LU football recruits - OFFICIAL LIST

[HoopInsider_Cooper]

Chad Allen – Athlete; 5-11, 175, Coldspring, Texas (Coldspring-Oakhurst HS)

Set school record for career passing yards with 2,495 while throwing 30 touchdown passes for coach Bryan Barbay’s Trojans. … As a senior, he passed for 1,336 yards and 16 TDS and added 850 rushed yards and another 13 TDs. … Voted Offensive MVP in District 22-3A. … Was also first-team, all-district quarterback in 2008. … Honored as Coldspring’s Most Valuable Athlete for the 2008-2009 school year. … Also earned MVP honors on the Trojans’ basketball team. … Was a two-year regional qualifier in track and field in the long jump and the 400-meter and 800-meter relays.

Kwabena Asante – Running Back; 6-1, 210, Westbury, N.Y. (Hicksville HS/Hofstra)

Finished third on the team in rushing with 287 yards on 61 carries for Hofstra University, which discontinued its football program after the 2009 season. … Had a long run of 24 yards and averaged 4.7 per carry. … Played in all 11 games as The Pride went 5-6. … Had four receptions for 21 yards with a long of eight yards. … Played in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2008 and was fifth on the team in rushing with 105 yards on 38 carries. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Lettered in football, basketball and track and field at Hicksville High School. … Named to the 2004 All-Nassua County Team as a junior after rushing for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Also had 50 tackles and three interceptions. … Honored as the team’s Most Valuable Player. … Missed senior season due to injury. … Was ranked as a Top 100 prep running back by ESPN.com in 2005. … Majoring in business management.

Caleb Berry – Quarterback; 6-2, 180, Needville, Texas (Needville HS)

Three-year letterman in football and basketball and two-year letterman in baseball at Needville High School. … Was the District 26-3A Offensive MVP as a senior as well as earning first-team all-district honors at quarterback, defensive back and punter. … Completed 86 of 160 passes for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing only one interception. … Added 114 rushing yards and six more TDs on the ground. … On the defensive side, accumulated 98 tackles, including 36 solos. … Had three interceptions and caused two fumbles. … Also handled punting and kicking duties, averaging 32 yards per punt with a long of 50 and kicking 29 extra points and one field goal. … Selected to the 2009 Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State Team. … Was a three-year Academic All-District 26-3A selection. … Three-year member of the Needville HS Student Council and also very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. … Had perfect attendance at NHS for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. … Plans to major in kinesiology. … Father Sterling Berry played baseball at Lamar

Kameron Edwards – Offensive Lineman; 6-3, 280, Sacramento, Calif. (San Mateo CC)

Two-year starter for team that was state runnerup in 2008 and won the Northern California championship in 2009. … Team finished the 2009 season with a 10-2 record and was ranked fourth in the nation in the junior college poll. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Three-year starter for coach John Heffernan at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif. … Earned second-team, All-Metro League honors as a sophomore and junior and was voted to the first team as a senior, when the team won the league championship and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs. … Majoring in sociology.

Cameron Epple – Offensive Guard; 6-3, 293, Granbury, Texas (Blinn College)

Played only one season at Blinn, leaving him with three years of eligibility remaining. … Was instrumental in the offensive line that paved the way as the Buccaneers averaged 45.6 points and 521.4 yards per game. … Did not allow a sack all season and helped coach Brad Franchione’s 11-1 Bucs defeat Navarro College 45-34 in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship game and then knock off top-ranked Fort Scott Community College 31-26 in the Citizens State Bowl for the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association championship. … Played tight end and linebacker for three varsity seasons at Granbury High School. … Had 32 career catches for 438 yards and six touchdowns. … Had 111 tackles as a senior. Earned first-team, all-district recognition as a junior and was a second-team, all-district selection at linebacker as a senior. … Majoring in kinesiology.

Kye Hildreth – Quarterback; 6-1, 170, Navasota, Texas (Navasota HS)

Accumulated 1,751 passing yards and 1,219 rushing yards and accounted for 39 touchdowns in leading the 2009 Navasota Rattlers to their third-straight Class 3A quarterfinals berth. …Was the District 24-3A Offensive MVP and was also a second-team, all-state punter. … Selected by the Bryan Daily Eagle as the first-team quarterback on its 2009 All-Brazos Valley Team. … Also honored on the 2009 District 24-3A All-Academic Team. … Was a second-team all-state safety as a junior and was also the District 24-3A MVP in baseball. … Lettered three years in football and four years in both baseball and track and field. … Has 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.

William Jones – Linebacker; 6-0, 215, Beaumont (Central HS)

Selected to first-team berth on The Port Arthur News’ 38th Annual Super Team after helping Central post a 9-4 record and second-place finish in District 20-4A. … Coach Andrew Washington’s Jaguars advanced to the regional semifinals before bowing in a 44-22 loss to Friendswood. … Earned a second-team berth on the 2009 Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team. … Has 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash.

Kollin Kahler – P/K; 6-2, 190, Waco Texas (Waco HS)

Was first-team Academic All-State selection in 2009 and earned Academic all-district honors all four years at Waco High School. … Was first-team punter on 2009 Waco Tribune Super Cen Tex Team and earned second-team laurels as a junior. … Also started at quarterback and played some at wide receiver and running back. … Was two-year all-district punter. … Also starred in soccer, baseball and track and field. … Member of National Honor Society and is slated to graduate 10th in his senior class.

Chris Maikranz – DS; 6-3, 225, Sugar Land, Texas (Lamar Consolidated HS)

Was an offensive line starter and the deep snapper for Lamar Consolidated High School in 2009. … Also handled deep snapping chores as a junior in 2008 and was a late-season call-up to the varsity in 2007 when the Mustangs won the Class 4A Division 2 state championship. … Ranked No. 9 in the nation as a deep snapper by scout.com and No. 15 in the nation by Chris Sailer Kicking. … An Honor Roll student and a three-year member of the Fort Bend Boys Touring Choir.

Stephone Mercer – Cornerback; 5-10, 180, Austin (Navarro College)

Was an instrumental member of the secondary that helped coach Nick Bobeck’s 2009 Navarro College Bulldogs compile an 11-1 record, including a 37-26 victory over Mississippi Gulf Coast CC in the Heart of Texas Bowl. … Helped lead Austin LBJ to the state semifinals in both football and basketball during his senior season of 2007 and 2008.

Payton Ploch – Quarterback; 6-1, 205, Dayton, Texas (Dayton HS)

Moved to quarterback for senior season after earning All-District 19-4A laurels as a wide receiver during junior season. … Completed 46 of 93 passes for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns. … Carried the ball 180 times for 1,258 yards and 21 TDs. … Added 452 receiving yards on 31 catches and scored four receiving TDs. … Voted Most Valuable Player in District 19-4A and was the Texas Prepxtra Class 4A Offensive MVP for the Greater Houston/Southeast Texas area after helping to lead coach Jerry Stewart’s Broncos to an 11-3 record. … Had 40 catches for 550 yards and 10 TDs as a junior.

Josh Powdrill – Wide Receiver; 5-9, 170, Beaumont (Navarro College)

Hauled in 17 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns last season for Navarro College, which won its first 10 games before dropping a 45-34 decision to Blinn College in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship game … Bulldogs then bounced back to win the Heart of Texas Bowl with a 37-26 decision over Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Was a high school star under coach Craig Stump at Beaumont West Brook.

Justin Stout – Kicker; 6-0, 180, Mesquite, Texas (West Mesquite HS)

Was successful on 79 of 80 extra points attempts over his junior and senior seasons at West Mesquite High School. … Went 21-for-27 on field goal attempts over the same span. … Set the school field goal record with a game-winning 50-yarder in 2008, then broke it with a 53-yarder during the 2009 season. … Set another school mark with five field goals in one game during junior season. … Was a first-team Class 4A all-stater in 2008 and was the Special Teams MVP in the district in 2008 and 2009.

Tyler Tokar – Offensive Lineman; 6-4, 280, Richardson, Texas (Berkner HS)

Named to the 2009 All-District 9-5A second team, to the All-District 9-5A Academic Team and to the 2009 Richardson Independent School District All-City Team. … Served as Berkner’s team captain and was a three-time winner of the Offensive Line Player of the Week Award. … Won the OL Player of the Week Award five times as a junior and earned second-team recognition on both the 2008 All-District 9-5A and Richardson ISD teams. … Also played basketball, baseball and golf for the Rams. … Member of the National Honor Society. … Plans to major in pre med/communications.

Michael Venson – Running Back; 5-10, 170, Katy (Morton Ranch HS/Blinn College)

Played mainly at cornerback and on special teams for 11-1 national junior college champion Blinn College last season. … Originally signed with TCU but never enrolled there. … Four-year letterman and three-year, first-team All-District 17-5A selection at Morton Ranch High School. … During senior season of 2008, rushed for 1,123 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. … Also had 19 receptions for 329 yards and four more TDs. … Rushed for 1,000 yards as a junior, for 987 as a sophomore and for 798 as a freshman, giving him a career total of 3,908 yards. …  Four-year starter at point guard for Morton Ranch’s basketball team and also starred in the sprints for the track and field team. … Has 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash

Michael Allen – Defensive Back; 5-10, 180, San Marcos, Calif. (College of Sequoias)

Played two seasons in the secondary for coach Curtis Allen at College of Sequoias in California. … Helped Giants post 5-5 record as a sophomore in 2009. … As a senior at San Diego San Marcos High School, recorded 79 tackles and had three interceptions while also rushing for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Ryan Clark – Defensive Back; 6-0, 205, Beaumont (Navarro College)

Played the 2007 and 2008 seasons in the secondary for Navarro College. … Had seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 65 tackles during freshman season and earned first-team honors on the All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference Team. … Was a third-team All-America selection. … Was a first-team preseason All-America pick in 2008, but an ankle injury limited him to only five games. … Starred at defensive back and wide receiver for Beaumont Ozen in 2005 and 2006. … Was an All-District 20-4A first-teamer at defensive back as a junior and was a second-team choice at defensive back and wide receiver as a senior. … Made 70 tackles and had five interceptions during junior season and had three interceptions and 45 tackles during senior season.

Jordan Garrett – Defensive Back; 5-11, 194, Beaumont (Tulane)

Played in all 11 games for Tulane last season and made 27 tackles. … Has three seasons of eligibility remaining. … Was All-District 22-5A for coach Craig Stump at Beaumont West Brook High School.

Jefferson (J.J.) Hayes – Wide Receiver; 6-3, 210, Diboll, Texas (Navarro College)

Led Navarro in receiving last fall by catching 31 passes for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. … Helped lead team to 11-1 record, a No. 3 ranking in the 2009 final national junior college poll and a 37.3 points-per-game scoring average. … Earned honorable mention on the All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference team. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Played for coach Gary Martel at Diboll High School. … Led team with 35 receptions for 573 yards and 10 touchdowns as senior. … Earned first-team all-district honors and won Diboll’s Lumberjack Heart Award as the team’s most improved player.

Darby Jackson – Defensive End; 6-3, 235, Humble (Navarro College)

Originally signed with Lamar in 2009 but returned to Navarro to complete his junior college associate’s degree. … Named to the All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference second team after finishing sophomore season of 2008 with 58 tackles and six sacks. … Navarro spent seven weeks atop the NJCAAJCFootball.com poll in 2008. … Played for Lamar coach Ray Woodard as a freshman in 2007. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Was first-team All-District 20-5A choice for Humble High School in 2007.

Marcus Jackson – Wide Receiver; 6-1, 190, Tyler, Texas (Navarro College)

Caught 17 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns last fall in helping lead Navarro to an 11-1 record and a No. 3 ranking in the final 2009 national junior college poll. … Bulldogs won their first 10 games before dropping a 45-34 decision to Blinn College in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship game. … Team then bounced back to win the Heart of Texas Bowl with a 37-26 decision over Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. … Had 22 receptions for 215 yards as a freshman in 2008. … Has two years of eligibility remaining. … Was standout quarterback at Tyler Lee High School.

Steven Murray-Sesay – Cornerback; 5-10, 165, Fort Washington, Md. (Northeastern)

Transferred to Lamar after Northeastern discontinued its football program after a 3-8 season last fall. … Logged 37 tackles last fall. … Also returned 15 kickoffs for a 19.9-yard average. … Worked his way into the starting lineup late in his freshman season of 2008. … Made 18 tackles on the season, including high of eight vs. Syracuse. … Played four seasons of varsity football at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md. … Was team’s Defensive MVP as a senior and was also a sprinter on the track team for two seasons. … Brother Abu played football at Robert Morris.

[AJ25]

Looks like a pretty solid recruiting class. One D1-AA transfer from Hofstra, might get some PT early. I'm sure there's a lot of speed in there, just wondering when they will asses the o-line? I've heard some negative things.

[HoopInsider_Cooper]

[font=Courier]Just left the press conference....Woodard said he would take as many O-linemen he could get.

Said they need help in the secondary....

Loved the RB from Hofstra, talked high about Chad Allen, Kameron Edwards (OL), Cameron Epple (OL) said he was best OL @ Blinn. 

He said they are waiting on 3 more kids to sign, no players switched schools that had committed and held back 5 scholarships.
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[HoopInsider_Cooper]

[font=Courier]Said the Venson kid signed with TCU out of high school but didn't qualify....very good athlete.[/font]

[AJ25]

Very good news. Lamar will surprise some people, they have some great athletes. I say a .500 record the first year, and they'll really keep even more kids here locally.

[AggiesAreWe]

I saw Chad Allen just about single handily beat WOS in the Bi-district round of the playoffs. He has great speed and athletic ability. I can see him excelling at the reciever or safety spot.

[AJ25]

So, if I remember right there was 35 scholarship players before today, and they added 22. So we're up to 57 now?

[HoopInsider_Cooper]

[font=Courier]That I don't know....

I remember him saying there were several that were here in the first group, like the kickers, that they didn't offer scholarships too....[/font]

[Guest mffl]

[quote name="HoopInsider_Cooper" post="754739" timestamp="1265235020"]
[font=Courier]Said the Venson kid signed with TCU out of high school but didn't qualify....very good athlete.[/font]
[/quote]

Rivals.com has Michael Venson's listed offers out of HS from TCU, Kentucky, Tulane, UNT, Tulsa, Troy, UTEP, and Louisiana Tech.