With their best season in five years in the books, head coach Alonzo Lee and the Aggie football program took another step in the rebuilding process by signing 18 recruits.

The players that signed letters of intent to play Aggie football range from as far north as Michigan to as far south as Florida.

After posting more wins in his first season than his predecessor’s entire tenure (Lee Fobbs, 3-26), Lee is optimistic about the direction his program is headed in after his first full recruiting class.

“We set out a mission this spring to go get some quality players and we’re excited,” Lee said. “

The 2009 senior class included the departure of more than 10 players, leaving Lee and his staff looking for replacements – specifically in the trenches.

Some of them included Detroit natives Jarrell Herring, Tyree Glasper and Adam Beale, who anchored the defensive line the past two seasons and posted 28 ½ tackles for loss in 2009.

Hoping to fill that gap will be one of three players recruited from the Triad.

Daniel McNeil (6-2 210) recorded 117 tackles, 28 sacks, and three fumble recoveries over the final two seasons of his career at Ragsdale high school.

Another defensive line signee include Derrius Hamlet (6-4 265) out of Fairfield Central in Columbia.

“We definitely replenished ourselves on the defensive line,” Lee said.

“We’ve got some speed that can really come off the football and make things happen.”

And the speed doesn’t stop in the trenches.

They also snagged local all-state performer Major Bryant  out of Dudley High School, who was clocked at 4.56 in the 40-yard dash. He recorded over 135 tackles during his senior season.

Other linebackers joining Bryant include Dareon Mays out of Union Grove in McDonough, Ga. and Recco Wilson out of Carman-Ainsworth High School in Flint, Mich. Offensively, the Aggies landed Christopher Frederick out of Garner’s West Johnston, who was ranked no. 1 in the state at running back at the start of the 2009 season. 

Blocking for him on the offensive line will include Maryland standout William Robinson III (6-4, 290) out of Riverdale Baptist High School. He was selected to two state all-star games.

The Aggies only added one quarterback to their mix of recruits, Harold D.J. Clower (6-2, 180 Dade City, Fla.). He led Pasco High School to a 9-2 record and appearance in the district championship.

A&T opens the season Sept. 4 against Winston-Salem State.

• Daniel Henderson