Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Hawkeye Commit Number 23 - Kevin Buford
Kevin Buford
Defensive Back
5-10, 170, Freshman
Canton, Mich.
(Canton HS)
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state, all-metro and all-conference honors as a senior . . . second team all-state as a junior . . . first team all-conference and all-metro as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - three-year varsity letterman as wide receiver and defensive back, while also used on punt and Kickoff returns . . . helped prep team advance to state playoffs four straight seasons . . . team captain as a senior . . . totaled 891 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a senior . . . also had three punt returns for 104 yards and one touchdown . . . recorded 29 tackles on defense, with one interception return for a touchdown . . . as a junior rushed 97 times for 1,106 yards, averaging 100.5 yards per game . . . also had three receptions for 97 yards and collected 35 tackles and one fumble recovery on defense.Personal - - Born 4/12/94 . . . business major . . . parents are Tamika Higgins and Kevin Buford, Sr. . . . high school coach was Tim Baechler.
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state, all-metro and all-conference honors as a senior . . . second team all-state as a junior . . . first team all-conference and all-metro as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - three-year varsity letterman as wide receiver and defensive back, while also used on punt and Kickoff returns . . . helped prep team advance to state playoffs four straight seasons . . . team captain as a senior . . . totaled 891 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a senior . . . also had three punt returns for 104 yards and one touchdown . . . recorded 29 tackles on defense, with one interception return for a touchdown . . . as a junior rushed 97 times for 1,106 yards, averaging 100.5 yards per game . . . also had three receptions for 97 yards and collected 35 tackles and one fumble recovery on defense.
Hawkeye Commit Number 22 - Reid Sealby
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Reid Sealby
Offensive Lineman
6-5, 250, Freshman
Byron, Ill.
(Byron)
Bio coming soon..
Hawkeye Commit Number 21 - Drew Ott
Drew Ott
Defensive Lineman
6-4, 245, Freshman
Trumbull, Neb.
(Giltner HS)
High school honors - - Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named to Parade All-America team, the 21st Nebraska high school player to earn the distinction . . . earned first team all-state honors for three straight years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . four-time first team all-district selection . . . Career - - helped prep team post 41-6 record over four years . . . team was state runner-up in 2009 and reached state semifinals in 2008 and 2010, before falling in quarterfinals in 2011 . . . holds school records for single season (211) and career tackles (626) . . . recorded 122 tackles as a senior, with two interceptions and two recovered fumbles . . . 52 receptions as a senior for 960 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown . . . as a junior recorded 136 tackles and one interception, along with 31 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns . . . school-record 211 tackles as a sophomore, with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries . . . 39 receptions for 480 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore . . . as a freshman had 15 receptions for 126 yards and 157 tackles . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . four-year football letterman while playing tight end, offensive line, quarterback, linebacker and defensive end . . . also earned four letters in basketball and track.Personal - - Born 6/26/93 . . . criminal law/civil engineering major . . . named “Mr. Football” on Nebraska Academic All-State team . . . member of National Honor Society . . . parents are Sheree and Dan Ott . . . high school coach was Jeff Ashby.
High school honors - - Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named to Parade All-America team, the 21st Nebraska high school player to earn the distinction . . . earned first team all-state honors for three straight years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . four-time first team all-district selection . . . Career - - helped prep team post 41-6 record over four years . . . team was state runner-up in 2009 and reached state semifinals in 2008 and 2010, before falling in quarterfinals in 2011 . . . holds school records for single season (211) and career tackles (626) . . . recorded 122 tackles as a senior, with two interceptions and two recovered fumbles . . . 52 receptions as a senior for 960 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown . . . as a junior recorded 136 tackles and one interception, along with 31 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns . . . school-record 211 tackles as a sophomore, with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries . . . 39 receptions for 480 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore . . . as a freshman had 15 receptions for 126 yards and 157 tackles . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . four-year football letterman while playing tight end, offensive line, quarterback, linebacker and defensive end . . . also earned four letters in basketball and track.
Hawkeye Commit Number 20 - Greg Mabin
Greg Mabin (MAY-bin)
Wide Receiver
6-2, 190, Freshman
Plantation, Fla.
(Calvary Christian Academy)
High school honors - - Selected to participate in Broward Beach Bowl (private vs. public schools) as a senior and earned Championship Performance Award . . . earned first team all-county honors on offense as a senior and second team honors on defense . . . honorable mention all-state as a junior and second team as a sophomore . . . second team all-county as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters while playing wide receiver and defensive back and kick returner . . . totaled 877 yards and 15 touchdowns on 52 receptions as a senior, with one rushing touchdown and two interceptions and a touchdown on defense . . . had 59 receptions for 1,094 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, with one KO return touchdown and two interceptions . . . 42 receptions for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, with one interception also had punt return touchdown that led to win over fourth-ranked team in the state . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . earned two letters in basketball and track . . . holds school records in 100 and 200 meter dashes.Personal - - Born 6/25/94 . . . exercise science major . . . member of Principal’s Honor Roll . . . parents are Dr. Wesley and Arlette Mabin . . . high school coach was Kirk Hoza.
High school honors - - Selected to participate in Broward Beach Bowl (private vs. public schools) as a senior and earned Championship Performance Award . . . earned first team all-county honors on offense as a senior and second team honors on defense . . . honorable mention all-state as a junior and second team as a sophomore . . . second team all-county as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters while playing wide receiver and defensive back and kick returner . . . totaled 877 yards and 15 touchdowns on 52 receptions as a senior, with one rushing touchdown and two interceptions and a touchdown on defense . . . had 59 receptions for 1,094 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, with one KO return touchdown and two interceptions . . . 42 receptions for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, with one interception also had punt return touchdown that led to win over fourth-ranked team in the state . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . earned two letters in basketball and track . . . holds school records in 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Hawkeye Commit Number 19 - Anthony Gair
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Anthony Gair
Defensive Back
6-2, 195, Freshman
Plano, Texas
(Prestonwood Christian)
High school honors - - Earned all-district honors as a junior and senior . . . Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore . . . Career - - four-year letterman as defensive back . . . member of state championship team as a sophomore and junior . . . recorded 122 tackles, two sacks and one interception as a senior . . . 116 tackles, three sacks and an interception as a junior . . . recorded 185 tackles as a sophomore, including 102 solo stops . . . also three-year track letterman, competing in sprints and relays . . . state champion in 400 meter dash.Personal - - Born 5/18/94 in New Orleans . . . business major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . graduated Cum Laude . . . earned Academic Achievement Award . . . parents are Raquel Gair and Rodney Morgan . . . high school coach was Chris Cunningham.
High school honors - - Earned all-district honors as a junior and senior . . . Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore . . . Career - - four-year letterman as defensive back . . . member of state championship team as a sophomore and junior . . . recorded 122 tackles, two sacks and one interception as a senior . . . 116 tackles, three sacks and an interception as a junior . . . recorded 185 tackles as a sophomore, including 102 solo stops . . . also three-year track letterman, competing in sprints and relays . . . state champion in 400 meter dash.
Hawkeye Commit Number 18 - Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara
Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara
(DOE-mahn-tis VINS-koos koo-CHAR-uh)
Defensive Lineman
6-5, 230, Freshman
Weston, Fla. (Cypress Bay HS)
High school honors - - Named second team all-state as defensive end and third team all-state as offensive lineman as a senior . . . named to all-Broward County team on defense as a senior, as selected by coaches . . . selected first team all-county by Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel . . . named to first team Under Armor All-Star team . . . Career - - earned four letters while playing tight end and defensive end . . . helped team advance to state playoffs as a junior and senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . set school record with eight fumble recoveries as a senior . . . recorded 105 tackles as a senior, with 16 sacks, six caused fumbles, eight recovered fumbles and one touchdown . . . also had 28 tackles for loss, 22 pressures and 10 pass break-ups . . . also lettered in wrestling and track.Personal - - Born 3/23/94 in Klaipeda, Lithuania . . . open major . . . four-year member of President’s List . . . parents are Violeta and Matt Cucchiara . . . high school coach was Marc Guandolo.
High school honors - - Named second team all-state as defensive end and third team all-state as offensive lineman as a senior . . . named to all-Broward County team on defense as a senior, as selected by coaches . . . selected first team all-county by Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel . . . named to first team Under Armor All-Star team . . . Career - - earned four letters while playing tight end and defensive end . . . helped team advance to state playoffs as a junior and senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . set school record with eight fumble recoveries as a senior . . . recorded 105 tackles as a senior, with 16 sacks, six caused fumbles, eight recovered fumbles and one touchdown . . . also had 28 tackles for loss, 22 pressures and 10 pass break-ups . . . also lettered in wrestling and track.
Hawkeye Commit Number 17 - Faith Ekakitie
Faith Ekakitie (ee-KACK-uh-tee)
Defensive Lineman
6-3, 275, Freshman
Brampton, Ontario
Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest, Ill. Academy)
High school honors - - Participated in USA vs. World All-American game and selected to US Marine All-American game . . . first team all-state as a senior by both the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune . . . named first team all-Catholic League . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters as defensive lineman . . . team captain as a senior . . . collected 62 tackles as a senior, with 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception . . . recorded 58 tackles as a junior, including 15 sacks, while scoring one touchdown . . . also lettered in basketball and track.Personal - - Born 4/05/93 . . . kinesiology major . . . parents are Grace and Jimoh Ekakitie . . . high school coach was Ted Stewart.
High school honors - - Participated in USA vs. World All-American game and selected to US Marine All-American game . . . first team all-state as a senior by both the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune . . . named first team all-Catholic League . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters as defensive lineman . . . team captain as a senior . . . collected 62 tackles as a senior, with 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception . . . recorded 58 tackles as a junior, including 15 sacks, while scoring one touchdown . . . also lettered in basketball and track.
Hawkeye Commit Number 16 - Nate Meier
Nate Meier (MYER)
Athlete
6-2, 235, Freshman
Tabor, Iowa
(Fremont-Mills HS)
High school honors - - Named eight-man Player of the Year . . . first team all-state running back as a junior and senior . . . four-time first team all-district defensive lineman . . . two-time first team all-district running back. . . Career - - rushed for 2,494 yards and 57 touchdowns as a senior . . . also collected 112 tackles on defense, including 34 tackles for loss and 11 sacks . . . team captain as a senior . . . led team to state semi-finals as a junior . . . led team to a state championship as a senior . . . led prep team to state championship and undefeated season as a senior . . . set the Iowa rushing record for yards in a game (501) and touchdowns in a game (10) during the 2011 season . . . had 119 tackles and 8 tfl as a freshman . . . had 123 carries for 590 yards and 8 touchdowns as well as 115 tackles and 13 tfl as a sophomore . . . had 189 carries for 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns as well as 126 tackles and 29 tfl as a junior . . four-year starter on the football team . . . four-time letter winner in track and basketball . . . two-time state qualifier in the 110m high hurdles. Personal - - Born 7/18/94 . . . business management major . . . parents are Rodney and Pixie Meier . . . high school coach was Jeremy Christiansen.
High school honors - - Named eight-man Player of the Year . . . first team all-state running back as a junior and senior . . . four-time first team all-district defensive lineman . . . two-time first team all-district running back. . . Career - - rushed for 2,494 yards and 57 touchdowns as a senior . . . also collected 112 tackles on defense, including 34 tackles for loss and 11 sacks . . . team captain as a senior . . . led team to state semi-finals as a junior . . . led team to a state championship as a senior . . . led prep team to state championship and undefeated season as a senior . . . set the Iowa rushing record for yards in a game (501) and touchdowns in a game (10) during the 2011 season . . . had 119 tackles and 8 tfl as a freshman . . . had 123 carries for 590 yards and 8 touchdowns as well as 115 tackles and 13 tfl as a sophomore . . . had 189 carries for 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns as well as 126 tackles and 29 tfl as a junior . . four-year starter on the football team . . . four-time letter winner in track and basketball . . . two-time state qualifier in the 110m high hurdles.
Hawkeye Commit Number 15 - Sean Draper
Sean Draper (dray-per)
Defensive Back
6-0, 175, Freshman
Cleveland, Ohio.
(Glenville HS)
Bio coming soon...
Hawkeye Commit Number 14 - Laron Taylor
Laron Taylor (luh-RON)
Linebacker
6-0, 215, Freshman
Detroit, Mich.
(Cass Technical HS)
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-Metro as a junior and senior . . . earned all-City honors as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - three-year starter while helping team win state title as a senior with 12-3 record . . . team posted 12-1 record as a junior, advancing to state semifinals . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . led team in tackles for three straight seasons . . . recorded 120 tackles as a senior, with 20 tackles for loss, two sacks and a recovered fumble . . . 105 tackles as a junior, with 24 tackles for loss, four sacks, two recovered fumbled and an interception . . . recorded 75 tackles as a sophomore, with 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown.Personal - - Born 12/06/93 . . . broadcast and journalism major . . . parents are Deirdre and Ronnie Taylor . . . high school coach was Thomas Wilcher.
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-Metro as a junior and senior . . . earned all-City honors as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - three-year starter while helping team win state title as a senior with 12-3 record . . . team posted 12-1 record as a junior, advancing to state semifinals . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . led team in tackles for three straight seasons . . . recorded 120 tackles as a senior, with 20 tackles for loss, two sacks and a recovered fumble . . . 105 tackles as a junior, with 24 tackles for loss, four sacks, two recovered fumbled and an interception . . . recorded 75 tackles as a sophomore, with 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown.
Hawkeye Commit Number 13 - Barkley Hill
Barkley Hill
Running Back
6-0, 210, Freshman
Denver, Iowa
(Cedar Falls HS)
High school honors - - Named to Parade All-America team as a senior . . . ESPN Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named Offensive Player of the Year by the Cedar Rapids Gazette . . . candidate for 2011 Ed Thomas Award . . . named first team running back on Des Moines Register Elite all-state team as junior and senior . . . first team all-state by Iowa Newspaper Association as junior and senior . . . Class 4A all-state team captain as a senior . . . first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and conference Most Valuable Player as junior and senior . . . named third team all-state as a sophomore . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned three letters as running back, linebacker and punter . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . rushed for over 6,000 yards and 89 touchdowns in three seasons . . . helped prep team post three-year mark of 30-6, reaching state playoffs each year and advancing to semifinals as a senior . . . holds school records for touchdowns in a game (six) and season (40) . . . holds school, conference and state record with 89 career touchdowns . . . 316 attempts for 2,493 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior, leading Cedar Falls to an 11-2 record as a senior . . . rushed 230 times for 1,795 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior . . . gained 1,839 yards and scored 23 touchdowns on 238 rushing attempts as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track, competing in sprints, high jump and long jump . . . member of 400-meter relay team that holds school record (42.07).Personal - - Born 11/27/93 . . . open major . . . parents are Kathy and Johnny Hill . . . high school coaches were Pat Mitchell and Brad Remmert.
High school honors - - Named to Parade All-America team as a senior . . . ESPN Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named Offensive Player of the Year by the Cedar Rapids Gazette . . . candidate for 2011 Ed Thomas Award . . . named first team running back on Des Moines Register Elite all-state team as junior and senior . . . first team all-state by Iowa Newspaper Association as junior and senior . . . Class 4A all-state team captain as a senior . . . first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and conference Most Valuable Player as junior and senior . . . named third team all-state as a sophomore . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned three letters as running back, linebacker and punter . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . rushed for over 6,000 yards and 89 touchdowns in three seasons . . . helped prep team post three-year mark of 30-6, reaching state playoffs each year and advancing to semifinals as a senior . . . holds school records for touchdowns in a game (six) and season (40) . . . holds school, conference and state record with 89 career touchdowns . . . 316 attempts for 2,493 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior, leading Cedar Falls to an 11-2 record as a senior . . . rushed 230 times for 1,795 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior . . . gained 1,839 yards and scored 23 touchdowns on 238 rushing attempts as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track, competing in sprints, high jump and long jump . . . member of 400-meter relay team that holds school record (42.07).
Hawkeye Commit Number 12 - CJ Beathard
C.J. Beathard (BETH-urd)
Quarterback
6-2, 175, Freshman
Franklin, Tenn.
(Battle Ground Academy)
High school honors - - started at qb since sophomore year . . . team mvp as a junior and region mvp as a junior . . . all region & 2nd team all-state as a junior . . . lead state in passing yards as a junior . . . all region and team mvp as a senior . . . lead state in passing yards, completions and td’s as a senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . lead team to playoffs as a sophomore, junior and senior . . . was the starting qb and co-captain for the west team in the 2011 tennessee all-star game . . . Career - - passed for 2,148 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior . . . totaled 2,408 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior . . . passed for over 300 yards in two games as a junior . . . led team to D-II-AA state semifinals as a junior . . . pass for 900 yards and 8 touchdowns as sophomore in just 5 games.Personal - - Born 11/16/93 . . . major . . . academic honors . . . parents are Casey and Susan Beathard . . . member of the National Honor Society . . . member of Mu Alpha Theta . . . high school coach was Roc Batten.
High school honors - - started at qb since sophomore year . . . team mvp as a junior and region mvp as a junior . . . all region & 2nd team all-state as a junior . . . lead state in passing yards as a junior . . . all region and team mvp as a senior . . . lead state in passing yards, completions and td’s as a senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . lead team to playoffs as a sophomore, junior and senior . . . was the starting qb and co-captain for the west team in the 2011 tennessee all-star game . . . Career - - passed for 2,148 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior . . . totaled 2,408 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior . . . passed for over 300 yards in two games as a junior . . . led team to D-II-AA state semifinals as a junior . . . pass for 900 yards and 8 touchdowns as sophomore in just 5 games.
Hawkeye Commit Number 11 - Tevaun Smith
Tevaun Smith (TAE-vagn)
Wide Receiver
6-0, 185, Freshman
Toronto, Ontario
(Kent School, Conn.)
High school honors - - Named first team all-conference and all-New England as a senior . . . Career - - led team to undefeated regular season before losing in state championship game . . . team Most Valuable Player . . . recorded 16 receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns in seven games as a senior . . . also had 79 yards on six kickoff returns, with one touchdown . . . rushed 58 times for 555 yards and six touchdowns and completed 17-of-42 pass attempts for 213 yards and two scores . . . recorded 19 tackles on defense, with two interceptions, five pass break-ups, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.Personal - - Born 1/30/93 . . . undecided major . . . liberal arts interest . . . parents are Maureen Smith and Denzel Forbes . . . high school coach was Todd Marble.
High school honors - - Named first team all-conference and all-New England as a senior . . . Career - - led team to undefeated regular season before losing in state championship game . . . team Most Valuable Player . . . recorded 16 receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns in seven games as a senior . . . also had 79 yards on six kickoff returns, with one touchdown . . . rushed 58 times for 555 yards and six touchdowns and completed 17-of-42 pass attempts for 213 yards and two scores . . . recorded 19 tackles on defense, with two interceptions, five pass break-ups, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Hawkeye Commit Number 10 - Greg Garmon
Greg Garmon
Running Back
6-1, 200, Freshman
Erie, Pa.
(McDowell HS)
High school honors - - selected to compete in Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl following senior season . . . earned first team all-state honors as a senior after being named second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and senior . . . Career - - three-year letterman in football, helping prep team post a 23-9 record . . . career totals include 2,859 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns . . . rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior . . . had 11 touchdowns and 1,225 rushing yards as a junior . . . rushed for 584 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track.Personal - - Born 12/26/92 . . . open major . . . parents are Noelle and Mike Colpoys . . . high school coach was Mark Soboleski.
High school honors - - selected to compete in Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl following senior season . . . earned first team all-state honors as a senior after being named second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and senior . . . Career - - three-year letterman in football, helping prep team post a 23-9 record . . . career totals include 2,859 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns . . . rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior . . . had 11 touchdowns and 1,225 rushing yards as a junior . . . rushed for 584 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track.
Hawkeye Commit Number 9 - Maurice "Reese" Fleming
Maurice Fleming
Defensive Back
6-0, 185, Freshman
Chicago, Ill.
(Curie Metropolitan HS)
High school honors - - Earned all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-conference and all-city as a junior after earning second team all-conference honors as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned four letters as defensive back and quarterback . . . team won Chicago Public League title in 2010 and advanced to state playoffs four straight years . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . completed 19-of-29 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown and recording 15 tackles and one interception on defense . . . as a junior rushed for 1,003 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 165-of-265 passes for 2,011 yards and 18 touchdowns . . . recorded 47 tackles and three interceptions on defense . . . as a sophomore completed 102-of-198 passes for 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 502 yards and 11 scores . . . rushed 49 times for 195 yards and a touchdown as a freshman . . . also lettered in basketball and trackPersonal - - Born 12/06/93 . . . open major . . . mother is Rochelle Harper . . . high school coach was Tyson LeBlanc.
High school honors - - Earned all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-conference and all-city as a junior after earning second team all-conference honors as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned four letters as defensive back and quarterback . . . team won Chicago Public League title in 2010 and advanced to state playoffs four straight years . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . completed 19-of-29 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown and recording 15 tackles and one interception on defense . . . as a junior rushed for 1,003 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 165-of-265 passes for 2,011 yards and 18 touchdowns . . . recorded 47 tackles and three interceptions on defense . . . as a sophomore completed 102-of-198 passes for 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 502 yards and 11 scores . . . rushed 49 times for 195 yards and a touchdown as a freshman . . . also lettered in basketball and track
Hawkeye Commit Number 8 - Mitch Keppy
Mitch Keppy
Offensive Lineman
6-5, 290, Freshman
Port Byron, Ill.
(Riverdale HS)
High school honors - - Named to Max Prep All-America team . . . first team all-state as a senior . . . named to all-area team four straight years by Moline Dispatch . . . named to first team and team captain on all-Western Illinois team by Quad City Times . . . first team all-conference on both offense and defense as a senior . . . first team all-conference on defense as a sophomore and junior after earning second team as a freshman . . . second team all-conference on offense as sophomore and junior after earning honorable mention honors as a freshman . . . Career - - four-year varsity letterman as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team reach state playoffs as sophomore and senior . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . recorded 69 tackles as a senior, with four tackles for loss and two sacks . . . also had two recovered fumbles and scored one touchdown . . . recorded 106 tackles as a junior, 73 tackles as a sophomore and 56 tackles as a freshman . . . also competed in baseball and wrestling, earning first team all-conference honors in wrestling . . . placed second in state wrestling meet as a sophomore and junior.
Personal - - Born 8/21/93 in Davenport, Iowa . . . open major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Lori and Myron Keppy . . . father was a former Hawkeye lineman (1985-88) . . . high school coach was Nick Schroder.
Highlight Coming Soon.
High school honors - - Named to Max Prep All-America team . . . first team all-state as a senior . . . named to all-area team four straight years by Moline Dispatch . . . named to first team and team captain on all-Western Illinois team by Quad City Times . . . first team all-conference on both offense and defense as a senior . . . first team all-conference on defense as a sophomore and junior after earning second team as a freshman . . . second team all-conference on offense as sophomore and junior after earning honorable mention honors as a freshman . . . Career - - four-year varsity letterman as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team reach state playoffs as sophomore and senior . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . recorded 69 tackles as a senior, with four tackles for loss and two sacks . . . also had two recovered fumbles and scored one touchdown . . . recorded 106 tackles as a junior, 73 tackles as a sophomore and 56 tackles as a freshman . . . also competed in baseball and wrestling, earning first team all-conference honors in wrestling . . . placed second in state wrestling meet as a sophomore and junior.
Personal - - Born 8/21/93 in Davenport, Iowa . . . open major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Lori and Myron Keppy . . . father was a former Hawkeye lineman (1985-88) . . . high school coach was Nick Schroder.
Highlight Coming Soon.
Hawkeye Commit Number 7 - Jaleel Johnson
Jaleel Johnson
Defensive Lineman
6-4, 300, Freshman
Westchester, Ill.
(Montini Catholic HS)
High school honors - - Earned prep All-America recognition as a senior . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior in only season at Montini Catholic . . . first team all-area as a junior at St. Joseph’s High School . . . Career - - three-year starter as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team post 12-2 record as a senior while winning state championship . . . team captain as a senior . . . recorded 80 tackles as a senior, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and nine pressures . . . also earned two letters as a heavyweight wrestler.Personal - - Born 7/12/94 in Brooklyn, N.Y. . . . sociology major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Tina and Ralph Johnson . . . high school coach was Chris Andriano.
High school honors - - Earned prep All-America recognition as a senior . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior in only season at Montini Catholic . . . first team all-area as a junior at St. Joseph’s High School . . . Career - - three-year starter as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team post 12-2 record as a senior while winning state championship . . . team captain as a senior . . . recorded 80 tackles as a senior, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and nine pressures . . . also earned two letters as a heavyweight wrestler.
Hawkeye Commit Number 6 - Connor Kornbrath
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Connor Kornbrath (KORN-brayth)
Kicker / Punter
6-6, 215, Freshman
Bridgeport, W.V.
(Bridgeport HS)
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state and all-conference honors as a junior and senior . . . . . . Career - - holds school records for longest field goal (51 yards as a junior), field goals in a season (nine as a senior), field goals in a playoff game (three) and longest field goal in a playoff game (48 yards) . . . set state playoff record for longest field goal (48 yards) and most field goals in a game (three) . . . helped prep team post 38-3 record over final three seasons . . . made 9-of-14 field goal attempts as a senior, with a long of 49 yards . . . also made 54-of-56 PATs . . . one game-winning field goal of 34 yards . . . averaged 39.5 yards punting with a long of 54 yards and 35 of 73 kickoffs were touchbacks . . . converted 7-of-12 field goals as a junior, with a long of 51 yards, and 36-of-40 PATs . . . punting average of 37.1 yards, with a long of 48 yards . . . connected on two game-winning field goals (33 and 44 yards) . . . three-year letterman in football and basketball and one in soccer . . . team co-captain in both football and basketball . . .Personal - - Born 9/15/93 in New Britain, Conn. . . . sports journalism major . . . member of prep Highest Honor Roll and member of National Honor Society . . . parents are Barbara and Brian Kornbrath . . . high school coach was Josh Nicewarner.
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state and all-conference honors as a junior and senior . . . . . . Career - - holds school records for longest field goal (51 yards as a junior), field goals in a season (nine as a senior), field goals in a playoff game (three) and longest field goal in a playoff game (48 yards) . . . set state playoff record for longest field goal (48 yards) and most field goals in a game (three) . . . helped prep team post 38-3 record over final three seasons . . . made 9-of-14 field goal attempts as a senior, with a long of 49 yards . . . also made 54-of-56 PATs . . . one game-winning field goal of 34 yards . . . averaged 39.5 yards punting with a long of 54 yards and 35 of 73 kickoffs were touchbacks . . . converted 7-of-12 field goals as a junior, with a long of 51 yards, and 36-of-40 PATs . . . punting average of 37.1 yards, with a long of 48 yards . . . connected on two game-winning field goals (33 and 44 yards) . . . three-year letterman in football and basketball and one in soccer . . . team co-captain in both football and basketball . . .
Hawkeye Commit Number 5 - Cameron Wilson
Cameron Wilson
Wide Receiver
6-1, 195, Freshman
Dublin, Ohio
(Jerome HS)
High school honors - - Named to all-metro team in Columbus area . . . was honorable mention all-state as a senior and sophomore and second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and first team as a sophomore and senior . . . honorable mention all-conference as a freshman . . . Career - - holds school records for receiving yards and touchdowns . . . recorded 54 receptions for 774 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, with one passing touchdown and 300 rushing yards . . . 77 receptions for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, with 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns and one interception on defense . . . totaled 661 yards and six touchdowns on 60 receptions as a sophomore, along with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown . . . collected 350 receiving yards and 265 rushing yards as a freshman . . . also four-year starter for prep basketball team.Personal - - Born 9/17/93 . . . business communications major . . . member of high school Merit Roll . . . parents are Candace and Kenneth Wilson . . . high school coach was Mark Hundley.
High school honors - - Named to all-metro team in Columbus area . . . was honorable mention all-state as a senior and sophomore and second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and first team as a sophomore and senior . . . honorable mention all-conference as a freshman . . . Career - - holds school records for receiving yards and touchdowns . . . recorded 54 receptions for 774 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, with one passing touchdown and 300 rushing yards . . . 77 receptions for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, with 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns and one interception on defense . . . totaled 661 yards and six touchdowns on 60 receptions as a sophomore, along with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown . . . collected 350 receiving yards and 265 rushing yards as a freshman . . . also four-year starter for prep basketball team.
Hawkeye Commit Number 4 - Ryan Ward
Ryan Ward
Offensive Lineman
6-5, 275, Freshman
New Lenox, Ill.
(Providence Catholic HS)
High school honors - - Named an Army All-American . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior . . . . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive lineman . . . helped prep team to state playoffs as sophomore and senior, including state runner-up finish as a sophomore . . . team captain as a senior . . . also two-year wrestling letterman.Personal - - Born 8/07/93 . . . health and human physiology major . . . Illinois Coaches Association Academic All-State . . . member of National Honor Society . . . AP Scholar . . . member of prep High Honor roll . . . parents are Laurel and Brian Ward . . . high school coach was Mark Loglianese.
High school honors - - Named an Army All-American . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior . . . . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive lineman . . . helped prep team to state playoffs as sophomore and senior, including state runner-up finish as a sophomore . . . team captain as a senior . . . also two-year wrestling letterman.
Hawkeye Commit Number 3 - Eric Simmons
Eric Simmons
Offensive Line
6-2, 295, Sophomore
Madrid, Iowa (Madrid HS)
Iowa Western CC
Hawk-Item - - Enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in spring practice. Junior College - - Played one season at Iowa Western Community College . . . earned first team all-conference honors in his only season . . . earned academic all-region recognition . . . junior college coach was Scott Strohmeier. High school honors - - Earned first team all-state honors for three straight years . . . was first team all-conference for three years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . named to All-Toyota of Des Moines team as a senior . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive and defensive lineman and linebacker . . . helped prep team reach state semifinals for three straight seasons before advancing to title game as a senior . . . helped prep team compile 46-6 record over four seasons, establishing school record for four-year period . . . team captain as a senior . . . as a senior recorded 80 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries . . . also earned four letters in track and baseball and three in basketball . . . holds school (60-0) and conference records (58-11) in the shot put . . . won Drake Relays title in the shot put. Personal - - Born 8/26/92 . . . civil engineering major . . . Presidential Scholar . . . parents are Cherri and Steve Simmons . . . high school coach was Randy Hinkel.
Hawk-Item - - Enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in spring practice.
Junior College - - Played one season at Iowa Western Community College . . . earned first team all-conference honors in his only season . . . earned academic all-region recognition . . . junior college coach was Scott Strohmeier.
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state honors for three straight years . . . was first team all-conference for three years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . named to All-Toyota of Des Moines team as a senior . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive and defensive lineman and linebacker . . . helped prep team reach state semifinals for three straight seasons before advancing to title game as a senior . . . helped prep team compile 46-6 record over four seasons, establishing school record for four-year period . . . team captain as a senior . . . as a senior recorded 80 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries . . . also earned four letters in track and baseball and three in basketball . . . holds school (60-0) and conference records (58-11) in the shot put . . . won Drake Relays title in the shot put.
Personal - - Born 8/26/92 . . . civil engineering major . . . Presidential Scholar . . . parents are Cherri and Steve Simmons . . . high school coach was Randy Hinkel.
Hawkeye Commit Number 2 - Cody Sokol
Cody Sokol (SO-kul)
Quarterback
6-2, 215, Junior
Phoenix, Ariz.
(Scottsdale CC)
Hawk-Item - - Enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in spring practice.
Junior college - - First team all-conference and all-region as a sophomore, along with earning second team All-America honors . . . named Region Player of the Year as a sophomore and was also all-region as a freshman . . . passed for 3,807 yards and 43 touchdowns as a sophomore, completing 253-of-424 attempts, with 10 interceptions . . . set school records for single game passing yardage (542) and touchdowns (seven) . . . passed for 2,443 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman . . . junior college coach was Doug Madoski.
High school honors - - First team all-region and first team all-conference as a junior . . . Career - - played in just three games as a senior due to injury . . . earned three varsity letters while playing quarterback, linebacker and defensive back . . . team captain as a senior . . . named U.S. Air Force Player of the Week before being injured . . . completed 45-of-87 passes for 728 yards and five touchdowns as a senior, with three interceptions . . . as a junior completed 96-of-181 pass attempts for 1,419 yards and 16 touchdowns, with seven interceptions . . . also lettered in basketball and baseball.
Personal - - Born 3/19/92 in Des Moines, Iowa . . . business major . . . three-year member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are mother is Kim Sokol . . . high school coach was Dan Hinds.
Hawkeye Commit Number 1 is in... Ruben Lile
Ruben LileDefensive Back
6-3, 200, Freshman
Detroit, Mich.
(Cass Technical HS)
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state and all-metro honors as a senior . . . was second team all-city and all-metro as a junior . . . Career - - started two years as defensive back and wide receiver, while also handled kicking duties as a prep . . . helped prep team win state title as a senior with 12-3 overall record . . . prep team was 12-1 as a junior, reaching state semifinals . . . as a senior recorded 50 receptions for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while collecting 87 tackles and 25 pass break-ups on defense . . . as a junior totaled 470 yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions, while collecting 47 tackles, two interceptions and 20 pass break-ups on defense . . . had 32 touchbacks while handling kicking duties as a junior.Personal - - Born 9/27/94 . . . pre-med major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Robin Lile and George Bass . . . high school coach was Thomas Wilcher.
(Cass Technical HS)
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state and all-metro honors as a senior . . . was second team all-city and all-metro as a junior . . . Career - - started two years as defensive back and wide receiver, while also handled kicking duties as a prep . . . helped prep team win state title as a senior with 12-3 overall record . . . prep team was 12-1 as a junior, reaching state semifinals . . . as a senior recorded 50 receptions for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while collecting 87 tackles and 25 pass break-ups on defense . . . as a junior totaled 470 yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions, while collecting 47 tackles, two interceptions and 20 pass break-ups on defense . . . had 32 touchbacks while handling kicking duties as a junior.
Personal - - Born 9/27/94 . . . pre-med major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Robin Lile and George Bass . . . high school coach was Thomas Wilcher.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Signing Day is less than 24 hours away...
Make sure to follow along here at the GoHawks.com Blog tomorrow morning and all day long as we will post bio information and highlight videos as each prospect sends in his papers. With signing day less than 24 hours away, we take a quick look at the makeup of last year's class.
Notes the 2011 Commitment Class:
- QB Jake Rudock played for prep team that was named national champion in two of the last three years
- Eight of the 25 players were selected to national all-star games
- Five of the 25 players played on teams that won state championships
- 20 of the 25 players earned all-state honors
- 19 of the 25 players helped their teams to the state playoffs
- 18 of the 25 players were team captain as seniors
- 14 of the 25 players earned academic honors
- The 25 players came from 13 different states
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