettered in basketball for three years at Ridgeway High ... Played center on the basketball team ... Threw the shot for the Ridgeway track team and won the state A-AA shot championship in 2001.

Jeff Hilliard - QB, 6-1, 197, Jr., Tyler, TX (Tyler Junior College)
Comes to the Tigers after playing for one season at Tyler Junior College ... Led Tyler JC to a 8-3 mark in 2001 ... Passed for 1,840 yards and 20 touchdowns last season during the regular season ... With his playoff yardage he threw for 2,048 yards completing 138-of-274 pass attempts ... Tyler Junior College led the conference in average yards per game with 424.8 ... Was the nation's sixth ranked junior college passer in 2001 ... Signed with the University of Kansas after his high school career and spent the 2000 season with the Jayhawks where he was redshirted ... Played his prep football at Tyler-Lee High School ... Earned 5A all-state honors as a senior ... Completed 154-of-291 pass attempts as a senior for 2,268 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Was also named to the first team all-district squad and was named the districts offensive MVP.

Ed Hutt - OL, 6-4, 270, Tuscaloosa, AL (Central High)
Played tight end, offensive guard, offensive tackle and defensive line at Tuscaloosa High ... Was named to the Alabama All-West team as a senior ... Also lettered as a member of the Central High track team ... Throws the shot put during the indoor season and throws the discus and shot put during the outdoor season ... Competed in the Alabama state championships and had a throw of 45'8" but narrowly missed making the finals.

Bruce McCaleb - OL, 6-2, 260, Alpadena, CA (John Muier High)
Was a three year football letterman for John Muier High School ... Played both offensive and defensive line ... Was a second team All-Pacific League selection at offensive guard for the 2001 season ... Has also lettered in track ... Throws the shot put for Muier High ... Is an honor student who just celebrated his 17th birthday this January.

Dwayne Mitchell - LB, 6-2, 230, New Orleans, LA (St. Augustine High)

Cato Mott - DB, 5-10, 180, Orlando, FL (Apopka High)
Helped Apopka High to a 14-1 record and the Class 6-A state championship in 2001 ... Was an honorable mention 6-A All-State selection by the Orlando Sentinel ... Was a 6A All-Metro selection as an outside linebacker in 2001 ... Was named to the 6A All-Central Florida team in 2001 ... Was a 6A All-County pick for the 2001 season ... Was credited with 130 tackles during his senior season ... Served as a team captain for 2001 ... Is a state of Florida qualifier in team weightlifting.

Derron Parquet - RB, 5-11, 200, Jr., Metaire, LA (LSU & Archbishop Rummells High)
Comes to the University of Memphis as a transfer from LSU ... Played tailback for the LSU Tigers in 2001 ... Had 15 carries for 59 yards in 2001 ... Was the Tigers' fifth leading rusher in 2001 ... Had six carries for 41 yards in the Tulane game ... Had nine attempts for 18 yards against Mississippi State ... Caught two passes for nine yards against Ole Miss ... Saw action during the 2000 season but was injured and received a medical redshirt ... Participated in the Western Carolina game and rushed the ball 11 times for 49 yards and one touchdown ... Will have to sit out the 2002 season under the NCAA guidelines for transfers ... Played prep football at Rummells High School in Metairie, Louisiana ... Rated as the nation's number nine running back and the number two running back in the South according to SuperPrep Magazine ... Member of The Advocate Super Dozen, the Tiger Rag Dirty Dozen, Louisiana Magazine All-Louisiana Team, The Times-Picayune Top 24 Blue Chip List and the Purple & Gold's Great Eight ... Named to the Atlanta Constitution Super Southern 100 ... Picked as member of Prepstar Dream Team ... Was a first team all-state selection ... Set the Catholic League record for rushing as a senior with 2,211 yards on 303 attempts and scored 25 touchdowns ... Also caught 12 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns ... Has breakaway speed as he scored eight touchdowns from over 89 yards as a senior ... Has been timed at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash ... Played for coach Jay Rath at Rummells High.

Mario Pratcher - WR, 6-4, 185, Memphis, TN (Trezevant High)
Was a two year starter at wide receiver at Trezevant High School in Memphis ... Was named to the Associated Press All-State team (honorable mention) as a receiver in 2001 ... Helped Trezevant High to a 6-4 record in 2001 and a second place tie in Region 8-3A ... Caught 23 passes for 585 yards and nine touchdowns in 2001 ... His nine touchdown receptions led Region 8-3A ... Averaged 25.4 yards per reception in 2001 ... Averaged 7.8 yards per return as the Bears punt returner ... Totaled 791 yards of all-purpose yardage in 2001 ... As a defensive back had two pass interceptions in 2001 which he returned for 86 yards ... Was an All-Region 8-4A selection in 2000 as a receiver ... Had 29 catches for 418 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior ... Averaged 14.4 yards per catch in 2000 ... Was ranked sixth in Region 8-4A in receiving in 2000 ... Was ranked 14th in Region 8-4A in scoring with 48 points as a junior ... Helped Trezevant to a 6-5 record in 2000 ... Was a high school teammate of Tigers Albert Means and Charles Davis.

Wesley Smith - DB, 6-3, 185, Oxford, MS (Lafayette County High)
Lettered in football and basketball at Lafayette County High School ... Listed as one of the Top 100 Prospects in Mississippi in 2001 by the Jackson Clarion Ledger ... Was a three time All-District selection and was the District MVP as a junior ... Led Lafayette County in tackles as a junior and senior ... Registered 20 career interceptions including 11 as a sophomore, six as a junior and three during the 2001 season ... Was a second team all-state selection as a junior ... Named to the Northern Mississippi Elite 11 Team in 2001 ... Has been nominated to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game and the North/South All-Star game ... Appointed to the United States Football Exhibition Team that will tour Australia this summer ... Is a two year basketball letterman and is also playing this season ... Is a North Mississippi qualifier for the state championships in the long jump and triple jump.

Phillip Walls - OL, 6-1, 275, Tyler, TX (Robert E. Lee High)
Played offensive tackle at Robert E. Lee High in Tyler ... Was named to the Associated Press 5A All-State team in Texas ... Was named to the Texas Sportwriter's All-State team as a junior and senior ... Was twice named to the All-District XII 5A team ... Was selected to the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas team ... Was named the Robert E. Lee Offensive Lineman of the Year on a team that had three offensive linemen sign division 1-A scholarships ... Helped lead Robert E. Lee to two District XII 5-A championships ... Also lettered in track and was a regional qualifier in the shot put ... Has best throw of 57'5" ... Is an honor student that carries a 3.0 GPA.

LaVale Washington - OL, 6-0, 255, New Orleans, LA (St. Augustine High)
Was a high school teammate of Tiger signee John Douchette ... Played both offensive and defensive line at St. Augustine High ... Is slated to work as an offensive lineman at Memphis ... Also lettered in track and worked the throwing events.

Olen Whitely - RB/DB, 6-0, 185, Boynton Beach, FL (Lake Worth High)
Was a four year letter winner ... Played in just two games as a senior because of a broken leg ... Was named 1st team All-Conference as a defensive back despite missing most of the season with broken leg ... Served as team captain in 2001 ... Had 90 yards on 18 carries in the season opener against Olympic Heights ... Scored touchdown in 2000 season against Vero Beach High ... Played receiver as a sophomore and scored against Boca Raton High ... Has been timed at 4.35 in the forty yard dash ... Has run a 10.6 100 meters and twice qualified for the Florida state track meet ... Lettered as a tailback, receiver, cornerback and kick returner during his career ... Took first place award in state drama competition for his singing and has released his own Hip-Hop and R & B CD ... Was also recruited by Missouri.

DeAngelo Williams - RB, 5-10, 190, Wynne, AR (Wynne High)
Is considered one of the top backs in the state of Arkansas ... Is rated as the number 25 running back prospect in the nation by SuperPrep Magazine ... Was named to SuperPrep Football Magazine's All-America and All-Region Team ... Is rated as the number two overall prospect in Arkansas by SuperPrep ... Was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 2001 Offensive Player of the Year ... Named to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team in 2001 ... Rushed for a single season record 2,204 yards and 34 touchdowns at Wynne High ... Averaged 10.4 yards per carry as a senior ... Led Wynne High to the state 4A championship ... Had 939 yards rushing in four playoff games ... Rushed for 194 yards on 24 attempts in the state championship game against Stuttgart ... Scored two rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown and one return touchdown in state championship game ... Gained 1,044 yards rushing as a junior and scored 14 touchdowns ... Missed most of his sophomore season with a broken bone in his foot ... Holds the state 4A record in the 100 meters with an electronically time 10.81... Helped Wynne High to a second place finish in the 2001 state track championships ... Was second in the 100 meters with a time of 10.93 ... Won the 200 meters with a time of 22.57 ... Bench presses over 300 pounds ... Was also recruited by Ole Miss, Arkansas and Iowa before deciding on Memphis.

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