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Buffalo Football Announces its 2008 High School Recruiting Class
Updated - Feb. 14, 2008
Complete List of Commitments in PDF Format
CANYON, Texas - Riding the wave of success that has followed three straight Lone Star Conference Championships and runs in the NCAA-II playoffs, the West Texas A&M announced on Tuesday the signing of another outstanding high school recruiting class. "The first thing we set out to do is to get a good, solid class so we can have a big senior class that will be our core in a few years," said West Texas A&M head coach Don Carthel. "Most championship teams are built on great seniors and this class certainly has the ability to develop into that. Our coaches did an outstanding job of going out and getting us really quality athletes at every position. We really look for quality athletes, many who were also on their high school track teams, who are also quality students." The 2008 class consists of 53 players, all but one of whom hail from the Lone Star State. The only non-Texas commitment comes from receiver T.J. Knowles, who will come to Canyon from Las Vegas, Nev. "We expect a large majority, if not all of these guys to come in and redshirt next season," added Carthel. "Most of them will start to make an impact on special teams and as depth guys in a year or two before developing into our leaders and core players as sophomores, juniors and seniors." "Our main goal was just really overall depth, but this class really stands out at the quarterback and wide receiver positions," said Carthel. "We were able to sign some really standout players at those two positions. I think our program, being one of the leaders in passing offense each of the last three seasons, has a big draw for those types of players and is a reason why they want to be a part of our system." In addition to signing state-wide, the Buffs were able to ink much of the top talent from the Panhandle, signing several standout players from the Lubbock and Amarillo areas. "I'm also very proud of the local talent we have been able to bring in," noted Carthel. "From Lubbock north we have done a really good job of targeting and getting the best players in the Texas Panhandle. We really take pride in the football we play in the area and love to keep that homegrown talent here." "I really commend our entire coaching staff who did such a good job of working the state of Texas. From Brownsville to Perryton, El Paso to Tyler, they probably did the best job of recruiting the state of Texas that I've ever seen," said Carthel. "Our coaches are really honest and sincere when they go into these players' homes and talk with their coaches." Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Alejandro Arguello DL 6-0 265 Michael Bigelow OLB 6-3 192 Blake Bonner OLB 5-10 190 Canyon, Calub Brown DB 5-10 180 West Sabine, Chris Brown OLB 6-1 195 Bo Mauricio Cheda TE 6-6 210 Kyler Crenshaw QB 6-2 195 Brenham, Quentin Coleman WR 5-9 170 Teague, Kendrick Cutsinger WR 6-4 230 Servell Dandridge DL 6-3 245 DeSoto, Demetris Daniels DL 6-3 240 Sherrod Dawson LB 6-0 195 Kachi Ezirike OLB 5-9 185 Arik Franke OL 6-2 300 Brenham, Coleman Gibbs WR 6-0 185 Austin Gilmore OLB 6-1 189 Terrance Harris DL 6-4 255 Hunter Hettich OL 6-5 285 Marcus Jackson RB 5-11 175 Round Rock, Devoyea Johnson RB 5-10 170 Narada Johnson OL 6-3 275 Marlin, Shayne Johnson QB 6-3 195 Dumas, Coby Jones WR 6-0 200 Allen, Joe Joe Jones RB 5-10 185 Norman King DE 6-1 243 Joseph Knighten WR 6-0 185 T.J. Knowles WR 6-8 208 Spenser Lackey QB/WR 6-2 170 Anthony Laday WR 6-1 186 Sugar Land, Oscar Lopez OL 6-5 255 Hadley Mann DL 6-3 250 Seminole, Tanner Marsh QB 6-3 195 Denarious Taylor McCuller OLB 6-2 224 Red Oak, Kortney McDow WR 5-9 175 Javis McQueen CB 5-8 180 Gage Meyer WR 5-10 178 Jamal Mitchell RB 5-9 185 Jase Morgan OLB 6-0 231 Aaron Mullane OL 6-5 290 Blake Mark Okoro CB 5-10 175 Todd Phillips K 5-11 175 Treavor Pugh S 6-0 183 Chris Shoennagle LB 6-1 209 Curtis Slater S 5-9 185 Kevin Smith QB 6-5 215 Quentin Tasby OL 6-3 270 Marlin, Aaron Ruben White OL 6-1 285 Waxahachie, Michael Williams OLB 6-1 225 2008 High School Signing Class Player Capsules Alejandro Arguello Outside Linebacker • 6-0 • 265 Played both ways on the offensive and defensive lines for Travis High ... Garnered first team All-District 17-4A honors as a junior in 2006. Carthel on Arguello: "Juice participates in four sports at a big school which is very rare. One of the better wrestlers in the state which helps him on the football field as he is extremely hard to block." Michael Bigelow Outside Linebacker • 6-2 • 193 A three-sport athlete at LaVega High School, participating in football, basketball and track & field ... Helped lead the Pirates to a 13-1 season his senior year, racking up first team All-District, first team All-CenTex and honorable mention All-State accolades along the way ... Also selected second team All-District in basketball ... Also recruited by Baylor, Houston, Kansas and Texas A&M. Carthel on Bigelow: "With his height and speed, Michael may have the most upside of any of our defensive signees. He has tremendous character and work ethic to go along with it." Blake Bonner Outside Linebacker • 5-10 • 190 Canyon, As a running back, gained over 1,300 yards in both his junior and senior seasons ... An honorable mention All-State selection at running back in 2007 ... Named to the preseason All-State Academic team ... Also participated in basketball and track & field ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Washburn. Carthel on Bonner: "Blake Bonner is a recruit we are really excited about. He's got the potential to play on either side of the ball for the Buffaloes." Calub Brown Defensive Back • 5-10 • 110 West Sabine, Lettered in four sports at WSHS ... Earned District MVP honors as a quarterback ... A member of the National Honor Society who graduated in the top 10% of his class. Chris Brown Outside Linebacker • 6-1 • 195 Outstanding three-sport athlete from nearby Palo Duro High School ... Garnered first team All-District honors in both 2006 and 2007 ... Also participated in basketball and track & field ... A regional qualifier in long jump and triple jump ... Possesses great speed and was a member of PDHS sprint relay team ... Also recruited by Abilene Christian and Arkansas State. Carthel on Brown: "Chris will not only be a great football player for us but he will also be one of our spiritual leaders as well. Chris participates in three sports and is one of the better defensive players to come out of the Bo Campbell Defensive End • 6-3 • 212 Garnered first team All-State accolades ... Named District MVP and All-City Defensive MVP ... Member of the All-South Plains team ... As a senior racked up 71 tackles and 17 sacks during the regular season ... A member of the National Honor Society ... Also participated in baseball ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Rice, Angelo State and Abilene Christian. Carthel on Quentin Coleman Wide Receiver • 5-9 • 170 Carthel on Coleman: "He has good vision and is a good all-around athlete." Kyler Crenshaw Quarterback • 6-2 • 195 Selected honorable mention to the Class 4A Texas Sports Writers Association All-State team following his senior season ... Rated as a one-star prospect by rivals.com ... Also recruited by Boise State, Montana State, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tulsa. Carthel on Crenshaw: "Kyler comes from a school with a great football tradition and he has all the tools to become the next great WT quarterback. He has proven himself all season as the type of young men we recruit to play this position at WT." Kendrick Cutsinger Wide Receiver • 6-4 • 230 Carthel on Cutsinger: "Kendrick is our type of tight end. He shows the athleticism to vertically stretch people down field and has the potential to be a good blocker." Servell Dandridge Defensive Line • 6-3 • 245 Carthel on Dandridge "Servell was a two-way starter at Demetris Daniels Defensive Line • 6-3 • 219 As a senior at Killeen High, compiled 106 tackles to garner second team All-District honors ... Selected as a first team All-District performer his senior season ... Also competed in track & field and wrestling ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Daniels "Outstanding prospect with lots of talent and ability. Demetris was a three sport athlete at an excellent school (Killeen HS) where we have had success recruiting in the past." Kachi Ezirike Outside Linebacker • 5-9 • 185 Helped Hightower High put together a 10-4 season during his senior year ... Selected second team All-District and Team MVP after producing 105 tackles in 2007 ... Honor roll student ... Also competed in track & field. Carthel on Ezirike: "The excitement Kachi brings to the game of football is easy to see. He may be small in stature, but he lights it up on the playing field. I know he'll be a fan favorite." Arik Franke Offensive Line • 6-2 • 300 Soild offenisve line product who joins the Buffs after a productive career at Brenham High ... Also recruited by Carthel on Franke: "Arik has exceptional talent as a center. He has the ability to be a great player for us and the smarts to go with it." Coleman Gibbs Wide Receiver• 6-0 • 185 Carthel on Gibbs: "Coleman is smart, he has a very high ACT score. On the field, he has good height and hands." Austin Gilmore Outside Linebacker • 6-1 • 189 A local product, Gilmore played both quarterback and linebacker for Bushland High ... Rushed for 570 yards and three touchdowns as a senior, garnering first team All-District honors as both quarterback and linebacker along the way ... Recorded over 80 tackles with three forced fumbles, and one interception ... Named District Defensive MVP and honorable mention All-State. Carthel on Gilmore: "Austin Gilmore is another one of our local recruits that we are really excited about. He is a natural talent on the football field that we feel can really help us defensively." Terrance Harris Defensive Line • 6-4 • 255 Carthel on Harris: "Has tremendous explosion off the football and will be an excellent defensive lineman. It is obvious why he was so highly recruited. Should develop quickly into a solid player in the defensive line for the Buffs." Hunter Hettich Offensive Line • 6-5 • 285 One of the top offensive linemen in the Big Country region ... Helped lead Abilene High to a 13-2 overall record ... Rated a two-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, Missouri, SMU, Princeton and Abilene Christian. Carthel on Hettich: "Hunter is a great kid from a great family and an outstanding football program. He is a big guy that has a lot of strength and he may be the smartest kid we signed. He will have a great career for us and we are pleased to have him." Marcus Jackson Running Back • 5-11 • 175 Round Rock, Carthel on Devoyea Johnson Running Back • 5-10 • 170 Carthel on Johnson: "Devoyea is a diamond in the rough - he is a good runner and is ranked in the top 10% of his class academically." Narada Johnson Offensive Line • 6-3 • 275 Marlin, Carthel on Johnson: "Narada is very athletic for a big kid, and because of this, he will be able to play several positions along the offensive line." Coby Jones Wide Receiver • 6-0 • 200 Hauled in 52 receptions during his junior season for 700 yards and five touchdowns ... Named second team All-District at the receiver position ... Limited to only two games his senior season as a junior ... Rated a two-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Arkansas, Colorado State, Kansas, New Mexico State, Rice, SMU and Wisconsin. Carthel on Jones: "He tore his ACL as a senior and we feel like Coby would have been a Division I signee if it wasn't for his injury." Joe Joe Jones Running Back • 5-10 • 185 Rushed for 470 yards and four touchdowns on only 88 carries as a junior in 2006 before being forced to miss his senior season in 2007 due to injury ... Versatile player who has experience in the spread offense, also caught 26 passes for 407 yards in 2006. Carthel on Jones: "He missed his senior season because of a torn ACL but was a difference maker as a junior. He is a great fit for this offense because of his ability to catch and run in space." Norman King Defensive End • 6-1 • 243 A team captain for Stevens High, King captured first team All-District and second team All-Area honors as a senior ... Also lettered in track & field. Carthel on King: " Joseph Knighten Wide Receiver • 6-0 • 185 Helped the Panthers post a 12-1 record in 2007 ... Caught 38 passes for 531 yards, averaging 14.0 yards per catch. Carthel on Knighton: "He played on a very good team at Permian. As a junior, Joseph played at Coppell, who runs an offense similar to ours." T.J. Knowles Wide Receiver • 6-8 • 208 Tall wide receiver, who will add another weapon to the Air Raid offense ... During his senior campaign hauled in 55 passes for 985 yards and 16 touchdowns ... Pulled down 96 passes and 25 touchdowns during the final two years of his prep career ... Selected as first team All-State, All-Conference and Team MVP as a senior ... Also lettered in basketball, where he averaged a double-double as a senior. Carthel on Knowles: "T.J. is tall, every bit of his 6'8". He has good hands and we think he has a chance to be a good fade runner." Spenser Lackey Quarterback.Wide Receiver • 6-2 • 170 High School quarterback who threw for 4,000 yards and rushed for 1,142 during his prep career ... As a senior completed 175-of-262 passes for 2,212 yards and rushed for 508 yards as Abilene High compiled a 13-2 record... As a junior carried the ball 126 times for 611 yards and four touchdowns ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Arizona, Baylor, Purdue, SMU, TCU, Tulsa and Abilene Christian. Anthony Laday Wide Receiver • 6-1 • 186 Rated a two-star recruit by scout.com ... Also recruited by Carthel on Laday: "Anthony is a good, tall wideout that showed to be fearless with the ball in the air. He also showed to be a good route runner." Oscar Lopez Offensive Line • 6-5 • 255 Carthel on Lopez: "Oscar has a lot of ability as an offensive lineman, but the most exciting thing about him is that he is a very physical kid who finishes blocks." Hadley Mann Defensive Line • 6-3 • 250 Seminole, Helped guide Seminole High to an 8-4 record and to the Area Finals as a senior ... The Indians captured three straight district titles during Mann's prep career ... As a senior, garnered All-District, All-Permian Basin, All-South Plains and honorable mention All-State accolades ... Also competed in track & field and powerlifting ... Named to Who's Who Among American High School Students ... Also recruited by Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian. Carthel on Mann: "Excellent prospect who was injured most of his senior year. Did an outstanding job the past two summers in our summer camp." Tanner Marsh Quarterback • 6-3 • 195 Strong-armed quarterback with a big frame who projects well at the college level ... As a senior, completed 272-of-428 passes for 3,872 yards and 23 touchdowns ... Selected MVP of District 6-5A ... Honored as both a second team All-Region and honorable mention All-State selection ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Arkansas, Colorado State, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Oklahoma and Abilene Christian. Carthel on Marsh: "Tanner is a smart, tough and accurate young quarterback who has a tremendous upside for the Buffaloes. I'm truly looking forward to being able to coach Tanner." Denarious Linebacker • 6-0 • 222 Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. Carthel on Taylor McCuller Outside Linebacker • 6-2 • 224 Red Oak, Helped guide Red Oak High to a 10-3 season in 2007, earning District Defensive MVP honors along the way ... Served as team captain, making 88 tackles on the year ... Offensively, produced 400 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards ... Also competed in track & field ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com Carthel on McCuller: "Had an outstanding career at Red Oak. Runs well and seems to always be around the football." Kortney McDow Wide Receiver • 5-9 • 175 Athletic receiver who could develop into an impact player at the next level ... During his senior season, caught 65 passes for 972 yards while helping Abilene High turn in a 13-2 season ... In three seasons at AHS, McDow was credited with 146 receptions for 1,883 yards ... Rated a two-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by North Texas, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and Abilene Christian. Carthel on McDow: "Being the all-time leading reception leader for Javis McQueen Cornerback • 5-8 • 180 A three-year starter at Carthel on McQueen: "Javis was a dominant, two-way starter this year at Houston MacArthur. He was a three year starter at cornerback in a tough 5A district." Gage Meyer Wide Receiver • 5-10 • 178 Carthel on Meyer: "James Morton recommended Gage very highly. He wants to be here and has a chance to be a good possession receiver." Jamal Mitchell Running Back • 5-9 • 185 Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Mitchell: "Jamal has good agility, can play running back and slot and can pass pro. He comes from a good high school program." Jase Morgan Outside Linebacker • 6-0 • 231 Named All-District at the center position ... Selected All-State by both the coaches association and the sports writers ... Standout baseball player, selected Team MVP and All-District after leading the District in home runs. Carthel on Morgan: "All stater from an excellent program. We hope he will be as good an athlete as his two sisters (both All American volleyball players at WT) were. Jase also excels on the baseball diamond. Plan to move him to defensive end position." Aaron Mullane Offensive Line • 6-5 • 290 Talented local product who joins the Buffs from Tascosa High School ... Played on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Rebels ... Selected second team All-District in 2006 and first team All-District in 2007 ... Also honored as an Academic letterwinner ... A three-time track & field regional qualifier in discus ... Rated a two-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Colorado, Oklahoma State, Rice, SMU, TCU and Texas Tech. Carthel on Mullane: "The best thing about Aaron is his desire to be the best. He has all of the tools to be successful, but his drive and attitude separate him from most. We are very excited to get him." Blake Nusser Defensive End • 6-7 • 245 Canyon, Played both defensive end and receiver while serving as a team captain for the Canyon High Eagles ... Earned First team All-District and All-State accolades ... Named to the Amarillo Globe News Super Team ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball ... Honor roll student ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Nusser: "Blake is a tall defensive lineman with tremendous potential. When he fills out his frame, he'll be a force to reckon with. We were lucky we were able to land him here at WT." Todd Phillips Kicker • 5-11 • 175 Talented local product, who played three position at Bushland High ... Selected first team All-District at running back, defensive back and kicker ... Selected first team All-State at the kicker position ... Converted 13-of-17 field goal attempts in 2007, with a career long of 52 yards ... Fin shed the season perfect on attempts from 39 yards and out, a figure which included four attempts with a distance of 47 yards or more ... Made 46-of-49 point after attempts ... Also recruited by Northern Illinois and Louisiana. Treavor Pugh Safety • 6-0 • 183 Carthel on Pugh: "Treavor is a big, strong safety with a lot of range. He has a nose for the ball and a knack for making big plays." Kevin Smith Quarterback • 6-5 • 215 As a junior at Seguin High, passed for 2,046 yards and 30 touchdowns with only three interceptions and followed that performance with a 2,167 yard, 18 touchdown effort his senior season ... Also collected 360 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in 2007 ... Selected first team All-District and All-Area Offensive Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007 ... Named District Offensive MVP as a senior and garnered San Antonio Newcomer of the Year accolades after his junior season ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited Baylor, Houston, SMU and UTEP. Carthel on Smith: "Kevin is a big, strong, athletic QB who has the ability to step right onto the football field. At 6'5", 220 coming out of high school, he epitomizes our quarterback prototype." Chris Shoennagle Linebacker • 6-0 • 190 Selected first team All-District in 2007 after piling up 162 tackles, four sacks and one intercpetion ... Led CFHS in tackles as a senior ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Shoennagle: "Chris is one of the stronger linebackers in the group. He has tremendous work ethic and leadership, which should enable him to have a great career here at WT." Curtis Slater Defensive Back • 5-9 • 185 As a junior in 2006 at Cy Ridge High School, recorded 72 tackles, two interceptions, three pass break-ups and one forced fumbled ... Played wide receiver during his sophomore season, hauling in over 20 passes ... Rated a one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Slayer: "Great competitor as a high school athlete on a tough regional finalist out of the Quentin Tasby Offensive Line • 6-3 • 270 Marlin, Carthel on Tasby: "Quentin is one of the most athletic offensive lineman that we saw this year. He can do a lot of things for us in the trenches that will make our offense continue to be successful." Aaron Wampler Defensive End • 6-1 • 227 Enjoyed a standout career at Frenship High School, helping to lead the Tigers to a 35-8 record the last three seasons ... Selected as the District 4-4A Defensive MVP in both 2006 and 2007 ... Named to the Texas Sports Writers Association All-State team in both 2006 and 2007 and the AP All-State team in 2007 ... As a junior in 2006, compiled 137 tackles, including 20 for loss, four forced fumbles and 13 sacks ... During his sophomore campaign, collected 72 stops, eight behind the line of scrimmage ... Rated one-star prospect by scout.com. Carthel on Wampler: "Aaron was one of the most respected players in this part of the state. He is very active and tenacious in his determination to get to the ball. He is one of the top student-athletes to come out of this area. Aaron could also double as our deep snapper in the near future." Ruben White Offensive Line • 6-1 • 285 Played on both the offense and defensive lines for the Indians ... Selected as an All-District performer at the guard spot ... Also participated in track & field and powerlifting ... Also recruited by Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M. Carthel on White: "Ruben is one of the most explosive offensive linemen around. He has a tremendous amount of strength and quickness which makes him a great pick-up for us." Michael Williams Outside Linebacker • 6-1 • 225 Carthel on Williams: "A premier linebacker on one of the better teams in the state this past season. Made numerous big plays in opponents' backfield all the way through the playoffs this season. Our staff rated him as high as any linebacker in the state." Tyson Williams Wide Receiver • 6-2 • 205 Rated a two-star prospect by scout.com ... Also recruited by Carthel on Williams: "Tyson is one of the leading receivers in the greater
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