Letter of Intent Day, 2012

Class of 2012 Recruits...

I just took some time to watch Coach Clawson's presser from today, which you can watch to, if you want. Obviously, all caveats apply, especially with ratings. These are young men, and some of them will be what we expect and some will not. Every team is talking excitedly about their recruits...the end result is on the field, and years later.

There were a couple of surprises. First, Tyler Goble committed to Navy after being a BG commitment. Obviously, that's a pretty significant life decision to make, and we wish him nothing but the best in Annapolis. Mikhail Dubose was a guy who opened his recruiting recently...the word was to look at Illinois or WMU. You know, I don't think it bothers anyone to lose a guy to Illinois, but you hate to have a de-commit in your own conference. Anyway, he went to WMU, and the best to him, too. You don't want anybody who doesn't want to be here.

On the plus side, we signed a long snapper (Greg Hohenstein) and another kicker (Anthony Farinella), neither of which had been seen anywhere by me, anyway.

So we ended up with 20 guys which was our goal. Because we didn't need a full class, we were able to be a little more patient with guys with offers elsewhere, and Coach felt it paid off for us. We fought some tough battles (he said) and won some and lost some.

He was most excited about the O-line. After two years of really being thin on the line, BG had 15-17 scholarship o-lineman in the program with a good distribution through the years. You will see that there is some size too.

A couple notes....we only brought in WRs because Jermal Hosley and Je'Ron Stokes are both coming in to start this year and are sort of in this class.

Also, 3 guys got scholarships who are not freshman. They are:

Brian Schmeidebusch (Punter of the Gods)
Andre Givens (RB)
Je'Ron Stokes (WR)

He noted that BG can keep promises to players...BG has not lost one player to academics since Clawson arrived.

So, below are the players. I have sort of summarized coach's comments below each player....

Michael Allen, WR, 5-10, 175, Los Angeles, Calif. (Lynwood) (East L.A. College)
Junior College: Spent two seasons at East L.A. College ... was named the team’s Freshman of the Year ... earned first-team all-league as a sophomore. High School: Is a 2009 graduate of Lynwood High School ... coached by Mark Williams ... team captain ... earned first-team all-conference as a senior ... was team’s co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Similar player to Eugene Cooper. Recruited at a high level last year, but had a graduation issue and couldn't graduate. As Coach said, a year ago, we can't compete for him. He fell under the radar with his year off. He is enrolled.

J.J. Beggan, OL, 6-4, 290, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Seton LaSalle)
High School: Currently attends Seton LaSalle High School ... coached by Greg Perry ...team captain ... helped lead team to a 20-4 record as a junior and senior ... anchored an offensive line that produced a 1,700 yard rusher and an offense that averaged 35.5 points and 325.8 yards of offense per game his senior season ... was named a two-time All-Century conference offensive and defensive lineman ... was named All-State (AA) by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Association as a senior.

"Classic Pittsburgh Offensive lineman" (HA! Like the sound of that!)
Early commit, never wavered even when the big schools came in late.

Jacob Bennett, OL, 6-6, 290, Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon)
High School: Currently attends Lebanon High School ... coached by Shawn Lamb ... was named first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division ... earned honorable mention All-Southwest District (Div. I) by the Associated Press.

Has a prototypical LT body. Could end up 6'7" and 320 lbs. Considered a diamond in the rough.

Coy Brown, LB, 5-11, 215, Wakarusa, Ind. (Northwood)
High School: Is a 2012 graduate of Northwood High School ... coached by Scott Hoover ... team captain ... earned first-team all-state and all-area as a senior ... was named to the first-team All-Indiana Football Coaches Association that same year ... helped lead team to a 4A win in the State Sectionals ... was elected to play in the North/South Indiana All-Star game.

Versatile athlete who will contribute at LB and special teams. Enrolled.

Dalton Chapman, OL, 6-7, 285, Grove City, Ohio (Grove City)
High School: Currently attends Grove City High School ... coached by Matt Jordan ... earned second-team All-OCC and honorable mention All-Central District his senior year at offensive tackle ... as a junior was named to the second-team All-OCC and honorable mention All-Central District as a defensive end ... was name honorable mention at offensive tackle in the All-Central District as a sophomore.

Great size potential. Coach says we want lineman tall, lean, and physical, and let them bulk up here.

Jhalil-Nashid Croley, LB, 6-3, 245, Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton)
High School: Currently attends Princeton High School ... coached by Gary Croley ... team captain ... earned second-team All-Ohio, first-team all-conference and first-team all-city as a senior ... was nominated for the Tri-State (Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana) Defensive Player of the Year, finishing with 102 tackles that same season.

Heavily recruited. Broke some of Dwayne Woods' records at Princeton.

Scott Davis, TE, 6-5, 240, Richmond, Va. (Mills E. Godwin) (Fork Union)
Prep School: Spent one season at Fork Union Military Academy ... coached by John Shuman. High School: Was a 2010 graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School ... coached by John Phillips ... team captain ... earned first-team all-district, All-Metro and All-Region as a defensive end and tight end his senior year ... was team’s offensive MVP.

Neighbor of Coach Clawson's in Richmond. Dual threat TE...not a need, but he was too good to pass up. He is enrolled.

Logan Dietz, OL, 6-5, 280, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh Central Catholic)
High School: Currently attends Pittsburgh Central Catholic ... coached by Terry Totten ... team captain ... earned first-team all-conference as a junior and senior ... was third-team 4A all-state as a junior and second-team all-state as a senior.

Also tall, lean, physical protoypical T.

Anthony Farinella, K, 6-3, 180, Woodridge, Ill. (Downers Grove South)
High School: Currently attends Downers Grove South High School ... coached by John Belskis ... team captain and 4.0 student ... was the West Buburban Conference Special Teams Player of the Year ... named to the Tom Lemming All-Chicagoland team as a place kicker ... named a Top-12 kicker by chrissailerkicking.com ... had 46 touchbacks as a senior ... was a state champion in wrestling and a state qualifier in the 800-meters.

46 touchbacks on kickoffs??? Are you freaking kidding me? Ridiculous! Note, wrestler and runner too.

Erick Hallmon, LB, 6-0, 195, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)
High School: Currently attends Cardinal Gibbons High School ... coached by Mike Morrill ... team captain ... four year starter ... earned second-team all-county as a senior ... recorded 65 tackles, one interception and one touchdown that same season ... played in the Broward All-Star Game and the Nike South Florida versus Dade County All-Star Game.

Patience helped as BG outwaited a Texas Tech verbal and then other teams. Could be an OLB, even a Box LB. Could play special teams early.

Greg Hohenstein, LS, 6-3, 195, Warrenville, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South)
High School: Currently attends Wheaton-Warrenville High School ... was a two-time state finals long snapper ... played in the 2010 ESPN Rise versus Maine South game as a long snapper ... earned academic all-conference as a senior ... converted on 61 of 62 snaps to the punter and 120 of 120 snaps on field goals and extra points in his career ... ranked 17th nationally and fourth in the midwest according to Rubio Long Snapping.

Our long snapper is a senior this year, so we wanted his replacement in the wings.

(David) Kelii Kekuewa “Chief”, OL, 6-3, 300, Keaau, Hawaii (Kamehameha) (Arizona Western)
Junior College: Spent two seasons at Arizona Western Junior College ... coached by Tom Minnick ... team captain ... led the Matadors to an 11-1 record, including an appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association Football Championship game ... was part of an offensive line that finished the year sixth in rushing offense and was part of an offense that averaged 50.2 points per game ... earned first-team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, first-team All-Western States Football League and first-team All-National Junior College Athletic Association. High School: Graduated from Kamehameha High School in 2009 ... coached by Ulima Afoa ... team captain

Apparently missed a plane for another visit and was snapped up by BG. BG wanted a JUCO C with Bojicic and Lewis graduating and he will compete for playing time right away.

James Knapke, QB, 6-3, 185, Fort Wayne, Ind. (Bishop Luers)
High School: Currently attends Bishop Luers High School ... coached by Matt Lindsay ... team captain ... was a three-year starter and first quarterback in the state of Indiana to win three state championships ... earned All-State honors as a senior and was a two-time MVP and first-team all-conference member ... owns the school and conference passing records with 5,983 passing yards and 76 touchdown passes.

BG's first choice at QB. Early commit, never wavered when the phone rang and rang. Has an excellent chance to play for BG.

Izaah Lunsford, DT, 6-3, 265, Cincinnati, Ohio (Shroder Paideia)
High School: Currently attends Shroder Paideia Academy ... coached by Gerald Warmack ... team captain ... was a three-year starter ... earned all-league honors as a junior and senior ... also lettered in basketball and track ... was named first-team all-league in track ... owns the school record in the shot put.

Big physical D-tackle we wanted as our current guys become juniors and seniors.

Mike Minns II, DT, 6-0, 300, West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dwyer)
High School: Currently attends Dwyer High School ... coached by Jack Daniels ... team captain ... earned first-team all-state and all-county as a senior, his only season as a starter ... that same season he recorded nine sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... played in the Nike South Florida versus Dade County All-Star Game.

Late signee. From Dwyer, where Darrell Hunter came from. Is 300 today, and coach said was sometimes unblockable on tape. They seem very high on this guy.

Josh Pettus, S, 5-10, 200, Detroit, Mich. (Southwestern) (College of DuPage)
Junior College: Was a two-year starter at the College of DuPage ... coached by Gary Thomas ... team captain ... as a sophomore was an All-American Nominee, while earning first-team all-conference and first-team all-region honors ... led his team with five interceptions and was second with 72 tackles that same season ... won his team’s Most Inspirational Award ... team MVP ... helped his team win the Graphic Edge Bowl as a freshman. High School: Was a 2009 graduate of Southwestern High School ... coached by Michael Dennis ... three year starter at wide receiver and cornerback ... was his team’s track MVP as a senior and was part of a 4x100 relay team as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Also very high on this guy. Not a need, but too good to pass up. Great tackler, said to have BCS offers. Wanted to be near home.

James Sanford, S, 6-2, 190, Xenia, Ohio (Xenia)
High School: Currently attends Xenia High School ... coached by Bob DeLong ... team captain ... earned first-team all-conference honors in his junior and senior season ... was selected to play in the Ohio North/South All-Star game.

Could contribute right away. Had early offers, but BG could wait and it paid off. Could play high S or is strong enough to play Rover.

Ben Steward, OL, 6-7, 300, Holt, Mich. (Holt)
High School: Currently attends Holt High School ... coached by Al Slammer ... team captain ... as a senior he was named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the Lansing State Journal Dream Team ... earned first-team all-state and first-team All-CAAC Blue recognition ... three year starter that blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers ... was nominated to play in the Michigan High School Coaches Association All-Star Game ... was named to the Mid-Michigan Sports Journal Dream Team.

Half the MAC was on him. Early commit, never wavered. Obviously, starts as a pretty good sized fella.

Will Watson, CB, 6-1, 185, Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Jefferson)
High School: Currently attends Tampa Jefferson High School ... coached by Jeremy Earle ... team captain ... was named the 2011 Returner of the Year in Hillsborough County ... was second-team All-Tampa Bay Area in 2010 ... helped lead his team to the 3A Florida State Championship as a junior.

Had an Iowa State offer. Wanted quality at CB because we have good guys. Also want bigger corners.

James White, WR, 6-1, 180, Southfield, Mich. (Crockett Technical)
High School: Currently attends Crockett Technical High School ... coached by Rodereck Oden ... team captain ... earned first-team all-state class “B” honors as a senior ... was ranked as the 47th best recruit by Midwest Blue-Chip ... helped lead his team to a 10-2 record and a Public School League Championship (Div. 1) as a senior.

Was recruited elsewhere as a S. Stuck to his BG commitment...there had been chatter Iowa was looking at him.

Anyway, that's the signing day story from BG...as always, I am enthusiastic for the future of our program. I think we are getting good players...and that all has to play out on the field. Welcome to the Falcons.