Albany State Golden Rams sign 13 football student athletes By Edythe Bradley Sports Information Director Thirteen high school football athletes signed National Letters of Intent to play football with the Albany State University (ASU) Golden Rams for the 2000 season, during the national initial signing day on Feb. 2, according to ASU football coaches. ASU head coach James "Mike" White says he is excited about the season and hopeful of the contributions the 2000 signess can make to the team. "We had a good recruiting season and were able to sign some good, solid guys to help us in some critical areas on the defensive side of the ball," White said. "With our new additions, we hope to carry on our winning tradition at Albany State." White said he expects to sign a few more athletes before the April 1 deadline. Albany State Signees Sterlie Calhoun OG 6-3 275 Camilla, GA Mitchell-Baker Walter Curry LB 6-3 245 Crescent City, FL Crescent City Donnie Davis QB 6-1 185 St. Petersburg, FL Lakewood Byron Doomes OT 6-5 330 Moultrie, GA Colquitt Travis Jackson CB 6-1 180 Phenix City, AL Central Demetrius Isom LB 6-0 225 Camilla, GA Mitchell-Baker Curtis Mathis DT 6-5 315 Vienna, GA Dooly County Thomas Outlaw LB 6-3 230 Sylvester, GA Worth County Tony Paulk LB 6-1 230 Ocilla, GA Irwin County Cody Pearson SS 6-2 200 Donalsonville, GA Seminole County Rafael Robinson OL 6-4 285 St. Petersburg, FL Lakewood Ronald Simmons OT 6-4 300 Cresent City, FL Crescent City Dewayne Walton DB 6-2 175 Dawson, GA Terrell County

Adkins comes back to guide Lumberjacks ARCATA, CA --- Former Humboldt State defensive coordinator Doug Adkins has been selected as the Lumberjacks' head football coach, HSU Director of Athletics Mike Swan announced. The announcement concludes a nationwide search that began in early December when former head coach Fred Whitmire left the position. Adkins will assume his new duties immediately. "We've achieved our goal in of selecting an individual that not only reflects our focus on academic success but also embodies a strong athletic tradition," Swan said. "The selection committee has made this process a successful one through their timely work, diligence and understanding of the program's needs." "The commitment of Mike Swan and the other administrators to reestablishing a strong football program is impressive," Adkins said. "The program's potential was very appealing to me in applying for this position." Most recently a defensive line coach at NCAA Division IA Nevada-Reno, Adkins returns to the program he helped build into a nationally respected defensive unit in the early 90s. From 1990 to 1994 Adkins' "Green Chain" defense led the Northern California Athletic Conference in every category, contributing to Humboldt's first NCAC title in 1994. Before coming to Humboldt for his initial stint, Adkins was the defensive coordinator at Oregon Institute of Technology from 1989-1990 and served in the same role at Central Washington University from 1984-1989. He was offensive line coach at Wenatchee Valley College from 1972 to 1974 and at Central Washington from 1971 to 1973. After leaving Humboldt in 1994, Adkins helped guide Nevada-Reno to consecutive appearances in the Las Vegas Bowl. During his 18-year coaching career, Adkins has been associated with 14 league championship teams, four unbeaten teams and five that have advanced to their respective national playoffs. "The biggest immediate challenge will be instilling confidence and discipline in the players," Adkins said. "We'll go back to basics and address those issues first and foremost."

Young takes over Panhandle State Aggies By Jessica Lofland Collegian Editor Oklahoma Panhandle State University wasted no time in finding a new coach to lead the Aggie Football Team into the next century when Ralph Young accepted the position of head coach of the Aggies during the winter break. Coach Young comes to Panhandle with 25 years of coaching experience. He has coached at every level but the NFL, including several years as a head coach at the NCAA Division II and III level. Most recently, Young led the Duluth Lumberjack of the Indoor Professional League in Minnesota. Prior to his position with the Lumberjacks, Coach Young served as head football coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. Under Young's charge, Westminster finished the 1998 with a 9-1 record and led the Division III rankings with the number one offense. He was latter elected as Conference Coach of the Year. Coach Young describes himself as a "wide-open coach who likes to open the game up as allowable by the players we have." He runs a derivative of the West Coast Offense and enjoys throwing the ball. He believes that the high risk and attractiveness of a passing offense brings interest, fans, high power and high energy to the game. "I am not a conservative coach," commented Young. Young believes that defensively, the Aggies need to continue to get stronger and to build on their strengths. Although Young has earned a reputation due to his offensive tactics, his background lies in defense. He served as the defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois University. "I want the football players under my tenure to be known as students first, then athletes," added Coach Young. He plans to focus recruiting efforts on the states of Oklahoma and Texas, both of which have a strong tradition of legendary high school football.

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COGER SIGNS WITH WEST ALABAMA by Kevin Graber LIVINGSTON, AL --- The University of West Alabama has added another prospect to its growing list of football signees. WR Warren Coger has officially committed to playl for the Tigers next season. Coger (6-1, 192) was an Honorable Mention All-State and All-County wideout at Oakman (Ala.) High School, where he led the Wildcats to a 7-3 record as a senior. He finished his prep career with 2,113 rushing yards, 821 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns. Other Tiger football signees as of 2/4/00 are: Warren Coger WR 6-1 192 Oakman HS/Oakman, AL; Anthony Anderson DB 5-9 185 Blount HS/Mobile, AL; Chad Borden LB 6-1 195 Walker HS/Jasper, AL; Anthony Phillips LB 6-0 210 Jackson HS/ /Jackson, AL; Tyler Ross OL 6-2 235 Davidson HS/Mobile, AL; Lorenzo Adams DE 6-2 239 Luverne HS/Luverne, AL; Cedric Hollis DL 6-0 317 Dothan HS/ Dothan, AL; LaDarian Johnson DB 5-11 190 Newton HS/Newton, MS; DeWayne May DL 6-1 241 Dothan HS/Dothan, AL; Brent Cleveland DB 5-10 170 Jeff Davis HS/ Montgomery, AL; Nekylah Daughtry LB 6-1 225 Alma Bryant HS/Grand Bay, AL; Randall Jones LB 6-1 200 Wetumpka HS/ Wetumpka, AL; Louis Pollack DB 5-11 188 Alma Bryant High School/Theodore AL; Sedrick Ingram DL 6-4 280 Pearl River CC/ Forest City, MS; Rayshaun Bradley RB 5-9 180 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa HS/Tuscaloosa, AL; David Cherry RB 5-9 180 Demopolis HS/Demopolis, AL; Tracy Eatmon FB 5-8 180 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa HS/Tuscaloosa, AL; Samuel Gilliland QB 5-10 180 Escambia HS/Pensacola, FL; Deddrick Roberson OL 6-5 300 Northview HS/Dothan, AL; J.R. Samuel OL 5-10 290 Tuscaloosa County HS/Tuscaloosa, AL; Jerry Washington RB 5-8 180 Oak Grove HS/Hattiesburg, MS; Jason Watkins FB 5-9 227 Hillcrest- Evergreen HS/Repton, AL

Married couple from Ricks JC Among Five Eastern WashingtonRecruits by Dave Cook CHENEY, WA---Married Dec. 18, 1999, Chris Felder and Robyn Sonju-Felder will transfer from Ricks Junior College to Eastern Washington and compete for the Eagle football and volleyball squads. Three other signees are football players, bringing the total number of recruits announced thus far to 20. They include Hawaii All-State DB Roger Majit-Gorian, Spanaway Lake High School OL Paul Whatley and Phoenix College WR David O'Hara. Eastern still expects to sign a quarterback. The Felders were members of Ricks College teams that were nationally-ranked and impressive winners. In their two years at Ricks, located in Rexburg, Idaho, the football and volleyball teams were a collective 92-27 for a winning percentage of .773. Last fall, those same two sports at Eastern were a collective 31-12 (.721). Chris Felder is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end for Ricks used mostly in blocking situations. "He was a backup at Ricks, but he's a big player and a really good athlete," Eagle head coach Paul Wulff said. "He can give us some immediate help at the TE position. We like to get into our three TE sets, and he gives us a third tight end to do those things." Roger Majit-Gorian was selected by the Honolulu Advertiser as one of the top 20 seniors in Hawaii, earning All-State and all-conference honors. He led the team in tackles with 142 and sacks with 18. He had four interceptions and returned four kicks for touchdowns and was defensive MVP. Paul Whatley was a first team All-South Puget Sound League South Division selection at OG, helping lead his team to a 7-3 record and the school's first post- season playoff berth. David O'Hara played last year at Phoenix College in Arizona after graduaing in 1999 from Cortez High School in Phoenix

Western Washington signs JC All-American and State 2A Player of the Year by Paul Madison BELLINGHAM, WA --- Three more players, including a junior college All-American and a Washington State High School Player of the Year, have signed national letters of intent to attend Western Washington, head football coach Rob Smith announced. The three are Luke Byrnes, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound junior OL from Yuba College CA; Jeff Bennum, a QB who led Meridian High School near Bellingham to the Washington Class 2A state Championship, and David Law, an all-league WR at Pullman High School. The signings bring Western's total to 12. Nine other letter of intent signings were announced earlier this week. Byrnes, who sat out last season, was a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American in 1998 at Yuba, where he was one of the primary blockers for current Western running back Giorgio Usai, who ran for 2,473 yards that season, the second-highest total in collegiate history at any level. Byrnes' dominance was so impressive he was named Offensive MVP of the Bay Valley Conference. He also received all-league honors as a freshman. Byrnes played high school football at Lewis & Clark High in Spokane, where he was a two-year starter. "Luke is someone we were very interested in a year ago and it didn't work out," said Smith. "The offensive line was not one of our focus areas in this year's recruiting, but when you have someone of his talent, you have to move on that." Bennum was the Associated Press Class 2A Player of the Year and was named all-state quarterback for all classifications by the Tacoma News Tribune as he led Meridian to a 13-0 record and the school's first state championship. Bennum threw for 3,157 yards and 45 touchdowns, completing 67.6 percent of his passes, and ran for another nine touchdowns. Bennum completed 28 of 33 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans' 57-14 state championship game victory over East Valley. "I know it was a very difficult decision for Jeff to make and we're very happy to get him," said Smith. "We've kind of watched him grow up, playing so close by and attending our summer camp the last few years. He's a very talented athlete." Law was a Great Northern League all-star at Pullman, making 35 catches for 760 yards and 12 touchdowns. Selected to play in the East-West all-star game and in the Down Under Bowl in Australia, he helped the Greyhounds to an 11-1 record and the semifinals of the Class 2A state playoffs. Law's sister, Kathy, was an All American race walker at Western in 1996.

Bemidji State Signs Football Talent by Ron Christian BEMIDJI, MN--Beaver head coach Jeff Tesch and the Bemidji State football staff have ventured North, South, East and West in their recruiting efforts, and have amassed a bevy of quality talent in their 2000 football recruiting class. The Beavers have received commitments from 14 student-athletes to attend Bemidji State. "We are very excited about our year 2000 recruiting class," said BSU head football coach Jeff Tesch, "and we were very pleased to fill some holes and needs in the program. The athletes we brought in this year are not only great athletes, but great student-athletes, half of them are honor roll students," said Tesch. The Beavers focused their recruiting efforts on the defensive backfield and defensive line areas. "These recruits have the ability to come in and make an impact, and help us compete for a conference championship," added Tesch. The Beavers tied for second in the NSIC with a 6-2 record last season and an 8-3 mark overall. The signees are Brian Bell, DB, 6-0, 180 Port Arthur, TX (Sam Houston State University) who joins the Beavers after two years at Iowa Central Community College, and one redshirt season at Sam Houston State University; Bryan Stoffel, OL, 6-2, 290 St. Paul, MN (Humbolt HS) who redshirted at North Dakota State in 1998; Jason Smith, QB, 6-2, 200 O'Fallon, IL (O'Fallon HS) who is a strong armed passer; Todd Geiger, DE, 6-4, 210 Moorhead, MN (Moorhead HS), a strong pass rusher; Ryan Anderson, FB, 6-1, 205 Moorhead, MN (Moorhead HS) who joins the Beavers along with teammate Todd Geiger from Moorhead High School; Mitch Feierabend, LB, 6-1, 200 Brainerd, MN (Brainerd HS), solid run stopper; T.J. Rokke, DB, 5-10, 175 Fargo, ND (Fargo South HS) who was selected to the North Dakota All State football team; Kyle Ranbow, DB, 6-0, 190 Cologne, MN (Waconia HS), a versatile athlete; Justin Oakland, LB, 6-2, 200 Brownsdale, MN (Hayfield HS) who was selected to the All Hiawatha Conference Team; Rob Kucher, WR, 6-0, 175 Brooklyn Center, MN (Champlin Park HS) an All Twin City Suburban Conference selection; Zack Stoltz, DL, 6-1, 280 Mahtomedi, MN (Mahtomedi HS) who was selected All Metro Alliance Conference; Charlie Gerszewski, LB, 6-0, 190 Mayville, ND (Mayville-Portland HS), a member of the North Dakota All-State team; Seth Fitzsimmons, QB, 6-1, 200 Watertown, WI (Watertown Lutheran HS) who was a two time All Parkland conference selection was an Honorable Mention All State selection.

St. Cloud State Announces Football Signees by Tom Nelson St. Cloud, MN -- St. Cloud State University football coach Randy Hedberg has announced the signing of 25 student-athletes to North Central Conference and national letters of intent for the upcoming 2000 season. The Huskies completed their 1999 season with a 3-8 overall record and a 1-8 record in the always rugged North Central Conference. St. Cloud State competes in the North Central Conference, recognized as one the nation's premiere NCAA D II football conference. Teams from the NCC have won the NCAA Division II national title seven times since 1983. 2000 St. Cloud State University Football Signees Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown/High School Todd Baran 6-1 215 RB Apple Valley/Apple Valley HS Ryan Battani 5-11 185 DB Chanhassen/Minnetonka HS Ricky Beeson 6-4 245 DL Detroit Lakes/Detroit Lakes Charlie Cosgrove 6-3 235 LB Minneapolis/Washburn HS Matt Darling 6-1 235 LB Sartell/Sartell HS Luke Dorsey 5-11 195 RB Apple Valley/Apple Valley HS Ron Dox 6-1 200 LB St. Paul/Cretin-Derham-Hall HS Ryan Driscoll 6-0 170 WR Mahtomedi/Mahtomedi HS Tim Greene 5-11 180 RB/DB Markesan, WI/Markesan HS Clint Grundahl 6-5 240 OL Foley/Foley HS Matt Hammernik 6-2 220 LB Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek HS Kyle Heckendorf 6-1 175 WR Mosinee, Wis./Mosinee HS Matt Henry 6-3 280 OL Eau Claire, Wis./North HS Jason Koch 6-1 190 DB Madison, Wis./LaFollette HS Wilbert Mabon 6-0 175 DB Minneapolis/Edison HS Drew Marquesen 6-3 225 LB Wayzata/Hopkins HS Brett Maxwell 6-1 220 LB Spring Green, WI/River ValleyHS Jim McCarville 6-3 285 OL Iola, WI./Iola-Scandinavia HS Cory McLouden 6-3 295 OL Minnetonka/Hopkins HS Mike OíHara 6-4 225 TE St. Paul/Cretin-Derham-Hall HS Tom Stanger 6-2 248 DL Becker/Becker HS Kyle Stapleton 6-3 225 DE River Falls, WI/River Falls HS Ryan Treu 6-0 185 DB Schofield, Wis./D.C. Everest HS Casey Van Winkle 6-5 235 DE Aberdeen, S.D./AberdeenHS Adam Williams 6-6 235 DE Franklin/Cedar Mountain HS

CARSON-NEWMAN FOOTBALL HAS 15 COMMITTMENTS JEFFERSON CITY, TN --- The Carson-Newman Eagles had committments from 15 student-athletes on the first signing day of this year. The group included five players from Florida and two of the top players from Tennessee- Shane Kelley and Jermaine Harris. Jermaine Harris, a 5-10, 175 pound RB/WR/KR attends Tyner H.S. in Chattanooga, TN. He was the 1999 AA Mr. Football Offensive Back of the Year, a Two-time All-State, Three-time All-City, Three-time All-Region as well as Chattanooga All-City MVP. As a senior he carried the ball 119 churning out 1,251 yards rushing while scoring 18 touchdowns. He connected on 68-of-108 attempts, picking up 1,502 yards through the air including 10 touchdowns. He returned two punts for touchdowns, recorded six interceptions and 64 tackles while playing safety on the defensive side of the ball. His high school team was ranked number one in Tennessee for most of the season Shane Kelley, 5-11, 185,QB, Sevier Co. H.S. Sevierville, TN who was an Associated Press and Tennessee Sports Writers Assciation first team All-State selection; Gene Johnson, 6-2, 185, WR, Morristown H.S. Morristown, TN, a First team All-State choice and IMAC Player of the Year; Eric Charles, 6-3, 210, DE, Miami Central H.S. Miami, FL; Downy Belidor, 6-0, 210, SS/OLB, Miami Central H.S. Miami, FL; Theodore Richardson, 6-2, 175, WR, Miami Central H.S. Miami, FL; Craig Harvey, 6-1, 205, LB, Miami Central H.S. Miami, FL; Robert Tebow, 6-2, 215, OLB, Trinity H.S. Jacksonville, FL; Jon Genua, 6-0, 185, K/DB, Damascus H.S. Damascus, MD, the Washington Post Kicker of the Year; Matt Shular, 6-2, 225, LB/FB, Seymour H.S. Seymour, TN; Ben Morris, 6-2, 285, OL/DL, Seymour H.S. Seymour, TN; Nick Sutton, 6-2, 190, WR, Franklin H.S. Franklin, NC; Rodney Morris, 5-11, 205, RB/LB, Franklin H.S. Franklin, NC; Chad Hughes, 6-1, 225, LB, New Mexico JC, Seneca, SC; Lenier Little, 5-11, 190, LB, Cleveland H.S. Cleveland, TN. The second day, National Letters of Intent were signed by Matt Shuler, 6-2, 225, LB/FB, Seymour H.S. Seymour, TN, a Tennessee Sports Writers Association first team All-State honoree; Ben Morris, 6-3, 285, OL/DL, Seymour H.S. Seymour, TN, a Tennessee Sports Writers Assoc. and Associated Press first team All-State selection; Avery Blue, 6-2, 190, DB, Soddy-Daisy H.S. Soddy-Daisy, TN, and Franchel Gaitor, 6-4, 280, Northwestern H.S. Miami, FL.