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Albuquerque, N.M. (Feb. 6) — University of New Mexico head football coach Rocky Long has announced the signing of 17 student-athletes to national letters of intent.
2002 NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES
Transfers (9), Pos., Ht., Wt., Class, Hometown (Last School)Zach Cresap*, TE, 6-3, 240, Jr-Tr, Gilbert, Ariz. (Mesa CC)Fola Fashola*, LB, 6-0, 210, Jr-Tr, Marshall, Texas (Kilgore College)Daniel Gawronski*, LB, 6-0, 247, Jr-Tr, Marshville, N.C. (Copiah-Lincoln JC)Casey Hamilton*, DL, 6-0, 261, Jr-Tr, Alto, Texas (Kilgore College)Joel Paoli*, CB, 5-9, 180, Jr-Tr, San Juan, Puerto Rico (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)Zach Rupp*, DE, 6-5, 240, Jr-Tr, Pleasant Grove, Utah (Dixie State College)Billy Strother, LB, 6-0, 230, Jr-Tr, Evansville, Ind. (West Hills CC)Jimmie Taylor, LB, 6-1, 221, So-Tr, Miami, Fla. (Hutchinson CC)Sidney Wiley*, S, 5-11, 185, Jr-Tr, Hazelhurst, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln JC)
High School (8), Pos., Ht., Wt., ClassHometown (Last School)Justin Clayton, S, 5-10, 190, Fr., Los Angeles, Calif. (Venice HS)Blaine Harrell, S, 6-1, 190, Fr., Fort Worth, Texas (Everman HS)Patrick Hodges, OL, 6-5, 295, Fr., Ruidoso, N.M. (Ruidoso HS)Kole McKamey, QB, 6-2, 185, Fr., Artesia, N.M. (Artesia HS)Marty Moss, OL, 6-4, 310, Fr., Lubbock, Texas (Estacado HS)Dedrick Simien, S, 6-1, 190, Fr., Taylor, Texas (Taylor HS)Fred Tucker, OL, 6-4, 330, Fr., Houston, Texas (Lamar HS)Robert Turner, OL, 6-4, 330, Fr., Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)
Long also announced that the following two student-athletes will be placed on scholarship in the fall semester of 2002:
Ryan Cook*, OL, 6-5, 330, Fr-RS, Albuquerque (Cibola HS)Wes Zunker*, K, 5-9, 165, So-1L, New Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)
* currently attending UNM
Comments from University of New Mexico Head Football Coach Rocky Long:
We received a much better response from junior college guys than we expected. I dont think we expected to sign nine and have seven enroll in January, so that was a real plus. Its great having them participate in off-season conditioning and spring practice. The transfers that did that last year made an impact last fall. As is the case with all junior college signees, we expect them to compete for our top-44 spots immediately.
The high school class is a little small as far as numbers right now so we will have to supplement it later on. Well probably be heavy on freshman next year. We always sign high school kids based on our position needs.
Were glad to be able to place Wes (Zunker) and Ryan (Cook) on scholarship next year. They both walked on last fall and showed us that they can contribute to this program in the coming years. Their hard work paid off.
I believe we are in a transition period with our recruiting. We are starting to compete with higher-profile programs for kids we may not have been able to recruit a few years ago. Were certainly not getting commitments from all of them, but if we keep winning games and improving the program the talent level of our team will improve.
Student-Athlete biographies
Justin Clayton Safety 5-10 190 Fr-HS Los Angeles, Calif. (Venice HS)Two-time first team all-conference defensive back who led the Gondoleers in tackles in 2000 and 2001…asecond team all-city his senior season when he had more than 100 tackles and an interception…played outside linebacker as a sophomore before moving to strong safety his final two seasons…picked off 5 passes his junior year…played for coach Angelo Gasca (goss-ka)…a 3.2 cumulative GPA…PERSONAL…born June 13, 1984, in Los Angeles…age is 17…full name is Justin Allen Clayton…son of Jerry and Cynthia…would like to be an attorney after college…has that ambition because of his aunt, who is a criminal court judge in Washington, D.C.
Ryan Cook Offensive Line 6-5 330 Fr-RSAlbuquerque (Cibola HS)Former walk-on who will be placed on scholarship in the fall of 2002…came to UNM last fall as an invited walk-on…expected to play center or guard…is currently recovering from a broken right foot suffered in practice on Oct. 17…participation in spring drills could be limited…HIGH SCHOOL…a 2001 graduate of Albuquerque Cibola…second team all-state offensive lineman as a senior…played for coach Ben Schultz…PERSONAL…born May 8, 1983, in Albuquerque…age is 18…son of Rick and Vicki…undecided about a major.
Zach Cresap Tight End 6-3 240 Jr-TrGilbert, Ariz. (Mesa CC)Tight end who comes to UNM from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College…enrolled at UNM in January…will get the opportunity to compete for a starting job immediately…last name is pronounced CRESS-up…played at Mesa in the fall of 1998 and 2001…7 catches in 98, including an 80-yard TD…used primarily as a blocking tight end last year…took his Mormon mission to the Dominican Republic from 1999-2000…played for coach David Rice…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1998 graduate of Gilbert (Ariz.) High School…all-state honors as a junior and senior when he caught 41 passes for 1,082 yards…played for coach John Holiday…also lettered in track…PERSONAL…born July 17, 1979, in Gilbert…age is 22…full name is Zachary Cresap…son of David and Carole…Zach has four brothers and sisters…Zach and wife Tai were married July 14, 2001…interested in Psychology as a major.
Fola Fashola Linebacker 6-0 210 Jr-Tr Marshall, Texas (Kilgore College)Linebacker who enrolled at UNM in January…last name is pronounced Fa-SHOW-luh…Kilgore teammate Casey Hamilton is also attending UNM…first team all-conference linebacker last fall…the Rangers finished second nationally with a 12-0 record, including a victory over Tyler JC in the Red River Bowl…season-high 10 tackles against Ranger College…JC teammate Demorrio Williams signed with Nebraska…played for coach Jim Rieves…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1999 graduate of Marshall (Texas) High…played for coach William Huff…PERSONAL…born March 23, 1980, in Sacramento, Calif…age is 21…mom is Merthan Floyd…enjoys reading…undecided about a major.
Daniel Gawronski Linebacker 6-0 247Jr-Tr Marshville, N.C (Copiah-Lincoln JC)Linebacker who comes to UNM from Copiah-Lincoln JC in Wesson, Mississippi…junior college teammate Sidney Wiley is also at UNM…last name is pronounced ga-RON-ski…all-state linebacker last fall for coach David Cross when he made 106 tackles…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1999 graduate of Mt. Zion Christian Academy, a prep school in Durham, N.C…NBA star Tracy McGrady also attended Mt. Zion…played for coach Jeff Parker…had 120 tackles, two interceptions and rushed for 10 TDs his senior season…PERSONAL…born Jan. 15, 1980, in Monroe, N.C…age is 22…full name is Daniel Joseph Gawronski…son of Daniel and Muriel…interested in Physical Education as a major.
Casey Hamilton Defensive Line 6-0 261Jr-Tr Alto, Texas (Kilgore College)Junior college defensive lineman who came to UNM in January…spent the past two years at Kilgore (Texas) College…Kilgore teammate Fola Fashola is also attending UNM…a first team all-conference pick last year…helped lead the Rangers to a No. 2 national ranking and a school-record 12-0 mark…played for coach Jim Rieves…HIGH SCHOOL…a 2000 graduate of Alto (Texas) High School…two-time all-state defensive tackle for coach Lucky Gamble…also all-East Texas Defensive Player of the Year as a senior when he had 107 tackles and 21 sacks…had 252 tackles and 34 sacks in his prep career…Alto went 35-5 between 1998-2000…placed second in the state in the discus his senior year…PERSONAL…born June 14, 1982, in Nacogdoches, Texas…age is 19…full name is Casey Quadarro Hamilton…son of Elvin and Pamela Hamilton…Casey likes fishing and video games…interested in Criminal Justice as a major.
Blaine Harrell Safety 6-1 190 Fr-HSFort Worth, Texas (Everman HS)Three-year starter from the same high school that brought Lobo basketball player Tim Lightfoot to UNM…playing safety, Harrell had 75 tackles and 8 interceptions last year while leading the Bulldogs to the state 3A title with a 15-0 record…Everman beat Sinton High in the championship game at Kyle Field at Texas A&M…played for coach Dale Keeling…also played receiver and was voted the district MVP as a senior…track bests include 22-4 in the long jump and 6-4 in the high jump…member of the schools Honor Roll with a 3.3 GPA…PERSONAL…born Nov. 2, 1983, in Fort Worth…age is 18…full name is Blaine Alan Harrell…son of Anita Harrell…favorite athlete is Tiki Barber of the New York Giants…interested in Exercise Science or Psychology as a major.
Patrick Hodges Offensive Line 6-5 295Fr-HS Ruidoso, N.M. (Ruidoso HS)Four-year letterman and a three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines at Ruidoso…played for coach Les Carter…played defensive tackle all three years…positioned at offensive tackle as a sophomore before moving to guard his last two years…all-state guard as a senior and honorable mention all-state on defense…also the Warriors deep snapper…excels in wrestling as well, finishing second in the state as a sophomore and taking the heavyweight title as a junior…currently 19-1 on the mat in 2002…PERSONAL…born March 13, 1984, in Santa Fe…age is 17…full name is Patrick Willis Hodges…son of Chuck and Vera…likes hunting, fishing and traveling…favorite athlete is former Lobo Brian Urlacher…interested in Secondary Education as a major…would like to teach and coach after college.
Kole McKamey Quarterback 6-2 185 Fr-HS Artesia, N.M. (Artesia HS)All-state quarterback from the New Mexico AAAA champion Artesia Bulldogs…threw for 1,963 yards and 20 TDs as a senior…also adept at running, rushing for 859 yards and 16 TDs last season for head coach Cooper Henderson…timed at 4.45 in the 40…will play in the North-South All-Star game this summer…the states second-leading receiver (805 yards) and Artesias reserve quarterback as a junior…also a guard for the Bulldogs basketball team and he was a member of the schools state champion 4 x 100 meter relay team in 2001…placed second in the state 100 meters as a junior as well…PERSONAL…born April 24, 1984, in Roswell, N.M…age is 17…full name is Kole David McKamey…son of Keith and Kay…father is a geologist, mother an English teacher at Artesia High…dad was a linebacker and punter at Tarleton State…older sister Krista is a senior at Texas Tech, majoring in Pre-Vet…Kole has a twin sister, Kayla…likes San Diego Chargers QB Drew Brees and snowboarding…undecided about a major.
Marty Moss Offensive Line 6-4 310 Fr-HS Lubbock, Texas (Estacado HS)Two-year starter on the offensive line at Lubbock Estacado…started at left tackle as a junior then right tackle his senior year…first team all-district, all-city and all-South Plains last fall for coach David Moody…also named to the West Texas Super Team…PERSONAL…born Feb. 16, 1984, in Lubbock…age is 17…full name is Marterio Carale Moss…son of Marilyn Moss and grandson of Margaret Moss…interested in Computer Engineering as a major…would like to work with computer hardware.
Joel Paoli Cornerback 5-9 180 Jr-TrSan Juan, Puerto Rico (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)Transfer who enrolled at UNM in January…last name is pronounced pay-OH-lee…second team all-conference cornerback last fall at Northeastern Oklahoma in Miami, Okla…played for coach Dale Patterson…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1999 graduate of Lawton (Okla.) Eisenhower…played for coach Bill Withley…played in the Oil Bowl – the annual Oklahoma-Texas charity all-star game played in Wichita Falls, Texas…also lettered in track…PERSONAL…born Nov. 17, 1982, in Lawton…age is 19…son of Hiram and Marta…father is retired from the Army…has three brothers and sisters…interested in Business as a major.
Zach Rupp Defensive End 6-5 240 Jr-TrPleasant Grove, Utah (Dixie State College)Transfer from Dixie State College in St. George, Utah…enrolled at UNM in January…expected to play defensive end for the Lobos…second team all-conference performer last fall for coach Greg Croshaw…had 15 sacks for the Rebels, who were league champs in 2000 and 2001…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1999 graduate of Pleasant Grove (Utah) High…first team all-state defensive end and team MVP as a senior…played for coach Bill Mikelson…72 tackles and 15 sacks his senior season…PERSONAL…born Jan. 23, 1981, in Bountiful, Utah…age is 21…full name is Zachary M. Rupp…son of Glade Rupp and Kelli Cummings…pretty handy with cars, too, finishing third in the Utah State Autobody Competition…cousin Bryan May played football at BYU from 1989-91…interested in Nutrition as his major.
Dedrick Simien Safety 6-1 190 Fr-HSTaylor, Texas (Taylor HS)Safety from Taylor (Texas) High, which is about 45 minutes from Austin…a three-year starter for the Ducks and coach Tim Holt…name is pronounced DEE-drick SIM-ee-in…starter at cornerback as a sophomore, then free safety his final two years…second team all-state pick as a senior with a team-high 77 tackles and 3 interceptions, one returned for a TD…also led the Ducks his junior season with 92 stops and 3 interceptions…PERSONAL…born Aug. 14, 1983, in Taylor…age is 18…full name is Dedrick Ross Simien…son of Freda Simien…Dedrick has nine brothers and four sisters with ages ranging from 17 to 37 years…likes Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys…would like to coach at the high school level after college.
Billy Strother Linebacker 6-0 230 Jr-TrEvansville, Ind. (West Hills College)Transfer who will enroll at UNM this fall…expected to play linebacker…spent the past two years at West Hills College in Coalinga, Calif…outside linebacker who was a two-time first team all-conference selection and second team all-state pick last fall for coach Mark Gritton…had 175 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 fumbles recovered, 5 caused fumbles and a blocked punt in his two years with the Falcons…timed at 4.53 in the 40…Billy credits fellow high school teammate Quentin Jackson with his attending West Hills…Strother was not getting any looks out of high school, but Jackson recommended him to the coaching staff at West Hills…HIGH SCHOOL…a 2000 graduate of Evansville (Ind.) Harrison High…a three-year starter for coach Mitch Marsh…all-state linebacker as a senior…played basketball and also ran track for the Warriors…spent two years as a Peer Mediator where he helped fellow students work out problems…PERSONAL…born Jan. 8, 1982, in Evansville…age is 20…full name is William Gregory Strother…son of Diane Tyler…likes to read and write poetry…interested in Physical Therapy or sales after college.
Jimmie Taylor Linebacker 6-1 221 So-TrMiami, Fla. (Hutchinson CC)Transfer who will enroll at UNM this summer…a linebacker, but he could also see some time at lobo…signed with Florida State out of high school in February of 1999, but did not qualify academically…did not attend school during the 1999-2000 academic year…went to Hutchinson (Kan. ) CC in the fall of 2000…a redshirt in 2000, but he was an all-conference performer last year with 103 tackles, 10 sacks and more than 20 tackles for loss…played linebacker, safety and returned kickoffs for coach Dave Wheeler…had 5 sacks in one game against Independence CC…current Lobo teammates Daniel Kegler – also a Florida native – and Brandon Gregory attended Hutchinson CC as well…HIGH SCHOOL…a 1999 graduate of Miami (Fla.) Killian…a three-year starter for coach Sam Miller…all-Dade County linebacker as a senior, registering 126 tackles, 17 sacks and 2 interceptions…current Oakland Raiders defensive back Derrick Gibson was a high school teammate of Taylors…PERSONAL…born Aug. 13, 1980, in Miami…age is 21…full name is Jimmie Prince Taylor…son of Jimmie Taylor and Gilda Adams…would like to teach or be a counselor after college.
Fred Tucker Offensive Line 6-4 330 Fr-HS Houston, Texas (Lamar HS)Three-time all-district offensive lineman at Houston Lamar…also all-Greater Houston pick after his senior year…played for coach Tom Nolan…the teams most valuable offensive lineman in 2000 and 2001…currently Lamars Class Historian…during his sophomore year, Tucker was president of a school organization called Close-Up…the group traveled to Washington D.C., to learn about government and meet President Clinton…PERSONAL…born Jan. 4, 1984, in Houston…age is 18…full name is Frederick Dwayne Tucker…son of Fred and Ursula…interested in Pre-Med at UNM.
Robert Turner Offensive Line 6-4 330Fr-HS Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)Offensive lineman who had 89 pancake blocks and graded at 90% during his senior year…three-year starter on the offensive line and team captain his senior season…second team all-CenTex pick for coach Charlie Sadler…named to Team Elite by national magazine Gridiron Greats…also started at defensive tackle his final two years…a member of the Cavaliers powerlifting team as well…best lifts are 605-lb. squat, 325-lb. bench press and 550-lb. dead lift for a combined total of 1,480 lbs…tossed the shot 51-7 and the discus 148-11…spends time reading stories and playing games as an elementary school mentor…also an officer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes…PERSONAL…born Aug. 20, 1984, in Austin…age is 17…full name is Robert Wayne Turner II…son of Robert and Suzanne…father is a gunsmith, mother an assistant librarian…likes NFL players Tony Boselli and Kurt Warner, plus motorcycles and hunting…interested in Kinesiology or Communications as a major.
Sidney Wiley Cornerback 5-11 185 Jr-Tr Hazelhurst, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln JC)One of two transfers from Copiah-Lincoln JC in Wesson, Miss…Wiley is joined by fellow JC teammate Daniel Gawronski at UNM…both enrolled at UNM in January…Wiley was a second team all-state free safety last fall for coach David Cross…he played cornerback as a freshman when he had two interceptions…a 3.4 GPA, graduating with honors…HIGH SCHOOL…a 2000 graduate of Hazelhurst (Miss.) High…four-year starter and team MVP as a senior for coach Emmanuel Bridges…also graduated with honors at Hazelhurst…PERSONAL…born March 31, 1982 in Nuremburg, Germany where he father was stationed at the time…age is 19…full name is Sidney Ray Wiley Jr…son of Sidney and Lafon…mother is deceased…father played football at Copiah-Lincoln, while his mother – the former Lafon Fuller – is in the basketball Hall of Fame at Jackson State University…interested in majoring in Computer Science.
Wes Zunker Kicker 5-9 165 So-1LNew Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)Former walk-on who will be placed on scholarship in the fall of 2002…earned a spot on the team last year during the first days of fall camp when a dozen kickers went through tryouts…battled senior Vladimir Borombozin for the PAT/FG duties…ended up being the Lobos long field goal kicker – 42 yards or longer – and handling kickoff duties…2001 (Freshman): made 2 of 4 FG attempts…his first collegiate try was true from 51 yards in the season opener against UTEP…also connected from 43 yards at Baylor…opponents averaged just 18.6 yards on 51 kickoff returns…HIGH SCHOOL…a 2001 graduate of New Braunfels (Texas) Canyon High…all-conference performer three straight years in football and soccer…booted four FGs from 47 yards or longer with a long of 52 yards…named all-Millennium kicker at Canyon High…football coach was Brad Wright…PERSONAL…born Nov. 17, 1982, in New Braunfels…age is 19…full name is Wesley Daniel Zunker…son of Danny and Carolyn…undecided about a major.