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Plant's James Tops Bethune's Class

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

TAMPA - Bethune-Cookman University added a slew of Wildcats to its roster on National Signing Day.

B-CU inked 19 players, including Plant's Kevin James, to its arsenal Wednesday. James caught 36 passes for 675 yards - the third highest total for the Panthers - and seven touchdowns. He is one of three receivers who signed with B-CU.

The most important position that needed attention was quarterback, which is wide open after two-year starter Jimmie Russell, B-CU's MVP in the 2007 Florida Classic, completed his senior term this past season.

The Wildcats added three arms - Maurice Francois (Palm Bay Bayside), Ronald Gaudin (Miami Archbishop Curley) and Courtney Keith (Eustis) - to the mix in hopes of finding a replacement.

"While we weren't able to go after as many guys as we would normally have done because of the amount of scholarship lettermen we have returning, we did, in fact, go after some great student-athletes this year," Bethune coach Alvin Wyatt said. "We were in a position where we were limited in the amount of scholarships we could offer this year, but the ones that signed for us are some very talented ballplayers. I will tell you that we can match our skill players that we have signed today up against anyone in Division I FCS Football Championship Subdivision football."

Of the 19 signees, just three were from out of state - all from Georgia.

Defensively, Bethune-Cookman lost standout linebacker Ronnie McCullough, who set a single-game mark of 20 tackles Sept 29 against Morgan State. The Wildcats added nine players, including Pompano Beach Blanche Ely's Ryan Lewis. The inside linebacker led his squad and Broward County in tackles and forced fumbles.

"We are very excited about this year's class," Wyatt said.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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