KEARNEY, Neb. — University of Nebraska at Kearney football coach Darrell Morris announced on Wednesday the names of 29 high school seniors who will suit up for the Lopers this fall.
In addition, five players transferred into UNK last month and are going through winter workouts with the team. Morris said more players will be added.
UNK picked up three of Colorado's top quarterbacks as Davis Brendel (Regis Jesuit), Nate Grimes (Arvada Pomona) and Zach Thenell (Bear Creek) were among the Class 5A passing leaders this fall. Thenell replaced current Loper Jake Spitzlberger as Bear Creek's starting quarterback three years ago.
Grimes and Thenell fit the mold of Spitzlberger, Morris said.
“They both ran the zone read offense in high school, so they are familiar with what we are doing,'' Morris said. “They pass well, they can throw on the run and run well, all the things that Jake brings to the table.''
The entire group includes 16 players on offense, 16 on defense and two kickers. By state, 20 are Nebraska natives, six are from Colorado, three from California, two from Kansas and one each from Arizona, Montana and Texas.
On the offensive side of the ball, the newcomers include seven linemen, three quarterbacks, two receivers, two running backs and two tight ends. Defensively, the Lopers added seven linebackers, five defensive linemen and four defensive backs.
Among the players eventually protecting the new quarterbacks will be Peter Trausch (Minden), Cody Wheeler (Fredrick, Colo.) and Matt Anderson (Prescott, Ariz.).
“Peter is a big old boy and athletic and moves around really well,'' Morris said. “We have a lot of hope for him down the road.''
Trausch was a 2009 Class C-1 first-team all-state pick, Wheeler was tabbed first-team Class 4A this fall with Anderson having two years of college football under his belt after playing for the Scottsdale College Artichokes.
Transferring into UNK are receivers Kyle Spotts (Giltner H.S./Eastern New Mexico) and Adam Lehner (Hastings H.S./Nebraska-Omaha) as well as running back Alex Hutchinson (Stapleton H.S./Colorado School of Mines).
With its entire secondary graduating, the Lopers went out of state to pick up corner backs Kenny Hill (San Diego, Calif./Grossmont College), Ryan Lendrum (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Alonzo Young (DeSoto, Texas). The one projected safety is Kearney Catholic's Jared Reinke.
Two of Nebraska's top prep rushers the past four years, Ryan Behmer of Adams Central and Sean Campbell of Pleasanton are slated to be at linebacker for UNK. Also here is Garden City C.C. transfer John Gaede (Hoxie, Kans.).
Up front, where UNK will be extremely stout in 2010, the Lopers welcome in Braxton Flaming (Billings, Mont.) and Jack Wardyn (Palmer), a 2009 Eight Man-2 first-team all-state pick.
Michael Gruber (El Cajon, Calif.) and Nic Stoll (Marysville, Kans.) look to follow in the line of great Loper kickers. Senior Jordan Alegria handled UNK's punting and kicking duties last fall; current senior Brennan Johnson helped out in the punt game last fall and could be the team's starting punter in 2010.
UNK's last true freshmen starting kicker/punter was Jordan Pfeifer in 2003.
The Lopers went 11-2 in 2009, winning the RMAC title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Spring ball will begin in late March.
The recruits:
Cody Anthony (LB, 5-11, 195, Alliance, Neb./Alliance H.S.). 2009 Class B honorable mention all-state. As a senior, ran for 1,440 yards
Ryan Behmer (LB, 5-11, 195, Ayr, Neb./Adams Central H.S.). 2009 first-team Class B all-state. 2008 Class B honorable mention all-state. Finished his career with a school-record 3,648 rushing yards
Davis Brendel (QB, 6-0, 185, Denver, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.). Starting QB in 2009, throwing for 1,365 yards (11th most in Class 5A) and 12 TDs. Led team to 7-5 record, including two playoff wins. Averaged 46.2 yards per punt with a long of 53 yards.
Sean Campbell (LB, 6-0, 205, Pleasanton/Pleasanton H.S.). 2009 Eight Man-2 first-team all-state at defensive back. 2008 and 2009 Kearney Hub Territory first-team at running back. 2008 Eight Man-2 1st-team all-state at running back. Rushed for a school-record 5,212 yards in his career. As a senior, ran for 2,063 yards and 21 TDs (171.9). Part of a program that has made six straight trips to the state playoffs, including a semifinal (Class D-2) trip in 2009. Also 2008 state runner up (Class D) in the long jump (21-7.75)
Brett Douglas (OL, 6-2, 275, Ravenna, Neb./Ravenna H.S.). 2009 Class C-2 honorable mention all-state. 2009 Kearney Hub Territory first-team. 2008 Kearney Hub Territory second-team
Reid Doyle (TE, 6-4, 205, Sidney/Sidney H.S.). 2009 first-team All-Western Conference
Ethan Dake (RB, 5-10, 190, Oxford, Neb./Southern Valley H.S.). 2009 Class C-1 honorable mention all-state. 2009 Kearney Hub Territory second-team at running back. As a senior, ran for 1,106 yards (122.9 avg.) and 17 TDs in eight games.
Colby Emal (OL, 6-5, 230, Minden, Neb./Minden H.S.). 2009 Class C-1 honorable mention all-state. 2009 Kearney Hub Territory honorable mention.
Braxton Flaming (DE, 6-0, 190, Billings, Mont./Billings Central H.S.). 2009 Eastern A All-Conference second-team at offensive line. 2008 Eastern A All-Conference honorable mention. Played for one of Montana's top A programs (11-1 each of the past two years).
Matt Griffin (LB, 6-0, 205, Pleasanton/Pleasanton H.S.). 2009 Eight Man-2 honorable mention all-state. 2008 and 2009 Kearney Hub Territory first-team at linebacker. In 2009, made 100 tackles (8.3 avg.) over 12 games. As a junior, 103 tackles (10.3 avg.) in 10 games. Part of a program that has made six straight trips to the state playoffs, including a semifinal (Class D-2) trip in 2009.
Nate Grimes (QB, 6-0, 180, Wesminster, Colo./Pomona H.S.). 2009 Denver Post first-team Class 5A. 2009 MetroNorth Newspapers All-Region Football Team & Offensive P.O.Y. In 2009, had 2,600 offensive yards and scored a combined 24 TDs. Ranked seventh in Class 5A in passing (1,819 yards) and completed 62 percent of his passes. Ranked 25th in Class 5A in rushing (802 yards). In 2009, led team to a 12-2 record and a state runner-up finish.
Michael Gruber (K, 6-0, 180, El Cajon, Calif./Christian H.S.). In 2009, had 50 kicking points (35 PATs and five field goals). Long field goal of 47 yards. As a junior, scored a school record 73 points. 2008 first-team All-East County. 2008 San Diego State Kicking Camp Champion. Catcher on the baseball team and keeper in soccer.
Bryce Hinrichs (TE, 6-2, 230, Hastings, Neb./Adams Central H.S.). 2009 Class B honorable mention all-state.
Ryan Lendrum (DB, 5-9, 185, Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad H.S.). In 2009, had 45 tackles, three INT's and a team-high 13 pass breakups. Also rushed 18 times for 167 yards and three TDs and had seven kick returns for 272 yards.
Nate Olson (DL, 6-4, 220, Albion, Neb./Boone Central H.S.). 2009 Class C-1 honorable mention all-state. 2009 All-Heartland second-team as a defensive linemen. As a senior, 83 tackles (9.2 pg) with 4.5 sacks. Also member of basketball and track teams.
Cole Manhart (OT, 6-5, 240, Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge H.S.). 2009 Class 5A honorable mention all-state. 2009 Southern League first-team.
Jared Reinke (S, 6-0, 180, Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic H.S.). 2009 Class C-2 honorable mention all-state. 2009 Kearney Hub Territory honorable mention. In 2009, rushed for 478 yards and passed for 330 yards (six games).
Trey Reynolds (DE, 6-2, 225, Westminseter, Colo./Pomona H.S.). 2009 All-Region. 2009 Big 8 All-Conference. As a senior, 41 tackles (9 for loss), 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries. In 2009, part of a team that went 12-2 and finished as state runners up finish. Also part of track team.
Casey Sayer (OL, 6-4, 290, Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island H.S.). 2009 Class A honorable mention all-state.
Zach Schmidt (LB, 6-0, 180, Lexington/Lexington H.S.). 2009 Class B honorable mention all-state. 2009 Kearney Hub Territory second-team. In 2009, 98 tackles (5.5. sacks). Also 2009 state runner up (Class B) at 400 meters (50.51). Placed fifth in the same event in 2008 (50.82)
Nic Stoll (K, 5-10, 165 lbs., Marysville, Kan./Marysville H.S.). 2009 Class 3A honorable mention all-state. Part of a program that finished as the 2009 runners-up in Class 3A. In his career, made 93 percent (105 of 133) of his PAT's and was 9 of 14 on field goal tries (long of 38). Finished 3rd in field goals at the 2008 kicking.com combine series national finals; 4th in kickoffs. Also 2007 Kansas State U. kicking camp head to head champion.
Zach Thenell (QB, 5-10, 170, Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek H.S.). Three-year starter at QB; he followed current Loper Jake Spitzlberger as the Bears' QB. Father, Tom, is head coach at Bear Creek. Three-time Class 5A. As a senior, 226 of 331 (68.3 completion pct.) for Class 5A-best 2,922 yards, 26 TDs and 11 INTs. Set a Colorado High School record for career completion percentage (70.4). In Colorado prep history, third in passing yards (9,286) and fourth in passing TDs (94). Also member of track team (sprints and pole vault) and played wing in hockey team (Dakota Ridge co-op).
Peter Trausch (OL, 6-3, 300, Minden, Neb./Minden H.S.). 2009 Class C-1 first-team all-state. 2008 and 2009 Kearney Hub Territory first-team at defensive line. 2008 Class C-1 honorable mention all-state.
Jack Wardyn (DL, 6-3, 290, Palmer, Neb./Palmer H.S.). 2009 Eight Man-1 first-team all-state. 2008 Eight Man-1 honorable mention all-state.
Cody Wheeler (OL, 6-1, 260, Fredrick, Colo./Broomfield H.S.). 2009 Class 4A first-team all-state. 2009 1st-team all-region as a defensive linemen. Two-time all-conference center.
Kellen Werner (LB, 6-1, 225, Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island H.S.). 2009 Class A honorable mention all-State. Older sister, Kelsey, plays volleyball for the Lopers.
Alonzo Young (CB, 5-8, 170, DeSoto, Texas/Jesuit College Prep of Dallas H.S.). 2009 5A All-District honorable mention. As a senior, 37 tackles with a team-high 11 pass breakups.
Transfers
Matt Anderson (Jr., 6-4, 280, OL, Prescott, Ariz./Prescott H.S./Scottsdale C.C.). Spent two years playing for the Scottsdale Artichokes. Part of a prep program that went 9-3 in 2006 and 7-5 in 2007.
Josh Gaede (LB, Jr., 6-2, 215, Hoxie, Kans./Hoxie H.S./Garden City C.C.). In 2009 for Garden City, had 32 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Kenny Hill (CB, Fr-R, 5-10, 170, San Diego, Calif./St. Augustine H.S./Grossmont College). In 2009, took a redshirt season at Grossmont College. As a senior, had 111 tackles, seven pass breakups, four fumble recovers and two INTs.
Alex Hutchinson (RB, So, 5-10, 180, Stapleton, Neb./Stapleton H.S./Colorado Mines). 2006 Eight Man-2 1st-team All-State at linebacker.
Adam Lehner (WR, Fr-r, 6-2, 215, Hastings, Neb./Hastings H.S./UNO).
Dakota McCormack (DE, Fr-R, 6-3, 220, Omaha, Neb./Westside H.S./Iowa Western C.C.). Was part of Iowa Western's first-ever football team in the fall of 2009.
Kyle Spotts (WR, Fr-R, 5-11, 185, Hastings, Neb./Giltner H.S./Eastern New Mexico U.). In 2009, took a redshirt season for the Division II Greyhounds. 2008 Eight Man-1 1st-team all-state. 2007 Eight Man-2 honorable mention all-state.
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