February 3, 1999

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley today announced the signing of 13 recruits to National Letters of Intent. Defense was the emphasis of this year's class with eight of the 13 being defensive players, including four down linemen, three defensive backs and a linebacker. The remainder of the class includes two running backs, a quarterback, an offensive lineman and a tight end.

"This class fits into the category of our last two recruiting classes in that we signed a group of solid I-AA players," said Talley. "I think the players we got will help us in the future and fill some of our needs. Of all the players in this year's class, I believe the defensive linemen have the best chance to come in and compete for playing time right away."

New Jersey and California were the states that were good to Talley and his staff this year, as the Wildcats signed four each from these two states. Villanova also received two commitments from the state of Maryland and one each from Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Florida.

The lone Pennsylvanian in this year's class is Plymouth Whitemarsh defensive lineman Chuck Tornetta. This past season, the 6'0", 290 pound Tornetta missed half of his senior year due to a knee injury. As a junior in 1997, Tornetta was named first team All-State.

Villanova is coming off a 6-5 season in 1998. The Wildcats will open the 1999 campaign on September 4 at Division I-A and defending WAC champion Air Force.

1999 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP SIGNINGS

                              
Name                HT   WT   POS       High School/ Hometown 
Baylen Botts        6-3  215  DE        Rancocas Valley/ East Hampton, N.J. 
Todd Hamilton       5-10 175  DB        DeMatha/ Hyattsville, Md. 
Scott Lukash        6-0  185  QB        Mater Dei/ Lakewood, Calif.  
Gary Johnson        5-8  185  DB        Francis Parker/ San Diego,Calif. 
Ramond Jones        6-1  230  RB        Eastern Tech/ Baltimore, Md.  
Christopher Potter  6-5  295  OL        Greenwich/ Old Greenwich, Conn. 
Steven Racius       6-5  225  TE        Chaminade/ Thousand Oaks, Calif 
Henry Ridley        5-10 180  RB        Toms River North/ Toms River,N.J. 
Scott Rusnak        6-4  245  DE        Bishop Moore/ Orlando, Fla. 
Aaron Smith         5-7  170  CB        Long Beach Poly/ Cerritos,Calif. 
Mike Tesei          6-2  250  DL        Nutley/ Nutley, N.J.      
Chuck Tornetta      6-0  290  DL        Plymouth Whitemarsh/ Norristown, Pa. 
Jamison Young       6-0  200  LB        Overbrook/ Sicklerville, N.J.  
 

CAPSULE BIOGRAPHIES OF 1999 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL SIGNINGS

Baylen Botts 6-3 215lbs DE
Rancocas Valley Regional H.S./East Hampton, N.J
1998: Second team All-State, First team All-South Jersey, New Jersey Scholastic Top Ten, First team All-Conference

Todd Hamilton 5-10 175lbs DB
DeMatha Catholic H.S./Hyattsville, Md.
1998: First team WCAC (Washington DC Catholic Athletic Conference), First team All-Prince Georges County, First team All-Gazette, Second team All-Metro

Gary Johnson 5-8 185lbs DB
Francis Parker School/San Diego, Calif.
1998: Offensive player of the year Coastal League, First team All-Conference as running back, Division 4 player of the year, First team All-San Diego County as running back

Ramond Jones 6-1 230lbs RB
Eastern Tech H.S./Baltimore, Md.
1998: First team All-Metro, First team All-Baltimore County, First team All-State, Baltimore Sun Offensive Player of the Year

Scott Lukash 6-0 185lbs QB
Mater Dei H.S./Lakewood, Calif.
1998: South Coast League Offensive MVP, All-Orange County second team

Christopher Potter 6-5 295lbs OT
Greenwich H.S./Old Greenwich, Ct.
1998: Captain, first team All-County, First team All-State (New Haven Register & Connecticut Post), First team All-Conference

Steven Racius 6-5 225lbs TE
Chaminade College Prep H.S./Thousand Oaks, Calif.
1998: Second team All-League as wide receiver, Team Captain, 18 receptions for a total of 321 yards and two touchdowns,Two-year letterman, "Ironman" award as a junior varsity player, Captain of both the freshmen and junior varsity teams, MVP of the freshmen basketball team

Henry Ridley 5-10 180lbs RB
Toms River North H.S./Toms River, N.J
1998: Team MVP, First team All-County, First team All-Shore

Scott Rusnak 6-4 245lbs DE
Bishop Moore Catholic H.S./Orlando, Fl.
1998: First team All-Orange County, First team All-Central of Florida, Second team All-State, Defensive Player of the Year, Team MVP, Team Captain

Aaron Smith 5-7 170lbs CB
Long Beach Poly H.S./Cerritos, Calif.
1998: Team ranked No. 3 nationally, One of seven scholarship players from Long Beach Poly H.S., Member of nationally ranked 4x100 meter relay.

Mike Tesei 6-2 250lbs DT
Nutley H.S./Nutley, N.J
1998: Defensive MVP, Group 3 All-State, first team All-County, First team All-Area, First team All-Conference

Chuck Tornetta 6-0 290lbs DL
Plymouth Whitemarsh H.S./Norristown, Pa.
1998: Team Captain, RABIC-preseason All-American, CNN/SI-preseason All-American, First team All-Area, All-League, Scholastic Honors for 2 years 1997: First team All-State Defensive Tackle.

Jamison Young 6-0 200lbs LB
Overbrook Senior H.S./Sicklerville, N.J.
1998: First team All-State, First team All-South Jersey, Ranked first team All-Area by the Philadelphia Inquirer, First team All-Conference, Maxwell Club- High School Player of the Month, South Jersey Touchdown Club- "Defensive Player of the Year"