The 2001 K-State Football Recruiting Class

K a n s a s

After a 2000 recruiting class lacking a single in-state signing, questions were raised on if the Wildcats were losing ground on their home turf. This class answers that concern with a resounding no.
RB Carlos Alsup-   According to many recruiting watchers Alsup is the top RB in the state, in fact maybe even the best overall player in the state. For that reason he could move to another position in college. Injuries and sharing playing time limited his talents as a junior-only rushing for a little over 900 yards-but Carlos came back as a senior to tack on another 12-hundred yards and 21 TDs earning All-State and All-American honors. MO-KAN Football lists Alsup as the top back in the two state area. He graduates as one of the top rushers in school history with over 3-thousand yards and 43 TDs. The Wildcats beat out Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma State for Carlos.

LB Matt Butler-   Twenty years after his father Bill led the Wildcats in rushing, it's now Matt's turn to make his own mark on the program. A speedy linebacker, Butler was a key contributor on a Manhattan High team that made it all the way to the Class 6A State Championship game his senior year before going down to Darren Sproles and Olathe North. He had 162 tackles and 5 sacks, and later picked up All-I 70 League and All-State honors in the 2000 season. Butler was offered a scholarship and commited in October, at that time he was also getting interest from Colorado State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Nebraska.

DE Scott Edmonds-   What a difference a senior year makes. Edmonds went from a virtual unknown due to missing both his sophomore and junior seasons due to injury, to arguably the most sought after recruit in the Kansas City area. Early on in the 2000 season, one which Edmonds posted 65 tackles and 10 sacks, Boston College and Kansas jumped in with offers. Scott eventually commited to B.C. in December, but after the new year was talked into visiting his favorite team growing up...Kansas State. Just days later he changed his pledge to the Wildcats. Scott also played some at TE for the Hawklets, finishing up his senior season with 15 receptions for 220 yards.

OL Ray Green-  Consistently ranked the top offensive linemen in the state, Green commited to the Wildcats before his senior season and missed a good portion the that season while rehabilitating a knee injury. Despite the injuries Green picked up All-State honors for the second season in a row in 2000 and named an All American by PrepStar. As with all of the Wildcats in-state signees (with the exception of Scott Edmonds, who played in at Rockhurst in Missouri), Ray was chosen to participate in the 2001 Kansas Shrine Bowl game July 28th at KSU Stadium. Green chose K-State over Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and Colorado.

PK Joe Rheem-  Selected as a Parade All-American as the best place kicker in the country, Joe certainly has the bloodlines to be a great for the Wildcats. His older brother Jaime has been a 4 year starter for the Cats and two time Lou Groza award finalist, but Joe certainly is not living off of his brothers name, he's a good athlete and excellent kicker in his own right. Playing at quarterback, Joe led Wichita Collegiate to the state championship in Class 3A by throwing for over 17-hundred yards. He also connected on 11 of 13 field goals in 2000...the longest coming from 54 yards (and both of his misses were blocked). Rheem is also a state champion in golf. The earliest commitment of the 2001 class, Joe accepted a scholarship offer from the Wildcats in late 1999.

LB Ted Sims-   A couple of good performanced at summer football camps before his senior season got Sims both noticed and noted as one of the top players in the state for the 2000 season. He did nothing but prove that reputation correct in his senior season for the Railers, leading the team in tackles and made a big impact on a team often overlooked because of their record. Shortly after being offered by the Kansas in September Sims commited to the Jayhawks. He stayed commited to KU before changing his mind and commiting to the Wildcats after taking an official visit to Manhattan.

RB Darren Sproles-  After a junior season with 2,031 yards and 22 TDs things could not get better for Sproles, or could they? After commiting to the Wildcats in the spring, Darren commited himself to putting up better numbers in the fall. As a senior he fueled the Olathe North engine all the way to a Class 6A state title by running for 2,485 yards and 49 touchdowns. Twice named the Kansas City Star Player of the Year, Sproles also picked up the Thomas A. Simone trophy, which is given to the best big-class football player in the Kansas City area, as a senior. He finishes his high school days with over 52-hundred yards rushing. Darren chose the Wildcats over Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and many others.

ATH Jesse Tetuan-   While Jesse rushed for nearly 17-hundred yards and 27 TDs as a senior for Hayden, he's been told by coaches his future will probably be at defensive back or receiver for K-State. Of course, his contributions to the team went far beyond rushing yardage though, he was named All-Centennial Conference as a defensive back and return man as well. In 2000 Tetuan led the Topeka area in total offense (1776 yards) rushing (1,691) and scoring (166 points). MO-KAN Football ranks him as the #4 running back in the two state area, and #3 back in Kansas behind fellow Wildcat signees Carlos Alsup and Darren Sproles. Offered in November by the Cats, Tetuan commited to K-State over Kansas, Iowa and Iowa State.

T e x a s

It's just not a recruiting class these days without a large presense of Lone Star talent. This one relies a little more on the Junior College ranks than in years past though.
OL Dralinn Burks-   Signing with Stephen F. Austin out of high school in '99, Burks packed his bags for Athens, Texas and Trinity Valley Community College instead. In the two seasons since he has added over 40 pounds to his frame and All-Southwest Junior College Conference honors to his resume. At Teague (Texas) High it was on the other side of the ball however where Burks was distinguished, earning an All-State selection as a defensive lineman after his senior season. He comes to Manhattan with 3-to play-2.

P Rick Gerla-  An NJCAA All-American, Gerla could provide immediate help on special teams. As a sophomore at Blinn Community College he averaged 43 yards per kick, second overall in the NJCAA ranks. He averaged 43 yards per kick as a freshman. A walk-on at Blinn, Rick is originally from the small town of Louise, Texas...he played receiver and punter and was a stand-out track athlete for Louise High. Gerla is a mid-term signee.

LB David King-   A four year starter on one of the better class 3A teams in the state in the Daingerfield Tigers, King led the team in tackles two of those seasons . He finished up his senior season with 114 stops (66 solo, 5 for a loss) and honorable mention All-State honors. He missed a good part of his junior season with a knee injury, but was given first team All-State honors as a sophomore after a 165 tackle effort. King had visited Texas A&M before giving a verbal commitment to the Wildcat coaching staff in early February.

FB Victor Mann-  The Fort Worth pipeline continues to be operational for the Wildcats with Victor's commitment. Mann had a distinguished senior season as one of the top rushers in the Metroplex. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Private School Offensive Player of the Year, Victor was also selected to play in the National High School All-Star Football Game last December in Dallas. All of this came after rushing for over 14-hundred yards and 19 TDs as a senior. He was not an unknown coming into the 2000 season though, rushing for over 15-hundred yards as a junior. Also played basketball for the Falcons, averaging 20.5 points and 11 rebounds as a senior. Mann visited on the January 19th weekend and commited to K-State just a few days later. He chose the Wildcats over West Virginia, TCU, Arkansas, and Wisconsin.

DB Bobby Walker-   A two time all Southwest Junior College Conference picks, Walker was a 1st team NJCAA All-American as a freshman. He was a highly recruited athlete out of Tyler's Lee High School in '99 before grades forced him the junior college route to D-1 football. In the 2000 season Bobby recorded 73 tackles and 3 picks, and he finished his time at TVCC with 8 interceptions.. While K-State had been his long time leader throughout his sophomore season he took a December visit to Colorado and commited. He later commited to the Wildcats in January.

DT Corey White-   If you've followed K-State recruiting for the past few years Corey's name should look familiar. He was part of the Wildcats 1999 Class along with high school teammates Josh Buhl and Bryan Hickman before academics sent him to Navarro College, where as a sophomore he tallied 65 tackles and 4 sacks. Now two seasons after coming out of North Mesquite High at 265 pound, White has been bulked up to 285 in preparation for D-1 action. He had an official visit to K-State in early December, but waited for a while and examined other options before giving another commitment to the Wildcats.

DB/WR Cedric Williams-  Many pre-season rankings had Williams among the top 20 overall prospects in the state, but a senior year injury and cloudy academic situation dropped his stock a little in those rankings. College recruiters stayed on him though, and Phil Bennett was able to convince Cedric, who is coached by Phil's brother Jerry at Jefferson, that Manhattan was the place for him. When healthy, Cedric can put up some numbers...like 71 receptions for over 16-hundred yards in his junior and sophomore season. Williams had previously visited K-State in the summer of 2000 with teammates Anthony Johnson and Lance McFarland (both Texas signees) before a February official visit.

C a l i f o r n i a

Matt Miller's hard work in the San Diego area is starting to pay off, while Ron Hudson continues combing the junior colleges.
TE Travon Magee-   A signee of the Oregon Ducks out of Los Angeles' Washington Prep High School in '99, Travon signed with Oregon State in February out of Santa Monica Community College before eventually finding his way to Manhattan in the fall. In two seasons with the Corsairs Magee had over 70 catches for 1,032 yards and 12 TDs. As a sophomore he earned all-conference and honorable mention J.C. Gridwire All-American honors. He'll have 3 to play 2 for the Wildcats.

DL/TE Derek Marso-   Derek comes into the Wildcat program set for action on the defensive line, but he was a two way standout for Monte Vista High. A three time All-Grossmont South League selection, Marso had a phenominal junior season and was named All-State underclass. That, and a pre-season All-State selection, meant more attention in 2000 though. Double teamed most of the year, his numbers were down from those posted as a junior. Despite that he finished off the season with 9 sacks and over 300 yards and 3 TDs playing at TE (in an offense that rarely threw the ball). Marso picked the Wildcats over UNLV, Oregon, Arizona and Cal-Berkeley.

DB David Rose-    An addition to the 2001 recruiting class after the February signing day, Rose comes into the Wildcats program after just a year at a California JUCO. A star in both football and baseball at El Cerrito High in Richmond, Rose chose to continue his pigskin career at Contra Costa College rather than take a try at professional baseball after drafted by the Colorado Rockies in his senior year. As a freshman he was an all-conference pick as a defensive back for the Comets and decided to transfer to a D-1 school, choosing K-State over UCLA, Idaho, and San Jose State. He has 4 years to play 3 for the Wildcats.

WR Lawrence Wallace-   At first look 834 yards and 8 TDs is not the biggest stat line you've ever seen, but when you consider those numbers came on just 42 receptions (19.9 yards per catch) during the regular season, then you realize what a big play threat "Taco" Wallace is. He busted out with even more big plays in Mount SAC's bowl game, having 7 receptions for 238 yards in the Southwestern Bowl. The low number of receptions Taco had as a sophomore has not been the norm though, he had 80 receptions for the Mounties as a freshman, and coincidentally the same number catching passes from Purdue quarterback Brandon Hance as a senior at Taft High School in the L.A. area. His coach at Mount SAC, Bill Fisk, claims Wallace has all the tools to play on Sunday. First though he'll be suiting up on Saturdays for the Wildcats, who he chose over Oregon State, Utah, Nebraska and others.

F l o r i d a

The Wildcats have three coaches recruiting Florida, but both of these recruits come to Manhattan via a Kansas JUCO.
FB/DT Tank Reese- Size and speed, Reese has it. It's for those reasons he could end up at either fullback or defensive tackle for the Wildcats. Three years ago and 40 pounds lighter Reese was an All-State running back at Auburndale High School, but for the past two seasons he's made the most noise on the defensive line for Hutch. This past season he was a 2nd team All-Jayhawk Conference selection after totaling 78 tackles (20 for a loss) and 4 sacks for the Stallions. He chose K-State over Nebraska and many others. Tank will have 3 to play 2 this fall.

DE Henry Bryant- Dominance is a good word to describe Bryant's sophomore season for the Broncbusters, one in which he picked up NJCAA All-American honros. A two year starter, he finished off Jayhawk Conference play in 2000 with 103 tackles and 3 sacks. Bryant had 10 sacks in his freshman season. From Boca Raton, Florida...Bryant was placed at Garden City by Michigan State, but after visiting Manhattan in December chose the Wildcats over the Spartans and others.

L o u i s i a n a

Michael Smith has recruited Louisiana for years with limited returns, is this a breakthrough?
WR/CB Davin Dennis- Davin was the big play threat through the air in a mostly ground based St. James offense. Picked All-Class 3A in the state as a junior after a greakout performance averaging over 25 yards per catch and 18 TDs, those numbers shrunk a little bit in his senior season (45 receptions for 970, a 21.5 yard average) and he only picked up honorable mention All-State honors...but the secret was already out to college recruiters. He also had 2 INTs (1 returned for a TD) on defense in the 2000 season. Dennis selected K-State over Colorado, Mississippi State, and San Diego State.

OL Mario Loiacono- What makes a good offensive linemen? Size and Speed? Check. Good feet? Check. How about a little bit of a mean streak? Got it. He's only improving as an athlete too. In his junior year Mario decided to go out for wrestling, and with no previous experience in the sport finished fifth in the state. He may trim down his 6-3 300 pound frame once in the program. Loiacono, who was named the state's most dominating linemen by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association, chose the Wildcats over Memphis, Tulane, Mississippi State and Louisiana-Lafayette.

O k l a h o m a

Word was the Sooners locked down the state to keep all the top talent in, but Janet and Moore found their way out.

WR Jerome Janet- Tulsa's Union High School has been a popular stop for Wildcat coaches to recruit runnings backs lately, with both Chris Claybon and Danny Morris being former Redskins. This time though it's a speed merchant at wide receiver coming to Manhattan. The Prep Star Dream Teamer and Parade All-American's speed (a 10.5 100m) and precise route running had many other coaches beating down his door with offers this past season. He finishes up at Union with a 3 year varsity total of 125 receptions for 2,081 yards and 30 TDs. Janet (pronounced gi-NAY) also played defensive back on defense, and blocked numerous punts and kicks at Union on special teams. He chooses the Wildcats over Tulsa, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech and many others.

RB Lamont Moore- In a class full of talented running backs, Moore could well find himself at another position. He has the raw speed (a sub 4.4 40) and size to move to defensive back, and the hands needed to be a solid wide receiver. That's to take nothing away from his skills at running back, where for the past two seasons he's had over 25-hundred yards and 34 TDs. A track standout, Lamont runs a 10.7 100m, 21.3 200m and won the state long jump championship as a junior. Grades are a question. He chose the Wildcats over Texas Christian, Oklahoma State and Missouri.

M a r y l a n d

Didn't the last recruit from Maryland turn out to be a great one?
DB James Dunnigan- James started 9 games for Purdue in 1999 before academics sent him to Garden City for his sophomore season. He was slated after the semester at Garden City to return to West Lafayette, but problems enrolling led him to instead accept an offer from the Wildcats. Dunnigan enrolled at mid-year and is eligible for spring practice with the team. He will have 2 years to play 2 starting this fall.

M i c h i g a n

FB/LB Travis Wilson- Wilson comes to Manhattan by the way of Michigan State. Under transfer rules he will have to sit out the 2001 season and have 2 to play 2 starting in the 2002 season. A backup at fullback in 2000 for the Spartans, he had just 4 catches for 57 yards and 2 TDs. In the spring Wilson had moved to to LB because of depth at fullback. A standout at both positions at Howell (Michigan) High School, Wilson was considered one of the top prospects in the state following a senior season where he had over 100 tackles and averaged over 10 yards per carry as a fullback. He is currently enrolled and will participate in spring drills.

N e w J e r s e y

In a very large class K-State was even able to harvest the Garden State for talent.
RB Ayo Saba- Saba could be considered the headliner of this class. Many rank Ayo as the top fullback in the nation, but he's bound to see a little more action carrying the ball than K-State fullbacks of years past. In fact, Ayo (pronounced Eye-oh) claims the Wildcats recruited him to play in more of a feature back role. Due to his combination of size and speed- plus his geographic location- Ayo has drawn many comparison to another back who drew a lot of carries in his college career, former Wisconsin star Ron Dayne. Bothered by injuries as a junior, he rushed for just 800 yards and 3 TDs, but then busted out in his senior season with over 13-hundred yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 15 TDs after playing the last 7 games of the season as a true tailback (he gained 11-hundred yards in those games alone). Saba picks the Cats over Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa and Miami in his final five...although he had many other offers.

U t a h

The Wildcats get a great prospect from near the Great Salt Lake.
QB Marc Dunn- Dunn has a lot of impressive stats, but maybe this just sums it up best...he was named the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year. This after a season where he completed over 60-percent of his passes for over 43-hundred yards and 42 touchdowns. His regular season totals of just over 4-thousand passing yards breaks an NJCAA record, and in his sophomore season Marc set numerous school records as well. A prep standout at Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah...Dunn led the Bees to a 4A state title in his junior season. Then after graduating, Marc spent two years on a Mormon mission in Chile and two seasons at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He chose the Wildcats over Arizona State, BYU and Houston.

QB	Marc Dunn*	Brigham City, Utah (Ricks College, Idaho)	6-4	205	4.7
FB/LB	Travis Wilson*	Howell, Michigan (Michigan State)	6-4	240	4.6
DB	James Dunnigan*	Greenbelt, Maryland (Garden City CC)	5-7	180	4.4
P	Rick Gerla*	Louise, Texas (Blinn Community College)	6-1	210	4.8
K	Joe Rheem	Wichita, Kansas (Collegiate)	6-2	210	4.7
RB	Darren Sproles	Olathe, Kansas (North)	5-7	170	4.4
OL	Ray Green	Junction City, Kansas (High)	6-7	340	5.3
LB	Matt Butler	Manhattan, Kansas (High)	6-2	210	4.55
ATH	Jesse Tetuan	Topeka, Kansas (Hayden)	6-0	185	4.5
DT/FB	Tank Reese	Auburndale, Florida (Hutchinson CC)	5-11	280	4.7
DT	Corey White	Mesquite, Texas (Navarro College)	6-2	285	5.1
DE	Henry Bryant	Boca Raton, Florida (Garden City CC)	6-0	255	4.7
DL/TE	Derek Marso	Spring Valley, California (Monte Vista)	6-3	270	4.8
DE	Scott Edmonds	Kansas City, Kansas (Rockhurst)	6-4	225	4.6
LB	Ted Sims	Newton, Kansas (High)	6-1	215	4.5
OL	Dralinn Burks	Teague, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)	6-4	305	5.2
RB	Carlos Alsup	Liberal, Kansas (High)	6-1	195	4.4
WR	Lawrence Wallace	Canoga Park, California (Mt. San Antonio College)	6-1	195	4.4
FB	Victor Mann	Fort Worth, Texas (Country Day)	6-2	230	4.75
OL	Mario Loiacono	Kenner, Louisiana (Archbishop Rummel)	6-3	300	5.1
WR/CB	Davin Dennis	St. James, Louisiana (High)	6-1	175	4.5
DB	Bobby Walker	Tyler, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)	6-0	180	4.45
RB	Lamont Moore	Owasso, Oklahoma (High)	6-0	180	4.35
RB	Ayo Saba	Blackwood, New Jersey (Highland)	6-0	260	4.75
LB	David King	Daingerfield, Texas (High)	6-2	240	4.5
DB/WR	Cedric Williams	Jefferson, Texas (High)	6-0	180	4.4
WR	Jerome Janet	Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (Union)	5-11	190	4.4
DB	David Rose	Richmond, California(Contra Costa College)	5-11	170	4.5
TE	Travon Magee	Los Angeles, California (Santa Monica CC)	6-6	275	4.7

* Mid-term signee, eligible for Spring Practices

Also view...

The 2000 Football Recruits
The 1999 Football Recruits

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