UNT football inks 21 new players

by PegNews wire

University of North Texas head football coach Todd Dodge has announced that 21 players have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Mean Green beginning this fall. Wednesday was the first day that football players were eligible to sign letters of intent for the 2009 season.

Among the 2009 class are 13 high school seniors and eight transfers. Five of the transfers are currently enrolled at North Texas and will participate in spring football practice. Of the high school seniors, 11 are from the state of Texas while two were recruited from Louisiana.

There are 11 defensive players in the group, including six that were recruited to play along the defensive front. Of the nine offensive players that signed, six are wide receivers, three are offensive linemen and one is a quarterback. A kicker/punter rounds out the class of 21.

“I am very pleased with the quality and versatility of the football players that have agreed to come play for the Mean Green this fall,” head coach Todd Dodge said. “It is a very well-rounded group of athletes that addresses all of the needs that we discussed as a staff following last season. I am pleased with the tireless effort of my assistant coaches, who worked diligently until we had everybody signed. This class will definitely increase the level of competition on the practice field which will help us achieve the success that our fans deserve.”

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Will Atterberry – K/P – 5-11 – 170 lbs. – Lewisville HS

In 2008, was selected first team all-district as a punter … Named to the second-team as a kicker … Was a second team all-state selection … Made eight field goals including a game-winning 47 yarder against Grand Prairie … Converted on 15 PATs … Averaged 42.4 yards per punt.

Chevy Bennett – CB – 6-1 – 182 lbs. – Sachse HS

During the 2008 year Bennett made 45 tackles with 35 of them solo … Averaged 6.4 tackles per game … Picked off three passes and recovered a fumble … Returned two kickoffs for 57 yards including a long of 49 … Had two punt returns for 15 yards … In 2007, made 44 tackles, got five interceptions, 28 pass breakups, blocked two field goals, and forced two fumbles … During 2006, tallied 41 tackles and one interception.

Ryan Boutwell – DE – 6-3 – 225 lbs. – China Spring HS

Boutwell was selected Class 3A first team all-state in 2008 … Awarded defensive player of the year for Super Centex … Chosen first team for the AP all-state team … Was the defensive MVP for the 7-AAA all-district team … Made 73 tackles including 10 sacks … Played at offensive guard as well … In 2007, was 17-AAA first team all-district at defensive end and offensive guard … Awarded 17-AAA Academic first team all-district … Made first team at guard and defensive end for Super Centex … Named Texas AP second team all-state … Compiled 130 tackles during the season … In 2006, named honorable mention at offensive tackle for the 17-AAA all district team.

Darius Carey – DB/WR – 5-10 – 185 Ibs. - Helen Cox HS Played quarterback in high school but was recruited by the Mean Green as a wide receiver/defensive back…Compiled 2,513 yards and 35 touchdowns in nine regular season games as a senior…Completed 120-of-177 passes for 1,520 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2008…He was the metro’s leading rusher among quarterbacks with 993 yards on 110 carries and 11 touchdowns…Was a two-time All-District 8-4A selection…A member of The-Time Picayune’s All-Metro Large Schools team…Ran the 40 in 4.5…Ranked a 5.4 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com.

Austin Fitzpatrick – TE/WR – 6-3 - 215 Ibs. - Friendswood HS

Selected First Team all-district in 2008 … Caught 40 passes for 545 yards and 7 touchdowns … Averaged 13.6 yards per catch … Had a season-high seven catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against Austin Lake Travis in 4A State Semifinal … Made six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown versus Dayton … Grabbed six catches for 93 yards and two scores against Brazoport … Returned four kickoffs for 49 yards … Has ability to play at tight end and wide receiver … Helped team go 11-2 before falling in state semifinal … In 2007, he caught 14 passes for 232 yards (16.6 avg) and three touchdowns … His team posted a 7-3 record.

Hilbert Jackson - CB - 6-0 - 165 Ibs. - Rowlett HS

In 2008, made 34 stops and scored one rushing touchdown … Got a season-high six tackles in a win over Naaman Forest … Registered at least four tackles in five games … In 2007, picked off one pass and returned it 55 yards … Fundamentally sound player with ability to play at free safety.

Daniel Mayberry – WR – 6-0 – 175 lbs. – Dallas Lincoln HS

Recruited as a wide receiver … Versatile athlete who played at quarterback and running back in high school … At H. Grady Spruce high school in 2007, completed 70 of 140 passes for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns … Carried the ball 77 times for 179 yards and 5 touchdowns.

John Noble – OL – 6-6 – 288 Ibs. – Rockwall HS

In 2008 he was named to the offensive first-team all-district in 10-4A…Was selected to the second-team Texas High School Coaches Association 4A academic all-state team…Was an academic all-state selection as a senior…Clocked in at 5.10 in the 40…Ranked a 5.3 out of 6.1 on Rivals.com…Had the ninth best Power Ball throw (39-07) at the 2008 Dallas NIKE Combine…Graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and is a classical pianist…Named a Texas State Federation of Music all-state pianist four times.

Daniel Prior – LB – 6-2 – 210 Ibs. - Henderson HS

Ranked the No. 36 Strong LB in the nation by Scout.com…Recorded 93 tackles as a senior in 2008 and 300 for his career…Also had four receptions for 63 yards playing tight end…He earned first-team all-district honors in 2008 and second-team as a sophomore in 2006…In 2007 he had 114 tackles, 20 of which were for losses…Ranked a 5.3 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com…Ran the 40 in 4.66.

De’Andre Stewart – S – 5-11 – 185 Ibs. - North Forest HS

Was an all-district 21-4A selection at safety in 2008 and also played quarterback…Intercepted one pass as a senior…Ran the 40 in 4.5…Ranked a 5.2 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com.

Derek Thompson – QB – 6-4 – 200 Ibs. - Glen Rose HS

In 2008 he completed 180-of-302 pass attempts for 2,627 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 629 yards on 98 carries and had 13 touchdowns…He was named the 2008 Offensive Player ofthe Year in District 7-3A…Led his team to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs in 2007 and the team finished with a 10-4 record, the best in school history…Named the District 12-3A MVP in 2007 while completing 183-of-315 pass attempts for 2,646 yards and 24 touchdowns…He also rushed for 443 yards on 91 carries along with seven touchdowns in 2007…In 2007 he was an honorable mention selection on the Texas Sports Writers Association Class 3A all-state team…As a sophomore he threw for 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns, while rushing for seven touchdowns and 400 yards…In 2006 he was named the District 12-3A Newcomer of the Year…As a freshman he threw for over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns…Ran the 40 in 4.7…Ranked a 5.3 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com…Also excelled in basketball, baseball, track and tennis during high school.

Tyler Washington – DE – 6-1 – 225 – Cedar Hill HS

Selected first team all-district 7-5A in 2008 … Totaled 63 tackles (51 solo) and 18 sacks on the season … Got a season-high eight tackles and recovered one fumble against Irving MacArthur … Had four games where he totaled at least seven tackles … Tallied four sacks versus Irving HS … Recorded two safeties … His team went 12-2 finishing with a No. 18 state ranking … In 2007, he registered 55 tackles (31 solo) and five sacks.

Kyle White – DL – 6-2 – 318 Ibs. - New Orleans McDonogh 35

Was named 10-4A All-District first-team as a defensive lineman…Performed shuttle in 4.94…Ran the 40 in 5.2…Ranked a 5.1 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com.

TRANSFERS

Shavod Atkinson – DT – 6-2 – 298 lbs. – Independence CC

Junior College: Atkinson was named Honorable Mention for the KJCCC all-conference team in 2008 … Finished third on the team in tackles with 48 including 37 solo … Had four tackles for loss and one sack … In 2007, he got 53 total tackles with 32 being solo and 10 for loss … Made three sacks, recovered two fumbles, and forced another.

Jeremy Bean – OL – 6-5 – 310 lbs. – Northeastern Okla. A&M

Junior College: Has a big frame and good mobility … In 2008, his team averaged 17.6 ppg and 310 yds of offense … Had a balanced offense of almost 1,400 yds rushing and 1,400 passing ... QB Trey Munden was the fourth leading passer in the Southwest Junior College conference with 1,077 yds and 8 TDs … RB Cardell Clemens was third in the conference in rushing with 845 yds and 8 TDs … In 2007, his school scored an average of 34.5 ppg … Has a three-star rating by Rivals.com.

Jamaal Jackson – WR – 5-11 – 175 lbs. – Southwest Mississippi CC

Junior College: Jackson caught 41 passes for 418 yards averaging 5.1 receptions per game at SWMCC in 2008… Caught one touchdown pass … In 2007, made 23 receptions for 477 yards and a touchdown … Runs a 4.4 in the 40.

Kelvin Jackson – DT – 6-2 –320 lbs. – Itawamba CC

Junior College: In 2008, was named to the MACJC North second team … Made 41 tackles including 30 solo … Had nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

Mike Outlaw – WR – 5-11 – 190 Ibs. – East Mississippi C.C.

Junior College: Was named to the 2008 MAJC All-State North First-Team Offense…He was 12th in the nation in receptions (46) and had 624 yards in 2008, leading the Lions to an 8-2 record…Ranked a 5.4 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com…Ran the 40 in 4.65.

Ira Smith – DB – 5-11 – 180 Ibs. - Mississippi Gulf Coast JC

Junior College: In 2008 he recorded 52 tackles, 14 pass break-ups and three interceptions…Was part of a sophomore class that finished with a 22-2 record, a 2007 NJCAA co-national title, two MACJC state championships and two MACJC South Division crowns…Ranked a 5.6 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com…Ran the 40 in 4.4.

Tyler Stradford – WR – 6-2 – 175 Ibs. – Oklahoma University

Signed with Oklahoma and spent his first season as a redshirt…Caught 27 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season at O. Perry Walker High School in Louisiana…He was an all-district and All-West Bank performer his senior season and intercepted five passes while playing cornerback and safety…As a junior he was an all-area selection and ran back three kickoffs for touchdowns while averaging 41 yards per return…Caught 17 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns during his junior season…Was ranked No. 56 on Rivals.com’s list of the top receivers in the Class of 2007 and the 23rd best player overall in the Louisiana Top 40 of 2007.

John Weber – DE – 6-3 – 265 Ibs. - Itawamba (Miss.) JC

Junior College: Finished the 2008 season with 8.5 sacks…Participated in the 2007 Louisiana-Texas All-Star Bowl…Was an all-state defensive end at Helen Cox High School in New Orleans, Louisiana…Ran the 40 in 4.85…Ranked a 5.4 out of 6.1 by Rivals.com.

Source: UNT