Feb. 5, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford Head Football Coach Bill Gray announced the signing of 18 players to national letters of intent for the 2003 season Wednesday. The Bulldogs signed six Alabama, seven Georgia, three Tennessee and two Florida high school players.

"We're excited about the 18 that we signed," Gray said. "I thought our coaches did a good job getting out and running the road to find players. We have a few more we're expecting to sign within the next week. I felt like we got some speed and size. We went after players that are athletic enough that could help us in several spots."

Three local players lead the list of recruits. Homewood quarterback Parker Gargis and wide receiver Freddy Young along with Hoover's Justin Ray signed with Samford. Gargis and Young led the Patriots to the 5A State Championship in 2002. Ray helped Hoover to its second 6A state title in three years. Gargis and Mary-Montgomery's Sam Stewart will also play baseball at Samford.

The Bulldogs, who finished 4-7 in 2002, begin play in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2003. With 13 seniors departing from the 2002 team, Samford signed quantity and quality. Last season, Gray signed 10 players in his first recruiting class. Offensively, the Bulldogs get three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two offensive linemen and one running back. The Bulldog's defensive class includes four defensive backs, two linebackers and one defensive lineman. Samford signed one athlete.

True freshman cornerback Cortland Finnegan was one of two true freshmen to start for the Bulldogs in 2002. Finnegan earned All-American honors as kick returner.

"We're bringing in players that are going to compete. We have kids that are used to winning. There are players in this class that can come in and make an immediate impact. Last year, we had a freshman come in and start on the offensive line as well as one start at defensive back. Every one of these guys are going to have an opportunity to compete for a job," Gray said.

Samford's 2003 Class:

Jefferson Adcock, QB, 6-0, 197 Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, Tenn.

One of two quarterback signees for the Bulldogs, Adcock completed 110-of-195 passes for 1,543 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions as a senior at Brentwood Academy. He helped lead the Eagles to the Division II-AAA state championship game. Adcock also rushed 70 times for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He was an All-State First team selection

Aidan Clifford, OL, 6-5, 315 Chamblee HS, Chamblee, Georgia

A member of the 2002 Atlanta Journal Constitution DeKalb-Rockdale Super 11 Team, Clifford was a team captain for Chamblee. A four-year letterman, Clifford was voted the team's outstanding offensive lineman. He was a 2nd Team All Region 6-AAAA selection as a senior finishing the season with 27 pancake blocks. He also was named an Atlanta Touchdown Club Player of the Week. As a junior, Clifford led DeKalb County with 31 pancake blocks. He earned All-DeKalb County and All-Region 5-AAA team honors.

David Fisher, DL, 6-0, 250 Mount Zion HS, Jonesboro, Ga.

A three-year starter at Mount Zion, Fisher earned All-Region honors as a senior. He set a school record with a 350-pound bench press. A four-year letterwinner, he recorded 82 tackles as a senior. He earned the Mount Zion Golden Helmet Award and was named to the Georgia All-Star team. He also served as a team captain.

Jonathan Frazier, WR, 6-5, 210 Grissom HS, Huntsville, Ala.

Frazier caught 29 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at Grissom. He averaged 17.7 yards per catch. He was named to the All-Region team and also earned All-Metro Honorable Mention.

Parker Gargis, QB, 5-11, 180 Homewood HS, Homewood, Ala.

Gargis finished his career at Homewood atop several categories. He set records for most games played (56), most games won (47), most rushing attempts in a season (141), most career rushing attempts by a quarterback (413), most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback (840), most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (33), most career completions (303), most career passing yards (4,058) and most career touchdowns passes (36). Gargis helped lead Homewood to the Class 5A state championship game in 2000, 2001 and 2002 winning the championship in 2000 and 2002. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 5A State Championship in 2000. He was named to the Super All-Metro Team in 2002. He was Homewood's most outstanding offensive back in 2001 and earned the Patriot Award as a sophomore. Gargis will also play baseball at Samford.

Chris Hicks, K/P, 5-10, 160 Calhoun HS, Calhoun, Ga.,

One of two kickers signed, Hicks connected on 9-of-13 field goals and 43-of-46 PAT's as a senior. He also averaged 42.7 yards per punt with a long of 73 yards. He also had seven kicks downed inside the 20-yard line. Of 62 kickoffs, 42 were touchbacks. As a junior, he made 7-of-10 field goals and 37-of-40 PAT's. Hicks was named to the Chattanooga News Free Press First team. He also earned All-North Georgia offensive honors. He was also named to the Rome News Tribune All-Area First team, Atlanta Journal Constitution All-State AA First Team and Georgia Sports Writers All-State AA Team as a punter. Hicks set Calhoun High School records for most touchbacks in a season (42), longest field goal (49 yards) and longest punt (73 yards).

Sean Hill, WR, 5-9, 160 Landmark Christian School, Atlanta, Ga.

Hill caught 31 receptions for 601 yards and 11 touchdowns as senior at Landmark Christian. He also rushed 135 times for 938 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 33 tackles, three quarterback sacks and four interceptions. Hill runs a 4.45 in the 40. He was named Atlanta Journal Constitution All-State First Team, Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention, Fulton Neighbor Player of the Week and Region 5-A Player of the Year.

Calvin Hodge, LB, 6-0, 215, Kendrick HS, Columbus, Ga. A Second Team All-Region Selection, Hodge will add depth to the linebacker position. A team MVP as a senior, he was selected first-team All-Area and recorded 151 tackles his senior season.

Jay McCurty, FS, 6-1, 190, LaGrange HS, LaGrange, Ga. McCurty earned Second Team All-Region and First Team All-Area. He recorded 77 tackles, 46 solo and 31 assisted as a senior at LaGrange. He also had two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Colby McKinley, OL, 6-4, 265, Lafayette HS, Mayo, Fla. A three-year starter, McKinley helped his team to three straight playoff appearances. He earned First Team All-State as a senior and All-Gainesville Sun as a junior and senior. Led team in pancake blocks three straight years. McKinley also was a state qualifier in the shot put in track and field.

Chase McTorry, DB/WR, 5-11, 175, Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, Tenn. McTorry made First Team All-State and recorded three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He scored two defensive touchdowns and had 52 tackles. He also had 16 catches and 300 yards receiving on offense.

Jeffrey Miller, K/P, 6-1, 185, Enterprise HS, Enterprise, Ala. A kicker, punter, tight end and receiver for the Enterprise Wildcats, Miller was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee in 2002. He earned an award as the Wildcats top special teams player. He led the team in receiving yards his senior season. His class rank is one out of 361 students, and he carries a 4.2 GPA.

Brandon Moorehead, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Overton HS, Nashville, Tenn. Moorehead averaged 7.2 yards per carry as a running back, with 10 touchdowns and 1,150 total yards on 158 carries. He earned All-Metro, All-Mid-State and All-State honors. As a linebacker, recorded 87 tackles.

T.C. Myers, DB, 5-8, 170 Pace HS, Pace, Fla.

A First-Team All-North-West Florida selection, Myers recorded 32 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. As a receiver, he caught 14 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns.

Justin Ray, Athlete, 5-9, 185, Hoover HS, Hoover, Ala.

A First Team All-Metro selection, Ray rushed 80 times for 449 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at Hoover. He also had 24 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he had four interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Chris Smith, RB, 6-0, 200, Woodward Academy, Atlanta, Ga.

Smith rushed for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry. He was named to the All-Fulton County Second Team. Smith was also Woodward Academy's team most valuable player.

Sam Stewart, DB, 6-2, 200, Mary Montgomery HS, Mobile, Ala. The team's MVP in 2001 and 2002, Stewart was also a team captain for two seasons. He was named WKRG Player of the Week twice during his senior season, and earned All-Region and All-State honors as a junior. Stewart will also play baseball at Samford.

Freddy Young, WR, 6-1, 180, Homewood HS, Homewood, Ala. Young caught a school record 77 passes for 1,158 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. He was named First Team All-State and to the Super All-Metro team.