Press Release in PDF
BGSU Football National Signing Day Release BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University head football coach Dino Babers has announced the addition of 17 student-athletes to the BGSU football program on Feb. 5, 2014. Athletic Communications 249 Perry Stadium East Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 Director Jason Knavel (419) 372-7075 (O) [email protected] Football Contact Scott Swegan (419) 372-7105 (O) (419) 575-9148 (C) [email protected] Assistant Director Mike Cihon (419) 372-0474 (O) [email protected] Assistant Director Kevin Davis (419) 372-7077 (O) [email protected] Intern Jacob Dorow (419) 372-7105 (O) [email protected] BGSUFalcons.com Twitter: @BGAthletics
“We are excited to welcome these student-athletes to the Falcon family. It is exciting to have these student-athletes be a part of our first signing class at BGSU, and we can’t wait to see how these men will contribute to our program in the future.” 2014 BGSU Recruiting Class Name Nilijah Ballew Trevahn Beery Cody Callaway Jalen Dingle Ben Hale Nick Johnson* Tyler King Austin Labus Roger Lewis* Marcus Milton* Isiah Moore Brian Sanders Griff Saunders Clint Stephens Jack Walz III De’Angelo Ware Chance Weitz
Pos. DB DB QB LB DB DB DT OL WR DB OL DL LB WR DB OL DT
Ht. 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-3 5-9 6-0 6-5 6-3
Wt. Hometown (High School) 196 Cincinnati, Ohio (Walnut Hills) 175 Creston, Ohio (Norwayne) 195 Grafton, Ohio (Midview) 215 Detroit, Mich. (South Lake) 187 Columbus, Ohio (St. Charles) 183 Canton, Ohio (Timken Senior) 285 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) 300 Portage, Mich. (Portage Northern) 200 Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep) 185 Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep) 280 Tiffin, Ohio (Tiffin Columbian) 230 Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech) 215 Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis De Sales) 170 West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dwyer) 190 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) 320 Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cleveland Heights) 250 Elida, Ohio (Elida)
*Enrolled this spring 2014 BGSU Recruiting Class By Position Quarterback - 1 Wide Receiver - 1 Offensive Line - 3 Defensive Line - 3 Linebackers - 2 Defensive Backs - 7
Nilijah Ballew | Cincinnati, Ohio | Walnut Hills | DB | 6-2 | 196 Currently attends Walnut Hills High School … played for head coach George Kontsis … named first team all-district and second team all-state … was first team all-area following his senior season … played three seasons of varsity football for the Eagles … had 93 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior … recorded two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries during his sophomore and juniors seasons … two time first team allconference … team MVP and defensive MVP in 2013 … team captain in 2013. Trevahn Beery | Creston, Ohio | Norwayne | DB | 6-1 | 175 Currently attends Norwayne High School … played for head coach Joe Harbour … played varsity for three seasons … team was a combined 34-5 winning two league championships … won the Ohio State Championship his sophomore season and lost in the state semifinals in his junior season … earned first team All-WCAL, first team all-region and second team All-Ohio following his senior season … was a captain for football in 2013 … has also run track each of the past four seasons, earning first team All-WCAL each season. Cody Callaway | Grafton, Ohio | Midview | QB | 6-3 | 195 Currently attends Midview High School … played for head coach Bill Albright … played varsity for four seasons at Midview … threw for Lorain County record 7,180 yards and 69 career touchdowns … had 8,840 yards from scrimmage in his career … during his senior season, Callaway threw for 2,496 yards … had 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions in his senior season, earning second team AllOhio … passed for 2,030 and 21 touchdowns as a junior … named Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-Ohio as a junior … threw for 1,983 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore … was named All-Ohio third team following his sophomore season … father played baseball at Bowling Green, while relative Ray Lambert played football … also has been a four-year starter on the baseball team at Midview. Jalen Dingle | Detroit, Mich. | South Lake | LB | 6-2 | 215 Currently attends South Lake High School … played for head coach Mark Woolum … is the first player from South Lake High School to earn a Division I scholarship … recorded 82 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three sacks as a senior … was a three year starter … captain of both his football and basketball teams … earned academic all-league. Ben Hale | Columbus, Ohio | St. Charles | DB | 6-2 | 187 Currently attends St. Charles Prep in Columbus, Ohio … played for head coach Jeff Pharion … was a three-year varsity player for the Cards … recorded 80 tackles as his team went 8-2 during his senior season … also had seven touchdowns and one forced fumble … had 85 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks as a junior … had 47 tackles and three interceptions—all in the same game—as a sophomore … was a two-time all-district player … team won Central Catholic League championship in 2013 … lettered in basketball … both of his parents were collegiate athletes … related to Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson. Nick Johnson | Canton, Ohio | Timken Senior | DB | 6-2 | 183 Enrolled at Bowling Green for the spring 2014 semester and will practice with the team during spring practice … played for head coach Kevin Henderson at Canton Timken High School … named first team All-Ohio following his senior season … also named first team all-district … earned three letters for the Trojans … also lettered in basketball and track & field … has been a captain for football, basketball and track & field.
Tyler King | Lakewood, Ohio | St. Edward | DT | 6-2 | 285 Currently attends St. Edwards … played for head coach Rick Finotti … team went 11-2 in 2013, losing in the state playoffs to Mentor … father Dan played football at Bowling Green … won a state championship and made four state playoff appearances during his career … earned three varsity letters, but dressed all four seasons … Eagles went a combined 31-7 during his three full varsity seasons … was named first team All-Cleveland and first team All-Ohio following his senior season … was a game captain during his senior season. Austin Labus | Portage, Mich. | Portage Northern | OL | 6-6 | 300 Currently attends Portage Northern High School … played for head coach Peter Schermerhorn … team went 7-3 in 2013 during his senior season … advanced to the postseason … also lettered in wrestling and lacrosse … was a captain during his senior season. Roger Lewis | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep | WR | 6-3 | 200 Enrolled at Bowling Green in January … previously attended Jireh Prep in Matthews, N.C. … played for head coach Scott McConnell and offensive coordinator Jarvis McGarrah at Jireh Prep … prior to his time at Jireh Prep, Lewis graduated from Pickerington Central High School in 2012 … during his four seasons at Pickerington Central, Lewis went 45-7 … advanced to the Ohio State Championship during his senior season … led team with eight receiving touchdowns during his senior season … earned All-OCC and all-district honors … was a high school All-American and a captain … also lettered in both basketball and track … had 35 catches for 900 yards and 13 touchdowns at Jireh Prep. Marcus Milton | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep | DB | 6-1 | 185 Enrolled at Bowling Green in January 2014 for spring semester … attended Jireh Prep in Matthews, N.C. … also attended Pickerington Central High School … finished with a team-high nine tackles in the state championship game in 2011 at Pickerington Central … also finished fourth in the state in the 100-meter dash in 2012 … recorded 78 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior with the Tigers … also lettered in both basketball and track. Isiah Moore | Tiffin, Ohio | Tiffin Columbian | OL | 6-3 | 280 Currently attends Tiffin Columbian High School … played for head coach Brian Colatruglio … played varsity for three seasons … named first team all-league as he anchored an offensive line which paved the way to TC rushing for 2,391 yards in 2013 … named the top lineman in his district, also garnering first team all-district honors … started all three seasons, earning first team all-league after his final two seasons … named All-Northwest Ohio following his senior campaign. Brian Sanders | Detroit, Mich. | Cass Tech | DL | 6-4 | 230 Currently attends Cass Tech in Detroit, Mich. … played for head coach Thomas Wilcher … his Technicians team went 12-2 including advancing to the state semifinals of the Michigan State Playoffs … started during his final two seasons … won state championship in 2011 and 2012 … Sanders is one of 10 players from Cass Tech’s 2012 state championship team to sign with a Division I school … named All-Detroit, All-Metro, and honorable mention All-Michigan … was a captain in 2013 … father played football at Wayne State. Griff Saunders | Columbus, Ohio | St. Francis De Sales | LB | 6-3 | 215 Currently attends St. Francis DeSales in Columbus, Ohio … played for head coach Ryan Wiggins … three year varsity letterwinner … totaled 127 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in his career … forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble during his senior season … was All-CCL … captain during his senior season.
Clint Stephens | West Palm Beach, Fla. | Dwyer | WR | 5-9 | 170 Currently attends Dwyer High School … coached by Jack Daniels … lettered four times at Dwyer … had a career record of 48-7 … won the 2013 7A Florida State Championship and also won the regional championship in 2013 and 2011 … two time captain … cousin of Northern Illinois’ receiver Tommylee Lewis … earned player of the week honors three times during his career. Jack Walz III | Lakewood, Ohio | St. Edward | DB | 6-0 | 190 Currently attends St. Edwards … played for head coach Rick Finotti … played linebacker before making the switch to safety during his senior season … dressed varsity all four seasons, earning letters his final three … team went 31-7 during his three seasons, advancing to the state playoffs in all three … selected to play in the North-South game following his senior season … was a captain during his senior season … father played collegiate football at Joliet College. DeAngelo Ware | Cleveland Heights, Ohio | Cleveland Heights | OL | 6-5 | 320 Currently attends Cleveland Heights High School … played for head coach Jeff Rotsky … played varsity for the Tigers during his final three seasons, earning two letters … won Lake Erie League championships both his sophomore and senior seasons … went 9-1 in the regular season during 2013, advancing to the second round of the Ohio State playoffs. Chance Weitz | Elida, Ohio | Elida | DT | 6-3 | 250 Currently attends Elida High School … played for head coach Jason Carpenter … had 72 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and seven sacks during his junior season … added two forced fumbles, an interception, and a touchdown in 2012 … three time All-WBL selection … school’s all-time career sack leader … four year varsity letterwinner and starter.
“We are excited to welcome these student-athletes to the Falcon family. It is exciting to have these student-athletes be a part of our first signing class at BGSU, and we can’t wait to see how these men will contribute to our program in the future.” 2014 BGSU Recruiting Class Name Nilijah Ballew Trevahn Beery Cody Callaway Jalen Dingle Ben Hale Nick Johnson* Tyler King Austin Labus Roger Lewis* Marcus Milton* Isiah Moore Brian Sanders Griff Saunders Clint Stephens Jack Walz III De’Angelo Ware Chance Weitz
Pos. DB DB QB LB DB DB DT OL WR DB OL DL LB WR DB OL DT
Ht. 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-3 5-9 6-0 6-5 6-3
Wt. Hometown (High School) 196 Cincinnati, Ohio (Walnut Hills) 175 Creston, Ohio (Norwayne) 195 Grafton, Ohio (Midview) 215 Detroit, Mich. (South Lake) 187 Columbus, Ohio (St. Charles) 183 Canton, Ohio (Timken Senior) 285 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) 300 Portage, Mich. (Portage Northern) 200 Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep) 185 Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep) 280 Tiffin, Ohio (Tiffin Columbian) 230 Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech) 215 Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis De Sales) 170 West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dwyer) 190 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) 320 Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cleveland Heights) 250 Elida, Ohio (Elida)
*Enrolled this spring 2014 BGSU Recruiting Class By Position Quarterback - 1 Wide Receiver - 1 Offensive Line - 3 Defensive Line - 3 Linebackers - 2 Defensive Backs - 7
Nilijah Ballew | Cincinnati, Ohio | Walnut Hills | DB | 6-2 | 196 Currently attends Walnut Hills High School … played for head coach George Kontsis … named first team all-district and second team all-state … was first team all-area following his senior season … played three seasons of varsity football for the Eagles … had 93 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior … recorded two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries during his sophomore and juniors seasons … two time first team allconference … team MVP and defensive MVP in 2013 … team captain in 2013. Trevahn Beery | Creston, Ohio | Norwayne | DB | 6-1 | 175 Currently attends Norwayne High School … played for head coach Joe Harbour … played varsity for three seasons … team was a combined 34-5 winning two league championships … won the Ohio State Championship his sophomore season and lost in the state semifinals in his junior season … earned first team All-WCAL, first team all-region and second team All-Ohio following his senior season … was a captain for football in 2013 … has also run track each of the past four seasons, earning first team All-WCAL each season. Cody Callaway | Grafton, Ohio | Midview | QB | 6-3 | 195 Currently attends Midview High School … played for head coach Bill Albright … played varsity for four seasons at Midview … threw for Lorain County record 7,180 yards and 69 career touchdowns … had 8,840 yards from scrimmage in his career … during his senior season, Callaway threw for 2,496 yards … had 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions in his senior season, earning second team AllOhio … passed for 2,030 and 21 touchdowns as a junior … named Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-Ohio as a junior … threw for 1,983 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore … was named All-Ohio third team following his sophomore season … father played baseball at Bowling Green, while relative Ray Lambert played football … also has been a four-year starter on the baseball team at Midview. Jalen Dingle | Detroit, Mich. | South Lake | LB | 6-2 | 215 Currently attends South Lake High School … played for head coach Mark Woolum … is the first player from South Lake High School to earn a Division I scholarship … recorded 82 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three sacks as a senior … was a three year starter … captain of both his football and basketball teams … earned academic all-league. Ben Hale | Columbus, Ohio | St. Charles | DB | 6-2 | 187 Currently attends St. Charles Prep in Columbus, Ohio … played for head coach Jeff Pharion … was a three-year varsity player for the Cards … recorded 80 tackles as his team went 8-2 during his senior season … also had seven touchdowns and one forced fumble … had 85 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks as a junior … had 47 tackles and three interceptions—all in the same game—as a sophomore … was a two-time all-district player … team won Central Catholic League championship in 2013 … lettered in basketball … both of his parents were collegiate athletes … related to Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson. Nick Johnson | Canton, Ohio | Timken Senior | DB | 6-2 | 183 Enrolled at Bowling Green for the spring 2014 semester and will practice with the team during spring practice … played for head coach Kevin Henderson at Canton Timken High School … named first team All-Ohio following his senior season … also named first team all-district … earned three letters for the Trojans … also lettered in basketball and track & field … has been a captain for football, basketball and track & field.
Tyler King | Lakewood, Ohio | St. Edward | DT | 6-2 | 285 Currently attends St. Edwards … played for head coach Rick Finotti … team went 11-2 in 2013, losing in the state playoffs to Mentor … father Dan played football at Bowling Green … won a state championship and made four state playoff appearances during his career … earned three varsity letters, but dressed all four seasons … Eagles went a combined 31-7 during his three full varsity seasons … was named first team All-Cleveland and first team All-Ohio following his senior season … was a game captain during his senior season. Austin Labus | Portage, Mich. | Portage Northern | OL | 6-6 | 300 Currently attends Portage Northern High School … played for head coach Peter Schermerhorn … team went 7-3 in 2013 during his senior season … advanced to the postseason … also lettered in wrestling and lacrosse … was a captain during his senior season. Roger Lewis | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep | WR | 6-3 | 200 Enrolled at Bowling Green in January … previously attended Jireh Prep in Matthews, N.C. … played for head coach Scott McConnell and offensive coordinator Jarvis McGarrah at Jireh Prep … prior to his time at Jireh Prep, Lewis graduated from Pickerington Central High School in 2012 … during his four seasons at Pickerington Central, Lewis went 45-7 … advanced to the Ohio State Championship during his senior season … led team with eight receiving touchdowns during his senior season … earned All-OCC and all-district honors … was a high school All-American and a captain … also lettered in both basketball and track … had 35 catches for 900 yards and 13 touchdowns at Jireh Prep. Marcus Milton | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington Central/Jireh Prep | DB | 6-1 | 185 Enrolled at Bowling Green in January 2014 for spring semester … attended Jireh Prep in Matthews, N.C. … also attended Pickerington Central High School … finished with a team-high nine tackles in the state championship game in 2011 at Pickerington Central … also finished fourth in the state in the 100-meter dash in 2012 … recorded 78 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior with the Tigers … also lettered in both basketball and track. Isiah Moore | Tiffin, Ohio | Tiffin Columbian | OL | 6-3 | 280 Currently attends Tiffin Columbian High School … played for head coach Brian Colatruglio … played varsity for three seasons … named first team all-league as he anchored an offensive line which paved the way to TC rushing for 2,391 yards in 2013 … named the top lineman in his district, also garnering first team all-district honors … started all three seasons, earning first team all-league after his final two seasons … named All-Northwest Ohio following his senior campaign. Brian Sanders | Detroit, Mich. | Cass Tech | DL | 6-4 | 230 Currently attends Cass Tech in Detroit, Mich. … played for head coach Thomas Wilcher … his Technicians team went 12-2 including advancing to the state semifinals of the Michigan State Playoffs … started during his final two seasons … won state championship in 2011 and 2012 … Sanders is one of 10 players from Cass Tech’s 2012 state championship team to sign with a Division I school … named All-Detroit, All-Metro, and honorable mention All-Michigan … was a captain in 2013 … father played football at Wayne State. Griff Saunders | Columbus, Ohio | St. Francis De Sales | LB | 6-3 | 215 Currently attends St. Francis DeSales in Columbus, Ohio … played for head coach Ryan Wiggins … three year varsity letterwinner … totaled 127 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in his career … forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble during his senior season … was All-CCL … captain during his senior season.
Clint Stephens | West Palm Beach, Fla. | Dwyer | WR | 5-9 | 170 Currently attends Dwyer High School … coached by Jack Daniels … lettered four times at Dwyer … had a career record of 48-7 … won the 2013 7A Florida State Championship and also won the regional championship in 2013 and 2011 … two time captain … cousin of Northern Illinois’ receiver Tommylee Lewis … earned player of the week honors three times during his career. Jack Walz III | Lakewood, Ohio | St. Edward | DB | 6-0 | 190 Currently attends St. Edwards … played for head coach Rick Finotti … played linebacker before making the switch to safety during his senior season … dressed varsity all four seasons, earning letters his final three … team went 31-7 during his three seasons, advancing to the state playoffs in all three … selected to play in the North-South game following his senior season … was a captain during his senior season … father played collegiate football at Joliet College. DeAngelo Ware | Cleveland Heights, Ohio | Cleveland Heights | OL | 6-5 | 320 Currently attends Cleveland Heights High School … played for head coach Jeff Rotsky … played varsity for the Tigers during his final three seasons, earning two letters … won Lake Erie League championships both his sophomore and senior seasons … went 9-1 in the regular season during 2013, advancing to the second round of the Ohio State playoffs. Chance Weitz | Elida, Ohio | Elida | DT | 6-3 | 250 Currently attends Elida High School … played for head coach Jason Carpenter … had 72 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and seven sacks during his junior season … added two forced fumbles, an interception, and a touchdown in 2012 … three time All-WBL selection … school’s all-time career sack leader … four year varsity letterwinner and starter.
