Like the old saying goes, defense wins championships. That's what the Buffalo football team is looking for in the coming years after going 5-7 last season. On Wednesday night, head coach Turner Gill announced that the Bulls have signed 20 new recruits to join the team starting in Fall 2008.
The recruits come from 10 different states, including nine from football powerhouses Texas, California and Tennessee.
"The guys from these states have played in a lot of quality football and had good competition in their area," Gill said. "There's also good competition in New York and all over the place, and this will help our program."
Gill focused on the defensive side of the ball, where 14 of the 20 recruits are expected to play. Eight of the recruits are expected to play linebacker.
"Our biggest need was linebackers," Gill said. "We were very, very short last year as far as the depth at that spot. We picked linebackers particularly from the standpoint that these guys can do a lot of things for you on special teams. They can also play as a defensive end on third down and pass rush. Some of them may drop back to a safety. We did get what we needed to get done this year."
One linebacker coming to Buffalo is Imani Chatman, from Frederick, Md. Chatman is 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and had 70 tackles with a school-record 12 sacks in his senior season.
Texas linebacker Ray Anthony Long is another who signed with the Bulls. In high school, Long played safety and linebacker and has lots of speed. In his senior year, Long totaled 60 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Another linebacker joining the Bulls in 2008 is Dustin Tait. The defensive player is well-built, and for being 6 foot 1 and 225 pounds is surprisingly agile. He recorded 80 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, six forced fumbles and four pass breakups.
Some other signings for linebacker were Dalonte Wallace, Obi Ezemma, Scott Pettigrew, and Mark Richardson. Wallace totaled 15 sacks, 14.5 for a loss last season.
Richie Smith, 6 foot 3, 300 pounds from Pen Argyl, Pa., was signed to help the defensive line. Smith enrolled at Buffalo in January this year. Even though he suffered a leg injury his senior season of high school, he was still nominated to play in the McDonald's All-Star Game, and the Big 33 (Ohio versus Pennsylvania) and East-West All Star games.
"Richie has lots of energy and has the ability to dominate," Gill said. "I like how he has an enthusiastic approach towards things."
A second defensive end to sign is Willie Moseley. Moseley comes from Virginia and is 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. His good size and speed at the position helped him finish his senior season with 40 tackles, five sacks, and 10 tackles for loss. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.
With junior Drew Willy heading into his last year as the starting quarterback, Gill brought in two more players to compete for the job once Willy graduates.
All the way from the west coast, Jerry Davis decided to come to Buffalo. The 6 foot 1, 200-pound quarterback ran an offense in high school similar to that which the Bulls use. In his senior season, he threw for 2,100 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Challenging Davis to be the future Bulls quarterback is Zach Maynard. Maynard is from Greensboro, NC and has the ability to attack the defense using both his powerful arm and legs. During his last year in high school, he passed for 1,635 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 1,404 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Darius Willis, another player brought in, played quarterback and linebacker in high school. Gill wants to play Willis at linebacker, where he registered 130 tackles and two interceptions his senior season.
Isaac Baugh was signed to play the cornerback position. The corner is skilled at changing directions and his bursts of speed stands out. He accumulated 21 tackles as a defensive back. Gill described Baugh as an explosive player with great ball skills. He also played wide receiver in high school.
Two players from western New York also signed. Steven Means from Grover Cleveland and David Skrip from Albion will be future Bulls. Means is a defensive end and had 108 tackles, 20 sacks, and five forced fumbles. His team was the runner up for the Harvard Cup. Skrip is an offensive lineman and wide-shouldered prospect Gill referred to as a good finisher and good blocker.
"This is a talented group of players," Gill said. "They are also a physical group that went to really good programs. These guys also showed us a tremendous amount of maturity. The young men are very excited to come to Buffalo."
The first day for spring practice for the football team is March 21. The spring game will take place on April 12
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
