Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head football coach Brock Spack announced the newest additions to the Redbird football team Wednesday, as he formally unveiled the 15-man recruiting class on National Signing Day at a press conference at the Kaufman Football Building.
The 15 recruits join Illinois State’s five mid-year FBS transfers to bring to bring the total number of players added to the 2010 roster to 20.
“We’re very happy with this class and we feel we addressed a lot of needs from top to bottom,†Spack said. “We added a lot of speed, length and strong players who can run and move well in open space. With the transfers added into the mix, I think we’ve had a very, very good year and we are excited about the future.
The group included four defensive backs, three defensive linemen, two tight ends and two offensive lineman, and one running back, quarterback, linebacker and wide receiver. Members hail from as far as Maryland and Washington and six of the 15 will head north from Florida to play collegiate football.
Defensive end Nickcaro Golding (Evanston, Ill./Purdue), wide receiver Marvon Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich./Eastern Michigan), running backs Erik Smith (Bolingbrook,Ill./ Wisconsin) and Ashton Leggett (Muskegon, Mich./Michigan State) and linebacker Leonard Hubbard (Springfield, Ill./Wisconsin) all enrolled in spring classes at Illinois State and helped the coaching staff fill out the roster.
“We knew heading into the offseason that we needed to add some depth on both the offensive and defensive line and also at the running back position,†Spack said. “You can never have enough young, talented linemen and we fought to get those types of players signed and we succeeded in getting five quality players there. We also signed a running back, but with the two transfers, we now have several capable backs that can do everything we ask of them in our system.â€
Overall, Spack is extremely pleased with the signing class and looks forward to seeing how they progress in the fall.
“We’ll have to wait and see how these players develop, but I expect several of them to have a chance to move into the two-deep rotation immediately and have an impact in the field,†Spack said. “Obviously, if they can help us win right away then we will play them, much like we did with guys like Mike Zimmer, Tyrone Walker, Ben Ericksen and Matt Lancaster last season. There are a lot of potential playmakers in this group and we look forward to getting them on campus and seeing what they can do.â€
Spack and his staff will publicly announce the 2010 Redbird recruiting class at a National Signing Day party to be held at Alexander’s Steakhouse in Normal, Ill., this evening. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a short meet-and-greet session before Spack and his coaching staff provides commentary and recruiting insight on each of the Redbird prospects, with video clips of the newest Redbirds available for viewing.
SIGNING DAY BIOGRAPHIES:
Rocco Ammons | OL | 6-5 | 310 | Fr.-HS | Warrenville, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South)
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Wheaton Warrenville South HS: Three-year letterwinner … was credited with 48 pancake blocks on the offensive line as a senior … helped lead team to IHSA Class 7A state championship with win over Glenbard West in double overtime and a 12-1 overall record in final season … named first-team all-state selection by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago-Sun Times, Champaign News-Gazette and IHSA Coaches Association … Daily Herald first-team all-area selection … was a first-team all-DuPage Valley Conference selection and was tabbed the co-lineman of the year in the DVC … helped junior running back Matt Rogers rush for 822 yards and 16 touchdowns … protected for junior quarterback Reilly O'Toole, who threw for 1,990 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season … started every game on the offensive line as a junior and helped team to a 9-2 record … called up to varsity for the playoffs as a sophomore. Data: Born Jan. 11, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nev. … son of Darick and Lori Ammons … has three sisters … also recruited by Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Eastern Illinois.
Casey Beck | TE | 6-8 | 245 | Fr.-HS | Rockford, Ill. (Harlem)
Harlem HS: Two-year letterwinner … all-conference selection in final season while helping the team to an 8-2 record and a playoff appearance … named all-conference and an honorable mention all-state selection as a senior after catching 22 passes for 368 yards and eight touchdowns … also named all-conference as a junior. Data: Born Feb. 8, 1992, in Rockford, Ill. … son of Jeff and Terri Beck … has a brother, Cory … intended major is education … also recruited by Eastern Illinois.
Charles Cowley | DL | 6-2 | 265 | Fr.-HS | Boca Raton, Fla. (Boca Raton Christian)
Boca Raton Christian HS: Four-year letterwinner … as a senior, rushed for 389 yard and five touchdowns on 39 attempts … also caught 27 passes for 395 yards and six touchdowns … recorded 39 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, and one interception in final season … was selected for the Outback All-Star Game … all-county honorable mention selection … recorded 59 tackles, seven tackle-for-loss, a sack and an interception as a junior … led the county with 54 receptions which resulted in 580 yards and five touchdowns … first-team all-county selection and second-team all-state pick … also lettered two years in basketball. Data: Born Sept 19, 1990, in West Palm Beach, Fla. … son of Don and Teresa Cowley … has two sisters, Samantha (24) and Hannah (18) … intended major is criminology … also recruited by Western Michigan and Connecticut.
Matt Goldsmith | DB | 6-1 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Clinton, Md. (Bishop McNamara)
Bishop McNamara HS: Three-year letterwinner … played and started in all 11 games as a senior … led conference with 820 yards and 51 catches on offense while scoring seven touchdowns … recorded 40 tackles, three interceptions and a touchdown on defense … named first-team All-WCAC selection … also named an all-county, all-metro and all-state selection after senior season … member of the ‘Super 60’ team selected by DCSportsfan.com … caught 21 passes for 450 yards and a touchdown as a junior … also tallied 30 tackles and two interceptions on defense … named a third-team All-WCAC selection … also played basketball. Data: Born Nov. 11, 1992, in Clinton, M.D. … son of Milton and Marilyn Goldsmith … has a sister, Marlisa (20) … will graduate cum laude … intended major is marketing … also recruited by Rhode Island and Massachusettes.
Cameron Hunt | RB | 6-0 | 200 | Fr.-HS | Sammamish, Wash. (Eastlake)
Rated as a one-star recruit by Scout.com. Eastlake HS: Rushed for 1,165 yards and averaged 7.0 yards per carry during senior season … also caught 23 passes for 245 yards scored 22 total touchdowns … named first-team All-Kings Conference running back and a Top 100 player in the state of Washington by the Seattle Times… helped team to a 7-4 record and berth in the state playoffs. Data: Born April 6, 1992, in Kirkland, Wash. … son of Quentin and Carmen Hunt … intended major is kinesiology … also recruited by Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana.
Bryce Kiser | TE/HB | 6-2 | 215 | Fr.-HS | Royal Center, Ind. (Pioneer)
Rated as a one-star recruit by Scout.com. Pioneer HS: Three-year letterwinner … finished career with 4,330 yards and 64 rushing touchdowns, both school records … as a senior, racked up 1,413 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns … also caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in final season ... recorded 25.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a defensive end … named the Midwest Conference Player of the Year and a First-Team Class A All-State selection at defensive end by the Associated Press … member of the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top-50 … Indiana Football Coaches Association Region 5 All-Star Team pick at fullback … as a junior, rushed for 1,726 yards and 21 touchdowns and recorded 33.5 total tackles, five sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss on defense … named a First-Team Class A All-State selection at defensive end by the Associated Press … Indiana Football Coaches Association Class A First-Team All-State selection (RB) … All-Midwest Conference First-Team selection … tallied 1,116 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore on way to being named an All-Midwest Conference honorable mention pick … also competed in track and field as a thrower. Data: Born Sept. 16, 1991, in South Bend, Ind. … son of Aaron and Deborah Kiser … one of four children … his father, Aaron, and uncle, Brian, both competed in track and field at Purdue … intended major is secondary education … also recruited by Dayton, Purdue, and Western Michigan.
Terrance Moore | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Ypsilanti, Mich. (Ypsilanti)
Ypsilanti HS: Three-year letterwinner … passed for 1,000 yards and rushed for 650 yards with 11 passing TD’s and seven rushing as a senior … named the team’s most valuable player and an all-league and all-conference selection … was an all-state honorable mention selection in final season as well … as a junior, passed for 1,275 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 550 yards and nine touchdowns … named to the all-conference team … passed for 1,190 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore to lead team to an 8-2 overall record and a conference championship … also ran track for three seasons and was named an all-state selection as a junior as part of the 4x400 meter relay team. Data: Born Nov. 9, 1992, in Ann Arbor, Mich. … son of Dorcey and Rosalinda Moore…has two siblings, Taylor (20) and Danielle Moore (14) … intended major is renewable energy.
Steve Nelson | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Fr.-HS | Arlington Heights, Ill. (Hersey)
Hersey HS: Two-year letterwinner … missed his senior season due to a torn ACL … played quarterback during junior season and accounted for 16 total touchdowns … passed for 1,243 yards and rushed for 653 yards … also kicked field goal and extra points and returned punts … named a first-team all-conference selection and an all-area honorable mention selection … named team’s most valuable player and broke the school single-season record for completions … returned a punt for a touchdown as a sophomore … started in the playoffs as a sophomore for the Hersey basketball team. Data: Born Nov. 5, 1991, in Arlington Heights, Ill. … son of Tom and Cheryl Nelson … one of four children … his brother, Tom, was a four-year letterwinner at Illinois State (2005-08) and currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals … intended major is business.
James O’Shaughnessy | WR | 6-4 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North)
Naperville North HS: Three-year letterwinner … caught 19 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown during senior season … also returned 10 kickoffs for 294 yards … was a special mention all-conference and all-area selection … academic all-conference choice … hauled in eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown as a junior and an academic all-conference selection … caught 18 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore … also lettered three years in basketball. Data: Born Jan. 14, 1992, in Naperville, Ill. … son of Jim O’Shaughnessy and Sally Davis … has two brothers, Allen (19) and Kevin (14) … his father, Jim, played basketball at DePaul and his mother, Sally, ran track at Drake … intended major is business.
Tacius Pierre-Louis | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Fr.-HS | Loxahatchee, Fla. (Seminole Ridge)
Seminole Ridge HS: Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter … had 47 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown as a senior … team captain and first-team all-conference selection … honorable mention all-area pick … helped team advance to the state playoffs and to a 7-4 record … recorded 21 tackles as a junior while helping team to a 7-3 overall record. Data: Born Sept. 18, 1991, in Brooklyn, N.Y. … son of Tacius and Yankic Pierre-Louis … one of three children … intended major is business management … also recruited by Wagner.
Bradon Prate | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Fr.-HS | Wauconda, Ill. (Wauconda)
Wauconda HS: Two-year letterwinner … played two seasons at Wauconda, after moving back from Arizona with his family … played in all nine games as a junior after sitting out sophomore season with a leg injury … was named an all-area, all-conference and all-state selection after junior season … Data: Born Sept. 12, 1991, in Wauconda, Ill. … son of Chris and Shannon Dillard … has a brother, Shelby (16) and a sister, Audri (11) … intended major is business education … also recruited by Illinois and Wyoming.
Isaac Rinehart | OL | 6-4 | 260 | Fr.-HS | Eagan, Minn. (St. Thomas Academy)
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … one-star rating by Scout.com. St. Thomas Academy: Three-year varsity letterwinner ... named all-conference selection as a senior after helping team to an 11-1 overall record and appearance in the state playoff semifinals … honorable mention all-conference selection as a junior … helped team to 10-2 record and a sectional championships … pulled up to varsity as a sophomore. Data: Born Aug. 17, 1992, in Atlanta, Ga. … son of Isaac and Coretta Rinehart … one of eight children … intended major is business … also recruited by Wyoming, South Dakota and Northern Illinois.
Todd Shorter | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Fr.-HS | Palm Harbor, Fla. (Countryside)
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … one-star rating by Scout.com. Countryside HS: Four-year letterwinner …. caught 25 passes for 555 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … named first-team all-county selection … helped team to a district championship and the Region 5A finals … named a second-team all-county selection as a junior … named team’s defensive MVP as a sophomore and the team rookie of the year as a freshman. Data: Born Jan. 14, 1992, in Easton, Pa. … son of Bennie and Elizabeth Sherrod … has a brother, Travis (15) and a sister, Elisabeth (19) … intended major is athletic training … also recruited by Bowling Green, Connecticut and Southern Illinois.
Colton Underwood | DL | 6-4 | 245 | Fr.-HS | Washington, Ill. (Washington)
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … one-star rating by Scout.com. Washington HS: Four-year letterwinner … posted 68 tackles (46 solo), eight sacks, an interception and recovered a fumble during senior season … also carried the ball 133 times for 913 yards and 13 touchdowns … helped team to the IHSA Class 5A state playoffs, falling to perennial powerhouse Joliet Catholic in the quarterfinals … recorded 47 tackles (37 solo), eight tackles for loss, 18 sacks, four passes deflected and one forced fumble on defense as a junior … also rushed for 810 yards on 145 carries and eight touchdowns as a fullback on offense ... also added one receiving score … honorable mention all-state selection by the Champaign News Gazette & Chicago Tribune … was second-team all-conference as a sophomore. Data: Born Jan. 26, 1992, in Indianapolis, Ind. … son of Scott and Donna Underwood … has a brother, Connor (16) … his father, Scott, played football at Illinois State from 1986-89 and his mother, Donna (Zajeski) was an ISU volleyball player from 1986-90 … member of the honor roll … also recruited by Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Matt Younger | QB | 6-2 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa)
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com. Cocoa HS: As a senior, led team to a 14-0 record and the class 2A state championship … finished senior season 80-for-120 for a total of 1,601 passing yards … threw just three interceptions in those 120 attempts … rushed 96 times for 731 yards and 13 touchdowns … also served as the team’s punter, with 27 punts for 1,119 yards (41.4 avg.) … put 11 of those punts inside the 20-yard line and had a long of 59 yards … voted as the Florida Dairy Farmers 2A State Player of the Year … finished third in the Florida Mr. Football voting … tabbed as the District 11 Player of the Year ... All-Cape Coast Conference First-Team selection as a senior and junior… as a junior, completed 51 passes for 969 yards and 11 touchdowns … also rushed 106 times for 426 yards and 10 touchdowns … also played football and basketball. Data: Born Oct. 1, 1991, in Titusville, Fla. … son of Jason and Kim Armour…has two siblings, Wayne Younger (21) and Zachary Armour (12) … also recruited by Jacksonville State, Appalachian State, and Murray State.