MIAMI, Fla. (www.fiusports.com) – FIU head football coach Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff enjoyed the rewards of a tireless recruiting effort on Wednesday when they received 24 National Letters of Intent from prospective student-athletes, who are set to join the program for the 2008 season.

“We’re fired up. We’re very, very fired up,” Cristobal said of his staff and program. “This (class) is incredible.

“We knew this was the best field of football players to recruit from in Florida in many, many years. Every program in the country knew this was going to be a great year in Florida. We knew schools were coming down here to our home territory and we knew we had to recruit hard early,” Cristobal said.

That meant not backing away from nationally-recruited players like All-Miami Dade two-sport star TY Hilton of Miami Springs High School and Booker T. Washington defensive end Johnathan Jackson, who will both attend FIU.

“It ended up being an incredible class for us,” Cristobal said.

Twenty-two of the 24 prospective student-athletes in Cristobal’s second signing class are from the Sunshine State. The class includes twelve all-state selections, eight players who played on state champion teams and 13 players from South Florida.

“We wanted to address every position and recruit across the board and improve in size, speed, athleticism, demeanor and attitude. We wanted winners,” Cristobal said.

Although every position group on both sides of the ball was addressed in the signing class, there was a definite emphasis on bringing in defensive playmakers. Two players led the state in game-changing defensive categories. Miami Booker T. Washington defensive end Kambriel Willis led the state with 28 sacks and Apopka High School defensive back Derrick Clark picked off 13 passes to lead all of Florida. Lake Gibson HS defensive end James Jones was Polk County’s Defensive Player of the Year and a Florida Sports Writer’s 5A First Team All-State pick.

Lowndes High School (Valdosta, Ga.) all-time rushing leader Darriet Perry and Milford Prep (N.Y.) defensive standout Marcelus Manear (Ft. Washington, Md.) represented FIU’s out-of-state signees.

FIU opens the 2008 season in its new stadium on Sept. 20 against South Florida. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 305-FIU-GAME, or by visiting www.fiusports.com.

Stephen Bailey

6-6/265

Offensive Lineman

Boynton Beach, Fla.

American Heritage HS (Delray Beach)

The 1A First Team All-District 10 selection helped pave the way for head coach Willie Bueno’s 2007 Florida 1A state champions...started at right tackle for the Stallions’ spread offense and helped the team produce two 1,000-yard rushers and 60 rushing touchdowns in a 13-1 season...was part of an offense that averaged nearly 42 points per game...played two years of football and chose FIU over Army...also plays basketball, winning American Heritage’s Most Improved Award in 2004-05...was also selected as a 2008 AAU National Invitational All-American...selected as a “Who’s Who” top student-athlete in 2004-05...comes from an athletic family with one uncle, Paul Morrison, who played basketball in college, and another uncle, Phillip Morrison, who played basketball professionally in Israel...son of Desai Egerton Bailey and Joy Bailey...has one brother, Pierre Jean.

Chris Charles

5-10/170

Defensive Back

Pompano Beach, Fla.

Coral Springs Charter

16-2A First Team All-District pick at safety...selected to play in the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and the BCAA All-Star Game as a senior...recorded 67 tackles, four forced fumbles and had eight passes defensed his senior season to earn a spot on the Miami Herald First Team 3A-1A All-Broward Team...Miami Herald Third Team 3A-1A All-Broward as a junior...played four years of football for head coach Otis Mounds, as well as four years of basketball and three years of track...state finalist in the long jump and 400-yard dash...son of Andre and Margareth Charles...recruited by Florida Atlantic, Central Michigan, Marshall and Akron.

Derrick Clark

6-1/185

Defensive Back

Apopka, Fla.

Apopka HS

Led the entire state in class 6A with 13 interceptions to help head coach Rick Darlington’s Apopka team to a 12-2 record...third team All-State pick...Orlando Sentinel First Team All-Central Florida selection who recorded 38 tackles, two touchdowns and four receptions, while sharing punting duties...recruited by Purdue, Arkansas and South Florida,

Troy Dannehower

6-1/220

Quarterback

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Seabreeze HS

A powerful athlete with a strong arm, Dannehower is a hard-running dual-threat quarterback...FSWA 4A Second Team All-State and Second Team All-Central Florida pick as a senior after running the spread offense at Seabreeze...First Team District 7-4A...helped lead the North Team to a 25-7 win in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Game...led Seabreeze to an undefeated regular season and a 12-1 overall mark...completed 58-of-100 passes for 976 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions...also rushed 75 times for 445 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior...ran for 897 yards and nine touchdowns, and completed 120-of-185 passes for 18 touchdowns as a junior on his way to being named the 2006 Daytona Beach News-Journal Player of the Year...recruited by Louisville and South Florida.

Aaron Davis

6-0/240

Linebacker

Bartow, Fla.

Bartow HS

Middle linebacker with good size...has the ability to rush off the end in college...FSWA 3A All-State Honorable Mention as a senior...team MVP as a senior...First Teamm All-Polk County...FACA District 12 Second Team selection as a junior.

Winston Fraser

6-2/225

Linebacker

Miami, Fla.

Booker T. Washington HS

Starting linebacker on what was widely regarded as the state’s top defensive team in 2007...named MVP of the 2007 4A state championship game in which he recorded 13 tackles...first team All-District 18-4A...ended the season with 110 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions for the nation’s No. 4-ranked high school team...played in the Nike Dade-Broward All-Star Game.

Chuck Grace

5-10/185

Safety

Tampa, Fla.

Hillsborough HS

First Team All-Hillsborough County selection and a All-State Honorable Mention as a running back...Hillsborough County All-Star Game Offensive MVP...recorded 55 tackles, two interceptions and scored one touchdown on defense as a senior...also participates in track & field...son of Ricky and Tonia Pyron...recruited by Temple, Toledo, Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic and South Florida.

AJ Grant

6-0/220

Linebacker

Jacksonville, Fla.

Sandalwood HS

FSWA 6A Third Team All-State linebacker who has been clocked at a 4.45 in the 40...has the speed to play safety and the frame to add enough weight to be a solid linebacker at the college level...played for the North Team in Florida Shrine Bowl...selected to the 2007 Jacksonville Times-Union Super 11...Times-Union Florida Super 75 pick as a safety...rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals.com...ranked as the state’s 54^th-best player by Scout.com...Times-Union First Team selection as a junior in 2006...recruited by Illinois, South Carolina, Purdue, Miami (Fla.), Southern Miss and Mississippi State.

Joey Harris

6-3/230

Tight End

Chiefland, Fla.

Chiefland HS

Played two years of football for head coach Kyle Parnell...team captain as a senior...Gainesville Sun Super 11 Prep Star Selection...Levy County Newcomer of the Year...caught six passes for 120 yards as a senior...four-year member of the A and B Honor Rolls...also played four years of baseball, hitting seven home runs and batting over .300 last year...participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government and Odyssey of the Mind...son of Joseph Harris II and Kimberly Jean Harris...has a younger sister, Mindy.

TY Hilton

5-10/175

Wide Receiver

Miami, Fla.

Miami Springs HS

Considered by many to be the best athlete in Dade County...nominated for Dade County’s Athlete of the Year...two-sport star (basketball) selected as a Miami Herald First Team All-Dade in football this year and First Team All-Dade in basketball as a junior...FSWA 6A Second Team All-State pick...averaged 18.7/catch as a senior, totaling 785 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns and also had four touchdowns on returns in 10 games...led Dade County with eight interceptions as a sophomore to go along with 650 receiving yards...was injured most of his junior year...four-year starter in basketball and will most-likely play in college...recruited by Ole Miss, West Virginia and Florida.

Johnathan Jackson

6-3/235

Defensive End

Miami, Fla.

Booker T. Washington HS

Recorded 19 sacks despite missing three games with a shoulder injury for the 2007 4A state champions and nation’s fourth-ranked team...recorded 3.5 sacks in the state title game against Nease... Miami Herald Second Team All-Dade pick...District 18-4A First Team pick...selected to Nike Dade-Broward All-Star Game...recruited by Miami (Fla.), Middle Tennessee, Akron and Central Florida.

James Jones

6-1/230

Defensive End

Lakeland, Fla.

Lake Gibson HS

FSWA 5A First Team All-State pick and the Lakeland Ledger Polk County Defensive Player of the Year as a senior...recorded 7.5 sacks in nine games as a senior, despite being double-teamed most of the season...had 98 tackles, 12 sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior...registered 67 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore...recruited by South Florida.

Cedric Mack

6-4/320

Offensive Line

Miami, Fla.

El Camino Junior College (Calif.)

Massive offensive tackle who was a JC Gridwire Honorable Mention All-American...2007 and 2006 All-Mission Conference First Team...started 24 games in his two years at El Camino...Rivals.com 3-start prospect...attended Miami Palmetto High School...recruited by Southern Miss, Washington State, Arizona, Kansas State, Kentucky, Oregon State and South Florida.

Marcelus Manear

5-11/180

Safety

Fort Washington, Md.

Milford Prep (N.Y.)

Played the 2007 season at Milford Prep Academy for head coach Bill Chaplick in New Berlin, N.Y...recorded 55 tackles, eight sacks and two interceptions to help the team to an 11-1 record and the 2007 Prep School National Championship...three-time player of the week...an Honorable Mention All-State selection his junior year as a receiver...rated a Scout.com three-star recruit... recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Toledo and Buffalo...son of Rickey and Wendy Manear...has one sister, Patrice.

Junior Mertile

6-0/180

Wide Receiver

Miami, Fla.

North Miami HS

Miami Herald First Team All-Dade pick as an athlete...FSWA Third Team All-State selection...team captain for head coach Leonard Graham at North Miami...played in the Nike Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game...timed at 4.5 in the 40...thrives in the open field with good vision and quickness...a diverse athlete who can play multiple positions on offense and in the return game...recorded 65 tackles and two interceptions on defense and 761 rushing yards with eight touchdowns on offense as a senior...recruited by Kent State and Akron.

Darriet Perry

5-9/195

Running Back

Valdosta, Ga.

Lowndes HS

The all-time rushing and touchdown leader at Lowndes has been recognized for his balance, cutback ability and great vision...totaled 3,759 yards and 41 touchdowns in his four-year career...four-time First Team All-Region pick...Georgia 5A Second Team All-State selection as a senior after rushing for 1,311 yards and 16 touchdowns on 179 carries...won three state titles at Lowndes, including 2007, when he rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries against North Gwinnett...selected to the 2007 GACA North/South All-Star Game...rushed for 704 yards on 129 carries with eight touchdowns as a junior...totaled 749 yards on 103 carries with 11 touchdowns as a sophomore...had 805 yards on 77 carries with six touchdowns as a freshman...recruited by Central Michigan, Illinois, Middle Tennessee and Troy.

Andre Pound

6-3/280

Offensive Line

Sebastian River, Fla.

Sebastian River HS

First Team All-Treasure Coast pick...started on the offensive line for Sebastian River, helping head coach Randy Bethel’s Sharks average 5.5 yards per carry...also plays basketball and competes in track & field, advancing to the FHSAA finals as a junior...recruited by Florida Atlantic.

Jercorey Quarterman

6-2/185

Safety

Miami, Fla.

Parkway Academy

Selected to the Broward Bowl as a safety...First Team 11-2B All-District selection for head coach Anthony Harris...also plays basketball.

Kasey Smith

6-3/245

Defensive Tackle

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Seabreeze HS

Named to the FSWA 4A All-State Second Team...Volusia County Defensive Player of the Year as a disruptive inside force...ranked second on the team with 65 tackles and picked off one pass to help lead Seabreeze to an undefeated regular season and a regional playoff appearance...named the East defensive MVP of the Central Florida All-Star Game...also recruited by Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Emmanuel Souarin

5-11/180

Defensive Back

Miami, Fla.

Norland HS

A two-star cornerback prospect of Rivals.com...a classic Miami speedster who could also step in as a true freshmen and make an immediate impact...a first-team All-Dade county selection of The Miami Herald with 32 tackles, four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and one fumble returned for TD...a member of the Dade/Broward all star game and the Florida North/South all star game...played nearly every skilled position on the field for head coach Nigel Dunn last season. At quarterback, Souarin had 390 yards and five touchdowns. At running back, he had 235 yards and four scores. At receiver, he caught 7 passes for 120 yards and two scores...runs a 4.5, 40-yard dash...also recruited by Troy, Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, Western Michigan, Central Michigan.

Kenneth White

6-3/250

Offensive Tackle

Miami, Fla.

Norland HS

A second-team 6A all-state offensive tackle who also started on the defensive line for head coach Nigel Dunn...recorded 38 pancake blocks as a senior...ranked No. 85 among The Orlando Sentinel’s Top-100 Football Prospects...5.15 time in the 40-yard dash...also recruited by Rutgers, South Florida and Central Michigan.

Kambriel Willis

6-0/215

Defensive End

Miami, Fla.

Booker T. Washington HS

A 3-star Rivals.com prospect...led the state in sacks...a first-team 4A all-state and All-Dade County selection of The Miami Herald who recorded 60 tackles, 28 sacks (including two-and-a-half sacks in the state championship game) and three fumble recoveries on the season for head coach Tim Harris...ranked No. 93 on The Orlando Sentinel’s Top-100 Football Prospects.

Donnell Wilson

6-0/265

Defensive Tackle

Naples, Fla.

Golden Gate HS

Played four years of football for head coach Dave Tanner at Golden Gate HS...named Naples Daily News and News-Press Honorable Mention All-Area, Second Team All-Collier County and District 12-5A First Team as a senior...First Team All-West Coast...recorded 60 tackles, a sack, an interception and led the team with 11 tackles for a loss of 41 yards as a defensive tackle his senior season...helped lead Golden Gate to back-to-back District Championships in 2006 and ’07...has also played four years of basketball at Golden Gate and was named the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week after scoring 19 points in the Gulfshore Shootout...can bench press 405 pounds...competed in track and field in 2005-06...participated in the Scholar’s Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes...son of Larry Hamilton and Mary Woods-Hamilton...also recruited by Clemson, Auburn, Wisconsin, South Florida, Pittsburgh, Ball State, Alabama-Birmingham, Troy and Florida Atlantic.