WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Head Coach
Dan Cocannouer announced Wednesday the addition of 39 players that have signed to join the SWOSU Football program for the 2015 season. Among the group is 35 high school seniors, who made their commitment binding with the signing of a National Letter of Intent (NLI) while four mid-year transfers have already joined the program.
Cocannouer will publicly unveil the Bulldogs 2015 Signing Class at 1:30 pm this afternoon with a Press Conference in the Legacy Bank Media Room, inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center. The press conference will be streamed live on
SWOSU Athletics Livestream channel.
Below is information on each of the Bulldogs 2015 signees:Updated: 2:50 pm
Tate BeuthienOL, 6-5, 295, Fr.-HS
Era, Texas (Era HS)
Notes: Three-time all-district selection as an offensive lineman…Two-time All-Cooke County selection…Earned three varsity letters in football for the Hornets, playing under the direction of coach Aaron Fortenberry…Also a four-year track & field letterwinner, qualifying for regionals in shot put three times and twice in discus…Two-time field event MVP for the school.
Personal: Son of Don and Tammy Beuthien…Plans to major in Allied Health Sciences
Bryce BirtWR, 5-11, 175, Fr.-HS
Lawton, Okla. (Lawton HS)
Notes: Two-year captain for the Wolverines…Ranked second in the state with a yards after catch average of 24.2 yards…Earned four varsity letters in both football and basketball while also competing in track & field for two years…Member of National Honor Society…Coached by Randy Breeze.
Personal: Son of Carl and Trish Birt…Undecided on a college major
Elijah BrittonOL, 6-5, 305, Fr.-HS
Keller, Texas (Keller Central HS)
Notes: NUC Top Prospect Elite Camp and Texas vs The World invitee…Two-time all-district selection for the Chargers…Averaged 10 pancake blocks per game…Four-year letterwinner at Keller Central HS for coach Bart Helsley.
Personal: Son of Bobby and Amanda Britton…Brother, Zach, is a junior offensive lineman for the Bulldogs…Wants to major in Engineering
Colten BuieDL, 6-2, 265, Fr.-HS
San Angelo, Texas (Christoval HS)
Notes: Blue-Grey All-American selection…First Team All-State selection as a defensive end…Two-time all-district selection…Named to the All-West Texas Super Team in 2014…District defensive MVP…Also an all-district selection in basketball…Record 106 total tackles, with 12 sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior…Also started for the Cougars offensive line, recording 82 pancake blocks in 2014…Multi-sport star, also qualified for regionals in shot put and played for the Cougars golf team…Coached by Justin Taylor.
Personal: Son of Chad and Teena Buie…Plans to major in Criminal Justin and Parks & Wildlife Management
Tristyn CloseOL, 6-7, 365, Fr.-HS
Stroud, Okla. (Stroud HS)
Notes: District defensive lineman of the year and an all-state nominee as a senior at Stroud HS…Member of three district championship football teams and two district championship basketball teams…Two-time state qualifier in discus…Also been a part of two regional championship basketball teams with the Tigers…Played for coach Chris Elerick.
Personal: Son of Brandon and Tawna Turner-Close…Wants to major in Athletic Training
Jeremy CollinsWR, 5-8, 165, Fr.-HS
Schertz, Texas (Clemens HS)
Notes: Two-time all-district running back, earning first team honors as a junior in 2013…Earned two varsity letters for the Buffaloes in football along with three in baseball…Played for head coach Jared Johnston.
Personal: Son of Curtis and Rosita Collins…Intended major is Manufacturing Engineering
Kerry DanielsRB, 6-1, 215, Fr.-HS
Beggs, Okla. (Beggs HS)
Malcolm DavisLB, 6-3, 190, Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (Brewer HS)
Notes: All-district selection in both football and basketball at Brewer HS…Earned the team's Defensive MVP honor as a senior after recording 108 tackles, 5.0 TFL, two fumble recoveries and one interception…Three-year letterwinner in football for coach Wade Griffin.
Personal: Intended major is Business
A.J. DawsonDL, 6-2, 220, Fr.-HS
Frisco, Texas (Heritage HS)
Noah DortonOL, 6-4, 295, Fr.-HS
Dewar, Okla. (Dewar HS)
Marcellous DowellWR, 6-3, 175, Fr.-HS
Cache, Okla. (Cache HS)
Notes: First Team all-district selection and All Star by class after recording 40 receptions for better than 600 yards and 7 TDs as a senior…Earned four varsity letters in football and track & field along with one season of basketball…Played for coach John Herbert at Cache HS.
Personal: Son of Robert and Alicia Dowell…Intended major is Nursing
Trent DunawayQB, 6-4, 210, Fr.-HS
Thomas, Okla. (Thomas HS)
Zach FinleyLB, 6-1, 230, Fr.-HS
Wolfforth, Texas (Frenship HS)
Jordan FredricksonDB, 6-2, 200, Fr.-HS
Harrah, Okla. (Harrah HS)
Notes: Class 4A Safety of the Year in 2014 and an all-star selection at defensive back…Defensive Player of the Year and top tackler in Class 4A…Member of a district championship team in 2014…Averaged better than nine tackles per game…Earned four varsity letters in football, three in baseball and one each for basketball and golf…Played for coach Phil Webb at Harrah HS.
Personal: Son of David and Tammy Fredrickson…Undecided on a collegiate major
Casey FreemanQB, 6-2, 195, Fr.-HS
Newcastle, Okla. (Newcastle HS)
Notes: All-City Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year…Honorable mention all-state and an all-star selection by Class 4A…Nominated twice for the NewsOK Player of the Week…Threw for more than 2,000 yards and 27 TDs while also rushing for 11 TDs as a senior…Also an honorable mention all-state selection in basketball last season…Four-year letterwinner for the Racers in football while also playing basketball (three years) and baseball (one)…Coached by Keith Bolles.
Personal: Son of Royce Freeman and Beth Robertson…Wants to major in Nursing
Corey GanzTE, 6-6, 245, Fr.-HS
Enid, Okla. (Enid HS)
Notes: Played two years of basketball and one of football at Enid HS…Coached by Steve Chard with the Plainsmen…Honor roll student
Personal: Son of Danny and Moriah Maxey…Intended major is Business
Bo GarverDB, 6-0, 185, Fr.-HS
Norman, Okla. (Norman North HS)
Notes: All-district and all-conference selection for the Timberwolves in 2014…Recorded 105 tackles, 3 INTs and forced four fumbles as a senior…Earned three letters for coach Wade Standley at Norman North while also participating in track & field for one season.
Personal: Son of Scott and Brandy Garver-Martin…Undecided on a college major
Noah GregoryDL, 6-3, 230, Fr.-HS
Thomas, Okla. (Thomas HS)
Spencer GriderTE, 6-2, 215, Fr.-HS
Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville HS)
Notes: Three-year letterwinner for the Fighting Farmers…Honorable mention All-District 6-6A selection and academic all-district selection in 2014…Academic all-state nominee…Played for coach Gregg Miller.
Personal: Son of Lenny and Linette Grider…Undecided on a college major
Jelani HeathDB, 5-11, 165, Fr.-HS
Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS)
Ke'Dric HollowayDL, 6-3, 260, Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (Chisholm Trail HS)
Dejai JohnsonDL, 5-11, 260, Fr.-HS
Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City HS)
Joel KabongoDB, 5-10, 190, Fr.-HS
Trophy Club, Texas (Byron Nelson HS)
Notes: First Team All-District linebacker in 2013 and 2014…Played four years of football for coach Brian Polk at Byron Nelson HS, while also participating in track & field and powerlifting for the Bobcats.
Personal: Son of Jules Tshiumba-Kabongo and Maline Kabongo…Intended major is Kinesiology
Ryan LemmonsDB, 6-0, 195, Fr.-HS
Cedar Park, Texas (Cedar Park HS)
Tyreik LuskDL, 6-2, 235, Fr.-HS
Arlington, Texas (The Colony HS)
Notes: Defensive line MVP and second team all-district selection as a senior at The Colony HS…Earned three varsity letters for the Cougars…Recorded 50 tackles, 10 TFL and five sacks as a senior…Played for coach Rudy Rangel.
Personal: Son of Dion Brown and Ebony Lusk…Intended major is Business Management
Tyler MarrQB, 6-3, 205, Fr.-HS
Beggs, Okla. (Beggs HS)
Notes: Conference QB of the Year along with All-State and All-Metro honors as a senior at Beggs HS…First Team All-Conference selection…Graduated as Beggs school-record holder with 2,379 career passing yards…Played four years of football for the Demons under coach Lee Blankenship…Also played baseball throughout high school…National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Jeff and Maureen Marr…Plans to major in Engineering Technology
Johnson MillerLB, 5-11, 215, Fr.-HS
Bethany, Okla. (Oklahoma City Legion)
Notes: Voted team MVP of the OKC Legion, a non-profit organization formed to provide young men the opportunity to play 11-man football in the state of Oklahoma…First member in the OKC Legion Hall of Fame…Recorded 136 tackles, six forced fumbles, four sacks and one interception as a senior…Played three years of football and two of baseball for OKC Legion, where he was coached by Darin Miller.
Personal: Son of Darin and Denise Miller…Father, Darin, and uncles, Doug and David Miller all played football for SWOSU…Cousin,
Jake Doyle, is a senior on the SWOSU Football team…Undecided on a college major
Connor PelzelOL, 6-3, 285, Fr.-HS
Lindsay, Texas (Lindsay HS)
Notes: Three-time all-district selection as an offensive lineman and Lindsay HS…Earned all-district honors along the defensive line as a senior…Regional qualifier in both shot put and discus as a member of the track team…Multi-sport standout, competing in football (four years), basketball (three), track & field (three) and powerlifting (one)…Played for coach Charles Boles at Lindsay HS.
Personal: Son of Russell and Renee Pelzel…Intended major is Pharmacy
Alex RamirezTE, 6-2, 220, Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (Brewer HS)
Notes: All-district selection on both sides of the ball, earning a first team nod at tight end and a second team selection at linebacker…Team MVP for the Bears as a senior…Academic all-district selection…Caught three touchdown passes in 2014…Earned three varsity letters at Brewer HS, playing for coach Wade Griffin.
Personal: Son of Miguel Ramirex and Christy Howard…Plans to major in Health Science
Brandon RolinDL, 6-2, 270, Fr.-HS
Purcell, Okla. (Purcell HS)
Notes: First Team All-City selection and District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior…Also earned all-state honors and Heart of Oklahoma Player of the Year accolades…Played three years of football for the Dragons and two for their track & field team…Played for coach Greg Willis.
Personal: Son of Bryan Rolin and Jennifer Self…Undecided on a college major
DeRodney ThomasWR, 6-2, 195, Fr.-HS
Cushing, Texas (Cushing HS)
Notes: Played for one season at Cushing HS for coach Bill Jehling.
Personal: Son of Michael Thomas and Gwolona Thompson…Plans to major in Education
Jailand ThompsonDB, 6-0, 170, Fr.-HS
The Colony, Texas (The Colony HS)
Notes: Second Team All-District and Defensive Newcomer of the Year for the Cougars in 2014…Totaled 55 tackles, 23 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one INT as a senior…Coached by Rudy Rangel.
Personal: Son of John and Tara Thompson…Intended major is Physical Therapy
Gerald WhiteDB, 5-8, 165, Fr.-HS
Tipton, Okla. (Tipton HS)
Notes: Won two Class C State Championships (2012 and 2014) at Fast Lane Field in Weatherford…Also finished as the Class C State Runner-Up in 2011 and 2013…Four-time all-district player and Class C Offensive Player of the Year as a senior…Two-time utility Player of the Year and District MVP last season…Rushed for 1,795 yards and passed for better than 3,600 yards in his career with 53 total touchdowns…Also recorded 313 career tackles…Three-sport standout, playing football, basketball and baseball throughout his career.
Personal: Son of Timmy and Cheryl White…Wants to major in Physical Education
Keaton WhiteWR, 6-2, 180, Fr.-HS
Frisco, Texas (Heritage HS)
Nick YatesDB, 5-9, 170, Fr.-HS
Marlow, Okla. (Marlow HS)
Notes: Earned All-VYPE honors as an athlete in Class 3A…First Team All-Area selection for defensive back…Totaled 136 tackles the past two seasons…2014 Track State Champion…Played four years of football, three in wrestling and two each for baseball and track & field at Marlow HS…Coached by Rob Renshaw
Personal: Son of Robert Yates and Dawn Sloan…Wants to major in Athletic Training
Midseason Transfers Joining the Bulldogs for Spring 2015:
Julian ColeLB, 6-2, 225, Jr-TR
Kansas City, Kan. (Fort Scott CC)
Notes: Played two seasons of junior college football, split between Butler CC and Fort Scott CC…Totaled 15 tackles for the Greyhounds in 2014…Deans Honor roll selection at FSCC…Graduated from Piper HS in Kansas City in 2012 as the Male Athlete of the Year…Earned all-league honors in football, wrestling and track…Honorable mention all-state linebacker for the Pirates in 2011.
Personal: Son of Damon and Anita Cole…Criminal Justice major
Marc EvansQB, 6-3, 210, Jr.-TR
Ventura, Calif. (Ventura College)
Notes: First Team All-Southern California Football Association Northern Conference selection…Led the Pirates to a Northern Conference championship in 2014…Completed over 60% of his passes for 1,588 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions as a sophomore…Graduated from St. Bonaventure HS in 2012 after throwing for more than 4,400 yards and 50 touchdowns in his final two prep seasons…Two-time All-Ventura County selection and First Team All-Marmonte League QB as a senior.
Personal: Son of Mike and Denise Evans…Graphic Design major
Tyler PetersonK/P, 5-11, 180, Jr.-TR
Stockton, Kan. (Garden City CC)
Notes: First Team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference kicker in 2013…Connected on 25-of-27 PATs for the Broncbusters and had a long field goal made of 33 yards…Earned four varsity letters in football and soccer in high school, graduating from Stockton HS in 2012.
Personal: Son of Phil Peterson…Undecided on a major
Brooks RobertsonQB, 6-2, 200, So.-TR
Roland, Okla. (Central Oklahoma)
Notes: Member of the UCO Football team for two seasons, taking a redshirt in 2013…Led Roland HS to a nine-win season and the school's first playoff win since the 1970's as a senior…Named District 3A-8 Offensive Player of the Year in 2013…Earned Fort Smith Times-Record MVP and Tulsa World All-State honors as a prep senior…Passed for 2,446 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding 503 yards and seven TDs rushing…Three-sport athlete, also lettering in baseball and basketball for the Rangers.
Personal: Son of Kenny and Anne Robertson…Health & Physical Education major
