Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson announced at the Kaufman Football Building Wednesday that 17 student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and football careers at Illinois State as members of the 2004 Redbird recruiting class.
We are really excited about this group, Johnson said. Its not a large class after coming off a relatively small senior class. The size of the senior class determines your recruiting capital, which you use to go out and bring in the next freshman class. Although its not as large as some of the classes we have had (in the past), we feel like it is an extremely talented class.
Some 16 high school, two junior college and three four-year transfer products inked with Illinois State, including two players who signed during the mid-year signing period and are already attending classes at Illinois State, as part of the 21-man recruiting class. Johnson is pleased with the balance of the class.
We achieved some balance with a couple of junior college guys in there to fill some immediate needs, but we feel like weve made another great investment in our future with extremely gifted athletes, Johnson said.
By position, the Birds added six linemen to the roster, which includes three defensive linemen and three on the offensive side. Rounding out the Redbird newcomers are four defensive backs, three quarterbacks, two tight ends, two running backs, two linebackers, one wide receiver and one H-back. Johnson is impressed with the overall stature of this class.
This is a gifted class with a lot of speed and athleticism, Johnson said. We have some height in the class and it has been our focus to improve our stature over time and we have taken another step towards that.
Johnson also recognized the hard work and determination of his assistant coaches.
My staff has done another outstanding job with this recruiting class, Johnson said. The guys just did a great job and had a great team effort, which is a tribute to their dedication to the program and each other, as a staff.
Cameron BATEMAN DEFENSIVE BACK
Fr.-HS 6-1 180 Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary)
Lake Mary HS: Rushed for 1,099 yards on 178 carries with nine touchdowns ... had 36 tackles, seven pass break-ups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles ... named first team all-district as a defensive back ... first team all-county and second team all-district as a running back ... a central Florida all-star selection ... offensive team most valuable player ... recorded a school record 284 yards on 34 carries ... as a junior was an honorable mention all-district and all-county selection ... won the citizenship award and member of the Honor Roll ... lettered in football, track and field and weightlifting ... coached by Greg Stanton. Data: Born 2-27-86 in Glendale, Calif. ... son of Chip and Wendi Humble ... one of three children.
Jordan BOROWICZ QUARTERBACK
Jr.-TR 6-4 215 Santa Rosa, Calif. (Montgomery/Santa Rosa JC)
Santa Rosa JC: Led the Bear Cubs to an 11-0 mark and a No. 3 California Junior College ranking as a sophomore, the first undefeated season at SRJC since 1950 ... the Mid-Empire Conference Offensive Player of the Year ... passed for a school-record 41 touchdowns and 3,553 yards in his second season ... his 41 touchdown passes ranked No. 1 at the national junior college level ... a first team All-NorCal selection ... finished one vote shy of claiming the state junior college offensive player of the year award ... led an offense that ranked No. 1 nationally in passing with 354 yards per game ... coached by Keith Simons. Montgomery HS: Led team to a North Bay League championship in 2000 with an 11-2 mark ... a two-sport athlete that lettered four years in football and baseball ... a two-time all-league selection ... passed for 1,818 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior ... named the Press Democrat Male Athlete of the Year ... as a junior threw for 1,969 yards and 18 touchdowns ... coached by Jason Franki. Data: Born 2-2-83 in Santa Rosa, Calif. ... son of Bob and Andrea Borowicz ... his father, Bob, was also the signal caller at Montgomery High School, while his uncles, Tom, Dave and Ray, were all quarterbacks at Healdsburg High ... one of four children ... major: physical education ... pronounced BORE-oh-wits.
Jordan BREWER RUNNING BACK
Fr.-HS 6-2 205 Glen Carbon, Ill. (Edwardsville)
Edwardsville HS: As a senior, rushed for 900 yards and scored 10 touchdowns ... named one of the top 10 running back prospects in the St. Louis metro area by the St. Louis Post Dispatch ... named team offensive most valuable player ... team finished with a 12-2 record his junior season and was state runner-up in Class 7A ... team also finished runner-up in 7A in 2001 ... named all-conference second team as a senior and honorable mention as a junior ... all-metro team in 2003 ... St. Louis Suburban Player of the Week in 10/03 after running for three touchdowns and 220 yards on 32 carries ... lettered in football and track and field ... coached by Tim Dougherty. Data: Born 1-17-86 in Ladue, Mo. ... son of Sherman and Diana Brewer ... his mother attended Illinois State ... youngest of three children ... plays six musical instruments ... cousin of St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace.
Kevin BROCKWAY QUARTERBACK
Fr.-HS 6-4 205 Crystal Lake, Ill. (South)
Crystal Lake South HS: A two-year starter ... passed for 1352 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior on an 8-3 team ... completed 84 of his 156 attempts ... set a school record with 21 completions in a game ... rushed for 444 yards and 13 touchdowns on 83 carries ... an all-conference and all-area selection ... named a team captain and was the teams offensive player of the year ... as a junior, passed for 1,217 yards and nine touchdowns ... team posted an 8-4 record his junior year and advanced to the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 6A state tournament ... completed 74 passes in 146 attempts, including a school record 12-for-13 performance in a game ... rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 49 attempts ... member of the honor roll ... lettered in football and basketball ... coached by Jim Stuglis. Data: Born 12-4-85 in Arlington Heights, Ill. ... son of Kenneth and Shalagh Brockway ... one of four children.
Pat CUCCI LINEBACKER
Fr.-HS 6-1 230 Winter Springs, Fla. (Winter Springs)
Winter Springs HS: Finished his career with 244 tackles ... had 107 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions and a sack as a senior ... third team Class 5A all-state selection ... second team all-central Florida ... named the most valuable player of the East team at the Central Florida All-Star Game ... first team all-district and all-county ... Orlando Kiwanis Golden Helmet winner ... Orlando Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week ... Orlando Sentinel Defensive Player of the Week ... in his final prep season, the team finished 7-5 and advanced to the 5A state playoffs and ranked No. 11 in the final state poll ... lettered in football, baseball and wrestling ... recipient of the Lamp of Knowledge, a athletic-academic award ... prep teammate of current Redbird Kyle Hill ... coached by Steven Katz. Data: Born 9-16-85 in Orlando, Fla. ... son of Patrick and Letha Cucci ... his father wrestled at Appalachian State and was a wrestling coach at Central Florida ... his uncle, Steven, played football at Houston ... prounounced COO-chee.
Jonathan DENLEY TIGHT END
Jr.-TR 6-3 255 Calhoun City, Miss. (Vardaman/Itawamba CC)
Itawamba CC: Predominately used as a blocker in the run game ... a two-year starter ... honorable mention all-state selection ... participated in the Mississippi Community College All-Star Game ... member of the Deans List ... coached by Jeff Terril. Vardaman HS: All-state selection at tight end and linebacker ... named the best linebacker in region II ... as a junior received all-state honors at defensive end ... school valedictorian ... coached by Mark Bray. Data: Born 1-20-84 in Amory, Miss. ... son of Gilbert and Glenda Denley ... has a younger brother.
Reuben GRANGER DEFENSIVE BACK
Fr.-HS 6-0 165 Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Hollywood Christian)
Hollywood Christian HS: Caught 30 passes for 421 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior ... also hauled in four interceptions on defense ... named first team all-Broward County ... honorable mention all-state selection ... as a junior, posted 20 catches for 236 yards and seven touchdowns ... team was two-time district champs in 2003 and 2002 ... lettered in football, basketball and track and field ... coached by Ken Cannon. Data: Born 2-21-86 in Hollywood, Fla. ... son of Sydney Granger (deceased) and Legere Noel-Granger ... youngest of two children.
Brent HAWKINS DEFENSIVE LINEman
Jr.-TR 6-3 244 Godfrey, Ill. (Jerseyville/Purdue)
Spent the last year at Lewis and Clark Junior College ... played on the basketball team in the preseason, but never saw any game action. Purdue: Academic All-Big Ten appeared in 10 games as a reserve after moving from linebacker to defensive end during fall camp had nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assists), including one for loss and one sack, with one fumble recovery had two tackles in the game against Illinois State ... had season-high four tackles (2 solo, 2 assists), including a sack, at Notre Dame on Sept. 7 recovered fumble vs. Western Michigan on Sept. 14 ... in 2001, received medical redshirt for stress fracture in foot ... coached by Joe Tiller. Jerseyville HS: Ranked as No. 59 linebacker in nation by Rivals.com as senior totaled 159 tackles (84 solo, 75 assists), including three sacks, with 12 pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries first team all-state and All-Mississippi Valley Conference named Metro East Area Player of the Year by St. Louis Post-Dispatch also played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive end Alton Telegraph Player of the Year in 2000 ... coach was Bill Breden also participated in basketball and track and field. Data: Born 9-1-83 in Godfrey, Ill. ... son of Sandra Hawkins.
Bill HRONEC LINEBACKER
Fr.-HS 6-1 208 Evergreen Park, Ill. (Mt. Carmel)
Mt. Carmel HS: Ranks No. 7 on the schools all-time tackles list ... posted 111 tackles and 19 tackles for loss his senior season ... team captain and team most valuable player ... named all-conference and all-area ... as a junior, the Caravan went 13-1 and won the IHSA Class 6A state championship ... received the Caroll Kishka award as a junior as the teams most improved linebacker ... member of the honor roll ... lettered in football, baseball and boxing ... owns a 10-2 record with six knockouts as a light heavyweight on the school boxing team ... coached by Franki Lenti. Data: Born 2-11-86 in Evergreen Park, Ill. ... son of William and Nancy Hronec ... one of three children ... pronounced RON-ick.
Landon HUMBLES TIGHT END/DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Fr.-HS 6-4 255 Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)
Richwoods HS: Two-time first team all-conference selection ... named to the Peoria Journal Star All-Area Team as a senior ... advanced to the IHSA state finals in the shot put as a junior ... team claimed the Mid-State Six Conference championship with an 8-3 mark, but fell in the second round of the playoffs ... prep teammate of Illinois State recruit Kedric Meridith ... lettered in football, basketball and track and field ... coached by former Redbird defensive back Doug Simper. Data: Born 11-21-85 in Peoria, Ill. ... son of Bobby Humbles and Crystal Howard ... his father lettered basketball at Bradley from 1974-78 where he scored 1,262 points ... his sister, Nicole, currently attends Illinois State.
Erik MADSEN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Fr.-HS 6-3 275 Bolingbrook, Ill. (Joliet Catholic)
Joliet Catholic HS: A three-time varsity letterwinner ... member of the 2001 and 2003 IHSA Class 5A state champions ... both teams finished with a 13-1 record ... as a senior was named first team all-conference and second team all-area ... listed among Rivals.com Illinois Top 100 recruit list ... ranked in the Top 200 after his junior season ... lettered in both football and basketball ... coached by Dan Sharp. Data: Born 3-10-86 in LaGrange, Ill. ... son of George and Candace Madsen ... oldest of two children.
Mitchell MATTHEWS DEFENSIVE BACK
Fr.-HS 6-0 180 Dacula, Ga. (Dacula)
Dacula HS: Two-year starter ... during his senior season posted 68 tackles, including 22 solos ... five times was named the Gwinnett Daily Posts Player of the Week ... had six tackles for loss ... three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and four pass break-ups ... during junior campaign registered 39 tackles with 19 solo stops ... one interception and three pass break-ups ... coached by Kevin Maloff. Data: Born 9-18-86 in New Orleans, La. ... son of Jeronde Davis ... one of three children.
B.J. McCASLIN QUARTERBACK
Jr.-TR 6-2 196 Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville/Kentucky)
Kentucky: Redshirted ... coached by Rich Brooks. Harper JC: Played the 2001 and 2002 seasons ... as a sophomore threw for 2,100 yards and 26 touchdowns ... helped his team to a berth in the Empire Bowl ... an all-region and all-conference selection ... also played basketball ... coached by John Elisiak ... junior college teammate of Mike Larson. Libertyville HS: Three-year letterman and two-year starter ... threw for approximately 1,000 yards and rushed for about 600 yards as a senior ... named to the all-area team ... team had a two-year record of 17-5 and won the conference championship both seasons he started ... also a pitcher and third baseman for the baseball team ... coached by Randy Kuceyeski. Data: Born 5-10-83 in Phoenix, Ariz. ... son of Brian and Susan McCaslin ... his father was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers ... ... one of two children ... his sister, Liz, played volleyball at Kentucky.
Mychael McKAY DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
So.-TR 6-1 280 Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent/Northern Illinois)
Northern Illinois: A reserve on the offensive line in 2002 ... redshirted his freshman season as a defensive lineman ... coached by Joe Novak. Vincent HS: Four-year regular on three city championship teams ... performed at guard, defensive tackle and defensive end ... selected team captain and Iron Man Award recipient ... first team All-Richardson Division and second team all-area ... team qualified for Division I playoffs as a senior with 8-2 mark ... credited with 47 tackles (35 solo) and one fumble forced his final season ... ranked as a No. 20 college prospect in the state by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ... won team defensive lineman of the year award ... first team All-Richardson Division honors on both offense and defense on 7-3 junior city championship team ... second team all-division and received first Iron Man Award as a sophomore ... lettered in football, baseball and wrestling ... honor roll student ... prep teammate of the Redbirds LaShawn Bullock ... coached by Adam Walker. Data: Born 11-7-83 in Milwaukee, Wis. ... son of Gregorie and Debbie McKay ... one of five children ... father played basketball at Alcorn State.
Kedric MEREDITH H-BACK
Fr.-HS 6-3 240 Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)
Richwoods HS: Had 14 catches for 400 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... team claimed the Mid-State Six Conference championship with an 8-3 mark, but fell in the second round of the playoffs ... Peoria Journal Star All-Area Team selection ... named to the Times Observer All-Star Team ... first team all-conference ... named second team all-conference as a junior ... prep teammate of Illinois State recruit Landon Humbles ... lettered in football, baseball and basketball ... coached by former Illinois State defensive back Doug Simper. Data: Born 9-20-85 in Decatur, Ill. ... son of Dale and Barb Meredith ... both of his parents graduated from Illinois State ... one of two children.
Kevett MICKLE WIDE RECEIVER
Fr.-HS 6-3 185 Orlando, Fla. (William R. Boone)
William R. Boone HS: Finished his senior season with 24 catches for 425 yards ...team finished 9-1 and claimed the district and metro championships ... Boone was also ranked No. 1 in the Super Six by the Orlando Sentinel ... as a junior caught 43 passes for 823 yards and had a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown ... cleared 64 in the high jump and ran the 110-meter high hurdles in 13.83 seconds ... lettered in football, basketball and track and field ... coached by Phillip Ziglar. Data: Born 9-14-85 in Orlando, Fla. ... son of Derese Shackleford ... one of two children ... pronounced MICK-ul.
Joe NIKLASCH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Fr.-HS 6-4 275 Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)
Arrowhead HS: Team finished with an 11-3 record his senior season and finished runner-up in the state tournament and ranked No. 2 in the state ... an all-state, all-area and two time all-conference selection ... team also finished No. 2 and as a state runner-up in 2002 ... honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore ... member of the honor roll ... coached by Tom Taraska. Data: Born 11-22-85 in Menomonee Falls, Wis. ... son of Gary and Debbie Nicklasch ... the youngest of three children ... his brother, Gary, played football at Western Michigan ... pronounced NICK-lash.
Nick PASSARELLI DEFENSIVE BACK
Fr.-HS 5-11 195 Naperville, Ill. (Central)
Central HS: Tallied 97 tackles and three interceptions as a senior ... also forced three fumbles and recovered one ... averaged 24.5 yards per kick return and 14.8 yards per punt return, including a 68-yard touchdown ... two-time first team all-area selection by the Daily Herald and Naperville Sun ... twice named first team Naperville Sun All-City ... Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times Special Mention All-Area ... Champaign News-Gazette All-State ... Street & Smiths Top 100 Defensive Backs ... Prep Star pre-season and post-season all-America candidate ... named to Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Players list ... honored as one of the Chicago Sun Times Top 50 Seniors ... twice named the team defensive player of the year ... academic all-conference selection ... IHCA Honorable Mention All-State ... as a junior, posted 98 tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks ... first team DuPage Valley All-Conference ... the Chicago Tribunes top junior to watch ... dressed in the 8A state title game as a sophomore ... lettered in football, baseball and rugby ... coached by Joe Bunge. Data: Born 8-5-86 in Hinsdale, Ill. ... son of Richard and Lynn Passarelli ... younger of two children ... his brother Dan is a redshirt freshman wide receiver at Northern Illinois ... played in the Pop Warner national football championship in Orlando, Fla. ... pronounced PASS-uh-rel-ee.
Vernon REED RUNNING BACK
Fr.-HS 5-10 180 Kissimmee, Fla. (Osceola)
Osceola HS: Member of the honor roll ... lettered in football, basketball and track and field ... coached by Jim Scible. Data: Born 9-11-85 in Moline, Ill. ... son of Vernon and Cynthia Reed ... one of three children.
Juan SALCIDO OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Fr.-HS 6-4 270 Ranco Cucamonga, Calif. (Etiwanda)
Etiwanda HS: Two-time first team All-Baseline League selection... recipient of the teams outstanding offensive lineman award ... team captain ... team won the league championship his junior season with a 7-3 record ... as a sophomore place second in the league wrestling tournament ... lettered in football and wrestling ... coached by Tom Dineley. Data: Born 2-7-86 in Whittear, Calif. ... son of Juan and Virginia Salcido ... the oldest of three children.
Amir THOMPSON DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Fr.-HS 6-2 275 Orlando, Fla. (Pineridge [Pickering, Ontario])
Pineridge HS: As a senior posted 39 tackles with 25 assists ... recorded 13 sacks and 15 tackles for loss on a team that finished with a 6-2 record ... as a junior finished with 35 tackles, 23 assists, 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks ... two-time most valuable player ... received school honors and member of the principals council and star counselor ... coached by Bruce Elliott ... played for the Scarboro Thunder in the Ontario Varsity Football League ... club team won the league championship his senior year and he was the runner-up for the leagues defensive lineman of the year. Data: Born 3-11-85 in Scarboro, Ontario ... son of Jermaine and Lesa Younger ... has a sister, Calesha ... his father played football at Utah State and currently plays in the Arena Football League for the Georgia Force ... his uncle, Webbie Burnett, played football at Florida State.
