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WTAMU Football Announces Additional Signings
March 21, 2006
West Texas A&M University head football coach Don Carthel announced Tuesday (March 21) that 20 players have been added to the 2006 recruiting class, consisting of two additional high school signings and 18 transfers.
"We're really excited about these additions, all of them can come in and should make an immediate impact," Carthel said. "Defensively, we've added lots of talent and depth at every position in making continued improvements from last season. Offensively, we feel we have successfully replaced our graduating seniors on the offensive line and wide receivers. All in all, we feel this is a tremendous group of players that we are anxious to coach and watch perform in a Buffalo football uniform."
The two high school signings bring the total to 20, with an approximate 20 more high school players joining the program in the fall as walk-ons as well.
WTAMU must replace three offensive lineman in All-Americans Pat McCoy and Dejuan Skinner, along with Sam Ireifej, as well as All-American and Lone Star Conference South Wide Receiver of the Year Tonae Martin and All-LSC selection Jon Lockett in addition to Jonathan Walker.
The Buffaloes do return Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist and All-American quarterback Dalton Bell, as well as All-LSC South selection wide receiver Ramon Perry and running back Maurice White. Anchoring the line will be All-LSC South honoree, center Nick Ashley.
Defensively, WTAMU loses All-LSC South lineman Darrell Lewis.
However, the Buffaloes return All-American defensive back Keon Gaither, as well as All-LSC South linebacker Max Steward.
Special teams-wise, the Buffaloes must replace All-LSC South kicker Jacob Felton, who established a new LSC single-season points record, as well as several WTAMU school records.
The Buffaloes ended their season with a 10-2 mark, the first season to end with 10 wins since 1950, and is WTAMU's first winning season since 1998. The Buffaloes had won a combined seven games in the last four seasons. WTAMU went 8-1 in LSC winning not only the LSC South, but the LSC Championship, the Buffaloes' first LSC title since 1986. For the first time in school history, WTAMU reached the NCAA-II Playoffs, where they earned a first-round bye and lost to Pittsburg State University (Kan.) in the second-round.
The defending LSC champions will start spring practice March 28, with the annual Maroon-White Spring Game scheduled for April 22 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
WTAMU opens the 2006 season with Mesa State College on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
Season tickets are still available, for ticket information contact the WTAMU Athletics Ticket Office at 806-651-4424.
ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SIGNINGS
Kelvin Thompson
Harry Small
TRANSFERS
Andrew Alexander
Bradley Bullitt
Tommy Crowley
Keithon Fleming
Brandon Johnson
Cort Johnson
Melvin Johnson
Kolo Kapanui
Keyon Kiles
Brad Kile
Michael Jones
George Maddox
Erik Mayes
Anthony Narveaz
TJ Nickleberry
Patrick Schwenke
Aaron Turner
BJ Vickers
Justin Williams
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