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Meyer Announces 2002 Football Recruiting Class
Feb. 6, 2002 Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green State University football coach Urban Meyer has announced the addition of 26 players to the Falcon football program. Twenty-two high school seniors have signed a national letter of intent today and four have been enrolled at BGSU since the start of the spring semester. Three of the enrollees come from the junior college ranks, while one joins BGSU after one year at prep school. QUOTING COACH MEYER "We think this is an outstanding group of student-athletes. It was very exciting to get the opportunity to get to know these players and their families. Our entire coaching staff is looking forward to working with them and making them feel a part of the Falcon football family." "I think we have built upon many of the relationships we established a year ago in recruiting and believe that we are seeing it pay immediate dividends in areas that BGSU traditionally has not explored." "I think we have signed some outstanding athletes who with hard work and dedication can really blossom into outstanding college football players. We also addressed some immediate needs with the junior college transfers and we're anxious to begin preparing for next season." "It is important to us that we recruit kids from winning programs. We have 18 players who played in the state playoffs, four who won state championships and three junior college players who played in a bowl game. We want to focus on teaching kids our system, not on teaching them how to win." RECRUITING NOTES When camp opens next August, 49 of the 82 scholarship players will have been recruited by the current coaching staff. When BGSU played their final game of the 2001 season, they were nine scholarship players below the NCAA allowable limit of 85. They will open the 2002 season only two behind, and expect to begin the 2003 season with a full allotment of scholarship players. BGSU signed three quarterbacks after playing the entire 2001 season with two quarterbacks on scholarship. The Falcons signed five offensive linemen after playing the 2001 season with just 11 on scholarship. Seventeen is the desirable depth for these positions. The Falcons signed three receivers and return just one upperclassmen at that position in All-MAC performer Robert Redd. Position Breakdown: OL (5), WR, DT, DE, LB, CB, QB (3), RB (2), S/TE (1) Geography: Ohio (8), Georgia (5), Calif. JC, Michigan (3), Illinois, Maryland, Florida (2), Louisiana, Virginia (1).
Player Bios Tim Arnold, DB, 5-9, 196, Clinton, MD/Friendly HS Arnold will graduate this spring from Friendly High School in Ft. Washington, Maryland...an All-State and All-County performer...also named All-Metro by the Washington Post and the Washington Pigskin Club...named top DB in his county...a Gridiron Great...also earned Best Overall at a Nike Camp in New Jersey...coached by George Early/Marcus Berry...had highest GPA on his team...earned Prince George's County Scholar Athlete Award...also lettered in track and baseball....was 12th in the nation in the multi-events at the 1998 AAU Junior Olympics. Personal: Active in community service through his church...son of John and Jacqueline Arnold... born January 24, 1984. Kenneth Brantley II, WR, 5-11, 180, Shreveport, LA/Evangel Christian Brantley will graduate this spring from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana...A two-time All-District performer...had 54 receptions as a senior and 33 as a junior...team captain...helped the squad to a state title in 2001...team also won a state title during his freshman campaign and a national championship as a sophomore...coached by John Booty...also lettered in track...was a state runner-up in the 4 X 100 relay. Personal: Son of Ken and Brenda Brantley,...born April 17, 1984. Jay Cochran, OL, 6-3, 300, Dayton, OH/Belmont HS Cochran will graduate from Belmont High School this spring...a first-team All-Dayton performer for the Bison...also earned All-Southwest Ohio recognition...coached by John Derr...also threw the shot put and discus as a prep. Personal: Son of Glenn Cochran and Denise Finley... born February 18, 1984...nephew of former BGSU offensive lineman Ron Todd. Monty Cooley, DL, 6-2, 260, Carter, GA/Cass HS Cooley will graduate this spring from Cass High School in Centersville, Georgia...A two-time All-county pick for the Colonels...had 70 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, 3 pass break-ups and seven QB hurries...coached by Scott Viness. Personal: Wants to major in education...son of Sammy Cooley...born September 9, 1983. Reggie Corner, WR, 5-10, 165, Canton, OH/McKinley HS Corner will graduate this spring from Canton McKinley High School...A two-time All-Ohio and first-team All-County performer for the Bulldogs...twice named team MVP and team captain...caught 43 passes for 710 yards and 12 TD as a senior...had 745 yards and 8 TD as a junior...team won a state title during his freshman year...coached by John Miller...also lettered in basketball and track. Personal: Plans to major in business administration...a member of the principal's advisory board...son of Joseph Corner and Charlie Carter...born November 17, 1983. Jason Hollingsworth, LB, 6-3, 190, Marietta, GA/South Cobb HS Hollingsworth will graduate this spring from South Cobb High School in Marietta, Georgia...a three-year letterwinner for the Eagles...had 118 tackles, 10 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss...Defensive MVP and All-County selection...team captain...coached by Shane Queen...also lettered in track where he finished fifth in the state in the 110 meter hurdles. Personal: Will major in fine arts...son of Jerry and Michela Hollingsworth...born June 28, 1983. Omar Jacobs, QB, 6-4, 215, Delray Beach, FL/Atlantic Community HS Jacobs will graduate this spring from Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida...named the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel's and Boca News Offensive Player of the Year...second-team All-Florida...also earned first team All-Conference and All-County honors...named to the Super 11 squad...had 2,670 yards as a senior...completed 63 percent of his passes and connected on 28 TD strikes...had more than 1,000 yards passing during the playoffs...helped team to a regional championship as a senior...boasts 4.59 speed in the 40 yard dash...coached by Keith Tillman...also lettered in basketball and baseball...a first-team All-county and All-Conference performer in baseball. Personal: Wants to study behavioral science with an emphasis in physical therapy...named to the Vocational National Honor Society...also was the Rotary Student of the Month...son of Bernard Johnson and Barbara Bean-Johnson...born March 3, 1984. Jamien Johnson, LB , 6-1, 223, Ft. Washington, MD/Friendly HS Johnson will graduate this spring from Friendly High School in Ft. Washington, Maryland...an All-County selection...played in the county All-Star game...coached by George Early/Marcus Berry...also threw the shot put and discus. Personal: Son of Varner and Freda Webb... born June 25, 1984. Van Johnson, QB, 6-1, 180, Union City, GA/Creekside HS Johnson will graduate this spring from Creekside High School in Union City, Georgia...named Best Offensive Player on his team...had nine TD passes and three running scores as a senior...had 800 yards passing...had eight TD passes and four rushing TDs as a junior...coached by Amos McCreary...also lettered in baseball. Personal: Member of FCA...son of Van Sr., and Jeanette Johnson...born November 4, 1983. Brandon Jones, WR, 6-0, 170, Gahanna, OH/Lincoln HS Will graduate this spring from Gahanna Lincoln/Mifflin High School...had 1,100 yards rushing and 16 TDs...also caught 25 passes for 490 yards...named first-team All-District and All-Ohio Capital Conference...helped Lions to a conference championship...scored 31 career TDs...coached by Mike Lanza...also lettered in track. Personal: Nephew of Ty and Florence Harris...uncle, Ty, played football at Ohio State from 1974-78...born August 4, 1984. Jelani Jordan, DB, 5-10, 175, Atlanta, GA/Riverwood HS Jordan will graduate this spring from Riverwood High School in Atlanta...2001 Defensive Player of the Year...earned All-North Fulton honors and All-City accolades...had eight TDs on punts and kickoffs...had 57 tackles and two interceptions...had 605 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving and 250 passing yards...helped his team to the second round of the playoffs...team captain...coached by Dennis Goss...also lettered in basketball where he averaged 19.5 points per game. Personal: Son of William and Placida Jordan...born November 5, 1983. Jason Kaminski, LB, 6-3, 220, Dale City, VA/Hargrave Acad/Hylton HS Kaminski came to BGSU at the start of the spring semester after attending Hargrave Military Academy in the fall...was a starter at linebacker in his only prep school season...coached by Lonnie Messick...a 2001 graduate of C.D. Hylton High School...earned four letters...helped team to a regional championship as a senior and state titles as a sophomore and junior...team captain who helped the squad to a 40-2 record...coached by Bill Brown. Personal: Son of Ken and Cheryl Kaminski...born June 9, 1982. John Lanning, OL, 6-3, 275, Alpharetta, GA/Milton HS Lanning will graduate this spring from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia...A first-team All-Region and All-North Fulton-Cherokee County offensive lineman...team captain as a senior...had 80 pancakes and knockdowns as senior and 60 as a junior...team offensive lineman of the year...coached by Ronnie Jackson...also lettered in track and wrestling. Personal: Would like to study economics...started freshman bible study and led the group for two years...son of Robert and Christie Lanning...born May 17, 1983. Matt Leininger, DL, 6-3, 260, Napoleon, OH/Liberty Center HS Will graduate this spring from Liberty Center High School...a first-team All-State, All-District, and All-NWOAL pick...had 54 tackles in leading the Tigers to a 12-1 record and a Northwest Ohio Athletic League title...was the District Lineman of the Year...will play in the North/South All-Star game and Big 33 All-Star game...helped squad to a 48-5 record as a prep...team won four league championships and three district titles...coached by Rex Lingruen...also lettered in baseball and wrestling. Personal: Son of John and Dawn Bender...born August 6,1984. Derrick Markray, OL, 6-5, 334, Detroit, MI/Cody HS Markray will graduate this spring from Cody High School...listed at #39 in Michigan in Mick McCabe's Fab 50...an All-Detroit and All-Midwest choice...helped the Comets to its first state playoff appearances in 2001... coached by Vernon Brown Jr. Personal: Would like to study business law...son of Barbara Mills... born August 26, 1984. Terrill Mayberry, DB, 5-11, 170, Farmington Hills, MI/Harrison HS Mayberry will graduate this spring from Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan...helped the Hawks to three state titles and a 38-4 record during his career...An All-State selection who received Blue Chip status from the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News...had six interceptions as a senior and seven receiving TDs as a senior...team was ranked fifth in the nation...also had 36 tackles and averaged 40 yards per catch as a junior...had 5 TDs...a two-time special teams player of the year selection...named All-Western Lakes Activities Association and All-Observerland...coached by John Herrington...also lettered in basketball and track...All-State in the 400 and 4 X 400 relay and 4 X 200 relay. Personal: Wants to major in business...son of Sven and Veronica Frazier...born January 10, 1984. Vardan Mkhitarian, OL, 6-3, 285, Burbank, CA/Burbank HS/Pasadena CC A transfer from Pasadena Community College who is currently enrolled at BGSU...a first-team All-Mission Conference North selection at tackle...also earned JC Academic All-American honors...coached by Tom Maher... A 1998 graduate of Burbank High School...earned two letters with the Bulldogs...coached by Garry Willison. Personal: A criminal justice major...son of Zorhab and Nina Mkhitarian... born September 10, 1980. Will Myles, QB, 5-11, 185, Chicago, IL/St. Rita HS Myles will graduate later this spring from Chicago St. Rita High School...All-State, All-Area and and All-City pick...was Offensive MVP of the CMC Blue Catholic Division...threw for 1,492 yards and 12 TDs as a senior...also rushed for 408 yards and five TDs as a senior...threw for 1,039 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 492 yards as a junior...also lettered in basketball...coached by Todd Kuska. Personal: Class President...son of William and Bernadine Myles... born February 23, 1984. Steve Navarro, TE, 6-2, 230, Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg HS Navarro will graduate this spring from Carl Sandburg High School...An All-Area performer and team captain...had 17 catches for 350 yards as a senior...had 47 tackles as a junior...helped the Eagles to two state quarterfinal appearances...coached by Mike Navarro...also lettered in wrestling. Personal: Wants to be a teacher like his father...son of Michael and Gail Navarro...father played football at Illinois... born May 29, 1984. Ted Piepkow, LB, 6-0, 205, Clark Lake, MI/Lumen Christi HS Piepkow will graduate this spring from Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Michigan...helped the Titans to back-to-back state championships...a first-team All-State pick...a first team All-Capital circuit League choice and the Jackson Area Player of the Year...MVP of state title game...threw 1,062 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 876 yards and 15 TDs in leading squad to a 14-0 record...saw his team win 46 games without a loss including freshman and JV seasons...coached by Herb Brogan...also lettered in track and basketball...was Academic All-State in hoops. Personal: Son of Ralph and Kim Piepkow...father played football at Ferris State... born March 22, 1984. P.J. Pope, RB, 5-9, 210, Fairfield, OH/Wyoming HS Pope will graduate this spring from Wyoming High School in Cincinnati... rushed for 2,230 yards and 36 TDs as a senior...Southwest Ohio Player of the Year and Division IV Co-Player of the Year...a first-team All-City and CHL performer...rushed for 1,691 yards and 19 TDs as a junior...helped team to four league titles...coached by Bernie Barrie...also lettered in baseball where he was a two-time All-City pick. Personal: Son of Roy and Donna Pope...born February 26, 1984. Jeff Runnells, LB, 6-3, 210, San Dimas, CA/San Dimas HS/Pasadena CC A transfer from Pasadena Community College who is currently enrolled at BGSU...earned honorable mention JC All-American honors...two time All-Conference performer and team defensive MVP...coached by Tom Maher. High School: A 1999 graduate of San Dimas High School...had 213 tackles, three interceptions and 12 sacks as a senior...had 185 tackles as a junior...All-CIF and All-Conference performer...named to the LA Times All-Prep team... team captain who was named a National Football Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete...coached by Ted Clarke. Personal: Will major in pre-physical therapy...son of Tom Runnells and Tori Ferradino... born December 9, 1981. Raishaun Stover, RB, 5-10, 190, Cleveland OH/St. Edward HS Stover will graduate this spring from St. Edward High School in Lakewood...Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Year...finished third in the voting for Mr. Football...rushed for 2,300 yards and 36 TDs...had 293 yards and five TDs against Walsh Jesuit...also caught 19 passes for 340 yards...returned a kickoff for a TD...set 10 school records...helped his squad to a 10-0 regular season record and a No. 1 ranking...rushed for 3,700 yards and had 52 TDs in his career... coached by John Gibbons...Personal: a member of the honor roll who would like to major in business...son of Cheryl Stover... born March 20, 1984. Dexter Wallace, DL, 6-3, 285, Williston, FL/Williston HS Wallace will graduate this spring from Williston (Florida) High School...A first-team All-Florida, All-Area and All-District choice...had 67 tackles, nine sacks, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles...team captain...also earned All-District honors as a junior...helped the Red Devils to a regional and district titles during his career...coached by Jim Lindsey...also lettered in weightlifting and track. Personal: Wants to study criminal justice...a musician at his church...son of Ronald and Vivian Wallace...born June 29, 1984. Brad Williams, DL, 6-3, 215, Middletown, OH/Lakota East Will graduate this spring from Lakota East High School in the Cincinnati area...A three-year letterman for the Thunderhawks...had 156 tackles as a senior, 100 as a junior and 56 as a sophomore...a first-team All-Butler County and All-GMC performer...earned All-Southwest Ohio accolades...coached by Greg Baile...also lettered in wrestling. Personal: Son of Curt and Susan Williams...joins older brother, Jim, as a member of the BGSU football program...born December 27, 1983. Jesus Yanez, OL, 6-3, 320, Los Angeles, CA/Keppel HS/Pasadena CC
A transfer from Pasadena Community College who is currently enrolled at BGSU...an honorable mention All-American...All-State and first-team All-Mission Conference North choice as a sophomore...twice named team offensive lineman of the year...coached by Tom Maher... A 2000 graduate of Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California...an All-Almont League performer for two season for the Golden Aztecs...played in the Hall of Fame game...coached by Duane Russell...was a league wrestling champion. Personal: Will major in business administration...son of Jesus and Vicky Yanez....born May 25, 1982.
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