Athleticism and passion were the two words head coach Turner Gill used to characterize the addition of 20 players to the football team on Wednesday. The number of new recruits is an increase from Gill's first go-around when he nabbed 14 players on last year's National Signing Day.
The larger number correlates with Gill and his staff having more time to evaluate and recruit talent from across the nation, unlike his first recruiting season, which was cut short due to the timing of his hiring.
"Last year we came in and we were jut scrambling, getting on the phone, trying to get people," Gill said. "We were trying to get the best players at specific positions. Here we were trying to improve our football team and football program, make sure they get their degree, get their diploma here, make sure they have a passion for the game of football."
The list includes seven players from New York as well as 13 players coming from six other states.
Of the seven players hailing from the Empire State, three of them are from Western New York. Tight end Aaron Connacher, cornerback Domonic Cook and wide receiver Marcus Rivers all originate from the Niagara Frontier region and were also named to the 2006 All-Western New York team.
Connacher recorded 22 receptions, 500 yards and two touchdowns and also lead the Jamestown Red Raiders in tackles.
"(Connacher) is very athletic, very good speed, a guy with outstanding hands from the tight end position," Gill said. "He's 6-foot 3-inches, 230 pounds. We anticipate him to get to 250 to dominate in blocking and receiving."
Cook is a Buffalo product that led St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in tackles from the cornerback position as well as hauling in a school record 50 catches and scored 13 touchdowns. In joining the Bulls, Cook will be reunited with his former high school teammate, sophomore wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt.
"This guy here is physical, an itty-bitty guy," Gill said. "He was able to cover people and cause some havoc and we anticipate him to be a tremendous player."
Rivers was a dual sport star at Lackawanna High School in both football and basketball. The 6-foot 4-inch wide receiver chose to continue his gridiron career at Buffalo over scholarship offers from both Temple and Syracuse.
"Marcus Rivers is a great, great get for us," Gill said. "He's a very talented young man. He's a tall, rangy, young guy who brings speed and great jumping ability. I call him a big play wide receiver. I'm so excited about having him on our football team. I anticipate him to make an impact right away."
One of the most highly touted of the new recruits is linebacker Fred Branch. Scout.com ranks the Rockville, Md. native as the 83rd best strongside linebacker in the nation. Gill will look for Branch as well as Adekunle Akingba and Jerry Housey to help bolster the linebacker position that will need to replace two starters in Jeff Bublavi and Ramon Guzman.
Another nationally ranked player joining the Bulls is safety Josh Copeland. While attending Fairborn High School in Ohio, Copeland played quarterback, wide receiver and safety on the football field and also excelled at basketball and baseball. ESPN.com ranks Copeland as the 128th best safety nationally.
"(Copeland) is a very physical player and will strike you," Gill said. "He will make plays on defense. There are playmakers and difference makers. He's both."
Buffalo also signed two other safeties in Alan Hayes and Davonte Shannon.
With the graduations of quarterbacks Tony Paoli and Stewart Sampsel, the Bulls also added two quarterbacks to the squad. Gill will look for Zack Ingle and Ed Young to fill the void at signal caller.
"It's exciting to get a couple guys in here," Gill said. "(Willy) is the only guy coming back from last season. It's good to get two quality quarterbacks to see what they can do. They still have to learn some things but they fit the mold that we wanted."
Adding further depth to the quarterback position, it was also announced that Roosevelt would get an opportunity to compete for playing time under center at spring practices.
"I talked to (Roosevelt) when I first got here and the first thing I thought he should do was go to wide receiver and he agreed to that," Gill said. "I also told him if he still wanted to do that he had that opportunity to go back to quarterback. If he's the guy, he's the guy. If he isn't, he isn't. He has to beat out (Willy)."
Spring practices start for the Bulls on March 21. The annual Blue-White game will take place on April 14.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
