SFA 71
February 7th, 2007, 07:44 PM
J.C. Harper locks down East Texas talent in first signing class
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team added 19 high school prospects and three NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A) transfers on National Signing Day announced first-year head coach J.C. Harper at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The 2007 class adds a strong mix of talent on both sides of the ball with 14 on offense, seven defensive players and a kicker.
"I'm real happy with the work our coaching staff did during a time of transition and uncertainty," said Harper. "The work they did in east Texas is evident by the talent we signed. Keeping the local talent close to home was an emphasis for our staff, and I feel we have accomplished that. We are proud of SFA and to be in east Texas, and that is what we want to build our program on. We are real excited about the kids who have decided to come here and be a part of this program."
The incoming class is top-heavy on talent from the east Texas area. SFA added dual-threat quarterback Jeremy Claybon and a big-time kicker in Jaime Fernandez from talent rich Lufkin High School. The Lumberjacks also added offensive lineman William Granberry and wide receiver Roderick Warren from John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. The Lumberjacks also signed Longview's Gordon Booker II, Nacogdoches wide out Mervin Dudley and Blake Rowden from New Boston.
With senior quarterback Danny Southall entering his final year of eligibility, and being the only quarterback on campus with NCAA Division I experience, SFA answered a major need with the addition of four prep quarterbacks. Along with Claybon, the 'Jacks have added Baytown Lee's Jeremy Moses, Fort Worth's Garrett Milton and Rowden. Claybon comes to Nacogdoches listed as the eighth-best dual-threat quarterback in the state of Texas, according to TexasPrepXtra, a member of the Rivals.com recruiting service. Claybon was named the District 15-5A MVP after a career that saw him throw for more than 4,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, and rush for more than 400 yards with six touchdowns.
"When you only have one quarterback returning who has game experience at this level, we really needed to sign some talented individuals," said Harper. "I feel like we accomplished this with the guys we have signed. All of these guys are great athletes who will come in and give us a chance to win."
The SFA quarterbacks will have plenty of weapons in their arsenal over the next four seasons with a stable of talented wide outs joining the program. The SFA coaching staff has signed five receivers who bring a wide range of skills and athletic ability to the table. Four of the 'Jacks' five receiver signees are 6-1 or taller. Galveston's Marcus Taylor is the speedster of the group.
The Lumberjack coaching staff also addressed its major need in the secondary. With only one starter returning from the 2006 squad, the secondary became a primary focus heading into the recruiting process. The 'Jacks signed five defensive backs to fill that void. This group is headlined by two speedsters who can fly to the football. Shaheed Davis (Sugar Land, Texas) and Perron Sellers (LaMarque) both come from successful prep programs. Sellers led LaMarque to the 2006 state title, while Davis was a key figure in Lamar Consolidated's 2006 state semifinal run.
"The secondary was also a major need, especially at safety," said Harper. "We have brought in a good group of athletes that will help us in this area. I really feel that we did a good job of signing athletes who bring good size and a lot of speed to the position."
Attrition also took a toll on the 'Jacks' tight ends, leaving the team without an experienced player at the position. SFA answered this question with the addition of Florida International transfer Andy Anderson and Army transfer Joe Savoie. The Lumberjacks' third transfer is Greg Carlson, a 6-3, 225-pound linebacker from Baylor. Carlson, along with Garrison-native Jabara Williams are the only two linebacker signees in the 'Jacks' 2007 class.
-SFA-
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team added 19 high school prospects and three NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A) transfers on National Signing Day announced first-year head coach J.C. Harper at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The 2007 class adds a strong mix of talent on both sides of the ball with 14 on offense, seven defensive players and a kicker.
"I'm real happy with the work our coaching staff did during a time of transition and uncertainty," said Harper. "The work they did in east Texas is evident by the talent we signed. Keeping the local talent close to home was an emphasis for our staff, and I feel we have accomplished that. We are proud of SFA and to be in east Texas, and that is what we want to build our program on. We are real excited about the kids who have decided to come here and be a part of this program."
The incoming class is top-heavy on talent from the east Texas area. SFA added dual-threat quarterback Jeremy Claybon and a big-time kicker in Jaime Fernandez from talent rich Lufkin High School. The Lumberjacks also added offensive lineman William Granberry and wide receiver Roderick Warren from John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. The Lumberjacks also signed Longview's Gordon Booker II, Nacogdoches wide out Mervin Dudley and Blake Rowden from New Boston.
With senior quarterback Danny Southall entering his final year of eligibility, and being the only quarterback on campus with NCAA Division I experience, SFA answered a major need with the addition of four prep quarterbacks. Along with Claybon, the 'Jacks have added Baytown Lee's Jeremy Moses, Fort Worth's Garrett Milton and Rowden. Claybon comes to Nacogdoches listed as the eighth-best dual-threat quarterback in the state of Texas, according to TexasPrepXtra, a member of the Rivals.com recruiting service. Claybon was named the District 15-5A MVP after a career that saw him throw for more than 4,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, and rush for more than 400 yards with six touchdowns.
"When you only have one quarterback returning who has game experience at this level, we really needed to sign some talented individuals," said Harper. "I feel like we accomplished this with the guys we have signed. All of these guys are great athletes who will come in and give us a chance to win."
The SFA quarterbacks will have plenty of weapons in their arsenal over the next four seasons with a stable of talented wide outs joining the program. The SFA coaching staff has signed five receivers who bring a wide range of skills and athletic ability to the table. Four of the 'Jacks' five receiver signees are 6-1 or taller. Galveston's Marcus Taylor is the speedster of the group.
The Lumberjack coaching staff also addressed its major need in the secondary. With only one starter returning from the 2006 squad, the secondary became a primary focus heading into the recruiting process. The 'Jacks signed five defensive backs to fill that void. This group is headlined by two speedsters who can fly to the football. Shaheed Davis (Sugar Land, Texas) and Perron Sellers (LaMarque) both come from successful prep programs. Sellers led LaMarque to the 2006 state title, while Davis was a key figure in Lamar Consolidated's 2006 state semifinal run.
"The secondary was also a major need, especially at safety," said Harper. "We have brought in a good group of athletes that will help us in this area. I really feel that we did a good job of signing athletes who bring good size and a lot of speed to the position."
Attrition also took a toll on the 'Jacks' tight ends, leaving the team without an experienced player at the position. SFA answered this question with the addition of Florida International transfer Andy Anderson and Army transfer Joe Savoie. The Lumberjacks' third transfer is Greg Carlson, a 6-3, 225-pound linebacker from Baylor. Carlson, along with Garrison-native Jabara Williams are the only two linebacker signees in the 'Jacks' 2007 class.
-SFA-