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 Western Carolina first-year head coach Dennis Wagner today announced the addition of nine players who have signed NLIs with the Catamounts for the 2008 season. |
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June 16, 2008
2008 Catamount Football Roster (As of June 16, 2008) 
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina first-year head football coach Dennis Wagner today released the signing of nine additional student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play for the Catamounts in 2008. The list includes four incoming freshmen from high school, three junior college players and two NCAA Division I transfers.
Victor Aquilina (Carlsbad, Calif./Palomar College), Andrew Bathiany (Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands HS), Adrian Collins (Los Altos Hills, Calif./Foothill College), Elsmore Gabriel (Brooklyn, N.Y./Clemson), Dee Jackson (Norwood, N.C./South Stanly HS), Sterlin James (Citra, Fla./College of the Sequoias), Bevans Robbs (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central HS), Trey Selby (Tunnel Hill, Ga./Northwest Whitfield HS) and Jayson Williams (Conyers, Ga./Central Florida) have all signed to play for Wagner and the Catamounts beginning this fall.
In addition to 21 players he inked around National Signing day back in February, Wagner and the Catamounts have 30 new faces signed to NLIs. He anticipates the addition of a few walk-ons when camp opens in early-August.
"These additional signings will help us bolster our roster as we prepare for our upcoming season," said Wagner on the new additions to his 2008 signing class. "We addressed a few additional areas with players we looked at and feel confident about the ability of all of our incoming players, as well as our returning squad. I am excited about the hard work our guys are voluntarily putting in this summer and can not wait for the team to report in early August for camp."
Western Carolina is scheduled to report for pre-season training camp for the 2008 season on Saturday, August 2. The Catamounts officially open the Dennis Wagner era on Thursday, August 28 by hosting Shorter College at 7:00 pm at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field.
Victor Aquilina
6-2, 280 lbs., OL, Jr.
Carlsbad, Calif. / Palomar JC / Carlsbad HS
Is one of three former Palomar Comets to join the WCU roster; OL Brandon Hribar and S Breyan McQueen signed in February with Wagner and staff.
Prior to Western: Was an All-Mission Conference selection and tabbed Palomar Lineman of the Year last season ... Helped Palomar finish ranked 26th in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire ... the Comets went 7-3 and finished second in the American Division of the Mission Conference, ranked as the toughest community college conference in America.
High School: Played both offensive and defensive line, earning first team All-Avocado League accolades as a junior nose guard in high school ... Also threw the shot put and discus in high school.
Andrew Bathiany
6-1, 190 lbs., K
Ft. Thomas, Ky. / Highlands HS
Notes: Is a left-footed kicker who was prepared to walk-on at the University of Kentucky before accepting an offer from WCU.
High School: Was a three-year starter as a defensive back and kicker for the 2007 Highlands Class 5-A state championship football team ... Named first team All-Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference (NKAC) at defensive back ... Was also tabbed a Kentucky Enquirer honorable mention Football All-Star ... Also participated in track & field, placing third in the state in the pole vault last season, clearing 12-feet.
Adrian Collins
6-0, 180, WR, Jr.
Los Altos Hills, Calif. / Foothill College / Andrew Hill HS
Prior to Western: In two seasons at Foothill, caught 87 passes for 1,403 yard and 16 touchdowns ... In 2007, hauled in 54 passes for 892 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning NFCA All-Conference plaudits at wide receiver ... As a freshman, caught 33 passes for 511 yards and six touchdowns to rank fourth on the team in scoring (36 pts).
High School: Played high school football at Andrew Hill HS in San Jose, Calif.
Elsmore Gabriel
6-4, 290 lbs., DL, Jr.
Brooklyn, N.Y. / Clemson / Fork Union Military Academy
Prior to Western: Graduated early from Clemson University and is transferring to Western Carolina with two years of eligibility remaining ... Took a redshirt as a freshman in 2005 before spending the next two seasons as a defensive tackle reserve for the Tigers ... In 2006, appeared in four games for 31 snaps tallying two tackles - played a season-high 13 snaps versus Florida Atlantic ... Did not see game action in 2007 for the Tigers.
High School: Played at Fork Union Military Academy after starting his prep career at Christ The King Regional HS and was a part of CHSFL league championship teams as a junior and senior ... Was an All-Northeast pick and rated as the No. 17 player in the state of New York according to SuperPrep ... Had 37 tackles and 10 sacks - six coming in two playoff games -- ... Played in the NY Senior Bowl.
Personal: Full name is Elsmore Tokumbo Gabriel ... Majored in sociology.
Dee Jackson
5-9, 170 lbs., WR
Norwood, N.C. / South Stanly HS
High School: Was a multi-purpose back who was a kick returner and running back, as well as playing in the defensive secondary ... Was nominated for the Wendy's High School Heisman in 2007 ... Awarded the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship Award all four years of high school ... Also participated in wrestling, where he was a three-time All-County selection, and track & field, finishing third in the state in the 300-meter dash in 2007.
Sterlin James
6-4, 210 lbs., WR, Jr.
Citra, Fla. / College of the Sequoias / North Marion HS
Prior to Western: Last season at COS, hauled in 25 passes for 320 yards with a seasonal-long reception of 40 yards as a sophomore ... Averaged 40 yards receiving per game for the Giants ... Caught six touchdown passes in eight games to rank third on the team in total points (36).
High School: As a senior, was named to the 2005 Florida 3-A All-State first team offense as a tight end as selected by the Florida Sports Writers Association ... Played both football and basketball as a prep.
Bevans Robbs
6-4, 215 lbs., DL
Lake Worth, Fla. / Palm Beach Central HS
High School: Played tight end his senior year at Palm Beach Central HS in Wellington, Fla., for head coach John Timmins ... As a prep, mostly played basketball, joining the gridiron squad in his final year ... Blocked a fourth quarter punt and recovered it for a safety in a game against Glades Central ... On the court, was named coaches' Player of the Year.
Trey Selby
6-4, 250 lbs., DL/OL
Tunnel Hill, Ga. / Northwest Whitfield HS
High School: Was named All-Area by the Daily Citizen newspaper ... Recorded 59 tackles with six quarterback sacks and played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star game his senior season ... Was also named 7-4A All-Region and All-Area as a junior ... Along with current Catamount signee, Nathan Postelle, hhelped Whitfield HS finish ranked 10th in the final AP AAAA rankings and tie for the winningest class in school history, helping the Bruins reach the 2007 and 2008 state Class 4A playoffs ... Over the summer, played for the Georgia team in the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga ... Was an all-state wrestler, aiding Whitfield in capturing the Area 7-4A traditional wrestling tournament title and earn a spot at state duals, placing third at area and fourth at state traditional.
Jayson Williams
6-1, 220 lbs., RB, Jr.
Conyers, Ga. / Central Florida / Salem HS
Prior to Western: Took a redshirt as a scholarship athlete his freshman season in 2005 at Central Florida as a running back before spending the next two seasons with limited action as a reserve defensive back and on special teams ... Appeared in 16 games for the Golden Knights with four tackles to his collegiate credit.
High School: Was a first-team, all-state selection as a senior at Salem HS in Conyers, Ga. ... Coached by Frank Caputo ... Rushed for 1,200 yards and totaled 300 yards receiving as a senior ... Earned all-area and county player of the year ... RedZone Player of the Year ... Team captain his senior season ... All-state honorable mention and all-area first team as a junior ... Totaled 114 attempts for 860 yards and eight touchdowns his junior season ... Versatile athlete who also lettered three years in basketball and four years in track.
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