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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The group is comprised of players from the states of Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas and Kansas. Tatum secured the skills of the Missouri State Player of the Year in class 4A as Webb City's Collin Howard, son of Southern Hall of Fame tight end Ken Howard, has signed to play with the green and gold. Howard helped lead Webb to the State Championship this past fall and was also an all-conference selection in basketball for the Cardinals. Howard will be joined by fellow local players, Chris Delzell (Joplin HS), Brian Elkins (Cassville), Daniel White (Joplin), Zach Mason (Carthage), and Flint Whitehead (Seneca). Tatum said his coaches and he had a set plan for what they needed and he feels they have reached that goal. "We had a plan of attack that we needed to address, and our coaches went out and worked hard to obtain the players we needed to fulfill those needs," Tatum said. "We have some short and long term needs that we addressed with this class, as well." One area the coaches said they were looking to improve in was the offensive and defensive lines. "We definitely focused on our lines with this class," Tatum said. "We were also able to get the 4A Missouri Player of the Year (Colin Howard), and I'm extremely proud with the local flavor this class has." Tatum said the five junior college transfers that signed with Southern in December will definitely be looked to for help right away and (Scott) Clipp has the size and tools you look for in a tight end and that intrigued him. He said possibly a few players could see work on the defensive ends. Below is a complete list of all the players Tatum and his staff has signed. INCOMING FRESHMEN Johnny Borkins, 6-4, 260, OL, Fayetteville (Ark.) High School A guard, Borkins was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and coach Darryl Patton. He was an all conference selection his junior and senior seasons. Scott Clipp, 6-5, 242, TE, Waynesville (Mo.) High School A premier player in the Ozark Conference, Clipp was a two-time all-state selection and twice was named all-conference and all-district. He also received academic all-conference accolades playing for coach Rick Vernon. Marcus Cook, 6-1, 200, LB, Opelika (Ala.) High School A three-year starter for coach Spence McCracken, he helped lead his team to two state 6A semifinal appearances. He led his team in tackles the last two years and had 28 tackles in the team s 2006 state playoff run. He added two interceptions, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and eight tackles for minus yardage. Chris Delzell, 6 0, 205, DE, Joplin (Mo.) High School Delzell was a three year letterman and two year starter for the Eagles and coach Doug Buckmaster. He was a first team all conference selection this year, as well as a second team all district selection. He has also competed in track. Chad Dingus, 5 11, 175, FS, Mansfield-Summit (TX) High School Dingus was injured this past season and will redshirt for the Lions, while recovering from injury. A fast and talented defender, Dingus was honorable mention all conference playing for coach Kyle Geller. Brian Elkins, 6-1, 200, LB, Cassville (Mo.) High School Area student-athlete is projected as a linebacker after posting some impressive offensive stats for the Wildcats of coach David Large. He was an all-state selection at running back and the Big 8 Conference defensive player of the year. He is Cassville s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total yards and total touchdowns. He rushed for 1,550 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior and had 1,700 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior. Ian Harrison, 6-3, 250, P, Westmoore (Ok.) High School Oklahoma City native was named all-city and all-state after receiving all-conference and all-district honors for coach Mike Wately. He was named to the Tulsa World s first-team all-state squad and was a Max Pro All-World all-state pick. He was selected to participate in the Army All-American Combine and was a CSA prep all-star selection. Harrison averaged 43 yards per punt and had 39 touchbacks. Darious Holland, 6-2, 250, DT, Terrell (Tx.) High School Solid defensive lineman was a first-team all-district selection at Terrell for coach Gee and also was a regional qualifier in the shot put in 2006. Collin Howard, 6-3, 190, QB, Webb City (Mo.) High School The son of Missouri Southern Hall of Fame tight end Ken Howard, Collin helped lead the Cardinals of Coach John Roderique to the Missouri Class 4A state championship in 2006. An all-state and all-conference selection, he was named Offensive Player of the Year in Class 4A and was the Joplin Globe s offensive player of the year. He was selected the Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri as well as the Missouri Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association player of the year. He also was a first-team all-conference selection in basketball last season. Dez Johnson, 6-3, 315, DT, Grapeland (Tx.) High School Named to the all-state second team after earning first-team all-district and all-area honors at Grapeland for coach Chris Iskey. Logged 27 solo tackles and 31 assists and had two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Mitchell Kessler, 6-0, 260, OL, Fort Osage (Mo.) High School A first-team all-conference selection for coach Ryan Shartz, Kessler was a Wendy s High School Heisman winner. Kessler also competed in track and field and was a 2006 state medalist in the discus.
Jacob Kirksey, 6-3, 220, DE, Fort Smith
(Ark.) Southside H.S. Logged 15 sacks for coach Jeff Williams,
while helping Southside capture the Arkansas Class 7A state championship
in 2006. Had four sacks in the state title game against Rogers. Chase McCravey, 5-11, 190, FS, Lexington (Tx.) High School A three-year starter for coach Jason Holcomb, McCravey earned second-team all-state honors and was a first-team all-district selection. He had nine interceptions and four pass breakups as a senior. Lexington advanced to the state semifinals with McCravey at quarterback. Willie Mixon, 6-0, 230, LB-DE, Opelika (Ala.) High School A three-year starter on defense, Mixon recorded eight sacks and 36 tackles for losses during his senior season. He was a first team all county and all state playing for coach Spence McCracken Maurice Pearl, 6-3, 225, DE, Fort Osage (Mo.) High School Pearl earned second-team all-conference honors last season playing for coach Ryan Shartz. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Jason Reddy, 6-0, 285, DT, Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge H.S. A four-year starter, Reddy was a first-team all-conference, all-district and all-state selection at Rock Bridge for coach A.J. Ofodile. Rock Bridge finished third in the final Missouri 6A state football rankings last season and was ranked first in the state and 19th nationally through the first seven weeks of the season. Ian Saxton, 6-4, 260, OL, Benton (Mo.) High School The St. Joseph (Mo.) native was named Mr. Benton Football last season after earning first-team all-conference and all-district honors for coach Derek Wilson. He was a second-team all-state selection and was named to the St. Joseph News Press all-star team. A member of the National Honor Society, he is vice president of the senior class. Ishmael Underdown, 5-10, 190, FS, Northeast Academy (Ok.) High School Team captain earned first-team all-state, all-city and all-region honors for Northeast Academy of Oklahoma City for coach Billy Blair, a former NFL wide receiver. A two-time all-region champion, he was named all-state in power lifting. Cameron Walker, 6-1, 205, WR, Fayetteville (Ark.) High School Helped the Bulldogs of Coach Darryl Patton reach the Arkansas 7A state semifinals last season. He brings a physical presence to the Lions receiving corps and is a big play receiver. Also possesses good run-blocking skills. He was team captain and an all-conference selection. Daniel White, 6-3, 190, DE, Joplin (Mo.) High School The Eagles defensive player of the year was a first-team All-Ozark Conference for coach Doug Buckmaster and all-district selection and received honorable mention on the all-state team. White also was the conference s 189-pound champion in wrestling. Flint Whitehead, 6-3, 220, OL, Seneca (Mo.) High School Area student-athlete earned all-district and all-area honors for coach Rob Townsend and was a second-team all-Big 8 Conference selection. Justin Williams, 6-1, 293, OL, Wynne (Ark.) High School Solid student-athlete off and on the field helped lead coach Don Campbell s Wynne Yellow Jackets to the Arkansas 4A state semifinals last season. Wynne finished 13-1, losing only to eventual state champion Pulaski Academy. A competent run blocker, Williams has above average agility and speed for his size. Posted a 3.0 grade point average in the classroom. Joseph Wilson, 5-10, 200, RB, Opelika (Ala.) High School A first-team all-state selection, Wilson rushed for 2,050 yards and 28 touchdowns last season in helping the coach Spence McCracken s Opelika Bulldogs reach the Alabama 6A state semifinals. The Bulldogs lost to eventual state champion Pratteville. Opelika was 21-2 during Wilson s junior and senior seasons. COLLEGE, JUNIOR COLLEGE SIGNEES Jovan Alexander, 6-0, 189, CB, Independence (Ks.) C.C. Did not play at Independence during the 2006 season after earning All-Region honors at North Iowa Area C.C. as a freshman. Received all-state and All-Surburban North Conference first-team honors at Hazelwood High School in St. Louis. Jamel Smith, 5-11, 190, S, Troy (Al.) University A native of Opelika, Ala., Smith attended Troy before transferring to Missouri Southern. Played safety and linebacker at Opelika High School for coach Spence McCracken and started as a sophomore before an injury sidelined him his junior year. Returned to the starting lineup again as a senior. He was a first team all state and all conference selection.
JUNIOR COLLEGE RECRUITS Antwan Dyer, 6-1, 250, DE-LB, Tyler (Tx.) Junior College Tyler native earned honorable mention on the All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference team in 2006 . . . expected to see action at either linebacker or defensive end for the Lions. Eddie Gilmore, 5-10, 185, S, Chaffey (Ca.) College Hard-nosed, tough defensive back played in excellent California Junior College conference and is expected to make an immediate impact in the Lions secondary. Clint Hooper, 6-6, 325, OL, College of the Redwoods (Ca.) two-time first team all-conference standout for College of the Redwoods and a native of Eureka, Ca. . . projected to compete for the left tackle position with the Lions. Aaron Hunter, 6-2, 310, OL, Kilgore (Tx.) Junior College Dallas native was a first-team All-Southwest Junior College Conference selection and is projected to battle for a starting job at guard or center. Kharee Louis-Jeune, 6-2, 330, G-C, Dean College (Boston, Ma.) Solid offensive line prospect is expected to bring immediate help up front this spring and will compete for playing time at center or guard for the Lions.
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