Louisiana Tech signs top running back in Louisiana for 2005:
Three-time first team all-state running back Patrick Jackson of West St. Johns High School headlines a steller Louisiana Tech recruiting class. While Tech returns Freddie Franklin, Mark Dillard and Shelton Richardson in the offensive backfield, coach Jack Bicknell said he wanted additional depth.
Jackson rushed for over 3,000 yards and a Louisiana high school record 58 touchdowns this season while leading West St. Johns to its second consecutive state title. He was named Louisiana's 2A State Most Valuable Player.
Members of this years signee class include:
Dwight Alexander, 6-6, 310, OL Carencro, La.
Lettered three years
Led team to the District 3-5A title in 2002 and 2003 and state semifinals in 2003
Second team all-district as a senior
Also threw the discus for the Carencro track and field team for four years.
Jason Anthony,5-10, 233, LB Augusta, Ga. (Holmes CC/Richmond Academy)
High School: Lettered four years
Helped lead team to the 1998 District 3-4A title
First team all-state at running back as a senior
Second team all-state at linebacker as a freshman and junior
First team all-district as a freshman, junior and senior
Named the team MVP three times
Member of the Richwood Academy track and field team all four years in the 100-meters, on the 400-meter relay team and threw the shot put
Junior College: Lettered two years
Second team all-state as a sophomore and honorable mention all-state as a freshman
Played in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game
Led the state in tackles with 115, including eight tackles for loss, in 2004.
Chad Beverage 6-1, 230, LB/S Bossier City, La. (Airline HS)
Lettered one year at Airline High School and three years at Parkway High School
Helped lead Airline to the quarterfinal round of the 2004 5A playoffs
Had 98 tackles, seven interceptions and eight forced fumbles in 2004
Returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown vs West Monroe
All-District 2-5A first team as a senior
First team all-city and all-parish by the Shreveport Times
Second team all-state
First team All-District as a freshman (wide receiver), sophomore (linebacker, wide receiver) and junior (running back, linebacker.
Weldon Brown 5-10, 175, RB Shreveport, La. (Bossier HS)
Lettered three years at Bossier High School
Helped lead the Bearkats to the state playoffs all three years
First team All-District 2-4A three straight years (as cornerback and running back in 2003)
Shreveport Times All-City three straight years
All-state as a junior
Team MVP as a junior and senior
District 2-4A Offensive MVP as senior
Rushed for a school record 1,875 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2004 despite missing two and a half games with injury
Was a member of the Bearkat track and field team running on the 400-meter relay team that went to state in 2004.
Mark Cassimere 6-4, 240, DE Opelousas, La. (Northwest HS)
Lettered four years for former Louisiana Tech Bulldog Rodney Lloyd at Northwest High School in Louisiana
Helped lead the Raiders to the 3A state playoffs in 2001 and 2004
First team all-district as punter and tight end in 2004
Second team all-district at defensive line as a senior
First team all-district at tight end as junior
All-district at defensive line as junior
Second team all-district at defensive line as junior
Member of the track and field team, threw the shot put and discus
District champ in the shot put and discus as a junior
Second in state in the discus as a junior.
Sandy Collins 5-10, 190, DB Foxworth, Miss. (Pearl River CC/West Marion HS)
High School: Lettered four years at running back and cornerback
Led the Trojans to the District 8-3A title as a senior
All-district at running back as a sophomore, junior and senior
All-area as a sophomore, junior and senior
Junior College: Lettered for two years at Pearl River
Helped lead Pearl River to the 2004 MACJC and National Junior College national title and a 12-0 record
Member of a Pearl River defense that ranked eighth nationally in total defense
Led the team with over 100 tackles as a sophomore
Named best defensive back on the team
Played in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game.
Melvin Ellis 5-11, 170, DB Port Gibson, Miss. (Itawamba CC/Port Gibson HS)
High School: Lettered two years at running back and defensive back
First team all-area at running back as a junior
Also ran track
Was named a high school All-American in the 400-meters (50.24)
Participated in the Junior Olympics in 2001 in Sacramento, Calif.
Finished 10th in the 200-meters and 9th in the 400-meters at the Junior Olympics
Junior College: Lettered two years
Helped lead Itawamba to the playoffs and a second place finish in the North Division in 2004
Played in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game and was named the Defensive MVP of the game
Named Preseason honorable mention All-American
Registered 16 pass break ups, 38 tackles and one interception for Itawamba as a sophomore.
Christon Guient 6-2, 270, DL Marrero, La. (John Ehret HS)
Lettered four years
Helped lead the Patriots to the 2001 and 2004 District 7-5A titles
First team all-district, first team all-metro and all-West Bank New Orleans as a senior
Second team all-state in 2004.
Anthony Harrison 6-3, 215, TE Houston, Texas (Kinkaid HS)
Lettered three years
Helped lead the Falcons to the 2003 Southwest Preparatory Conference title and the Texas Private School championship title
First team All-SBC at linebacker in 2003 and at tight end in 2004
Honorable mention All-SBC at safety in 2002
Ranked 70th in Rivals.com Texas Top 100
Ranked No. 124 in the state of Texas by Max Emfinger
Caught 22 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns as a senior
49 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in his career.
Brian Jackson 6-3, 190, WR Baton Rouge, La. (Woodlawn HS)
Lettered two years
All-district second team as a junior and all-district first team as a senior
Honorable mention all-state as a senior
Set school career receiving records with 84 receptions and 24 touchdowns
Caught for over 800 yards and a school single season record 13 touchdowns as a junior
Caught for over 700 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior
Played basketball for three years
Member of the 2002 Louisiana Class 5A state championship team
All-district as a junior, averaging over 14 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Patrick Jackson 5-11, 195, RB Edgard, La. (West St. John's HS)
Lettered four years
Led the Rams to four straight District 9-2A titles and the Louisiana State 2A title in 2003 and 2004
Three-time all-state, all-district, all-metro and all-River Parish
Louisiana's 2A state Most Valuable Player in 2004
District and All-Metro Offensive MVP in 2004
SuperPrep All-Regional team
Set the Louisiana state record by scoring 58 touchdowns (53 rushing, 5 receiving) in 2004
Rushed for 3,013 yards in 2004
Rushed for 263 yards and four touchdowns in West St. John's 46-2 win over St. Helena Central in the 2004 state championship game
Named the game's Most Outstanding Player
52nd best running back in the country by Rivals.com
Ran the 100-meters, 200-meters and on the 400-meter and 800-meter relay teams
4.1 GPA in college prep courses.
Joshua Lewis 5-9, 195, RB Arlington, Texas (Arlington Martin HS)
Lettered three years
District 7-5A Sophomore of the Year in 2002
First team all-district as a senior
Ft. Worth Star Telegram Super Team as a senior
As a senior, led the district in rushing with 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns on 222 carries
Had three runs of over 80 yards in 2004
Ran the 100 meters and was a member of the 400-meter relay team
His father was a member of the Washington Redskins and ran for a Super Bowl record 204 yards and two touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in a 42-10 win in Super Bowl XXII.
Dustin Mitchell 6-4, 225, TE Lutcher, La. (Lutcher HS)
Lettered three years at QB and FS
Led the Bulldogs to the 2003 District 10-3A title and the Louisiana Class 3A state title
Passed for over 1,900 yards as a senior while rushing for over 400 yards and 10 scores
Threw for over 2,700 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior
First team all-district at quarterback as a junior and senior
All-River Parish and honorable mention all-metro as a junior
Averaged 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds on the basketball team
Second team all-district as a baseball pitcher as junior.
Keeven Moore 5-11, 195, S Enid, Okla. (Northeast Oklahoma A&M JC/Enid HS)
High School: Lettered three years
Played running back and helped lead the Plainsmen to the 2000 state playoffs
First team All-District 6-4A as a junior and senior
Participated in the 100-meters, 200-meters and as part of the 400-meter relay team
As a junior won district and conference in the 100-meters and finished fourth at state
Junior College: Lettered two years
Helped lead Northeast Oklahoma A&M to the Southwest Conference championship and the Dalton Defenders Bowl as a freshman
Registered 76 tackles as a sophomore.
Michael Mosley 6-1, 185, QB New Orleans, La. (Landry HS)
Lettered two years
Led team to the state playoffs in 2004
First team All-District 11-3A as a junior and senior
First team All-West Bank and honorable mention all-metro by the New Orleans Times Picayune in 2004
Blue Chip prospect by the Baton Rouge Advocate
Named team MVP as a senior
Completed 108 of 212 passes for 1,623 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, while rushing 64 times for 451 yards and four scores
All-district baseball pitcher as a junior.
Anthony Moss 5-11, 185, DB St. Louis, Missouri (Jones JC/Hazelwood East HS)
High School: Lettered two years
Led team to Suburban North District titles in 2000 and 2001 and the 5A state championship game as a senior
Prep Star All-America selection
Prep Football Report and Super Prep All-Midlands teams
Honorable mention all-state and second team all-conference as a senior after rushing for 1,068 yards and 14 touchdowns
Signed with the University of Wisconsin out of high school, redshirted as a freshman and then transferred to Jones Community College
Ran the 100-meters and the 400-meter relay
Was the district champ in the 100-meters as a senior and finished fifth in state
Junior College: Lettered in 2004
Helped lead Jones to a 7-4 mark and the Golden Isles Bowl vs. Blinn Community College.
Leanard Powell 6-0, 220, LB Winnfield, La. (Hastings HS)
Lettered three years
Helped lead the Bears to the District 19-5A title in 2002 and the state quarterfinals
Second team all-district in 2004
Academic all-state as a senior
Will play in the Lone Star Bowl
Cousin of Chicago Bears running back Anthony Thomas
Cousins Garlon Powell and Greg Powell played at Louisiana Tech.
Marquis Spurgon 6-0, 183, DB Verona, Miss. (Itawamba CC/Shannon HS)
High School: Lettered three years
Played free safety and wide receiver
Helped lead Shannon High School to the District 2-3A title in 2000 and the 1-4A title in 2001
All-area at wide receiver as a senior
All-district at free safety as a junior and at wide receiver as a senior. Junior College: Lettered two years
Second team all-state in 2004
Ranked fourth in the state as a freshman with six interceptions
Led Itawamba with 85 tackles and four interceptions in 2004.
Kendrick Ussin 5-11, 190, Athlete New Orleans, La. (John Ehret HS)
Lettered four years
Played quarterback and led the Patriots to the 2004 District 7-5A title and the state quarterfinals
All-district as a junior and senior
All-metro by the New Orleans Times Picayune in 2004
First team All-West Bank in 2004
Blue Chip prospect by the Baton Rouge Advocate
Passed for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior and rushed for over 800 yards and eight scores.
David Washington 5-11, 275, DT New Orleans, La. (Archbishop Rummel)
Lettered three years
Helped lead the Raiders to the District 10-5A title as a sophomore and junior
Registered 110 tackles, five forced fumbles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior
Had 32 tackles and three sacks as a junior
Had 24 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore
Named first team all-district as a senior and first team All-East Jefferson Parish by the New Orleans Times Picayune
Named All-Catholic League by the coaches.
Michael Washington 6-1, 210, LB Houston, Texas (St. Pius X HS)
Lettered three years at St. Pius X High School in Texas
Three-time all-district at running back
2003-04 District Athlete of the Year by TAPPs
Second team all-state in basketball.
Joshua Wheeler 6-6, 195, WR Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau HS)
Lettered for three years
Played both wide receiver and punter
Helped lead the Leopards to the 2004 District 14-3A title
Caught 35 passes for 702 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior
Unanimous first team all-district honors as a senior at wide receiver
First team all-district as a junior at punter
Texarkana Gazette's All-Area team as a junior and senior
First team academic all-state
Ran track for Liberty-Eylau and was the state's 3A champion in the high jump (6'11") as a junior
Finished third at state in the 300 hurdles as a junior
Member of the 1,600-meter relay team that finished second at state as a junior
Member of the mile relay team that finished second at state as a sophomore
Also lettered in basketball
Named the District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore
Named the District Co-MVP as a junior
Named second team all-area by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches as a junior
Named preseason all-state as a senior
Ranks in top 5 in senior class academically
Scored 28 on ACT as a freshman.
Brian White 6-2, 210, LB Springhill, La. (Springhill HS)
Lettered four years
Helped lead the Lumberjacks to four straight District 1-2A titles and the state playoffs
Totaled 165 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five sacks and eleven blocked kicks as a senior
Second team all-state as a senior
First team all-district, all-parish and all-area as a junior and senior.
Lurico Wood 5-10, 170, DB Corinth, Miss. (Northeast Mississippi CC/Corinth HS)
High School: Lettered three years
Helped lead the Warriors to the district title in both 2001 and 2002 and the state championship game in 2002
First team all-state as a senior
County Defensive Player of the Year by the Daily Corinthian in 2001
Played in the Mississippi High School Coaches Association All-Star Game (North-South) in 2001
Led the state with 15 interceptions as a senior
Played basketball for four years at Corinth and led team to the Mississippi 3A state championship title as a sophomore and junior
Team Defensive MVP as a junior and senior
Junior College: Lettered two years
All-state as a sophomore
Preseason NJCAA All-American in 2004
Named the team's Best Defensive Back as a sophomore
Recorded three interceptions in 2004, returning two for touchdowns.
Nick Worzel 6-5, 225, QB Wayne, NJ (Wayne Hills HS)
Led team to a 17-5 mark during his two years as the starter, including a win in the Group 3 state championship game in 2004
Passed for over 2,900 yards and 23 touchdowns in those two years and rushed for 350 yards and five scores
Served as the field goal kicker and hit 3 of 5 in his career
Earned all-state honors as a senior
Named the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 state title game
All-league as a junior and senior
All-area and All-Passaic County as a senior.
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