Tiffin University Dragon Football

NCAA Division II

GLIAC

2008 Letter of Intent Signings

Head Football Coach – Nate Cole

Office Phone - 419-448-3331

Email - ncole@tiffin.edu

Tiffin University Dragons Football Head Coach Nate Cole announces a 2008 recruiting class of 23 student-athletes joining the Dragons program. The student-athletes include 6 transfers and 17 H.S. freshmen signing National Letters of Intent. The class is made up of recruits from 3 states: 18 from Ohio, 2 from Michigan, and 1 from Tennessee.  The class is full of outstanding players, and addresses the needs for the Dragons in the near future. By position the Dragons signed 4 Linebackers, 3 Offensive Lineman, 3 Defensive Lineman, 1 Tight End, 1 Full Back, 1Tail Back, 2 Quarterbacks, 4 Wide-Receivers, and 4 Defensive Backs.  The class is filled with All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference players.  Coach Nate Cole stated, “We are very pleased with this recruiting class. We were able to sign some very talented student-athletes and some fine young men.”   Tiffin University is coming off a fantastic 2007 season in which they finished the season with a 9-2 record, won the Great Lakes Football Conference title, and were ranked as high as 20th  in the nation.  Cole stated, “Obviously winning 19 football games over the past 2 seasons and being ranked so high in the Coaches poll brought a lot of attention to our program and that really helped us in recruiting this fine class.”  The Dragons are looking to make another run at a successful season, but understand that their first season as a member of the GLIAC is going to challenge them early and often. The Dragons open the 2008 season with GLIAC foe Ferris State at home.  “We are hopeful that this class is able to address the specific needs we have and that they will give us depth at many positions on offense, defense, and special teams,” said Cole. “With the transfers and H.S. seniors we were able to land, we believe that this class helps us as we make the transition into the GLIAC. We understand the challenge that is in front of us and our coaches and players are ready to do the work that is needed in order for us to compete in the GLIAC.”

Letter of Intent Commitments and Transfers

Justin Burum

Offensive Line

6’5” 320lbs

Transfer - Mesabi Range JC, MN

H.S. Head Coach – Bruce Lussier

Hometown – Oak Ridge, TN

Parent – Margo Burum

Honors – H.S. All League Region, Junior College All-Conference

Quote from Coach Cole – “Justin is a great blocker and has great size which he uses to dominate the defense; we believe he fits the mold we are looking for in an offensive lineman.”

Matthew Talley

Fullback

6’0” 245lbs

Transfer – The Ohio State University

H.S. Head Coach – Tom Grine

Hometown – Fostoria, OH

Parents –  Thelema and Walter Talley

Honors – 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-League

Quote from Coach Cole – “Matt has the size, speed, and athletic ability to be a great runner/blocker or to catch the football out of the backfield.”

Michael Ryan  Baker

TE/LB

6’3” 225lbs

Transfer – Union College

H.S. Head Coach – Dick Ballard

Hometown – Ross, OH

Parents – Mike & Holy Baker

Honors – 1st Team All-League, Honorable Mention All-County

Quote from Coach Cole – “Great football player, tough, and a strong player, we believe that he can develop into an outstanding Tight End or LB, he will play where we have the greatest need for his skills.”

Mike Ryan

Quarterback

6’6” 225lbs

Transfer – Eastern Kentucky

H.S. Head Coach – Bill Borhen

Hometown – Warren, OH

Parents – James & Tina Ryan

Honors – 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team OH N.E., Honorable Mention All-State

Quote from Coach Cole – “Strong arm, great release, very accurate Quarterback.  Good command and execution of offensive schemes.”

Greg Raspberry

Wide-Receiver

6’3” 205lbs

Transfer – Northern Michigan

H.S. Head Coach – Dan Loria

Hometown – Pontiac, MI

Parents – Deborah Garrett and Gregory Raspberry Sr.

Honors –All- Conference, All-League, All-Midwestern, All-State

Quote from Coach Cole – “A very physical player, with great hands and solid college experience and proven success at the DII level.”

Brian Crowl

Offensive-Line

6’2” 275 lbs

Transfer – Ohio Dominican

H.S. – Head Coach Shane Jacoby

Hometown – Risingsun, OH

Parents – Mike & Michelle Crowl

Honors – All-League, All District

Quote from Coach Cole – “Brian is a fine offensive lineman and we believe that he will compete for playing time very quickly.”

Vyshawn Arnold

Running Back

5’10” 175lbs

Toledo Central Catholic HS

H.S. Head Coach – Greg Dempsey

Hometown – Toledo, OH

Parent – Antoinette Arnold

Honors – All-City, All District

Quote from Coach Cole – “Quick feet, great vision, hard to tackle, and he comes from a very successful program.”

Jarred Thomas Seaver

Offensive-Line

6’3” 285 lbs

St. Mary’s Memorial HS

H.S. Head Coach – Doug Frye

Hometown – St. Mary’s, OH

Parents – Chuck & Kim Seaver

Honors – All-MAC, All-WBL

Quote from Coach Cole – “Jarred is a very good Center and he will provide competition at that position from the start of camp.”

Marcus Mewhorter

Line-Backer

6’2” 225lbs

H.S. Mohawk

H.S. Head Coach – Erik Baker

Hometown – Fostoria, OH

Parents – Jodi Magnusson & Donovan Mewhorter

Honors – 2007 MAL Player of the Year, All-League, All-NCOFCA, All Ohio

Quote from Coach Cole – “Marcus is a hard hitting, tough, aggressive, and athletic football player, he will be a pleasure to coach.”

Brian Darden

Running Back/ Defensive Back

5’10” 210lbs

H.S. Bedford

H.S. Head Coach – John Gribbons

Hometown – Bedford, OH

Parents – Kelley Ferguson & Winston Darden

Honors – All-League, All District, Team Captain Offensive Co-MVP

Quote from Coach Cole – “Can play RB or DB, very good athlete, hard hitter with a lot of upside.  We believe he can make an immediate impact on special teams.”

Nathan Cross

Line-Backer

6’2” 220lbs

Antwerp HS

H.S. Head Coach – Drew Altimus

Hometown – Antwerp, OH

Parents – Bob & Marsha Cross

Honors – All-Conference, All County

Quote from Coach Cole – “Aggressive and physical, has a nose for the football, we hope he can bring depth to our group of LB’s.”

Kevin Michael McCaleb Jr.

Running Back/ Defensive Back

5’11” 190 lbs

Hometown - Ashtabula

H.S. Head Coach – Van McWreath

Hometown – Ashtabula, OH

Grandmother – Daphne Wilson

Honors – All-Conference, All County, All-District

Quote from Coach Cole – “Can play on either side of the ball, just a great all round football player, we think he can play a role on our team very quickly.”

Michael Herb

Quarterback

6’2” 195lbs

H.S. Keystone

H.S. Head Coach – Rob Clarico

Hometown – Lagrange, OH

Parents – David & Susan Cross

Honors – All-Conference, All County.

Quote from Coach Cole – “Solid QB with good skills, he will develop behind our starter and be ready to compete after his red-shirt year.”

Jeremy Snook

Offensive/Defensive – Line

6’2” 290

Milford HS

H.S.  Head Coach – Pat Fox / Jeff Hill

Hometown – Highland, MI

Parents – Shelly Snook & Gary Snook

Quote from Coach Cole – “Very good football player, can play O-line or D-Line, we are very pleased to have him in this recruiting class.”

Erik Kessler

Offensive/Defensive – Line

6’2” 250 lbs

H.S. – Seneca East

H.S. – Head Coach Frank Lamoreaux

Hometown – Attica, OH

Parents – Philip & Teresa Kessler

Quote from Coach Cole – “Can play offensive lineman or on the defensive side, has good skills as an overall football player.”

Tim Carpenter

Wide-Receiver

6’1” 175lbs

H.S. Thomas Worthington

H.S. Head Coach – Scott Gordon

Hometown – Worthington, OH

Parents – Kurt and Janene Carpenter

Quote from Coach Cole – “Good hands and route running ability, we look for him to get bigger and stronger in our program and to make us better at the WR position.”

Robert Olduker

Line-Backer

6’” 215lbs

H.S. Hopewell Loudon

H.S. Head Coach – Brian Colatruglio

Hometown – Fostoria, OH

Parents – Doug Olduker and Angie Cash

Honors – All-League, All-District, All Ohio

Quote from Coach Cole – “Fine LB - tackles very well, comes from a great successful HS program. He is a great addition to this recruiting class.”

Sheddrian Gilliard

Wide-Receiver/Defensive Back

6’1” 176lbs

H.S. Western Hills

H.S. Head Coach – Chris Mac Farland

Hometown – Cincinnati, OH

Parents – Jacqueline Baker & Anthony Henderson

Honors – Team MVP, Honorable Mention Football

Quote from Coach Cole – “A very good athlete, can run, jump, and explode in many types of different football plays.”

Austin House

Linebacker

6’2” 215lbs

H.S. Edgewood

H.S. Head Coach Steve Channell

Hometown – Seven Mile, OH

Parents – Bill & Christy House

Honors – ALL-League, All-County, All-SW OH, All State

Quote from Coach Cole – “Austin is a great LB, he defeats blocks well and runs to the football and makes tackles.”

Stephen Wells

Defensive Back

6’0” 180lbs

H.S. Hilliard Darby

H.S. Head Coach – Paul Jenne

Hometown –Hilliard, OH

Parent – Erika Williams

Honors – All- OCC, All District

Quote from Coach Cole – “Can play WR or DB, very good athlete, hard hitter with a lot of upside.  We believe he can make an immediate impact on special teams.”

Aace Johnson

Defensive-End

6’2” 240lbs

H.S. Sidney

H.S. Head Coach – Dan Cairns

Hometown – Sidney, OH

Parent – Della Johnson

Quote from Coach Cole –“Good pass rush skills and plays the run well, good quickness off the edge.”

Ben Boerner

Outside-Linebacker/Strong Safety

6’4” 185lbs

H.S. Lexington

H.S. Head Coach – BJ Payne

Hometown – Lexington, OH

Parents – Becky Cashell & Ken Boerner

Honors – 2007 All-OCC, All-NCOFCA

Quote from Coach Cole – “Very good athlete that can play Outside-Linebacker or Strong Safety, just makes plays all over the field and is an excellent long snapper.”

Zach Walk

Wide-Receiver

6’0” 180lbs

H.S. Geneva

H.S. Head Coach – Coach Hassett

Hometown – Austinburg, OH

Quote from Coach Cole – “Very good hands, great route running skills and is an overall sharp WR that can make plays.”

Jordan Forbes

Wide Receiver/Safety

6’4” 185lbs

H.S. Licking Heights

H.S. Head Coach – Darren Waters

Hometown – Columbus OH

Parents – Rea Jackson and Hadley Forbes

Honors – Two-time All-District

Benjamin Sutter

Center, Tackle/Def. Tackle

6’5” 270 lbs

H.S. Genoa

H.S. Head Coach – Mike Vicars

Hometown – Genoa OH

Parents – Martin and Amy Sutter

Honors – Second Team All-SLL, Hon. Mention All-District

Tim Brown

Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

5’10” 186lbs

H.S. Northland

H.S. Head Coach – Kevin Tooson

Hometown – Columbus OH

Parents – Felicia and Timothy Brown

Honors – First Team All-City Hon. Mention All-District