http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module=pnNews&tid=18&sid=1449
Football Signs Deep and Talented Class
(02/07/2007) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Twenty-two student-athletes have signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend school and play football at Northern Arizona University, Head Coach Jerome Souers announced Wednesday. They join four student-athletes who signed in December during the junior college signing period, giving the Lumberjacks the largest signing class in the Souers Era.
“We are real excited about this class of student-athletes,” said Souers. “We feel it addresses several areas of need in our football team, while bringing in a quality group that will represent this university well both on the football field and in the classroom. They will enhance the winning tradition that is building in the program along with the championship-caliber team returning in 2007.”
The class includes student-athletes from six different states, including six from the state of Arizona. The 2007 prep class has 13 representatives from California and at least one each from Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Washington.
The Lumberjacks have inked 13 players on each side of the ball highlighted by six linebackers and six offensive linemen, addressing important positions of concern for the coaching staff. Souers compared the talent in the linebacker corp to that of the 1999 prep class that included current Indianapolis Colt Keith O’Neil, who combined with Mike Sands and Kaaina Keawe to play in more than 130 games and record more than 700 tackles combined.
Offensive line was a target position for the staff. Oregon product Antonio Danek highlights the student-athletes at the position
NAU also added five defensive backs and one lineman on defense. On the offense, the mid-year class included a quarterback transfer, wide receiver and lineman to go with three wide receivers and one tight end in the prep class.
The class includes six players from the state of Arizona. North Canyon wide receiver Jordan Scott joins offensive linemen Vinnie Paciullo of Moon Valley and Kris Poindexter of Westview, who was the first player to commit in the class, among the in-state signees.
Scott was named All-Arizona first team and 5A all-state at defensive back by the Arizona Republic. He was also all-region first team running back, recording 1,470 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior with eight interceptions. Poindexter earned all-state first-team honors from the Arizona Football Coaches Association at offensive line, while Paciullo garnered all-region honors at both offensive and defensive line
Tucson products Chris Lundgren of Sabino and Brian Riley of Catalina Foothills mark the first time two players have been signed out of Southern Arizona in the same season. Lundgren was named all-state by the Arizona Football Coaches Association, helping his team to a state runner-up appearance and berth in the state championship game in Cardinals Stadium. Riley was an all-region first team choice.
Drew Bernhardy, FS, 6-1, 205, Fr.-HS, Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman)
Earned all-state and all-region honors in 2006…Runner-up for defensive player of the year…Three-time all-league selection…Named team defensive most valuable player…Recorded 76 tackles with 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries…Also earned all-region in track with a 10.9 personal-best in the 100m…Also considered Colorado State, Idaho and Air Force academy…Plans to study business.
Isaac Bond, DE, 6-4, 240, Fr.-HS, Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview)
Three-time all-league at tight end and linebacker…Two-time all-region at linebacker and all-state first team at linebacker…Helped team to league championship with 11-1 mark…Also tree-year letterwinner and two-year starter in basketball…Plans to study education or sports medicine.
Tyler Broom, SS, 6-1, 205, Fr.-HS, Fremont, Calif. (Irvington)
All-MVAL first team selection by the Oakland Tribune in 2006…All-Metro honorable mention selection in both 2005 at safety and 2006 at wide receiver…Recorded 125 tackles on the season…Plans to study business.
Jared Chrisman, OT, 6-5, 285, Fr.-HS, San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills)
Antonio Danek, OT, 6-4, 295, Fr.-HS, Milwaukie, Ore. (Central Catholic)
Named Mount Hood All-Conference first team as a senior…Helped team to 9-3 record and a second round appearance in the state playoffs…Received scholar-athlete award with a 3.66 GPA...Plans to study mechanical engineering.
Pierre Girtley, CB, 5-11, 180, Fr.-HS, Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
Named all-league and all-city at defensive back…Had 42 tackles with four interceptions…Added 800 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns…Plans to study business.
David Harris II, LB, 6-0, 210, Fr.-HS, Denver, Colo. (George Washington)
Three-time all-city selection and all-state choice in 2006…Led team in tackles with 94, including nine quarterback sacks…Set school records for career kick and punt returns…Helped team to city championship and state playoffs in 2006…Part of state championship 4x100-meter relay team and second-place 4x200m team…Also considered Northern Colorado and Colorado State…Plans to study journalism.
Chris Lundgren, WR, 5-11, 195, Fr.-HS, Tucson, Ariz. (Sabino)
Named all-state by the Arizona Football Coaches Association…Also All-Southern Arizona and all-region selection…Rushed for 1,400 yards on 298 carries for 20 touchdowns and caught 24 receptions for 280 yards with three touchdowns as a senior…Helped team to state runner-up appearance and berth in the state championship game in Cardinals Stadium…Also three-year letterwinner in track, posting personal-bests of 11.0 in the 100 meters and 21.03 in the 200m…Plans to study sports medicine.
Zac McNalley, LB, 6-0, 230, So.-TR, Brentwood, Calif. (DeLaSalle/Diablo Valley College)
Chosen Golden Gate Conference first-team choice…Recorded 70 tackles with three interceptions with one return for a touchdown… Named to All-Northern Cali second-team and Cal-Hi Sports defensive player of the year during prep career…Plans to study kinesiology.
Travis McNaughton, LB, 6-0, 225, Fr.-HS, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Mater Dei)
Named All-CIF first team and all-state second team choice…Chosen Trinity League defensive most valuable player…Recorded 85 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss with five sacks and two interceptions…Also four-year letterwinner and sectional qualifier in track and field with personal bests of 54-10 in the shot put and 165-2 in the discus…Helped team to 8-3 overall record…Also considered San Diego State…Plans to study business.
Jimmy Mitchell, CB, 5-11, 185, Fr.-HS, Las Vegas, Nev. (Silverado)
Named All-Henderson Daily News first-team selection…Earned all-league honors as both wide receiver and defensive…Named team MVP…Had 30 tackles for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense…Recorded 46 tackles with four interceptions and three touchdowns…Helped team to city quarterfinals with a 9-3 record…Also considered Montana and Southern Utah…Teammate of Kyle Roth in high school…Academic interest is business.
Alex Mott, OT, 6-5, 270, Fr.-HS, Troutdale, Ore. (Sam Barlow)
Named Mount Hood All-Conference second team as a senior…Earned honorable mention honors as a junior…Helped team to 8-4 mark, reaching second round of the playoffs…Lost in state championship game to Jesuit in 2005…Also lettered in wrestling and track…Considered Oregon State and Portland State…Undecided on area of study.
Kasseem Osheroff, SS, 5-11, 205, Fr.-HS, Portland, Ore. (Grant)
Earned all-league at running back and rover…Garnered all-state honorable mention honors…STATS…Helped team to state quarterfinals and 11-1 record…Three-year letterwinner in tack and field…Part of state qualifier 4x100-meter relay team…Plans to study business.
Vinnie Paciulli, NT, 6-1, 295, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (Moon Valley)
Earned second-team all-state honors at defensive line…Garnered all-region honors at both offensive and defensive line…Had 86 tackles as a senior with eight tackles…Helped team to state championship as a sophomore with NAU teammate Brian Wriston…Also considered Western Illinois, Nevada, San Diego State and Fresno State…Plans to study business.
Kris Poindexter, OG, 6-2, 280, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (Westview)
Earned all-state first-team honors from the Arizona Football Coaches Association at offensive line and all-state first team Class 5A at defensive line…Also All-West Valley and all-region selection on both offensive and defensive lines…Set school record for tackles with 98 along with three weightlifting records, including 565-lb squat…Placed second in the district in both the shot put and the discus…Plans to study business.
Brian Riley, TE, 6-4, 240, Fr.-HS, Tucson, Ariz. (Catalina Foothills)
Named all-region first team and all-city honorable mention…Had 16 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown…Also recorded eight sacks…Considered Arizona, San Diego, Colorado State and UNLV…Plans to study business.
Toolefua Samuelu, LB, 6-1, 220, Fr.-HS, Oakland, Calif. (Berkley)
Named all-conference first team selection…Recorded 94 tackles on the season.
John Schactner, Jr., OC, 6-2, 280, Fr.-HS, Sunland, Calif. (St. Francis)
Two-time Glendale News Press all-area selection and All-Mission League first team choice…Helped team to CIF Division III semifinals in 2005 with 10-3 record and first round appearance in 2006 at 6-5…Also considered Sacramento State, Portland State and San Diego…Plans to study business...Father played at NAU and was a 7th-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins.
Jordan Scott, WR, 5-10, 185, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (North Canyon)
Named offensive player of the year by24-7football.com and Friday Night Fever…Named All-Arizona first team and 5A all-state at defensive back by the Arizona Republic…Also all-region first team running back…Recorded 1,470 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior with eight interceptions…Plans to study marketing.
Justin Smith, WR, 5-11, 180, Fr.-HS, La Quinta, Calif. (La Quinta)
Named All-CIF and All-Desert Valley League first-team selection…Had 282 rushes for 1,921 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior…Also made 22 receptions for 320 yards and four touchdowns…Had four returns for touchdowns, including two punts and two kickoffs…Plans to study business.
Jake Welch, LB, 6-2, 240, Fr.-HS, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Servite)
Named to All-Trinity league first team and defensive team most valuable player…Had 11 sacks among 18 tackles for loss…Recorded 53 tackles overall with two interceptions…Helped team to quarterfinals and 9-3 record…Also an all-league selection in baseball as a pitcher…Also considered Colorado State, San Diego State and Utah State…Undecided on major.
Chris Woods, LB, 6-2, 220, Fr.-HS, Venice, Calif. (Venice)
Earned All-Western League first-team honors…Led team with 125 tackles along with two interceptions and two touchdowns…Played two seasons at Narbonne High School, recording 88 tackles as a junior…Lost in second round of the playoffs and finished with a 9-3 record…Played Oaks Christian on ESPN…Holds two school track records, including 110 high hurdles at 15.4 and 300 hurdles at 42.2…Plans to study business.
Mid-Year Junior College Transfers
Daiveun Chapman, WR, 6-2, 195, Fr.-TR, Corona, Calif. (Corona)
Named All-Mountain View League first team, Riverside County All-Star and All-Riverside County honorable mention…Had 60 catches for 705 yards as a senior…Also recruited by Nevada, Idaho State, Idaho, Utah State and Weber State…Plans to study communications.
David Lord, OL, 6-6, 330, Jr.-TR, Rialto, Calif. (Eisenhower/San Jose State/Riverside CC)
Transfer from Riverside CC…Two-year starter and letterwinner…Named All-San Bernardino County in high school…Eight-time scholar-athlete recipient…Also competed in track and field…Named team MVP two times.
Raphael Mack, DB, 5-11, 182, Jr.-TR, Gilbert, Ariz. (Highland/Mesa CC)
Transfer from Mesa CC…Recorded 30 tackles with six interceptions and 16 pass deflections last season at Mesa CC…Was all-region selection in football, basketball and track in high school…Plans to study business.
Sean Norton, QB, 5-10, 175, Jr.-TR , Valencia, Calif. (Hart/Fresno State)
Transfer from Fresno State with two years of eligibility…Saw action in three games with two starts…Completed 32-of-54 for 408 yards with one interception and three touchdowns…Led the state of California with 4,067 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior…Named 2003 CIF Southern Section Division II Offensive Player of the Year, guiding Hart to the Division II title…Parade All-America selection.
Football Signs Deep and Talented Class
(02/07/2007) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Twenty-two student-athletes have signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend school and play football at Northern Arizona University, Head Coach Jerome Souers announced Wednesday. They join four student-athletes who signed in December during the junior college signing period, giving the Lumberjacks the largest signing class in the Souers Era.
“We are real excited about this class of student-athletes,” said Souers. “We feel it addresses several areas of need in our football team, while bringing in a quality group that will represent this university well both on the football field and in the classroom. They will enhance the winning tradition that is building in the program along with the championship-caliber team returning in 2007.”
The class includes student-athletes from six different states, including six from the state of Arizona. The 2007 prep class has 13 representatives from California and at least one each from Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Washington.
The Lumberjacks have inked 13 players on each side of the ball highlighted by six linebackers and six offensive linemen, addressing important positions of concern for the coaching staff. Souers compared the talent in the linebacker corp to that of the 1999 prep class that included current Indianapolis Colt Keith O’Neil, who combined with Mike Sands and Kaaina Keawe to play in more than 130 games and record more than 700 tackles combined.
Offensive line was a target position for the staff. Oregon product Antonio Danek highlights the student-athletes at the position
NAU also added five defensive backs and one lineman on defense. On the offense, the mid-year class included a quarterback transfer, wide receiver and lineman to go with three wide receivers and one tight end in the prep class.
The class includes six players from the state of Arizona. North Canyon wide receiver Jordan Scott joins offensive linemen Vinnie Paciullo of Moon Valley and Kris Poindexter of Westview, who was the first player to commit in the class, among the in-state signees.
Scott was named All-Arizona first team and 5A all-state at defensive back by the Arizona Republic. He was also all-region first team running back, recording 1,470 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior with eight interceptions. Poindexter earned all-state first-team honors from the Arizona Football Coaches Association at offensive line, while Paciullo garnered all-region honors at both offensive and defensive line
Tucson products Chris Lundgren of Sabino and Brian Riley of Catalina Foothills mark the first time two players have been signed out of Southern Arizona in the same season. Lundgren was named all-state by the Arizona Football Coaches Association, helping his team to a state runner-up appearance and berth in the state championship game in Cardinals Stadium. Riley was an all-region first team choice.
Drew Bernhardy, FS, 6-1, 205, Fr.-HS, Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman)
Earned all-state and all-region honors in 2006…Runner-up for defensive player of the year…Three-time all-league selection…Named team defensive most valuable player…Recorded 76 tackles with 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries…Also earned all-region in track with a 10.9 personal-best in the 100m…Also considered Colorado State, Idaho and Air Force academy…Plans to study business.
Isaac Bond, DE, 6-4, 240, Fr.-HS, Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview)
Three-time all-league at tight end and linebacker…Two-time all-region at linebacker and all-state first team at linebacker…Helped team to league championship with 11-1 mark…Also tree-year letterwinner and two-year starter in basketball…Plans to study education or sports medicine.
Tyler Broom, SS, 6-1, 205, Fr.-HS, Fremont, Calif. (Irvington)
All-MVAL first team selection by the Oakland Tribune in 2006…All-Metro honorable mention selection in both 2005 at safety and 2006 at wide receiver…Recorded 125 tackles on the season…Plans to study business.
Jared Chrisman, OT, 6-5, 285, Fr.-HS, San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills)
Antonio Danek, OT, 6-4, 295, Fr.-HS, Milwaukie, Ore. (Central Catholic)
Named Mount Hood All-Conference first team as a senior…Helped team to 9-3 record and a second round appearance in the state playoffs…Received scholar-athlete award with a 3.66 GPA...Plans to study mechanical engineering.
Pierre Girtley, CB, 5-11, 180, Fr.-HS, Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
Named all-league and all-city at defensive back…Had 42 tackles with four interceptions…Added 800 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns…Plans to study business.
David Harris II, LB, 6-0, 210, Fr.-HS, Denver, Colo. (George Washington)
Three-time all-city selection and all-state choice in 2006…Led team in tackles with 94, including nine quarterback sacks…Set school records for career kick and punt returns…Helped team to city championship and state playoffs in 2006…Part of state championship 4x100-meter relay team and second-place 4x200m team…Also considered Northern Colorado and Colorado State…Plans to study journalism.
Chris Lundgren, WR, 5-11, 195, Fr.-HS, Tucson, Ariz. (Sabino)
Named all-state by the Arizona Football Coaches Association…Also All-Southern Arizona and all-region selection…Rushed for 1,400 yards on 298 carries for 20 touchdowns and caught 24 receptions for 280 yards with three touchdowns as a senior…Helped team to state runner-up appearance and berth in the state championship game in Cardinals Stadium…Also three-year letterwinner in track, posting personal-bests of 11.0 in the 100 meters and 21.03 in the 200m…Plans to study sports medicine.
Zac McNalley, LB, 6-0, 230, So.-TR, Brentwood, Calif. (DeLaSalle/Diablo Valley College)
Chosen Golden Gate Conference first-team choice…Recorded 70 tackles with three interceptions with one return for a touchdown… Named to All-Northern Cali second-team and Cal-Hi Sports defensive player of the year during prep career…Plans to study kinesiology.
Travis McNaughton, LB, 6-0, 225, Fr.-HS, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Mater Dei)
Named All-CIF first team and all-state second team choice…Chosen Trinity League defensive most valuable player…Recorded 85 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss with five sacks and two interceptions…Also four-year letterwinner and sectional qualifier in track and field with personal bests of 54-10 in the shot put and 165-2 in the discus…Helped team to 8-3 overall record…Also considered San Diego State…Plans to study business.
Jimmy Mitchell, CB, 5-11, 185, Fr.-HS, Las Vegas, Nev. (Silverado)
Named All-Henderson Daily News first-team selection…Earned all-league honors as both wide receiver and defensive…Named team MVP…Had 30 tackles for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense…Recorded 46 tackles with four interceptions and three touchdowns…Helped team to city quarterfinals with a 9-3 record…Also considered Montana and Southern Utah…Teammate of Kyle Roth in high school…Academic interest is business.
Alex Mott, OT, 6-5, 270, Fr.-HS, Troutdale, Ore. (Sam Barlow)
Named Mount Hood All-Conference second team as a senior…Earned honorable mention honors as a junior…Helped team to 8-4 mark, reaching second round of the playoffs…Lost in state championship game to Jesuit in 2005…Also lettered in wrestling and track…Considered Oregon State and Portland State…Undecided on area of study.
Kasseem Osheroff, SS, 5-11, 205, Fr.-HS, Portland, Ore. (Grant)
Earned all-league at running back and rover…Garnered all-state honorable mention honors…STATS…Helped team to state quarterfinals and 11-1 record…Three-year letterwinner in tack and field…Part of state qualifier 4x100-meter relay team…Plans to study business.
Vinnie Paciulli, NT, 6-1, 295, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (Moon Valley)
Earned second-team all-state honors at defensive line…Garnered all-region honors at both offensive and defensive line…Had 86 tackles as a senior with eight tackles…Helped team to state championship as a sophomore with NAU teammate Brian Wriston…Also considered Western Illinois, Nevada, San Diego State and Fresno State…Plans to study business.
Kris Poindexter, OG, 6-2, 280, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (Westview)
Earned all-state first-team honors from the Arizona Football Coaches Association at offensive line and all-state first team Class 5A at defensive line…Also All-West Valley and all-region selection on both offensive and defensive lines…Set school record for tackles with 98 along with three weightlifting records, including 565-lb squat…Placed second in the district in both the shot put and the discus…Plans to study business.
Brian Riley, TE, 6-4, 240, Fr.-HS, Tucson, Ariz. (Catalina Foothills)
Named all-region first team and all-city honorable mention…Had 16 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown…Also recorded eight sacks…Considered Arizona, San Diego, Colorado State and UNLV…Plans to study business.
Toolefua Samuelu, LB, 6-1, 220, Fr.-HS, Oakland, Calif. (Berkley)
Named all-conference first team selection…Recorded 94 tackles on the season.
John Schactner, Jr., OC, 6-2, 280, Fr.-HS, Sunland, Calif. (St. Francis)
Two-time Glendale News Press all-area selection and All-Mission League first team choice…Helped team to CIF Division III semifinals in 2005 with 10-3 record and first round appearance in 2006 at 6-5…Also considered Sacramento State, Portland State and San Diego…Plans to study business...Father played at NAU and was a 7th-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins.
Jordan Scott, WR, 5-10, 185, Fr.-HS, Phoenix, Ariz. (North Canyon)
Named offensive player of the year by24-7football.com and Friday Night Fever…Named All-Arizona first team and 5A all-state at defensive back by the Arizona Republic…Also all-region first team running back…Recorded 1,470 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior with eight interceptions…Plans to study marketing.
Justin Smith, WR, 5-11, 180, Fr.-HS, La Quinta, Calif. (La Quinta)
Named All-CIF and All-Desert Valley League first-team selection…Had 282 rushes for 1,921 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior…Also made 22 receptions for 320 yards and four touchdowns…Had four returns for touchdowns, including two punts and two kickoffs…Plans to study business.
Jake Welch, LB, 6-2, 240, Fr.-HS, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Servite)
Named to All-Trinity league first team and defensive team most valuable player…Had 11 sacks among 18 tackles for loss…Recorded 53 tackles overall with two interceptions…Helped team to quarterfinals and 9-3 record…Also an all-league selection in baseball as a pitcher…Also considered Colorado State, San Diego State and Utah State…Undecided on major.
Chris Woods, LB, 6-2, 220, Fr.-HS, Venice, Calif. (Venice)
Earned All-Western League first-team honors…Led team with 125 tackles along with two interceptions and two touchdowns…Played two seasons at Narbonne High School, recording 88 tackles as a junior…Lost in second round of the playoffs and finished with a 9-3 record…Played Oaks Christian on ESPN…Holds two school track records, including 110 high hurdles at 15.4 and 300 hurdles at 42.2…Plans to study business.
Mid-Year Junior College Transfers
Daiveun Chapman, WR, 6-2, 195, Fr.-TR, Corona, Calif. (Corona)
Named All-Mountain View League first team, Riverside County All-Star and All-Riverside County honorable mention…Had 60 catches for 705 yards as a senior…Also recruited by Nevada, Idaho State, Idaho, Utah State and Weber State…Plans to study communications.
David Lord, OL, 6-6, 330, Jr.-TR, Rialto, Calif. (Eisenhower/San Jose State/Riverside CC)
Transfer from Riverside CC…Two-year starter and letterwinner…Named All-San Bernardino County in high school…Eight-time scholar-athlete recipient…Also competed in track and field…Named team MVP two times.
Raphael Mack, DB, 5-11, 182, Jr.-TR, Gilbert, Ariz. (Highland/Mesa CC)
Transfer from Mesa CC…Recorded 30 tackles with six interceptions and 16 pass deflections last season at Mesa CC…Was all-region selection in football, basketball and track in high school…Plans to study business.
Sean Norton, QB, 5-10, 175, Jr.-TR , Valencia, Calif. (Hart/Fresno State)
Transfer from Fresno State with two years of eligibility…Saw action in three games with two starts…Completed 32-of-54 for 408 yards with one interception and three touchdowns…Led the state of California with 4,067 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior…Named 2003 CIF Southern Section Division II Offensive Player of the Year, guiding Hart to the Division II title…Parade All-America selection.
