Guilford Welcomes First Round of 2009 Commitments

Greensboro, N.C. (4/3/09) --  Guilford College head football coach Kevin Kiesel announced the intention of eight incoming students to play football for the Quakers Friday. All eight students have made their deposit to the college and will enroll for classes beginning in August.

Kyle LaRose (Wilmington, N.C.) lettered his senior season at Eugene Ashley High School for coach Dylan Dimmick. The 5-10, 145-pound wide receiver/kick returner earned All-Mideastern Conference recognition and the team's offensive player of the year award. As a senior, he caught 26 passes for 461 yards and three touchdowns.

Taylor Jenks (Wake Forest, N.C.) lettered three seasons with the football team at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School for coach Earl Smith, a 1976 Guilford graduate. A linebacker, Jenks  was named to the Academic All-Cap-7 Conference squad all four years and served as team captain his senior year. He registered a club-high 123 in tackles in 2008 and helped his squad to three Cap-7 Conference titles (2006, 2007, 2008).

Gregory Woodlief, Jr. (Sterling, Va.)  lettered all four seasons with Potomac Falls High School for his father, Gregory Woodlief, Sr. The 5-10, 190-pound quarterback and defensive back racked up several awards within the Dulles District. Woodlief  was a first-team all-district defensive back and earned second-team honors as a quarterback and punter in 2008. In addition, he was named honorable mention all-state and All-Met as a defensive back. Woodlief  also led Potomac Falls in career passing yards and threw the program's longest passing touchdown (88 yards). He passed for 2,500 yards and ran for 900 yards and 22 touchdowns in his senior year. Woodlief considered Washington & Jefferson College, Bridgewater College, Randolph-Macon College and Glenville State College before choosing Guilford.

Branson O'Hara (Asheboro, N.C.) lettered two seasons at Southwestern Randolph High School for coach Mike Loutzenheiser. The 6-0, 250-pounder played four years on the offensive and defensive line. His senior year he won All-Mid-Piedmont 3A Conference, All-Randolph County, and the team's Most Valuable Lineman honors. O'Hara also competed with the school's wrestling team where as a senior, he earned all-conference recognition and was runner up for the league's Wrestler of the Year Award. He considered Methodist University, Averett University and Greensboro College before choosing Guilford.

Henry Williamson (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) lettered three seasons with the Wando High School football team under coach Bob Hayes. The 6-foot, 280-pound offensive lineman was named the team's MVP among offensive linemen. He also lettered one year with Wando's track team as a thrower. Williamson  holds the school's bench-press record (385) and considered The Citadel, Brevard College, Charleston Southern University and Coastal Carolina University before choosing Guilford.

Joshua Josephs (Liberty, N.C.) lettered two seasons at Providence Grove High School in Liberty, N.C., under coach Todd Shuping. The 6-foot, 165-pound linebacker earned All-Central Carolina Conference 2A and All-Randolph County honors his senior year.  Josephs  also lettered in tennis and track as a junior. He considered Campbell University before choosing Guilford.

Brett Hauser (Pfafftown, N.C.) lettered two seasons at Reagan High School under coach Greg King. The 6-foot, 205-pound defensive lineman is a two-time All-Piedmont Triad 3A Conference honoree. He considered Averett, Greensboro and Ferrum College before choosing Guilford.

Corey Sackrison (Edenton, N.C.) lettered his senior season at John A. Holmes High School under coach Bob Turner. The 6-foot, 190-pound kicker/punter was awarded All-Albermarle Northeastern Coastal Conference honors. Sackrison also lettered four seasons with the school's soccer team, where he served as co-captain, won the 2007 team's offensive player of the year award and was chosen to the 2007 and 2008 all-area teams. He also lettered three years with the school's baseball team. Sackrison considered Methodist, Chowan University, Greensboro and N.C. Wesleyan College before choosing Guilford.

Guilford concluded the 2008 season with a 4-6 overall record, 1-5 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The Quakers lost nine seniors from the 2008 team and expect as many as 43 letter winners back in 2009. Coach Kevin Kiesel's  club is scheduled to open the season Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m. against Greensboro College in the 13th annual Gate City Soup Bowl.