Channing Welch Class: RS Freshman Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. High School: Fayette County Height / Weight: 6-2 / 246 Position: DE

Furman: Promising young defensive end who is expected to contend with junior Jay Jay Mars for significant action this fall along following the graduation of All-America performer Roy Ravenell...recorded a very impressive preseason as a true freshman a year ago. 2006 -- Member of scout team...awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School: 2006 graduate of Fayette County (5A) High School...football coach was Tommy Webb...played fullback, middle linebacker, and defensive end in his prep career...rushed for 1,992 yards, scored 25 touchdowns, registered 185 tackles, including 15 sacks, and tallied two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles during his prep tenure...served as team captain and earned all-county honors as senior after rushing for 967 yards and 13 touchdowns, and registering 59 tackles in five games...had 1,025 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, as well as 30 tackles and seven sacks as a junior...fashioned an equally impressive basketball career at Fayette County, playing every position from point guard to center...served as basketball team captain and averaged 20 points and 16 rebounds per game his senior year.

Personal: Full name is Channing Napolean Welch...son of Larry and Judy Welch...born February 3, 1988, in Atlanta, Georgia...has a sister, Chasity, and a brother, Cedric...cousin, Willie Williams, played basketball at LSU...great-great grandfather, John T. Arnold, a former slave, helped build Edgefield Baptist Church, the first black church in Fayetteville, Georgia...undeclared major.