FOOTBALL SIGNS 28 TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech University Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Steve Mullins announced the signing of 28 student-athletes, including 27 high school players, to National Football Letters of Intent on Wednesday, the first official day that high school players are allowed to sign letters of intent to play college football.

The group of 28 signees includes 14 high school players from the state of Arkansas and one junior-college transfer.

This year’s signees bios are as follows:

Jonathan Blaine of Memphis, Tenn. (Craigmont High School): Blaine is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, was an Honorable Mention All-Metro and All-Shelby County selection after picking off one pass for the CHS. In addition to playing football at Craigmont, Blaine was a state semifinalist in the 4-x-100-meter relay in track.  

Charles Bryant of Tahlequah, Okla. (Tahlequah High School): Bryant is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound wide receiver and free safety with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Bryant caught 58 passes for 625 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing the ball 60 times for 259 yards and scoring twice. In addition, he returned 12 kickoffs for 259 yards and on defense, he recorded 77 tackles, three interceptions for 36 yards, including returning one for a touchdown and had two sacks. On the season, he scored six touchdowns and had two extra points. He was named an Oklahoma Class 6A All-Star and was the school’s MVP and the District 6A-4 Ironman of the Year. “Charles was a playmaker for our team this past season,” Tahlequah Head Football Coach Kenneth Thornton said. “He never came off the field and is very physical and an extremely intelligent football player.” 

C.D. Casto of Atkins, Ark. (Atkins High School): Casto is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver and defensive back with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. Castro, who will play receiver at Tech, caught 38 passes for 620 yards and scored seven touchdowns for Coach Charlie Sorrels and the Red Devils last season. In addition, he also had 72 tackles and three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown on defense. Was named an All-Conference and a Class 3A All-State selection this past season and also was named to the River Valley Coaches Choice Team and to the KARV Dream Team.

Austin Curran of Clarksville, Ark. (Clarksville High School): Curran is a 6-foot-3, 229-pound tight end and defensive end with 4.8 speed in the 40-yard dash. As a senior in 2007, Curran had 85 tackles as a defensive end and recorded four sacks for the Panthers. Was named to the River Valley Dream Team and was a KIX 106 Player of the Week and a Sonic Player of the Week. He helped lead CHS to a 5-5 record this past season and 17-13 mark over his high school career, including a second place finish in the conference his junior year. “Austin was a dominating 2-way player at the high school level and has a tremendous work ethic,” Clarksville Head Football Coach Michael Banning said.   

Justin Daniels of Blytheville, Ark. (Blytheville High School): Daniels is a 6-foot-2, 365-pound offensive lineman, who played for Coach Doug Quinn at Blytheville. This past season, Daniels, who played center, helped anchor an offensive line that allowed no sacks and blocked for a running back that gained over 2,000 rushing yards. Was a two-time All-Conference selection and an All-State selection this past year. He helped lead Blytheville to a 5A East Conference title, a 10-1 overall record and a State playoff berth this past season.

Michael Emery of Booneville, Ark. (Booneville High School): Emery is a 6-foot, 210-pound fullback and linebacker with 4.8 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Emery had 131 carries for 676 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on offense and recorded 72 tackles, including 19 assisted tackles, one sack, one interception and had one fumble recovery as linebacker for Booneville and Coach Scott Hyatt. In addition, he punted 18 times for an average of 34.2 yards per punt. He earned Class 4A All-State honors this past season and was a two-time All-District selection. Emery, who was part of Booneville’s 4AAAA Conference Championship team in 2005, helped lead BHS to an 8-4 record this past season and a berth in the State Playoffs where they lost in the second round to eventual Class 4A state champions, Nashville. “Michael is a very hard worker, is very respectful and a responsible young man,” Coach Hyatt said. “He was a leader for our team on defense.”

Alvin Farmer, Jr., of Lonoke, Ark. (Lonoke High School): Farmer is a 6-foot-2, 187-pound free safety that runs the 40-yard dash in a time of 4.5. This past season, Farmer had 10 interceptions, two interception returns for touchdowns and recorded 40 tackles for Coach Jeffery Jones. Farmer, who was an All-District selection this past season, helped lead Lonoke to an 8-3 record and a conference runner-up finish.  

Keodre Frazier of Springhill, La. (Springhill High School): Frazier is a 6-foot, 170-pound running back and defensive back with 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Frazier gained 1,653 yards rushing and scored 23 touchdowns for Springhill and Coach Joey Pesses. He was named a First-Team All-Area and a Second-Team All-State selection this past season. In addition, was a three-time All-District selection, including a two-time selection at running back as a junior and senior. Helped lead Springhill to an 8-4 record in 2007 and the second round of the LHSAA State Playoffs. In addition to playing football at Springhill, Frazier, who attended Pineville High School as a sophomore in 2005, is the starting point guard on the basketball team that is currently ranked No. 1 in the LHSAA Class 2A. 

Taylor Hodge of Cookson, Okla. (Keys High School): Hodge is a 6-foot-7, 245-pound offensive tackle and defensive end with 5.2 speed in the 40-yard dash. At Tech, Hodge is projected to play either on the offensive line or as a tight end. Helped lead Keys High School to a 6-5 record this past season and had a combined career record of 22-12. “Taylor has a good physical frame and has the potential to be an excellent college football player,” Keys Head Football Coach Gary Willis said.

Cameron Hood of Jacksonville, Ark. (Jacksonville High School): Hood is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound linebacker and quarterback with 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash. Hood, who will play safety at Tech, is a three-year starter and was a two-time 6A East All-Conference selection and was a member of the Hooten’s Arkansas Football Sonic Super-State team. “Cameron is very physical and gifted athlete with the ability and courage to play many different positions on a football field,” Jacksonville Head Football Coach Mark Whatley said. 

Dhe’ Ryan Jackson of Athens, Texas (Athens High School): Jackson is a 5-foot-9, 162-pound wide receiver/defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, he gained 612 yards rushing and scored six touchdowns and had 263 receiving yards and scored two times. In addition, he had 65 total tackles on defense, one interception, blocked two punts and blocked seven field goals for an Athens team that finished 5-6 in 2007. Was named a First-Team All-District selection as both a running back and defensive back and was an honorable mention 3A All-State defensive back.

Roger Jackson of Siloam Springs, Ark. (Siloam Springs High School): Jackson is a 6-foot-2, 174-pound receiver with 4.70 speed in the 40-yard dash. Jackson was a two-time 5A West All-Conference selection and a 5A All-State honoree this past season after catching 76 passes for 1,580 yards and 24 touchdowns for Coach Clint Ashcraft. Helped lead SSHS to an 8-4 record this past season and helped the Panthers earn three straight State Playoff berths. “Roger has been an outstanding receiver for us,” Coach Ashcraft said. “He set school records for most catches, yards and touchdowns receiving in a season here.”   

Anthony Johnson of Fort Smith, Ark. (Northside High School): Johnson is a 6-foot, 185-pound receiver with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. Johnson, who played for Coach Darrell Henry at Northside, caught 57 balls for 883 yards and scored two touchdowns this past season. As a junior in 2006, he caught 49 passes for 756 yards and had four touchdowns. Was an All-Fort Smith and a 7A West All-Conference selection and was the leading receiver in the 7A West. Helped Northside to a 7-3 mark in 2007. In addition to football, Johnson also plays on Northside’s basketball team.

Da’Ron Jones of Memphis, Tenn. (Craigmont High School): Jones is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound corner back with 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Jones had 52 total tackles, including 38 solo stops and had three quarterback sacks and three interceptions. Was named a First-Team All-Metro and All-Region selection and was a four-year lettermen and a defensive captain. “Da’Ron is one of the smartest players I have ever coached,” Craigmont Head Football Coach Cecil Vanhooks said.

Tavadrick Lee of Clarendon, Ark. (Clarendon High School): Lee is a 6-foot, 185-pound running back and quarterback with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash, who will play running back at Tech. This past season, Lee gained 495 yards rushing and scored 13 times and also passed for 1,111 yards for Coach Terry Goodwin. Lee was named an All-District selection and also was named the Conference’s Best Back Award winner. In addition, he was named Clarendon’s Mr. Touchdown and helped lead CHS to two consecutive Class 2A State Playoff berths in 2005 and 2006. 

Cody Lewis of Houston, Texas (Houston Christian High School): Lewis is a 6-foot, 205-pound running back with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Lewis carried the ball 258 times for 1,963 yards and averaged 7.6 yards per carry and scored 29 touchdowns. In addition, he caught six passes for 158 yards in helping HCHS to a 10-4 record and semifinal berth in the TAPPS 5A State Playoffs. He was named a First-Team All-District and All-State TAPPS selection. Along with playing football at Houston Christian, Lewis also runs track and ran a time of 11.3 in the 100-meter dash to finish fourth at last season’s TAPPS State Track and Field Meet.  

Jonathan Loyd of Russellville, Ark. (Russellville High School): Loyd is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound offensive lineman. This past season, he graded out at 85 percent and was named a 7A Central All-Conference selection for the Cyclones. Helped lead RHS to a 7-5 record and a Class 7A State semifinal appearance. “Jonathan is a great football player and young man,” Russellville Head Football Coach Jeff Holt said. “He was a leader on our football team this past season.”

Kyle Lusinger of White Hall, Ark. (White Hall High School): Lusinger is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound placekicker. This past season, Lusinger was 28-for-30 on extra points, was 7-for-9 on field goal attempts and had a punting average of 42.6 yards per game at White Hall H.S. He was named to the All-SE Arkansas Football Team and was also an All-State selection this past season. “Kyle has a strong leg and is very accurate,” White Hall Head Football Coach Mike Vaughn says of Lusinger.

Deshanti Mitchell of Sterlington, La. (Sterlington High School): Mitchell is a 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back/defensive back with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. As a senior this past season, Mitchell gained 1,100 yards rushing on 159 carries and had over 1,300 yards rushing and scored 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2006. Was a four-time All-District selection and also was two-time All NE Louisiana selection, including being a first-team honoree this past season and was named a Second-Team All-State selection. Mitchell, who was the team’s captain as a senior, helped lead Sherlington to the second round of the playoffs this past season and also helped them to the quarterfinals in 2006 and the state semifinals as a sophomore in 2005.

Chris Regenhardt of Hot Springs, Ark. (Lakeside High School): Regenhardt is a 6-foot-3, 236-pound defensive lineman with 4.81 speed in the 40-yard dash. This past season, Regenhardt recorded 26 total tackles, had four quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery. He was named both a 5A Southwest All-Conference selection and earned All-State honors.

Blake Scott of Spiro, Okla. (Spiro High School): Scott is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end and tight end that has 4.93 speed in the 40-yard dash, who will play on defense at Tech. Was an All-District lineman and a Preseason 2A All-State selection for Coach Chris Bunch. As a senior this past season, Scott recorded a team-leading 96 total tackles, had eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles for a Spiro team that finished with a 6-5 record and a berth in the State Playoffs. In addition, Scott helped Spiro record a 24-12 record in his three years and advance to the State Playoffs all three seasons, including the State semifinals as a junior when Spiro finished with a 12-2 overall record. “Blake was a three-year starter on defense and stepped in this past year and helped at tight end and fullback,” Coach Bunch said of Scott. “He became a leader this year on our football team and has a great instinct of finding the ball.”

Mike Shouse of Owasso, Okla. (Owasso High School): Shouse is a 6-foot, 180-pound quarterback with 4.9 speed in the 40-yard dash. As a senior this past season, led Owasso to the second round of the Oklahoma Class 6A State Playoffs. He earned Honorable Mention All-District honors after going 103-for-176 through the air for 1,236 yards and had a completion percentage of 59 percent. In addition, he tossed 10 touchdowns and had six interceptions. “Michael came on and had a great senior year for our football team,” Owasso Head Football Coach Bill Patterson said. “He led our team to a 9-3 record and the second round of the playoffs.”

Brandon Tribble of Valley Springs, Calif. (Calavares High School/San Joaquin Delta College): Tribble is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker who is transferring to Tech from San Joaquin College in Stockton, Calif. This past season for the Mustangs, Tribble, who is the cousin of former Harding and current Greenbrier Head Football Coach Randy Tribble, recorded 36 total tackles, including 18 solo stops and had four tackles for 13 yards in losses and one sack for four yards. In addition, he forced two fumbles, had one fumble recovery and picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards. Led the Mustangs to an 11-10 record in his two seasons at the school, including a 7-4 mark this past season.

Marcus Turner of Nashville, Ark. (Nashville High School): Turner is a 6-foot-2, 285-pound nose tackle. Turner, who played for former Tech Assistant Coach Billy Dawson at Nashville H.S., recorded 37 tackles, three sacks and tackles for loss this past season for the Scappers. In addition, he scored two touchdowns and had four fumble recoveries. He was an All-Conference selection and was named Nashville’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. Turner was a part of a Nashville program that amassed a 42-1 record over the past three seasons, including a 14-1 mark this past year and won three consecutive Arkansas Class 4A State Championships.  

Daryl Ward of Memphis, Tenn. (Craigmont High School): Ward is a 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive lineman that runs the 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds. Was a three-year starter for Coach Cecil Vanhooks and was a First-Team All-Region, All-Metro and All-State selection. In addition, he was selected as a Liberty Bowl High School All-Star selection. “He was a captain of our offensive line and is a very smart player and an extremely hard worker,” Coach Vanhooks said of Ward.

Lance Williams of Vinita, Okla. (Vinita High School): Williams is a 5-foot-11, 150-pound cornerback and receiver with 4.56 speed in the 40-yard dash. Williams, who will play receiver at Tech, caught 56 passes for 1,206 yards this past season and scored 12 touchdowns. On defense, Williams had 26 tackles and collected five interceptions on the season. He was named the District 3A-3 Wide Receiver of the Year and was an Oklahoma Class 3A All-Star. Led Vinita to a 10-2 record this past season and a District 3A-3 championship. In addition to his play on the football field, Williams is also a member of the school’s Student Council, Spanish Club and a member of the National Honor Society. “Lance was our big playmaker, if we needed a big play, we got the ball in Lance Williams’ hands,” Vinita Head Football Coach Allen Forrest said.    

 Brice Wilson of Poteau, Okla. (Poteau High School): Wilson is a 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive and offensive lineman for Coach Jeff Broyles. This past season, he had four quarterback sacks as a defensive lineman and was named the school’s Offensive Lineman of the Year. As a junior in 2006, led the Pirates to the Oklahoma State semifinals and had a career record of 16-18.  

Josh Wilson of West Memphis, Ark. (West Memphis High School): Wilson is a 5-foot-11, 215-pound linebacker with 4.8 speed in the 40-yard dash. As a senior in 2007, Wilson recorded 56 solo tackles and had 33 assisted tackles for West Memphis and Coach Lanny Dauksch. He earned 6A East All-Conference and All-State honors. Helped lead the Blue Devils to a 10-2 record this past season and a three-year record of 31-6.

2008 Wonder Boys Football Recruits

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