DOVER (February 4, 2009) ? The Delaware State Football Team added 16 newcomers to its roster as announced by Head Coach Al Lavan today. Comprised of 13 high school recruits, three junior college transfers and two Division I transfers, this year's class is considered to be one of the best in recent years.

"This is the strongest class both academically and athletically that we've had," said Lavan." This is the first year that we have had significant improvement in the quality of recruits entering this program. We are excited about the ability to stabilize some areas on offense, defense and special teams. The mid-years (student-already enrolled at DSU) will come in and add to our team. In the long run, a class like this will help strengthen many of our positions."

Eleven players join the offensive side of the ball, including three offensive linemen (two incoming freshmen, one junior college transfer). The Hornets also added size at wide receiver with junior college transfer Geoff Hick (6-5/200 from Alfred State JC) and depth at tight end with addition of Philadelphia, Pa., products Kristian Johnson (Bonner High School) and Ryan Langdon (Father Judge High School).

Also expected to influence this year's Delaware State offense will be Division I transfers Chris Johnson (Boston College) and Tahree McQueen (Cincinnati). Both players redshirted with their respective teams during the 2007 season and did not play during the 2008 campaign. Both Johnson and McQueen are currently enrolled at Delaware State.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets added seven players including five on the defensive line.

Nine different states are represented by this year's class with four players coming from the state of Virginia.

George Bansah DL 6-1/265 Woodbridge, Va./Potomac HS
Comments: Mid-year signee

Aaron Boyd OT 6-5/325 Alexandria, Va./Fork Union Military Academy

Kyle Brown K 5-10/160 Laurel, Del./Laurel HS
Comments: Preferred Walk-on ... non-scholarship

Brandon Cunningham C 6-2/260 Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley HS
Comments: Good football intelligence ... excellent footwork ... natural center who also performs as a long-snapper ... also a member of high school baseball team

Quinton Fortes DE 6-3/230 Reston, Va./South Lakes HS
Comments: Speed rusher ... good motor

Darryl Hicks OT 6-4/300 Boston, Mass./Hudson Valley (N.Y.) CC
2008 All-Northeast Conference First Team selection ... starting offensive tackle in each of his 18 games at Hudson Valley
Comments: Good feet and hip explosion ... performs well as a pass and run blocker

Geoff Hicks WR 6-5/200 Cheektowaga, N.Y./Alfred State JC
Competed as a wide receiver and quarterback at Alfred State ... had 30 receptions for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns as a freshman (2007)... caught 10 passes for 191 yards and 2 TDs, and passed for 787 yards and seven scores as a sophomore (2008)
Comments: Good size and speed ... will give team a big target at wideout

Jadira Green DT 6-4/300 Washington, D.C./Oxon Hill HS
Comments: Big and physical ... solid run stopper

Chris Johnson QB 6-2/215 Paterson, N.J/Boston College/Kennedy HS
High School
Earned All-Passaic County first-team and Herald News All-Area first-team honors as a senior defensive back at Kennedy High School ... was a two-year starting quarterback who threw for 1,519 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006; completed touchdown passes of 75 and 80 yards ... made 43 tackles (23 solo) and four interceptions as a senior ... gained All-Passaic County second-team and Herald-News All-Area second-team honors in 2005 ... threw for 1,915 yards and 17 touchdowns in his junior season ... played for head coach Ron Jackson ... played in the 2007 New York/New Jersey All-Star Classic, which pits the top high school seniors from the two states against each other.
Personal
Christopher Mark Johnson, born October 24, 1988 ... enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences ... Chris is the son of Sylvia Brown and Eddie Johnson.

Kristian Johnson TE 6-3/255 Philadelphia, Pa./Bonner HS
Comments: Mid-year signee

Ryan Langdon TE 6-4/235 Philadelphia, Pa/Father Judge HS
2008 Philadelphia All-Catholic League First Team selection ... had 14 receptions for 272 yards during senior season.
Comments: Outstanding prospect ... good size ... great student

Byron Lewis DL 6-2/240 Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood HS
Comments: Mid-year signee

Tahree McQueen RB 5-10/200 Paterson, N.J./Cincinnati/Eastside HS
Eastside High School: Named the 2006 Herald News Offensive Player of the Year ... accounted for 2,668 yards of total offense for coach Donald Davis in 2006 ... threw for 1,939 yards and 20 touchdowns -- both tops in Passaic County -- against eight interceptions and rushed for 729 yards and seven scores ... guided the Ghosts to their first state championship game ... earned all-league mention as a wide receiver during his sophomore season ... received AP second-team all-state at quarterback ... member of two state runner-up relay teams ... finished second in the state as a senior in the 100-meter dash.

Born Nov. 9, 1988 ... son of Leroy McQueen and Kym Thomas ... member of the Passaic County Academic Hall of Fame.

Aaron Richardson DL 6-1/230 Washington, D.C./St. John's HS
omments: Mid-year signee

Ernest Robinson DL 6-1/295 Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park HS