Northwestern University Athletics
NU Announces 2009 Signing Class
2/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 4, 2009
2009 Northwestern Football Signing Day Release Coach Fitzgerald News Conference Transcript
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern University football program announced today (Wednesday, Feb. 4) the signing of 18 football recruits to National Letters of Intent. Once again, the Wildcats' recruiting efforts started and finished locally, with Northwestern receiving commitments from five Chicagoland recruits to go along with 13 signees from across the country. The Wildcats' five local commitments gives Northwestern a total of 16 Chicagoland signees in the last three years and ups their current roster of Illinois players to 34. "Our focus always begins and ends with Chicagoland and we are thrilled with the commitments we received from our local student-athletes," said Fitzgerald. "We also tapped into some of our other rich recruiting pipelines, most notably Ohio, where we signed four players. "These 18 student-athletes come from great families and are outstanding young men that fit the Northwestern mold and possess tremendous character. The culture of our team sets us apart from other programs and these new Wildcats are a perfect fit for our family. "I want to thank our coaching staff and players, who deserve a great deal of credit for attracting this class. Our current student-athletes represent our University so well and they really do a great job of educating these young men on what it means and takes to be a Wildcat. Our coaching staff, led by recruiting coordinator Adam Cushing, did a fantastic job with this class. I also want to thank our talented staff who assisted with the recruitment process: Nolan Jones, Sharrod Everett, Niel Stopczynski and Ryan Kessenich." This year's class is once again balanced -- nine on defense, eight on offense and one specialist (place-kicker). Northwestern finished the 2008 season 9-4 overall and ranked No. 23 in the final BCS standings. The Wildcats made their sixth postseason appearance since 1995, playing in the 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Missouri. Signing Day Notes: • Northwestern added four more student-athletes from Ohio, giving the Wildcats a total of 13 players from the Buckeye state on their current roster, which ranks second behind the 34 from Illinois. • The Wildcats signed three more offensive linemen, after bringing in five linemen a year ago. With the loss of just one starter (Keegan Kennedy) from the 2008 offensive line, there should be tremendous competition for spots on next year's two-deep. • One of this year's 18 signees is linebacker Damien Proby, who hails from North Las Vegas, Nev. He is the first NU football player from Nevada since defensive end Kurt Lundergreen (Zephyr Cove, Nev.) was on the NU roster from 1986-88. • Allen Trieu, a recruiting analyst for Scout.com, has called Northwestern's 2009 signing class the "most underrated class" among Midwest FBS schools. • Six of the 18 signees attended one of Northwestern's summer football camps. Northwestern's 2009 Recruiting Class
• The breakdown on NU's signees, by position: linebackers (4), defensive line (3), offensive line (3), running backs (2), safeties (2), quarterback (1), superback (1), wide receiver (1) and place-kicker (1).
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown/High School |
| Anthony Battle | DE | 6-3 | 240 | Dolton, Ill./ Mount Carmel |
| Jeff Budzien | PK | 5-10 | 145 | Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead |
| Davon Custis | DE | 6-3 | 215 | Gahanna, Ohio/St. Francis De Sales |
| Arby Fields | RB | 5-9 | 190 | Alta Loma, Calif./Los Osos |
| Davion Fleming | S | 5-10 | 205 | Upland, Calif./Upland |
| Cooper Gerami | S | 6-0 | 200 | Lafayette, La./St. Thomas More |
| Roderick Goodlow | OLB | 6-2 | 210 | Dallas, Texas/W.H. Adamson |
| Drew Moulton | WR | 5-11 | 165 | Freeland, Mich./Midland |
| Taylor Paxton | OG | 6-5 | 265 | Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek |
| John Plasencia | SB | 6-5 | 240 | Tampa, Fla./Jesuit |
| Damien Proby | OLB | 6-0 | 210 | North Las Vegas, Nev./Cheyenne |
| Tim Riley | OLB | 6-3 | 215 | Oswego, Ill./Oswego |
| Tyler Scott | DE | 6-4 | 235 | Warren, Ohio/Howland |
| Brian Smith | OT | 6-7 | 295 | Medina, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit |
| Will Studlien | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Sunbury, Ohio/Big Walnut |
| Mike Trumpy | RB | 6-0 | 205 | Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North |
| Patrick Ward | OT | 6-7 | 285 | Homer Glen, Ill./Providence Catholic |
| Evan Watkins | QB | 6-6 | 235 | Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North |
Anthony Battle
6-3 • 240
Dolton, Ill. • Mount Carmel
Projected Position: Defensive End
High School: SuperPrep All-Midwest and Rivals.com All-Midwest Region defensive end ... Ranked 21st overall among all Illinois players by Rivals.com and fourth-best defensive end in the state ... Ranked 91st among all players in Midwest Region (six states) by SuperPrep ... Ranked 51st nationally among defensive ends by Rivals.com ... Two-time All-Catholic League Blue Conference selection ... Two-way starter for perennial state power Mount Carmel ... Named his team's Outstanding Defensive Lineman ... Totaled 56 tackles, which included 31 TFL's, his junior and senior seasons ... Had 16 TFL's (for a loss of 45 yards) in 2008 ... Team captain ... Hails from the same prep program that has produced college and NFL stars Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice ... Student Council president ... Illinois State Scholar, High Honor Roll and National Achievement finalist ... Gold medalist in National Latin Exam ... AP Scholar ... Also lettered in wrestling ... Coached by Frank Lenti.
Personal: Born Anthony Harvey Battle Jr. on 2/24/1991 ... Son of Anthony and Karen Battle.
Jeff Budzien (pronounced BUD-ZEEN)
5-10 • 145
Hartland, Wis. • Arrowhead
Projected Position: Place-kicker
High School: 2008 MaxPreps first-team All-America kicker ... 2008 EA SPORTS second-team All-America kicker ... Garnered first-team SuperPrep All-America honors in 2007 ... Two-time first-team Associated Press all-state selection ... Rivals.com All-Region ... Ranked seventh among all players in the state of Wisconsin by Rivals.com ... Ranked seventhbest kicker nationally by Rivals.com and 19th-best kicker nationally by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Lettered three years and was a team captain for the Warhawks ... In 2008 (senior season), booted 8-of-11 field goals (no misses under 50 yards and a season-long 55-yarder) and 63-of-65 PAT's, and 70 of his 88 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks ... Helped lead Arrowhead to a three-year record of 39-3 and a state title his junior season when the Warhawks went 14-0 and were ranked among the nation's top 30 teams ... Warhawks finished as the Division I state runners-up in 2006 and 2008 ... Converted 65-of-66 PAT's and 6-of-11 FG's his junior year, while 71 of his 98 kickoffs went for touchbacks ... Two-time first-team Classic 8 All-Conference honoree ... Selected to play in Wisconsin's North-South All-Star game on July 18, 2009 ... Named to school's Honor Roll all four years ... Coached by Tom Taraska.
Personal: Born Jeffrey Shane Budzien on 9/26/1990 ... Son of Katie Petroff and Bill Budzien ... Family friend with David Merkow, former NU student-athlete and the 2006 Big Ten Golfer of the Year.
Davon Custis (pronounced DAY-vonn)
6-3 • 215
Gahanna, Ohio • St. Francis De Sales
Projected Position: Defensive End
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Midwest Region honoree ... Ranked the 23rd-best player (fifth among defensive ends) by Rivals.com in Ohio player ranking and the 64th-best prospect in the Midwest (six states) by SuperPrep ... Ranked the 23rd-best defensive end nationally by SuperPrep, 24th-best defensive end nationally by Rivals.com and 102nd-best defensive end nationally by ESPN/Scouts, Inc. ... 2008 first-team all-Central District and all- Central Catholic League defensive selection ... Special mention All-Ohio honoree ... 2008 second-team ColumbusDispatch All-Metro defensive choice ... 2008 honorable mention This Week's Super 25 football team pick ... Helped lead the Stallions to a two-year mark of 25-2, which included undefeated regular seasons in 2007 and '08 ... Team fell in semifinal round of state tournament ... In his junior and senior seasons, totaled a combined 146 tackles (119 solos), 22 sacks and another 7 TFL's ... Selected to compete in Ohio's North-South All-Star game ... Team captain and three-year letterwinner ... Also competed in track (sprinter/hurdler) and played one year of basketball ... Received a pair of Presidential Academic Achievement Awards ... Honor Roll and NHS member ... Coached by Ryan Wiggins.
Personal: Born Davon M. Custis on 12/2/1989 ... Son of Novecia Custis and the late David Moore.
Arby Fields
5-10 • 190
Alta Loma, Calif. • Los Osos
Projected Position: Running Back
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Far West Region running back ... Ranked 35th nationally among all-purpose backs by Rivals.com and the 74th-best player overall from the state of California ... Ranked ninth among all running backs from California by Rivals.com ... Ranked 96th nationally among running backs by SuperPrep ... Ranked 141st among all players in the Far West Region (California, Nevada, Hawaii) by SuperPrep ... A 2008 first-team All-CIF, All-County, All-Southern Section, All-Valley and All-State running back ...Recipient of team's Mr. All-Purpose Award ... All- Daily Bulletin Prep Team ... Participant in the Western Section and Inland Valley All-Star games ... Helped Los Osos to a 10-3 record in 2008 and a state semifinal appearance ... Totaled 285 all-purpose yards (174 rushing, 50 receiving and 61 punt returns) in a regular-season win over Upland (same high school that 2009 NU signee Davion Fleming attended) ... Career-best rushing performance was 242 yards (39 carries) and 2 TD's vs. Etiwanda (288 all-purpose yards) ... Averaged 9.3 ypc (177 rushing yards) and 3 TD's in a win over Elsinore ... Totaled over 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2008 ... For his three-year career, totaled 2,959 rushing yards, 1,534 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns ... Notched 117 career tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back ... Also lettered in baseball as a centerfielder and second baseman ... Team captain for both football and baseball ... Principal's Honor Roll ... Scholar-Athlete Award ... San Gabriel Valley NAACP Award ... Coached by Tom Martinez.
Personal: Born Arby Enrico Fields II on 6/25/1991 ... Son of Arby Sr. and Josetti Fields ... Plans to play baseball (centerfielder) for the Wildcats as well.
Davion Fleming (pronounced DAVEY-on)
5-10 • 205
Upland, Calif. • Upland
Projected Position: Safety
High School: SuperPrep All-Far West and Rivals.com All-Region safety ... Ranked 73rd nationally among all safeties by Rivals.com and 62nd nationally among all safeties by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Ranked 140th among all players in Far West Region (California, Nevada and Hawaii) by SuperPrep ... 2008 first-team All-Inland Valley selection ... Two-time second-team All-Baseline League honoree ... 2008 All-CIF Central Division choice ... Played running back, safety and linebacker for the Highlanders ... Totaled 102 career tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception ... Offensively, registered 2,266 career rushing yards and 32 TD's, including 1,506 yards (6.9 ypc) and 22 TD's his senior season ... 41 career receptions for 473 yards and a TD ... 2,739 career all-purpose yards ... Ran for a season-high 209 yards (8.7 ypc) and 3 TD's in 54-14 win over Glendora ... Totaled six other 100-yard rushing performances as a senior ... Caught at least one pass in every game (season-high five catches) and finished with 32 receptions ... Highlanders finished 11-3 in 2008 and the Div. I Central Division CIF runners-up ... Upland defeated Los Osos (which was led by NU signee Arby Fields) in the semifinals ... Also lettered in track (sprints/relays) ... Team captain for both football and track ... Honor Roll and two-time member of Principal's Honor Roll ... Coached by Tim Salter.
Personal: Born Davion Jerell Fleming on 3/8/1991 ... Son of Gerald and Glennetta Fleming.
Cooper Gerami (pronounced jur-AY-me)
6-0 • 200
Lafayette, La. • St. Thomas More
Projected Position: Safety
High School: A 2008 first-team all-district and first-team all-state free safety for the Cougars ... Ranked 73rd among all players in the Rivals.com Louisiana state ranking ... Outstanding special teams player who earned All-Acadiana (Regional) MVP honors for his play as a specialist ... Totaled 397 yards on 12 kickoff returns--an average of 33.1 yards per return ... Also a first-team all-district and first-team All-Acadiana honoree as a junior ... Registered 85 tackles (45 solos), three TFL's, six interceptions (for 197 yards), three fumble recoveries and five pass deflections in 2008 ... Lettered three years for the Class 5-A Cougars ... Also lettered in baseball (outfielder) and track (sprints/relays) ... Coached by Jim Hightower.
Personal: Born John Cooper Gerami on 9/11/1990 ... Son of Gerald and Carla Gerami ... His grandfather, Gerald Sr., played football at Notre Dame.
Roderick Goodlow
6-2 • 210
Dallas, Texas • W.H. Adamson
Projected Position: Outside Linebacker
High School: SuperPrep All-Southwest Region and Rivals.com All-Region linebacker/safety ... Ranked 38th nationally among all outside linebackers by Rivals.com and 87th nationally among safeties by SuperPrep ... Ranked 95th among all players in Texas by Rivals.com and 93rd among all Texas players by SuperPrep ... Sat out senior season due to a knee injury (torn ACL) ... As a junior, led the Leopards to their first winning season since 1989 ... As a safety in 2007, totaled 109 tackles and four interceptions ... Caught 18 passes for 224 yards (12.4 ypr) and 1 TD as a receiver ... Two-time firstteam all-district defensive back in 2006 and '07 ... Named to 2008 Super Team by Texas Football Magazine ...Totaled three interceptions in one game (vs. Bishop Dunne) and also had an 80-yard TD reception vs. Seagoville ... Also lettered in track (sprints) and basketball (forward) ... Member of school's Honor Roll and ranks in top five percent of senior class ... Coached by Andy Gutierrez.
Personal: Born Roderick B. Goodlow on 8/29/1991 ... Son of Gerard and Lois Goodlow.
Drew Moulton
5-11 • 165
Freeland, Mich. • Midland
Projected Position: Wide Receiver
High School: SuperPrep All-Midwest Region wide receiver ... Ranked 34th among all Michigan players (eighth among wide receivers) in the Rivals.com state ranking and 79th among all players in the Midwest Region (six states) by SuperPrep ... After missing nearly his entire junior season with an ACL injury, came back to have a sensational senior season, totaling 71 receptions for 968 yards and 10 TD's ... Had five interceptions as a cornerback, including one "picksix" ... Helped lead the Chemics to a 10-2 record and the district championship in 2008 ... Named a first-team All-Saginaw Valley League receiver ... Also tabbed a member of the Midland Daily News "Dream Team" and a first-team Saginaw News All-Area selection ... Two-time Midland Daily News Player of the Week ... Also lettered in baseball (centerfielder, pitcher) ... Honor Roll every year ... Coached by Eric Methner.
Personal: Born Drew Robert Moulton on 10/8/1990 ... Son of Troy Moulton and Katherine Smith.
Taylor Paxton
6-5 • 265
Centennial, Colo. • Cherry Creek
Projected Position: Offensive Guard
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Midlands Region offensive lineman ... Ranked 11th among all players in Colorado by Rivals.com (fourth among all offensive linemen) and 83rd among all players in the Midlands Region (nine states) by SuperPrep ... Ranked 123rd nationally among all offensive guards by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Concluded prep career with a stellar senior season, picking up first-team all-state honors from the Denver Post ... Also tabbed a first-team All-Colorado selection by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News ... First-team All-Centennial League and academic all-state selection in 2008 ... An honorable mention all-conference and academic all-state honoree in 2007 ... Three-year starter who only allowed three sacks during prep career ... Helped lead the Bruins to an 11-3 record in 2008 and a second-place finish in the 5A state championship ... Also lettered in track and field (throws) ... High Honor Roll every semester ... Coached by Mike Brookhart.
Personal: Born Taylor Leftwich Paxton on 10/23/1990 ... Son of Ron and Julie Paxton.
John Plasencia (pronounced plah-SENS-ee-uh)
6-5 • 240
Tampa, Fla. • Jesuit
Projected Position: Superback
High School: Ranked 86th nationally among all tight ends by SuperPrep and 91st nationally by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... 2008 second-team AP all-state selection ... Two-time Tampa Tribune first-team All-County team (2007 and '08) ... St. Petersburg Times first-team All-County choice in 2008 and an honorable mention pick in 2007 ... Named the Tigers' Offensive Playmaker of the Year in 2008 after earning the team's Defensive Playmaker of the Year honors in 2007 ... Caught 23 passes for 302 yards and a TD in 2008 after notching 19 receptions for 220 yards his junior season ... 140 tackles and eight sacks in two seasons while playing defensive end ... Against team's No. 7-ranked team, totaled five catches for 67 yards, the game-tying TD and two-point conversion, while totaling eight tackles (three TFL's), and three pass deflections on defense ... Tigers went 6-5 (district runners-up), 5-5 and 6-4 his three seasons, respectively ... Nominated to play in Hillsborough County East-West All-Star game ... Hails from the same prep program as former NU cornerback Chris Martin (and Chicago Cubs' manager Lou Piniella) ... NHS, Student Council treasurer, Honor Roll, Jesuit's Outstanding Underclassmen of the Year Award, National Merit Commended Student and National Merit Hispanic Scholar ... Also lettered in basketball (center) ... Team captain for both football and basketball ... Coached by Joe Ross.
Personal: Born John Scott Plasencia on 2/24/1991 ... Son of Lou and Jenny Plasencia ... Brother, Nick, played football at Harvard.
Damien Proby
6-0 • 210
North Las Vegas, Nev. • Cheyenne
Projected Position: Outside Linebacker
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Far West Region linebacker ... Ranked 31st nationally among outside linebackers by Rivals.com and the top-ranked linebacker from the state of Nevada ... Ranked fifth overall among all players from Nevada by Rivals.com ... Tom Lemming Top Player ... Ranked 20th nationally among outside linebackers by Tom Lemming ... Ranked 48th nationally among outside linebackers by SuperPrep ... Ranked 121st among all players in the Far West Region (California, Nevada, Hawaii) by SuperPrep ... Tabbed the state's Class 4A Co-Defensive Player of the Year by Southern Nevada Coaches Association ... All-Sunset Conference Defensive MVP ... First-team all-state selection ... As a senior, totaled 112 tackles, seven sacks and two pass breakups ... For his three-year prep career, registered 318 tackles and 29 sacks ... Had a career-best 18 tackles, three sacks and a pass deflection against Sierra Vista ... Selected to compete in 2009 All-Southern Nevada Classic all-star game ... Led the Desert Shields to a 10-2 record and the second round of the 4A playoffs ... Three-year Honor Roll member ... Advance Diploma Honors ... Coached by Charles Anthony.
Personal: Born Damien DiMarco Proby on 4/12/1991 ... Son of Modesto Luna and Rajahn Proby-Luna ... Interested in pursuing an engineering degree.
Tim Riley
6-3 • 215
Oswego, Ill. • Oswego
Projected Position: Outside Linebacker
High School: Two-time Class 6A IHSA All-State selection ... Named to first-team all-state teams by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette ... Honored in 2008 as the Offensive MVP for the Southwest Prairie Conference ... Starred as a running back and safety for the Panthers ... Set Oswego's career rushing mark with 4,536 yards (636 carries) for a 7.1 ypc average ... Scored 58 career TD's ... Rushed for 1,886 yards and 26 TD's his senior season and registered 2,038 yards of total offense ... Set a Class 6A state playoff single-game record with 50 carries (for 313 yards) in the second round vs. Rock Island ... Named the Walter Payton Co-Player of the Year for the Southwest Prairie Conference ... Beacon News All-Area first team and Tom Lemming's 2008 Prep Football All-Area football team ... Oswego's team MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and team captain ... Chicago Sun-Times Spotlight Player of the Week for Oct. 25, 2008 ... Old Spice Red Zone National Player of the Year nominee ... Also lettered in basketball, baseball and track ... Three-time IHSA All-State Academic team ... Illinois State Scholar ... Oswego's High Honor Roll member all four years ... Coached by Dave Keely.
Personal: Born Tim Michael Riley on 12/9/1990 ... Son of Lori Riley and Tim Riley ... His great uncle, Robert Plaskas, was a Big Ten champion wrestler at Northwestern in 1963.
Tyler Scott
6-4 • 235
Warren, Ohio • Howland
Projected Position: Defensive End
High School: Ranked eighth-best outside linebacker in Ohio by Rivals.com and 110th-best outside linebacker nationally by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Played linebacker and tight end primarily for the Tigers, but is slated to play defensive end at Northwestern ... Named to Ohio all-state, All-Northeast Ohio and all-conference teams ... Tabbed the All-County Defense Captain ... Notched a school-record 147 tackles, six interceptions and eight sacks his senior season ... Also had 28 receptions for 423 yards and seven TD's on offense ... Nominated for the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year honor ... Big "22" Player honoree ... Helped the Tigers compile a two-year (2007-08) record of 18-4 and a perfect mark (11-0) his junior season ... Member of Howland's Honor Roll, NHS and Student Senate ... Also lettered three years in basketball as a forward ... Team captain of both football and basketball teams ... Coached by Richard Angle.
Personal: Born Tyler J. Scott on 5/6/1991 ... Son of Bette Scott and Rodney Scott.
Brian Smith
6-7 • 295
Medina, Ohio • Walsh Jesuit
Projected Position: Offensive Tackle
High School: Second-team All-State (Ohio Division III-IV) offensive lineman ... 2008 second-team All-Northeast Ohio honoree ... Akron Touchdown Club first-team all-star ... Ranked as one of top 100 players in Rivals.com Ohio player rankings ... Rated the 70th-best tackle nationally by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Playing defensive end, totaled 13 tackles (six solos) and two QB hurries in state regional final ... Helped the Warriors to a 9-3 record and a spot in the regional title game ... Nominated to play for Team USA ... Coached by Gerry Rardin.
Personal: Born Brian Burton Smith on 6/3/1991 ... Son of Jerry and Carol Smith ... Interested in studying journalism at Northwestern.
Will Studlien (pronounced STUDE-line)
6-2 • 220
Sunbury, Ohio • Big Walnut
Projected Position: Inside Linebacker
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Midwest Region honoree ... Ranked the 30th-best player (third among inside linebackers) by Rivals.com in Ohio player ranking and the 100th-best prospect in the Midwest (six states) by SuperPrep ... Ranked 25th nationally among inside linebackers by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc., and 40th among inside linebackers nationally by Rivals.com ... Tabbed Ohio's best tackler among the state's inside linebackers ... Two-time firstteam all-state linebacker (Ohio Division III) ... Also a two-time Columbus Dispatch All-Metro first team selection ... Threetime first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference honoree and a two-time first-team all-district and Super 25 Team member ... 2008 All-Agonis Club Central Ohio All-Star, Army All-American Bowl nominee and Under Armour All-American Bowl nominee ... Named the Eagles' Defensive MVP in both 2007 and '08 ... Registered a career-high 22 tackles in 2007 state championship game, which Big Walnut won 17-10 over Newark Licking Valley ... The Eagles finished with a school-record 14 wins (14-1) that year ... Selected to play in Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star game ... Also lettered in wrestling and played three years of rugby ... Honor Roll all four years ... French and Social Studies honor societys ... Coached by Scott Wetzel.
Personal: Born William Monroe Studlien on 6/5/1990 ... Son of Nels and Robin Studlien ... Brothers, Joel and Holden, played college football, respectively, at Findlay and Mount Union.
Mike Trumpy
6-0 • 205
Wheaton, Ill. • Wheaton North
Projected Position: Running Back
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Midwest Region honoree ... Ranked the 14th-best player (first among running backs) by Rivals.com in Illinois player ranking and 67th-best prospect in the Midwest (six states) by SuperPrep ... Ranked 25th nationally among running backs by Tom Lemming and 51st nationally among running backs by Rivals.com ... Named a Tom Lemming Top Player ... Rushed for 2,741 career yards and 32 touchdowns ... Totaled a conference-best 1,664 yards and 19 TD's his junior season ... Two-time Chicago Sun-Times and Daily Herald All-Area selection ... Chicago Tribune 2008 special mention all-stater ... 2007 team MVP ... Two-time All-DuPage Valley Conference honoree ... Had some of his top career performances against some of Illinois' top teams: 178 yards vs. 2007 Class 8A champ Naperville North, 234 yards and two TD's vs. 2007 8A runner-up Glenbard North and 161 yards vs. 2007 Class 7A runner-up Wheaton Warrenville ... Also had a prep-best 266 yards (19 carries) and 3 TD's vs. Addison Trail and 230 yards and 2 TD's vs. 2007 Class 7A state champ Lake Zurich ... Helped lead the Falcons to state playoff appearances in both 2007 and '08 ... Also an outstanding track athlete for Wheaton North ... An all-state selection who is a two-time state medalist and seven-time sectional medalist ... Has top times of 10.7 (100 meters) and 14.17 (110 hurdles) ... Four-year Honor Roll student ... Academic all-conference honoree in both football and track ... Coached by Joe Wardynski (2008) and Matt Foster (2005-07).
Personal: Born Michael Danner Trumpy on 7/10/1990 ... Son of Dave and Beth Trumpy ... Nephew of Bob Trumpy, former tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals and a four-time All-Pro player ... Prep teammate with current NU offensive lineman Nick Adamle.
Patrick Ward
6-7 • 285
Homer Glen, Ill. • Providence Catholic
Projected Position: Offensive Tackle
High School: Rivals.com All-Midwest Region and All-American and SuperPrep All-Midwest Region and All-American offensive tackle ... Ranked 219th nationally among all players and 17th nationally among all tackles by Rivals.com ... Ranked fifth among all players in Rivals.com Illinois player ranking and second among all offensive linemen ... Ranked 28th among all players in the Midwest Region (six states) by SuperPrep and 25th nationally among all offensive tackles ... Tom Lemming Top Player and 13th-ranked offensive tackle nationally by Lemming ... Named a consensus 2008 all-state selection by IHSA Class 6A Football Coaches, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette ... Herald News Gridiron Offensive Player of the Year ... Two-time all-area honoree by Herald News, Sun-Times and Southtown Star ... Two-time Chicago Catholic Blue All-Conference pick ... Helped lead the Celtics to back-to-back state tournament appearances with a berth in the Class 6A state semifinals (lost to eventual champion Springfield Sacred Heart- Griffin) ... Team captain ... Also lettered in track ... National Merit Scholar Commended Student ... AP Scholar with Distinction ... Sociedad Honoria Hispanica ... Presidential Youth Leadership Conference invitee ... IHSA Academic All- Stater ... Illinois Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Achievement Award winner ... NHS member ... Coached by Mark Coglianese.
Personal: Born Patrick Michael Ward on 1/11/1991 ... Son of Brian and Laurel Ward ... Father played college football at Illinois and grandfather played at Dartmouth ... Plans to major in engineering.
Evan Watkins
6-6 • 235
Carol Stream, Ill. • Glenbard North
Projected Position: Quarterback
High School: Rivals.com All-Region and SuperPrep All-Midwest Region quarterback ... Ranked 11th among all players in Rivals.com Illinois player ranking and second among quarterbacks ... Among pro-style quarterbacks, ranked 14th nationally by Tom Lemming, 19th by Rivals.com and 26th by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. ... Tom Lemming Top Player ... Ranked 44th among all players in Midwest Region (six states) by SuperPrep ... Chicago Tribune special mention all-state honoree ... Two-time All-DuPage Valley Conference and all-area quarterback ... Walter Payton Roundhouse Player of the Week ... Four-year academic all-conference selection ... IHSA Academic All-State pick ... Led the Panthers to the 2007 Illinois Class 8A state title game ... Glenbard North compiled a two-year record of 15-9 ... Panthers lost in first round of 2008 8A playoffs ... Threw for 3,500 yards and 36 TD's (just 15 interceptions), while totaling 750 rushing yards and 15 rushing TD's in two seasons (2007-08) ... One of his prep highlights came in the 2007 8A semifinal versus state power Mount Carmel when he perfectly executed a flea-flicker to take the lead and upset the Caravan ... Team captain ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball for the Panthers ... Coached by Ryan Wilkens.
Personal: Born Evan Patrick Watkins on 10/27/1990 ... Son of Bill and Ellen Watkins ... Father played football at Northern Illinois and uncle, Mike, played basketball at Loyola.
