BRONCO FOOTBALL

Transcription

1 BRONCO FOOTBALL WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY 14 ALL-AMERICANS // 2 MAC CHAMPIONSHIPS // 2 MAC WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS // 4 BOWL APPEARANCES 10 PERFECT HOME SEASONS // OVER 500 PROGRAM WINS // 2007 INTERNATIONAL BOWL // 2008 TEXAS BOWL WMU Football SID: Mat Kanan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2010 WMU Football Announces National Signing Day Class of 2010 Head coach Bill Cubit and the Western Michigan football program announced the 24 members of the 2010 National Signing Day class at a press conference held in the second floor lobby of the Bill Brown Alumni Football Center. KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan football program announced its 24-member recruiting class to the media on National Signing Day during a press conference held at the Bill Brown Alumni Football Center. It is the second largest class of the Bill Cubit era and is comprised of student-athletes from six different states and spanning across 10 positional units, most notably on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as in the defensive backfield. We wanted to recruit speed and athleticism with this class and I feel our coaching staff has done a great job of finding high character student-athletes that meet both of those on-the-field qualities, commented Cubit. We had needs on the line on both sides of the ball, at running back and on the back end of our defense, and I am very happy with who we are welcoming into the Bronco family. After speaking with each of our 24 signees throughout this process I am confident that they have the passion, character, intelligence and talent that we are looking for to continue to move this program on the successful path on and off the field, added Cubit. This year s signing class spans over six different states with 12 signees calling the state of Florida home. For the third year in a row, the state of Illinois is the home state for the second highest total of signees with six. Michigan and Ohio rank third with two recruits from each of the bordering states, while one signee hails from Maryland and Mississippi, respectively. The 2010 National Signing Day class is comprised of 14 student-athletes from the defensive side of the ball (58.3 percent) and 10 from the offensive side (41.7 percent). There are six defensive linemen (four interior linemen) and three offensive linemen who average pounds and stand 6 6, 6 5 and 6 6, respectively. WMU returns nearly its entire offensive starting offensive line from 2009 with the exception of Paul Wasikowski. This trio, plus the addition of Dann O Neill who sat out last season after transferring from Michigan, will help to bolster that group from tackle to tackle and provide much needed support in the run block and pass protection game. The Broncos were also able to solidify their corps of inside linebackers in this class, which was a must in order to have success in many of the nickel packages WMU runs defensively. The Broncos have signed six defensive backs, three safeties and three cornerbacks. This will add depth to the back end of WMU s defense that returns Jamail Berry, Mario Armstrong, David Lewis and Doug Wiggins as starters. Offensively, the Broncos lost Tim Hiller and Brandon West at quarterback and running back. As a way to solidify each position, Western Michigan recruited a pair of signal callers standing at 6 2 and 6 3, respectively, to add to the three QB s the Broncos currently have on scholarship. WMU has also added three new running backs to complement junior Aaron Winchester and redshirt freshmen Brian Fields and Antoin Scriven. With an emphasis put on the receiver position in 2009, Western Michigan signed only one wide receiver and one tight end in 2010, but this duo is small in quantity alone. The receiver is 6 0 and 203 pounds, while the ability of the WMU coaching staff to find strong and tall tight ends continues with the addition of the 6 4, 220-pound St. Petersburg, Fla., native. There are six three-star recruits in this class according to Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com. Thirteen of the student-athletes coming to Western Michigan were nationally ranked in their respective positions by Scout.com, while 11 were nationally ranked in their respective positions by ESPN.com. The Broncos two in-state signees both ranked on the Detroit Free Press Top 50 list in the state, ranking 25th and 42nd, respectively. Despite all 24 signees being newcomers, this is a relatively young class as only one is coming to Western Michigan from a junior college and entering 2010 as a junior. The other signee that will not be coming directly from high school spent on year in a prep school, which does not draw from the student-athlete s eligibility according to the NCAA. Two signees signed during the early signing period and have already enrolled at Western Michigan University and are currently taking classes this semester. Every year Rivals.com ranks the signing classes by position throughout each conference. As of National Signing Day Western Michigan s quarterback class was tied for tops in the Mid-American Conference, while its running backs group tied for second, athletes ranked third, the offensive line and defensive tackles ranked fourth and tight ends ranked fifth. Western Michigan opens the 2010 campaign at Michigan State on Sept. 4 and welcomes Nichols State to Waldo Stadium for CommUniverCity Night on Sept

2 2010 FOOTBALL SIGNEES TRAVONTE BOLES (tra-von-tay) Defensive Tackle Fr. Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked 138th defensive tackle nationally by Scout.com ranked 145th defensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com racked up 23 tackles and 3.0 sacks during sophomore and junior seasons rated 11th defensive tackle in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel earned all-state, all-area, all-county and all-district named to FACA North/South All-Star Game in 2009 named team captain and Player of the Year MVP of All-Star Camp and D-I Camp selected all-district as a track athlete. PERSONAL: Plans to major in business management son of Tamaron Rolle and Antonio Boles born July 22, 1992 in Vero Beach, Fla. DESMOND BOZEMAN Linebacker Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as three-star recruit by Rivals.com... ranked as 124th best linebacker in nation by Scout.com ranked 102nd best inside linebacker by ESPN.com selected to the 14th Annual Nike South Florida High School All-Star Football Game (Miami Dade vs. Broward), earning the Defensive MVP for the game rated top linebacker in Broward County third rated defensive end in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel earned first team all-county as a sophomore and junior team won district championship in 2007 and PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of Marilyn and Oliver Bozeman born Sept. 7, 1991 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. RAHEAM BUXTON (ruh-heem BUKS-ton) Safety Fr. Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout. com rated 80th safety by Rivals.com ranked 87th corner in the nation by Scout.com ranked No. 21 among safeties in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel 40 tackles, two INTs, three PBUs and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2008 registered 165 career tackles and 10 INTs forced eight fumbles and recovered 10 in career scored 15 career TDs member of two state championship teams in 2007 and PERSONAL: Plans to major in sports medicine son of Paul Buxton and Pamela Eady born Dec. 12, 1991 in Pahokee, Fla. DAREYON CHANCE (dair-e-on) Running Back Fr. Lauderhill, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com ranked 144th running back nationally by Scout.com ranked 277th running back in the nation by ESPN.com carried the ball 111 times for 652 yards and eight TDs (all team highs), averaging 5.87 yards per carry... registered 461 yards and four TDs in 2008, averaging 9.41 yards per carry named team MVP in 2008 and 2009 named to 14th Annual Nike South Florida High School All-Star Football Game (Miami Dade vs. Broward), earning MVP honors three-sport student-athlete earning four varsity letters in football, three in track (also named team MVP as a junior) and three in basketball earned first team all-county in football as a junior and senior. PERSONAL: Son of Delvis and Al Chance born Sept. 14, 1992 in Plantation, Fla. high school teammate of fellow 2010 signee Garrett Smith. MANNY DIAZ Defensive End Fr. Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes HIGH SCHOOL: Rated 178th defensive end in the nation according to ESPN.com ranked first at Miami Sparq Combine among 3,000 participants with a rating named to 14th Annual Nike South Florida High School All-Star Football Game (Miami Dade vs. Broward) named to Public vs. Private All-Star game over 20 sacks and 50 tackles for loss in career recorded over 15 forced fumbles, seven blocked punts and two safeties. PERSONAL: Plans to major in computer science son of Tenesa Hernera and Giraldo Diaz born Sept. 21, 1991 in Hialeah, Fla. TEVIN DRAKE Running Back Fr. Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Technical HIGH SCHOOL: Rated No. 11 running back in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and ESPN. com ranked 109th running back in the nation by Scout.com and ESPN. com carried the ball 206 times for 1,529 yards and 18 TDs in 2009 averaged 7.4 yards per carry had two games with over 200 yards rushing with 226 against Springstead (9/11) also recorded 13 tackles defensively named to FACA North/South All-Star Game in 2009 registered two 1,500 yard seasons on the ground during scholastic career two-time first team all-state selection holds school records for career rushing TDs and rushing yards. PERSONAL: Plans to major in business son of Ernest (Jr.) and Belinda Drake born March 28, 1992 in West Palm Beach, Fla. PAT DRISCOLL Defensive Tackle Fr. Lemont, Ill./Lemont HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked 144th defensive tackle in nation according to ESPN.com registered 37 total tackles in 2009, including 5.0 sacks, seven PBUs, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles scored defensive TD against Sterling (9/4) named All-South Suburban Blue Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior named all-area in 2008 and 2009 earned all-state in 2009 registered 143 career tackles with 14.0 sacks and 20 PBUs recovered 16 fumbles in career and forced six more. PERSONAL: Plans to major in athletic training son of James and Pam Driscoll born Nov. 26, 1991 in Lemont, Ill. MATT FINNIN Offensive Lineman Fr. Crete, Ill./Crete Monee HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com ranked as 145th offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com member of backto-back Southland Athletic Conference championship teams in 2008 and 2009 named Southtown Star All-Area as a junior named NWI Times All-Area as a senior named one of Chicago Sun Times Top 100 recruits named to EdgyTim.com All-State Team. PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of Gary Finnin and Cathy Norton born Aug. 19, 1991 in Crete, Ill.

3 NICK GALVIN Linebacker Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller HIGH SCHOOL: Rated 103rd middle linebacker in the nation by Scout.com ranked 89th inside linebacker by ESPN.com finished 2009 with 60 tackles and 10.0 sacks also registered one PBU and one fumble recovery finished career with 197 tackles, 30.5 sacks and 61 tackles for loss named All-Greater Catholic League (GCL) three times ( ) earned all-city in 2007 and 2008 named All-Southwest Ohio in 2007 and 2009 earned Second Team All-Ohio honors in PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of Michelle and Tim Galvin born May 6, 1992 in Cincinnati... high school teammate of fellow 2010 signee Ali Kassem. BRENDON GANNON Defensive Tackle Fr. Halethorpe, Md./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) PREP SCHOOL: Named captain of team in 2009 led the team in tackles with 64 led the team in sacks with 8.0, compiling the sacks in seven games played. HIGH SCHOOL: Received honorable mention for Super 22 as a junior named team captain during senior season named All-MIAA B-Conference as both a sophomore and as a senior named to the Baltimore Touchdown Club All-Star Game as a starter led team with 98 tackles during junior campaign two-sport student-athlete (football and basketball). PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of Latonia Patrice Small born July 13, 1991 in Baltimore. JON HENRY Cornerback Fr. Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood HIGH SCHOOL: Rated 25th best recruit in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press named All-OK Red Conference in named allconference, all-region, all-state and All-American in track & field every year from 2006 to present... state champion in the 100m, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay... set times of 10.6 in the 100m, 41.4 in the 4x100 relay and in the 4x200 relay... named Academic All-American. PERSONAL: Undecided on a major... son of Colman and Tamika Henry... born May 2, 1992 in Ann Arbor, Mich. JON HOFFING Offensive Lineman Fr. Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked 74th among offensive guards in the country by Scout.com rated 188th offensive guard in the nation by ESPN.com earned All-North Suburban Lake (NSL) earned second team all-area. PERSONAL: Plans to major in athletic training son of Steve and Annette Hoffing born Sept. 29, 1991 in Libertyville, Ill. MICHAEL JOHNSON Wide Receiver Fr. Detroit, Mich./Clintondale HIGH SCHOOL: Rated 42nd best recruit in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press member of 2008 district championship team named team MVP and first team all-county in 2008 and 2009 set school record for average yards per carry (14.2 ypc) received honorable mention from Detroit Free Press team MVP and winner of team s Iron Man Award in 2009 named to 2010 all-star game letterwinner in football, basketball and track set school record in 100m dash 2,846 career passing yards, 3,688 career rushing yards, 604 career receiving yards, 477 punt return yards 42 career rushing TDs and 27 career passing TDs. PERSONAL: Plans to major in business/communications son of Michael and Melissa Johnson born Feb. 22, 1992 in Roseville, Mich. ALI KASSEM (kuh-sem) Offensive Lineman Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller HIGH SCHOOL: Rated 152nd offensive tackle in the nation according to ESPN.com went during career with a pair of nine-win seasons named First Team All-Greater Catholic League (GCL) received honorable mention for all. PERSONAL: Undecided on a major... son of Sharon and Kumel Kassen... born Jan. 29, 1992 in Cincinnati high school teammate of fellow 2010 signee Nick Galvin. MICHAEL LIEDTKE (LID-ke) Defensive End Fr. Woodstock, Ill./Woodstock HIGH SCHOOL: Member of three-time state playoff participant and 2008 Fox Valley Conference (FVC) championship team three-sport studentathlete (football, wrestling, track & field) named All-FVC as a senior named all-area and all-state as a senior state qualifier in wrestling in three consecutive years placed fifth in state in wrestling as a freshman set school record in the shot put. PERSONAL: Plans to major in biomedical sciences son of Michael and Carolyn Liedtke born Jan. 15, 1992 in Woodstock, Ill. MIKE PERISH Quarterback Fr. Frankfort, Ill./Marist HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com rated 93rd quarterback in the nation by Scout.com rated 99th quarterback recruit by ESPN.com named all-area as a junior and senior by the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Southtown Star First Team Chicago Tribune All-State selection in 2009 Rivals.com All-State at quarterback member of state runner up team in 2009 All-East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) in 2008 and 2009 named 2009 ESCC Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year team captain and Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2009 selected to Illinois Coaches Association East/West All-Star Game threw for 3,385 yards and 37 TDs on 248-for-345 (71.8 percent) threw for 5,398 yards in career with 57 passing TDs. PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of John and Cressa Perish born Oct. 3, 1991 in Chicago carries a 4.2 GPA in high school father s cousin, Norm Bulach, was a first round NFL draft selection by the Baltimore Colts and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins from DEMETRIUS PETTWAY Safety Fr. Homestead, Fla./Homstead Senior HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit and 83rd safety in the country by Scout.com named to 14th Annual Nike South Florida High School All- Star Football Game (Miami Dade vs. Broward) named All-Dade County as a senior registered 10 interceptions and over 100 tackles during career returned eight punt returns for a touchdown during career. PERSONAL: Undecided on a major son of Latoya Dean born Dec. 20, 1990 in Goulds, Fla.

4 JOHN RICE Defensive Tackle Jr. Starkville, Miss./East Mississippi CC/East Oktibbeha COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Credited with 59 career total tackles (44 solos & 15 assists), including four tackles for loss (7 yards) and 2.5 sacks (19 yards) in two seasons also had one interception (as a freshman), two forced fumbles (both as a sophomore), two pass breakups (both as a freshman) and a fumble recovery (as a sophomore) started at nose guard in 2009, amassing 38 total tackles (28 solos & 10 assists), including two tackles for loss (5 yards) and 1.5 sacks (12 yards), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery member of a team that posted a two-year composite record of 19-3, including back-to-back MACJC North Division championships (12-0 composite division record), consecutive state playoff appearances and a pair of national Top 10 season-ending rankings in the NJCAA poll team won a school-record 11 games (11-1 overall record) in 2009 en route to claiming the school s first-ever Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges (MACJC) state championship title finished season ranked fourth in the nation after a victory over No. 6 Arizona Western in the Mississippi Bowl played in Biloxi. HIGH SCHOOL: Member of district championship team in 2007 named all-district in 2006 and PERSONAL: Plans to major in physical education son of John Rice cousin of former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice born Aug. 19, 1989 in Starkville, Miss. MAURICE ROBERTS Cornerback Fr. Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee HIGH SCHOOL: Named to and participated in the Collier County All-Star Game named Defensive MVP of Collier County All-Star Game led Collier County in interceptions (7) in 2008 recorded six catches for 220 yards as a junior 16 receptions for 420 yards in career carries for 350 yards on the ground. PERSONAL: Plans to major in sports medicine son of Amos (Jr.) and Patricia Roberts born Oct. 8, 1991 in Immokalee, Fla. WESTON ROSS Running Back Fr. Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the 170th running back in the nation by Scout.com all-time Lift-a-Thon record holder rushed for 366 yards on 36 carries for a 10.2 yards per carry average as a junior... rushed for 412 yards on 80 carries (5.2 yards per carry) despite missing half the season due to injury... three-year Lift-a-Thon winner school high jump record holder with a height of 6 7 Lift-a-Thon winner for running back/linebacker position registered yard dash. PERSONAL: Plans to major in physical education and minor in health son of Angela Kooy born May 3, 1992 in Arlington Heights, Ill... cousin of NFL veteran Simeon Rice. GARRETT SMITH Cornerback Fr. Pompano, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons HIGH SCHOOL: Rated No. 16 cornerback in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel ranked 180th cornerback in nation by Scout.com named Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) All-Star named team Most Valuable Player named to 14th Annual Nike South Florida High School All-Star Football Game (Miami Dade vs. Broward) named First Team All-BCAA recorded six interceptions and 150 tackles, one touchdown, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during career. PERSONAL: Plans to major in sports management son of Garrett (Sr.) and Kenya Smith born May 20, 1992 in Pompano Beach, Fla. high school teammate of fellow 2010 signee Dareyon Chance. PETER TERRANA Tight End Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HIGH SCHOOL: Named Pinellas County Athletic Conference (PCAC) during both junior and senior seasons named all-county in 2009 received Mike June Courage Award as a senior selected as PCAC All-Star named to the all-city academic team during junior and senior seasons registered 16 career catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns twoyear starter at defensive end. PERSONAL: Plans to major in criminal justice son of Jerry and Marci Terrana born March 7, 1992 in St. Petersburg, Fla. ZACK WYNN Quarterback Fr. Hudson, Fla./Hudson HIGH SCHOOL: Holds every passing record at Hudson rated No. 14 quarterback in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel 7,103 career passing yards ranks second all-time in Pasco County behind only Drew Weatherford (Florida State) three-time First Team All-Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) First Team All-SAC as a punter in 2009 named offensive MVP in 2009 received honorable mention for all-state in 2008 Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Regional Player of the Year in 2009 First Team FACA named to FACA North/South All-Star Game in for-914 career passing (57.7 percent) 1,356 career rushing yards on 297 carries (4.6 yards per carry). PERSONAL: Plans to major in biomedical sciences major son of Russell and Chene Wynn born Feb. 11, 1992 in Hudson, Fla. JOHNNIE SIMON Safety Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Lakes HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit and 98th safety in the country by ESPN.com... ranked as the 119th safety by Scout.com... named first team all-conference as a sophomore earned three varsity letters in football earned team s Defensive Player of the Year Award and Unsung Hero Award earned 7-on-7 Defensive Award during senior year. PERSONAL: Plans to major in broadcasting/sports management son of Esperanta Pierre born March 30, 1991 in Turks & Caicos Island, Bahamas.

5 BRONCO FOOTBALL WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY 14 ALL-AMERICANS // 2 MAC CHAMPIONSHIPS // 2 MAC WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS // 4 BOWL APPEARANCES 10 PERFECT HOME SEASONS // OVER 500 PROGRAM WINS // 2007 INTERNATIONAL BOWL // 2008 TEXAS BOWL NAME POS HT WT YR HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL) Travonte Boles DT Fr./Fr. Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach) Desmond Bozeman LB Fr./Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard) Raheam Buxton S Fr./Fr. Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee) Dareyon Chance RB Fr./Fr. Lauderhill, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons) Manny Diaz DE Fr./Fr. Hialeah, Fla. (Hialeah Miami Lakes) Tevin Drake RB Fr./Fr. Brooksville, Fla. (Nature Coast Technical) Pat Driscoll DT Fr./Fr. Lemont, Ill. (Lemont) Matt Finnin OL Fr./Fr. Crete, Ill. (Crete Monee) Nick Galvin LB Fr./Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller) Brendon Gannon DT Fr./Fr. Halethorpe, Md. (Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)) Jon Henry CB Fr./Fr. Kentwood, Mich. (East Kentwood) Jon Hoffing OL Fr./Fr. Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville) Michael Johnson WR Fr./Fr. Detroit, Mich. (Clintondale) Ali Kassem OL Fr./Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller) Michael Liedtke DE Fr./Fr. Woodstock, Ill. (Woodstock) Mike Perish QB Fr./Fr. Frankfort, Ill. (Marist) Demetrius Pettway S Fr./Fr. Homestead, Fla. (Homestead Senior) John Rice DT Jr./Jr. Starkville, Miss. (East Mississippi CC) (East Oktibbeha) Maurice Roberts CB Fr./Fr. Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee) Weston Ross RB Fr./Fr. Wheeling, Ill. (Wheeling) Johnnie Simon S Fr./Fr. West Palm Beach (Palm Beach Lakes) Garrett Smith CB Fr./Fr. Pompano, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons) Peter Terrana TE Fr./Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast) Zack Wynn QB Fr./Fr. Hudson, Fla. (Hudson)