ISU Football Inks 22 on National Signing Day

[February 07, 2008]  NORMAL -- Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson announced the newest additions to the Redbird football team Wednesday, as he formally unveiled the 22-man recruiting class on National Signing Day at a public event at the Kaufman Football Building.

The 22 recruits join Illinois State's three midyear signees to bring the total number of players in the 2008 recruiting class to 25. According to the star ratings, as designated by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Illinois State's signing class consists of a combined 38 stars, including three three-star recruits in Jayme Comer, Blake Gumm and Dekendrick Moncrief.

"We make our own decisions about kids, but it makes you feel good when other people like them, too," said Johnson. "We make our own evaluations based upon our own criteria -- athletic, academic, character and citizenship, and ultimately, we are going to make a decision based on our feelings toward a player."

Of the 25 recruits, 13 are slated to be either offensive or defensive linemen with the Redbirds.

"We knew we needed to address our offensive and defensive lines," said Johnson. "Particularly on our offensive line, in some previous recruiting cycles we had robbed some scholarships there to address other needs, and we needed to get our numbers and our depth back up. We also needed to improve ourselves from a talent and depth perspective at the defensive line, so that was by design."

With the midyear signees, the 2008 ISU recruiting class covers nine states, but three of the players -- Alex Buck, Austin Davis and Billy Dickson -- were in the Redbirds' backyard at Normal Community High School.

"Recruiting is travel and travel is expensive," said Johnson. "Dr. (Sheahon) Zenger has been very good about providing the resources for us, and we are fortunate to have an administration that understands the importance of recruiting. We want to start our recruiting efforts right here in town, but we will go as far and as wide as we have to go to find the level of guy who can help us win. Certainly, we have great local talent in town and in central Illinois, and we will always look at that first."

Overall, Johnson is extremely pleased with the signing class and the effort of his staff during the recruiting process.

"I'm thrilled and excited about the young men who have signed up to join our program," said Johnson. "It turned out to be a little larger class than what we anticipated, but it is difficult to walk away from good players. Overall, I'm really satisfied. There are a lot of kids in this class who turned down some real attractive opportunities to join our program, and that is always humbling."

[Text from file received from Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]

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2008 Illinois State Football Recruiting Class

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown (Last school)
Barima Akuoko	RB	6-1	200	Springfield (Southeast)
Mario Bailey	DL	6-2	220	Kankakee (Kankakee)
Nick Broome	DL	6-4	240	Columbus, Ind. (East)
Matt Brown	QB	6-4	210	Marion (Marion)
Alex Buck	DB	6-2	183	Bloomington (Normal Comm.)
Pete Cary	OL	6-4	270	Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin)
Cory Christianson	OL	6-2	280	Apple Valley, Minn. (Holy Angels)
Jayme Comer	LB	6-2	220	Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg)
Austin Davis	DB	6-1	195	Normal (Normal Comm.)
Emanuel Davis	WR	6-3	196	Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
Billy Dickson	OL	6-5	280	Bloomington (Normal Comm.)
Reggie Dozier	DB	5-9	170	Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
Blake Gumm	DL	6-2	305	Somerset, Ky. (Trinity Valley CC)
*Khenon Hall	DB	5-9	185	Dallas, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
Brian Hehl	OLB/DE	6-4	250	Toledo, Ohio (Sylvania Northview)
Jon Ingerman	OL	6-8	280	Springfield, Ohio (Northeastern)
Kane Keirnan	H-Back	6-3	225	Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
Dekendrick Moncrief	WR	6-1	182	Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
*Donl Phelps	DE	6-1	250	San Pablo, Calif. (City College of S.F.)
Michael Rhines	DL	6-2	250	Orange, Texas (Blinn JC)
*David Robinson	DB	6-0	200	Sanford, Fla. (Joliet JC)
Brannon Sanford	OL	6-3	270	Hickory, Ky. (Graves County)
Mike Seefeld	OL	6-2	265	Cudahy, Wis. (Cudahy)
Brett Werner-Powell	H-Back	6-2	205	Mequon, Wis. (Homestead)
Pat Wertz	DL	6-4	240	Orland Hills, (Andrew)

*Midyear signees

Signing Day Biographies

Barima Akuoko | RB | 6-1 | 200 | Fr.-HS | Springfield, Ill. (Southeast)

Southeast HS: Four-year varsity letterwinner … 2007 Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention … all-conference as a senior … led the Central State Eight Conference in rushing (988 yards) and scoring (15 touchdowns) in 2007 … as a senior, had three catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns (team only threw 11 times all season) … also ranked in the top-10 among conference tacklers (82 tackles, including 45 solo stops) … coached by Jeff Thomas … also lettered in basketball, powerlifting and track and field … participated on the three-year state championship qualifying 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relay teams. Data: Born Aug. 17, 1989, in Dallas … son of Joseph Akuoko … one of six children … intended major is pre-engineering … also recruited by Michigan State, Northern Illinois and Western Illinois … pronounced bah-REE-ma ah-COO-ah-COO.

Mario Bailey | DL | 6-2 | 220 | Fr.-HS | Kankakee, Ill. (Kankakee)

Kankakee HS: Four-year letterwinner and two-year starter … collected 101 tackles during his senior season and added six quarterback sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a linebacker … two-time all-conference and all-area pick … posted 86 tackles and two sacks as a junior … coached by Cornell Middlebrook … also lettered four years in baseball … member of the honor roll all four years. Data: Born July 27, 1990, in Kankakee, Ill. … son of Gifford Bailey and Frances Noble … his uncle, Tyrone Noble, played football at Michigan … intended major is criminal justice … also recruited by Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois.

Nick Broome | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Fr.-HS | Columbus, Ind. (East)

Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … one-star ranking by Scout.com. East HS: Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter … member of the 2007 Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 4A All-State Team … in 2007, totaled 69 tackles, including 44 solo stops, and added three quarterback sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss and two pass breakups … as a junior, the Olympians posted a 12-2 record and captured their third-straight Hoosier Hills Conference Championship … during the 2006 season, registered 65 tackles, six quarterback sacks and nine pass breakups … two-time all-conference and all-area selection … coached by Bob Gaddis … also lettered four years in track and field … runs anchor on the 4x100-meter relay team. Data: Born July 27, 1989, in Columbus, Ind. … son of David and Jenny Broome … one of three children … intended major is sports medicine … also recruited by Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Central Michigan and Northern Illinois … prep teammate of Illinois State's Drew Kiel … last name pronounced BROOM.

Matt Brown | QB | 6-4 | 210 | Fr.-HS | Marion, Ill. (Marion)

One-star ranking by Scout.com. Marion HS: Three-year varsity starter … during his career, passed for 6,001 yards and 57 touchdowns … Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) Class 5A First-Team All-State honoree … 2007 Southern Illinoisan Football Player of the Year … 2007 Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention … led the Wildcats to back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2006 and 2007 … as a senior, set school records with 2,936 passing yards and 34 touchdowns … completed 241-of-388 passes and threw only eight interceptions during the 2007 season … two-time first-team all-conference selection … twice named to the Associated Press All-Southern Illinois team … named honorable mention all-state as a junior … during his junior season, passed for 2,256 yards and 17 touchdowns, while completing 64 percent of his passes … started four games as a sophomore and passed for more than 836 yards and five touchdowns … coached by Kerry Martin. Data: Born Aug. 15, 1990, in Carbondale, Ill. … son of Melvin and Ruth Brown … has an older sister, Meggan  … his father, Melvin, played football at Southern Illinois … intended major is unknown … also recruited by Illinois, Missouri, Purdue, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Youngstown State.

Alex Buck | DB | 6-2 | 183 | Fr.-HS | Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

Normal Community HS: A three-year starter, who hauled in 21 career interceptions, which is the seventh-highest total in the state of Illinois all-time … named to the Bloomington Pantagraph's 2007 All-Area Team … the 2007 Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the 2007 team most valuable player … 2007 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State selection … tallied six interceptions as a senior, after totaling seven his junior season …  as a sophomore, collected eight picks … the Ironmen compiled a 38-3 varsity record during his three seasons as a starter, and won the 2006 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 6A State Championship … coached by Hud Venerable … lettered four years in baseball and three years in basketball. Data: Born Oct. 25, 1989, in Murphysboro, Ill. … son of Richard and Rose Buck … his father, Richard, played football at Monmouth College … intended major is computer engineering or business … one of four children … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Austin Davis and Billy Dickson and current Redbirds Michael Cross, Jake Detmers and Marcus King … also recruited by Augustana.

Pete Cary | OL | 6-4 | 270 | Fr.-HS | Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin)

Turpin HS: 2007 Associated Press All-Southwest Ohio District II Second Team … 2007 first-team Fort Ancient Valley Conference … played in the East versus West All-Star game … a finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year … named second-team all-conference as a junior … in 2007, the Spartans posted a 12-1 record, falling short in a one-point game to the eventual state champions … the Spartans were 12-2 in 2006, and were defeated by the eventual state champions in the semifinals … coached by Rob Stall … also lettered in basketball. Data: Born Aug. 13, 1989, in Cincinnati … son of Jim and Eileen Cary … youngest of three children … his brother, Pat, played basketball at Northern Kentucky … major is undecided … also recruited by Indiana State, Eastern Kentucky and Dayton.

Cory Christianson | OL | 6-2 | 280 | Fr.-HS | Apple Valley, Minn. (Holy Angels)

Two-star ranking by Scout.com. Holy Angels HS: Three-year starter … named honorable mention on the 2007 Minnesota Associated Press All-State Prep Football Team … first-team All-Missota Conference as a senior, after earning honorable mention honors as a junior … third-team all-metro honoree as a junior … as a sophomore, the Stars finished as the state runner-up with a 9-5 overall record … coached by Mike Smalley. Data: Born July 31, 1989, in Edna, Minn. … son of Steve and Deb Christianson … has a younger brother, Michael … intended major is sports medicine or business administration … also recruited by Minnesota, Illinois, Northern Illinois, Wyoming, UNLV and Northern Iowa.

Jayme Comer | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Fr.-HS | Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg)

Three-star ranking by Scout.com … rated No. 36 nationally among middle linebackers by Scout.com. Brownsburg HS:  Three-year starter … totaled a school-record 314 tackles in his career, including 210 solo stops, and added 32 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hurries, two quarterback sacks, 17 pass breakups, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and two blocked punts … as a senior, collected 106 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and an interception … three-time Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State selection … two-time Associated Press First-Team All-State selection … named to the Bloomington Herald's Top-33 list and All-State Team … twice named to the Indianapolis Star's Metro West First Team and Super First Team … three-time all-conference selection and BHS Defensive Player of the Year … twice named to the Hendricks County Elite-11 … Scout.com Linebacker Most Valuable Player and named to the all-combine team at the Chicago combine in May 2007 … coached by his father, Brett Comer. Data: Born Oct. 9, 1989, in Indianapolis … son of Brett and Angee Comer … has a younger sister, Kayle … his aunt, Amy Brauman, and his uncle, Richard Thomas, each graduated and played basketball at Illinois State … another aunt, Abbe Brauman, played basketball at Indiana State … intended major is criminal justice … also recruited by Air Force, Army, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Northwestern, Purdue and Wyoming.

Austin Davis | DB | 6-1 | 195 | Fr.-HS | Normal, Ill. (Normal Community)

Two-star ranking by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Normal Community HS: Three-year starter … named all-state by Rivals.com as a senior … named to the Bloomington Pantagraph's 2007 All-Area Team … received honorable mention all-state honors from the Champaign News-Gazette … posted 77 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a senior … as a part-time offensive player, totaled 400 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns, while averaging 6.6 yards per carry his senior season … as a junior, collected 61 tackles, including 21 solo stops, and three interceptions … as a sophomore, rushed for 1,162 yards on 237 attempts … the Ironmen compiled a 38-3 varsity record during his three seasons as a starter, and won the 2006 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 6A State Championship … coached by Hud Venerable … also lettered in track and field. Data: Born Oct. 6, 1989, in Normal, Ill. … son of Josh Davis and Amanda Nagy … major is undecided … Illinois State alumnae in his family include a pair of grandmothers and an aunt … also recruited by Wyoming, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Illinois … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Alex Buck and Billy Dickson and current Redbirds Michael Cross, Jake Detmers and Marcus King.

Emanuel Davis | WR | 6-3 | 196 | Fr.-HS | Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)

One-star ranking by Scout.com. Prattville HS: Member of back-to-back Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A State Championship teams … as a senior, was the Lions' leading receiver with 26 catches for 469 yards and six touchdowns … the Lions finished 2007 with a 15-0 mark and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today … coached by Bill Clark … played two seasons at Prattville after beginning his high school career at John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans, the same high school that current ISU basketball player Anthony Slack attended.  Data: Born March 2, 1989, in New Orleans … son of Susie Davis … major is undecided … also recruited by Memphis and Houston … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Reggie Dozier and Dekendrick Moncrief, who are the first Redbirds to hail from the state of Alabama since Bryan McCarthy (1979).

Billy Dickson | OL | 6-5 | 280 | Fr.-HS | Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

Normal Community HS: A four-year letterwinner and two-year varsity starter … 2007 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State selection … 2007 Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year … Bloomington Pantagraph First-Team All-Area selection … 2007 Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention honoree … the Ironmen compiled a 26-1 varsity record during his two seasons as a starter, and won the 2006 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 6A State Championship … coached by Hud Venerable … also lettered four years in basketball.  Data: Born Oct. 26, 1990, in Starkville, Miss. … son of Billy and Shandra Dickson … intended major is business administration … also recruited by Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Illinois … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Alex Buck and Austin Davis and current Redbirds Michael Cross, Jake Detmers and Marcus King.

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Reggie Dozier | DB | 5-9 | 170 | Fr.-HS | Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)

Prattville HS: As a senior, played in seven games and posted 16 tackles, two quarterback sacks, three interceptions and five blocked punts … during his junior season, registered 53 tackles, including 37 solo stops, three quarterback sacks, four interceptions and three blocked punts … member of back-to-back Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A State Championship teams … the Lions finished 2007 with a 15-0 mark and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today … coached by Bill Clark … member of the honor roll. Data: Born Feb. 2, 1990, in Montgomery, Ala. … son of Reginald Dozier Sr. and Melissa Pickett … intended major is pre-law … also recruited by Northern Illinois and Alabama State … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Emanuel Davis and Dekendrick Moncrief, who are the first Redbirds to hail from the state of Alabama since Bryan McCarthy (1979). 

Blake Gumm | DL | 6-2 | 290 | Jr.-TR | Somerset, Ky. (Pulaski County/Trinity Valley CC)

A three-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Trinity Valley CC: participated in the Triumphant Sport's Bowl Junior College All-Star Game … as a freshman, posted 70 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles … 2006 and 2007 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Honorable Mention selection … coached by Brad Smiley. Pulaksi County: 2005 Kentucky High School All-State First-Team selection as a linebacker … posted 79 tackles as a junior … coached by John Hines. Data: Born June 17, 1987, in Somerset, Ky. … son of Breaker and Juli Smith and Bobby Gumm … one of six children … plans to major in communications … also recruited by Arizona, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Marshall, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Oregon, New Mexico, Iowa State, Texas A&M, Utah, Florida International, Louisiana-Lafayette, North Texas and Western Kentucky.

Brian Hehl | OLB/DE | 6-4 | 250 | Fr.-HS | Toledo, Ohio (Sylvania Northview)

Sylvania Northview HS: Three-year starter, who led the team in tackles each season … owns the school tackling record with 414 career tackles … posted 151 tackles, including 81 solo stops, as a senior … during the 2007 season, also registered 45 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hurries, five quarterback sacks, four pass breakups, five forced fumbles and two blocked kicks … 2007 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio First-Team honoree … 2007 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division II All-District First-Team selection … 2007 Toledo Blade First-Team honoree … two-time All-Northern Lakes League First-Team honoree … named to the All-NLL Second Team in 2005 … coached by Mike Rodgers … also lettered two years in track and field. Data: Born Nov. 8, 1989, in Toledo, Ohio … son of Tim and Kathy Hehl and Anna and Rob King … one of four children … his stepfather, Rob, played football and wrestled at Davidson … major is undecided … also recruited by Southern Illinois and Eastern Illinois … last name pronounced HAIL.

Jon Ingerman | OL | 6-8 | 280 | Fr.-HS | Springfield, Ohio (Northeastern)

A one-star rating by Scout.com. Northeastern HS: 2007 Associated Press All-Southwest Ohio District IV Second Team … the Jets averaged 274 yards rushing per contest in 2007 … first-team all-conference as a senior and second-team all-league as a junior … first-team all-county in 2007 … second-team all-county in 2006 … coached by Scott Rolf … also lettered in basketball … his biggest sports thrill was breaking a backboard in basketball … averaging 13 points and seven rebounds per game this season in basketball. Data: Born Nov. 8, 1989, in Springfield, Ohio … son of Jeff and Anita Powell … one of five children … major is undecided … also recruited by Miami (Ohio), Akron, Cincinnati and Western Michigan.

Kane Keirnan | H-Back | 6-3 | 225 | Fr.-HS | Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West)

One-star rating by Scout.com. Glenbard West HS: Three-year varsity starter … in 2007, totaled 1,100 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, while posting 18 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns … named all-area and all-conference as a senior … also named academic all-conference in 2007 … as a junior, passed for 1,280 yards and eight touchdowns on 81-for-136 passing, while rushing for 650 yards and six touchdowns on 70 carries … coached by Chad Hetlet … also lettered in basketball and track and field. Data: Born Sept. 20, 1989, in Chicago … son of Kane and Heather Keirnan … has two younger sisters, Samantha and Abigail … his father, Kane, played baseball at Saint Xavier … intended major is business … also recruited by Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Brown and Western Illinois.

Dekendrick Moncrief | WR | 6-1 | 182 | Fr.-HS | Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)

A three-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com … ranked as the No. 29 prospect in the state of Alabama by Rivals.com … ranked as the No. 78 wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com. Prattville HS: Four-year varsity letterwinner with a 58-2 overall record in high school … the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game Most Valuable Player with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown … as a senior, posted 33 catches for 433 yards and five touchdowns … as a junior, caught 51 passes for 1,001 yards and 18 touchdowns … in 2006, returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, his only return of the season … member of back-to-back Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A State Championship teams … the Lions finished 2007 with a 15-0 mark and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today … named to the all-metro and all-county teams twice … earned honorable mention all-state honors in 2006 … began his high school career as a quarterback … coached by Bill Clark … member of the honor roll. Data: Born Dec. 18, 1988, in Prattville, Ala. … son of Derrick and Erica Moncrief … oldest of three children … cousin of Roman Harper, who played at Alabama and is currently with the New Orleans Saints … intended major is business administration … also recruited by Auburn, Clemson, Louisville, Memphis, Ole Miss, UAB, South Carolina and Iowa State … former prep teammate of fellow ISU signees Emanuel Davis and Reggie Dozier, who are the first Redbirds to hail from the state of Alabama since Bryan McCarthy (1979).

Michael Rhines | DL | 6-2 | 250 | Jr.-TR | Orange, Texas (Little Cypress-Mauriceville/Blinn JC)

Blinn JC: In 2007, collected 31 tackles, including eight quarterback sacks and three tackles-for-loss … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore … notched 18 tackles and four quarterback sacks as a freshman … in 2006, the Buccaneers won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship with a 12-0 record, including a 19-6 victory over Pearl River Community College in the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic. Little Cypress-Mauriceville HS: 2004 Associated Press Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention … posted 89 tackles, nine quarterback sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior linebacker … 2003 and 2004 First-Team All-District 20-4A ... 2004 Southeast Texas Player of the Year … coached by David Williams … also lettered in powerlifting … member of the honor roll. Data: Born April 16, 1987, in Orange, Texas … son of Michael and Jeanne Rhines … one of four children … intended major is criminal justice … also recruited by Middle Tennessee State and Louisiana-Lafayette.

Brannon Sanford | OL | 6-3 | 270 | Fr.-HS | Hickory, Ky. (Graves County)

One-star rating by Scout.com. Graves County HS: Two-year starter … 2007 Kentucky All-State First-Team … the first all-state selection in Graves County High School history … twice named to the Class 2A All-Western Kentucky Conference team, both on offense and defense … named to the 2007 Paducah Sun/Pepsi Mid-America 24-man All-Star Team … ranked sixth among offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (5.37) at the 2007 Indianapolis Nike Combine … as a senior, the Eagles averaged 28.5 points per game and more than 200 yards rushing per contest … coached by Mike Rodgers. Data: Born March, 23, 1989, in Murray, Ky. … son of Kenny and Tammy Sanford … has a younger brother, Colby … intended major is business law … also recruited by Missouri, Illinois, Purdue, Cincinnati, Louisville, Western Kentucky, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee-Martin.

Mike Seefeld | OL | 6-2 | 265 | Fr.-HS | Cudahy, Wis. (Cudahy)

Two-star rating by Scout.com. Cudahy HS: Three-year starter … 2007 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State Team honorable mention selection … two-time first-team all-conference honoree and named honorable mention all-league in 2005 … coached by Steve Madden … lettered two years in powerlifting … placed ninth at the 2006 Wisconsin state powerlifting meet … earned high academic honors all four years. Data: Born Nov. 14, 1989, in Milwaukee … son of Joe and Krista Seefeld … has a younger sister, Emily … intended major is education … also recruited by Wisconsin … attended the same high school as former Redbird Pierre Rembert.

Brett Werner-Powell | H-Back | 6-2 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Mequon, Wis. (Homestead)

Rated as a two-star recruit by Scout.com. Homestead HS: Two-year varsity starter … the 2007 North Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year … as a senior, rushed for 1,637 yards and 24 touchdowns on 221 carries … 2007 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) First-Team All-State selection … Associated Press honorable-mention all-state selection as a senior … member of the 2007 WFCA All Southeast Region Team … the Highlanders finished with a 12-2 record in 2007 and were state runners-up … earned all-suburban honors as a senior … in 2006, the Highlanders won the Division I Wisconsin State Championship with a perfect 14-0 record … the leading rusher on the state championship team with 950 yards and 14 touchdowns on 119 carries … coached by Dave Keel … also lettered in basketball … member of the honor roll. Data: Born Nov. 9, 1989, in Milwaukee … son of Brett Powell and Teri Stillman … youngest of three children … intended major is finance … also recruited by Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan … attended the same high school as former Redbird Demetrus Johnson.

Pat Wertz | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Fr.-HS | Orland Hills, Ill. (Andrew)

Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … received a one-star rating by Scout.com. Andrew HS: Two-year varsity starter … Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) First-Team Class 8A All-State selection … 2007 Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention honoree … two-time all-conference and all-area selection … named the 2007 South West Suburban Conference (SWSC) Player of the Year … as a senior, the Thunderbolts won the SWSC title with an 8-3 record … posted five quarterback sacks, 11 tackles for loss and one interception as a senior … as a junior, notched eight tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and three interceptions, including two that were returned for a touchdown … coached by Jim Zimmer. Data: Born Aug. 12, 1990, in Orland Hills, Ill. … son of Bob and Katy Wertz … intended major is business education … also recruited by Michigan State, Purdue, Northern Illinois, Air Force, Akron, Army and Eastern Michigan.

[Text of biographies copied from file received from Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]