Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Football Announces 2010 Recruiting Class
2/3/2010 6:00:00 PM | Football
Murray State head football coach Chris Hatcher has announced the signing of 22 student-athletes to National Letter's of Intent to attend the University and begin playing football for the Racers in the Fall of 2010. The signing class was announced at an afternoon press conference inside the Racer Room.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE
Wednesday is the first day that potential recruits can sign with the program of the their choice.
The group of incoming players includes nine on offense, 12 on defense and one athlete. In all, six players are from Florida, four from Georgia, three from Kentucky, three from Tennessee, two from California, and one each from Alaska, Maryland, Missouri and South Carolina.
In addition, Hatcher announced that three of the announced signees are already enrolled at Murray State.
“We are excited about the guys we were able to sign today. Murray State sells itself, said Hatcher.” “We have a great group of assistant coaches that worked hard and a great support staff that made today happen. We feel real good about the guys that have signed to play at Murray State to help us take the program to where we want it to be, and that is to compete at a championship level each and every week.”
“This is the end of one recruiting period. This afternoon starts a whole new period for us. We will continue to recruit and beat the bushes. I expect us to sign two or three more players to this class over the course of the next couple weeks. Right now we are very fired up and looking forward to finishing things off over the next few weeks and getting ready for spring practice, evaluating the talent that we have on campus.”
The Racers lost 12 seniors from last year's 3-8 team, including All-America defensive end Austen Lane.
2010 Murray State Football Signing Class
Duane Brady, 5-8, 165, RB, St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine)
Played three years for head coach Joey Wiles at St. Augustine High School...helped Yellow Jackets to a 37-3 record, three district championships and one trip to the state championship game...had 3,126 rushing yards, 657 yards receiving, 512 return yards and 40 touchdowns in two years as a starter...earned First-Team All-State and was a two-time all-conference pick...named to the Jacksonville Times-Union Super 24, St. Johns County Player of the Year and FACA District 4 Offensive MVP.
Josh Brown, 6-0, 210, ATH, St. Petersburg, Fla. (Iowa)*
Red-shirted the 2009 season at Iowa...dressed out in several games, including the Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech...played for head coach Mike Morey at Dixie Hollins High School...dual-threat quarterback that rushed for over 1,000 yards and passed for over 1,000 yards as a senior...two-time first-team all-Pinellas County selection...named MVP of Pinellas County All-Star Game.
Devaughn Buchanan, 6-0, 190, LB, Ridgeland, Ga. (Ridgeland)
Three-year starter for head coach Mark Mariakas at Ridgeland High School...recorded over 400 tackles in his career in leading the Panthers to back-to-back region titles, including the first in school history in 2008...three-time all-area and all-county first-team selection...named to the all-region first team as a junior and senior...selected as the Chattanooga Best of Preps North Georgia Defensive Player of the Year as a junior...named to 2009 Dynamite Dozen (Chattanooga's Top Recruits).
Andre Clark, 6-3, 215, LB, Lanham, Md. (Fort Scott Community College)
Played for head coach Jeff Sims at Fort Scott Community College...helped the Greyhounds to the Kansas State Championship and a No. 2 national ranking...finished season with 95 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries...standout for head coach Dameon Powell at Duval High School.
Willie “TJ” Denson, 5-9, 185, S, Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)
Two-year starter for head coach at Bill Castle at Lakeland High School...registered 159 tackles and seven interceptions in leading the Dreadnaughts to back-to-back district championships...chosen as a first-team all-Polk County selection as a senior.
Jake Gambino, 6-4, 300, OL, Coral Springs, Fla. (Georgia Southern)*
Red-shirted the 2009 season at Georgia Southern...played for head coach George Smith at St. Thomas Aquinas High School...helped lead the Raiders to the 2008 state championship...earned First-Team All-Broward County honors as a senior.
Vernonrico “Rico” Jenkins, 6-5, 245, DE, Memphis, Tenn. (Kirby)
Played for head coach Chester Flowers, Jr. at Kirby High School...named First-Team All-Region as a senior after recording 55 tackles, 12 sacks, one blocked punt, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery...selected to play in the Autozone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game...helped team reach state championship game as a junior.
Dontrell Johnson, 5-11, 180, CB, Moultrie, Ga. (Garden City Community College)
Two-year starter for head coach Lucas Aslin at Garden City Community College...garnered First-Team All-Jayhawk Conference and All-Region laurels, as well as Honorable Mention All-America honors last season...registered 88 tackles, 11 interceptions and three interception returns for touchdowns in 18 games...earned First-Team All-State honors as a senior at Colquitt County High School...earned First-Team All-Region accolades as a junior and senior.
Tyler Lavea, 5-9, 185, RB, Oceanside, Calif. (Palomar College)
Two-year starter for head coach Joe Early at Palomar College...rushed 70 times for 376 yards and three touchdowns before his sophomore season was cut short due to injury...added 13 catches for 88 yards and a score...earned Second-Team All-Southern Division honors as a freshman after rushing for 714 yards and five touchdowns on 132 carries...also caught 13 balls for 114 yards and a touchdown...earned First-Team All-County honors for head coach John Carroll at Oceanside High School...rushed for 1,453 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior.
Devonte Mack, 6-1, 165, WR, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze)
Played for head coach Marc Beach at Seabreeze High School...earned Second-Team All-Area honors after helping the Sandcrabs to a 7-5 record as a senior...recorded 38 catches for 572 yards and seven touchdowns...also returned 11 kickoffs for 305 yards and a score...registered two interceptions on defense.
CJ Matthews, 6-6, 350, OL, Airport, SC. (Fullerton Community College)*
Played for head coach Tim Byrnes at Fullerton Community College...earned honorable mention National Southern Conference honors as a sophomore...all-region selection as a senior at Airport High School.
Arlestor McKinnon, 6-0, 240, DE, Quitman, Ga. (Reedley Community College)
Played for Randy Whited at Reedley Community College...helped the Tigers to the Central Valley Conference Championship and a No. 16 national ranking...recorded 65 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles...all-state performer at fullback and defensive end for head coach Maurice Freeman at Brooks County High School.
Xavier Mothersill, 6-0, 300, DT, Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)
Two-year starter for head coach Bill Castle at Lakeland High School...earned First-Team All-Polk County and Second-Team All-State laurels after recording 97 tackles, including 35 tackles-for-loss and six sacks as a senior...helped lead the Dreadnaughts to back-to-back district championships as a junior and senior.
Elbert Ojendis, 6-2, 305, OL, Marina, Calif. (Monterey Peninsula Junior College)
Two-time All-Coast Conference selection for head coach Mike Rasmussen at Monterey Peninsula Junior College...started every game at left tackle for two full seasons...played in the Bulldog Bowl, which honors the top junior college players in the area.
John Pili, 6-0, 300, DT, Anchorage, Alaska. (Chabot Junior College)
Played for head coach Danny Calgano at Chabot Junior College...earned Defensive MVP honors after recording 75 tackles as a sophomore...also earned First-Team All-Golden Gate Conference honors...standout at East High School.
Walter Powell, 6-0, 165, WR, St. Louis, Mo. (Hazelwood East)
Played for head coach Mike Jones at Hazelwood East High School...earned First-Team All-Metro and All-State honors after recording 54 catches for 978 yards and 16 touchdowns...holds school record for receiving touchdowns in a season...older brother, Brandon Williams, played receiver for the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
Martez Teague, 6-1, 190, LB, Paris, Tenn. (Henry County)
Played for head coach Joe Gaddis at Henry County High School...recorded 70 tackles and eight sacks as a senior...earned all-district, all-conference and all-region honors as a senior.
Travon “Tra” Tharp, 5-11, 170, WR/DB, West Paducah, Ky. (Heath)
Played for Cory Tillford at Heath High School...selected to the All-Western Kentucky Conference squad...received the Heath High School Top Defensive Back Award...recorded three interceptions as a senior, returning one for touchdown... earned Honorable Mention All-State honors by the Louisville Courier Journal as a punter...averages 10 points a game as a shooting guard on the basketball team.
Fred Tharpe, III, 5-10, 170, WR, Paris, Tenn. (Henry County)
Played for head coach Joe Gaddis at Henry County High School...recorded 19 receptions for 500 yards and six touchdowns...selected as the District Receiver of the Year.
Ayo Ujolola, 6-3, 235, DE, Suwanee, Ga. (North Gwinnett)
Played for head coach Bob Sphire at North Gwinnett High School...helped the Bulldogs to a 12-1 record in 2009...recorded 98 tackles, eight sacks and forced four fumbles in earning Second-Team All-County accolades...appeared in the Gwinnett County All-Star Game.
Brandon Wicks, 5-11, 180, SS, Murray, Ky. (Murray)
Played for head coach Steve Duncan at Murray High School...rushed 184 times for 1,629 yards and 24 touchdowns...recorded 35 tackles and five interceptions, returning one for a score...selected as the District Player of the Year...earned Honorable Mention All-State honors from the Louisville Courier-Journal...named First-Team All-Western Kentucky Conference and to the Paducah Sun All-Region Team.
Grant Williams, 6-3, 285, OL, Murray, Ky. (Calloway County)
Four-year letterman for head coach Josh McKeel at Calloway County High School...earned Second-Team All-State honors as a senior...was a three-time All-Western Kentucky and All-Purchase Team selection.
* - enrolled at Murray State in January
