Football: Five More Avengers Sign with Four-Year Schools

February 2, 2011

(L-R) Fidel Cooper (Lincoln University), John Williams (Lincoln University), Damian Jones (Virginia Union University), Kevin Robinson (Murray State University)

Brooklyn, NY---- This morning five more ASA football players signed with four-year NCAA schools making a total of sixteen so far this year (a very impressive accomplishment for a second-year program and their first as a member of the Northeast Football Conference.

Joseph "JoJo" Blanks (Pembroke, NC) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to continue his academic and football career at NCAA Division I-A East Carolina University (Greenville, NC), a member of Conference USA. The sophomore mike linebacker finished the season ranked second on the team in tackles (one tackle behind Ole Miss signee, Ivan Nicholas) with 49 (23 solo) total tackles. Blanks also recorded 17 tackles for a loss for 39 yards, five sacks for a total of 23 yards, and two pass break-ups. For his efforts, JoJo was named to the All-Northeast Football Conference Second Team.

Sophomore defensive end Kevin Robinson (Silver Spring, MD) is the other defensive player to sign this morning with an NCAA four-year school. Robinson will be on the gridiron next season for the Racers of Murray State, an NCAA Division I-AA program in Murray, KY. This season Robinson finished with 27 (18 solo) total tackles. He also led the Northeast Conference in sacks with ten on the season. He was named All-NFC Second Team.

Sophomore offensive tackle John Williams (Brooklyn, NY) was happy to announce this morning that he will be continuing his education and protection of the quarterback at Lincoln University (Chester County, PA). The 6-8 325-pound tackle was a staple on the offensive line this season improving with every game and every workout. Lincoln plays football at the NCAA Division II level and is the Unites States first degree-granting historically black university.

John Williams will be joined at Lincoln University by fellow Avenger, Fidel Cooper (Paterson, NJ). The sophomore running back finished the 2010 season with 224 on 44 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Cooper also scored two touchdowns and his longest carry was for 39 yards. He was also very active on special teams.

Last but certainly not least is sophomore tailback Damian Jones (Bronx, NY). Next season, he will be taking the classroom and football field by storm at NCAA Division II Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA). Jones made the most of his four game appearances in 2010. On his two carries, Jones gained sixteen yards for an average of eight yards per carry.

Congratulations to all of today’s signees!