Thursday, February 12, 2015

2015 Signing Day Recap


[SARASOTA] -  With great honor, we are proud to celebrate the signings of several of our student-athletes from Signing Day February 4, 2015.   This group marks our first full year class as part of the GAIN Sports fraternity and we could not be more happy for the opportunity each deservedly earned to sign their National Letter of Intent.  Here's your opportunity to learn their stories as they embark on their college football careers!




First, we will start with our mid-year enrollments who joined their respective universities at the start of this current semester.

 QB HAMPTON HOWARD (6'4 235) - FOLEY, AL 

Signed with Mississippi State University.  Hampton had traveled a path less traveled than others when he joined GAIN Sports at the time our company launched in January 2014.  He did not start his football career until the off-season entering his senior year and even then had to sit behind his head coach's son.   He went the postgraduate route playing the 2013 season at Jireh Prep in Matthews, NC.   Despite overtures to start his college career at Division Two and Division Three universities following his season at Jireh Prep, Hampton remained focus on his desire to play FBS football.  All stars seemed to line up last spring when Hampton was introduced to Cisco Junior College in Cisco, TX whom recruited Hampton to be their starting quarterback.   As fate would play out, a new head coach was brought in last July and detoured the plans for Hampton to be the starter.  Thus, Hampton sat on the sideline this past fall continuing to prepare and train at a high level and elected to apply to his dream school since childhood, Mississippi State.  Once communication was established with the Mississippi State coaching staff, Hampton was immediately targeted as a preferred walk-on quarterback to enroll at the start of the spring semester.   Better yet, due to his strong academic background, he was awarded an academic scholarship.  He is currently enrolled in classes.




OL PATRIC MINUTI (6'4 305) - TORONTO (CANADA)

Signed with Purdue University.  Patric transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL for his senior season (2013) just prior to the start of fall camp as a member of their inaugural varsity football team. Despite a successful season on the field, to go along with a late arrival at the school, Patric encountered transcript issues that also forced him to have a late start with his college recruitment.  As the 2014 Signing Day passed, Patric verbally committed as a recruited walk-on at Marshall University.  Once the fall rolled around, Patric chose to not enroll at Marshall and hooked up with GAIN Sports to pursue walk-on opportunities at Big Ten universities.  During the 2014 season, Patric successfully received invitations to attend games at both Michigan State and Penn State; in addition; to take an unofficial visit to Purdue.  Following his visits to all three schools and communications with each of the school's offensive line coaches, Patric decided to attend Purdue.  He is currently enrolled in classes and expects to make a push for a spot on their two-deep entering the 2015 season.



OL QUENTIN HALL (6'5 305) - BOSTON, MA

Signed with Assumption College.  Quentin joined GAIN Sports following his senior season at Thayer Academy in Boston, MA.   Quentin had already been through the thick of his college recruitment receiving various FBS and FCS interest but had not solidified a scholarship at those levels heading into Signing Day.  Quentin chose to play a postgraduate season at Milford Academy in New Berlin, NY and joined the GAIN Sports Bus Tour this past summer.  He performed well at the camps he attended on the tour and received praise from North Carolina offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic as a prospect he wanted to evaluate this fall.  Playing the majority of the 2014 season at guard, Quentin did not have an opportunity to flourish at his most natural position left tackle until the last game of the year versus Navy Prep which was his best game film.  That resulted in late promotion of his film to FBS and FCS recruiters and despite late interest from FBS and FCS programs to wait for Signing Day, Quentin elected to continue his education at Assumption College in Worcester, MA at the start of the mid-term.   He is currently enrolled in classes and is preparing to make a push for a starting position this fall.



Now we will transition to the student-athletes whom signed last week on Signing Day and will enroll at their respective universities this fall.

WR DEJON BRISSETT (6'2 175) - MISSISSAUGA (CANADA)

Signed with University of Richmond.  Entering his junior season of high school, Dejon transferred to the Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, IL to play for head coach Robin Bowkett.  Dejon made his introduction with us when he joined the GAIN Sports Bus Tour last summer.  He made a lasting impression as the most fierce competitor and skilled athlete we saw in attendance at each of the last four camps we attended (UNC, Wake Forest, UVA, and West Virginia).  Dejon followed up with an outstanding senior season earning first team all-conference in the Chicago Catholic League; also being named the red division offensive player of the year.   Many elite FCS programs, including Richmond, New Hampshire, Lafayette, Bucknell, and others wasted no time extending scholarship offers.  In the end, Dejon chose to sign with Richmond University.  In our opinion, FBS recruiters will regret they passed on Dejon Brissett.



 SAFETY JORDAN ALLEN (6'2 200) - BOSTON, MA
Signed with Fordham University.  The first class of 2015 prospect to join GAIN Sports, Jordan possesses all the athletic attributes you desire in a skill position player.   He's long, explosive, and fast with the vertical ability and radius to catch any football thrown near him.  An accomplished track athlete, owning the 100m and 200m records at his school,. Jordan attended Thayer Academy in Boston, MA.   Jordan was quickly on the recruiting radar for many FBS and FCS programs last spring, and flirted with a scholarship offer from Boston College for much of the late spring through early summer.   Jordan made great growth on the GAIN Sports Bus Tour last summer competing against great talent in the south.  He was set to have a break out senior season before unfortunately suffering a broken wrist before the season opener.   One of the first schools to offer Jordan a scholarship was Fordham University and their decision to stand by him resulted in his decision to sign a national letter.   Fordham's plans appear to be to start Jordan's career at safety.   Jordan has a high ceiling for growth and we are excited to follow his progression!

QB BRANDON BISACK (6'5 200) - FAIRFIELD, CT

Signed with UCONN.   We first saw Brandon in training sessions during the 2014 spring and saw a 6'5 quarterback with arm talent to play at a high level.   Brandon joined the GAIN Sports Bus Tour and performed well.  Unfortunately, many of the schools he camped at decided to take a quarterback commitment before giving Brandon a full evaluation.  Brandon earned first team all-conference honors during the 2014 season at Warde HS in Fairfield, CT; a program he turned from an annual 1 or 2 win team to finishing with a winning record and play competitively. Solely based on film evaluation, Brandon could not dodge the perception he did not have the mobility or athleticism to excel as an FBS level scholarship quarterback. Fortunately, UCONN head coach Bob Diaco was able to take in Brandon's game live versus traditional power New Canaan HS. Coach Diaco immediately targeted Brandon following the game and sustained a high level of pursuit to sign Brandon as a recruited walk-on quarterback.  We have great confidence Coach Diaco has a quarterback who will make a strong push to be a scholarship, starting quarterback during his career there.  Brandon continues to improve his overall athleticism and made great strides during the last off-season.  He is solid with his lower half mechanics, gets the ball out quickly with good velocity, changes ball speeds effectively and throws with good accuracy.




LB HUDSON HALL (6'1 218) - AUSTIN, TX
Signed with Kansas University.  Hudson joined us after the first four games of his senior year looking to expand his recruitment with additional FBS opportunities.  Hudson did his part earning Defensive MVP in District 14-6A following his senior season at Westlake High School in Austin, TX; but unfortunately; did not receive an FBS offer leading up to Signing Day.  A few FBS schools (Texas Tech, Kansas, SMU, and Purdue) made overtures to Hudson as a recruited walk-on and it was Kansas who made the most aggressive movement with newly appointed head coach David Beatty personally traveling to Westlake to visit Hudson before Signing Day.  After completing a visit to Kansas, Hudson felt comfortable his opportunity to earn a scholarship and chose the Jayhawks.  We're confident the best for Hudson Hall lies ahead and you will hear his name associated with the Jayhawks resurgence in the Big 12.




 WR/ATH HENRY HOUDEN (6'4 190) - MADISON, WI

Signed with University of Wisconsin.  Henry joined GAIN Sports one year ago with ambition of playing quarterback at the next level and was not short sighted with the goal given he had talent to play quarterback in college.  As he sat behind his coach's son at quarterback during his junior season, Henry asked to play defense and finished the 2013 season as an all-conference performer at safety.  It was realized then with his frame and fluid athleticism, Henry had versatile talents to promote along with a 4.0 GPA and 32 ACT.  Also an accomplished basketball player, Henry continued to pursue opportunities at quarterback while developing his overall athletic skill.  He impressed at summer camps at Princeton, Harvard, and at the New England Elite Football Clinic and gained momentum with his recruitment heading into his senior season.   Henry did it all for his team during 2014 playing quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and outside linebacker.   If not for a coaching transition at the end of the season, Henry performed at the standard to earn first team all-state honors.  It was his time at wide receiver that stood out most to college recruiters this fall and eventually landed him recruited walk-on opportunities at Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Stanford.   He also fielded strong interest from Penn, Columbia, and Dartmouth.  In the end, Henry could not bypass the opportunity to play for the hometown Badgers and looks to become the next walk-on success story at Wisconsin.   He is expected to play WR.



FS/ATH DUSTY PEEBLES (6'2 190) - BRADENTON, FL

Signed with Southeastern University.  Dusty was another who had ambition to play quarterback at the next level and rightfully so after performing among the best quarterbacks in Manatee County playing 7A football his junior season.   After transferring to Bradenton Christian School to play his senior season, the door opened for Dusty to be a two-way performer gaining his first experience as a starter on safety.   He performed strongly during the 2014 season making several key plays to propel Bradenton Christian to a winning season.   He received overtures from several FCS programs before deciding to stay near home to play for Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.   He has his goals set high to help Southeastern become a formidable power at the NAIA level. Dusty is an explosive athlete with a 4.53 speed who puts the team first.   He carries a 4.0 GPA, 2000 SAT, and 30 ACT.   We expect he will have great success at Southeastern and in his life following.




OL/LS KEVYN RAMETTA (6'3 270) - BRADENTON, FL

Signed with Southeastern University.  Kevyn joined us one year ago without significant varsity playing experience through his junior season.   Kevyn transferred to Bradenton Christian School for his senior season with a strong off-season plan for development.   He joined the GAIN Sports Bus Tour during last summer performing well at several colleges. Then, went on to have a strong senior season starting each game at center on the offensive line also handling all snapping duties on special teams.  Kevyn is an accomplished long snapper and has worked extensively with Coach Chris Rubio over the past year.   Despite overtures from FCS, D2, and D3 programs, Kevyn decided to join his childhood friend and longtime teammate Dusty Peebles and signed with Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. 





 FS/SS TRISTAN WOOD (6'1 185) - TAMPA, FL

Signed with Bethel University.  Tristan is an instinctive, athletic, tough football player we discovered mid way through the 2014 season at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, FL.   He already was in the midst of his college recruitment with interest from Michigan Tech and Truman State, among others.  His desire though was to stay in the south and in our work together, identified visit opportunities to Carson Newman, Lindsey Wilson, Cumberlands, Bethel, and Southeastern universities.  Tristan hit it off with Bethel defensive coordinator Willie Fells and instantly felt at home.  Not much later, he made his decision to sign with Bethel and will join the program at free safety.

2014 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS


 QB ANTHONY ABBONDANZA (6'2 210) - LONG ISLAND, NY

Signed with Pace University.   We were introduced to Anthony through our friends in Long Island and it did not take long to feel great about his talents and maturity.   After playing in a Wing-T through his junior season at Mt. Sinai, Anthony transferred to Long Island Lutheran to play in a pro-style offense for the first time in his playing career and threw for nearly 2,000 yards in 7 games and broke four school records.   While Anthony has to continue to develop his mechanics throwing the football, his junior highlights on the defensive side ball prove his toughness and competitiveness.   For programs whom passed on Anthony due to his mechanics, they missed on a good football player with good size and good athleticism.  All the while, Anthony received active interest from Stonehill, Pace, and St. Anselm among many others.  In the end, Pace made him feel the most wanted and it was his pleasure to stay near home to continue his career at quarterback.



 QB GARRETT YOUNG (6'1 185) - TAMPA, FL

Signed with Michigan Tech University.  Very few quarterbacks in Florida came near posting #'s similar to Garrett Young in passing, running, and with their team's win total in 2014.   One area coach remarked to us, "Garrett was the toughest athlete we had to tackle all season."   A teammate of Tristan Wood's at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, FL, Garrett quarterbacked the team to the best record in school history (8-2) while throwing for 2,313 yards, 27 TDs, and only 4 interceptions.  He also rushed for 840 yards and 17 TDs earning Class 2A Player of the Year runner-up and second team all-state.   Garrett received interest from several FBS and FCS programs at one point or another, but it was Michigan Tech that stuck by him from the start.   After taking an official visit in January, Garrett fell in love with the school and decided to call it home.   We will not be surprised to see Garrett re-writing the record books during his his time at Michigan Tech.



SS/OLB BEN MARCUS (6'1 185) - GLEN ELLYN, IL

Signed with Washington University in St. Louis.   An accomplished student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA and 32 ACT, Marcus is a gamer.   Splitting time between safety and linebacker during his high school career, Marcus was viewed as a tweener on paper with his size and speed combined.  On paper, you could not measure his heart nor competitiveness which showed routinely during games as he continually made game changing play after play propelling Glenbard West to 12-1 record.  After making an introduction with Washington University in St. Louis head coach Larry Kindbom last spring, the Bears made a lasting impression on Marcus as he signed his letter of intent with the school despite overtures from several higher level programs.   Marcus has strong blood lines with his brother, Nathan, entering his sophomore season at Vanderbilt University.   We congratulate Ben and know he is on track for a successful future ahead!




We also extend our sincere congratulations to two student-athletes who joined us on our GAIN Sports Bus Tour last summer.   Both are exceptional guys and have bright futures ahead.

QB NICK DUNCAN (6'1 190) - LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL (NJ) - signed with Brown University.

2014 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

RB JONATHAN FEMI-COLE (6'1 225) - ST. ANDREWS COLLEGE (CANADA) - signed with University of Minnesota.

 2014 MID-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS


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