Official Florida Gator Signee Biographies

The University of Florida Football team has received signed 2007 National Letters of Intent from the following student-athletes:

2007 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SIGNEES

* Ahmad Black

* Cornerback * 5-10 * 170

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: Helped Lakeland extend its winning streak to 45 games, as the squad claimed its third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006*As a senior, he made 82 tackles, totaled four interceptions and broke up eight passes*Recorded 75 tackles, six interceptions and 11 passes broken up as junior for the Dreadnaughts*As a sophomore, made 71 tackles and intercepted 10 passes*Chose to attend Florida over Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State and Nebraska*High school football coach was Bill Castle*Was the second-leading scorer on his school’s basketball team as a senior*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Son of Bruce and Michelle Black.

* John Brantley

* Quarterback * 6-3 * 195

* Ocala, Fla.

* Trinity Catholic

PREP: Heralded as one of the top-three overall quarterback prospects in the nation by Rivals.com….Was chosen as a U.S. Army All-American and the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2006…Owned a 27-1 record as a starter and broke the state record for career touchdown passes with 99, topping the total of 98 shared by Tim Tebow and Xavier Lee*Threw for 2,766 yards and 41 touchdowns in his final prep season…Established a Trinity Catholic career passing record with 6,802 yards…Was an all-state selection in Class 2B…A Scout.com five-star passer who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp… As a junior, he threw for over 2,800 yards and had 41 touchdowns in leading Trinity Catholic to the Class 2B State title…During his sophomore season, Brantley threw for over 1,200 yards, 17 touchdowns and only one interception…Chose Florida over Texas… Father, John Brantley III, is a former University of Florida quarterback and his mother is Kare! n…Uncle, Scot Brantley, is a former All-American linebacker for the Gators… High school coach was former UF quarterback Kerwin Bell.

* John Brown

* Defensive Tackle 6-1 285

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: Rated No. 3 among defensive tackles by ESPN.com and No. 5 by Scout.com*Helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive win, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and its second-straight USA Today national championship with 11.5 sacks, 53 solo tackles and 94 total tackles during his senior season*Was chosen as the Lakeland Ledger’s 2006 Defensive Player of the Year after a crucial tackle in the final minutes of overtime to secure his team’s victory* A Class 5A All-State team selection following both his junior and senior seasons*During his junior year, he collected 93 tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries*Recorded 70 tackles and 10 sacks as a sophomore*High school coach was Bill Castle.

* Torrey Davis

* Defensive Line * 6-4 * 285

* Seffner, Fla.

* Armwood HS

PREP: A quick-stepping defensive tackle who is rated the No. 1 prospect in Florida by Rivals.com…Five-star prospect for Scout.com, as well as the No.2 overall player in Florida… During his senior year, he recorded 72 tackles and 16 sacks… Was chosen as a U.S. Army All-American… Davis finished his junior season with 60 tackles and nine sacks… Also qualified for the state track championships in the shot put and discus…High school coach was Sean Callahan*Mother is Shiela Johnson.

* Carlos Dunlap

* Defensive End * 6-6 * 240

* North Charleston, S.C.

* Fort Dorchester HS

PREP: An athletic defense man rated 15th on ESPN’S 150 and second among defensive ends… Also rated first among weak side defensive ends and fifth among all prospects according to Rivals.com…During his senior year, Dunlap recorded an outstanding 105 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 24 sacks…Was chosen to participate in the annual Offense-Defense All-American game after his senior season…As a junior, Dunlap recorded 103 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, nine sacks and scored four defensive touchdowns… Also returned kicks for his team…High school coach was Steve LaPrad*Parents are Diane Brown Ross and Carlos Dunlap.

* Lorenzo Edwards

* Safety * 6-2 * 221

* Orlando, Fla.

* Edgewater HS

PREP: A versatile athlete who was ranked as the number one recruit at weak side linebacker by Scout.com and the No. 14 recruit at safety by Rivals.com*As a senior, he recorded 81 tackles and earned a spot on the East Team for the 2007 U.S. Army All-American game*One of 13 linebackers ranked in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100*As a junior, Edwards recorded 120 tackles (97 solo), five interceptions, five sacks and had three fumble recoveries*Selected to participate in the U.S. Army National Combine and was named to the 2006 National All-Combine Team*He made 85 tackles as a sophomore, including 15 tackles for loss, and totaled seven and two interceptions*High school coach was Bill Gierke*Parents are Lorenzo, Sr. and Letecia Edwards.

* Jerimy Finch

* Safety * 6-1 * 203

* Indianapolis, Ind.

* Warren Central HS

PREP: Rated the No. 1 safety in Indiana and in the nation by Rivals.com… As a senior, he helped lead Warren Central to its fourth-consecutive Class 5A state title, the first high school football team to accomplish that feat in the state of Indiana… Recorded a team-high 11 tackles, returned an interception 42 yards and had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the state title game his junior year… Earned Class 5A All-State honors in both his senior and junior years… Ended his junior season with 98 tackles, 10 interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries… Collected close to 100 tackles as a sophomore… Chose Florida over Indiana and Michigan… High school coach was Steve Tutsie.

* Joe Haden

* Athlete * 5-11 * 195

* Fort Washington, Md.

* Friendly HS

PREP: A high school quarterback who is rated third among athletes by Rivals.com*Set Maryland public school record with 7,371 career passing yards and tied the career mark for touchdown passes with 80*Passed for 2,783 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior and rushed for 899 yards and 13 TDs*Had a chance to play receiver for the first quarter of a game as a senior, making five catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns*Later moved back to quarterback for the remainder of the game, he threw for 117 yards and three scores and also ran for a TD*Chipped in defensively in that contest with an interception playing safety*During his junior season, Haden threw for 2,090 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for more than 500 yards…Chose Florida over Pittsburgh, Ohio State and Tennessee*Ran the 40-yard dash at the Elite Combine in East Rutherford, N.J., in 4.34 while also posting a vertical jump of 37 inches, a 10’4” broad jump and did 40 reps of 185 pounds on the bench*.High school coach was Macr! us Berry*Enrolled in classes at UF in January 2007*Parents are Joe and Zakiya Haden.

* Chas Henry

* Punter * 6-4 * 200

* Dallas, Ga.

* East Paulding HS

PREP: A versatile athlete rated the No. 1 punter in the nation by Scout.com…Was the varsity punter and kicker since his freshman year at East Paulding High School…Became the starting quarterback during his sophomore year…During his junior campaign, Henry averaged 46 yards per kick and broke the school record for longest punt with a 66-yard effort…Established another school mark for longest field-goal made with a 52-yard conversion in his junior season… Led his squad to the quarterfinals of the Georgia state playoffs as quarterback by throwing for more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns…High school coach was John Reid*Parents are David and Judy Henry.

* Aaron Hernandez

* Tight End * 6-4 * 235

* Bristol, Conn.

* Bristol Central HS

PREP: Rated the No. 1 recruit at the tight end position by both Scout.com and Rivals.com*Earned a spot to play on the East team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after collecting 67 receptions for 1,807 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior*Also recorded 72 tackles, including 42 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks as a member of the defense*Helped lead Bristol Central to the 2006 Central Connecticut Conference Southern Division Championship*Set Connecticut state records for receiving yards (1,807) and TDs (24) in a season*Set a state record for most receiving yards in a game with 376 on nine catches, which rated as the seventh-best game total in national high school history*Established a national high school record for yards receiving per game (180.7)*Tied a state record for career TD receptions with 31*Was named the 2006-07 Gatorade Football Player of the Year for the state of Connecticut and the Hartford Courant Pla! yer of the Year*Also earned first-team all-state honors*Earned all-conference honors in both senior and junior seasons*Selected Florida over Connecticut and Iowa*High school football coach was Doug Pina*Lettered in basketball*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Terri and the late Dennis Hernandez.

* Brandon Hicks

* Linebacker * 6-2 * 205

* Jacksonville, Fla.

* Nathan Bedford Forrest HS

PREP: A two-way player who played both wide receiver and linebacker for Forrest….Rated No. 16 among Florida’s Top 100 prospects by Rivals.com…Named to the All-American Offense-Defense Bowl…As a senior, Hicks collected 40 tackles, nine sacks and three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown…He also had four receiving touchdowns…During his junior year, he accumulated 220 yards and two touchdowns, while recording 88 tackles and 12 sacks…Considered Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Clemson and LSU… High school coach was Dennis Clemons*Parents are Timothy and Queen Hicks.

* Jerry Howard

* Defensive End * 6-5 * 230

* Apopka, Fla.

* Jones HS

PREP: Rated ninth among defensive ends by ESPN.com… Played both defensive end and linebacker in high school…During his senior year, Howard had 80 sacks, 15 tackles and four fumble recoveries…As a junior, he collected 116 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and totaled 10 sacks… Also played basketball in high school and led Jones to the Class 3A state title…High school football coach was Mike Cullison*Parents are Jerry and Altoona Howard.

* Moses Jenkins

* Cornerback 6-2.5 175

* Coral Springs, Fla.

* Boyd H. Anderson HS

PREP: Rated No. 54 among cornerbacks in the nation by Scout.com*As a senior, he collected 48 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and broke up 12 passes*Was an All-Broward County and all-state selection in 2006* As a junior, Jenkins recorded 43 tackles and one interception* Also runs track at Boyd Anderson*Chose Florida over Nebraska, Auburn, Wisconsin, Iowa and LSU*High school coach was Mark Jones*Parents are Moses Jenkins and Debohar Tillman.

* John Jones

* Linebacker * 6-3 * 205

* Sarasota, Fla.

* Booker HS

PREP: A two-way player who is rated eighth among middle linebackers according to Scout.com…Played as a combination linebacker/end and a wide receiver for Booker…Was chosen as a member of the second-team all-state defense in Florida…On defense, Jones recorded 70 tackles, 23 sacks and five fumble recoveries in his junior year…During that season, he had 33 receptions for 484 yards and scored six touchdowns… Rated 26th among outside linebackers according to Rivals.com…High school coach was Fred Gilmore….Parents are Marylin and John Jones, Sr.

* Duke Lemmens

* Defensive End * 6-5 * 238

* Westlake Village, Calif.

* Oaks Christian HS

PREP: Helped lead Oaks Christian to its 46th consecutive win and fourth-straight CIF-SS State title…Rated the No. 5 defensive end in California by Scout.com and 55th among California’s top-100 players by Rivals.com…Named Co-lineman of the Year among Ventura County’s small schools…Selected as Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year by the Ventura County Coaches’ Association… Contributed 52 tackles, seven sacks and one fumble recovery in his senior season… As a junior, Lemmens was selected as an All-CIF player by recording over 90 tackles and 10 sacks… Started as a freshman for Oak Christian’s defensive line…High school coach was Bill Redell*Full name is Kristofer D. Lemmens*Parents are Rick and Alice Lemmens.

* Cameron Newton

* Quarterback * 6-5 * 225

* College Park, Ga.

* Westlake HS

PREP: Participated in the inaugural All-American Offense-Defense All-American Bowl for Team East following his senior season* His squad won the game, 28-14*One of nine quarterbacks in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100*As a junior, Newton completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns*Threw just nine interceptions and rushed for 638 yards and nine TDs*Chose Florida over Georgia, Maryland, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech*High school coach was Dallas Allen*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Cecil and Jackie Newton.

* James “Michael” Pouncey

* Offensive Line * 6-5 * 298

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: Rated among the nation’s top offensive guard recruits according to Scout.com (7th) and Rivals.com (31st)*As a senior, he helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006*Was an integral part of an offensive line that blocked for a 4,000-yard rushing team as a senior*One of 16 offensive linemen in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100*Earned all-state honors as a junior*Chose Florida over Florida State, Clemson, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan* High school football coach was Bill Castle*Full name is James Michael Pouncey*His twin brother, Maurkice, will also be a joining the Gators*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Rob and Lisa Webster.

* LaShawn “Maurkice” Pouncey

* Offensive Line * 6-5 * 283

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: Rated among the nation’s top offensive guard recruits according to Scout.com (15th) and Rivals.com (15th)*As a senior, he helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006*Part of an offensive line that blocked for a 4,000-yard rushing team as a senior*One of 16 offensive linemen in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100*Earned all-state honors as a junior*Chose Florida over Florida State, Clemson, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan*High school football coach was Bill Castle*Full name is LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey* His twin brother, Michael, will also be a joining the Gators*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Rob and Lisa Webster.

* Chris Rainey

* Running Back * 5-9 * 156

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: A standout running back who helped to lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006…He is rated fourth among all-purpose backs and 17th among Florida’s Top-100 by Scout.com…Also rated 34th on the ESPN150 list of top prospects…Was chosen as a U.S. Army All-American during his senior year…Broke the school record with 32 touchdowns and 2,478 yards rushing as a senior…Of those 32 touchdowns, 15 were of runs of 50 yards or more…Established another school mark with 326 yards in a single game…Was the first player at Lakeland to rush for over 2,000 yards in a campaign…Rainey was chosen as an all-state Offensive Player by the Florida Sports Writers Association, all-county by the Lakeland Ledger and was the Ledger’s 2006 Offensive Player of the Year… Ended his senior year with prep career totals of more than 7,000 yards and 90 touchdowns…High school coa! ch was Bill Castle.

* Deonte Thompson

* Wide Receiver 5-11 186

* Belle Glade, Fla.

* Glades Central HS

PREP: An explosive wide receiver who helped lead Glades Central to a Class 3A state championship in 2006 with 30 receptions for 504 yards and eight touchdowns*Rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns, including a 22-yard run, in the state title game*Sat out five games during his senior season due to a foot injury*Was selected as a U.S. Army All-American*Rated the third-best wide receiver prospect by Scout.com*Named the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s High School Athlete of the Year*Was a Class 3A all-state selection*Had 35 receptions for 767 yards, averaging 21.9 yards per catch, as a junior*Also had 12 kick returns for 515 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 42.9 yards per return*Caught 21 passes for 375 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore*Runs the 100 and 200 meters for the track & field team* Chose Florida over Miami (Fla.), Ohio State and Southern Cal*High school coach was Willie Snead*Parents are Loyd Thompson and Verlene Roberts.

* Justin Trattou

* Defensive End * 6-4 *250

* Ramsey, N.J.

* Don Bosco Prep

PREP: Helped lead Don Bosco to a perfect 12-0 record and its first state title since 2003 during his senior year with 82 tackles and 17 sacks…Rated No. 4 among New Jersey’s Top 30 prospects by Rivals.com… Rated fourth among defensive ends by Scout.com… Selected to be on the ESPN150 list…Was chosen as a U.S. Army All-American and was also honored at the High School Heisman ceremony…Named all-state during both his junior and senior years…Led Don Bosco to the state finals his junior year by recording 96 tackles and totaling 11 sacks… Collected 65 tackles, eight sacks and an interception as a sophomore…Chose Florida over Notre Dame…High school coach was Greg Toal*Father is Chris Trattou.

* Bryan Waggener

* Quarterback * 6-4 * 226

* Junior Transfer

* Chino Hills, Calif.

* Ayala HS/Citrus College (Calif.)

PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Played for Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., where he threw for 1,558 yards on 140-for-243 passing (57.6 percent) and 10 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as sophomore*Named second-team All-Western State Conference following that season after helping the Citrus College Fighting Owls to their fourth-straight WSC Southern Division Championship*During his freshman campaign, Waggener threw for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 60.8 completion percentage*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Jerry and Anita Waggener.

* Johnny “Bo” Williams

* Running Back * 6-0 * 205

* Oakland Park, Fla.

* Northeast HS

PREP: Finished his senior season with 1,033 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns*One of 14 running backs in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100*Rated nationally as the No. 16 running back recruit by Rivals.com and No. 21 according to Scout.com*As a junior, Williams rushed for 783 yards on a team that won just a single game*Chose Florida over Pittsburgh and Florida State*First name is Johnny but goes by Bo*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*High school coach was Adam Ratkevich*Parents are Joe and Erica Riggins.

* Steven Wilks

* Linebacker * 6-2 * 195

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: A hard-hitting defender who helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006… Rated 58th among safeties by Scout.com…Recruited as a linebacker… As a senior, he collected over 136 tackles, averaging 9.1 tackles a game, seven interceptions, two blocked punts and a blocked field goal…Scored two touchdowns, including one after he forced a fumble in the state championship game…Was chosen as a member of the Class 5A all-state team selected by the Florida Sports Writers Association… Had over 100 tackles, six interceptions, two blocked punts, two sacks and six fumble recoveries as a sophomore…Named as his baseball team’s Most Valuable Player…High school coach was Bill Castle*Parents are Calvin and Kim Wilks.

* James Wilson

* Offensive Line * 6-5 * 305

* St. Augustine, Fla.

* Nease HS

PREP: Rated the No. 1 offensive guard and No. 2 overall prospect by Rivals.com…Rated second among offensive guards according to Scout.com…Rated 44th on the ESPN150 list… The Scout.com five-star offensive guard chose Florida over Southern California and Notre Dame… In 2006, he was chosen as a U.S. Army All-American… A member of the Class 4A All-State Team after leading Nease to a 14-1 record with District and Regional Championship wins… Helped Nease win the state championship in 2005 by collecting 69 pancakes and 51 downfield blocks…Also plays basketball for Nease and was a state weightlifting qualifier in ‘06…High school coach was Craig Howard*Parents are Alex Hyzer and Carla Wilson.

* Mark “Paul” Wilson

* Wide Receiver * 6-1 * 175

* Lakeland, Fla.

* Lakeland HS

PREP: Helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006 as a senior with 13 receptions for 268 yards (20.7 average) and two touchdowns in a run-oriented offense…Caught 36 passes for 489 yards and four TDs as a junior*During his sophomore season, Wilson pulled in 42 catches for 629 yards*At the Army Combine held in January 2006, he finished second out of 600 athletes in the 40-yard dash*High school football coach was Bill Castle*Enrolled in classes at UF in Jan. 2007*Parents are Mark and Gail Wilson.

* Major Wright

* Safety * 6-1 * 204

* Miramar, Fla.

* St. Thomas Aquinas HS

PREP: A hard-hitting safety ranked second in his position and sixth among Florida’s Top-100 prospects according to Rivals.com… Rated 90th on the ESPN150 list of top prospects… Helped lead St. Thomas to the state title game in 2006…Started for the East in the U.S. Army All-American game and was nominated for the National U.S. Army Player of the Year Award…Started at safety for St. Thomas for three years…First-team all-county and all-state selection during both his junior and senior seasons…Completed his senior season with 72 tackles, three interceptions, four tackles for a loss and two blocked kicks…During his junior year, he collected 58 tackles, six interceptions, three blocked punts and 10 tackles for a loss…Chose Florida over Ohio State, Notre Dame and Miami (Fla.)… High school coach was George Smith*Mother is Andrea Eluett.