March 12, 2008

Ronnie Lillard, a 6-3, 215-pound linebacker from Ft. Myers, FL has signed a national letter of intent to play football for Rice, beginning with the 2008 season. The announcement was made by Rice head football coach David Bailiff.

Lillard attended the United States Air Force Academy Prep School in Colorado Springs, CO this past year after graduating from Lehigh High School in Ft. Myers. He was credited with 62 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and a blocked field goal this past fall.

He was a three-year starter for coach Matt Perkowski at Lehigh HS, earning All-County, All-Southwest Florida and All-District honors. He was a member of the Southwest Florida All-Star Team and was credited with 127 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2006. He led his team to back-to-back district titles in his last two years and finished his career with 268 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, picked off three passes, forced six fumbles and blocked one punt.

Lillard graduated from high school with a 3.5 G.P.A. and was presented the Outstanding English Student award, as well as earning the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Highest Math Score Award.