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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Announces 2001 Football Recruiting Class
February 07, 2001 | Football
Feb. 7, 2001
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University football coach Urban Meyer has announced the signing of 21 student-athletes to a national letter of intent to attend Bowling Green State University and play intercollegiate football for the Falcons.
Urban Meyer on the 2001 Recruiting Class:
"I thought it was very important that we expand our recruiting base. I think we did a good job of maintaining good relationships in the state of Ohio. However, I was pleased by the reception we received in areas such as Florida, Georgia and Maryland where there also is an abundance of quality football players."
"I place a premium on the skill positions. I hope we can have a competitive situation, year in and year out for playing time. Competition and depth sustain a program and that is our top priority."
"Everyone in the community and on campus has been extremely helpful in selling the positive aspects of our football program. I think it was very easy to see the type of family atmosphere that exists at Bowling Green State University. I thought many of the young men came away feeling that the success they experience personally and as a student-athlete is very important to a number of people."
"I like the fact that so many of these kids come from successful high school programs."
"Our assistants did a great job of selling the University and what our program is all about. There is a tremendous amount of cohesiveness within our staff and a strong commitment to family. I think the personality of our coaching staff really helped us throughout the recruiting process."
BGSU Football Signees
| Ronald Bailey | RB | 5-9 | 185 | East Cleveland | Ohio/Shaw HS |
| Darius Blackmon | LB | 6-1 | 210 | Detroit | Michigan/Pershing HS |
| Jamal Bryant | DL | 6-1 | 250 | Olmsted Falls | Ohio/Olmsted Falls HS |
| Marlon Burt | RB | 5-11 | 195 | Southfield | Michigan/Birmingham Groves HS |
| T.J. Carswell | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Irwinton | Georgia/Wilkinson County HS |
| Mitchell Crossley | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Springfield | Ohio/Springfield South HS |
| Mike Crumpler | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Mitchellville | Maryland/Roosevelt HS |
| Jonathan Culp | TE | 6-6 | 245 | Mason | Ohio/Mason HS |
| Nate Fry | K | 5-10 | 200 | Findlay | Ohio/Findlay HS |
| James Hawkins | WR | 6-1 | 215 | Brookpark | Ohio/Midpark HS |
| B.J. Lane | RB | 5-10 | 195 | Fort Washington | Maryland/Friendly HS |
| Derrick Lett | DB/WR | 6-0 | 171 | Pensacola | Florida/Escambia HS |
| Cole Magner | QB/WR | 6-2 | 180 | Palmer | Alaska/Colony HS |
| Cornelius McGrady (Soph.) | WR | 6-3 | 194 | Reynoldsburg | Ohio/Reynoldsburg HS |
| Keon Newson | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Decatur | Georgia/Columbia HS |
| John Nicholson | WR | 5-9 | 170 | Bolingbrook | Illinois/Bolingbrook HS |
| Daniel Sayles | LB | 5-11 | 185 | Warner Robins | Georgia/Northside HS |
| Charles Sharon | WR | 6-1 | 165 | Palatka | Florida/Palatka HS |
| Mike Thaler | DL | 6-1 | 290 | Cincinnati | Ohio/LaSalle HS |
| Jeff Wailand | OL | 6-8 | 310 | Bradenton | Florida/Manatee HS |
| Rob Warren | OL | 6-6 | 265 | Mentor | Ohio/Mentor HS |
all student-athletes will be freshmen at BGSU in the fall of 2001 unless noted
Biographical sketches for each of the 21 signees follow...
Ronald Bailey, RB, 5-9, 185, E. Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw HS
High School: Will graduate from Shaw High School in East Cleveland...rushed for 1,513 yards and had 25 TDs as a senior...boasted five single-game rushing efforts of 200-yards or more as a senior...also had 507 yards receiving and five interceptions ...named All-State, All-League, All-District, Cleveland Plain Dealer Best of the Best and an ESPN All-American ...helped team to a 7-3 record ...finished as his school's all-time leading career rusher with more than 4,000 yards ...notched 35 career TDs and 13 interceptions ...lettered in football, basketball and track...played for Coach Delvin Culliver. Personal: Would like to major in education (mathematics)...born January 12, 1982...son of Ronald Bailey and Levora Jones...full name is Ronald De'Andre Bailey.
Darius Blackmon, LB, 6-1, 210, Detroit, Michigan/Pershing HS
High School: Will graduate from Pershing High School in Detroit... a defensive captain who had 92 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one safety...team advanced to the state playoffs...had 197 tackles during his career...squatted 225 pounds, 85 times...lettered in football and track...coached by John Hunter. Personal: Would like to be a photographer and enjoys drawing...born October 26, 1983...son of Darius and Patricia Blackmon.
Jamal Bryant, DL, 6-1, 250, Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls HS
High School: Will graduate from Olmsted Falls (Ohio) High School...an All-State performer...selected to play in the Big 33 and North/South Game...named All-District, All-Conference, All-Lorain County, All-Plain Dealer and All-Cuyahoga County...helped team to a state and conference championship...lettered in football, wrestling and track...coached by Jim Ryan. Personal: Would like to study psychology...born May 24, 1983...guardian is Mike Howard and mother is Zata Bryant...full name is Jamal Carlos Bryant.
Marlon Burt, RB, 5-11, 195, Southfield, Michigan/Birmingham Groves HS
High School: Will graduate from Birmingham Groves High School in Beverly Hills, Michigan...rushed for 975 yards...averaged 9.75 yards per carry...also had 74 tackles, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two caused fumbles...named All-State and earned Blue Chip status...helped team to two league titles...rushed for 1,708 yards in his career...also had 149 tackles, 18 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries... once had four interceptions in a game...scored 44 points in one game...lettered in football and basketball...coached by Jim MacDougall. Personal: Boasts a 3.1 GPA...born December 16, 1982...son of Arthur and Lavon Burt...full name is Marlon Arthur Burt.
T.J. Carswell, DB, 6-1, 185, Irwinton, Georgia/Wilkinson County HS
High School: Will graduate from Wilkinson County High School in Irwinton, Georgia...had 66 tackles and two interceptions...returned one pick for a 70-yard TD...also rushed for 342 yards averaging nearly seven yards per carry...also returned punts...a team captain and first-team All-Region performer...helped team to two region championships...had 214 tackles and nine interceptions in his career...lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track...coached by James Hagins...helped the Warriors basketball team to a 1999 state title. Personal: Would like to major in business management...born October 26, 1982...son of Charles and Angela Carswell...full name is Terius Jerrell Carswell.
Mitchell Crossley, DE, 6-3, 230, Springfield, Ohio/Springfield South HS
High School: Will graduate from Springfield South High School in Springfield, Ohio...was the Division II Player of the Year...had 124 tackles, including 67 solo and 57 assists...had 19 sacks and 29 tackles for a loss...had 45 hurries, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ...helped the Wildcats to their first ever playoff victory...named All-Area and Southwest District Player of the Year...named first-team All-Ohio, All-Clark County and All-Western Ohio League...will play in the Big 33 game...lettered in football and basketball...coached by Anthony Broering. Personal: Born March 16, 1982...son of Arthur Crossley II and Marcia Crossley...full name is Mitchell Leon Crossley.
Mike Crumpler, DB, 5-11, 180, Mitchellville, Maryland/Roosevelt HS
High School: Will graduate from Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland...had 86 tackles, three tackles and five forced fumbles...led his team with three interceptions...an All-Gazette and All-Prince George County selection...named a Top 100 Player in Maryland...as a junior, he had a 65-yard TD run, an interception, nine tackles and two pass break-ups against Good Counsel...coached by Rick Houchens. Personal: An honor roll student...would like to study business management...born March 22, 1983... son of Alfred and Marlene Crumpler...full name is Michael Joseph Crumpler.
Jonathan Culp, TE, 6-6, 245, Mason, Ohio/Mason HS
High School: Will graduate from Mason (Ohio) High School...was named his team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman...an All-Area, All-Conference and East-West All-Star selection...received the Archie Griffin Award...helped his team become the first-ever, first-year Division I school to earn a playoff berth...lettered in football and basketball...coached by Tim Lichtenberg. Personal: Has above a 4-point GPA...ranked 16th in his class...will study communications...born August 28, 1982...son of Tom Culp and Dona Culp...full name is Jonathan Thomas Culp.
Nate Fry, K, 5-10, 200, Findlay, Ohio/Findlay HS
High School: Will graduate from Findlay (Ohio) High School...made a school-record 11 of 18 field goals and 16 of 19 PATs...twice made a career-high 48-yard field goal...made all of his attempts inside the 40-yard line...also averaged 40.5 yards per punt...A first-team All-Ohio selection...will play in the North/South and Big 33 All-Star games...named first-team All-Northwest Ohio and All-Great Lakes League...made three field goals against Elida...had punts of 68 and 70 yards against Dublin Coffman...lettered in football and baseball...coached by Cliff Hite. Personal: Academics was a big factor in his choice to come to BGSU...will major in education...born December 8, 1982...son of Bob and Cindy Fry...full name is Nathaniel Adam Fry.
James Hawkins, WR, 6-1, 215, Brookpark, Ohio/Midpark HS
High School: Will graduate from Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights, Ohio...team captain who caught 33 passes for 413 yards and 4 TD's...also rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries...returned one punt for 60 yards and a TD...a first-team All-Pioneer Conference pick...named to the Cleveland Plain Dealer All-Dream Team...lettered in football and basketball...coached by Pat Murphy. Personal: Will study business...born December 19, 1982...son of John and Debra Hawkins...full name is James M Hawkins.
B.J. Lane, RB, 5-10, 195, Fort Washington, Maryland/Friendly HS
High School: Will graduate from Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Maryland...rushed for 1,614 yards and 16 TDs...had 256 rushing yards and three TDs in one game...team MVP...All-Prince George County Running Back of the Year...an All-Metro running back ...played in the Prince George County All-Star Game...had 2,517 career rushing yards and 27 TDs...coached by George Earley. Personal: A Scholar Student-Athlete who has appeared on five consecutive honor rolls...born May 5, 1983...son of William Lane, Sr., and Linda Ellis...full name is William Elliott Lane.
Derrick Lett, WR, 6-0, 171, Pensacola, Florida/Escambia HS
High School: Will graduate from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida...an All-State Second-Team and All-District First-Team pick...a two-time player of the week who was listed among Florida's Top-25 defensive backs in the preseason...a First-Team All-State selection in track...runs the 40 in 4.4...coached by Ronnie Gilliland. Personal: Has earned Scholar-Athlete honors...born July 27, 1983...plans to major in international business at BGSU...member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes...son of Lisa Lett.
Cole Magner, QB/WR, 6-2, 180, Palmer, Alaska/Colony HS
High School: Will graduate this spring from Colony High School in Palmer, Alaska...named Alaska Player of the Year after earning first-team All-State honors at quarterback and free safety..named Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year and a first-team All-State punt returner....completed 44 passes for 730 yards and seven TDs...also rushed for 835 yards and 17 TD's...picked off 11 passes on defense...led team to state title game...coached by Randy Magner. Personal: born November 11, 1982...son of Randy and Cynthia Magner... full name is Cole Brice Magner.
Cornelius McGrady, WR, 6-3, 194, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg HS
Currently attending BGSU. High School: A 2000 graduate from Reynoldsburg (Ohio) High School...an outstanding athlete who was a team captain in football...had 34 receptions for 568 yards and 11 TDs as a senior...had 15 punt returns for 199 yards (13.3 avg.) and a TD that year...also returned 14 kickoffs for 335 yards (23.9 avg.)...on defense, had four interceptions...lettered in football, basketball and track...coached by Tony Pusateri....was a state track qualifier...holds the school record in the 300 hurdles. Personal: Born February 11, 1980...son of Cornelius and Connie McGrady.
Keon Newson, DB, 6-0, 170, Decatur, Georgia/Columbia HS
High School: Will graduate from Columbia High School in Decatur, Georgia...a Super 11 selection and defensive player of the year...had a career-best 10 tackles, two interceptions and a TD against Clarkson High School...lettered in football, basketball and track...coached by Dave Edwards. Personal: a member of the honor roll...would like to major in finance...born September 10, 1982...son of Lewis and Lunell Newson...full name is Keon Dontae Newson.
John Nicholson, WR, 5-9, 170, Bolingbrook, Illinois/Bolingbrook HS
High School: Will graduate from Bolingbrook (Ill.) High School...scored 13 TDs for the Raiders...caught seven TD passes, had three rushing TDs and returned three punts for scores... named his Area's Athlete of the Year in 1999...helped his team to a state quarterfinal berth...a two-time All-Conference pick...once had 4TDs in a game and three interceptions in another contest...lettered in football, basketball and track...coached by Phil Acton. Personal: An Academic All-State performer...would like to study management information systems...an active leader and mentor in his community...born April 13, 1983...son of Vanessa Nicholson...full name is John Ross Nicholson.
Daniel Sayles, LB, 5-11, 185, Warner Robins, Georgia/Northside HS
High School: Will graduate from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia...had 68 tackles and six sacks as a senior...had 15 tackles for a loss and two pass deflections...team MVP...named All-State and All-Houston County...also earned All-Middle Georgia and All-Region recognition...team captain...also rushed for 156 yards in one game...helped his team to four playoff appearances...lettered in football, track and wrestling...coached by Conrad Nix. Personal: A scholar-athlete and the vice-president of his school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes...mentors elementary school students...wants to study aeronautical engineering...born March 7, 1983...son of Robert Lee and Beverly Ann Sayles...full name is Daniel Sherard Sayles.
Charles Sharon, WR, 6-1, 165, Palatka, Florida/Palatka HS
High School: Will graduate from Palatka (Fla.) High School...caught 25 passes for 600 yards... a second-team All-State selection...helped his team to an 11-3 record and a berth in the state semifinals...lettered in football, basketball and track...coached by Jim McCool...set a school-record in the triple jump at 47-7. Personal: Chose BG because of academics...wants to be a computer engineer...volunteers at his church...born April 4, 1983...son of Charles Sharon and Melissa Victory...full name is Charles Dunbar Sharon.
Mike Thaler, DL, 6-1, 290, Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle HS
High School: Will graduate from LaSalle High School in Cincinnati...had 55 tackles including 25 solo and 12 for a loss...a first-team All-League selection and second-team All-Southwest Ohio...earned All-League honors three times in his career and All-Southwest honors twice...once had 11 tackles in a game...captured the Lancer Award...earned team's Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP awards once each during the season...started three seasons and had 30 career sacks and 180 tackles...lettered in football and track...coached by Jim McQuaide. Personal: A member of the National Honor Society...has made his school's honor roll 14 times...wants to major in business...born January 12, 1983...son of Thomas Thaler and Barbara Baker...full name is Michael William Thaler.
Jeff Wailand, OL, 6-8, 310, Bradenton, Florida/Manatee HS
High School: Will graduate from Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida...an All-State and All-Area performer for the Hurricanes...will play in the Florida/Georgia All-Star Game...helped team to the regional finals...lettered in football, basketball, baseball and wrestling...an All-Area heavyweight in wrestling...coached by Joe Kinnan. Personal: Would like to major in education or sports management...earned a local Bright Futures Scholarship...born December 27, 1982...son of Tom and Beth Wailand...full name is Jeffrey Schreier Wailand.
Rob Warren, OL, 6-6, 265, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor HS
High School: Will graduate from Mentor (Ohio) High School...an All-Ohio selection...first-team All-Northeast Ohio, Lake County and All-League pick...named his team's Most Outstanding Lineman...picked to play in the North/South All-Star game...had 56 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and three sacks...had more than 120 career tackles...earned first team All-County and All-News Herald as a junior...lettered in track and football for the Cardinals...coached by Steve Trivisonno. Personal: An honors student...would like to teach...born November 3, 1982...son of Robert Warren and Cindy Warren...full name is Robert Joseph Warren.
