Washington State University Athletics
Washington State Cougars - Football
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At least four publications rate the Cougar class among the top 30 nationally.
February 3, 1999
PULLMAN, Wash. - "Excellent" was Mike Price's first comment when asked Wednesday to assess the quality of Washington State University's latest football recruiting class. "Looking at it on paper right now this is the best we have ever had," he said, adding substance to several national recruiting services who have lauded WSU's signees.
At least four publications rate the Cougar recruits among the top 30 in the country. Prep Star Magazine ranked WSU's recruiting class 24th nationally and fourth among Pac-10 teams before signing day, while Super Prep Magazine also viewed WSU's class as one of the best on the West Coast. Insiders Report assesses WSU's class as the 29th best in the country, while RivalNet ranks WSU 22nd nationally. In addition, the Tacoma News Tribune rated WSU's group fifth in the Pac-10.
"I didn't believe in those recruiting services in the past, but if we are in the top 20 they are doing a great job," Price quipped late Wednesday during his press conference.
WSU's recruiting class, which totaled 23 Wednesday with at least three additional letters expected later in the week, included four players who earned prep All-American honors. Super Prep Magazine rated Josh Shavies as the number eight tight end, Isaac Brown the number 14 linebacker, Matt Kegel the number 21 quarterback, and Leon Burnett the number 36 running back. One of the recruits who had not sent his letter of intent to WSU Wednesday was also singled out by Super Prep on their national team.
Both Shavies and Spokane's Jeremey Williams were ranked among the top 100 players in the nation by several services, including The Sporting News and the National Recruiting Center.
Four recruits were picked to Washington All-State first teams by the Associated Press: Al Genatone, Marcus Trufant, Josh Parrish and Rian Long. Trufant was named the 4A player of the year by the Tacoma News Tribune while Williams was named by the Seattle Times as one of the top six high school players in Washington.
"I think a lot of it (recruiting success) had to do with the feeling the Cougars can go to the Rose Bowl, the Cougars can win the Pac-10 championship," Price answered when quizzed about the success coming off a poor showing in league play. "I think the new weight room helped and the positive attitude of our players who are on campus."
The list of players WSU released Wednesday included four who are already in school, freshman Kjell (pronounced Shell) Nesen and junior college transfers Melvin Camarena, Curtis Holden and Milton Wynn. Wynn is a 6-3 receiver from Los Angeles Valley CC, while Holden, a linebacker, transferred from San Francisco CC along with Camarena, a defensive lineman. Three WSU starters last fall also attended San Francisco CC, Kevin Brown, Jerry Roquemore and Chris Martin. Nesen is a quarterback out of Westlake Village, Calif., and St. Francis High.
Of the 19 fall recruits announced Wednesday, four are out of the junior college ranks. Three are defensive players: end Anthony Adedipe from Chabot JC, Mory Banks out of LA Southwest College, and John Williams, a defensive back from Long Beach CC. The fourth is Marcus Williams, a 6-5 receiver from Laney JC. Marcus Williams was a highly sought high school receiver who originally signed with Colorado two years ago. As a senior in high school he was listed by several publications as one of the top players on the coast.
Five of the eight junior college players are on the defensive side of the ball and three, including two receivers, are on offense. The list includes a pair of defensive linemen and two defensive backs. From the high school ranks, the Cougs picked up nine players expected to play on the offensive side of the ball and six on defense. Included are three projected tight ends and three offensive linemen, plus three linebackers.
ADDITIONAL MIKE PRICE QUOTES:
"I am real pleased with this recruiting class. We had a great recruiting class when Jack Thompson was among the signees and that was an excellent class with Drew Bledsoe.
"A lot of times we say, gee we didn't get any running backs or some other position, but I don't think we have any holes in this class. I was a little worried about running backs because we have Kevin Brown coming back as a junior, but we got Deon Burnett. He was our number one pick at running back.
"Jeremey Williams is the class of the class. He has tremendous character and has tremendous potential. He is a little thin right now at 250 or 255 because of basketball. Jeremey took us down to the wire and made me work pretty hard and I had some worrisome nights over where he was going to school. But guys like Al Genatone, Josh Parrish and Matt Kegel committed early to WSU and turned down away lot of visits to other schools. They turned down scholarship offers and stayed loyal to me and Washington State.
"We got two junior college wide receivers as big as anyone has in the conference in Milton Wynn at 6-4 and Marcus Williams at 6-5. These are big, solid guys who can jump up and take the ball away. These two guys, even though we have three starters returning, will play next year. We have two defensive backs, John Williams, a safety, and Mory Banks, a corner. They are fine athletes and will play next year. The list also includes Anthony Adedipe and Melvin Camarena. Both can play. The two players we have in now from San Francisco City College, Camarena and Curtis Holden, are every bit as good as the guys we had last year from the same school.
"Holden is going to be good. Everything they say about him is true. Several of our returnees will miss some of the spring drills because they are playing another sport or recovering from injuries, so Holden will get a great opportunity to learn the defense.
"It is hard to say if any of the freshmen will play next year. It will depend on how we are doing. I think most of them will redshirt. Maybe one of the tight ends might play because we are so young there and Deon Burnett might be a guy who can step in. He is capable of playing tomorrow. There may be one or two guys who will not enroll in the fall and come in January instead. Sam Lightbody is one of those. He is a light body, even at 270 he looks thin. A lot of people recruiting him for a defensive end or tight end but he wants to play on the offensive line. He will be a great player someday.
"We got two outstanding tight ends in Josh Shavies and Josh Parrish. I could almost complete a pass throwing it over the middle to those two guys. They go 6-7 and 6-6. Shavies is a great athlete and could play for the Cougar basketball team someday. I wouldn't mind that at all.
"This is a real good academic class. There are only a couple who don't have their test scores.
"I think Kegel is better than Ryan Leaf coming out of high school. I think he throws a better ball and has better fundamental quarterback technique, probably because of Ryan helping him. He ran a little more of a passing offense like we run than Ryan did in high school. Ryan improved so much when he was here. If Kegel can improve like Leaf did it is going to be lights out."
1999 WSU FOOTBALL RECRUITS
JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS ENROLLED JANUARY, 1999
| NAME (4) | POS | HGT | WGT | YR | HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE) |
| CAMARENA, Melvin | DL | 6-3 | 265 | JR | East Palo Alto, Calif.(Carlmont/San Francisco CC) |
| HOLDEN, Curtis | LB | 6-3 | 240 | JR | San Francisco, Calif. (McAteer/San Francisco CC) |
| NESEN, Kjell | QB | 6-2 | 193 | FR | Westlake Village, Calif. (St. Francis) |
| WYNN, Milton | WR | 6-3 | 200 | JR | Lancaster, Calif. (Antelope/Los Angeles Valley CC) |
JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS ENROLLING AUGUST, 1999
| NAME (4) | POS | HGT | WGT | YR | HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) |
| ADEDIPE, Anthony | DE | 6-5 | 260 | JR | Newark, Calif. (Washington/Chabot JC) |
| BANKS, Mory | CB | 5-11 | 185 | JR | Los Angeles, Calif. (Crenshaw/LA Southwest CC) |
| WILLIAMS, John | S | 6-3 | 225 | JR | West Aurora, Ill. (W. Aurora/Long Beach CC) |
| WILLIAMS, Marcus | WR | 6-5 | 220 | JR | Oakland, Calif. (Berkeley/Laney JC) |
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ENROLLING AUGUST, 1999
| NAME (15) | POS | HGT | WGT | YR | HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) |
| BROWN, Isaac | DE | 6-3 | 230 | FR | Upland, Calif. (Claremont) |
| BURNETT, Deon | RB | 6-0 | 205 | FR | Upland, Calif. (Claremont) |
| DAVIS, Ira | DB | 6-1 | 185 | FR | Seattle, Wash. (Garfield) |
| GENATONE, Al | LB | 6-0 | 210 | FR | Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin) |
| HENDERSON, Collin | WR | 6-1 | 185 | FR | Puyallup, Wash. (Puyallup) |
| KEGEL, Matt | QB | 6-5 | 205 | FR | Havre, Mont. (Havre) |
| KNOTTS, Billy | OL | 6-6 | 240 | FR | Vancouver, Wash. (Columbia River) |
| LAWSON, Forrest | DB | 6-2 | 190 | FR | Puyallup, Wash. (Rogers) |
| LIGHTBODY, Sam | OL | 6-8 | 270 | FR | Huntington Beach, Calif. (Huntington Beach) |
| LONG, Rien | OL | 6-7 | 260 | FR | Anacortes, Wash. (Anacortes) |
| PARRISH, Josh | TE | 6-6 | 245 | FR | Chewelah, Wash. (Jenkins) |
| SHAVIES, Josh | TE | 6-6 | 240 | FR | Fremont, Calif. (Fremont) |
| SIMMONS, Melvin | LB | 6-2 | 205 | FR | Compton, Calif. (Dominguez) |
| TRUFANT, Marcus | DB | 6-0 | 175 | FR | Tacoma, Wash. (Wilson) |
| WILLIAMS, Jeremey | DL | 6-5 | 255 | FR | Spokane, Wash. (Ferris) |
3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3 - The above list of 23 student-athletes completes WSU's announcements for today. Two additional high school athletes and one from junior college are expected to sign late Wednesday (after release time) or Thursday. The above list includes 19 students who will enroll in August, 1999, and four who are already in school. The final three recruits all will be fall enrollees.
WSU PREP RECRUITS SELECTED TO 1998 ALL-STAR TEAMS
DEON BURNETT
Long Beach P-T Best In the West (5)
TNT Western 100 (RB-13)
National Recruiting Center (other Prep AA)
Super Prep Magazine Prep AA (RB-36)
Super Prep Magazine All-Far West (33)
IRA DAVIS
Seattle Times White Chip
AL GENATONE
AP All-State First Team;
Seattle Times Red Chip
Seattle PI All-State First Team
Washington Prep Report All-State First Team
COLLIN HENDERSON
Seattle Times Red Chip
Seattle PI All-State First Team
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Washington Prep Report All-State Second Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (34)
MATT KEGEL
TNT Western 100 (QB-8)
National Recruiting Center (other Prep AA)
Super Prep Magazine Prep AA (QB-21)
Super Prep Magazine All-Midlands (13)
BILLY KNOTTS
Seattle Times Red Chip
Washington Prep Report All-State Second Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (36)
FORREST LAWSON
Seattle Times Red Chip
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Washington Prep Report All-State Second Team
SAM LIGHTBODY
Super Prep Magazine All-Far West (100)
RIEN LONG
AP All-State First Team;
Seattle Times Red Chip
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (24)
JOSH PARRISH
AP All-State First Team;
Seattle Times Red Chip
TNT Western 100 (TE-2)
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Washington Prep Report All-State First Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (21)
JOSH SHAVIES
TNT Western 100 (TE-3)
The Sporting News Top 101 (92)
National Recruiting Center National 100 (63)
Super Prep Magazine Prep AA (TE-8)
Super Prep Magazine All-Far West (18)
MELVIN SIMMONS
Super Prep Magazine All-Far West (92)
MARCUS TRUFANT
AP All-State First Team;
Seattle Times Red Chip
Seattle PI All-State First Team
TNT Western 100 (DB-8)
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Washington Prep Report All-State First Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (17)
JEREMEY WILLIAMS
Seattle Times Blue Chip
Long Beach P-T Best In the West (5)
TNT NW Nugget Second Team
Washington Prep Report All-State Second Team
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (10)
The Sporting News Top 101 (81)
National Recruiting Center National 100 (51)
JOHN WILLIAMS
Super Prep Magazine JC All-American Top 100 (70)
ISAAC BROWN
TNT Western 100 (LB-11)
National Recruiting Center (other Prep AA)
Super Prep Magazine Prep AA (LB-14)
Super Prep Magazine All-Far West (30)
1999 WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL RECRUITS
The following players enrolled at WSU in January, 1999, and will participate in spring drills.
1. CAMARENA, Melvin DL 6-2 265 Jr. E. Palo Alto, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Carlmont Highearned three varsity letters for coach
Rich Motylewesky as a defensive and offensive linemanalso lettered twice
in track as a shot and discus thrower and earned one varsity letter in
socceras a SOPHOMORE started all football games and made eight
sacksgoalkeeper and captain of the soccer teamJUNIOR year was an
all-league second team selection while collecting 10 sacks and 70
tacklestrack team captainthrew 53 feet in the shot putduring SENIOR
football season was an all-league first team selectionteam MVP and team
captainmade 10 sacks and 60 tacklesmember of all-academic region team
with a 3.0 grade point average.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Coached by George Rush for two seasons at San Francisco City CollegeFRESHMAN year made 13 sacks as a defensive tackle on national championship teamas a SOPHOMORE was an All-Golden Gate Conference first team selectioncollected 20 sacks.
PERSONAL: Melvin Camarenaborn 6-21-77 at Panama...mother Mercedes Jimenezthree sisters, Katia, Kaila and Franciscaenjoys weight training, reading Flex Magazine and watching moviesis bilingualmember of the United Latin Clubstudying sociology, psychology and social work.
2. HOLDEN, Curtis LB 6-3 240 Jr. San Francisco, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended J. Eugene McAteer High, earning three varsity
letters as a running back and outside linebacker for coach Mike
Denatalealso lettered twice in basketball as a forward for coaches Bobby
Miles and Kevin Allenearned one letter in track for coach Mark
Christiansen, running the 4x100 relay and throwing the shot and
discusJUNIOR year football and basketball MVP and team captainas a
SENIOR, football and basketball team captain and MVP.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played two years at San Francisco City College for coach George Rushas a JUNIOR (1997-98) played mostly on special teamsteam finished with 11-1 recordduring SENIOR (1998) season named to first team All-Golden Gate Conferencefirst team and JC All-American selectioncollected 115 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions for 11-1 teamcaptain and team MVPdefensive player of the year.
PERSONAL: Curtis Holdenborn 3-17-79 in San Franciscoparents Curtis Holden, Sr. and Shelby Hammonsthree brothers Curtis Jr., Robert and Princetwo sisters Lashaun and Courtneyuncle Charles Hammons played football at San Francisco Stateenjoys lifting weightsinterested in psychology degree.
3. NESEN, Kjell QB 6-2 193 Fr. Westlake Village, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Bill Redell at St. Francis High, earning two
varsity letters as a quarterback, free safety, and handled kicking and
punting duties as well...earned two varsity letters in track..competed in
the 100 meters, triple jump and long jump JUNIOR year named to all-league
football teamtrack team captainduring SENIOR year shared Co-MVP Mission
League honors with Justin Fargas, now a running back at Michiganfirst team
Div. III All-CIF selection...captained both football and track
squads...named All-L.A. Times and All-Daily News, and received recognition
as a Prep Star Honorable Mention All-American...1998 Powerade Scholar
Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL: Kjell (pronounced Shell) Nesen...born 12-9-79 in Thousand Oaks, Calif...parents Gary and Karla Nesen...sister Kameronuncle Bob Seagran, a USC grad, who won gold and silver Olympic medals in the pole vaultenjoys playing video gamespursuing a business major.
4. WYNN, Milton WR 6-4 205 Jr. Lancaster, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Antelope Valley High, where he was coached by Brent
Newcomb, earning two varsity letters at wide receiveralso earned two
letters in basketball for coach Tom Mahan and four in trackduring JUNIOR
season team claimed CIF Div. II football title, defeating Hart High 35-15,
and finished with a 12-2 recordas a SENIOR was an All-Golden League
selection, making 19 catches for 312 yards and seven touchdownsteam lost
in Div. II championship gamefootball and basketball team captainalso an
All-Golden League pick in basketballaveraged 13.3 points per game, 7.3
rebounds and 2.6 assists as a guard.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: FRESHMAN (1996-97) Attended Bakersfield Junior College, playing wide receiver for one season before transferring to LA Valley College in the spring of 1997SOPHOMORE (1997-98)redshirted during football but played basketball and ran trackas a guard for the basketball team averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per gamein track ran 10.7 in the 100 meters, 21.6 in the 200 meters and 48.3 in the 400 metersas a RS-SOPHOMORE (1998) played football for coach Gary Barlow and was an All-Western State Conference pickcollected 44 receptions for 751 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 17.3 yards per carryteam captainbest performances include seven catches for 164 yards and four touchdowns against Compton College and nine catches for 182 yards and one touchdown against L.A. Southwestran a 4.45 40-yard dash.
PERSONAL: Milton Wynnborn 9-21-78 at Mission Hills, Califparents James Wynn and Joyce Piercetwo sisters Jackie Wynn and Joi Collinsbrother Tyrone Pierce played tight end for 1997 UCLA team that shared Pac-10 title with WSUpursuing a degree in psychology.
The following junior college and high school recruits signed letters of intent Feb. 3 and will enroll at WSU next fall (unless otherwise noted).
5. KEGEL, Matt QB 6-5 205 Fr. Havre, Mont.
HIGH SCHOOL: One of the top quarterbacks ever out of Havre High, where he
was coached by Dan Olson...team captain senior year...three letters in
football and also varsity letters in basketball (3) and track (4)...as a
JUNIOR completed 78 of 161 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns...seven
interceptions...named Central A Conference's top quarterback, punter and
kicker...team reached State finals with 8-3 record...finished second at the
State track championships in the triple jump (44 feet)...during basketball
season averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds...SENIOR year the number eight
quarterback in Tacoma News Tribune's Western 100 team...Super Prep Magazine
named him to their All-America team (number 21 QB) and to their
All-Midlands (13) team...also a prep All-America pick by the National
Recruiting Center...passed for 2,004 yards, connecting on 130 of 257
passes...threw for 22 touchdowns and had just nine interceptions...led team
to State championship game before losing 14-7 to Hamilton...all-conference
quarterback and punter and the Montana Class A All-State
quarterback...named Super State QB, which includes all four classifications
in Montana...selected to play in the State East-West Shrine Game and the
Montana-North Dakota All-Star Game...team finished 8-2 and won conference
title.
PERSONAL: Matthew (Matt) Kegel...born 8-1-80 at Havre...parents Sherry and Greg Kegel...one younger brother Justin...his cousin is former Cougar great Ryan Leaf, now with the San Diego Charters.
6. LIGHTBODY, Sam OL 6-8 270 Fr. Huntington Beach, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Huntington Beach High, where he was coached by Tony
Ciarelli..earned three varsity letters each in football and track (shot,
discus)...captained football team senior year...during SOPHOMORE year won
league shot put title for freshmen/sophomores...as a JUNIOR named most
improved football player...MVP of track team and won league and district
titles in the shot and discus...best marks 56-1 and 174-10...second in both
events at the CIF championships...SENIOR year Super Prep Magazine named him
to their All-Far West team (100)...earned All-Sunset League and All-CIF
first team honors.
PERSONAL: Samuel (Sam) Lightbody...born 4-22-81 at Manila, Philippines...parents Kathleen and Art Lightbody...twin brothers, Jake and Titus...expected to delay enrollment until January, 2000...interested in a fine arts major.
7. KNOTTS, Billy OL 6-6 240 Fr. Vancouver, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Columbia River High...coached by John
O'Rourke...three-year letterwinner in three sports, football, basketball
and track (discus)...as a JUNIOR named the All-Greater St. Helens League
second team...team won league title at 7-0 and finished 9-2
overall...team's most improved defensive lineman...SENIOR year named to the
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (36) team...a Seattle Times Red Chip
honoree and an All-State second team pick by Washington Prep
Report...Columbian Dream team pick...earned all-league honors on
offense...selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game...team again won
league title at 7-0 and ended the season 10-1...selected team's most
inspirational player and top defensive lineman...an All-GSHL academic pick..
PERSONAL: Williams (Billy) Knotts...born 5-17-81 at Vancouver...parents Patty and Lonnie Knotts are both WSU graduates...one sister, Angela...attended WSU's football camp and was named the top defensive lineman...also attended the UPS football camp and was named the top offensive lineman...enjoys golf...CRHS's school activities coordinator, 1998-99...State DECA qualifier...prep gpa of 3.30...interested in a business major at WSU.
8. SIMMONS, Melvin LB 6-2 205 Fr. Compton, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Dominguez High, where he was coached by Willie
Donerson...three varsity letters each in football and track (400m/800m) and
one in baseball...football captain as a senior and baseball captain junior
year...twice track captain, including senior year..as a JUNIOR made 138
tackles, including six sacks...an All-San Gabriel Valley League first team
pick and named to the Cal High Sports Top 100...SENIOR year named the
All-Far West team (92) by Super Prep Magazine...Blue Chip Magazine
All-American honoree...made 142 tackles with five sacks...league MVP and
named to All-CIF and league first teams...in final two seasons, made 280
tackles, including 11 sacks.
PERSONAL: Melvin Simmons...born 3-20-81 at Berkeley, Calif...parents Kathleen and Melvin Simmons....four sisters, Marguita, Katina, Kolena and Kamela, and six brothers, twins Marcel and Marcello, Marvin, Marlin, Maurice and Marquis...likes to jet ski, fish, go to the movies and watch his sister play basketball...prep gpa 3.3...honor roll student every semester in high school...ranked 28th in his class...interested in a business and education major at WSU.
9. PARRISH, Josh TE 6-6 245 Fr. Chewelah, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: An outstanding multiple-sport athlete at Jenkins High (also
known a Chewelah High)...coached by Roy Albertson in football...also one of
the top basketball players in the state and competed in track...three
football letters and two in basketball...as a JUNIOR named to the All-State
team as well as an All-Great Northern League pick...made 15 receptions and
averaged 15.1 yards per catch...SENIOR year named to the All-State first
team by Associated Press and Washington Prep Report and a Seattle Times Red
Chip pick...also named to the Western 100 (number two TE) by the Tacoma
News Tribune and to their Northwest Nugget second team...also an
All-Northwest (21) pick by Super Prep Magazine...an all-league pick for the
second year in a row...most of his playing time came at offensive tackle,
but also had 12 sacks on defense....selected to play in the East-West
Shrine game.
PERSONAL: Joshua (Josh) Parrish...born 4-25-80 at Chewelah...parents Diana and Brad Parrish...two brothers, Casey and Richard...likes to hunt and fish and play basketball...two cousins, Joey and Cody McKenna, played football at Whitworth College...interested in a criminal justice major at WSU.
10. DAVIS, Ira DB 6-1 185 Fr. Seattle, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: A standout on offense and defense in football and one of
Garfield High's top basketball and track athletes...coached by Luther Carr
in football, earning three letters...football and basketball captain senior
year...four varsity letters each in basketball and track...high jump and
long jump specialist...during SOPHOMORE year (96-97) hoop team's most
improved player...team won Metro City championship...as a JUNIOR (1997-98)
basketball team won Metro City title and State Championship...SENIOR
(98-99) year picked by the Seattle Times to their White Chip
list...All-KingCo wide receiver and honorable mention
linebacker...All-State honorable mention.
PERSONAL: Ira Davis...born 4-27-81 at Seattle...mother Portia Carter...one sister Portina Alexander...an uncle Mike Carter earned football letters at WSU in 1972-73-74...cousin Anthony Davis played with the Kansas City Chiefs...enjoys surfing the internet...honor student with a 3.1 gpa...earned minority outreach program certificate of merit, 1995...Seattle Urban League Youth Access Computer Training Program, 1998...Renaissance Honor Roll award 1998...a member of Natural Helpers, 1999...City of Seattle Webmaster and Graphics Art intern, 1997-99...participated in numerous community programs...National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete honoree, 1999...high school's Senior Prince,1999...looking at a computer science and advertising major at WSU.
11. WILLIAMS, Jeremey DL 6-5 255 Fr. Spokane, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport standout at Ferris High with varsity letters in
football and basketball...coached by Clarence Hough...football captain
senior year...as a JUNIOR, recorded 100 tackles, including 36 for losses
and 11 sacks,...named to the All-Greater Spokane League first
team...All-State pick...team's outstanding lineman...had 15 tackles against
Rogers and 12 in a game against Mesa...SENIOR year honored with selection
to the National Recruiting Center National 100 (51) and to The Sporting
News' Top 101 (81) team...ESPN top 100...received five votes in the Best in
the West poll by the Long Beach P-T...a Seattle Times Red Chip pick and
named to the Northwest Nugget second team by the Tacoma News
Tribune...National Football Hall of Fame lineman of the year...an All-State
second team pick by the Washington Prep Report...made 83 tackles, including
21 for losses and four sacks...All-GSL selection for the second straight year.
PERSONAL: Jeremy Williams...born 12-20-80 at Spokane, Wash...parents Adrian and Wallace Williams...father an offensive lineman at WSU 1970-71...one sister Stephanie...likes to swim and lift weights...prep gpa 3.7...honor roll student...member of DECA...interested in communications major at WSU.
12. GENATONE, Al LB/RB 6-0 210 Fr. Kennewick, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Kamiakin High, where he was coached by Craig
Beverlin...lettered in football (3), wrestling (3) and track (4)...as a
JUNIOR recorded 16 sacks, which tied a school record...named to the All-Big
9 Conference team...placed third in the State wrestling meet at 190
pounds...during the spring, member of school record (42.1) 400m relay team
that finished fourth in the State meet...SENIOR year named to the
Associated Press, Washington Prep Report and Seattle PI All-State first
teams...a Red Chip pick by the Seattle Times...named the Big 9's defensive
player of the year...a two-way all-league pick as a linebacker and running
back...rushed for 934 yards...set school's career sack record with
32...made a school record 149 tackles...finished career first in tackles
and third in rushing...selected to play in the East-West Shrine game.
PERSONAL: Al Genatone...born 9-13-80 at Hardin, Mont...parents Kathy and Jim Genatone...one brother Nick and one sister Tessa...enjoys hunting and fishing...prep gpa 3.2 and an honor roll honoree...interested in a business major at WSU
13. HENDERSON, Collin WR 6-2 185 Fr. Puyallup, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Jeff Gardner at Puyallup High, earning three
varsity football letters....also a three-year letterwinner in basketball
and baseball (outfielder)...three-time baseball captain and also captain of
football and basketball teams as a senior...as a SOPHOMORE earned All-South
Puget Sound League honors in baseball and a second team receiver...team
reached State quarterfinals...during JUNIOR year named to the All-South
Puget Sound League second team for a second straight season...team reached
State semifinals...All-SPSL MVP in baseball...area baseball player of the
year by TNT...participated in the Area Code Games in Long Beach,
Calif...SENIOR year earned first team All-State honors by the Seattle
PI...a Seattle Times Red Chip pick and a Northwest Nugget second team
honoree by the Tacoma News Tribune and an All-State second team pick by
Washington Prep Report...all-area first team receiver by TNT...named to the
Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest team (34)...All-SPSL first team pick as
both a receiver and safety...league MVP on offense...caught 38 passes for
768 yards and eight scores...selected to play in the State East-West Shrine
Game...in his career caught 117 passes for 2,168 yards and 24
touchdowns...team 32-5 in his three varsity seasons.
PERSONAL: Collin Henderson...born 11-4-79 at Lakewood, Wash....parents Susan and Jerry Henderson, both WSU graduates...so are his grandparents and a couple of aunts and uncles...father was a Cougar quarterback, 1965-68, and the school record holder with 3,411 career passing yards...father earned his undergraduate, MS and Ph.D degrees from WSU...older brother Pat a walkon wide receiver with the Cougars...enjoys music and reading...prep GPA of 3.85 and member of Honor Society...member of Student Counsel, Viking Nights, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Homecoming King, Tacoma Athletic Commission...National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete honoree...will play both football and baseball at WSU.
14. LAWSON, Forrest DB/WR 6-3 190 Fr. Puyallup, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Bill Wernofsky at Puyallup's Rogers High, where he
was a standout in both football and baseball...captain of football team
senior year and baseball captain as a junior...during SOPHOMORE year an
All-South Puget Sound League South first team defensive back and honorable
mention at receiver...also all-league outfielder in baseball...as a JUNIOR
named to the all-league team as a receiver and defensive back...South Puget
Sound League's defensive back of the year...all-league first team
outfielder and second team pitcher...SENIOR year Seattle Times honoree as a
Red Chip pick and a Northwest Nugget second team pick by the Tacoma News
Tribune...also a second team All-State honoree by Washington Prep
Report...averaged nearly 20 yards per catch as a receiver...all-league pick
for the second time...
PERSONAL: Forrest Lawson...born 11-9-80...mother Ronda Lawson a WSU graduate, as is an uncle, Randy Lawson.
15. BANKS, Mory DB 6-0 190 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Crenshaw High, where he was coached by Robert
Garnett...participated in both football and track...SENIOR year received
All-City and All-Pacific League honors.
LA SOUTHWEST JC: Coached by Henry Washington...SOPHOMORE year made 52
tackles, including 27 solo, and had 18 pass deflections...blocked two
punts, picked off four interceptions and recovered three fumbles.
PERSONAL: Mory Ralpheal Banks...born 11-8-79 at Los Angeles, Calif...parents Mary and Clarence Hamilton...five brothers and sisters...interested in a marketing major.
16. TRUFANT, Marcus DB 6-0 175 Fr. Tacoma, Wash.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Don Clegg at Wilson High, earning three varsity
letters...earned two letters each in basketball and track...team captain
for all three sports senior year...as a JUNIOR named top offensive player
on team, while in basketball was Mr. Defense...triple jumped 47-6 to
capture ninth at the State track meet...SENIOR year earned All-State first
team honors by Associated Press, the Seattle PI and Washington Prep
Report...a Seattle Times Red Chip honoree and named to the Western 100
(number eight DB) by the Tacoma News Tribune, as well as their Northwest
Nugget second team...a Super Prep Magazine All-Northwest (17) pick...named
Washington's AAAA player of the year by TNT...team won State 4-A title with
a win in the Kingdome...scored 30 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,800 yards
PERSONAL: Marcus Trufant...born 12-25-80 at Tacoma...parents Constance and Lloyd Trufant...two brothers, Isiah and Desmond...enjoys working with youth groups and church activities..an uncle Grady Maxwell played football at UCLA...will look at communications and business degree, or enginering.
17. LONG, Rien OL 6-7 260 Fr. Anacortes, Wash. v HIGH SCHOOL: Earned two varsity letters in football for coach Ted Beyer at Anacortes High...a late-comer to the sport of football, playing just two years in high school...earned four varsity letters in basketball and two in track, throwing the shot and discus...as a JUNIOR named to the all-league second team in basketball...during track season finished seventh in the state in the shot put...SENIOR year named to the Associated Press All-State first team...a Seattle Times Red Chip pick...chosen to the Tacoma News Tribune's Northwest Nugget second team and an All-Northwest (24) pick by Super Prep Magazine...All-Northwest League first team pick on defense and a second team offensive lineman...team 5-4 and finished third in league play.
PERSONAL: Rien Long...born 8-7-81 at Los Angeles, Calif...parents Bailey and David Cunningham...one younger brother Devan.
18. WILLIAMS, Marcus WR 6-5 220 Jr. Oakland, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Berkeley High, where he was coached by Mike
Tuiasosopo...earned one varsity letter in football, two in basketball and
one in track (sprints, hurdles, long jump)...as a JUNIOR named basketball
team's MVP winner and served as team captain...won NorCal 100m high hurdle
title...SENIOR year received all-league honorable mention as a tight
end...also a "cream of the crop" pick in football...named to Super Prep
Magazine's Far West team (#18)...Blue Chip Magazine named him to their
Western Regional team (#6 receiver)...basketball captain.
LANEY JC: Coached by Stan Peters...FRESHMAN (1997) season caught seven passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns...as a SOPHOMORE (1998) caught 31 passes in seven games for 767 yards and eight touchdowns...averaged 109.6 receiving yards per game...selected by Super Prep Magazine one of the Top 100 All-American's in the nation.
PERSONAL: Marcus Williams...born 12-12-77 at Oakland, Calif...parents Beverly and Marcus Williams...one brother Erik...enjoys playing video games...interested in a computer major at WSU.
19. ADEDIPE, Anthony DE 6-5 260 Jr. Newark, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Washington High in Fremont...earned one varsity
letter for coach Jim Ingram...captain senior year...as a SENIOR named to
the All-Mission Valley Athletic League and All-East Bay teams...played in
the Alameda-Contra Costa All-Star game...recorded 15 sacks.
CHABOT JC: Coached by Tony Cavigilia...during FRESHMAN season recorded 10 sacks for 8-3 team that lost to Las Madanas in the East County Bowl...in SOPHOMORE year earned all-conference and regional All-State honors after a 15-sack season...team finished 9-2 and beat Sacramento CC in the Merced Elks Bowl 41-31.
PERSONAL: Anthony Adedipe...born 12-14-77 at East Palo Alto, Calif...parents Cindy and Tony Adedipe...
20. WILLIAMS, John DB 6-3 225 Jr. West Aurora, Ill
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended West Aurora High, where he earned four varsity
football letters and three in basketball.
LONG BEACH CC: Coached by Larry Reisbig...as a FRESHMAN made 46 tackles and had one interception...named to the all-conference first team...SOPHOMORE year had 44 tackles and picked off two passes...first team defensive pick on the All-Mission Conference North Division team...All-America honorable mention pick.
PERSONAL: John Williams...born 4-16-77 at Chicago, Ill...parents Leroy Patton and Pandora Williams...enjoys listening to music
21. BROWN, Isaac TE/DE 6-3 230 Fr. Upland, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Claremont High...coached by Mike Collins, earning
three varsity letters...played with WSU signee Deon Burnett...as a JUNIOR
made 77 tackles with 17 sacks...All-Baseline League first team pick as well
as All-Southern Cal...area leader in sacks...SENIOR year named to the
Western 100 (number 11 LB) by the Tacoma News Tribune...a prep All-American
pick by the National Recruiting Center and named by Super Prep Magazine to
their prep All-American team (number 14 LB) and to their All-Far West squad
(30)...Student Sports Magazine named him to their All-Southern California
team...a Prep Star Magazine West Region Super 30 pick...made 89 tackles,
including 16 sacks and 24 tackles for losses...also picked off three passes
and forced four fumbles...caught 11 passes for 350 yards and three
touchdowns...All-CIF and all-valley honoree.
PERSONAL: Isaac Brown...born 10-13-81 at Tallahasee, Florida...mother Fena Butts...enjoys weight lifting and listening to music...member of several prep organizations, including Young Life, Christians on Campus, Renaissance Club and Black Student Union...will look at a communications major at WSU.
22. BURNETT, Deon RB 6-0 205 Fr. Upland, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Mike Collins at Claremont High, where he was a
teammate of Isaac Brown, who also signed with WSU...during SOPHOMORE year
named to the All-Baseline League second team, rushing for 610 yards in just
three games...scored seven touchdowns...as a JUNIOR rushed for 2,010 yards
and scored 29 touchdowns while earning all-league, All-CIF and All-State
first team honors...prep All-American for underclassmen...team's MVP and
offensive player of the year...SENIOR year received five votes in the Long
Beach P-T's Best in the West poll...picked by the Tacoma News Tribune to
their Western 100 team (number 13 RB)...a prep All-American pick by the
National Recruiting Center...named to Super Prep Magazine's All-American
(number 36 RB) and All-Far West (33) teams...all-league first team and
league MVP...All-CIF, Inland Valley and LA Times first team pick...Cal Hi
Sports All-American first team...Prep Star Magaizine All-American...racked
up 2,616 yards rushing and rushed for 27 touchdowns for 9-3
Claremont...top prep rushing total in California...also caught 33 passes,
including six for touchdowns...averaged 10.7 yards per carry...rushed for
more than 5,000 yards in his career (including three varsity games as a
sophomore)...set every school rushing and receiving record.
PERSONAL: Deon Burnett...born 5-15-81 at Los Angeles...parents Carmen and Marvin Burnett...one brother Anthony...likes to lift weights...participated in several high school and community programs, including Young Life, Christians on Campus, Black Student Union and Renaissance.
23. SHAVIES, Josh TE 6-6 250 Fr. Fremont, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Fremont High and was coached by Matthew
Walker...earned three varsity letters in football and four in
basketball...an outstanding athlete who received Div. I scholarship offers
in both sports...FRESHMAN basketball season named defensive player of the
year and freshman of the year...during SOPHOMORE year named to the
All-Oakland Athletic League team...selected to the All-California sophomore
team...as a JUNIOR named to the All-State Junior team...also earned
all-league honors in basketball...SENIOR year a Super Prep Magazine
All-American and a member of their All-Far West (18) team...also a National
Recruiting Center National 100 honoree (63) and a The Sporting News Top 101
pick (92)...the number three TE on the Tacoma News Tribune's Western 100 team.
PERSONAL: Josh Shavies...born 1-17-81 at Kaiser, Calif....parents Lorice and Frederick (deceased) Shavies...one sister Olivia...older brother Fred also a member of the Cougar football team....enjoys playing basketball, Rap and R&B music and watching movies...interested in a communications major at WSU.
The following football recruit signed a letter of intent Feb. 4 and will enroll at Washington State next fall.
TUPAI, Faafetai DL 6-4 298 Monterey, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Ted Robinson at Monterey High, where he earned three varsity letters...a standout two-way player earning honors as both an offensive and defensive lineman...as a SOPHOMORE finished second at the Monterey Bay League wrestling tourney...football team's most improved player...during JUNIOR season named the league's best defensive player and named to the All-MBL team on both offense and defense...also All-Monterey County and an All-State pick...SENIOR year received seven votes in the Long Beach P-T's Best in the West voting...also a Western 100 pick (number 10 OL) by the Tacoma News Tribune...one the National Recruiting Center's National 100 pick (84) and named to Super Prep Magazine's All-American team (number 17 DL) and to their All-Far West team (25)...ESPN Top 100 All-America pick...team finished 11-2 and won Div III sectional title...named MBL's lineman of the year and picked to both the offensive and defensive teams...won team's Golden Helmet Award.
PERSONAL: Faafetai Tupai...born 5-24-81 at Seatle, Wash...parents Tina and Seaula Tupai...father is a pastor...one sister Helen...two brothers, George and Junior...attended same school as former Cougar running back Shaumbe Wright-Fair...a member of the Key Club for two years and the Block "M" Club for one year.
The following football recruit signed a letter of intent Feb. 5 and will enroll at Washington State next fall.
LOVE,Kason LB 6-4 260 Riverside, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Notre Dame High, where he was coached by Hal Pfeiffer as a senior...attended Perris High before transferring to NDHS for senior year...earned three varsity letters in football, two in basketball...as a SOPHOMORE named basketball team's most improved player...during JUNIOR year earned MVP honors for both his basketball and baseball teams...SENIOR year earned DeAnza League's MVP honors on defense...named to the All-CIF first team and was second in the balloting for defensive player of the year honors...team MVP.
PERSONAL: Kason Love...born 3-21-82 at Riverside, Calif...parents Barbara and Nathan Love...two brothers, Nathan, Harvey, and two sisters, Josephine and Shavon.
