Head Coach Matt Griffin announced the names of the 19 student-athletes that have signed National Letters of Intent to play football at Murray State University. Griffin introduced the new Racers today in front of more than 100 fans and media in the Murray Room at the Regional Special Events Center on the MSU campus. The 2007 recruiting class includes 18 freshmen and one junior college transfer.
Today is the first day that potential football recruits can sign with the program of their choice.
“We are very excited about this year's group of signees,” said Griffin. “The staff did a great job of identifying and recruiting these young men. In addition to being an asset to this football team, this is a group that will also be an asset to the university and the campus community.”
The group of incoming players includes one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, two tight ends, three offensive linemen, three defensive backs, five defensive linemen and one linebacker.
"This is a great academics class," said Grififn. "These are guys that are going to be there in the fourth quarter and the fourth year."
Murray State lost seven starters, five offensive and two defensive, from the 2006 squad. An additional five players were lost from the two-deep depth chart.
“I want to thank the members of our faculty and staff that took their personal time to visit with the prospects and their parents,” Griffin said. “Our current players were tremendous ambassadors and helped detail student life for these young men and all of these factors played a big part in their decision to attend Murray State University.”
Below is a list of the student-athletes that will join the MSU football program in the fall.
Bobby Brown, 6-8, 285, OL, Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods HS) Brown helped the Warriors to 13 wins over the last two seasons. As a junior he won the team's Play It Smart Award. He set a team record with 14 knockdown blocks in one game during his senior campaign. Following his senior season Brown was nominated to play in the Ohio East/West All Star game. He was also an Academic All-Conference selection and a member of the Winton Woods basketball and track teams.
Justin Clark, 6-3, 185, DB, Charleston, Mo. (Charleston HS) Clark is a two-time all-state selection as a cornerback. He was all-district and all-region in each of his four seasons with the Blue Jays. Clark earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He helped Charleston High School to a 7-3 record and a district championship in 2004. The Blue Jays combined for a 14-6 record during Clark's sophomore and junior seasons. He was also a four-year varsity letterman for Charleston's basketball team. He is a member of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of Charleston High School's student council.
Zach Goebel, 6-5, 220, DL, Evansville, Ind., (Mater Dei HS) Following his senior campaign, Goebel was selected as Indiana's top linebacker by the state's football coaches and all-state by the Associated Press, the Bloomington Herald-Times and the Indiana Football Coaches Association. He helped Mater Dei High School to a sectional and regional championship as a linebacker and quarterback in the fall of 2006. The Wildcats advanced to the class 3A semifinals and finished with an 11-3 record. Over the last three years, Goebel has helped Mater Dei compile a 29-9 record. He holds school career records for first-hit tackles, total tackles, tackles for a loss and blocked kicks. As a senior he recorded 157 tackles and four quarterback sacks. Following his senior season he was named Midwest Sports Publishing 3A Indiana Unsung Player of the Year, Evansville Courier All-Metro Player of the Year, Indiana Football Guide Top 26 and Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25. As a quarterback, Goebel threw for 2,550 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2006. His 2,550 yards ranked sixth in the state of Indiana and was the sixth best ever total by a Mater Dei quarterback. After his junior campaign, Goebel earned a spot on the Bloomington Herald-Times and the Indiana Football Coaches Association Junior All-State First Team. He served as a defensive captain in 2004, 2005 and 2006, as an offensive captain in 2006 and as a team captain in 2006. Goebel is also a four-year varsity starter on Mater Dei's wrestling team. He ranks second in Indiana in his weight class.
Bryan Hardister, 6-4, 280, DL, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis HS) Hardister helped Ben Davis High School to a pair of sectional championships and earned all-state honors as a senior. Following his senior campaign he was selected as one of the top 50 players in the state of Indiana. He is also a member of the Giants' track and field team. In 2006 he finished 11th in the state in the shot put.
Marcus Harris, 6-1, 175, QB, North St. Louis, Mo. (Kirkwood HS) Harris earned second team all-state honors after passing for 1,800 yards and rushing for 450 yards his senior season. He led the Pioneers to the class 5A state championship game where Kirkwood fell to Raymore-Peculiar High School. Harris scored two touchdowns on the ground while rushing for 111 yards in the championship game. He also completed nine-of-22 passes for 162 yards through the air. He was named first team all-conference as a junior and a senior. Following his junior campaign, in which he threw for 2,423 yards, Harris was selected honorable mention all-state. In three seasons on the varsity squad, Harris helped Kirkwood to a combined 29-4 record. He was selected as the junior varsity offensive MVP and team MVP his sophomore season. Harris plays at the same high school current Murray State running back Josh Jones attended.
Omre Harris, 6-3, 255, DL, Mableton, Ga. (Pebblebrook HS) Harris helped turn a team that finished 3-7 his sophomore and junior seasons into a 9-3 squad his senior year at Pebblebrook High School. He led the Falcons to the class 5A region championship in 2006. Harris was selected to the all-county and all-region teams following his senior campaign. He was also chosen as the team's defensive lineman of the year. Harris won defensive player of the week honors on Oct. 20, 2006. In addition to football, Harris was a member of PHS's track and field and soccer teams as well.
Raymond Hopson, 6-2, 275, OL, Houston, Texas (L.V. Hightower HS) Hopson is a two-time all-district selection at L.V. Hightower High School. He helped the Hurricanes to a co-district championship his senior year and was named the team's offensive line MVP. He was also the team's offensive line MVP as a junior. Hopson was named first team all-district after his senior season and second team all-district after his junior campaign. He also participated in the shot put as a member of Hightower's track and field team.
John Jean-Baptiste, 5-10, 170, DB, Tampa, Fla. (Gaither HS) Jean-Baptiste helped his team to a 7-5 record in 2006 and was selected Honorable Mention All-Tampa Tribune. He recorded 58 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass deflections his senior season. He also blocked a pair of field goals. As a junior Jean-Baptiste finished the season with 40 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
Matt Johnson, 6-5, 220, TE, Odessa, Fla. (Walter L. Sickles HS) Johnson caught 25 passes for 300 yards and one touchdown his senior season at Walter L. Sickles High School. Following his senior season Johnson was named to the Hillsborough County All-Star Game and earned the Griffin Glide Award for outstanding leadership. He was also the team captain his senior season. As a junior Johnson caught 15 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown. As a member of the Walter L. Sickles High School basketball team, Johnson earned three letters and was named all-conference his junior and senior seasons. As a junior he averaged 13.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He scored 15.6 points per game and averaged 10.8 rebounds per contest his senior year.
Zach Kutch, 6-0, 210, LB, Cocoa, Fla. (Space Coast HS) Kutch rushed for over 1,000 yards and was named team MVP his senior season. He was selected as a Brevard County All-Star and earned ESPN Player of the Game honors in 2006. As a junior he rushed for over 800 yards and was selected as the team's offensive MVP. Kutch was also selected as an ESPN Big School Player of the Week during the 2005 season. While playing at Space Coast High School, Kutch was coached by Doug Ruggles, who was Matt Griffin's roommate when the two were students at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to being a four-year letterman on the Space Coast football team, Kutch also earned letters in baseball and basketball.
Paul Lewis, 6-6, 230, TE, St. Louis, Mo. (Westminster Christian Academy) Lewis earned first team all-state honors as a defensive end his senior season. He finished his final prep campaign with 59 tackles, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery and blocked a field goal as well. He helped the Wildcats claim the 2006 ABC League Championship and the District 4 Championship. Following his senior season Lewis was named first team all-metro, first team all-ABC and ABC League Player of the Year. In addition he was selected to the St. Louis Rams Elite 25 Players list. As a junior Lewis helped Westminster to an 8-2 record and earned first team all-independent recognition as a tight end and defensive end. He finished the 2005 season with 20 receptions for 298 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 40 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During his sophomore season Lewis caught 19 passes for 238 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also made 55 tackles, forced two fumbles and blocked four field goals on his way to earning second team all-independent recognition. Lewis played at the same high school as Murray State redshirt freshman quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt. In addition to football, Lewis earned two letters in basketball and participated in track and field.
Antoinne Lightfoot, 5-7, 170, WR, Henderson, Ky. (Henderson County HS) Lightfoot earned Courier Journal First Team All-State honors following a senior season in which he rushed for 1,126 yards, scored 17 touchdowns on the ground and six more through the air. He finished with 26 total touchdowns and became the only player in Henderson County High School history to finish his career in the top 10 in rushing yards and receiving yards. Lightfoot also intercepted seven passes on defense in 2006. Following his junior campaign, the Associated Press and the Courier Journal selected Lightfoot to their honorable mention all-state teams. In three seasons, Lightfoot helped the Colonels to three district championships, two region titles and a 32-7 record. The 2006 HCHS team advanced to the class 4A state semifinals. As a junior Lightfoot ran for 578 yards and scored eight touchdowns on the ground. He added three more receiving touchdowns and finished with 12 total scores. Defensively he intercepted five passes and returned one for a touchdown. During his sophomore season Lightfoot found the end zone 14 times, four times on the ground and eight through the air. As a member of the Henderson County basketball team Lightfoot helped the Colonels three district championships and two region runner-up finishes. In 2006 he finished seventh in the state in the 100-meter dash.
Caleb Lipsey, 6-2, 285, DL, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sycamore HS) Lipsey earned all-city, all-conference and honorable mention all-state honors after leading Sycamore High School to a 9-2 record and a district championship his senior season. The Aviators improved by six games, going from 3-7 Lipsey's junior season to 9-2 in 2006. As a senior he recorded 60 tackles, 22 of which were for a loss and made 11 sacks. He is the first Sycamore High School football player to be invited to play in the Big 33 All-Star game, which pits the best seniors from Ohio against the best seniors from Pennsylvania. Lipsey also earned all-city and honorable mention all-state recognition as a junior. He is also a member of Sycamore's track and wrestling teams. In his first year of wrestling Lipsey qualified for the state tournament as a heavyweight. The next year, his junior season, he finished fourth in the state tournament.
Jordan Maley, 6-2, 240, DL, Columbus, Ind. (Columbus East HS) Maley capped a winning career by earning honorable mention all-state honors as a senior. He was part of a graduating football class at Columbus East High School that compiled a 48-1 regular season record from the seventh grade through their senior season in 2006. The group posted an overall record of 57-4. Maley helped the Olympians to a pair of sectional and regional championships (2004 and 2006) and three conference titles. In 2006 the team finished 12-2 and advanced to the class 4A semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Indianapolis Cathedral. Maley finished his senior season as the team's second leading tackler and earned Columbus East's Defensive Lineman of the Year award. He was selected first team all-conference and all-area as a junior and a senior. During his junior campaign, Maley led the team in tackles while helping the Olympians to their second straight 9-0 regular season. He also led the team in tackles as a sophomore when Columbus East advanced to the class 4A semifinals and finished 13-1. Maley joined the varsity squad as a freshman and became a starter at defensive end by the end of the season. He earned two letters as a member of CEHS's basketball team and four letters as a member of the school's baseball team all while earning honor roll recognition four consecutive years.
Paul McKinnis, 5-11, 200, RB, Laundendale Lakes, Fla. (Dean College) McKinnis played the past two seasons at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. He helped the school's football team to back-to-back 6-4 records and earned offensive MVP honors following his sophomore season. As a sophomore McKinnis rushed for 601 yards and scored six touchdowns in nine games. He ranked 36th in the nation (NJCAA) with an average of 66.7 yards per game. McKinnis graduated from Coconut Creek High School in 2005. He helped the Cougars to an 8-2 record his senior season and finished third in Brower County in rushing. He also earned spots in the Florida North/South All-Star game and the Brower/Dade All-Star game. McKinnis was also a member of Coconut Creek's track and field team.
Dylan Mundella, 6-2, 265, OL, St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast HS) Mundella helped Northeast High School go from 3-7 his junior season to 7-3 his senior year. He earned all-conference honors as a junior and as a senior and was selected to the Pinellas County All-Star team as a senior. Mundella is also a member of the Vikings' wrestling team.
Prince Nwagbara, 5-10, 195, RB, Marietta, Ga. (McEachern HS) Nwagbara rushed for 1,178 yards and scored nine touchdowns his senior season and was selected honorable mention all-state. He was also chosen to the all-county team after finishing fifth in the county in rushing. Nwagbara rushed for 863 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a junior while leading the Indians to the state playoffs. He earned honorable mention all-county recognition after his sophomore and junior seasons. He helped McEachern High School to a 9-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs as a sophomore. Nwagbara is also a member of the MHS wrestling team.
Marvin Robinson Jr., 6-1, 190, DB, Titusville, Fla. (Titusville HS) Robinson was selected honorable mention all-district after recording 68 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception his senior year. He was chosen team captain and team MVP as a senior. His performance led to a spot in the Brevard County All-Star game. Robinson was also selected honorable mention all-district as a junior after finishing with 39 tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He was also a member of Titusville High School's basketball and track teams.
Justin Rogers, 5-10, 160, WR, McKenzie, Tenn. (McKenzie HS) Rogers earned all-region and all-state honors on his way to leading McKenzie High School to a 10-2 record and a region championship his senior season. Rogers finished with 47 receptions and 1,039 yards. Defensively he recorded 47 tackles and intercepted two passes. Rogers is also a member of the MHS track team. He's earned medals in the long jump, triple jump and high jump.
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