University Of Miami Football Signees Announced

Feb. 7, 2001

Coach Larry Coker’s comments on the Hurricanes’ 2001 signees.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami headfootball coach Larry Coker announced the Hurricanes’ 2001 signees.Twenty student-athletes signed letters of intent to play football atUM on Wednesday.

“This is an exceptional class of recruits and is a group that we takeparticular pride in,” said Coker. “In addition to being the first classof signees during my tenure as head coach, these kids stuck with usthroughout the recruiting process. In light of the coaching change wewent through, it is a tribute to the efforts of our coaches and theattitude of these student-athletes that we ended up with such a fineclass. Our coaching staff is excited about the prospect of working withthese players in the future.”

The Hurricanes signed 10 players from the state of Florida in ageographically diverse class that included signees from seven U.S. statesand Canada. Three players from Texas, two from New York and a player eachfrom California, New Jersey, Delaware and South Carolina signed on to theHurricanes football squad. The group includes two Parade All-Americansand nine SuperPrep All-Americans.

2001 University of Miami Hurricanes Football Signees

Geographic Breakdown
Florida – 10, Texas – 3, New York – 2, New Jersey – 1, California – 1,Delaware – 1, Canada – 1, South Carolina – 1

Position Breakdown
DL – 4, OL – 4, DB – 4, LB – 2, RB – 2, TE- 2, QB – 1, WR- 1.

Player Biographies

Robert Bergman
OL, 6-5, 275
Bakersfield, California/Bakersfield HS
One of the top offensive line prospects on the Pacific Coast…Was astarter from his sophomore year in high school, starting the final 37games of his prep career…A two-time All-State selection who graded atbetter than 90 percent (91% as a junior, 97% as a senior) as a blockerover his last two seasons…Also punted in high school, averaging 44.9yards per attempt as a senior, 39.8 yards per punt as a junior…Recorded58 “pancake” blocks as a senior (blocks where the opponent was knocked onhis back)…An outstanding two-sport (football/baseball) athlete whoexcels as a pitcher (91 mph fastball) and an offensive lineman…Helpedlead his team to a 12-1 record in his senior season…Has excellentfootwork and is exceptionally athletic…Plans to play both baseball andfootball at Miami…Is an excellent student with a 3.26 grade-pointaverage…Rated the 19th best offensive line prospect in the nation bySuperPrep…listed as the No. 51 overall prospect in California bySuperPrep…chose Miami over Michigan State, Washington, Ohio State andOregon State…Coached by Tim Hartnett at Bakersfield High.

Randy Boxill
OL, 6-5, 300
Lantana, Florida/Santaluces HS
Was a standout guard on the offensive line, in addition to being anexcellent defensive tackle…Has a combination of size, quickness andstrength that is rare on the high school level…Listed as the No. 1 guardon the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…Assisted his team to a 10-2record and a trip to the second round of the Class 6A Playoffs…Joinsformer Santaluces teammate Vince Wilfork on the Hurricanes…Has beentimed at 4.9 in the 40…Had 54 tackles, 12 tackles for losses and sixquarterback sacks in 1999 as a junior…Was the first verbal commitment ofthis Miami recruiting class, having been a lifelong fan of theHurricanes…Showed superior physical strength over most of his highschool opponents…Rated the No. 68 prospect overall in Florida bySuperPrep…Chose Miami over Florida State, Florida, Georgia andAlabama…Coached by Ray Berger at Santaluces High.

Rashad Butler
OL, 6-5, 290
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida/Dwyer HS
A consensus pick as one of the top five linemen in the state ofFlorida…Is projected as a tackle or guard in college…Has exceptionalfootwork and helped lead his team to the Florida Class 5A StateFinals…Has an impressive first step, allowing him to consistently defeatopposing linemen… Listed as the No. 4 tackle on the Florida Times-UnionSuper 75 list…Listed as the No. 22 overall player in Florida by theGainesville Sun…Possesses uncommon agility for a player of his size…ASuperPrep All-American…Rated the No. 26 offensive lineman in the nationby SuperPrep…Rated the No. 12 prospect overall in Florida bySuperPrep…A lifelong Hurricanes fan who chose Miami over Ohio State,Michigan, South Carolina, Nebraska, Florida and Virginia…Coached by JackDaniels at Dwyer High.

Thomas Carroll
DE, 6-5, 220
Lakewood, New Jersey/Lakewood HS
Has outstanding athleticism, starring in both basketball andfootball…Widely considered the top defensive line prospect in the stateof New Jersey…Led his team to an 8-2 record and a playoff berth, thebest season by Lakewood High in many years…Played extensively as a tightend in high school, showing ability as a receiver to go with hisoutstanding blocking skills…Led Lakewood to its first conference titlein 2000, catching 20 passes for 292 yards (14.6 avg.) and onetouchdown…At defensive end, he recorded 117 tackles, 27 tackles forlosses, and had 18 quarterback sacks during his senior season…Alsoblocked three kicks in 2000…Had more than 100 tackles and 12 quarterbacksacks as a junior in 1999…Was an outstanding blocker on offense, gradingout at 91 percent for the season…Has been timed at 4.7 in the 40…Wearsa size 17 shoe…A SuperPrep All-American…Rated the No. 24 defensivelineman in the nation by SuperPrep…Rated the No. 6 prospect overall inNew Jersey by SuperPrep…Chose Miami over Boston College, Penn State,Ohio State and North Carolina State…Coached by Nick Eremita at LakewoodHigh.

Kevin Everett
ATH, 6-5, 235
Port Arthur, Texas/Thomas Jefferson HS
Is exceptionally quick and fast for a player of his size…Excelled as adefensive end and tight end during his prep career at one of Texas’s mosttradition-rich high school programs…Has been a two-year starter at bothdefensive end and tight end…Had more than 300 receiving yards each ofthe last two seasons…Posted 60 tackles and five quarterback sacks as ajunior in 1999… Earned all-state honors in Class 5A as a senior in 2000with 49 solo tackles, eight tackles for losses and six quarterbacksacks…Also forced six fumbles, garnered four fumble recoveries, andblocked one kick…Was a standout defender in one the talent-rich GoldenTriangle Area…Has been timed at 4.6 in the 40…Chose Miami over Texasand Colorado…Houston Chronicle Texas Top 100…The Dallas Morning NewsTexas Top 100…Texas Football Top 20 tight end…Rated the No. 28 overallprospect in Texas by SuperPrep…Rated the fourth-best defensive lineprospect in Texas by SuperPrep…Member of the Dallas Morning News StateTop 100…Coached by Al Celaya at Jefferson High.

Frank Gore
RB, 5-10, 190
Coral Gables, Florida/Coral Gables HS
One of the nation’s most heavily recruited and highly regarded runningbacks…Set a Dade County record for rushing yardage in a season in 2000with 2,953 yards and 34 touchdowns in his senior season…Rushed for 1,559yards and 28 touchdowns in 1999, in addition to 301 receiving yards andfour more TDs through the air…Showed outstanding strength and peripheralvision throughout his high school career…the No. 3 prospect in DadeCounty by the Miami Herald, as well as No. 4 in Florida and No. 18nationally…Listed as the No. 1 tailback on the Florida Times-Union Super75 list…Rated the No. 6 player in Florida by the Gainesville Sun…Is aninstinctive runner with exceptional power for a player of his size…Hasbeen time at 4.5 in the 40…A SuperPrep All-American…Rated the nation’sNo. 17 running back prospect by SuperPrep…Rated the No. 7 prospectoverall in Florida by SuperPrep…The top-rated running back in Florida bySuperPrep…Named to the BorderWars.com All-South Second Team…alsolisted as the No. 19 overall player in the South by BorderWars.com…ChoseMiami over Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Nebraska…Coachedby Joe Montoya at Coral Gables High.

Orien Harris
DE, 6-4, 280
Newark, Delaware/Newark HS
Rated the nation’s top defensive line prospect by The FootballNews…Named a High School All-American by The Football News…As asenior, was named Delaware’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Lineman of theYear and Defensive Player of the Year…A National Top 100 selection byThe Dallas Morning News…Recorded 130 tackles (95 solos, 35 assists), 9.5quarterback sacks and a whopping 70 tackles for losses as asenior…Career totals: 496 tackles (331 solos, 165 assists), 33quarterback sacks, 252 tackles for losses (51 percent of his total)…ASuperPrep All-American…Rated the No. 16 defensive line prospect in thenation by SuperPrep…Rated as the No. 3 defensive lineman in the nationby Rivals.com…Assisted his team to a 12-0 record as a senior and the2000 Division I State Championship…Rated the top overall prospect in thestate of Delaware by SuperPrep…Rated the No. 4 prospect overall,regardless of position, in the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, DC,Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and West Virginia) bySuperPrep…A solid student with a 3.28 grade-point average…brother ofStanford offensive lineman Quame Harris…Chose Miami over Tennessee,Florida State and UCLA…Coached by Butch Simpson at Newark High.

Quadtrine Hill
RB, 6-2, 210
Sunrise, Florida/Piper HS
A tough, straight-line runner with surprising speed, Hill follows in thetradition of former Miami tailbacks Edgerrin James and James Jackson as aplayer with a combination of size, power and speed…Rushed for 1,356yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2000, averaging more than sevenyards per carry…the No. 6 prospect in Broward County by the MiamiHerald, as well as No. 20 in the state…Has been timed at 4.6 in the40…Rated the No. 18 prospect overall in Florida by SuperPrep…Listed asthe No. 3 tailback on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…Was thesecond-rated running back in Florida by SuperPrep…A SuperPrepAll-American…The No. 32 rated running back prospect in the nation bySuperPrep…His father, Eddie Hill, played in the NFL…An outstandingstudent with a 4.3 grade-point average…Chose Miami over Auburn, Florida,North Carolina State and others…Coached by Doug Gatewood at Piper High.

Kelly Jennings
CB, 6-0, 170
Live Oak, Florida/Suwanee HS
Started on both offense and defense for one of the top programs in NorthFlorida…Led Suwanee to a 9-4 season and a berth in the stateplayoffs…Was an excellent receiver on offense, catching 43 passes for720 yards and five touchdowns…One of the top defensive backs in thestate, Jennings had 41 tackles and one interception in 2000 atcornerback…Rated the No. 62 prospect overall in Florida by SuperPrep…Listed as the No. 4 cornerback on the Florida Times-Union Super 75list…Rated the No. 36 player in Florida by the Gainesville Sun…Guidedhis team to a third-round appearance in the State Class 3A Playoffs with a9-4 record…Has been timed at 4.5 in the 40…Caught 26 passes for 386yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 1999…Had 35 tackles, twointerceptions and seven passes broken up as a junior in 1999…Won hisschool’s Scholar-Athlete Award as a junior with a 3.42 grade-pointaverage…Chose Miami over Georgia Tech, Florida State, Florida andClemson…Coached by Jay Rawls at Suwanee High.

Marcus Maxey
DB, 6-3, 190
Navasota, Texas/Navasota HS
Was named a utility back on the prestigious “Super Team” of top Texastalent by Texas Football magazine prior to the 2000 season, recognizingthat state’s top 22 players at any position…Has outstanding quicknessand size at cornerback…An aggressive cover man who shown outstandingability to read routes and passing situations…Excelled in man coverageand shows a quick break to the ball…Had 78 tackles as a senior in2000…Garnered 60 tackles, four interceptions and forced four fumbles in1999 as a junior…A three-time first-team All-Area and first-teamAll-District selection who also played wide receiver as a senior…Ratedthe No. 53 safety in the nation by Rivals.com…Rated the No. 94 prospectoverall in Texas by SuperPrep…Rated among the Texas Top 50 prospects byPrepStar magazine…Texas Top 100 by The Dallas Morning News, The HoustonChronicle, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the LubbockAvalanche-Journal…A member of the Texas Fab 55 by the AustinAmerican-Statesman…Two-time All-District defensive back…Two-TimeAll-Brazos Valley…Chose Miami over Arizona and Texas A&M…Coached byRobert Perkins at Navasota High.

Roger McIntosh
LB, 6-3, 220
Gaffney, South Carolina/Gaffney HS
Developed a reputation as a hard-hitting, hard-working player…Made playsall over the field during his prep career…Is a punishingtackler…Excellent in run support and against the pass…Has been timedat 4.4 in the 40-yard dash…A SuperPrep All-American…Rated the No. 15linebacker in the nation by SuperPrep…Named to the BorderWars.comAll-South Second Team…also listed as the No. 56 overall player in theSouth by BorderWars.com…Named to the South Carolina Shrine BowlTeam…Carries a 3.0 grade-point average in high school…Nicknamed”Rocky” by his grandmother…Chose Miami over Tennessee, Virginia Tech andClemson…Coached by Joe Montgomery at Gaffney High.

Buck Ortega
QB, 6-5, 213
Miami, Florida/Gulliver Prep
Has good mobility and a strong throwing arm…Completed 58 percent of hispasses as a senior in 2000 while leading his team to the Florida Class 2Astate championship…Threw for two touchdowns in the state title gamevictory over Marianna, both to fellow Miami signee Sean Taylor…Son offormer NFL player Ralph Ortega (Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons)…TheNo. 16 prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald…Listed as the No. 4quarterback on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…A four-sport starat Gulliver Prep in football, baseball, basketball and track & field…Hasbeen clocked at 24.07 in the 200-meter dash and 51.04 in the 400 meters onthe track…Has been timed at 4.55 in the 40…Completed 54 of 122 passesfor 910 yards and 16 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a junior in1999…Rushed for 221 yards and four TDs in 1999…Was a first-teamAll-County selection and honorable mention All-State in 1999…Chose Miamiover Clemson and North Carolina State…Coached by Steve Howie at GulliverAcademy.

Roscoe Parrish
WR, 5-9, 165
Miami, Florida/Miami Senior HS
The No. 4 prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald, as well as No. 10in the state…Rated the No. 67 overall prospect in Florida, regardless ofposition, by SuperPrep…Listed as the No. 3 athlete on the FloridaTimes-Union Super 75 list…Listed as the No. 81 overall player in theSouth by BorderWars.com…Although his team went 7-6 during his seniorseason, he led them to the District title and the third round of the Class6A Playoffs…Was perhaps the most explosive running and passingquarterback in Florida during the 2000 season, passing for 2,201 yards andrushing for 613 yards…A first-team Class 6A selection in 2000…Duringhis junior season of 1999, passed for 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns withjust five interceptions while completing 78 of 136 passes…Rushed 60times for 600 yards and six touchdowns in 1999…Had 10 tackles during the1999 season…Chose Miami over Mississippi, North Carolina State, WestVirginia, Michigan State, Florida State and Wisconsin…Coached by EarlTillman at Miami Senior High.

Miguel Robede
DE, 6-4, 252
Montreal, Quebec, Canada/Vieux Academy
The top-ranked recruit in Canada…Class 3A All-Province Team inQuebec…A rush end with a quick first step…Played for Sportiates of theCegep of the Vieux Academy in Montreal in 2000, garnering 49 tackles (27solos), 15 quarterbacks for 75 yards in losses, scored one touchdown on afumble recovery and notched a safety on a quarterback sack…Set a newleague record for sacks in 2000…Played the previous three years at Cegepde Trois-Riviers…Fluent in French (his native language) andEnglish…Coached by Marc Santerre at Vieux Academy.

Antrel Rolle
DB, 6-1, 205
Homestead, Florida/South Dade HS
Consensus rates Rolle the top defensive back prospect in all of SouthFlorida…An outstanding athlete who is blessed with exceptional speed,quickness and strength…Has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40…Anintelligent player…A Parade All-American…the No. 2 prospect in Floridaand Dade County by the Miami Herald, as well as No. 14 nationally…Widelyregarded as one of the top 100 prospects in the nation, regardless ofposition…Member of the Dallas Morning News National Top 100…Listed asthe No. 1 cornerback on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…The No. 8player in the state by the Gainesville Sun…Rated the No. 4 prospectoverall in Florida by SuperPrep…Rated the No. 47 prospect in the nationby SuperPrep…A SuperPrep All-American…First-Team Class 5A All-Stateselection in 2000…Named to the prestigious All-Gridiron Team by SunshineNetwork for 2000…A member of the Florida Top 100 by The South FloridaSun-Sentinel…Named to the BorderWars.com All-South First Team…alsolisted as the No. 24 overall player in the South by BorderWars.com…Wasan exceptional cornerback in high school and also one of the state’s bestreturn men…Had 86 tackles and three interceptions, returning one for atouchdown, as a senior in 2000…On offense, Rolle had four catches for160 yards and a touchdown in 2000…Made 85 tackles with three passinterceptions and broke up five passes as a junior in 1999…Returned sixkicks for scores in 1999 (three punts and three kickoffs)…An excellentstudent with a 3.8 grade-point average who plans to study pre-Med atUM…Chose Miami over Florida, Notre Dame, Florida State, Ohio State andGeorgia Tech…Coached by Don Drinkhahn at South Dade High.

Brandon Sebald
TE, 6-6, 240
Accord, New York/Roundout Valley
An exceptional two-way player (defensive end and tight end) in high schoolwho projects as an offensive player in college…Has soft hands, goodlateral speed and a keen knowledge of the game…Has shown excellentblocking ability, displaying excellent technique…Has an ability to sheddefenders at the line of scrimmage…As a senior in 2000, caught 28 passesfor 473 yards (16.2 avg.) and 6 touchdowns…Defensively as a senior, had103 tackles, 23 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles and 38 quarterbackhurries…2000 Section 9 Most Valuable Player…Rated the No. 2 prospectoverall in the state of New York by SuperPrep…A PrepStarAll-American…First-Team All-Sectional at tight end and defensiveend…Named Player of the Year by the Times-Herald Record…Madison SquareGarden Heisman All-Star…New York State Class B Player of the Year…Ledhis team to the 2000 Class 3A State Championship in an 11-2 season…As ajunior in 1999, had 31 catches for 420 yards and four touchdowns, inaddition to posting 78 tackles and 8 quarterback sacks on defense…Anextremely intelligent player who is known as a “coach on the field” by hiscoaching staff…An excellent student who carries a 3.0 grade-pointaverage…Chose Miami over Michigan State, Syracuse and VirginiaTech…Has been timed at 4.7 in the 40…Coached by Jim Malak at RoundoutValley High.

Sean Taylor
DB, 6-3, 220
Miami, Florida/Gulliver Prep
One of the outstanding players in Florida during his senior season, Taylorsoared up recruiting lists during the 2000 season…the No. 7 prospect inDade County by the Miami Herald…Rated the nation’s No. 18 skill athleteby SuperPrep…A SuperPrep All-American…The No. 23 overall prospect inFlorida, regardless of position, by SuperPrep…An Orlando Sentinel SuperSouthern Team selection… Listed as the No. 1 athlete on the FloridaTimes-Union Super 75 list…The No. 14 player in Florida by theGainesville Sun…Accounted for three touchdowns (two receving, onerushing) in the state title game victory over Marianna…A teammate ofGulliver Prep quarterback and fellow UM signee Buck Ortega…Helped leadGulliver to the Florida Class 2A State Championship in 2000…Was a staron both sides of the ball in 2000, Taylor rushed for 1,300 yards and astate-record 44 touchdowns…Played running back, defensive back andlinebacker at Gulliver…Rushed for more than 200 yards twice duringGulliver’s state playoff run…Racked up more than 100 tackles during the2000 season…Displayed excellent hands as a receiver…Chose Miami overClemson…Coached by Steve Howie at Gulliver Academy.

Tony Tella
OL, 6-5, 265
Houston, Texas/Madison HS
A raw, but enormously talented lineman who most scouts agree hastremendous potential…Rated the No. 91 overall prospect in Texas,regardless of position, by SuperPrep…Rated as the No. 98 offensivelineman in the nation by Rivals.com…An All-District selection during hissenior season…Has powerful hands and long arms, allowing him to keepmost opposing rushers at bay…Timed at 5.0 in the 40…A rare four-yearstarter at Houston’s Madison High who spent most of his career playingtackle…Named Madison’s Most Valuable Lineman in 2000 for a 10-2 playoffteam…First-Team All-District in 2000…First-Team Academic All-HoustonIndependent School District in 2000…Had 15 “pancake” blocks in 2000…Asa junior in 1999, had 12 “pancake” blocks and earned Second-TeamAll-District honors…Helped Madison tie for the District title…Finishedsecond in District in the discus and third in the shot put in 2000…As asophomore in 1998, helped Madison to a District title playing both guardand tackle and had six “pancake” blocks…Recorded 10 “pancake” blocks asa freshman in 1997 on a 9-1 District title team at Madison…Chose Miamiover Oklahoma and Texas A&M…Coached by Ray Seals at Madison High.

Andrew Williams
DE, 6-4, 265
Tampa, Florida/Hillsborough HS/Hinds (Mississippi) Community College
One of the most dominating defensive players of the junior college ranksthis past fall…Had 20 quarterback sacks with 93 tackles (56 solos) in2000…Earned Honorable Mention JC All-American…Named the Region 23Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2000…First-Team All-State andAll-Region in 2000…Named Junior College Defensive Most Valuable Playerfor the state of Mississippi in 2000…Led his team to an 11-1 record in2000 and the Mississippi Junior College Championship…co-defensive MVPand first-team All-State as a freshman in 1999…Also named JC All-Regionin 1999…Was Class 6A First-Team All-State in 1998 as a senior atHillsborough High in Tampa…District MVP as a senior at Hillsborough in1998…Tampa Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 1998…Rated the toplinebacker/defensive end prospect in Florida in 1998…Chose Miami overNorth Carolina, Nebraska, Tennessee and Michigan…Coached by Gene Murphyat Hinds Community College.

Leon Williams
DE, 6-4, 220
Brooklyn, New York/Canarsie HS
Regarded as one of the nation’s most athletically gifted defensiveline/linebacker prospects…Has the ability to make plays all over thefield because of his exceptional speed and lateral movement for a playerhis size…A Parade magazine All-American…A USA Today first-teamAll-American…The Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of NewYork…Recorded 98 tackles, 12 quarterback sacks, recovered four fumblesand intercepted three passes as a senior in 2000…listed as the No. 6prospect nationally by the Miami Herald…Also played as a tight endduring his junior season of 1999, catching 20 passes for 219 yards andthree touchdowns…A SuperPrep All-American and a member of SuperPrep’sElite 50 top national prospects…Rated the No. 27 prospect overall,regardless of position, in the nation by SuperPrep…The No. 1 prospectoverall, regardless of position, in the state of New York bySuperPrep…Timed at 4.55 in the 40-yard dash…Chose Miami over PennState, Wisconsin and Michigan State…Coached by Mike Camardese atCanarsie High.