ysubigred
February 6th, 2013, 10:06 AM
It's all over but the shouting.. Now we wait for walk-on and transfers..
YSU SID.. 22 officially signed.
The 2013 Penguins Youngstown State football team's National Letter-of-Intent signees.
The signee biographies are listed below in alphabetical order (included are players who signed with the program in December:
Kenny Bishop
Safety
6-0 | 185
Fort Myers, Fla. | South Fort Myers H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL: Suffered a broken foot, which hampered his senior season...injury came on play were he caught a pass as a wide receiver...returned to the lineup midway through the campaign...as a junior was a Florida Class 6A honorable-mention selection...had six interceptions on the campaign...South was 7-4 in 2011...advanced to the regional quarterfinals...coach was Grant Redhead.
Damarius Brinson, Jr.
Cornerback
6-1 | 180
St. Petersburg, Fla. | Boca Ciega H.S.
High School: Played for the South team in the Pinellas County Senior All-Star Game...registered an interception in the contest...a first-team Pinellas County Athletic Conference all-league South Division selection as a defensive back...honorable-mention All-Pinellas selection by the Tampa Bay Times...played both wide receiver and defensive back...had 495 yards receiving on 23 catches...had 44 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery...coach was Antez Brinson.
Octavius Brown
Defensive Tackle
6-0 | 275 | Junior
Trenton, S.C.
Strom Thurmond/Georgia Military Academy
Georgia Military Academy: Finished with 36 total tackles as an interior lineman...credited with 27 solo stops and nine assisted tackles...had a season-high seven stops against Hargrave Military Academy...had six stops vs. Snow...Bulldogs lost 30-23 to Navarro in the 2012 Heart of Texas Bowl...was a two-year starter...coach was Bert Williams.
High School: Was the 2010 Region III Defensive Player of the Year...named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Palmetto Champions All-Star Team for Class AAA Lower State...served as a defensive stopper up the middle for a stingy Strom Thurmond defense that allowed just 11.6 points per game as a senior...credited with 17 tackles for loss as a senior...had a standout performance in the Shrine Bowl leading South Carolina to a 42-10 win over North Carolina...started at nose guard for the Sandlappers and had three hurries, three tackles a sack and a key forced fumble...was the first Strom Thurmond player to be selected for Shrine Bowl since 2005 and just 14th in school history (dating back to 1962)...was a three-year starter for the Rebels...was a three-time Region 3-2A all-region pick and made WJBF/Augusta Chronicle All--Area team on two occasions...coach was Lee Sawyer...also competed in track and field.
Derrick Burgess
Wide Receiver
6-4 | 195
Shaker Heights, Ohio | Shaker Heights
High School: Played wide receiver and cornerback at Shaker Heights...honorable-mention Northeast Lakes District Division I selection...did not play as a junior because of an injury...coach was Anthony Watkins.
Joey Cejudo
Punter/Placekicker
6-3 | 205 | Junior
Chino Hills, Calif.
Chino Hills H.S./Mt. San Antonio College (2012)/Chaffey College (2011)
Mt. SAC: As a sophomore booted 47 punts for an average of 36.7 yards per kick...placed 15 inside oppositions 20-yard line and had a long of 55...was 21-of-22 on PAT kicks and converted three field goals...Mt. SAC was 11-1 with lone loss coming in Southern California Championship Game to Bakersfield (30-21)...coach was Bob Jastrab...ranked 14th in the country for the specialist class of 2013 by chrissailerkicking.com.
Chaffey: Played for the Panthers in 2011...was an All-Central West Conference selection...as a freshman, was a second-team all-conference selection...converted 9-of-14 field-goal attempts with a long of 46...the 46-yarder came in overtime as the Mounties beat L.A. Harbor in 2011...made three of five attempts in the game against L.A. Harbor...made a 42-yard kick against Anelope Valley...had two attempts of 50-plus yards...was 26-of-28 on PATs...coach was Carl Beach.
High School: As a senior, was a first-team All-Sierra League selection...Chino Hills won two league championships and reached the CIF semifinals...coach was Derek Bub.
Vince Coleman
Defensive End
6-3 | 235 | Junior
Seal Beach, Calif.
Long Beach Poly H.S./Orange Coast College
Orange Coast: Was a second-team Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference selection...had 61 tackles in nine games...credited with 31 solos and 30 assists...had a team-high 8.5 sacks for 41 yards in losses...had 15.5 tackles for loss...had a fumble recovery...credited with a sack in six of nine games...posted a season-high 13 tackles against Moorpark...had 11 at Pasadena and 10 against Santa Ana...had 3.5 tackles for losses on three occasions...played in all 10 games as a freshman...credited with 29 total tackles...had 3.5 sacks and 5.5 TFLs...also tallied four quarterback hurries...coach was Mike Taylor.
High School: Was a second-team All-Moore League pick on defense...had 33 total tackles and five sacks as a senior...was a three-year letterwinner...set the school sack record...Jackrabbits were a three-team conference champion...Poly was 8-3 in 2010...coach was Raul Lara...also lettered in baseball and basketball.
Nate Cox
Defensive End
6-3 | 255 | Junior
Plainfield, Ind.
Plainfield H.S./Santa Ana College
Santa Ana: Was a first-team Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference selection...finished with 51 tackles as a sophomore...credited with 28 solo stops and 23 assisted tackles in 10 games played...had a team-high 6.5 sacks for 35 yards in losses...had 8.5 tackles for loss...blocked a kick...had a season-best eight tackles at Palomar...credited with seven stops at Orange Coast...had a season-best six solo tackles vs. Bakersfield...Dons were 8-3 and defeated Canyons 24-21 in the Southern California Bowl...as a freshman appeared in eight contests...credited with 34 total tackles, including 13 solo stops...had three TFLs, one sack, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups a forced fumble and a fumble recovery...coach was Geoff Jones.
High School: Graduated from Plainfield High School in 2005...Was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive end...named all-conference and Defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior year...team won Conference title.
Personal: Was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps before attending junior college...served five months in Afghanistan...is 26 years old.
Ricky Davis
Quarterback
6-3 | 200
Middletown, Ohio | Bishop Fenwick H.S.
High School: Ranked as the 74th-best quarterback in 2013 recruiting class by ESPNU...Was a first-team Greater Catholic League North Division first-team selection...was a second-team Division IV Southwest District pick...completed 79-of-153 passes for 1,313 yards and 16 touchdowns...had 101 rushes for 412 yards and five touchdowns...threw four touchdown passes in wild 47-46 overtime win over Wyoming...had a season-best 229 yards passing against Chaminade-Julienne...season-best 13 completions against McNicholas...Falcons finished the season 8-3 advancing to Regional Quarterfinal...attended Cincinnati Moeller as a junior...at Moeller in 2011 completed 9-of-19 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns..also rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries...best game came in Moeller's 27-10 win over St. Xavier...against the Bombers completed 5-of-7 passes for 159 yards and two TDs...coach at Fenwick was Fred Cranford.
Ricky Hagood II
Defensive Tackle
6-0 | 290
Columbia, S.C. | Lower Richland H.S.
High School: Three-year starter...was top 100 player in South Carolina by rivals.com prior to senior season...the Diamond Hornets were 4-7, but reached the playoffs...coach was Daryl Page...was also a wrestler and member of the track and field team.
Jaylin Kelly
Linebacker
6-1 | 220
Washington, Pa. | Washington
High School: A Pennsylvania Class AA all-state selection...a first-team All-WesternPAFootball.net Small School selection (Class A/AA)... named to Pennsylvania team in the 56th Big 33 Football Classic...had 114 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and forced five fumbles... Washington defense allowed an average of just 12.2 points per game. rushed for 280 yards on 46 carries and a touchdown...was an Observer-Reporter Elite 11 pick...Played running back and linebacker...is a two-star linebacker by 247sports.com...rated as the No. 87 inside linebacker in the country...in 2012, the Little Prexies won the Interstate Conference championship...lone loss of the season was in WPIAL Class AA Championship Game at Heinz Field to Aliquippa...Washington finished with a 12-1 overall record...it was their first title game appearance since 2001...the Little Prexies went 8-3 and finished second in the Century Conference in 2011...coach was Mike Bosnic.
Cole Kochman
Linebacker
6-2 | 210
Canonsburg, Pa. | Peters Township
High School: Played defensive end and linebacker...was a WPIAL AAAA all-conference pick...was an all-district pick by the Observer Reporter...as a senior, had 77 total tackles, including six TFLs and four sacks...served as a team captain as a senior...Indians posted a 5-5 mark, advancing to the playoffs before losing to Gateway...coach was Rich Piccinini...also played lacrosse...was an adidas High School Lacrosse All-American.
Connor McFadden
Placekicker
5-10 | 185
Poland, Ohio | Poland H.S.
High School: Three-year placekicker for the Bulldogs...set Poland career records for field-goal made (19) and PATs converted (108)...made 19-of-31 field-goal attempts in career...had touchbacks on more than 50 percent of kickoffs as kickoff specialist...coach was former Penguin Mark Brungard.PERSONAL: Parents are both members of the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame...his father, Paul, was a placekicker in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants...Paul played for the Penguins from 1980-83...his mother, Dianne, was a women's basketball standout at YSU from 1988-92.
Ryan Mosora
Athlete
5-11 | 185
Masury, Ohio | Brookfield
High School: Second-Team Division IV Ohio all-state selection as a senior and a junior...two-time selection to the MyValleySports.com Big 22, which honors areas top high school players...totaled 4,062 yards on 455 carries and scored 50 rushing touchdowns as a junior and senior...as a senior, rushed for 2,147 yards on 224 attempts...averaged an impressive 9.6 yards per carry...scored 31 touchdowns...had 36 total touchdowns on the campaign...eclipsed the 100-yard mark in 12 of 13 contests...went over 200 yards on four occasions...had a season-best 222 yards against LaBrae...scored a touchdown in every game, highlighted by a five-TD performance in the playoffs against Akron Manchester...scored three-or-more touchdowns in a game five times...had a season-long run of 74 against LaBrae...had five interceptions on defense...Warriors were 12-1 during senior season...started the season 12-0 for the first time since 1978...lost in regional final...rushed for 1,915 yards on 231 carries and scored 19 touchdowns as a junior...scored five touchdowns while rushing for 318 yards on 22 carries against Western Reserve Academy...rushed for 337 yards on 20 carries and had three scores against Newton Falls...had nine 100-plus yard rushing performances...had three interceptions on defense...was a wide receiver as a sophomore...coach was Randy Clark...also plays basketball.
Cole Newsome
Offensive Line
6-3 | 285
Huber Heights, Ohio | Wayne
High School: Two-time honorable-mention Southwest All-District Division I selection...first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division pick as a senior...was a starter at left tackle...was an honorable-mention all-area selection by the Dayton Daily News...Wayne was 7-4 during senior season, falling to eventual state champion Moeller in the playoffs...first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division pick as a junior...a Special Mention all-area pick by the Dayton Daily News in 2011...coach was Jay Minton.
Anthony Parente
Offensive Line
6-3 | 260
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Gateway
High School: Was a first-team Foothills Conference selection as an offensive guard...selected to play in the Chesapeake Bowl All-Star Game for the North Squad, which was held just outside of Washington D.C....had two sacks in the game...was a first-team Quad East All-Star pick...played offensive and defensive line...Gateway won the conference championship...Gators posted a 9-2 mark dropping a tough 17-14 decision to Woodland Hills in the WPIAL quarterfinals at Norwin High School...was an all-conference selection as a tackle as a junior...coach was Terry Smith.
Derek Rivers
Defensive End
6-4 | 230 | Freshman
Kinston, N.C.
Kinston H.S./Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union: Was a standout on the defensive line in the fall of 2012...played defensive end...coach was John Shuman.
High School: Played linebacker and tight end at Kinston...was an all-conference selection on defense...Kinston advanced to NCHSAA 2A State Championship Game during senior season...lost to West Stokes in the finals, 21-14...coach was Nick Anderson...also played basketball...as a senior, Vikings were 26-4 winning the NCHSAA 2A Championship by defeating Waxhaw Cuthbertson 58-55 in the finals.
Martin Ruiz
Running Back
5-11 | 190
Port Tampa, Fla. | Robinson H.S.
High School: A third-team Class 5A Florida all-state selection...was a first-team All-Western Conference American Division selection...first-team All-Hillsborough County pick by the Tampa Bay Times...a Tampa Tribune second-team All-Hillsborough County pick...was a second-team All-Suncoast selection...selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game for the West All-Stars...rushed for 1,237 yards on 162 carries and scored 13 touchdowns...averaged 7.6 yards per carry...played tailback and safety...returned a punt 10 yards for a touchdown...caught a four-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left in Robinson's playoff win over had two rushing touchdowns in second-round playoff win over Lakewood...Knights' suffered a 24-20 loss to Tallahassee Godby in the Class 5A semifinals to finish 12-2...as a junior, rushed for 681 yards on 101 carries and scored seven touchdowns...also caught six passes...Robinson was 9-3 in 2011...coach was Mike DePue.
Justin Spencer
Offensive Lineman
6-5 | 285
Indiana, Pa. | Indiana H.S.
High School: First-team Greater Allegheny Conference selection as an offensive and a defensive lineman...received WPIAL accolades...was a three-year starter at center...was a team captain...named Team MVP...coach was Mark Zilinskas.
Eric Thompson
Cornerback
6-0 | 190
Bradenton, Fla. | Southeast H.S.
High School: An honorable-mention Class 5A Florida all-state selection...played in the annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl All-Star Game...was credited with 14 pass breakups during senior season...honorable-mention all-area pick as a junior...coach was Paul Maechtle.
Bryant "B.J." Welch
Linebacker
5-10 | 185
Orlando, Fla. | Orangewood Christian H.S.
High School: Played linebacker and running back...averaged 10 tackles per game as a WILL linebacker...coach was Bill Gierke...attended Apoka as a junior and sophomore...led the Blue Darters in tackles as a sophomore...was a two-year starter.
Desmond Williams
Defensive End
6-1 | 240
Compton, Calif. | Lynwood H.S. | Compton College
Compton: Was a first-team Mountain Conference American Division selection as a defensive end...played running back and defensive end and also returned kickoffs...was fourth on the team in tackles with 49...his 36 solo stops were the second most on the squad...had 17.5 TFLs, including 5.5 sacks...forced two fumbles...as a running back had 12 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns...scored on a 71-yard run against East Los Angeles...had five receptions for 92 yards...returned 16 kickoffs for 556 yards, an average of 34.8 per return...had a long of 93 yards against Southwestern...posted a high of eight tackles vs. Chaffey...had seven solo stops against LA Southwest and San Diego Mesa...as a freshman, had 22 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown...also caught eight passes for 83 yards...had 23 total tackles, including 16 solo stops...had three sacks and 5.5 TFLs...coach was Sean Fernandes.
High School: Rushed for 1,060 yards on 141 attempts as a senior...averaged 7.5 yards per carry...scored 11 rushing touchdowns and had 14 total scores...coach was Mark Williams.
Jacob Wood
Tight End
6-5 | 220
Tallmadge, Ohio | Tallmadge
High School: A Special-Mention Division II All-Ohio pick...was a first-team All-Northeast Inland District Division II selection...caught 38 passes for 578 yards and had seven touchdowns as a senior...averaged 15.2 yards per reception...had three touchdown receptions in one quarter against Highland...on defense was credited with 56 tackles, including two sacks...played tight end/defensive end...as a junior, caught 24 passes for 310 yards and a score...had 69 tackles, was credited with two sacks and had two interceptions...caught 22 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore...had 68 tackles for the season, including a sack and interception...coach was Joe Vassalotti.
YSU SID.. 22 officially signed.
The 2013 Penguins Youngstown State football team's National Letter-of-Intent signees.
The signee biographies are listed below in alphabetical order (included are players who signed with the program in December:
Kenny Bishop
Safety
6-0 | 185
Fort Myers, Fla. | South Fort Myers H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL: Suffered a broken foot, which hampered his senior season...injury came on play were he caught a pass as a wide receiver...returned to the lineup midway through the campaign...as a junior was a Florida Class 6A honorable-mention selection...had six interceptions on the campaign...South was 7-4 in 2011...advanced to the regional quarterfinals...coach was Grant Redhead.
Damarius Brinson, Jr.
Cornerback
6-1 | 180
St. Petersburg, Fla. | Boca Ciega H.S.
High School: Played for the South team in the Pinellas County Senior All-Star Game...registered an interception in the contest...a first-team Pinellas County Athletic Conference all-league South Division selection as a defensive back...honorable-mention All-Pinellas selection by the Tampa Bay Times...played both wide receiver and defensive back...had 495 yards receiving on 23 catches...had 44 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery...coach was Antez Brinson.
Octavius Brown
Defensive Tackle
6-0 | 275 | Junior
Trenton, S.C.
Strom Thurmond/Georgia Military Academy
Georgia Military Academy: Finished with 36 total tackles as an interior lineman...credited with 27 solo stops and nine assisted tackles...had a season-high seven stops against Hargrave Military Academy...had six stops vs. Snow...Bulldogs lost 30-23 to Navarro in the 2012 Heart of Texas Bowl...was a two-year starter...coach was Bert Williams.
High School: Was the 2010 Region III Defensive Player of the Year...named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Palmetto Champions All-Star Team for Class AAA Lower State...served as a defensive stopper up the middle for a stingy Strom Thurmond defense that allowed just 11.6 points per game as a senior...credited with 17 tackles for loss as a senior...had a standout performance in the Shrine Bowl leading South Carolina to a 42-10 win over North Carolina...started at nose guard for the Sandlappers and had three hurries, three tackles a sack and a key forced fumble...was the first Strom Thurmond player to be selected for Shrine Bowl since 2005 and just 14th in school history (dating back to 1962)...was a three-year starter for the Rebels...was a three-time Region 3-2A all-region pick and made WJBF/Augusta Chronicle All--Area team on two occasions...coach was Lee Sawyer...also competed in track and field.
Derrick Burgess
Wide Receiver
6-4 | 195
Shaker Heights, Ohio | Shaker Heights
High School: Played wide receiver and cornerback at Shaker Heights...honorable-mention Northeast Lakes District Division I selection...did not play as a junior because of an injury...coach was Anthony Watkins.
Joey Cejudo
Punter/Placekicker
6-3 | 205 | Junior
Chino Hills, Calif.
Chino Hills H.S./Mt. San Antonio College (2012)/Chaffey College (2011)
Mt. SAC: As a sophomore booted 47 punts for an average of 36.7 yards per kick...placed 15 inside oppositions 20-yard line and had a long of 55...was 21-of-22 on PAT kicks and converted three field goals...Mt. SAC was 11-1 with lone loss coming in Southern California Championship Game to Bakersfield (30-21)...coach was Bob Jastrab...ranked 14th in the country for the specialist class of 2013 by chrissailerkicking.com.
Chaffey: Played for the Panthers in 2011...was an All-Central West Conference selection...as a freshman, was a second-team all-conference selection...converted 9-of-14 field-goal attempts with a long of 46...the 46-yarder came in overtime as the Mounties beat L.A. Harbor in 2011...made three of five attempts in the game against L.A. Harbor...made a 42-yard kick against Anelope Valley...had two attempts of 50-plus yards...was 26-of-28 on PATs...coach was Carl Beach.
High School: As a senior, was a first-team All-Sierra League selection...Chino Hills won two league championships and reached the CIF semifinals...coach was Derek Bub.
Vince Coleman
Defensive End
6-3 | 235 | Junior
Seal Beach, Calif.
Long Beach Poly H.S./Orange Coast College
Orange Coast: Was a second-team Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference selection...had 61 tackles in nine games...credited with 31 solos and 30 assists...had a team-high 8.5 sacks for 41 yards in losses...had 15.5 tackles for loss...had a fumble recovery...credited with a sack in six of nine games...posted a season-high 13 tackles against Moorpark...had 11 at Pasadena and 10 against Santa Ana...had 3.5 tackles for losses on three occasions...played in all 10 games as a freshman...credited with 29 total tackles...had 3.5 sacks and 5.5 TFLs...also tallied four quarterback hurries...coach was Mike Taylor.
High School: Was a second-team All-Moore League pick on defense...had 33 total tackles and five sacks as a senior...was a three-year letterwinner...set the school sack record...Jackrabbits were a three-team conference champion...Poly was 8-3 in 2010...coach was Raul Lara...also lettered in baseball and basketball.
Nate Cox
Defensive End
6-3 | 255 | Junior
Plainfield, Ind.
Plainfield H.S./Santa Ana College
Santa Ana: Was a first-team Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference selection...finished with 51 tackles as a sophomore...credited with 28 solo stops and 23 assisted tackles in 10 games played...had a team-high 6.5 sacks for 35 yards in losses...had 8.5 tackles for loss...blocked a kick...had a season-best eight tackles at Palomar...credited with seven stops at Orange Coast...had a season-best six solo tackles vs. Bakersfield...Dons were 8-3 and defeated Canyons 24-21 in the Southern California Bowl...as a freshman appeared in eight contests...credited with 34 total tackles, including 13 solo stops...had three TFLs, one sack, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups a forced fumble and a fumble recovery...coach was Geoff Jones.
High School: Graduated from Plainfield High School in 2005...Was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive end...named all-conference and Defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior year...team won Conference title.
Personal: Was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps before attending junior college...served five months in Afghanistan...is 26 years old.
Ricky Davis
Quarterback
6-3 | 200
Middletown, Ohio | Bishop Fenwick H.S.
High School: Ranked as the 74th-best quarterback in 2013 recruiting class by ESPNU...Was a first-team Greater Catholic League North Division first-team selection...was a second-team Division IV Southwest District pick...completed 79-of-153 passes for 1,313 yards and 16 touchdowns...had 101 rushes for 412 yards and five touchdowns...threw four touchdown passes in wild 47-46 overtime win over Wyoming...had a season-best 229 yards passing against Chaminade-Julienne...season-best 13 completions against McNicholas...Falcons finished the season 8-3 advancing to Regional Quarterfinal...attended Cincinnati Moeller as a junior...at Moeller in 2011 completed 9-of-19 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns..also rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries...best game came in Moeller's 27-10 win over St. Xavier...against the Bombers completed 5-of-7 passes for 159 yards and two TDs...coach at Fenwick was Fred Cranford.
Ricky Hagood II
Defensive Tackle
6-0 | 290
Columbia, S.C. | Lower Richland H.S.
High School: Three-year starter...was top 100 player in South Carolina by rivals.com prior to senior season...the Diamond Hornets were 4-7, but reached the playoffs...coach was Daryl Page...was also a wrestler and member of the track and field team.
Jaylin Kelly
Linebacker
6-1 | 220
Washington, Pa. | Washington
High School: A Pennsylvania Class AA all-state selection...a first-team All-WesternPAFootball.net Small School selection (Class A/AA)... named to Pennsylvania team in the 56th Big 33 Football Classic...had 114 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and forced five fumbles... Washington defense allowed an average of just 12.2 points per game. rushed for 280 yards on 46 carries and a touchdown...was an Observer-Reporter Elite 11 pick...Played running back and linebacker...is a two-star linebacker by 247sports.com...rated as the No. 87 inside linebacker in the country...in 2012, the Little Prexies won the Interstate Conference championship...lone loss of the season was in WPIAL Class AA Championship Game at Heinz Field to Aliquippa...Washington finished with a 12-1 overall record...it was their first title game appearance since 2001...the Little Prexies went 8-3 and finished second in the Century Conference in 2011...coach was Mike Bosnic.
Cole Kochman
Linebacker
6-2 | 210
Canonsburg, Pa. | Peters Township
High School: Played defensive end and linebacker...was a WPIAL AAAA all-conference pick...was an all-district pick by the Observer Reporter...as a senior, had 77 total tackles, including six TFLs and four sacks...served as a team captain as a senior...Indians posted a 5-5 mark, advancing to the playoffs before losing to Gateway...coach was Rich Piccinini...also played lacrosse...was an adidas High School Lacrosse All-American.
Connor McFadden
Placekicker
5-10 | 185
Poland, Ohio | Poland H.S.
High School: Three-year placekicker for the Bulldogs...set Poland career records for field-goal made (19) and PATs converted (108)...made 19-of-31 field-goal attempts in career...had touchbacks on more than 50 percent of kickoffs as kickoff specialist...coach was former Penguin Mark Brungard.PERSONAL: Parents are both members of the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame...his father, Paul, was a placekicker in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants...Paul played for the Penguins from 1980-83...his mother, Dianne, was a women's basketball standout at YSU from 1988-92.
Ryan Mosora
Athlete
5-11 | 185
Masury, Ohio | Brookfield
High School: Second-Team Division IV Ohio all-state selection as a senior and a junior...two-time selection to the MyValleySports.com Big 22, which honors areas top high school players...totaled 4,062 yards on 455 carries and scored 50 rushing touchdowns as a junior and senior...as a senior, rushed for 2,147 yards on 224 attempts...averaged an impressive 9.6 yards per carry...scored 31 touchdowns...had 36 total touchdowns on the campaign...eclipsed the 100-yard mark in 12 of 13 contests...went over 200 yards on four occasions...had a season-best 222 yards against LaBrae...scored a touchdown in every game, highlighted by a five-TD performance in the playoffs against Akron Manchester...scored three-or-more touchdowns in a game five times...had a season-long run of 74 against LaBrae...had five interceptions on defense...Warriors were 12-1 during senior season...started the season 12-0 for the first time since 1978...lost in regional final...rushed for 1,915 yards on 231 carries and scored 19 touchdowns as a junior...scored five touchdowns while rushing for 318 yards on 22 carries against Western Reserve Academy...rushed for 337 yards on 20 carries and had three scores against Newton Falls...had nine 100-plus yard rushing performances...had three interceptions on defense...was a wide receiver as a sophomore...coach was Randy Clark...also plays basketball.
Cole Newsome
Offensive Line
6-3 | 285
Huber Heights, Ohio | Wayne
High School: Two-time honorable-mention Southwest All-District Division I selection...first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division pick as a senior...was a starter at left tackle...was an honorable-mention all-area selection by the Dayton Daily News...Wayne was 7-4 during senior season, falling to eventual state champion Moeller in the playoffs...first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division pick as a junior...a Special Mention all-area pick by the Dayton Daily News in 2011...coach was Jay Minton.
Anthony Parente
Offensive Line
6-3 | 260
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Gateway
High School: Was a first-team Foothills Conference selection as an offensive guard...selected to play in the Chesapeake Bowl All-Star Game for the North Squad, which was held just outside of Washington D.C....had two sacks in the game...was a first-team Quad East All-Star pick...played offensive and defensive line...Gateway won the conference championship...Gators posted a 9-2 mark dropping a tough 17-14 decision to Woodland Hills in the WPIAL quarterfinals at Norwin High School...was an all-conference selection as a tackle as a junior...coach was Terry Smith.
Derek Rivers
Defensive End
6-4 | 230 | Freshman
Kinston, N.C.
Kinston H.S./Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union: Was a standout on the defensive line in the fall of 2012...played defensive end...coach was John Shuman.
High School: Played linebacker and tight end at Kinston...was an all-conference selection on defense...Kinston advanced to NCHSAA 2A State Championship Game during senior season...lost to West Stokes in the finals, 21-14...coach was Nick Anderson...also played basketball...as a senior, Vikings were 26-4 winning the NCHSAA 2A Championship by defeating Waxhaw Cuthbertson 58-55 in the finals.
Martin Ruiz
Running Back
5-11 | 190
Port Tampa, Fla. | Robinson H.S.
High School: A third-team Class 5A Florida all-state selection...was a first-team All-Western Conference American Division selection...first-team All-Hillsborough County pick by the Tampa Bay Times...a Tampa Tribune second-team All-Hillsborough County pick...was a second-team All-Suncoast selection...selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game for the West All-Stars...rushed for 1,237 yards on 162 carries and scored 13 touchdowns...averaged 7.6 yards per carry...played tailback and safety...returned a punt 10 yards for a touchdown...caught a four-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left in Robinson's playoff win over had two rushing touchdowns in second-round playoff win over Lakewood...Knights' suffered a 24-20 loss to Tallahassee Godby in the Class 5A semifinals to finish 12-2...as a junior, rushed for 681 yards on 101 carries and scored seven touchdowns...also caught six passes...Robinson was 9-3 in 2011...coach was Mike DePue.
Justin Spencer
Offensive Lineman
6-5 | 285
Indiana, Pa. | Indiana H.S.
High School: First-team Greater Allegheny Conference selection as an offensive and a defensive lineman...received WPIAL accolades...was a three-year starter at center...was a team captain...named Team MVP...coach was Mark Zilinskas.
Eric Thompson
Cornerback
6-0 | 190
Bradenton, Fla. | Southeast H.S.
High School: An honorable-mention Class 5A Florida all-state selection...played in the annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl All-Star Game...was credited with 14 pass breakups during senior season...honorable-mention all-area pick as a junior...coach was Paul Maechtle.
Bryant "B.J." Welch
Linebacker
5-10 | 185
Orlando, Fla. | Orangewood Christian H.S.
High School: Played linebacker and running back...averaged 10 tackles per game as a WILL linebacker...coach was Bill Gierke...attended Apoka as a junior and sophomore...led the Blue Darters in tackles as a sophomore...was a two-year starter.
Desmond Williams
Defensive End
6-1 | 240
Compton, Calif. | Lynwood H.S. | Compton College
Compton: Was a first-team Mountain Conference American Division selection as a defensive end...played running back and defensive end and also returned kickoffs...was fourth on the team in tackles with 49...his 36 solo stops were the second most on the squad...had 17.5 TFLs, including 5.5 sacks...forced two fumbles...as a running back had 12 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns...scored on a 71-yard run against East Los Angeles...had five receptions for 92 yards...returned 16 kickoffs for 556 yards, an average of 34.8 per return...had a long of 93 yards against Southwestern...posted a high of eight tackles vs. Chaffey...had seven solo stops against LA Southwest and San Diego Mesa...as a freshman, had 22 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown...also caught eight passes for 83 yards...had 23 total tackles, including 16 solo stops...had three sacks and 5.5 TFLs...coach was Sean Fernandes.
High School: Rushed for 1,060 yards on 141 attempts as a senior...averaged 7.5 yards per carry...scored 11 rushing touchdowns and had 14 total scores...coach was Mark Williams.
Jacob Wood
Tight End
6-5 | 220
Tallmadge, Ohio | Tallmadge
High School: A Special-Mention Division II All-Ohio pick...was a first-team All-Northeast Inland District Division II selection...caught 38 passes for 578 yards and had seven touchdowns as a senior...averaged 15.2 yards per reception...had three touchdown receptions in one quarter against Highland...on defense was credited with 56 tackles, including two sacks...played tight end/defensive end...as a junior, caught 24 passes for 310 yards and a score...had 69 tackles, was credited with two sacks and had two interceptions...caught 22 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore...had 68 tackles for the season, including a sack and interception...coach was Joe Vassalotti.