Amato Introduces His 'Magnificent Seven'

Jan. 9, 2003

Raleigh, N.C.-Still glowing in the aftermath of his team's 28-6 romp over Notre Dame in last week's Gator Bowl, NC State football coach Chuck Amato had plenty more to smile about on Thursday as he welcomed seven new members to his program. In an unusual pre-signing day press affair, Amato took time out to introduce the players, who could compete for playing time next season.

Four of the players-Mario Williams, Ernest Jones, Demarcus "Tank" Tyler, and Yomi Ojo-have enrolled at NC State after graduating from their respective high schools a semester early. Two others-LaMart Barrett and Garland Heath-originally signed with the Pack last spring. The seventh player taking part in the festivities Thursday was Huntersville, North Carolina's Derek Morris, who originally signed with Ohio State.

All seven players started classes on Thursday and will be eligible to join the Pack for spring practice.

"I don't know if I've ever seen seven true freshman come in at mid-semester," Amato said. "People will sometimes bring in five or six junior college players along with a freshman here or there, but this is kind of a unique situation. We are tickled and we need them. Our numbers have been down ever since we've been here. This is a chance to get our numbers up near 85 [scholarship] players or very, very close to it when recruiting is over."

NC State has already experienced quite a bit of success with at least one player that enrolled in second semester following an early high school graduation. After earning his diploma in December of 1999, Athens, Alabama's Philip Rivers went through spring practice in 2000 and was eventually named ACC Rookie of the Year after leading the Wolfpack to a 7-4 record later that fall. Rivers is now on track to become the ACC's all-time passing leader.

"Number one, it gives them a chance to get a jump-start academically," Amato said. "They have a semester here that they don't have to worry about playing games, having six days a week where they're going to practice. And then the opportunity to go through an off-season conditioning program, which is something that will open their eyes, and learn the intensity that we try to ask our young men to give. And then there's 15 days of spring practice where they learn how we want things done."

All the recent high school graduates were unanimous in their agreement that it was to their advantage to get an early start by enrolling at NC State for the spring semester.

"Coming early was a plus for me because I thought it would give me a jump-start a semester early," said Tyler, a 6-3, 301-pound defensive lineman from E.E. Smith High in Fayetteville. "I can go ahead and start lifting and running instead of just sitting around all summer and eating."

2002 Wolfpack Spring Newcomers

Lamart Barrett
6-1- 190 - Wide Receiver
Miami Springs Fla., Miami Springs HS
Tallied 29 receptions for 560 yards and 10 touchdowns, with another touchdown coming from a kickoff return at Old Avon Prep as a senior at Miami Springs, threw for six touchdown passes as a quarterback, had 36 receptions for 510 yards and 10 TDs as a wide receiver, and rushed for another 110 yards ... A special teams veteran who returned 210 kicks and 120 punts over his prep career...Also competed with his high school boys basketball team posts a 4.45 forty-yard dash mark Originally signed with the Pack last spring, he attended the Gator Bowl with the team.

Garland Heath
6-2 - 190 - Safety
Belle Glade Fla., Glades Central HS
Tallied 34 stops and intercepted three passes as a senior...Named to the Orlando Sun Sentinel Dandy Dozen, which ranks the best defensive backs in the state of Florida ... Rated the nation 38th-best defensive back by Rivals100.com... SuperPrep called him the 78th-best player in the state ... Originally signed with the Pack last spring, he attended the Gator Bowl with the team.

Ernest Jones
6-3 - 210 - Linebacker
Henderson NC, Southern Vance HS
Runs a 4.6 forty yard dash...Rivals100.com ranks him 42nd among linebackers nationally, he is ranked 26th by insiders.com...Posted 110 tackles, two interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and three blocked kicks as a senior...Boasts a 31-inch vertical leap...Rivals.com ranks him No. 43 among outside linebackers...Played for the North Carolina...squad in the 2002 Shrine Bowl team ... Graduated from high school in December and attended the Gator Bowl with the Pack.

Derek Morris
6-6 - 360 - Offensive Line
Huntersville N.C., North Mecklenburg HS
First-team USA Today and Parade All-American in 2001...Ranked the No. 4 offensive tackle in the nation by rivals.com, G&W ranked him the nation's top offensive lineman...Graded out at 89% as a senior and recorded 28 pancake blocks...First offensive lineman ever to win Shrine Bowl honors ... Bench presses 475 pounds and squats over 700...Ranked as the No. 32 overall prospect coming out of high school by theinsiders.com ... Originally signed with Ohio State but still has four years of eligibility remaining.

Yomi Ojo
6-4 - 315 - Offensive Line
Raleigh N.C., Southeast Raleigh HS
One of the top offensive linemen in the state...Rivals.com North Carolina Top 25 selection...Ranked third among North Carolina offensive linemen by Rivals.com...Named all-conference as a junior and was an early commitment to the Wolfpack...Played lacrosse to improve his footwork... Graduated from high school in December and attended the Gator Bowl with the Pack.

DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler
6-3 - 301 - Defensive Line
Fayetteville N.C., E.E. Smith HS
Played tackle on offense and end on defense...Notched nine sacks and 67 tackles as a senior... Starter for North Carolina in the 2002 Shrine Bowl...Cape Fear Region player of the year...First-team Two Rivers 4-A Conference and All-Cape Fear region selection as a senior...Named all-conference as a junior...Led his team to a 12-3 record as they advanced to the Eastern 4-A Regional Championship game...Bench presses 435 pounds and squats 500...Ranked No. 28 among all defensive tackles nationally by theinsiders.com, Rivals.com No. 38 defensive tackle nationally ... Graduated from high school in December.

Mario Williams
6-6 - 250 - Defensive End
Richlands, N.C., Richlands HS
Recorded 87 tackles, 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and five blocked kicks as a senior...Also played running back as a senior because of injuries at that position, he rushed for 590 yards and three touchdowns on 58 carries...Recorded over 100 tackles as a junior...Boasts 4.6 speed in the 40 yard dash...Bench presses 385 pounds and squats 475...Fifth-best defensive end nationally by BorderWars.com, Rivals100.com ranks him ninth among defensive ends nationally...Selected to the 2002 North Carolina Shrine Bowl team where he notched four sacks...2002 Associated Press All-State selection...One of three North Carolina High School players to be named to FoxSN 2002 Countdown to Signing Day All-South team...High school number (82) will be retired...Graduated from high school in December and attended the Gator Bowl with the Pack.

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