Hurricanes Add D.J. Williams To Football Recruiting Class

Feb. 9, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Hurricanes received aNational Letter of Intent from linebacker D.J. Williams to attend UM.

“We are thrilled to death to have D.J. Williams as a MiamiHurricane,” said University of Miami Head Football Coach Butch Davis. “Itwas a culmination of a great recruiting effort by our staff. D.J. isexcited to be a Hurricane and his family is thrilled that he has joined theHurricane family. Undoubtedly, people will recognize that D.J. is afabulous athlete. But people will also recognize that he is equallyimpressive as a student and as a young man that comes from a great family.D.J. Williams adds to an already outstanding class of signees that will helpcontinue in the rebuilding of our program.”

With the signing of Williams, Davis also announced that theUniversity of Miami will not pursue the letter of intent signed by JonathanColon and will allow the letter to become null and void.

D.J. Williams
LB, 6-2, 235
Concord, CA/De La Salle

USA Today Defensive Player of the Year…regarded as the top defensiveplayer nationally…rated the top player in the nation by SuperPrep, as wellas the No. 1 prospect on the Far West Team…listed as the NationalDefensive MVP, Western Region MVP and No. 1 linebacker on Prep Star’s 1999Top 100 Dream Team…a SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 1 linebackernationally…listed as one of the Magnificent Seven prospects nationally byrecruiting analyst Max Emfinger…named to the Dallas Morning News NationalTop 100…guided his team to another state championship…continued hisschool’s winning streak that now sits at 100 games, which happens to be anational record…had 123 tackles and rushed for 1,974 yards…final 12 gamestatistics read 88 solo tackles, six sacks, four fumbles caused, threefumbles recovered…timed at 4.45 in the 40…also tied the school recordfor touchdowns in a season with 38 (30 rushing, 6 receiving, one punt returnand one fumble return)…chose the Hurricanes over Florida State,California, Texas and Michigan.

2000 Football Signees (Updated 2/9/00)

Geographical Breakdown:
Florida – 14, Texas – 3, California – 2, Minnesota – 1, Pennsylvania – 1

Kyle Cobia
ATH, 6-2, 220
Lakeland, FL/Lakeland HS

Versatile athlete who has played wide receiver, tight end, and fullback…one of the state’s top pure fullbacks…excels as a lead blocker for thetailback…played a lot at tight end during his senior season…also theteam’s punter…recorded 20 catches for 389 yards and seventouchdowns…listed as the No. 77 overall prospect in Florida bySuperPrep…selected first-team All-County and second-team All-State as atight end…played for Team Florida in 2000 Florida/Georgia All-StarGame…timed at 4.65 in the 40… gained 408 yards receiving in his finalseason…assisted team to a 45-12 win over Rutherford for the 1999 Class 5AState Championship…team complied record of 61-2 over his fouryears…four-sport letterwinner earning letters in football, baseball,soccer and track…chose Miami over Florida, Duke, Georgia Tech, andMichigan.

Derrick Crudup
QB/ATH, 6-0, 185
Deerfield Beach, FL/Deerfield Beach HS

A SuperPrep All-American…rated the No. 5 Athlete in the Southeast byPrepStar…listed as the No. 31 overall prospect in Florida bySuperPrep…USA TodayHonorable Mention All-American…named to the Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSuper Southern 100…listed as one of the South’s top players by recruitinganalyst Bill Buchalter of the Orlando Sentinel…named the No. 1 athlete inFlorida on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…named first-teamAll-South by Border Wars…named to the Sun Sentinel Class 4A-5-6AAll-Broward County Second-Team…second-team All-State selection…anAll-Broward Third-Team selection as a junior…listed among the top athleticpassing quarterbacks nationally by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…aversatile player…can excel at a number of positions on either side of theball… threw for over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior…completed75 percent of his passes a junior and 60 percent as a senior…over twoyears as starting quarterback was 161-240 for 2,508 passing yards, 35passing touchdowns and eight rushing TDs…accounted for over 4,000 totalyards in his final two seasons…team went 17-3 in two seasons as startingQB…timed at 4.65 in the 40… father, Derrick, played for the Los AngelesRaiders (1989-91)…chose Miami over Auburn, Georgia, West Virginia andLouisiana State

Willie Dixon
WR, 5-11, 182
Stockton, CA/Brookside Christian

Regarded as one of the top receivers in the nation…rated the No. 5 widereceiver in the nation by recruiting analyst Bobby Burton…listed as theNo. 8 wide receiver on Prep Star’s 1999 Top 100 Dream Team…rated the No. 2wide receiver and the No. 16 overall prospect in the Western Region by PrepStar…a SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 25 wide receivernationally…rated the No. 26 overall prospect in the Farwest Region bySuperPrep…USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…listed as the topslot receiver nationally by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…timed at 4.3in the 40 at the NIKE camp during the summer…ran a sub-10.3 in the100-meters…as a senior, caught 56 passes for 1,500 yards and 13touchdowns…as a junior, caught 62 passes for 1,422 yards and 18touchdowns…chose Miami over Michigan, Southern Cal, Arizona, UCLA andOregon.

Mark Gent
K, 6-1, 205
Ft. Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas

Regarded as the state’s top kicker…named Class 4A-5A-6A All-Broward CountyFirst-Team Offense by Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald as a senior…first-teamAll-State selection for Class 4A in 1999…member of the Broward CountyAll-Star team…named second-team All-County as a junior…as a senior,connected on 22 of 26 field goals with a long of 49 yards…also converted53 of 56 PAT kicks…timed at 4.8 in the 40…also recorded touchbacks on 60percent of his kickoffs…over career was 29-35 on field goals and 96-100 onextra points…had game winning field goals against McArthur (31-28) in the1999 regular season and state-powerhouse Bradenton Southeast (23-20) in theClass 4A state semifinals…provided the difference in a 38-35 win overPensacola Escambia in the Class 4A State Championship…assisted team to theClass 4A State Championship as a senior…four-year letterwinner for varsitysoccer team that won state and national championships in 1997 and1998…chose UM over Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Louisville.

Cornelius Green
DE, 6-4, 245
Kilgore, TX/Kilgore JC

A 1999 First Team All-Southwest JC Football Conference selection…rated theNo. 45 overall JUCO prospect nationally by SuperPrep…rated a National BlueChip All-American by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…registered 84 tacklesand 12 sacks last season as a sophomore at Kilgore JuniorCollege…first-team All-Conference selection…pre-season JUCOAll-American…attended Aldine High School in Houston, TX…timed at 4.6 inthe 40…chose the Hurricanes over Washington, Syracuse, Houston and KansasState.

Carlos Joseph
DL, 6-6, 303
Miami, FL/Edison HS

Regarded as one of the top offensive linemen nationally…a SuperPrepAll-American, rated the No. 2 offensive lineman nationally…rated the No.16 overall prospect nationally by SuperPrep, as well as No. 2 prospect inFlorida…very strong with a 400-pound bench press…listed as the No. 10offensive lineman on Prep Star’s 1999 Top 100 Dream Team…also listed asthe No. 4 offensive lineman and the No. 16 overall prospect in the SoutheastRegion by Prep Star…USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…a MiamiHerald Class 6A-5A All-Dade First-Team selection…named to the AtlantaJournal-Constitution Super Southern 100…named to the Dallas Morning NewsNational Top 100…named the No. 1 defensive tackle in Florida on theFlorida Times-Union Super 75 list…listed as a National Blue ChipAll-American offensive tackle by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…timed at5.0 in the 40…chose the Hurricanes over Florida, Florida State, Tennesseeand Kentucky…can also play on the defensive side…compared to currentHurricane and former South Florida top offensive lineman from NorthwesternVernon Carey…had 27 pancake blocks as a senior and graded better than 90percent for the season.

Alfonso Marshall
WR/DB, 6-1, 180
Clewiston, FL/Clewiston HS

One of the state’s most dangerous wide receivers…has game-breaking speedand ability…as a senior, in a run-oriented offense, had 15 receptions for315 yards and five touchdowns…recorded 234 yards and two touchdowns as ajunior…can also play on defense where he registered 71 tackles and twointerceptions during his junior season…first-team All-Stateselection…played in the Florida/Georgia All-Star game…timed at 4.42 inthe 40…crowned state champion in the 200 and 400meters…chose theHurricanes over Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Michigan State

Darrell McClover
ATH, 6-2, 215
Coconut Creek, FL/Coconut Creek HS

Fast, physical defensive end…turned heads with very fast 40 times…timedat 4.35 in the 40…has the combination of size and speed…recorded 72tackles as a senior…as a junior, blocked three punts, two resulting intouchdowns, and made 108 tackles in leading his team to the districttitle…named an All-Broward County Third-Team pick following juniorseason…rated the No. 73 overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…namedto Class 4A-5A-6A All-Broward County Second Team and second-team All-Stateby the Sun Sentinel …chose Miami over Syracuse, Boston College, Floridaand Kansas.

Jared McClure
RB/DB, 6-1, 195
Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff HS

Listed as the No. 9 running back in the East Region by Prep Star…selectedto All-East Region first-team…first-team selection by EasternJournal…selected to play in the Big-33 game which pits the top-33 playersfrom Pennsylvania and Ohio…Most Valuable Player of the Mid-Penn All-Stargame…first-team All-Conference selection…registered over 1,200 rushingyards and 21 touchdowns…also recorded six interceptions…excellentspecial teams performer who excelled at returning punts and kickoffs…notedfor great vision, speed, athleticism and agility…rushed for over 2,000career yards and 30 touchdowns…had a vertical leap of 33 inches…chosethe Hurricanes over Notre Dame, Virginia, Ohio State and Michigan…listedamong the top strong safeties nationally by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger

Willis McGahee
RB, 6-1, 215
Miami, FL/Central HS

Regarded as one of the top running backs in the nation and No. 1 inFlorida…listed as the No. 6 running back on Prep Star’s 1999 Top 100 DreamTeam and the No. 10 overall prospect in the Southeast Region…a SuperPrepAll-American, rated the No. 5 running back nationally…rated the No. 11overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…USA Today Honorable MentionAll-American…named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern100…named to the Dallas Morning News National Top 100…listed as one ofthe South’s top players by recruiting analyst Bill Buchalter of the OrlandoSentinel…named the No. 1 tailback in Florida on the Florida Times-UnionSuper 75 list…a Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-Dade selection …listedamong the cr?me de la creme I-backs nationally by recruiting analyst MaxEmfinger…reminds many of current Hurricane and Central graduate NajehDavenport…played just five games during hissenior season due to a knee injury…in those five games, rushed for 677yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 77 carries…averaged more than eightyards per carry as a junior…chose Miami over Florida. Florida State, OhioState, Alabama and LSU.

Chris Myers
OL, 6-5, 260
Miami, FL/Palmetto HS

Rated the No. 47 overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…a tall, rangyprospect who has excellent strength and skills as a pass blocker…timed at5.0 in the 40… a Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-Dade First-Teamselection…All-State selection…listed as one of Florida’s top players byrecruiting analyst Bill Buchalter of the Orlando Sentinel…named the No. 6offensive lineman in Florida on the Florida Times-Union Super 75list…listed among the top offensive linemen nationally by recruitinganalyst Max Emfinger… chose UM over North Carolina and Florida State.

T.J. Prunty
QB, 6-3, 205
St. Paul, MN/St. Paul Academy

A SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 18 quarterback nationally…listedas the No. 27 overall prospect in the Midwest Region by SuperPrep…ratedamong the top defensive backs in the Midwest Region by Prep Star…listedamong the top athletic passing quarterbacks nationally by recruiting analystMax Emfinger…timed at 4.5 in the 40…highly recruited as a baseballplayer as well…a three-year starter at quarterback who passed for morethan 5,000 career yards…as a senior passed for 2,200 yards and 17touchdowns with only five interceptions…rushed for 58 yards and 12touchdowns as a senior…also served as team’s punter averaging 41 yards perpunt…chose Miami over Nebraska, Minnesota and Michigan State.

Willie Roberts
TE, 6-7, 235
Miami, FL/Southridge HS

Regarded as one of the top tight ends nationally…a SuperPrep All-American,rated the No. 10 tight end nationally…an All-Southeast selection by PrepStar, listed as the No. 1 tight end and No. 30 overall prospect in theregion…rated the No. 16 overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…USAToday Honorable Mention All-American…a Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-DadeFirst-Team selection…named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution SuperSouthern 100…named the No. 1 tight end in Florida on the FloridaTimes-Union Super 75 list…listed as a National Blue Chip Top 100 tight endby recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…made 33 catches as a senior and 25 as ajunior, for 10 touchdowns in each season…assisted team to the statechampionship game against Tallahassee Lincoln …timed at 4.65 in the40…chose Miami over Ohio State, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee andAlabama.

Joel Rodriguez
OL, 6-3, 275
Miami, FL/Monsignor Pace

Named No. 1 ranked center and fifth-best offensive lineman by Florida PrepFootball…rated the No. 87 overall Offensive Lineman prospect byrivals.com…named the No. 2 center in Florida on the Florida Times-UnionSuper 75 list…first-team All-Dade County by the Miami Herald…first-teamAll-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association…first-teamAll-District…played in Nike Dade vs. Broward All-Star game…played someon the varsity team during his freshman year…was only three-year starteron team…possesses an excellent combination of strength andquickness…carries a tremendous work ethic, and is very intelligent…alsospent time playing at defensive tackle…also earned letters in wresting andbasketball.

John Square
DE, 6-5, 215
Houston, TX/Yates HS

Noted for his pass rushing skills…named to the 2000 SuperPrep SouthwestTeam…rated the No. 66 prospect in Texas by SuperPrep…selected to theHouston Chronicle Top 100 and District 17-5A First-Team Defense…named tothe Austin American-Statesman’s 2000 Fab 55…an All-Greater Houstonsecond-team selection…timed at 4.50 in the 40…registered 172 tackles, 21sacks, 54 tackles-for-loss and 12 fumble recoveries over three-year highschool career…recorded 67 tackles and eight sacks as asenior…All-District selection in basketball…three-year letterwinner intrack and field competing in 4×400-meter relay, 400-meter dash and highjump…member of school’s honor society…ranks in top ten percent of classacademically…chose the Hurricanes over Colorado State, Texas A&M,Tennessee, Kansas State and Louisiana State.

Jonathan Vilma
LB, 6-2, 215
Coral Gables, FL/Coral Gables HS

Listed as the No. 83 overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…timed at 4.5in the 40…showed good instincts as a pass rusher with 11 sacks and 138tackles as a senior…set school record with 109 solo tackles as asenior…a Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-Dade First-Team selection …rankedsixth-best overall player in Dade County and 20th-best player in the stateof Florida by Miami Herald…named the No. 4 outside linebacker in Floridaon the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…regarded as one of the nation’stop-60 players in the nation by Florida Prep Football…three-yearletterwinner and two-year team captain in football…two-year letterwinnerin basketball…chose the Hurricanes over Florida State, Florida, Pittsburghand Iowa.

Carl Walker
DB, 6-3, 190
Jacksonville, FL/Jackson HS

Regarded as one of the top defensive backs nationally…ParadeAll-American…USA Today Second-Team All-American…listed as the No. 7defensive back on Prep Star’s 1999 Top 100 Dream Team…also listed as theNo. 4 defensive back and the No. 25 overall prospect in the Southeast Regionby Prep Star…a SuperPrep All-American…rated the No. 27 overall prospectin Florida by SuperPrep…named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution SuperSouthern 100…named the No. 1 strong safety in Florida on the FloridaTimes-Union Super 75 list…listed as a National Blue Chip Top 100 prospectby recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…first-team All-State selection…timedat 4.5 in the 40…recorded 72 tackles, blocked seven punts and caused fivefumbles during his senior year… registered 135 tackles, eight forcedfumbles, and eight fumble recoveries over career…also caught 10 passes for211 yards and three TDs in career…exceptional special teams performer whoblocked 12 kicks over career…chose the Hurricanes over Florida State,Georgia, Tennessee and Missouri.

Vince Wilfork
DT, 6-2, 310
Lantana, FL/Santaluces HS

Regarded as one of Florida’s top three defensive linemen…USA TodaySecond-Team All-American…a SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 10defensive lineman nationally…rated the No. 10 defensive lineman in theSoutheast Region by Prep Star…listed as the No. 7 overall prospect inFlorida by SuperPrep…named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution SuperSouthern 100…named to the Dallas Morning News National Top 100…listed asone of the South’s top players by recruiting analyst Bill Buchalter of theOrlando Sentinel…named the No. 2 defensive tackle in Florida on theFlorida Times-Union Super 75 list…listed as a National Blue ChipAll-American nose tackle by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger…timed at 5.2in the 40…regarded as a strong run-stopper…made 88 tackles as a junior,while being double-teamed…finished his senior season with 72 tackles, with11 sacks…chose Miami over Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Michigan andKansas State.

David Williams
TE, 6-3, 230
Miami, FL/Northwestern HS

A Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-Dade Second-Team selection…chose theHurricanes over Iowa and Florida State…talented and versatile tight endprospect…big frame with lots of speed…recorded over 20 receptions as asenior and a handful of touchdowns…timed at a 4.63 in the 40.

D.J. Williams
LB, 6-2, 235
Concord, CA/De La Salle

USA Today Defensive Player of the Year…regarded as the top defensiveplayer nationally…rated the top player in the nation by SuperPrep, as wellas the No. 1 prospect on the Far West Team…listed as the NationalDefensive MVP, Western Region MVP and No. 1 linebacker on Prep Star’s 1999Top 100 Dream Team…a SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 1 linebackernationally…listed as one of the Magnificent Seven prospects nationally byrecruiting analyst Max Emfinger…named to the Dallas Morning News NationalTop 100…guided his team to another state championship…continued hisschool’s winning streak that now sits at 100 games, which happens to be anational record…had 123 tackles and rushed for 1,974 yards…final 12 gamestatistics read 88 solo tackles, six sacks, four fumbles caused, threefumbles recovered…timed at 4.45 in the 40…also tied the school recordfor touchdowns in a season with 38 (30 rushing, 6 receiving, one punt returnand one fumble return)…chose the Hurricanes over Florida State,California, Texas and Michigan.

Alton Wright
DL, 6-5, 235
Houston, TX/Jones HS

Has great size, speed, quickness and athletic ability…registered 95tackles, 20 sacks, six forced fumbles, and three blocked field goals as asenior…had 130 tackles, 36 sacks as a junior…totaled 285 tackles, 66sacks, 14 forced fumbles, three blocked field goals over three-yearcareer…named the No. 76 overall prospect in Texas by SuperPrep…USA TodayHonorable Mention All-America…named the No. 2 defensive lineman on TexasFootball Magazine’s Top 300 list, as well as a Super 24 Teammember…selected to the Houston Chronicle Top 100 and District 22-4AFirst-Team Defense…three-year first-team All-District and two-yearfirst-team All-State selection…two-time District Most ValuablePlayer…named to the Dallas Morning News State Top 100…timed at 4.5 inthe 40…chose Miami over Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas and LSU.