WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University head football coach Carey Bailey announces the signing of the following student athletes to letters of intent:

NAME                   POS       HT        WT       High School/CC/Hometown
Daniel Mendoza     FB        6-1        232       Colonial HS/Hudson Valley/ Orlando, FL
Ibrahima Kalil Kebe DL        6-2        275       Wilson HS/ Washington, DC
Lucious Ray             DL        6-1        310       Columbia HS/Decatur, GA
Cameron Alston      DB       6-0        180       North Augusta HS/N. Augusta, SC
Jabril Ezell              DB       6-0        185       Friendship Collegiate/Washington, DC
Julian David            DB       5-11      190       American Heritage HS/Plantation, FL
Thomas Jordan        OL/DL   6-3        300       Richland North cast HS/Columbia, SC
Nathaniel Coleman   OL/DL   6-3        292       Livonia Franklin HS/Livonia, MI
Malcolm Rutledge      OL/DL   6-3        300       Southfield HS/Southfield, MI
Khalid Jordan             OL/DL   6-6        315       Malcolm X Shabazz HS/Newark, NJ
Montario Hunter        WR        6-2        175       Ahoskie HS/Ahoskie, NC
Stephen Sims, Jr.       RB        5-9        210       Norview HS/Norfolk, VA
Brian Glover            RB/ATH 5-10      205       Woodrow Wilson HS/Washington, DC
Bryan F. Jackson, Jr.   P         6-0        200       Southern Univ. Lab School/Baton Rouge, La
Joshua Matthews      OL/DL   6-3        285       Bethune Bowman HS/Bowman, SC
Markee White            LB         6-3        220       Ahoskie HS/Ahoskie, NC
Brandon Summers     ATH       5-11      170       Inglewood HS/Inglewood, CA
Shahid Jones             LB         6-2        225       Ribault HS/Jacksonville, FL
Devonte Hawkins      LB         6-0        230       Austin-East HS/Knoxville, TN

Howard was able to address needs on the defensive line where it was hurt by graduation and the offensive line where there was a lack of depth.  Coach Bailey also signed a punter, a running back, a fullback and two defensive backs.

"We are excited about this class because it's our first time being able to go out early and sign the people we wanted," said Coach Bailey, who will be entering his fourth year at the helm.  "We were able to get quality players."

Coach Bailey added that he will eventually sign 22 new recruits and at least three transfers in an effort to improve on last season's record.

"We don't believe the past dictates our future," said Coach Bailey.  "We are optimistic about our future.  We have an older team, we have players who are seasoned and we feel very good about this recruiting class."