WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University announced the addition of 41 new players who have stated their intentions of joining the Bulldog football program next year. Ryan Held and his staff have secured commitments of 26 high school players along with another 15 mid-term transfers who promise to significantly make better SWOSU’s roster for 2008 and beyond.
“We feel this is a class of young men that will represent our univeristy at the highest standard,” Held said. “This was a team effort not only by our football staff, but our university faculty, staff and administration.”
Held, who has posted back-to-back winning seasons at SWOSU, said during the annual post-season evaluation some primary areas were identified in which his coaches hoped to improve.
“First, we had to find more playmakers on the offensive side of the football,” Held said. “Secondly, we had to be better in the defensive secondary. All those guys are on campus right now. They are going through offseason workouts and spring ball. Finally, we needed to sign a big group of young offensive and defensive lineman. We did that and managed to do so locally, which is where we always look first.”
Held said that along with addressing those three primary needs, they were able to bring in players with an eye to the future.
“We have some kids who are extremely athletic players. We like to say they have a ‘Wow Factor’,” Held said. “They will improve us in a number of ways. All have strong character and are the type of people we want in our program for the next four years.
Held indicated that the bulk of the recruiting is done but SWOSU still has allowed room for an additional player or two if the opportunity arises.
The list of players who have agreed to play football at SWOSU next year
High School
NAME/POS/HT/WT/HEIGHT/SCHOOL
Adam Bailey/LB/6-0/210/Brazosport, TX
Kane Bryen/OL/6-6 280/Thomas, OK
Matt Carr/TE/6-5/205/Richardson, TX (Berkner HS)
Quin Collins/RB/5-10/175/Brazosport, TX
Josh Cotter/OL/6-3/265/Okla. City, OK (Putnam City North)
Ethan Davis/LB/6-4/215/Grapevine, TX
Austin Feuerborn/OL/6-5/280/Mustang, OK
Bruce Hatton/ATH/5-8/160/Mesquite, TX (Horn HS)
Eric Harrison/DB/5-10/185/Humble, TX (Navarro CC)
JP Grasmick/QB/6-0/200/Bethany, OK
William Jobe/WR/6-1/180/Arlington, TX (Martin HS)
John Kaye/DB/5-9/175/Irving, TX (MacArthur HS)
Wyatt Kinnamon/QB/6-5/230/Chickasha, OK
Chris Lyon/DE/6-3/235/Grapevine, TX (Colleyville Heritage)
Lorenzo Martinez/DT/6-0/250/Grapevine, TX (Colleyville Heritage)
TJ Norman/ATH/6-1/190/Hobart, OK
Blake Owen/DB/6-0/175/Moore, OK (Westmoore HS)
Iziah Perry/DB/5-10/175/Irving, TX (MacArthur HS)
Colton Rainey/K/5-11/170/Lawton, OK (MacArthur HS)
Steven Saulsberry/OL/6-4/270/Midwest City, OK
Jake Sinkula/DE/6-2/225/Okla. City, OK (Bishop-McGuinness)
Noah Smythe/TE/6-5/235/Plano, TX (Canyon Creek Christian)
Hayden Steele/LB/6-0/190/Arlington, TX (Martin HS)
Nick Thomas/ATH/5-9/190/Richardson, TX (Berkner HS)
Austin Yeargain /LB/6-0/190/Okla. City, OK (Putnam City West)
Troy Williams/WR/6-4/205/Auburn, NE
Mid-Year Transfers
Austin Baker/RB/5-9/185/The Colony, TX (Stephen F. Austin)
Carlos Bates/DB/6-0/190/Ellenwood, GA (College of Dupage)
Brandon Dixon/WR/6-4/210/Brunswick, GA (Highland CC)
Josh Edge/ATH/6-5/205/Natalia, TX (Stephen F. Austin)
Ovie Esalomi/WR/5-9/170/Tampa, FL (New Mexico Military)
JR Hammond/RB/5-8/165/Edmond, OK (Santa Fe HS)
Benny Johnson/DT/6-0/285/DeSoto, TX (Cisco JC)
Jeff Lemon/DB/5-11/185/Columbus, GA (College of Dupage)
Luke Lundy/RB/6-2/225/Auburn, NE
Sam Nwafor/DB /6-0/205/Chicago, IL (College of Dupage)
Joseph Sawyer/TE/6-5/265/Ogden, UT (Snow JC)
Shane Scott/DB/5-10/185/Sacramento, CA (American River)
Eric Sykes/WR/5-9/180/Waco, TX (La-Vaga HS)
Treston Teague/LB/6-1/210/Rancho Cordova, CA (American River)
Jeremy Leatherwood /LB/6-0/215/Chickasha, OK
