Oilers Ink 25 On Signing Day
The University of Findlay football program announced the signing of 25 student-athletes on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 as head coach Rob Keys and his staff unveiled their first recruiting class for the Oilers. The class features 14 offensive players, nine defensive players and three special teams players from five states.
"We are very excited about our first recruiting class," said Keys. "We got a late start in recruiting, but our staff did an outstanding job of identifying talent, getting them on campus and getting them to commit. "We got some great players out of Ohio and sprinkled in a few players from out-of-state as well as adding a few transfers to fill some of our needs. We still have some pieces to add to the puzzle, but we will continue to work the recruiting trail in the weeks to come."
A press conference and highlight video to formally announce the recruiting class will take place at noon on Monday, February 7 in the Gardner Fitness Center, located beside Croy Gymnasium on the North side.
Dakota Anderson
Hometown – Xenia, Ohio
Previous School – Ball State University/Xenia High School
Position – OL
Height, Weight – 6'5, 290
Bio Information – First Team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference (2007, 08, 09)…First Team All-Southwest Ohio (2008-09).
Coach Keys Quote - "Excellent athlete with great size. His feet will make him a great pass protector."
Kevin Brewton
Hometown – Akron, Ohio
Previous School – Akron Garfield High School
Position – DE
Height, Weight – 6'3, 220
Bio Information – 2011 Big 33 All-Star Game selection…Third Team All-Ohio (2010)…First Team All-District (2010)…First Team All-Akron City Series (2010)…Rated as the 91st best player in Ohio according to Scouting Ohio…11 sacks (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "Explosive edge rusher that can make the big play. Has a huge upside."
Miles Davis
Hometown – Berea, Ohio
Previous School – Berea High School
Position – DE
Height, Weight – 6'5, 265
Bio Information – Named First Team All-Southwestern Conference (2010)…Won the Don Spillman Award.
Coach Keys Quote - "Super athlete with size and playmaking skills. Can rush the passer as well as stop the run.""
Elijah Farrakhan
Hometown – Canton, Ohio
Previous School – Canton McKinley High School
Position – DB
Height, Weight – 5'9, 190
Bio Information – First Team All-Northeast Ohio (2010)…First Team All-Federal League (2010)…All-Start County (2009-10)…Second Team All-Northeast Ohio (2009)…Second Team All-Federal League (2009).
Coach Keys Quote - "A versatile athlete that can be effective all over the field."
Daiquone Ford
Hometown – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Previous School – Myrtle Beach High School
Position – RB
Height, Weight – 5'7, 175
Bio Information – 2010 Regional Athlete of the Year (2010)…Toast of the Coast Offensive Player of the Year (2010)…2,329 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns (2010)…2008, 2010 state champion.
Coach Keys Quote - "An explosive playmaker that can score on any play. Tremendous speed and quickness."
Lloyd Henry
Hometown – Garfield Heights, Ohio
Previous School – Garfield Heights High School
Position – WR
Height, Weight – 6'0, 175
Bio Information – First Team All-Northeast Ohio Conference (2009-10)…Second Team All-Northeast Ohio (2010)…Honorable Mention All-Ohio (2009).
Coach Keys Quote - "Cat quick athlete that can see time immediately on offense. Very sure handed."
Alex Holloman
Hometown – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Previous School – Myrtle Beach High School
Position – DB
Height, Weight – 6'1, 175
Bio Information – First Team All-Region (2010)…Played in the South Carolina North/South All-Star Game…2008, 2010 state champion…116 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and 4 interceptions.
Coach Keys Quote - "A physical presence in the secondary that can also make the big interception. A Player!"
Chris Reaper
Hometown – Toledo, Ohio
Previous School – Whitmer High School
Position – OL
Height, Weight – 6'4, 260
Bio Information – Second Team All-Ohio (2010)…First Team All-District (2010)…First Team All-Toledo Blade (2010)…First Team All-Toledo City League (2010)…Second Team All-Toledo City League (2009)…Second Team All-District (2009)…Second Team All-Toledo Blade (2009).
Coach Keys Quote - "Smart offensive lineman with size and quickness. His athleticism is a plus."
Jesse Slone
Hometown – Oak Hill, Ohio
Previous School – Oak Hill High School
Position – QB
Height, Weight – 6'4, 200
Bio Information – First Team All-Ohio (2009)…Second Team All-Ohio (2010)…First Team All-Greater Miami Conference (2009-10)…7,000 career total yards…60 career touchdown passes.
Coach Keys Quote - "A gunslinger with an impressive high school resume. Big time competitor. A Winner!"
Matt Spragg
Hometown – Findlay, Ohio
Previous School – Findlay High School
Position – QB
Height, Weight – 6'3, 220
Bio Information – First Team All-Greater Buckeye Conference (2009-10)…1,687 passing yards and 21 touchdowns (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "Commanding field general with poise and confidence. Strong arm, as well a powerful runner."
D.J. Williams
Hometown – Akron, Ohio
Previous School – Akron St. Vincent St. Mary High School
Position – DL
Height, Weight – 6'2, 300
Bio Information – First Team All-Northeast District (2010)…First Team All-Summit County.
Coach Keys Quote - "Superior quickness and explosion. A prototypical defensive tackle. Will be an immediate impact."
Colton Griffis
Hometown – Sunbury, Ohio
Previous School – Marshall University/Big Walnut High School
Position – OL
Height, Weight – 6'5, 330
Bio Information – First Team All-Ohio Capital Conference (2008-09).
Coach Keys Quote - "A massive offensive lineman that will look to step in now. Moves very well for a big guy."
Derrick Mason
Hometown – West Bloomfield, Michigan
Previous School – West Bloomfield High School
Position – DB, LB
Height, Weight – 6'1, 190
Bio Information – Was a two-star recruit according to scout.com…Won two letters…80 tackles (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A fast and rangy linebacker that is very aggressive. Has a nose for the ball."
Tim Szabo
Hometown – Dayton, Ohio
Previous School – Chaminade-Julienne High School
Position – WR
Height, Weight – 6'1, 185
Bio Information – Second Team All-Ohio (2010)…Greater Catholic League Receiver of the Year (2010)…First Team All-GCL (2010)…First Team All-Southwest District.
Coach Keys Quote - "A dynamic receiver that can make the tough catch as well as the big play."
Adam Rosendale
Hometown – Rawson, Ohio
Previous School – Cory Rawson High School
Position – LB
Height, Weight – 6'1, 190
Bio Information – First Team All-Blanchard Valley Conference (2010-defense)…Second Team All-BVC (2010-offense)…Second Team All-District (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A tough, hard hitter that is always around the ball. Can make plays with his speed and quickness."
Austin Everhart
Hometown – Ada, Ohio
Previous School – Ada High School
Position – K
Height, Weight – 5'10, 180
Bio Information – Second Team All-Northwest Conference (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "An athlete that played wide receiver in high school. Has the tools to develop into a great kicker."
Colby Salyer
Hometown – McGuffey, Ohio
Previous School – Upper Scioto Valley High School
Position – WR
Height, Weight – 6'2, 185
Bio Information – First Team All-Northwest Central Conference (2008-10).
Coach Keys Quote - "A tall wide receiver that has great hands. Attacks the ball to make the catch."
Zach Housholder
Hometown – Kendallville, Indiana
Previous School – East Noble High School
Position – K
Height, Weight – 5'10, 190
Bio Information – Honorable Mention All-Indiana (2010)…First Team All-Conference (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "An accurate kicker with the leg strength to compete a freshman."
Peter Fields
Hometown – Kenersville, North Carolina
Previous School – Bishop McGuinness High School
Position – TE
Height, Weight – 6'6, 215
Bio Information – First Team All-Conference (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A tall and long tight end with super hands. Will create match-up problems for opposing defenses."
Josh Good
Hometown – Norwalk, Ohio
Previous School – Western Reserve High School
Position – K
Height, Weight – 5'9, 220
Bio Information – First Team All-Firelands Conference...Set an Ohio High School record with 123 PAT's…5 field goals (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "Has a very strong leg. He can be a very effective kickoff specialist."
Grant Evans
Hometown – Lansing, Michigan
Previous School – Waverly High School
Position – LB
Height, Weight – 5'11, 235
Bio Information – First Team All-Conference (2010)…8 sacks (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A high motor pass rusher that gets to the quarterback. Tough hard-nosed player."
Justin Wray
Hometown – Lansing, Michigan
Previous School – Waverly High School
Position – QB
Height, Weight – 6'5, 220
Bio Information – Honorable Mention All-Conference (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A good athlete that can be a threat with both his arm and running ability."
Robert Guyton
Hometown – Ada, Ohio
Previous School – Ada High School
Position – OL
Height, Weight – 6'2, 285
Bio Information – Third Team All-Ohio (2010)…First Team All-Northwest Conference (2009-10-offense)…First Team All-Northwest Conference (2010-defense)…Second Team All-Northwest Conference (2009-defense)…First Team All-District (2010)…Second Team All-District (2009).
Coach Keys Quote - "Tough offensive lineman that plays through the whistle. Finishes blocks."
D.J. Marrah
Hometown – Minerva, Ohio
Previous School – Minerva High School
Position – ATH/QB
Height, Weight – 5'11, 185
Bio Information – Honorable Mention All-Ohio (2010)…First Team All-Conference (2009-10).
Coach Keys Quote - "Extremely gifted athlete that can line up in any skill role. Plays with passion."
Caden Chapman
Hometown – Tiffin, Ohio
Previous School – Columbian High School
Position – DE
Height, Weight – 6'2, 230
Bio Information – First Team All-Northern Ohio League (2010)...First Team All-District (2010)...Honorable Mention All-Ohio (2010)...59 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss (2010).
Coach Keys Quote - "A strong and relentless player on defense. Plays with a nasty attitude."