Contact:
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Rick Pike |
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Snow College |
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(435) 283-7062 |
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Fax: (435) 283-7064 |
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Snow Continues Emphasis on Winning with Utahns – Signs 19 Utah players
EPHRAIM, Utah—February 10, 2003—Snow College has received 29 letters of intent from high school seniors who will play Badger football. Nineteen of the players are from Utah – 6 from Sanpete County. Of the remaining 10, five are from Idaho, two from Colorado, two from New Mexico and one from Texas. The Badgers still hope to receive letters from 4-5 players before the end of this signing period.
“Our emphasis in this recruiting class is defense – especially defensive backs and linebackers,” said Jeff Kilts, Snow’s head coach. “I think we accomplished our goal. We’ll put a faster and even more physical defense on the field this season. We’re also bringing in a couple of quarterbacks to keep that pipeline strong.”
As 3-A and 2-A runners up, North Sanpete and Manti High Schools had plenty of talent to offer Snow. Four players from North Sanpete have signed including: Kevin Jacobsen, a 6’1” All State running back and defensive back who will play linebacker; Jeff Wright, a 6’4” All State quarterback and punter; Alex Richards, a 6’ All Region wide receiver who will play receiver or defensive back; and Sheldon Holgreen, a 6’3” defensive lineman who was an important piece of an outstanding defense this season.
From Manti, Kyle Crouch, a 5’11” All State wide receiver, and Blake Trythall, a 5’11” All State defensive back who will play safety have signed. The Badgers hope to sign Kevin Cox, a 6’3” wide receiver and defensive back to play safety. Cox is currently considering Snow’s offer along with options to play basketball at the collegiate level. If he signs, it will be following the basketball season.
“We wouldn’t sign these guys if they weren’t capable of playing at this level,” said Kilts. “Every year we have key players from Sanpete. These guys will keep the tradition going. I expect two or three of them to contribute right away.”
Other Utah players to sign include: Chase Boyer, a 6’ All State quarterback and linebacker from Fremont who was the Region 1 offensive player of the year; Beau Hadley, an All State defensive back from Fremont; and Adam Farnsworth, a 6’3” All Region and All Area quarterback from Weber.
“I like this group. Adam will compete immediately for the quarterback spot,” said Kilts. “Boyer and Hadley could contribute in the fall – although Hadley is going on a mission right away.”
Chase’ brother Brant played linebacker at Snow and currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.
The Badgers mined Colorado and Texas for some needed speed in the defensive backfield. Quincy Wallin and Aramis Peoples, 5-A All State defensive backs and running backs for Overland High in Colorado, will be Badgers. Colorado, Colorado St. and Nebraska were among the schools recruiting Wallin. Deondrick Nunez, an All Area and All District cornerback from Del Valley High in Texas, will also be a Badger. Nunez was recruited by Texas, Texas A&M and Arkansas. He runs 100 meters in 10.5 seconds.
Also signing with Snow were Rorry Eyring, 6’4” 285 pounds, and Aaron Doolin, 6’5” 300 pounds – All State linemen from Kirtland High in New Mexico. Of the five signees from Idaho, Coach Kilts expects Kelly Preston, a 6’4” All State quarterback who was a player of the year for Snake River, to compete right away. Brock Richardson, a 6’3” lineman from Bonneville High in Idaho, was offered a full ride by Idaho State but chose Snow.
“Idaho has become quite a pipeline for us,” said Kilts. “We had a couple of Idaho guys last year who made significant contributions. With Ricks dropping athletics, the word is out up there that Snow is the place to go.”
Snow College
Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 2,800 students at its Ephraim campus, and approximately 600 students at its Richfield campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas. Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.