Feb. 7, 2001

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley today announced the signing of 18 recruits to National Letters of Intent. The defensive backfield along with offensive skill players were the emphasis of this year's class with five of the 18 being defensive backs, and five others being offensive skill players (two running backs, two wide receivers and one quarterback).

"I think we signed a terrific class," said head coach Andy Talley. "We landed one of the top running backs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in Phil Digiacomo and Julius Davis. Every player we signed was very highly recruited and we think a good number of them can come in and help us out immediately in backup roles. We are very excited about this year's recruiting class."

Pennsylvania was a hot spot for Talley and his staff this year, as the Wildcats signed eight players from the "Keystone State". Highlighting Villanova's Pennsylvania signees was Phil Digiacomo, a first team All-State running back from Central Bucks West High School.

Other Pennsylvania prep players to sign with the Wildcats included Bethlehem Catholic wide receiver John Dieser (Pa. Coaches Association first team All-State), Radnor high school defensive back Isaiah Harrison (first team All-Central League, first team All-Delaware County), Manheim Central High School offensive lineman Jason Saks (first team All-Section II), Chartiers Valley High School defensive back Raymond "Bubba" Ventrone (first team All-Conference RB/DB), Garden Spot High School defensive back Curtis Waltman (AAA first team All-State DB, Lancatser Lebanon League Section II Offensive and Defensive Back of the Year), North Schuykill Junior/Senior High School tight end Anthony Wright (first team All-Area), and Steelton-Highspire Junior/Senior High School wide receiver Leighton Zema (first team All-Conference).

Villanova remained in the northeast to sign two players from New York in defensive end Darrell Adams (two-time All-County) and quarterback Joseph Casamento (first team All-State), and two players from New Jersey in running back Julius Davis (All-Area Player of the Year, All-County) and offensive lineman David Reid (first team All-South Jersey). Talley and his staff also picked up one player from Connecticut - defensive end Terence Taylor (All-Conference RB/DE).

Winding down the Wildcats 2001 class were two teammates from Harrison High School in Georgia - punter/kicker Adam James and defensive back Jeremy Morgan - and one player each from Florida (Gregory Bishop, LB),Ohio (Brian Hulea, LB), and California (Randy Sims, LB).

Villanova is coming off a 5-6 season in 2000, but return a number of key players on both offense and defense in 2001.

2001 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SIGNINGS

Name	            Ht.	Wt.	Pos.	High School/ Hometown
Darrell Adams	  6-4	220	DE	Islip High School/ Bayshore, N.Y.
Gregory Bishop	  6-2	210	LB	Western/ Weston, Fla.
Joseph Casamento    6-1	188	QB	Christian Brothers Acad/ Fabius, N.Y.
Julius Davis	  5-9	195	RB	Holy Cross/ Mt. Holly, N.J.
John Dieser	  6-2	197	WR	Bethlehem Catholic/ Bethlehem, Pa.
Philip Digiacomo    6-1	215	RB	Central Bucks W./ Warrington, Pa.
Isaiah Harrison	  5-11	165	DB	Radnor/ Wayne, Pa.
Brian Hulea	  6-3	235	LB	Canfield/ Canfield, Ohio
Adam James	  5-10	170	P/PK	Harrison/ Marietta, Ga.
Jeremy Morgan	  5-11	180	DB	Harrison/ Kennesaw, Ga.
David Reid	  6-4	240	OL	Rancocas Valley Reg./ Medford, N.J.
Jason Saks	  6-3	265	OL	Manheim Central/ Manheim, Pa.
Randy Sims	  6-0	215	LB	Archbishop Riordan/ San Francisco, Calif.
Terence Taylor	  6-4	235	DE	Farmington/ Hartford, Conn.
Raymond Ventrone   5-11	190	DB	Chartiers Valley/ Pittsburgh, Pa.
Curtis Waltman	  6-0	170	DB	Garden Spot/ East Earl, Pa.
Anthony Wright	  6-2	220	TE	N. Schuykill Jr.-Sr./ Frackville, Pa.
Leighton Zema	  6-2	195	WR	Steelton-Highspire Jr.-Sr./ Steelton, Pa.