Feb. 6, 2008

By Tyler Koonce, Assistant Football Contact

2008 Signees in PDF Format

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State head football coach Tony Samuel announced the signing of 11 players to National Letters of Intent. Two of the signees are junior college transfers that are enrolled for the current semester and will participate in spring drills. The remaining recruits include nine high school seniors that will join the program for the fall semester and preseason camp in August.

"We ended up signing 11 kids in this recruiting class," Samuel said. "Out of those 11, we have two out-of-staters from junior college and eight of nine of the high school players are from Missouri. We covered the state pretty well, there were some really good quality football players in-state this year."

Both junior college transfers are enrolled in classes for the current semester and are on campus working out with the team. Dustin Powell (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield CC), 6-2, 215, is a junior quarterback from Bakersfield College. Josh Woods (Northville, Mich./West Los Angeles CC), 5-11, 200, is a redshirt junior cornerback from West Los Angeles College that spent his first two collegiate seasons playing at Utah.

The following players are currenly enrolled at Southeast and will participate in spring drills:

Dustin Powell played for a Bakersfield CC team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation for 11 weeks. (Michael Grace)

Dustin Powell QB, 6-2, 215, Jr., Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield CC)
• Played quarterback for a team that finished 23-3 over his two seasons on the squad
• Team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for 11 weeks in 2007
• Named to Dean's List every semester

Josh Woods played two seasons at Utah before transferring to play at West Los Angeles CC. (Michael Grace)

Josh Woods CB, 5-10, 200, R-Jr., Northville, Mich. (West Los Angeles CC)
• Spent two seasons playing at Utah before transferring to West Los Angeles CC
• Bench presses 410 pounds and squats 535 pounds
• Twin brother, Jarrell, plays running back at Arizona State

The following players will join Southeast for the fall semester and preseason camp:

David Bax LB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Jefferson City, Mo. (Helias)
• All-state linebacker and tight end
• Two-time all-district
• Led team with 86 tackles, including 14 tackles for losses
• Registered five quarterback sacks and two interceptions
• Team finished 10-1 and reached Class 4 sectionals

Armin Blagajcevic was a two-time unanimous all-conference selection at Affton High School.

Armin Blagajcevic OL, 6-3, 310, Fr., St. Louis, Mo. (Affton)
• Two-time unanimous selection all-conference
• All-metro

Kris Cottner is a two-time all-conference, all-region, all-district and all-Southeast Missourian performer. (Southeast Missourian)

Kris Cottner CB/ATH, 5-10, 190, Fr., Perryville, Mo. (Perryville)
• Two-time all-conference
• Two-time all-region
• Two-time all-district
• Two-time all-Southeast Missourian
• Rushed for over 1,150 yards in junior and senior seasons
• Two-time all-state in track and field

Antonio Garritano TE, 6-5, 240, Fr., Jackson, Mo. (Jackson)
• Two-time all-conference
• Two-time all-district
• Two-time all-region
• Team finished 11-1 and reached Class 4 semifinals
                             

Philip Klaproth LB, 6-0, 225, Fr., Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Poplar Bluff)
• Three-time all-conference
• Third team all-state offensive lineman
• Second on the team with 78 tackles in 2007
• All-state in track and field

Philip Klaproth is a three-time all-conference selection at Poplar Bluff High School. (semoball.com)

Jacob McKinley RB/ATH, 5-9, 180, Fr., Maryland Heights, Mo. (Parkway North)
• All-state kick returner
• Two-time all-suburban
• Rushed for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior
• Averaged 21.7 yards per punt return and 20.4 yards per kickoff return
• Returned two punts for touchdowns in 2007

Matt Scheible QB, 6-1, 200, Fr., Washington, Mo. (Washington)
• Two-time all-conference, all-district quarterback and defensive back
• 2007 all-state quarterback and defensive back
• Passed for 1,732 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 959 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior
• Registered 91 tackles and four interceptions in 2007

Matt Shannon OL, 6-3, 265, Fr., Washington, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia)
• Three-time all-conference defensive lineman
• Two-time all-conference offensive lineman
• Two-time Sports Writers Press Team
• 2007 All-ECC offensive and defensive line
• All-state, all-metro offensive lineman

Robert Watley RB/ATH, 5-10, 185, Fr., La Plata, Md. (La Plata)
• All-conference, all-metro
• 1,723 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns on 58 touches, averaged 21.9 yards per touch in 2007
• Runs the 100-meter dash in 10.6 seconds
• State champion in the 55-meter and 300-meter dash with times of 6.47 and 35.01 seconds