Missouri Western football coach Jerry Partridge has announced the signing of 23 student-athletes to the 2015 team.
The 2015 signing class includes players from six states. Seven players are expected to play on the offensive side of the ball with nine signing to play defense. Another three players could play either way, and the Griffons added three specialists. The class went heavy on big men, with nine of this year’s class expected to play on the offensive or defensive lines.
Partridge’s team is coming off its 10th consecutive winning season, going 7-4 in 2014.
DiJuan Ussery
5-11, 165, Wide Receiver
Rockhill, South Carolina/Coffeyville Community College
“A true boom!” Partridge said. “He’s a big time play maker and will make an impact immediately. Has the highest level of speed.”
Offensive player of the year and MVP at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina…holds state record in 200 m.
Payton Craig
6-2, 205, Quarterback
Oologah, Oklahoma/Oologah H.S.
“I love coach’s kids,” Partridge said. “He was very productive in high school. He has great athleticism, size, arm, strength and knowledge.”
Four-year letter winner…went 227-436 and threw for 3,902 yards with 34 passing touchdowns in his high school career…rushed 315 times for 1,164 yards and 26 touchdowns…was an All-State and All-Conference player at Oologah HS.
Dominic Jamerson
6-0, 180, Running Back
Wardsville, Missouri/Blair Oaks H.S.
“He is one of our very best signees,” Partridge said. “He is a tremendous athlete and person and can play any skill spot on either side of ball.”
Four-year letter winner at Blair Oaks…first team All-State running back as a senior…also lettered four years as a track athlete.
Randy Rouse Jr.
6-3, 260, Offensive Line
Omaha, Nebraska/Benson H.S.
“Shawn is very heady player and extremely athletic,” Partridge said. “It’s great to have a Bunny become a Griff.”
Three-year letter winner…first team All-State (Huskerland Preps) and All-Conference Academic Team…named team’s lineman of the year and scholar athlete of the year.
Colten Hedrick
6-3, 240, Defensive Line
El Dorado Springs, Missouri/El Dorado Springs H.S.
“A Griffon son becomes a Griffon, that’s the way it should be,” Partridge said. “He’s very aggressive and physical and another coach’s kid.”
First team All-SWMO defensive end and offensive line…first team All-District defensive end and second team offensive line…also played basketball and competed in track and field all four years.
Matthew Vincent
5-10, 180, Punter
Lyons, Kansas/Fort Scott Community College
“He has great pop in that leg,” Partridge said. “He wants to get better and will here. He was coached by a Griff at Fort Scott.”
NJCAA Player of the Week…first team All-Jayhawk Conference punter…All-Region Six…two-year captain and an all-league honorable mention punter at Lyons H.S.
Joshua Riggs
6-5, 250, Defensive Line
Maysville, Missouri/Maysville H.S.
“Coached by a Griffon, he has great height and frame,” Partridge said. “His weight is down because of wrestling. He has a lot of desire and upside.”
Two-time All-State state and four-time All-Conference selection…Totaled 40 tackles and 9.5 sacks his senior year…was a two-time All-News-Press selection…is a three-time wrestling state medalist…qualified for state shot put.
Hayden Eatinger
6-3, 275, Offensive Line
Peculiar, Missouri/Ray-Pec H.S.
“I loved him at our camp,” Partridge said. “He’s a learner, an athlete and a cornerstone type of guy with captain potential.”
First team All-Conference two years and voted team offensive lineman of the year…Also named All-District.
Trevor Belmont
6-4, 230, Tight End
Omaha, Nebraska/Omaha Northwest H.S.
“He had a great year in Omaha,” Partridge said. “Trevor has an extremely high ceiling and can be a big time receiving tight end with great hands and a huge frame.”
Finished the 2014 season with 22 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns…also had 44 total tackles on defense…All-Metro honorable mention as a senior.
Sean Galey
5-10, 180, Kicker
Roeland Park, Kansas/Bishop Miege H.S.
“He’s a very good kicker that will only get better under the coaching we have here,” Partridge said. “He will compete for the job.”
2014 State Champion at Bishop Miege…was first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State.
Brinden Ewing
6-3, 275, Offensive/Defensive Line
St. Joseph, Missouri/Central H.S.
“We’re very excited about Brinden,” Partridge said. “He has the feet and size and to be very good. I love when St. Joe kids want to be Griffs.”
Three-time All-Conference lineman at Central High School in St. Joseph.
Tanner Pettet
5-9, 180, Kicker
Pleasant Hill, Missouri/Pleasant Hill H.S.
“He has a powerful leg,” Partridge said. “He can kick some sky scrapers; we’re loaded with specialists once again.”
First team All-Conference and All-District as a kicker and punter in 2014…was first team All-Conference and All-District as a kicker in 2013.
Robert Richmond Jr.
5-11, 185, Defensive Back
Willard, Missouri/Willard H.S.
“Man can he tackle,” Partridge said. “He’s fast and physical and is another great get out of the southwest Missouri area.”
First team All-District and All-Area in 2014…was also a second team All-State selection.
Rashon Anderson
6-3, 230, Defensive Line
St. Louis, Missouri/Parkway North H.S.
“Rashon is a reckless and athletic player off the edge,” Partridge said. ” Hi is going to make a lot of plays.”
First team All-Conference and All-District as a defensive end in 2014…was an honorable mention All-Conference pick as a junior.
Connor Haynes
6-1, 230, Defensive Line
St. Joseph, Missouri/Bishop LeBlond H.S.
“Connor is another guy with Griffon lineage who wanted to wear black and gold.” Partridge said. “He’s strong and will work his way onto the field.”
Four year letter winner…second team All-State as a senior…first team All-MEC, All-District and All-News-Press…had 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2014.
Blake Burau
6-3, 212, Tight End
Lee’s Summit, Missouri/Lee’s Summit West H.S.
“Another Burau and Titan,” Partridge said. “He will be a tenacious blocker with good hands.”
Won a state championship as a junior…was an honorable mention All-Conference pick as a fullback/tight end…caught eight touchdowns with more than 400 receiving yards over two seasons.
LeAaron Hicks
6-1, 275, Linebacker
Plattsburg, Missouri/Plattsburg H.S.
“He’s another signee with huge upside,” Partridge said. “He’s a big kid with great agility and was an offensive weapon in high school. He’ll move to defense here at Missouri Western.”
All-State, All-KCI and All-District defensive end and running back.
Joseph Boettcher
6-3, 280, Defensive Line
Columbia, Missouri/Rock Bridge H.S.
“Joe Boettcher is going to be a good one,” Partridge said. “He was very active inside in high school and he will thrive at this level.”
A two-year letter winner…was an All-Region player and defensive MVP of his team.
Quendarius Bass
6-2, 260, Defensive Line
St. Joseph, Missouri/Lafayette H.S.
“Quendarius is another St. Joe guy who wants to play for the hometown team,” Partridge said. “Has a very good motor and will be a nice piece to our defensive line.”
Was a an All-State and All-Conference player at Lafayette High School in St. Joseph…had 65 solo tackles, three sacks and 12 tackles for loss his senior season.
Quintin Mueller
5-11, 180, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
Smithville, Missouri/Smithville H.S.
“Quintin is a great get from Smithville,” Partridge said. “He can play either side of the ball. He’s a very good player and even better human.”
Thomas Bump
6-2, 205 Linebacker
Washington, Iowa/Washington H.S.
“He has the perfect name for a linebacker and he lives up to it.,” Partridge said. “He bumps into things violently and things happen when he’s around.”
Romello Cotman
6-2, 190, Defensive Back
Wichita, Kansas/Wichita Northwest
“Cotman has great length and leaping ability,” Partridge said. “He was one of our early targets out of talent rich Wichita.”
Preston Martin
5-11, 180, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
St. Joseph, Missouri/Lafayette H.S.
“Another good St. Joe kid,” Coach Partridge said. “He’s a competitor with great athletic ability. A good receiver with good tackling ability.”
— MWSU Sports Information —