sports_m-footbl_spec-rel_0204991
February 4, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami head football coachButch Davis announced the Hurricanes’ 1999 signees.
“This ranks as one of our best classes,” said Davis. “Itis nice to have the full complement of 25 scholarships available.We were able to address immediate and future needs. This recruitingclass ranks as one of the most athletic to ever sign at the Universityof Miami.”
1999 Football Signees
Larry Anderson DL 6-4/250 Kissimmee, FL (Osceola)
Kendrick Barrett DL 6-4/245 Grapeland, TX (Grapeland)
Julian Battle ATH 6-2/205 Wellington, FL (Wellington)
Kevin Beard WR 6-2/175 Plantation, FL (Plantation)
Phillip Buchanon DB 5-11/175 Lehigh, FL (Lehigh)
Vernon Carey OL 6-5/330 Miami, FL (Northwestern)
Ken Dorsey QB 6-4.5/185 Orinda, CA (Miramonte)
Jason Geathers WR 6-3/215 Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)
Talib Humphrey FB 6-2/225 Miami, FL (Southridge)
Andre Johnson WR 6-3/200 Miami, FL (Miami Senior)
Anthony Johnson ATH 6-4/180 Tulsa, OK (Washington)
Marquis Johnson DL 6-2/270 Miami, FL (Edison)
Antwain Joyce DB 6-2/200 Plant City, FL (Plant City)
Ivan Mercer TE 6-6/240 Oakmont, CA (Roseville HS/Costa Mesa JC)
Tory Mitchell DB 6-1/170 Big Springs, TX (Big Springs)
Bryant McKinnie OL 6-10/315 Woodbury, NJ (Woodbury HS/LackawannaJC)
Jarrett Payton RB 6-2/205 Arlington, IL (St. Viator)
Clinton Portis RB 5-11/180 Gainesville, FL (Gainesville)
Maurice Sikes DB 5-11/180 Miami, FL (Pace)
James Sikora OL/SN 6-5/260 Marathon, FL (Marathon)
Jerrmell Weaver LB 6-2/195 Miami, FL (Northwestern)
Jerrell Weaver LB 6-3/205 Miami, FL (Northwestern)
Courtney Young DL 6-5/290 Bartow, FL (Bartow)
Geographical Breakdown
Florida – 16 California – 2 Texas – 2 Illinois – 1 New Jersey – 1 Oklahoma- 1
Larry Anderson DL 6-4/250 Kissimmee, FL/Kissimmee
Named the No. 72 player in Florida by SuperPrep…regarded as one ofthe top 100 players in Florida by the NRA…a quick lineman who has potentialanywhere along the defensive line…earned all-state honors, as well as CentralFlorida’s defensive player of the year, as a senior…recorded over 80 tacklesand had 16 sacks during senior season…played on state 5A championship teamas a senior…also participated on high school weightlifting and tracks teams…timedat 4.8 in the 40…selected Miami over Virginia Tech, Maryland and Alabama.
Kendrick Barrett DL 6-4/245 Grapeland, TX/Grapeland
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Texas top 100…No. 77 on Austin American-StatesmanLone Star 100…Austin American-Statesman All-State third-team…selectedas one of the top defensive linemen in the Big-12 Region by PrepStar…MaxEmfinger National and Big-12 South Blue Chip…rated the No. 53 playerin Texas by the NRC…timed at 4.6 in the 40…on defense, recorded 118 tackleswith three interceptions, six fumble recoveries and 12 fumbles caused asa senior…gained 990 yards and 15 touchdowns as a running back during seniorseason…selected Miami over Texas A&M, Baylor, Southern Methodistand Texas Christian.
Julian Battle ATH 6-2/205 Wellington, FL/Wellington
Selected as one of the No. 11 athlete in the SEC Region by PrepStar…SuperPrep’sNo. 30 player in Florida …Florida’s #3 Athlete on Florida Times-Union Super75…No. 40 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…timed at 4.4 in the 40…rushedfor 938 yards, had 20 catches for 290 yards with 16 touchdowns…also a threaton kick returns with one taken back for a score…picked Miami over Auburn.
Kevin Beard WR 6-2/175 Plantation, FL/Plantation
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…SuperPrep All-SEC Region…namedthe No. 4 wide receiver in the SEC Region by PrepStar…regarded as one ofthe top players in Broward County by the Sun Sentinel…Florida’s #5 widereceiver on Florida Times-Union Super 75…Orlando Sentinel Super Southernteam…Orlando Sentinel Florida Super 27 pick…Max Emfinger Dixie BlueChip…earned second team All-State honors…named to the All-Broward Countyfirst team…timed at 4.5 in the 40…caught 62 passes for 1,393 yardsand a state-record 25 touchdowns as a senior…had a record setting performancewith six catches for 256 yards with touchdown receptions of 80, 71 and65 yards in a game during senior season…had 50 catches for 850 yardsand 15 touchdowns as a junior…also starts on the basketball squad…pickedMiami over Ohio State and Tennessee.
Phillip Buchanon DB 5-11/175 Lehigh, FL/Lehigh
A 4A All-State selection…registered seven interceptions his senioryear…also returned three punts for touchdowns…one of the state’s top baseballprospects…recognized for work in the class room by being named top scholar-athlete…timedat 4.3 in the 40…considered Wisconsin, Iowa and Kansas State.
Vernon Carey OL 6-5/330 Miami, FL/Northwestern
Parade All-American…USA Today first-team All-American…NRA’s No.1 prospect…No. 18 on SuperPrep National 50 and No. 3 Florida…also ratedas SuperPrep’s No. 3 offensive linemen…No. 1 offensive lineman and No.19 overall by The Sporting News…No. 3 offensive lineman on PrepStar DreamTeam Top 100…also selected to the Super 30 All-SEC Region by PrepStarand named the No. 2 offensive lineman in the region…selected to the RivalnetConsensus High School All-America team…named to the Miami Herald Class6-5A All-State first-team…No. 18 on Sun Sentinel national top 50…No. 8on Tampa Tribune national top 100…No. 4 on Tampa Tribune Florida top50…Tampa Tribune Blue Chip selection…Dallas Morning News national top100…Fort Worth Star-Telegram National 100…Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSuper Southern 100…Florida’s #1 offensive tackle on Florida Times-UnionSuper 75…Max Emfinger National and Dixie Blue Chip…Orlando SentinelSuper Southern honorable mention team…selected to the USA Today Super25 preseason team…SuperPrep Preseason Elite 50 pick…Gridiron GreatsPreseason Top 100…an NRA Preseason Top 100 pick…did not allow a sackduring his junior and senior seasons…had 32 pancake blocks, 11 knockdownsblocks and 16 solo tackles as a senior…timed at a 5.0 in the 40 and benchpresses 410 pounds…can squat 495 pounds, dead-lift 350 pounds and powerclean 255 pounds…nicknamed the “Hulk”…helped guide Northwestern tothe Florida Class 6A State Title this past fall…named to the Class 6AAll-State first-team…one of three UM 1999 signees from state championNorthwestern…selected Miami over Florida, Ohio State and Kentucky.
Ken Dorsey QB 6-4.5/185 Orinda, CA/Miramonte
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…Gridiron Greats PreseasonTop 100…an NRA Preseason Top 100 pick…Max Emfinger National Blue Chip…selectedto play in Texas-California All-Star game…garnered first-team All-Bay Area,County, and League honors…led his team to back-to-back North Coast Section2A East Bay titles in his two seasons as the starting quarterback…injust two seasons, passed for 4,968 yards and 52 touchdowns…led team toa 13-0 record as a senior…threw for 2,780 yards and 22 touchdowns as asenior…named to The Times’ All-State first-team…threw for 3,500 yardsand 40 touchdowns as a junior…timed at 4.65 in the 40…also plays forthe basketball team…selected Miami over Tennessee and Southern California.
Jason Geathers WR 6-3/215 Boca Raton, FL/Spanish River
Parade All-American…USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…No.5 overall by The Sporting News…No. 8 on SuperPrep National 50 and No. 3Florida…PrepStar Dream Team Top 100…also selected to the Super 30 All-SECRegion by PrepStar…No. 8 on Sun Sentinel national top 50…named to thePalm Beach Post All-Area first-team…Dallas Morning News national top100…Fort Worth Star-Telegram National 100…Florida’s #1 Tailback onFlorida Times-Union Super 75…No. 6 on Tampa Tribune national top 100…No.3 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…Tampa Tribune Blue Chip selection…selectedto the USA Today Super 25 preseason team…SuperPrep Preseason Elite 50pick…Gridiron Greats Preseason Top 100…an NRA Preseason Top 100 pick…MaxEmfinger National and Dixie Blue Chip…No. 1 pick in state by FloridaKids…a versatile player who saw action at tailback, quarterback, widereceiver, linebacker and returner…collected 1,151 yards on offense asa senior…gained over 5,000 yards and 15 touchdowns during his high schoolcareer…timed at a 4.43 in the 40 and can bench press 300 pounds…selectedthe Hurricanes over West Virginia, Florida State, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Talib Humphrey FB 6-2/225 Miami, FL/Southridge
Named to the Miami Herald Class 6-5A All-State first-team…named theNo. 8 running back in the SEC Region by PrepStar…Florida’s #1 Fullbackon Florida Times-Union Super 75…Max Emfinger National and Dixie BlueChip…timed at a 4.50 in the 40…rushed for over 900 yards and 19 touchdownsas a senior…selected UM over Mississippi, West Virginia and Iowa State.
Andre Johnson WR 6-3/200 Miami, FL/Miami Senior
Parade All-American…No. 3 wide receiver and No. 52 overall by TheSporting News…No. 12 on SuperPrep National 50 and No. 4 Florida… No.1 wide receiver on PrepStar Dream Team Top 100…also selected to the Super30 All-SEC Region by PrepStar…named to the Miami Herald Class 6-5A All-Statefirst-team…No. 12 on Sun Sentinel national top 50…Dallas Morning Newsnational top 100…Fort Worth Star-Telegram National 100…Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSuper Southern 100…Florida’s #1 wide receiver on Florida Times-UnionSuper 75…Tampa Tribune Blue Chip selection…Orlando Sentinel Super Southernhonorable mention team…No. 16 on Tampa Tribune national top 100…No.5 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…Max Emfinger National and Dixie BlueChip…timed at 4.4 in the 40…possesses a 35-inch vertical leap…caught30 receptions for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season…had25 catches for 618 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior…chose UM overSouthern California.
Anthony Johnson ATH 6-4/180 Tulsa, OK/Booker T. Washington
SuperPrep All-American…rated No. 23 nationally and No. 4 in the midwestby SuperPrep… selected to the Super 30 All-Big 12 Region by PrepStar,which also selected him as the No. 1 wide receiver in the region…FirstTeam All-Star by Oklahoma Pigskin…Oklahoma’s No. 2 wide receiver andNo. 9 player overall by Sooner Illustrated…was a first team all-state,metro and conference selection by the Tulsa World…No. 39 wide receiverby Prep America…named second team All-State by the Daily Oklahoman…Max Emfinger National and Big-12 South Blue Chip…timed at 4.45 in the40…caught 34 passes for 420 yards with seven touchdowns as a senior…alsosaw action on punt/kick-returns…returned five kick-offs for 152 yardswith a touchdown…averaged 18.3 yards on punt returns…nicknamed “Fred”…pickedMiami over Kansas State.
Marquis Johnson DL 6-2/270 Miami, FL/Edison
Named to the Miami Herald Class 6-5A All-State honorable mention team…selectedas one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC Region by PrepStar…MaxEmfinger National and Dixie Blue Chip…named to the All-Conference and Countyfirst teams and third team All-State…timed at 4.7 in the 40…bench presses325 pounds and can squat 415 pounds…posted over 100 tackles and 20 sacksduring his senior year…totaled 120 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a junioras an outside linebacker…picked UM over Florida and Florida State.
Antwain Joyce DB 6-2/200 Plant City, FL/Plant City
Earned All-State honors as a senior…timed at 4.5 in the 40…registeredover 60 tackles and had five interceptions following his senior season…teamwent undefeated during the regular season for the first time in schoolhistory…also a starter on the basketball team…recruited by Iowa and Louisville.
Ivan Mercer TE 6-6/240 Oakmont, CA/Roseville HS-Costa Mesa JC
Named to Max Emfinger’s Top 100 JUCO’s…caught 55 passes for 708 yardsand caught six touchdowns last season…timed at 4.6 in the 40…selectedUM over Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas A&M
Tory Mitchell DB 6-1/170 Big Springs, TX/Big Springs HS
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…No. 7 wide receiver by TheSporting News…No. 10 athlete on PrepStar Dream Team Top 100…also selectedto the Super 30 All-Big 12 Region by PrepStar…No. 4 recruit in Texasby First Down Recruiting…SuperPrep All-American and rated as the No.6 skilled athlete…Dallas Morning News national and Texas top 100…No.13 on Austin American-Statesman Lone Star 100 and No. 23 on Fabulous 55…AustinAmerican-Statesman All-State first-team…Fort Worth Star-Telegram Nationaland Texas top 100…No. 5 receiver by The Sporting News…No. 10 playeron Texas Top 100…rated the No. 30 player in Texas by the NRC…SuperPrepPreseason Elite 50 pick…an NRA Preseason Top 100 pick… Max EmfingerNational and Big-12 South Blue Chip…timed at 4.23 in the 40…completed4-of-8 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown, rushed for 206 yards on31 carries with three touchdowns and returned 15 kicks for 410 yards andone score…also played in the defensive secondary, where he recorded 52tackles with five interceptions and 15 pass break-ups…won the JuniorNational track championship (19-under) in the 100 and 200 meters…alsoswept Texas state sprint championship…has a 100 meter time of 10.09 and200-time of 20.50…selected Miami over Tennessee, Florida and TCU.
Bryant McKinnie OL 6-10/315 Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury HS-Lackawanna JC
Named to Max Emfinger’s Top 100 JUCO’s…NJCAA and JC Gridwire All-American…timedat 5.0 in the 40…played defensive end at Woodbury High School…madethe move to the offensive line at Lackawanna in Scranton, PA…was a 1998Northeast Football Conference All-Star as Lackawanna claimed its secondstraight conference championship…played in the junior college All-Starbowl game as a freshman…good pass protector with excellent feet…selectedthe Hurricanes over Arkansas, Penn State, Iowa, South Carolina, West Virginia,Clemson and Syracuse
Jarrett Payton RB 6-2/205 Arlington Heights, IL/St. Viator
No. 58 overall by The Sporting News…named the No. 5 athlete in theMidwest Region by PrepStar…played quarterback, tailback and receiver inhigh school…son of former Chicago Bear great and NFL Hall of Famer, WalterPayton…timed at 4.3 in the 40 and can bench press 300 pounds…accountedfor 2,842 all-purpose yards as a senior…passed for 973 yards and rushedfor another 1,400 as a senior…on defense, picked off two passes in limitedtime…spent his first two years on the varsity soccer team…chose Miamiover Wisconsin, Penn State, Notre Dame and Indiana.
Clinton Portis RB 5-11/180 Gainesville, FL/Gainesville
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…named the No. 10 runningback in the SEC Region by PrepStar…Florida’s #4 tailback on Florida Times-UnionSuper 75…No. 39 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…Tampa Tribune BlueChip selection…Max Emfinger Dixie Blue Chip…SuperPrep All-SEC RegionHonorable Mention and No. 27 player in Florida…first-team All-State selection…namedPlayer of the Year in his district…a three-year starter…set a schoolrecord rushing for 2,036 yards as a senior…average 8.0 yards per carry…alsosaw action at defensive back where he had 51 tackles and four interceptions…timedat 4.5 in the 40 and has a 37-inch vertical leap…rushed for 2,070 yardsand 25 touchdowns as a senior…on the defensive side of the ball, added54 solo tackles, 33 assists, three sacks and five tackles for loss…alsotimed at 10.6 in the 100 meters…also a star member of the varsity trackteam…chose Miami over Maryland and Oklahoma State.
Maurice Sikes DB 5-11/180 Miami, FL/Monsignor Pace
SuperPrep’s No. 11 player in Florida…selected as one of the No. 5athlete in the SEC Region by PrepStar…Tampa Tribune Blue Chip selection…No.35 on Tampa Tribune national top 100…Atlanta Journal-Constitution SuperSouthern 100…Florida’s #2 corner back on Florida Times-Union Super 75…No.10 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…Max Emfinger National and Dixie BlueChip…timed at 4.4 in the 40…had over 1,000 yards receiving and 18 touchdownsas a senior…committed to Miami over Florida and Alabama.
James Sikora OL/SN 6-5/260 Marathon, FL/Marathon
SuperPrep’s No. 31 player in Florida…started at offensive tackle, snapperand defensive end during senior season…started along the varsity offensiveline all four seasons…named to the Ocala Star-Banner’s Top 100 Playersof Florida…Florida’s #5 offensive tackle on Florida Times-Union Super75…No. 42 on Tampa Tribune Florida top 50…was a PrepStar regional All-American…aGridiron Greats selection…named to the All-State first-team…helpedhis team to an 8-2 record and a spot in the state playoffs during his seniorcampaign…a Wendy’s Heisman nominee…a dean’s list and National HonorSociety student…lettered in basketball as well as football…captainedboth sports during his senior season…senior season football team MVP…wasa four-year starting center on the basketball squad…timed at 4.93 inthe 40 and can bench press 395 pounds…chose Miami over Georgia Tech andColorado State.
Jerrmell Weaver LB 6-2/195 Miami, FL/Northwestern
No. 10 linebacker on PrepStar Dream Team Top 100 and No. 3 inthe SEC Region…also selected to the Super 30 All-SEC Region by PrepStar…SuperPrep’sNo. 43 player in Florida…named to the Miami Herald Class 6-5A All-Statefirst-team…Florida’s #6 outside linebacker on Florida Times-Union Super75…committed to Miami along with his younger identical twin brother Jerrell…helpedguide Northwestern to the Florida Class 6A State title this past fall…namedto the Class 6A All-State first-team following his senior year, as wellas All-Dade County…led team with 110 tackles, 22 sacks, three fumble recoveriesand returned one interception for a score…timed at 4.5 in the 40…collected15 sacks during his junior year at defensive end…one of three UM 1999signees from state champion Northwestern…chose Miami over Florida
Jerrell Weaver LB 6-3/205 Miami, FL/Northwestern
SuperPrep All-American and the nation’s No. 15 linebacker…No. 10 linebackeron PrepStar Dream Team Top 100 and No. 3 in the SEC Region…also selectedto the Super 30 All-SEC Region by PrepStar…named to the Miami HeraldClass 6-5A All-State first-team…Florida’s #5 outside linebacker on FloridaTimes-Union Super 75…Max Emfinger Dixie Blue Chip…committed to Miamialong with older identical twin brother Jermell…helped guide Northwesternto the Florida Class 6A State Title this past fall…named to the Class6A All-State first-team following his senior year, as well as All-DadeCounty…totaled 98 tackles and 24 sacks as a senior…timed at 4.5 in the40…collected 20 sacks as a junior at defensive end…one of three UM1999 signees from state champion Northwestern…also a standout member ofthe varsity track team…chose Miami over Florida
Courtney Young DL 6-5/290 Bartow, FL/Bartow
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American…Orlando Sentinel FloridaSuper 27 pick…Gridiron Greats Preseason Top 100 team…selected as oneof the top defensive linemen in the SEC Region by PrepStar…Max EmfingerNational and Dixie Blue Chip…named to the all-district first-team onoffense and defense…compiled 120 tackles, seven sacks and 20 tackles forloss…eaned second team All-State honors as a junior…timed at 4.8 inthe 40 and can bench press 355 pounds…uncle, Odell Haggins, coaches thedefensive line at Florida State.
