KU Football Inks 18 on Signing Day

Feb. 7, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas football team signed 18 high school seniors to National Letters of Intent Head Coach Mark Mangino announced Wednesday during an afternoon press conference in Hadl Auditorium. The 2007 recruiting class features a vast array of athleticism and talent as KU inked nine offensive players, eight defensive performers and one placekicker.

“As with any recruiting class, the true measure of success is based on the ability to compete on a Division I football field. However, we are extremely pleased with the talent of this group,” Mangino said.

“It is the most athletic class we have recruited in terms of quality and quantity. The skill positions, as well as the offensive and defensive line positions display outstanding athleticism.”

“We also feature several signees with high academic achievements and honors, which is an indication of good football aptitude.”

Among those joining the Jayhawks next season are three of the top recruits from the state of Kansas, seven highly recruited players from Texas and five from Oklahoma. One of the signees in the class of 2007 — linebacker Drew Dudley — graduated early from high school and will join the Jayhawks for spring drills which begin March 14.

The Jayhawks open the 2007 season against Central Michigan on September 1.

Isiah BarfieldDB6-0175Fr.-HSHaven, Kan. (Haven HS) Carmon Boyd-AndersonRB6-1200Fr.-HSJacksonville, Texas (Jacksonville HS) Dezmon BriscoeWR6-3200Fr.-HSDallas, Texas (Cedar Hill HS) Anthony DavisDB6-0192Fr.-HSTulsa, Okla. (East Central HS) Patrick DorseyDL6-0267Fr.-HSHouston, Texas (Yates HS) Drew DudleyLB6-2225Fr.-HSCollege Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated HS) Steven FosterRB6-2235Fr.-HSSedgwick, Kan. (Sedgwick HS) Chris HarrisDB6-0180Fr.-HSBixby, Okla. (Bixby HS) Jeremiah HatchOL6-3311Fr.-HSDallas, Texas (Carter HS) Stephen HogeK6-4210Fr.-HSOklahoma City, Okla. (Putnam City North HS) Richard Johnson, Jr.DL6-4260Fr.-HSJefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City HS) Jake Laptad DE6-4223Fr.-HSTulsa, Okla. (Jenks, HS) Rell LewisWR5-10185Fr.-HSMuskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS) Ryan MurphyWR5-11180Fr.-HSLawrence, Kan. (Free State HS) Jeff SpikesOL6-7312Fr.-HSPainesville, Ohio (Harvey HS) Justin SpringerLB6-3220Fr.-HSLos Fresnos, Texas (Los Fresnos HS) A.J. Steward QB6-3214Fr.-HSSt. Louis, Mo. (Riverview Gardens HS) Johnathan Wilson WR6-3185Fr.-HSHouston, Texas (Klein Forest HS) *Brian Murphy RB5-8165Fr.-HSLawrence, Kan. (Free State HS)

Isiah Barfield
DB, 6-0, 175, Fr.-HS
Haven, Kan.
Haven HS

High School: A graduate of Haven High School in Haven, Kan. … Named All-MCAA as a running back from 2004-06 … Also was an all-league selection at a defensive back in 2005-06 and as a kick returner and punter in 2006 … Named honorable-mention all-state in 2004-05 … Was the 14th ranked player in the state of Kansas by Rivals.com following the 2006 season … Collected over 500 rushing yards, 304 receiving yards and 600 kick return yards in 2006 … Also scored 12 touchdowns and had two interceptions as a senior … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track for the Wildcats … Qualified for the state track meet in the high jump as a sophomore and in the triple jump, 100 meter dash and 4×100 meter relay as a junior … Coached in football by Marty Nienstadt. Personal: Son of Mark and Michelle Carney.

Carmon Boyd-Anderson
RB, 6-1, 200, Fr.-HS
Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville HS

High School: A graduate of Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Texas … Named first-team all-district at running back in 2005 and 2006 … Ranked as the 33rd best running back in the nation and one of the top 100 overall prospects at any position in the state of Texas by Rivals.com following his senior year … Rushed for 1,674 yards and posted 18 touchdowns in 2006 … Collected 308 rushing yards on 28 attempts against Marshall HS during the 2006 season … Helped the Indians to the regional finals during the 2004 season … Coached in football by Randy Copeland … A member of the National Honor Society … Listed as a Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Personal: Son of Edna F. Boyd and Claudell Anderson … Brother, Jamison Boyd, played football for Southwest Baptist University.

Dezmon Briscoe
WR, 6-3, 200, Fr.-HS
Dallas, Texas
Cedar Hill HS
High School:

A graduate of Cedar Hill High School in Dallas, Texas … A first-team all-district selection following his senior season in 2006 … Had 37 catches for 708 yards and 11 touchdowns last year … Best game came against Bowie HS when he collected six catches for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Helped Cedar Hill High to a record of 23-4 his last two seasons and a state championship in 2006 … Earned two varsity letters in football … Coached in football by Joey McGuire. Personal: Son of Alvin Briscoe and Shannon Greene … Father, Alvin, played football at Oklahoma State.

Anthony Davis
DB, 6-0, 192, Fr.-HS
Tulsa, Okla.
East Central HS
High School:

A graduate of East Central High School in Tulsa, Okla. … Ranks as the 15th best recruit in the state of Oklahoma and the 53rd best defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com … Named all-state after both his junior and senior seasons … Named the Defensive MVP of the district in 2006 … Led the state of Oklahoma with 12 interceptions during the 2005 football season … Collected seven interceptions and made five tackles-for-loss as a senior in 2006 … Also recovered two fumbles in his final year of eligibility … Hauled in 15 catches for 201 yards as a wide receiver in 2006 … Helped East Central High to the state championship as a junior … Captured the district championship all four years of his high school career including 24 straight wins over the last two years … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track … Coached in football by Travis Hill. Personal: Son of Ray Wilson and Melissa Davis.

Patrick Dorsey
DL, 6-0, 267, Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas
Yates HS
High School:

A graduate of Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas … A first-team all-district selection in 2005 and 2006 and a second-team honoree in 2004 … Named to the All-Greater Houston team as a senior and listed as one of the top five defensive players in the city of Houston … Was a Houston Touchdown Club nominee in 2006 … Helped the team to the district title three-straight years from 2003-05 and a second-place finish in the district in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football, track and soccer … Coached in football by Clarence McKinney … A two-year member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Jacqueline Dorsey.

Drew Dudley
LB, 6-2, 225, Fr.-HS
College Station, Texas
A&M Consolidated HS
High School:

A graduate of A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, Texas … Ranked as the 19th best inside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com … Collected third-team all-state honors after his senior season in 2006 … Was also named first-team All-Cen Tex District and was the district’s defensive MVP after his final year of eligibility … Named first-team all-district and first-team all-area as a junior in 2005 … Posted 128 total tackles including eight quarterback sacks with one interception during his senior campaign … Helped the Tigers to the district championship in 2006 and the state semifinals in 2005 … Earned varsity letters in football and powerlifting … Coached in football by Jim Slaughter … A member of the National Honor Society and Leadership Brazos organization … An academic all-state selection. Personal: Son of Mike and Deanie Dudley … Mother, Deanie, was a hurdler for the Texas A&M track team.

Steven Foster
RB, 6-2, 235, Fr.-HS
Sedgwick, Kan.
Sedgwick HS
High School:

A graduate of Sedgwick High School in Sedgwick, Kan. … Is the fourth best fullback prospect in the nation according to ESPN.com … Earned all-state honors as both a running back and linebacker all four seasons of his high school career … Named an all-state running back by the Kansas Football Coaches Association following the 2006 season … Ran for 1,769 yards in 2006 … Collected more than 1,800 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns as a senior … Rushed for 975 yards on 132 carries during the 2005 season … Averaged 7.4 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns his junior year … Is the school’s career and single-season record holder in rushing yards, touchdowns and points scored … Ranks as the nation’s 12th best fullback prospect by Rivals.com … Also ranks as the school’s all-time leader in career tackles … Posted 125 total tackles including one sack as a linebacker in 2006 … Also had a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown … Earned varsity letters in football, wrestling and track for the Cardinals … Coached in football by Jeff Werner … Was a three-time Heart of America League wrestling champion and was the Kansas 3-2-1A 215 State Champion Wrestler as a junior (36-1 record) after placing second in 2005 as a sophomore and sixth in 2004 as a freshman. Personal: Son of Steve Foster and Kristie Baker.

Chris Harris
DB, 6-0, 180, Fr.-HS
Bixby, Okla.
Bixby HS
High School:

A graduate of Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla. … Named all-state at defensive back as well as District Player of the Year as a senior after helping the Spartans to the district title in 2006 … A first-team all-metro selection after his junior and senior seasons … Earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior … Collected 61 total tackles, four interceptions and seven pass break-ups in 2006 … Had 423 receptions for 839 yards during his senior campaign … Helped BHS to second place in the 2005 state football championship … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track … Coached in football by Pat McGrew … A member of the academic state champions team in 2005 and 2006 … Named a 2006 leader (top 50 students at Bixby) by the Bixby Optimist Club. Personal: Son of Ray and Lisa Harris.

Jeremiah Hatch
OL, 6-3, 311, Fr.-HS
Dallas, Texas
Carter HS
High School:

A graduate of David W. Carter High School in Dallas, Texas … The No. 13 ranked center in the class of 2007 by ESPN.com … Earned all-state honors after his senior season in 2006 … Also was an all-district and all-area performer after his final year of eligibility … Named all-district as a junior in 2005 … Helped the Cowboys to four-straight district championships … Earned varsity letters in football and basketball … Coached in football by Allen Wilson … A member of Carter High’s honor roll and in the top 20 percent of his academic class. Personal: Son of Gerald Hatch and Shannon McNeal.

Stephen Hoge
K, 6-4, 210, Fr.-HS
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Putnam City North HS
High School:

A graduate of Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, Okla. … A PrepStar Magazine All-American following his senior season in 2006 … Named all-state and all-district in both 2004 and 2006 … Was a perfect 16-of-16 on PAT’s and connected on 12-of-16 field goal attempts as a senior … Watched 85 percent of his kickoffs sail into the endzone for touchbacks in 2006 … Connected on 76-of-80 career PAT’s and 25-of-30 career field goals … Holds the school record for field goals in a game, season and career … Helped the Panthers to the district and conference championships in 2005 … Earned varsity letters in football and soccer … Coached in football by Bob Wilson. Personal: Son of John and Carolyn Hoge … Father, John Hoge, played football at Oklahoma.

Richard Johnson, Jr.
DL, 6-4, 260, Fr.-HS
Jefferson City, Mo.
Jefferson City HS
High School:

A graduate of Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Mo. … Earned all-state honors at defensive end following the 2005 and 2006 seasons … Recorded 68 total tackles as a senior including 14 tackles-for-loss and five quarterback sacks … Helped the Jays to the district championship as a senior … Earned a total of four varsity letters in football and basketball … Coached in football by Ted LePage … Earned his high school’s Academic and Athletic Award for Excellence in both football and basketball three years (3.0 GPA or higher). Personal: Son of Richard and Patsy Johnson … Cousin, Tony Galbreath played a total of 12 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Minnesota and New York (Giants) … Cousin, Eric Galbreath, played fullback at Kansas from 1993-96.

Jake Laptad
DE, 6-4, 223, Fr.-HS
Tulsa, Okla.
Jenks HS
High School:

A graduate of Jenks High School in Jenks, Okla. … A two-year, two-way starter at defensive end/tight end … A second-team all-state selection at defensive end following the 2006 football season … Also named first-team All-Metro (Tulsa, Okla.) and all-district class 6A-4 … Helped the Trojans earn the Oklahoma State Championship trophy by collecting four unassisted tackles including 3.5 quarterback sacks in the title game in 2006 … Ended his senior season with 12.5 sacks, 39 solo tackles and 42 assisted stops … Also caught eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown as the team’s tight end … Helped Jenks compile a 34-4 overall record his last three years at the school … Won the 6A district championships from 2004-06 … Earned varsity letters in football and basketball … Coached in football by Allen Trimble. Personal: Son of Darren and Kathy Laptad … Grandfather, Bob, was a member of KU’s track and field team, while father, Darren, played football at Missouri Southern.

Rell Lewis
WR, 5-10, 185, Fr.-HS
Muskogee, Okla.
Muskogee HS
High School:

A graduate of Muskogee High School in Muskogee, Okla. … An all-state and all-district performer following the 2006 season … Also was named Offensive MVP in the district as a senior … Earned team MVP honors on the offensive side of the ball as a junior in 2005 … Was named to the Tulsa World all-state team as a multi-purpose player despite missing four games in 2006 … Was chosen to the Oklahoma Coaches All-State team and selected to play in the OCA game in July … Helped the Roughers to the regional title in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football and baseball … Was named team offensive MVP as a junior on the baseball field … Coached in football by Matt Hennessy. Personal: Son of Greg and Cynthia Mims … Brother, Stanley Titsworth, played football at Missouri Southern.

*Brian Murphy
RB, 5-8, 165, Fr.-HS
Lawrence, Kan.
Free State HS
High School:

A graduate of Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan. … Ranks among the top 15 prospects in the state of Kansas by Rivals.com … An all-state selection at running back in 2006 after rushing for 1,095 yards and 17 touchdowns … Is Free State High School’s career leading rusher and scorer … Also holds the school record for most rushing yards in a game … Recorded 1,035 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 147 carries during his junior campaign … Helped the Firebirds to the Sunflower League title and state semifinals in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track … Coached in football by Bob Lisher. Personal: Son of Rebecca and and the late Marcus Murphy, Sr. … Twin, Ryan, also is a member of the KU football team.

Ryan Murphy
WR, 5-11, 180, Fr.-HS
Lawrence, Kan.
Free State HS
High School:

A graduate of Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan. … Had an outstanding senior season which saw him earn first-team all-state honors at quarterback and second-team accolades at defensive back … Named to the Kansas Top 11 team … Ranks among the top five prospects in the state of Kansas and as the 27th most talented cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com … Was a first-team All-Sunflower League selection at quarterback in 2006 and a second-team selection at defensive back … Rushed for over 1,000 yards, passed for over 1,800 yards and scored 33 touchdowns as a senior … Is Free State High School’s career interceptions leader (eight), single-season total offense leader (2,984) and single-season passing leader (1,863) … Helped the Firebirds to the Sunflower League title and state semifinals in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track … Coached in football by Bob Lisher … Named to the Free State HS honor roll. Personal: Son of Rebecca and the late Marcus Murphy, Sr. … Twin, Brian, also is a member of the KU football team.

Jeff Spikes
OL, 6-7, 312, Fr.-HS
Painesville, Ohio
Harvey HS
High School:

A graduate of Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio … A first-team all-state and All-Northeast Ohio selection … Also named all-county and All-Northeastern Conference … Ranked as the seventh best lineman in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com … Helped his high school team to a 6-4 record and first outright league title in 43 years … Lettered in football, basketball and track for the Raiders … Currently averages 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks per game on the basketball court … Coached in football by Devlin Culliver. Personal: Son of Julie McClain.

Justin Springer
LB, 6-3, 220, Fr.-HS
Los Fresnos, Texas
Los Fresnos HS
High School:

A graduate of Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos, Texas … Ranked as the 39th-best inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com … Earned three All-Valley honors from 2004-06 … A second-team all-state selection and district defensive player of the year in 2006 … Also was named to the all-region team and was All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … Earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in the district and metro area as a junior … Was named Defensive Newcomer of the Year in the district as a sophomore … Collected 140 total tackles including seven quarterback sacks as a senior … Also picked off three passes, forced five fumbles and recovered a pair of fumbles in 2006 … Helped the Falcons to the district title and bi-district championship in 2006 en route to the regional finals … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track … Coached in football by Scott Ford … Earned all-district honors on the basketball court in 2005 and 2006 … A member of the National Honor Society … Is among the top 10 students in his graduating class. Personal: Son of Donald and Kim Springer.

A.J. Steward
QB, 6-3, 214, Fr.-HS
St. Louis, Mo.
Riverview Gardens HS
High School:

A graduate of Riverview Gardens High School in Bellfountaine, Mo. … Named first-team all-state and first-team All-Metro as a defensive back in 2006 and all-metro as a quarterback … A two-time winner of the school’s Scholar Athlete Award … Collected better than 1,000 yards both passing (1,577 yards) and rushing (1,087 yards) from his quarterback position as a senior … Accounted for 33 total touchdowns in 2006 (11 rushing, 22 passing) … Also recorded seven interceptions as a free safety in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball … Coached in football by John Atwell. Personal: Son of Anthony Steward Sr., and Karla Rose.

Johnathan Wilson
WR, 6-3, 185, Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas
Klein Forest HS
High School: A graduate of Klein Forest High School in Houston, Texas … An honorable-mention all-state wide receiver and first-team all-district performer on the gridiron as a senior in 2006 … Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior … Averaged a touchdown for every three receptions … Had a memorable game against Klein Oak HS that saw him score three first half touchdowns … Was named Klein Forest’s offensive player of the year following his senior season … Helped the Eagles to the bi-district championship in 2006 … Earned varsity letters in football and basketball … Coached in football by Ken Hammock … A member of the all-academic team. Personal: Son of Marcie Wilson-Thompson.

* = non-scholarship athlete