CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Tony DeMeo got an atlas for Christmas. The University of Charleston football coach put those pages of maps and directions to good use by collecting 40 recruits from 11 states for the Golden Eagles' 2010 class for National Signing Day.

"Recruiting from 11 states is an all-time high for UC," said DeMeo, who is entering his sixth year with the Golden Eagles. "I'm proud that we're casting our net out and being particular about kids we're recruiting. It's a credit to my staff for getting out there and beating the bushes to get kids from all over."

The Golden Eagles looked to establish depth at the quarterback position with this class, and got two players to join the race for the signal-caller's job.

UC, which finished 2009 second in the West Virginia Conference with a 9-2 record, lost two-time all WVC quarterback DaRante Hunter, who was dismissed from the team following last season.

Maurice Leak (5-foot-10, 175 lbs.) from Parkwood High School in Monroe, N.C., and Ulysses "Boobie" Tobler (6-foot, 175 lbs.) from Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Fla., signed to play for the Golden Eagles.

"I think they are very athletic and very similar to DaRante, but they are a little taller," DeMeo said. "The quarterbacks we have now are working hard and certainly deserve their chance to fight for the starting job, but the new guys are great, too."

Leak runs the 200 yard dash in 21.93 seconds, a Parkwood record, and led an option offense there. Tobler ran for 1,000 yards and passed for more than 2,000 yards last season alone at Clay, where he led the team to the second round of the Class 3A Florida football playoffs.

""The good part of us having a new quarterback this yeas is that we have so many veterans coming back," DeMeo said. "Most of our best offensive linemen are back and all of our skill positions return except (running back) Aaron Higdon. That bodes well for a new quarterback to help him through the transition."

The Golden Eagles made defense a priority in recruiting, signing players to rebuild a senior-laden group that ranked sixth in red zone coverage and 31st in total defense for 2009.

"We really helped ourselves by picking up defensive tackles Terrell Smith (6-2, 235 lbs.) from Mt. Healthy High in Cincinnati) and Chandler Caldwell (6-2, 293 lbs. from Lake Norman High in Mooresville, N.C.)," DeMeo said.

DeMeo nabbed Fleming Island High School defensive end teammates Corey Litchfield (6-3, 220 lbs.) and Addison Denney (6-3, 225 lbs.). Kyle Nazario (6-2, 220 lbs.) of St. Joseph's Academy in St. Augustine, Fla., rounds out the defensive end recruits. Nazario had 19 sacks last season.

"That's more sacks than a cement company," DeMeo said.

Dustin Phelps (5-7, 170 lbs.), a slot back from Northside High School in Roanoke, Va., joins his brother, Derek Brown, in Charleston. Brown played for UC in 2009.

DeMeo already dubbed two defensive players as his All-Name Team. Defensive back Christian Turnipseed (5-11, 180 lbs.) from Harrison High in Acworth, Ga., and defensive end Rockford Stone (5-11, 225 lbs.) from South Mecklenburg High in Charlotte, N.C., will add to the Golden Eagles' play-stopping skills.

"Those are great names," DeMeo said. "You've got to play defense with a name like Rock Stone. You can't ask for a better name for a defensive player."

UC signed three West Virginia players, all of who have transferred to the school and have begun classes in the spring semester.

Jordan Roberts (5-11, 222 lbs.), a 2007 Kennedy Award-winning running back from Scott High School, came to the Golden Eagles from West Virginia University and has three years of eligibility remaining.

"I'm tickled to get him," DeMeo said. "He is the hardest worker I have ever seen. He gives us a real power back and we haven't had that since I've been here."

Winfield High graduates Taylor Farley (6-2, 195 lbs.), a defensive back, and Steve Gaydosz (6-2, 215 lbs.), a combo running back/defensive back, give UC experience from the start.

"Farley has grown since the last time I saw him," DeMeo said.

"He looks like a good strong safety candidate. Gaydosz was a good running back in high school and both of them will get of the field this year. It's good to have them now so they can go through spring practice with us."

Both Winfield players have four years of eligibility; Farley transferred to UC from Washington & Jefferson while Gaydosz sat out a year.

DeMeo said he recruited other Kanawha Valley players, but did not receive any commitments.

"Sometimes that's the way it works out," he said. "We went after several of them, but a lot of the kids said they wanted to get away from home. We may come up with some yet; it's just the first day of the signing period."

The Golden Eagles begin spring practice March 22.