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Mules announce signing of 29 student-athletes

The University of Central Missouri Mules football squad announced its 2008 class today. The list includes 19 high school student-athletes and 10 transfers that will wear the Cardinal and Black next season.

“We feel really good about the kids coming back on our football team, plus we added some good transfer players to provide some immediate help.” Said Mules Head Coach Willie Fritz, “We also signed an excellent group of high school players, particularly in the offensive line and defensive back areas, where we needed more depth.”

Following is a complete list of the Mules’ 2008 Football Signees:

Dan Boan – Defensive Back

6-1  *  200  *  Freshman

Overland Park, Kan.  *  Blue Valley West H.S.

Head Coach:  Scott Wright – Boan led the Kansas 5A state champion Blue Valley West squad in tackles last season with 78… The team’s defensive player of the year, he had five sacks, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries… he earned first-team All-East Kansas League honors at linebacker and honorable mention all-state honors as well… also a second-team All-Johnson County selection by the Kansas City Star… will also be in the honors college at UCM.

Kody Boles – Offensive Line

6-3  *  270  *  Freshman

Lee’s Summit, Mo.  *  Lee’s Summit West H.S.

Head Coach:  Royce Boehm – Helped Lee’s Summit West to a perfect 14-0 record and a Missouri 4A state title in 2007… He earned second-team all-conference and all-district honors as a senior as well on the offensive line… also boasts a 3.3 grade-point average.

Kyle Brodbeck – Offensive Lineman

6-3  *  305  *  Junior

Fort Walton Beach, Fla.  *  Eastern Arizona C.C.

Head Coach: John O’Mera – Helped lead Eastern Arizona to a 10-2 overall record last season and one of the best rushing attacks in the Western States Football League… was a teammate of current Mules running back Glenn Milner at Eastern Arizona… attended Fort Walton Beach High School.

Ryan Brooks  – Offensive Line

6-2  *  290  *  Junior

Upper Marlboro, Md.  *  Reedley J.C. (Calif.)

Head Coach: Michael White – An All-Valley Conference pick on the offensive line, he started at both guard and tackle during his career… helped Reedley to an 8-3 record as a sophomore.

David Cannon – Defensive Back

6-2  *  205  *  Freshman

St. Louis, Mo. *  Hazelwood East H.S.

Head Coach: Corey Johnson – An All-Suburban North Conference pick at tight end and defensive end, he was also a team captain… a three-sport athlete, he was honorable mention all-conference as a junior for the basketball squad and a member of the third place 1,600-meter relay team at the state track meet… he also ran a 49.2 in the 400 as a junior.

Danny Carroll – Defensive Back

5-9  *  175  *  Freshman-Tr

Warrensburg, Mo.  *  Missouri Western State University

Redshirted last season for Missouri Western… went to Warrensburg High School prior to that, earning first-team all-conference honors three times and first-team all-district honors as a senior… played for head coach Guy Albert and tied the state record for blocked punts with nine in his career.

Lyle Cox– Quarterback

6-1  *  190  *  Freshman

Waynesville, Mo.  *  Waynesville H.S.

Head Coach: Rick Vernon (former Mules football player) – Led Waynesville to the Missouri 5A state title last season and went 31-2 as the starting quarterback there… he completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards and nine touchdowns… a mobile quarterback, he ran for 556 yards and eight touchdowns as well… clocked at 4.46 in the 40 at the Scout.com All-American Combine… a first-team All-Central Missouri, All-Ozark Conference, and all-state pick last season, he also earned high school All-American honors as a quarterback/athlete… Cox was also invited to several all-star games, including the High School All-American Bowl Classic in Jackson, Miss.

Tony Farias – Defensive End

6-3  *  230  *  Freshman

Mission, Texas  *  Sharyland H.S.

Head Coach:  Fred Sanchez – A first-team all-district 30 defensive end in Texas class 5A, he was also selected second-team All-Valley… was selected defensive player of the week on two occasions during his senior season while being picked as a pre-season first-team all-region IV player… also earned a chance to represent South Texas on the King Kameahmeah Pigskin Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii… also received an invitation to play in the Texas All-Star Football Game in Hawaii… received honorable mention all-district honors as a junior as well.

Logan Freeman – Offensive Line

6-3  *  275  *  Freshman

Jefferson City, Mo.  *  Helias H.S.

Head Coach: Chris Hentges – A first-team all-district pick as both a junior and senior on both the offensive and defensive line… he was an all-state selection by the Missouri Coaches Association on the defensive line and made the Central Missouri All-Area Team as well… also boasts a 580-pound squat and a 370-power clean.

Kyson Ginavan – Defensive Back/Wide Receiver

5-10  *  170  *  Freshman

Olathe, Kan.  *  Olathe South H.S.

Head Coach: Mark Littrell – A two-way player at Olathe South, he recorded five interceptions, 105 tackles, and nine pass break-ups as a defensive back and had 41 grabs for 639 yards and seven touchdowns at wideout… he also averaged 31 yards per punt return and was named the Metro Sports All-Purpose Player of the Year… helped his squad to the Kansas 6A state title game… Ginavan was a two-time All-Sunflower League pick at defensive back and once at wide receiver… he was a first-team All-Sun Country and All-Johnson County defensive back, earning Top 11 Elite Team for all classes by the Wichita Eagle… he was also a first-team all-state and all-metro pick on defense… Sister Kelsi played soccer at UCM… his father Bob is the defensive coordinator at Olathe South.

Zain Gower – Tailback

5-7  *  170  *  Sophomore

Warrensburg, Mo.  *  Northern State University (S.D.)

Played his freshman season for the Wolves, rushing for 181 yards on 56 attempts and a touchdown... attended Warrensburg High School, playing for head coach Guy Albert… recorded more than 2,500 yards as a junior and senior, scoring 14 touchdowns as a junior and 20 as a senior… he was named the conference player of the year as a junior as well… also named to the all-district, all-state, and KMZU Dream Team two times… was selected as the KMZU Offensive Player of the Year in 4A as a senior as well.

Bobby Guillory – Tailback/Wide Receiver

5-10  *  175  *  Junior

Vallejo, Calif.  *  Solano C.C. (Calif.)

Head Coach: Floyd Burnsed – A two-sport athlete, Guillory was an all-conference running back as both a freshman and sophomore at Solano… he also ran track, logging a 10.32 in the 100-meters, a 20.89 in the 200-meters, and a 47.35 in the 400-meters… he was also a teammate of current Mules offensive lineman Craig Harrison at Solano… went to Bethel High School, playing for head coach Jeff Turner… while there, he played quarterback, rushing for 1,298 yards as a senior and earning all-league and all-region honors three times… also named the Vallejo Times-Herald Athlete of the year in 2005 and 2006, helping his squad to three conference titles… on the track there, he took seventh in the state 100-meters and eighth in the state 200-meters.

Colin Hanna – Defensive Back

5-10  *  195  *  Freshman

Maryland Heights, Mo.  *  Pattonville H.S.

Head Coach: Doug Newton – A first-team All-Suburban North Conference quarterback, he helped his squad to the Class 6 state semifinals as a senior… a team captain as well, he passed for 1,217 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,050 yards and 11 scores (5.7 yards per carry)… also a two-year starter on the basketball court, he was a Suburban North preseason all-conference pick… boasts a 3.8 grade-point average and is a member of the honor roll.

Jordan Hofer – Punter

5-10  *  215  *  Junior

Streamwood, Ill.  *  Harper C.C. (Ill.)

Head Coach: Dragan Teonic – Played one season for Harper, earning first-team All-Midwest Conference and first-team Region IV… also an honorable mention NJCAA All-American, he averaged 40.4 yards a punt and downed 10 inside the 20 yard line as a sophomore.

Josh Holbert – Defensive Back

6-1  *  175  *  Freshman

Overland Park, Kan.  *  Blue Valley Northwest H.S.

Head Coach: Mike Zegunis – Played linebacker, defensive back, and wide receiver at Blue Valley Northwest, earning letters in his final two campaigns… the team captain for the Huskies, he was selected to the All-East Kansas first-team and was honorable mention all-metro and all-class at linebacker… was named his team’s defensive MVP with a school-record 140 tackles (75 solo, 65 assisted), 10 for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles… he will also be in the honors college at UCM.

Matt Jordan – Punter

6-0  *  195  *  Freshman

Ozark, Mo.  *  Ozark H.S.

Head Coach: Chris Allison – Led Ozark to the Missouri 4A state semifinals as a senior, earning first-team all-conference, all-district, All-Ozark, and all state as a punter and defensive back… also played quarterback, throwing for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns… he averaged 40.2 yards per punt and picked off six passes as a defensive back while ranking third on the team in tackles… a three-sport athlete, he averages 10 points a game in basketball and was an all-conference pitcher, going 5-0 as a junior for the baseball team… he also maintains a 3.72 grade-point average.

Hulas King – Defensive Line

6-2  *  290  *  Freshman

Florissant, Mo.  *  McCluer North H.S.

Head Coach: Jim Schottmueller – played on the offensive and defensive line for McCluer North, earning All-Suburban North Conference for both as a senior… also a first-team All-St. Louis Metro and Missouri all-state pick on the offensive line… a letterman for the basketball team, he was a member of the Missouri State Championship team as a junior.

Evan Knight – Linebacker

6-1  *  215  *  Freshman

Maryland Heights, Mo.  *  Pattonville H.S.

Head Coach: Doug Newton – A first-team All-Suburban North Conference linebacker, he also earned first-team All-St. Louis Metro and Class 6 all-state honors… the team captain, he helped his squad to the state semifinals as a senior… recorded 163 total tackles, 11 for loss, and had three sacks, fumble recoveries, and interceptions… also an honor roll student with a 3.6 grade-point average.

Phillip Lashley – Defensive Back

5-10  *  175  *  Freshman

St. Clair, Mo.  *  St. Clair H.S.

Head Coach: John Butler – Was selected first-team all-district, all area, and all-conference at free safety as a sophomore, junior, and senior… he was also named third team all-state as a sophomore and second-team all-state as a junior… Lashley was also the defensive most valuable player for his squad.

Patrick Lewis – Defensive Back

6-0  *  190  *  Freshman

Kansas City, Mo.  *  Park Hill H.S.

Head Coach:  Greg Reynolds (UCM alumnus) – A Missouri class 5A all-district team selection, he was also a first-team pick to the all-conference, All-Northland, and all-metro squads as a senior… He racked up 94 tackles and had three interceptions during his final campaign as well… also boasts a 3.5 grade-point average.

Mike Manternach – Offensive Line

6-3  *  300  *  Junior

Blue Grass, Iowa.  *  Iowa Central C.C.

Head Coach: Kevin Twait – Helped Iowa Central to an 18-4 record in his two seasons there, earning honorable mention Region XI on the offensive line as a freshman… as a sophomore he grabbed first-team Region XI and second-team Junior College All-American honors as the team captain… attended Davenport Assumption High School, playing for head coach Wade King.

Chris Mason – Linebacker

6-0  *  215  *  Freshman

Columbia, Mo.  *  Columbia Hickman H.S.

Head Coach: Jason Wright – A two-year starter and two-year team captain at Hickman… Mason ranked fifth on the squad in tackles as a senior and racked up 11 sacks for his career.

Darien McKee-Linzie – Defensive Back

5-11  *  210  *  Freshman

Lee’s Summit, Mo.  *  Lee’s Summit West H.S.

Head Coach: Royce Boehm – Helped Lee’s Summit West to a perfect 14-0 season and a Missouri 4A state title as a senior… logged 72 tackles, three sacks, and a couple interceptions last season, including one that was returned for a touchdown… earned all-conference and all-state in both his junior and senior seasons as well.

Bryce Murray – Defensive End

6-3  *  215  *  Freshman

Shawnee, Kan.  *  Shawnee Mission Northwest H.S.

Head Coach: Aaron Barnett – A first-team all-state selection, he earned a selection to the Johnson County All-Star Team as a senior… a second-team All-Sunflower League pick, he also grabbed honorable mention All-Sun Country on the defensive line… helped lead Shawnee Mission Northwest to the Sunflower League title, finishing his career with more than 117 tackles and 11 sacks.

Ovie Oghenejobo – Defensive Back

6-1  *  200  *  Freshman

Raytown, Mo.  *  Raytown H.S.

Head Coach: Ken Clemens – A second-team all-conference pick at Raytown, he recorded 47 tackles and two interceptions last season… he maintains a 3.2 grade-point average and was selected as his school’s homecoming king.

Mark Schroeder – Offensive Line

6-3  *  265  *  Freshman

Jefferson City, Mo.  *  Jefferson City H.S.

Head Coach: Ted LePage – An all-district offensive lineman and two-year starter at Jefferson City, he was a member of the four-lift 1,100 pound club as a sophomore and the three-lift 1,000 pound club as a junior and senior… he maintains a 4.02 grade-point average and was the Rotary Student of the Month as a senior… also elected to attend the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. during his senior spring season… he will be in the honors college at UCM as well… both of his parents graduated from Central Missouri as well.

David Singleton – Quarterback

6-0  *  195  *  Junior

Oakland, Calif.  *  College of San Mateo

Head Coach: Larry Owens – A second-team all-conference selection as a sophomore quarterback at College of San Mateo… the left-hander played for head coach Chad Nightingale at Salesian High School… a three-time all-league selection, he was named the conference MVP as a senior, throwing 38 touchdown passes to lead Northern California (also led in yards passing)… also earned All-Bay Area honors… played basketball as well, earning all-conference honors three times… as a senior he earned all-state and was named the Nor-Cal Player of the Year for Division II and conference MVP honors… helped both the basketball and football squads to North Coast Section titles as a senior.

Mike Stevenson – Defensive Back

5-11  *  225  *  Junior

East Lansing, Mich.  *  Scottsdale C.C.

Head Coach: Doug Madoski – First-team All-Western State player as both a freshman and sophomore… also the team’s leading tackler both as a freshman and a sophomore… he also won a state title in basketball for Lansing Everett High School.

Anthony Stewart – Tailback

5-9  *  190  *  Junior

Plainfield, Ill.  *  Joliet J.C. (Ill.)

Head Coach: Tom Minnick – A two-year starter at tailback for Joliet, he rushed for 1,127 yards and helped the squad to a 10-2 record as a sophomore… he earned first-team Midwest Conference and first-team Region IV as both a freshman and sophomore… also had 180 yards receiving in his final season, grabbing honorable mention Junior College All-American honors… rushed for 747 yards as a freshman… attended Plainfield South High School, playing for head coach Mike Briscoe.