Head football coach Bill Snyder released Kansas State’s 2012 recruiting class Wednesday with the announcement of 26 student-athletes who plan on joining or already are a part the Wildcat program.
Kansas State’s class of 2012 includes 20 players from the high school ranks and six community college players. Of the group, nine are currently enrolled at K-State and will participate in spring practice.
“As we’ve always maintained, it takes several years to accurately assess the quality of a recruiting class and the young men who represent it,” said Snyder. “Hopefully we have assessed the skills, capabilities and intrinsic values of these young people accurately. As always, time will tell. Part of the value of this class lies in the fact that 11 of these student-athletes either have been or will be in classes and participate in our out-of-season program and spring practice. As it has in past years, hopefully this will greatly enhance the level of Division I experience at a young age as last year’s class produced seven 2011 starters. We have been impressed by the desire of each of these young men to become the best person, best student and best athlete possible as they seem committed to work hard. This class represents 12 states with six community college transfers and 20 high school graduates. Those presently in the program have been well received by their teammates and the Kansas State football family and seem to fit in extremely well.
As always, we greatly appreciate the coaches, faculty members and administrators throughout the state of Kansas and the United States who have received our coaches and our program so very graciously, and I am especially proud of the Kansas State faculty for their assistance in conveying the great support services and equally great education provided by this University.”
Overall on the defensive side of the ball, the 2012 class includes six total defensive linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs. K-State’s offensive recruiting haul also includes one quarterback, three running back/fullbacks, five wide receivers, one tight end and three offensive linemen. Also included are two players listed as “athletes” who could play on either side of the ball.
Kansas State’s class of 2012 also continues to show how broad and thorough Snyder and his staff were on the recruiting trail as all 26 players hail from 12 different states, including nine from the state of Texas, five from the state of Kansas, two from Oklahoma, two from the state of Louisiana and one each from the states of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Nebraska.
In addition, two scholarships for the 2012 class were awarded to players who were with the program this past fall – defensive lineman John Sua and starting left guard Nick Puetz.
Class Breakdown
By State:
Arkansas (1): Samuel Harvill
Florida (1): Kent Gainous
GEORGIA (1): Wesley Hollingshed
Kansas (5): Morgan Burns, Deante Burton, Chaquil Reed, Matt Seiwert, Vernon Vaughn
Louisiana (2): Charles Jones, Judah Jones
Maryland (1): Tavon Rooks
Missouri (1): Travis Britz
New Jersey (1): Ellwood Clement
New York (1): Glenn Gronkowski
Nebraska (1): Tavarius Bender
Oklahoma (2): Dante Barnett, Hunter Davis
Texas (9): Marquez Clark, Will Davis, Aderius Epps, Demonte Hood, Jarvis Leverett, Mike Moore, Cody Small, Donnie Starks, Steven West
Dante Barnett
Athlete
6-1, 175
Tulsa, Okla. (Booker T. Washington)
AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL: Recorded 100 tackles and nine interceptions on his way to earning second team all-state honors as a senior in 2010… Also hauled in 10 touchdowns as a receiver… Recorded 101 tackles as a junior and also caught 32 passes for 775 yards and six touchdowns… Led Booker T. Washington to a 13-1 record and a state championship this past season… Also collected nine interceptions as a junior… High school teammates with Tyler Lockett and Keenan Taylor.
PERSONAL: Dante Barnett was born June 14, 1993… Son of Larry Barnett and Tiah Pankey.
Tavarius Bender
Quarterback
6-3, 210
Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)
AT LINCOLN SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated early and is currently enrolled at K-State… Rated the No. 20 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Nebraska… Threw for 1,025 yards, rushed for 699 yards and accounted for 20 total touchdowns as a senior… 2011 Super State First Team pick and First Team All-Cirty selection… Ran for 793 yards and five scores in 2010 while throwing for 970 yards and six touchdowns as a junior… Selected to the All-City Class A team and all-state team as a sophomore… No. 55-ranked QB in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU… 2010 Class A Honorable Mention All-State selection as named by The Lincoln Journal-Star and Omaha World-Herald… Accumulated a 3.5 GPA in high school.
PERSONAL: Tavarius Bender was born April 1, 1994… Son of Jeremy Bender.
Travis Britz
Defensive Lineman
6-4, 287
Harrisonville, Mo. (Harrisonville)
AT HARRISONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 20 player in the state of Missouri by Rivals… 2011 first team all-state pick by the Missouri Coaches Association and Missouri Sports Writers Association… 2011 Kansas City Star All-Metro First Team pick… Recorded 70 tackles and seven sacks in 2011… Collected 99 tackles and three sacks as a junior… Totaled 214 career tackles in three seasons… Two-time All-Missouri River Valley pick… MaxPrep Second Team All-American and Missouri Class 4 Defensive MVP in 2011… Also took fourth in the state in wrestling as a heavyweight in 2011… Accumulated a 3.3 GPA in high school.
PERSONAL: Travis Britz was born January 26, 1994… Son of Janice and Tom Britz.
Morgan Burns
Defensive Back
5-11, 195
Wichita, Kan. (Trinity Academy)
AT TRINITY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL: The No. 14 player in the state of Kansas in 2010 according to Rivals.com… A three-time all-league pick at both defensive back and running back… Two-time all-metro selection… Rushed for 2,700 yards and 36 touchdowns over his last two seasons… Also a state champion in track at 100m, 200m and 400m and a member of the state-champion basketball squad.
PERSONAL: Morgan Burns was born May 19, 1993… Son of Brad and Greta Burns.
Deante Burton
Wide Receiver
6-2, 200
Manhattan, Kan. (Manhattan)
AT MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Manhattan to an 11-1 record last season… First Team All-Centennial League as a senior… Earned all-state honors as a defensive back… Had 20 receptions for 327 yards, five touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions in 2011… Collected 216 rushing yards and three scores in 2011… Returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown in the 2011 playoffs against Dodge City… Totaled two punt return scores on the season… Had 244 yards receiving in 2010 with three touchdowns… Two-year starter at both wide receiver and defensive back… Lettered three seasons for the Indians and compiled a 30-3 record during that time.
PERSONAL: Deante Burton was born July 12, 1994… Son of Morrison and Valentina Burton.
Marquez Clark
Wide Receiver
6-0, 180
Texarkana, Texas (Navarro JC)
AT NAVARRO JC: The No. 16 rated junior college player in the nation by Rivals… A 2011 First Team All-American and Southwest Junior College Football Conference MVP… Set NJCAA individual single-season receiving records for receptions (98) and yardage (1,639) and claimed virtually every Navarro career and single-season pass-catching record in the process in 2011… Totaled 100-plus receiving yards in each of his final 10 games… Caught nine or more passes in six of those games, including a 13-catch,186-yard effort in a 40-24 Heart Of Texas Bowl win over New Mexico Military Institute… In 23 games during two years at Navarro, finished with 126-2039-19 receiving, but also starred in an all-purpose role by totaling 3,304 yards and 20 touchdowns in 181 plays — almost 18.3 yards per touch… For his career, averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return (38-993) and 20.3 yards from 10 punt returns during the 2011 season, including one for an 84-yard score against Trinity Valley… Led Navarro to a 21-3 record in two seasons, including a national title in 2010 and a No. 5 national ranking in 2011.
AT LIBERTY-EYLAU HIGH SCHOOL: A First Team All-District 16-3A pick as a junior and senior by Rivals… Voted Offensive Most Valuable Player as a sophomore… Holds school records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash… Took fifth in the 100-meter dash in the 2010 Texas State Championships… A former teammate of Oregon’s LaMichael James.
PERSONAL: Marquez Clark was born September 26, 1991.
Ellwood Clement
Offensive Lineman
6-5, 310
Deptford, N.J. (Eastern Arizona CC)
AT EASTERN ARIZONA CC: Helped Eastern Arizona to a 9-3 record in 2011… A second team all-conference pick as a freshman…A First Team All-American and first team all-conference pick in his sophomore season… Helped Eastern Arizona finish with a national ranking of No. 20 and No. 19 in his two years…Led the way for the No. 1 rushing attack in the NJCAA in each of his two years.
AT DEPTFORD HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the All-Tri County team and was a second team all-state pick… Received honorable mention accolades in basketball as well.
PERSONAL: Ellwood Clement was born January 22, 1991… He is the son of Yetta Clement.
Hunter Davis
Defensive End
6-3, 246
Choctaw, Okla. (Choctaw)
AT CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL: Named to PrepStar magazine’s All-Midlands Region team in 2010… Recorded 59 tackles during his senior season (30 solo, 34 assisted)… Recorded 3.0 sacks… Participated in Under Armour and U.S. Army Combines… Named all-conference, all-district and all-state as a senior… Nominated for the Wendy’s Heisman Trophy for high school student-athletes… Was also a team captain.
PERSONAL: Hunter Davis was born December 12, 1992… Son of Ken and Bobbie Brewer… Relative of current Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.
Will Davis
Linebacker
6-1, 213
Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
AT CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL: Led Carroll to an undefeated state championship in 2011… Had 176 tackles, including 115 solos, 10 sacks, six knockdowns, two forced fumble and two fumble recoveries… Named the Texas Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association and Padilla Poll… Team captain and Defensive MVP in 2011 and also was named the Defensive MVP of the 2011 state title game… Earned 2011 first team all-state honors from Fox Sports, Old Coach and 5A Texas Football… Named all-area by the Dallas Morning News and Old Coach… Named one of the state’s top recruits by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Dallas Morning News, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Lemming… Totaled 308 tackles, 25 for a loss, and 14.0 sacks in his final two seasons… Led Carroll to a combined 37-6 record in three seasons… Also an academic all-state scholar and a member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL: Will Davis was born November 4, 1993… Son of Barry and Leigh Davis.
Aderius Epps
Offensive Lineman
6-2, 295
Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill)
AT CEDAR HILL HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the Old Coach Texas Top 100 list… Rated the No. 87 player in the state of Texas by Old Coach… First team all-district as a senior and honorable mentioned pick as a junior… Team captain as a junior and senior… Led the team in pancakes, averaging 5.0 a game… Four-year letterman… Earned a third-place finish at the regional power lifting meet… Also a team captain on the basketball team.
PERSONAL: Aderius Epps was born May 18, 1994… Son of Oscar and Belenthia Epps.
Kent Gainous
Safety
6-1, 190
Orlando, Fla. (Trinity Valley CC)
AT TRINITY VALLEY CC: Tallied 35 tackles and an interception this past fall for Trinity Valley… All-SWJCC first team selection… Teammate of fellow Wildcat signee Wesley Hollingshed.
AT EDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL: Made Florida’s Third-Team All-4A team as a senior.
PERSONAL: Kent Gainous was born April 6, 1992…. Son of Kent and Cynthia Gainous.
Glenn Gronkowski
Fullback
6-3, 235
Amherst, N.Y. (Williamsville North)
AT WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 53 passes for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns during his 2010 senior season… Had two passes for 90 yards…. Recorded eight interceptions, returning two for touchdowns… Recovered two fumbles, returning one for an 85-yard touchdown… Recorded 43 solo tackles… Punted for a 35.8 average and handled all of the kicking duties….Named co-Offensive Player of the Year in Section VI Class AA North… Totaled 125 catches for 2,076 yards and 23 touchdowns during high school career.
PERSONAL: Glenn Gronkowski was born March 25, 1993…The brother of current NFL players Dan (Browns), Rob (Patriots), and Chris (Colts) Gronkowski… Brother Gordie also played pro baseball in the Angels’ organization… Son of Diane and Gordon Gronkowski.
Samuel Harvill
Defensive Tackle
6-1, 255
Springdale, Ark. (Shiloh Christian)
AT SHILOH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the 2010 4A All-State First Team by the Arkansas Activities Association… Selected as a MaxPreps Class of 2011 All-American… Set the Army All-American Combine Bench Press Record… Set the Under Armour All-American Combine Bench Press Record… Selected as a two-time lineman MVP of the state title game… Selected to the AP All-Arkansas Team… Named the Morning News Defensive Player of the Year… Named the Arkansas Sophomore Defensive Player of the Year… Named to Prep Star magazine’s All-West Region team… Led Shiloh Christian to four league titles and three state championships… Recorded 71 tackles with 10 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior… Had 68 tackles (47 solo, 21 assisted) as a junior… Recorded 8.5 sacks… Forced five fumbles and recovered three… Finished his career with 341 tackles, 95 tackles for loss and an Arkansas state-record 48.5 sacks.
PERSONAL: Samuel Harvill was born March 3, 1992… Son of Bill and Kristi Harvill… Has two siblings, Brad and Mindy.
Wesley Hollingshed
Defensive Tackle
6-2, 300
Atlanta, Ga. (Trinity Valley CC)
AT TRINITY VALLEY CC: The No. 47 rated junior college player in the nation by Rivals… Totaled 21 tackles in eight games in 2010… Helped Trinity Valley rank 20th in rushing defense in the NJCAA… Teammate of fellow Wildcat signee Kent Gainous.
AT PEACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: A first team all-state selection… Helped Peach County High School win back-to-back state championships… Played in the Gwinnett County All-Star game and was also a Gwinnett County player of the week… Compiled 14 sacks, 110 tackles and 22 tackles for loss during his senior campaign.
PERSONAL: Wesley Hollingshed was born April 7, 1991… Son of Terry Hollingshed and Tracey Tharpe.
Demonte Hood
Defensive Tackle
6-0, 295
Arlington, Texas (Bowie)
AT BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL: Had 60 tackles, seven for loss and two sacks in 2011… A first team All-District 4-5A selection.
PERSONAL: Demonte Hood was born August 20, 1993.
Charles Jones
5-11, 180
Running Back
Mandeville, La. (Mandeville)
AT MANDEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter for head coach Guy Lecompte… Rushed for 1,767 yards and 22 touchdowns while hauling in 31 passes for 321 yards during his senior season… Honorable mention all-state pick by the LSWA… Named the New Orleans Player of the Week following a 213-yard performance against Parkway… Accounted for nearly 700 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns as a junior… Will join fellow New Orleans-area Wildcats Cornelius Lucas, Torell Miller and Daniel Sams.
PERSONAL: Charles Jones was born January 20, 1994… Son of Charles and Zondra Jones.
Judah Jones
6-1, 180
Wide Receiver
Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian)
AT EVANGEL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: As a junior, Jones put up just over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored 16 touchdowns en route to all-district honors… Had 43 receptions for 728 receiving yards with six touchdowns as a senior… Also averaged 24.0 yards on eight kick returns in 2011… Evangel advanced to the Louisiana 2A State Semifinals in 2011.
PERSONAL: Judah Jones was born November 14, 1993… Son of Dewitt and Kim Jones… Judah plays the drums for the highly successful family Christian Gospel band, forever JONES… His parents formed the band with their five children… The band was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2011.
Jarvis Leverett
Running Back
5-11, 200
Katy, Texas (Cypress Lakes)
AT CYPRESS LAKES HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as the eighth-best running back in Texas by the Houston Chronicle… Also named to the newspaper’s Texas Top 100 list this season… In a three-game stretch, he had 500 yards rushing and five touchdowns as a senior… Was named the school’s MVP as a sophomore in track… Member of the district qualifying 4×100 meter relay team as a sophomore.
PERSONAL: Jarvi Leverett was born April 21, 1994… Son of Pearline Williams.
Mike Moore
Linebacker
6-1, 213
Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL: Helped lead the Raiders to a 9-3 overall record (7-0 league) during the 2010 season… Two-time all-district pick… Named one of the Top 100 players in the state of Texas prior to senior season… Teammate of current Wildcat Marquel Bryant.
PERSONAL: Mike Moore was born January 30, 1993… Son of Mike and Shannon Moore.
Chaquil Reed
Defensive Lineman
6-3, 290
Wichita, Kan. (Butler County CC)
AT BUTER COUNTY CC: Helped lead Butler to a combined 22-2 record in 2010 and 2011… Collected 43 tackles and five sacks en route to 2011 all-conference honors… Also tallied 21 tackles in 2010.
AT WICHITA EAST HIGH SCHOOL: Combined for 216 tackles, including 83 as a senior, in three seasons… Collected 11 sacks as a senior and 16.5 for his career… Named an all-city performer in 2007, 2008 and 2009… Played fullback and defensive tackle in high school… Teammate of current Wildcat Arthur Brown… Also lettered in basketball.
PERSONAL: Chaquil Reed was born December 4, 1991… Grandson of Israel and Nancy Reed… Cousin, Kamerion Wimbley, plays for the Oakland Raiders.
Tavon Rooks
Offensive Lineman
6-6, 270
Randallstown, Md. (Navarro JC)
AT NAVARRO JC: Rated as the No. 23 junior college player in the country by Rivals… Considered by many the top pass-blocker among available junior college offensive linemen… Led Navarro to a 21-3 record in two seasons, including a national title in 2010 and a No. 5 national ranking in 2011… Navarro had the No. 5 ranked passing offense with Rooks on the line in 2011.
PERSONAL: Tavon Rooks was born May 10, 1990… Son of Stephanie Kees.
Matt Seiwert
Athlete
6-3, 260
Conway Springs, Kan. (Conway Springs)
AT CONWAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL: Made the Topeka Capital Journal’s Top 11 and was also an all-class pick… A 2011 MaxPreps All-American… A first team All-Central Plains League pick on offense and defense… Named Co-Defensive MVP for the Central Plains League… Helped Conway Springs win the 2011 3A State Championship with four assisted tackles, one for a loss, and a fumble recovery… Led Conway Springs to a combined 38-4 record and two state titles in three seasons… Also earned all-league and all-state honors in basketball and javelin (187 feet).
PERSONAL: Matt Seiwert was born September 5, 1993… Son of David and Mary Seiwert… Brother, Darin, played for K-State.
Cody Small
Tight End
6-4, 237
Cypress, Texas (Cypress Woods)
AT CYPRESS WOODS HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Woods to a 9-3 record in 2011… Listed in VYPE’s Top 75 Football Prospects in the Northern Houston area at No. 38… All-district performer as a junior and senior and also earned All-Houston area honors as a senior… A “Rising Star” in 2010 by 5ATexasFootball.com at defensive end… Competed on Cypress Woods’ 7-on-7 team, which reached the semifinals of the Cy Falls Tournament in 2011.
PERSONAL: Cody Small was born September 16, 1993… Son of David and Jo Small.
Donnie Starks
Defensive Back
5-11, 180
Crosby, Texas (Crosby)
AT CROSBY HIGH SCHOOL: Was the District 19-4A Newcomer of the Year during his sophomore season… An all-district cornerback during his senior year…Accumulated 189 solo tackles, 44 assisted tackles, and six interceptions with a touchdown… Also ran track two years.
PERSONAL: Donnie Starks was born June 6, 1994… Son of Henry and Ann Starks.
Vernon Vaughn
Wide Receiver
6-2, 190
Kansas City, Kan. (Sumner Academy)
AT SUMNER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL: A Kansas City-Atchison League first team pick… First Team All-Kansas during his sophomore and junior seasons… Had 58 catches for 865 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior… Finished career with 94 catches for 1,517 yards and 24 touchdowns… Averaged 16.1 yards per catch and one touchdown for every three catches… Led Sumner Academy’s basketball team to two state championships… Was a league Honorable Mention selection on the court as a junior… A Kansas Honor Scholar, USD 500 Scholastic Athlete and National Honor Society member… Accumulated a 3.48 GPA in high school.
PERSONAL: Vernon Vaughn was born August 26, 1994… Son of Vernon and Debra Vaughn.
Steven West
6-1, 190
Wide Receiver
Keller, Texas (Fossil Ridge)
AT FOSSIL RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 52 passes for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, and had 52 catches, 852 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season… A first team All-District 7-5A selection by Rivals in 2010… A first team All-District 5-5A pick by TexasHSFootball.com.
PERSONAL: Steven West was born November 13, 1992… Son of Steven and Carolyn West.
— KSU Sports Information —