First players commit to UNCP football

By Brandon Barber
Sports Editor

Braves’ football now has two of the 11 slots filled on the offensive side of the ball.

On Feb. 2, head coach Pete Shinnick announced the signing of offensive lineman Jerry Jones and running back Brandon McLaurin to National Letters-of-Intent.

Both Jones and McLaurin played at South View High School in Fayetteville.

“Having these two young men as a part of the UNCP football family is a giant step in the right direction,” Shinnick said.

“They’re good, solid pickups offensively,” recruiting coordinator Shane Richardson said.

Both Jones and McLaurin were named to the 2005 Two Rivers All-Conference team.

Richardson said the team should start announcing recruits at a steady pace.

“Once we get in the groove, hopefully we’ll announce a few every week or every two weeks,” Richardson said.

In most cases, a team recruits players who fit the offensive and defensive schemes which the coaches prefer to run.

UNCP is in a unique situation since they are building from scratch.

Because of this, Richardson said the Braves may have to cater their schemes to the athletes they recruit, but doing so is something they are excited about since it is so rare.