Bronchos Add Recruits

2/3/2016 11:26:00 AM

EDMOND (Feb. 3) – Another winning season and second consecutive bowl game appearance proved beneficial to Central Oklahoma Wednesday when the Bronchos landed another strong recruiting class on the first day high school players could sign a national letter-of-intent.

Head coach Nick Bobeck and staff added 24 prep standouts to the fold, signing 19 in-state prospects along with three from Arkansas and two from Texas. Thirteen of the signees are scheduled to play defense, with nine on offense and two on special teams.

"Our first priority was to recruit student-athletes that fit and will add to the culture in the locker room," said Bobeck, whose team finished 7-5 and won the Live United Texarkana Bowl last year after overcoming an 0-4 start. "Like previous years, we always start in the state of Oklahoma and then recruit individuals we believe can make a difference from Texas and Arkansas.

"There were needs that had to be filled offensively, defensively and in special teams. However, with the evolution of our roster and the depth that has been created, we were able to concentrate a lot more on wants this year.

"We want to be bigger and more physical as a football team. In order to do that it's imperative that we recruit big people with mobility. We believe it's important to recruit kids that we have seen in person and not just on film.

"If we are signing the right kids, developing them and getting them graduated over the course of their four or five years at UCO the wins will continue to come. This is a great group that will represent the University of Central Oklahoma in a positive manner, both on an off the field."

Here's information on the 24 high school players who had signed with the Bronchos along with the five mid-year junior college transfers who are already on campus.

Abe Anderson • Linebacker • 6-3 • 225 • Tulsa
Two-way standout at Metro Christian Academy . . . Made 94 tackles with three sacks and two fumble recovers as a senior and racked up 342 tackles during career . . . Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 4A All-Star pick at quarterback as a senior after passing for 3,656 yards and 33 touchdowns in leading team to Class 4A state playoffs . . . Also lettered in baseball and wrestling.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Rugged inside linebacker who will bring a physical presence to our defense. A good athlete that also played quarterback at Metro. He's a smart player who will thump in the middle."

Josh Autaubo • Deep Snapper • 6-0 • 210 • Tulsa
All-District offensive lineman last fall at Lincoln Christian Academy . . . Helped lead team to Class 3A state runner-up finish as a senior.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Josh is a talented snapper who will compete for both the short and long snapping duties in the fall. He's a mature kid with great leadership abilities on and off the field."

Brendan Brown • Punter • 6-3 • 210 • Midwest City
Played quarterback while also handling the punting duties at long-time power Midwest City High School and helped guide the Bombers to the Class 6A-II playoffs as a senior . . . All-District pick at punter as a senior . . . Also lettered in baseball, basketball and golf.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Strong legged punter who has the potential to be a big weapon on special teams. Multiple-sport athlete who plays on one of the best basketball teams in the state."

Keats Calhoon • Quarterback • 6-3 • 185 • Tulsa
Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 3A All-Star pick last fall after completing 205-of-334 passes for 3,503 yards and 36 touchdowns with just three interceptions while also rushing for 409 yards . . . Enjoyed a phenomenal prep career at Victory Christian Academy, passing for 12,538 yards and 118 TDs as a four-year starter . . . Led team to Class 3A playoffs during senior season.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Big, experienced quarterback who can run and throw. Does a great job distributing the football and will fit our scheme nicely."

Brandt Chitwood • Offensive Line • 6-4 • 300 • Alex
Led Alex High School to Class B playoffs as a senior last fall . . . Was named District B-2 Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Rugged interior lineman we had the opportunity to coach in camp, where he demonstrated nice physicality and athleticism."

Caleb Crites • H-back • 6-3 • 225 • Colcord
Two-way standout who earned Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 2A All-State honors at linebacker last fall after leading Colcord High School to state playoffs . . . Two-time All-District pick at both tight end and linebacker . . . Also a baseball and track standout, finishing as state runner-up in shot put.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Another small-town athlete who will really develop over his career. Shows natural movement skills and the ability to catch the ball."

Alec Davidson • Wide Receiver • 6-1 • 185 • Broken Arrow
Put together amazing senior season last fall in leading Lincoln Christian Academy to Class 3A state runner-up finish, ranking second in the nation with a state-record 2,232 receiving yards . . . Had 105 catches and set another state-record with 35 receiving touchdowns in receiving Oklahoman and Tulsa World All-State recognition . . . Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 3A All-Star pick at defensive back after making 89 tackles with four interceptions . . . Finished career with 245 catches for 4,521 yards and 72 TDs . . . Also a baseball standout.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Alec is a talented athlete who put up video game numbers last year. We had him in camp and loved his athleticism and growth potential."

Austin Hilton • Offensive Line • 6-1 • 285 • McAlester
Second-team All-State selection by the Tulsa World after helping lead McAlester High School to the Class 5A playoffs.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Physical lineman who plays with a nasty streak. He's athletic enough to play center, but could swing to either guard spot as well."

Tyler Hughes • Defensive Line • 6-1 • 275 • Jones
Garnered Oklahoman All-State recognition as a senior after making 86 tackles with nine sacks . . . Named an Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 3A All-Star and was the District 3A-3 MVP last fall after leading Jones High School to Class 3A state semifinals . . . Also a baseball and track letterman for the Longhorns.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Tyler is exceptionally flexible for a kid his size and does a great job of recreating the line of scrimmage and then shedding blocks to make plays."

Derek Loccident • Defensive Back • 6-2 • 185 • Oklahoma City
Earned All-Conference, All-District and Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 6A All-Star honors at Westmoore High School last season after making 53 tackles with one interception . . . Also lettered in track.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A big corner prospect who plays with physicality. Derek is a talented kid who uses his great length to his advantage in coverage and disengaging from blockers."

Jared Lopes • Defensive End • 6-3 • 220 • Muskogee
Made 45 tackles as a senior at Muskogee High School.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Jared is a raw kid with exceptional physical tools. His best football is in front of him. He will be fun to watch develop over the course of his career."

Tyrone Mahone • Defensive Back • 5-11 • 170 • Bentonville, Ark.
All-State selection last fall at powerhouse Bentonville (Ark.) High School . . . Helped team make the Class 7A semifinals as a senior after the Tigers won back-to-back state titles the previous two years.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A very fluid kid who has some length. He can really run and makes clean transitions in and out of breaks."

Gabe Moana • Defensive Line • 6-1 • 300 • Lawton
Collected 94 tackles with 12 for loss, including 6.0 sacks, last fall at Lawton Eisenhower High School . . . Also lettered in baseball.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Physical kid who can really snap off the football. He's violent with his hands, which allows him to shed blockers in short space."

Tyson Morris • Wide Receiver • 6-2 • 195 • Fayetteville, Ark.
All-Conference and All-State selection last fall after helping Fayetteville (Ark.) High School capture the Class 7A state championship . . . Also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A big pass-catcher with a physical body. Has the ability to stretch the field and make plays after the catch with his physical tools."

Mason Myers • Wide Receiver • 6-2 • 195 • Chandler
Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 2A All-Star selection last fall as quarterback at Chandler High School . . . Passed for 1,702 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 690 yards and eight scores as a senior in earning District 2A-5 MVP recognition . . . Also an All-Conference performer in basketball and two-time state qualifier in track.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A high school quarterback who will transition to receiver. Very talented athlete and reminds us of Connor Pulley (senior-to-be wide receiver for UCO). He has great leadership skills and is talented with the ball in his hands."

Chris Osondu • Defensive Back • 6-2 • 190 • Haslet, Texas
Earned All-District honors at Byron Nelson (Texas) High School after helping the Bobcats make the Class 6A state playoffs . . . Also a track letterman.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Chris is a rangy athlete with coverage skills and a feel for fitting the run. He has exceptional physical tools."

Romel Price • Wide Receiver • 6-3 • 185 • Dallas, Texas
Averaged 27.0 yards a catch as a senior for Class 6A state playoff team at Lake Highlands (Texas) High School.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Extremely gifted pass-catcher with natural hands and athleticism. Romel is a high-ceiling athlete who will be a match-up issue."

Ben Raulston • Offensive Line • 6-4 • 255 • Ponca City
Gained All-District honors as a senior at Ponca City High School . . . Also a multi-year letterman in wrestling and track for the Wildcats.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Athletic offensive lineman who flew under the radar. Has the ability to play center, guard or tackle. Has nice length and plays with leverage."

Sam Ruhl • Defensive End • 6-5 • 240 • Ardmore
Helped guide Ardmore High School to Class 5A state playoffs last fall, earning All-District recognition.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Long athlete with natural movement skills for an individual his size. Sam has the potential to develop into a great player."

Terrell Shaw • Defensive Back • 6-3 • 180 • Lawton
Named an Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 6A All-Star after leading long-time power Lawton High School to the Class 6A-II playoffs.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Another long, rangy kid who isn't afraid to play close to the line of scrimmage. He's also shown the ability to be very effective in pass coverage and has good ball skills."

Jake Standlee • Defensive Back • 6-0 • 180 • Meeker
Two-way star who played multiple positions at Meeker High School . . . Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 3A All-Star pick at running back as a senior after rushing for 2,368 yards and 24 touchdowns .Two-time All-District selection and the District 3A-2 MVP last fall after leading the Bulldogs to Class 3A state playoffs last fall . . . Finished career with more than 5,000 rushing yards and 150 tackles with 15 interceptions.
Coach Bobeck Says: "Jake is one of the best natural athletes in the state. He played running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety and cornerback during his high school career. He's a very fluid athlete who will play safety for us."

Corey Tipsword • Defensive Line • 6-4 • 320 • Norman
Had 35 tackles with 2.0 sacks as a senior for Class 6A-I playoff team at Norman North High School . . . Was named District Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year last fall.
Coach Bobeck Says: "He's a massive kid who is very athletic for his size. Corey does a great job of getting his hands on offensive linemen and disengaging."

Kennedy Wade • Defensive Back • 6-3 • 180 • Fayetteville, Ark.
Helped lead Fayetteville (Ark.) High School to Class 7A state title as a senior last fall.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A long, physical corner with a high ceiling. His length helps him control receivers and keep himself in place to make plays on the ball."

Austin Williams • Defensive End • 6-1 • 225 • Oklahoma City
Oklahoman Big-All City selection at linebacker last season at Putnam City High School after racking up 112 tackles with eight passes broken up, six forced fumbles and two interceptions . . . Helped take the Pirates to the Class 6A-I playoffs.
Coach Bobeck Says: "A physical pass rusher who is extremely athletic. Austin can get to the quarterback, but is also fluid enough to drop into coverage if asked to do so. He's a gifted football player."

Mid-Year Transfers
Vincent Consentino • DE • 6-3 • 255 • Sierra College
Coach Bobeck Says: "Big pass rusher who will compete for immediate playing time this spring. A mature kid that plays with great energy."

Dakota Diessner • Defensive Back • 5-11 • 190 • Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Coach Bobeck Says: "A versatile athlete who has played every position in the defensive backfield. Dakota will compete for immediate playing time this spring."

Hank Humphers • Linebacker • 6-1 • 210 • Sierra College
Coach Bobeck Says: "Physical kid who plays the game the right way. A converted safety who adds athleticism and toughness to our linebacker unit."

Barry Higdon • Defensive Back • 6-3 • 200 • Fort Scott Community College
Coach Bobeck Says: "Another mid-year enrollee who will compete this spring for playing time at cornerback. Barry is really long, which allows him to get hands on receivers and disrupt routes."

Anthony Wilkinson • Defensive Back • 6-0 • 190 • Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Coach Bobeck Says: "Anthony is athletic and long. He's played both cornerback and safety in junior college and will compete for immediate playing time at corner this spring."

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