Dec. 19, 2012
Press Conference:
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University football has announced that nine student-athletes will be joining the Monarchs at the start of the 2013 spring semester, ODU head coach Bobby Wilder announced on Wednesday.
"We are excited with the student-athletes that will join our program for the spring semester. The advantage for these young men is they will get started academically on their degree program. Some will put themselves in a position to work towards an advanced degree by the early enrollment process," Wilder said. "They will also get to work out with their new teammates and participate in spring football practice. All of these young men are excited with everything that Old Dominion has to offer for their growth as a person, student, and a football player."
Ely AndersonOL 6-5285Santa Rosa, Calif.Santa Rosa JC
Other schools considered: Liberty, North Dakota, Weber State
An athletic offensive lineman who will compete for a starting spot up front.
Kanyia Anderson DE 6-2215Chesapeake, Va.Oscar Smithbr>Other schools considered: California, Maryland, Wake Forest, James Madison, Cornell
2012 First-Team All-Southeastern District ... Helped Oscar Smith to the 2011 Virginia State Championship ... rated the sixth-best player in South Hampton Roads by The Virginian-Pilot and 26th in the state by Rivals.com.
TJ Armstrong LB 6-2225Clarion, Pa.Clarion Area
Other schools considered: Buffalo, Temple, UMASS
Earned Single-A All-State honors ... As a junior amassed 123 tackles, a team-leading seven sacks, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, a blocked punt and three blocked field goals ... Averaged 9.5 tackles per game ... He also was a force offensively rushing for 1,123 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Kyle Bottoms OL6-4300Klein, Texas Blinn College
Other schools consider: Sam Houston State, Western Illinois, Lamar
Helped Blinn College to a 9-1 record and undefeated 6-0 conference mark in 2011 ... Led Oak High Scholl (Texas) to the quarterfinals in 2006, bi-district in 2007 and the quarterfinals again in 2009 ... Coached at Blinn College by Ronny Feldman ... Blinn College is the same school current Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton attended
Malik Gumbs DT6-1275Matawan, N.J. Nassau CC
Had 36 tackles, eight sacks and a forced fumble in 2012 ... Led Nassau CC to an 8-2 record ... Coached by Curtis Gulliam.
Jevon Neal CB 5-9190Austin, Texas Blinn College
Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors ... Played for coach Ronny Feldman ... Played at Blinn alongside another ODU signee, offensive lineman, Kyle Bottoms.
Gary Scruggs DE6-1260Glassboro, N.J. ASA College
Had 29 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for ASA this season ... In high school, garnered All-Conference, All-South Jersey, All-Group 1, Adam Tallifero All-Star for Glassboro ... Coached at ASA by Dennis Orlando, Jr. ... Teammate at ASA with Zedrick Gardner.
Rob Thompson CB 6-1175Hammonton, N.J.St. Joseph
Other schools considered: Iowa, Villanova, Colgate
Helped St. Joseph to an undefeated season in 2011 winning the state championship ... Scored a TD in the state title game ... A tall athletic cornerback, also was a hurdler and high jumper on the St. Joseph indoor and outdoor track and field teams ... Won the state Non-Public B indoor 55-meter hurdles championship.
Chris SmithDT6-2300Santa Rosa, Calif.Santa Rosa JC
Recorded 71 tackles in his senior season at Santa Rosa High School ... Recorded 29 tackles and seven sacks in 2011 for Santa Rosa JC ... Earned a spot on the JCGridiron.com defensive tackle watch list.