CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Will Thomas, a wide receiver from Topsail High in Hampstead, N.C., has etched his name into Charlotte 49ers' history: He is the school's first football player after sending in a time-stamped fax at 7:02 a.m., two minutes after college recruits were allowed to begin signing.
Thomas was quickly followed by Maiden (N.C.) High quarterback Matt Johnson and 12 others.
Ayden-Grifton running back Kariym Gent also signed with the Charlotte 49ers on Wednesday.
The 49ers, a FCS independent, will begin play in 2013.
Charlotte coach Brad Lambert has been anxious for this day since being hired, saying "to see the first two names come across, it was really exciting. It's kind of neat that it was a receiver and quarterback. I guess we're ready to score some points."
Lambert says "it just makes it real. We've got a team now."
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
