GREENSBORO – For two seasons, the North Carolina A&T defensive line was anchored by Detroit natives Tyre Glasper, Adam Beal and Jarrell Herring. In 2009, the trio combined to make 28 ½ tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including eight sacks as Herring earned All-MEAC honors.

But their eligibility ended in 2009, leaving the North Carolina A&T football program with huge holes to fill along the defensive front four. Second-year head coach Alonzo Lee and his staff filled those gaps by signing three defensive linemen, including two defensive ends as part of their 2010 Signing Day class.

In total, Lee announced the signing of 18 players to national letters of intent on Wednesday. Three of those players are from area high schools. Lee will elaborate on the Aggies signing class tonight at 6:30 when the football program hosts its fourth annual Signing Day Party at Stallings Ballroom inside N.C. A&T's Memorial Student Union.

“Our goal is to make each class better than the previous,'' said Lee. “We definitely feel like our class last season was excellent, but this class is really going to challenge that class in terms of talent. I think we took care of our own backyard again, which is crucially important to me in recruiting.”

One of those Triad players is defensive end Daniel McNeil (6-2, 210) out of Greensboro. McNeil led Ragsdale to back-to-back conference championships by recording 117 tackles, 28 sacks and three fumble recoveries over the final two seasons of his career. The other defensive linemen signees include defensive end Dontrail McDaniel (6-2, 225) out of Richland Northeast in Columbia, S.C.; and Derrius Hamlet (6-4, 265) out of Fairfield Central in Columbia.

“We definitely replenished ourselves on the defensive line,'' said Lee. “I feel like we really enhanced our pass rush with this class. We've got some guys with speed that can really come off the football and make things happen.”

Lee, who coached five different defenses to top 15 national rankings during his tenure as a defensive coordinator, knows an outstanding defensive line is made by putting solid linebackers behind it. Just as pressing as its need for defensive linemen, the Aggies coaching staff felt it needed a similar push to sign an outstanding class at linebacker.

Greensboro Dudley linebacker Major Bryant is one of five linebackers Lee signed. Bryant runs a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash, and he is a two-time All-State performer. He posted 135 tackles, had 14 sacks, forced four fumbles and recovered five during his senior season. He will join the five other Dudley graduates Lee signed in 2009. The other 2010 Aggie linebacker signees include Marcus Arline (5-11, 225) out of Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.; Christian Insley (6-0, 215) out of Ashbrook in Gastonia, N.C.; Dareon Mays (5-11, 225)  out of Union Grove in McDonough, Ga.; and Recco Wilson (6-2, 210) out Carman-Ainsworth in Flint, Mich.

“We really needed to step up and sign some big-time talent at the linebacker position, so we can do some things with our (defensive line) front,'' said Lee. “We signed some heavy hitters. We've got some guys that are really going to make you feel it when they hit you.”

The Aggies staff went after immediate help along the offensive line as well. Lee believes the Aggies made significant upgrades at the offensive line positions because the four he signed were all being pursued by major Division I schools.

William Robinson III, who attended Riverdale Baptist High and is from Clinton, Md., stands at 6-4 and weighs 290 pounds. He was selected for two all-star games, including the Prince George's County vs. SMAC All-Star Game. Robinson did not allow a sack his senior season. Center Ronald “RJ” Canty (6-2, 270) out of Chester High in Chester, S.C., really has the coaching staff excited, while Westlake's Nathan Isles' (6-5, 285, Atlanta, Ga.) late commitment meant the staff signed the top four linemen on its list. Kortlan Jackson (6-3, 280, St. John's College HS) out of Upper Marlboro, Md., also signed with the Aggies.

“They are going to have a great opportunity to compete for starting jobs this season,'' said Lee. “We're talking about two-and-three star athletes here. Our offense just became a whole lot better with these four guys.”

Two defensive backs signed with N.C. A&T, including Jamie Smith (5-10, 170) out of High Point Andrews. Defensive back Travis Crosby (5-11, 180, Charlotte), who attended Victory Christian and West Charlotte High Schools as a prep standout, made the North Carolina Independent Scholastic Athletic Association All-State team as a senior.

The Aggies added to their great group of running backs that includes MEAC Rookie of the Year Michael Mayhew by signing Christopher “CJ” Frederick (5-10, 195, Garner, West Johnston). At the start of the season, rivals.com had him ranked as the No. 1 running back in the state, the 28^th ranked athlete in the nation and the 54^th ranked running back nationally. Frederick ran for nearly 3,000 yards and scored 43 touchdowns over a two-year span. Fullback Devin Moore (6-2, 245) could be the heir apparent to current fullback Justin Kearney. Moore is out of Charlotte, and he attended East Mecklenburg High.   

Harold “DJ” Clower (6-2, 180) is the only quarterback who signed with the Aggies thus far. The Dade City, Fla., native led Pasco High to a 9-2 record and the school's third straight district championship during his senior season. He threw for 1,617 yards and 15 touchdowns in the process. Braddie Ellison (6-3, 230) is the only tight end in the class. He is out of Brooksville, Fla., and attended Nature Coast Tech. Four of his 10 receptions last season went for touchdowns.

“We really feel good about this class,'' said Lee. “Yes, we addressed some needs, but we also brought some guys in here who are ready to compete for playing time right away. That's what we want. We want guys who are willing to put in the hard work it takes to get on that field and play on Saturdays.”