SectionsAllen signs 21 for Bears
Bears snag 18 high school, 3 from juco
Jon Poorman
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Sports
Head coach Terry Allen announced the Bears' 2010 recruiting class Wednesday, which includes 18 high school players and three junior college transfers.
"It's always an exciting day for coaches," Allen said of signing day. "I am excited about this group. We had a minimal amount of scholarships, and we felt like we really hit the nail on the head with the guys we were able to recruit."
The class is highlighted by three players: Julian Burton, Issac Umesi and Jordan Rainey.
Burton is a wide receiver/running back from White Station High School in Memphis, Tenn. He was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and had a productive high school career playing both offense and defense. In his final two seasons at White Station, he produced 32 touchdowns and almost 2,000 all-purpose yards, as well as seven interceptions on defense.
Umesi, a cornerback from Richland High School in Richland Hills, Texas, was also rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. He was originally committed to play at Kansas, but switched to Missouri State due to coaching changes. Umesi was a Texas Class 5 all-state selection in his time at Richland.
Rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Rainey played offensive line for Joplin High School in Joplin, Mo. In 2009, Rainey was a Missouri Class 6 all-state selection as well as being picked all-conference and all-district.
Rainey is one of five players from what Allen calls "the area." The other four include Mitchell Jenkins (QB, Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Mo.), Josh Mattes (RB, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Mo.), Zack Cooley (OL, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Mo.) and Caleb Schaffitzel (DB, Fair Grove High School, Fair Grove, Mo.).
"Those five are really good local players and we're really excited about them," Allen said.
The only player from Springfield is Jenkins, who played quarterback at Hillcrest High School. In 2009, Jenkins threw for 2,775 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning Class 4 all-state honors.
"It's always an exciting day for coaches," Allen said of signing day. "I am excited about this group. We had a minimal amount of scholarships, and we felt like we really hit the nail on the head with the guys we were able to recruit."
The class is highlighted by three players: Julian Burton, Issac Umesi and Jordan Rainey.
Burton is a wide receiver/running back from White Station High School in Memphis, Tenn. He was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and had a productive high school career playing both offense and defense. In his final two seasons at White Station, he produced 32 touchdowns and almost 2,000 all-purpose yards, as well as seven interceptions on defense.
Umesi, a cornerback from Richland High School in Richland Hills, Texas, was also rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. He was originally committed to play at Kansas, but switched to Missouri State due to coaching changes. Umesi was a Texas Class 5 all-state selection in his time at Richland.
Rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Rainey played offensive line for Joplin High School in Joplin, Mo. In 2009, Rainey was a Missouri Class 6 all-state selection as well as being picked all-conference and all-district.
Rainey is one of five players from what Allen calls "the area." The other four include Mitchell Jenkins (QB, Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Mo.), Josh Mattes (RB, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Mo.), Zack Cooley (OL, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Mo.) and Caleb Schaffitzel (DB, Fair Grove High School, Fair Grove, Mo.).
"Those five are really good local players and we're really excited about them," Allen said.
The only player from Springfield is Jenkins, who played quarterback at Hillcrest High School. In 2009, Jenkins threw for 2,775 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning Class 4 all-state honors.
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