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2013 WKU FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
| NAME | POS. | HT. | WT. | HOMETOWN | PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| Drew Davis | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Madison, Ala. | Bob Jones HS |
| Joe Fennell | DL | 6-5 | 320 | Fort Myers, Fla. | South Fort Myers HS |
| Juwan Gardner | DB | 6-1 | 200 | Louisville, Ky. | DuPont Manual HS |
| DeMarcus Glover | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Pensacola, Fla. | Pine Forest HS |
| Rashad Greene | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Daytona Beach, Fla. | Southwestern College |
| D'Von Isaac | DT | 6-4 | 275 | Alpharetta, Ga. | Alpharetta HS |
| Aaron Jackson | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Frankfort, Ky. | Frankfort HS |
| Leverick Johnson | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Miami, Fla. | Miami Northwestern |
| Shaquille Johnson | TE | 6-4 | 215 | Lake City, Fla. | Columbia HS |
| Cam Lewis | WR | 6-3 | 205 | Louisville, Ky. | Ballard HS |
| Justin Martinez | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Port Saint Lucie, Fla. | St. Lucie West Centennial HS |
| Nicholas Norris | WR | 5-10 | 170 | Miami, Fla. | Booker T. Washington HS |
| Joe Occhipinti | K | 6-3 | 190 | Nashville, Tenn | Hillsboro HS |
| Todd Porter | QB | 6-3 1/2 | 195 | O'Fallon, Ill. | O'Fallon HS |
| Brandon Ray | OL | 6-3 | 285 | Madison, Ala. | Bob Jones HS |
| Tanner Reeves | DL | 6-4 | 230 | Lakeland, Fla. | George W. Jenkins HS |
| Kalvin Robinson | DL | 6-5 | 225 | Birmingham, Ala. | Vestavia Hills HS |
| Donald Rocker | OL | 6-4 | 296 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Sandalwood HS |
| De'Andre Simmons | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Royal Palm Beach, Fla. | Royal Palm Beach HS |
| Jimmie Sims | OL | 6-5 | 285 | New Orleans, La. | McDonogh 35 Senior HS |
| Isaac Tanner | LB | 6-0 | 223 | Tampa, Fla. | Freedom HS |
| Taywan Taylor | WR | 6-1 | 185 | Louisville, Ky. | Pleasure Ridge Park HS |
| Kylen Towner | WR | 5-9 | 165 | Mobile, Ala. | St. Pauls Episcopal School |
| Marcus Ward | DB | 6-3 | 204 | Birmingham, Ala. | Vestavia Hills HS |
| Derrell Young | LB | 6-1 | 205 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Boyd Anderson HS |
2013 WKU FOOTBALL EARLY ENROLLEES (ENROLLED IN JANUARY)
| NAME | POS. | HT. | WT. | HOMETOWN | PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| Maurice Bennett | DL | 6-3 | 300 | Madison, Miss. | East Mississippi CC |
| Raphael Cox | DL | 6-3 | 270 | Cedar Hill, Texas | Trinity Valley CC |
| Johnny Delaney | OL | 6-6 | 310 | Fort Worth, Texas | Ventura CC |
| Devante Duclos | LB | 6-0 | 216 | Miami, Fla. | Miami Central HS |
| Kyle Jones | OL | 6-4 | 300 | Mulberry, Fla. | Mulberry HS |
| Dalton Patterson | DB | 6-3 | 195 | New Orleans, La. | Arkansas Baptist College |
| Connor Popeck | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Olive Branch, Miss. | Itawamba CC |
| Lonnie Turner | WR | 5-10 | 180 | Inglewood, Calif. | Los Angeles Harbor College |
PLAYER BIOS
Drew Davis | 6-1, 215 | Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones High School)
Linebacker Drew Davis was named the Huntsville Times Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 after being labeled as a tackling machine following his senior campaign. Davis posted 165 tackles for Bob Jones High School in Alabama in 2012, with 16 tackles for loss, to go along with seven sacks, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions. Davis led Bob Jones to a 9-4 record in 2012, helping lead a Patriot defense that pitched three shutouts during the course of the season, while allowing the opposition to score over 20 points on only three different occasions. Davis also put together quite an impressive 2011 campaign, leading the defense with 120 tackles, while helping Bob Jones allow an average of just over 13 points per game in a 10-2 season. Davis finished his senior season earning first team all-state and first team all-region honors. The 6-1, 215-pound Davis also showed off his athleticism in the spring, running track for the Patriot track and field squad.
Joe Fennell | DL | 6-5 | 320 | Fort Myers, Fla. (South Fort Myers HS)
Talented defensive lineman Joe Fennell racked up the accolades during his time at South Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Fla., garnering plenty of national attention. Fennell, a 6-5, 320-pound offensive lineman was ranked as one of the top 25 offensive guards in the country by Rivals.com and was rated as the second-best offensive guard in the state of Florida by MaxPreps.com. Fennell was also named to the MaxPreps.com 2012 Florida Preseason All-State Team as an offensive lineman prior to his senior season. Fennell stood out on an offensive line that helped produce an 11-2 season in 2012 for South Fort Myers, anchoring an offensive front that played a large role in the 32 points per game the offense averaged. Fennell also saw time on the defensive side of the ball during his high school career, racking up over 30 tackles from his defensive line position in 2011. Fennell was rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, while picking up three-star rankings from Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com. Fennell was also ranked as the 21st-best offensive guard in the country by Rivals.com, and earned second team all-state honors following his senior season. Fennell ultimately chose WKU over offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Florida and West Virginia, among others.
Juwan Gardner | DB | 6-1, 200 | Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual High School)
Juwan Gardner intercepted six passes and returned three back for touchdowns in his final two years at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, Ky., leading the Crimsons to a 9-3 season in 2011 before falling to eventual state champion Trinity (Louisville) in the second round of the KHSAA state playoffs. Gardner had five interceptions in 2011 to lead the team in that category. The 6-1, 200-pound defensive back tallied 99 total tackles in his final two years at DuPont Manual, including 55 stops in his senior season of 2012. Gardner led a Crimson defensive backfield that allowed less than 120 yards per game through the air in his senior campaign, intercepting one pass in his final season. Gardner was named an honorable mention all-state performer, while also being mentioned as a 2012 Best of the Bluegrass All-Star. Gardner also used his athleticism in track, running for the Crimson track program as well.
DeMarcus Glover | DL | 6-4, 240 | Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest High School)
Defensive lineman DeMarcus Glover averaged over six tackles per game from his defensive end position with Pine Forest High School in Florida, finishing his senior season with 79 total tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. Glover had a career game early in the year against Niceville High School, tallying 16 total tackles in that particular game, which included a tackle for a loss. Glover and the Pine Forest defensive unit pitched three shutouts in 2012, while giving up only 13 points per game. Glover made 30 stops in his junior campaign in 2011, helping the Eagles to a 7-3 season. The 6-4, 240-pound defensive lineman was named first team all-area, while also being tabbed as a 2012 Subway High School Football All-Star and honorable mention all-state. The athletic Glover also serves as the starting forward for the Pine Forest basketball team, which currently holds a record of 24-1 in 2013.
Rashad Greene | DB | 6-1, 175 | Daytona Beach, Fla. (Southwestern College)
Defensive back Rashad Greene made an impact all over the field for Southwestern College in 2012, playing both offense and defense during his time at the junior college ranks. The 6-1, 175-pound versatile athlete picked off four passes on the defensive side of the ball in 2012, while catching 17 passes for over 200 yards and two touchdowns on the offensive side. Greene also made his presence known on special teams, returning kicks for the Jaguars, earning him All-Mountain Conference honors as an all-purpose specialist. Greene led Southwestern to a 10-1 season in 2012, winning its final eight games of the season after falling in week three. Greene attended Warner Christian High School in Florida, starring on both the gridiron and the hardwood during his time at the high school level.
D’Von Isaac | DT | 6-4, 275 | Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta HS)
Offensive lineman D’Von Isaac contributed on both the offensive and defensive lines at Alpharetta High School in Georgia, racking up 38 tackles along the defensive front, which included 3.5 sacks. The 6-4, 275-pound lineman helped Alpharetta to a 7-4 season in 2012, anchoring an offensive front that aided Alpharetta to over 400 yards per game offensively, while averaging nearly 35 points per game. Isaac and the Raider defense pitched one shutout in 2012, while holding three of its opponents to single-digit scoring outputs. Isaac was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Watch List prior to the 2012 season as a defensive lineman, while also earning a spot on the All-North Fulton Neighbor Football Team by Neighbor Newspapers in Atlanta following his senior season. Isaac was also a 2012 Florida vs. Georgia All-Star, and earned a three-star rating from ESPN.com.
Aaron Jackson | WR | 6-3, 185 | Frankfort, Ky. (Frankfort High School)
Wide receiver Aaron Jackson did it all for Frankfort High School in Frankfort, Ky., leading the team with 1,513 yards receiving in his senior season of 2012, while also finishing with 62 tackles on the defensive end, intercepting a pair of passes. The do-it-all athlete averaged more than 116 receiving yards per game, helping Frankfort to an 11-2 season. Jackson caught 60 passes, with 18 of those receptions finding the endzone, leading Frankfort with 18 touchdown catches on the year. In all, Jackson scored 20 times in 2012, with a pair of touchdowns coming on the defensive end, as he returned an interception for a score and also scooped a fumble and scored a touchdown. In eight of the 13 games in 2012 Jackson managed to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark, including a seven-catch, 218-yard game early in the season. Jackson also had five games with two or more touchdowns, including three scores in week three. Jackson earned a spot on the Kentucky All-Stars roster for the annual Border Bowl, earning Defensive MVP honors in the game after he intercepted a pass and took it 40 yards for a score in the second half. The MVP honor was Jackson's second of the offseason, as he was also named the Offensive MVP of the Louisville vs. Kentucky All-Star Game as a wide receiver. Jackson also earned honorable mention all-state honors following the 2012 season, as well as being named a Best of the Bluegrass All-Star. Jackson chose WKU over offers from Navy and Bowling Green, among others.
Leverick Johnson | DB | 6-1, 190 | Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern High School)
Leverick Johnson led Miami Northwestern to a 9-3 season in 2012, leading a secondary that did its part in allowing only 12 points per game on the year. Johnson and the Bulls defense held seven of their 12 opponents to single-digit scoring outputs in 2012, which included a pair of shutouts. Johnson was mentioned in a listing of the top cornerbacks in the state of Florida by 247Sports.com following a senior season in which he recorded 50 total tackles, with five interceptions and 12 pass break-ups.
Shaquille Johnson | TE | 6-4, 215 | Lake City, Fla. (Columbia High School)
Tight end Shaquille Johnson caught 15 passes for 215 yards in his senior season with Columbia High School in Lake City, Fla., leading the Tigers to an 11-2 season in 2012. Johnson averaged nearly 20 yards per reception in his senior season for an offense that averaged 37 points per game, and scored over 50 points on five different occasions. Johnson’s Columbia squad put together winning records in 2010, 2011 and 2012, winning 27 games during that three-year span, which included a berth in the third round of the Florida state playoffs in 2012. Johnson was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s Super60 list prior to the 2012 season, joining 60 of Florida’s top prospects. Johnson was selected to take part in the War of the Border All-Star Game in January for the Florida squad. The athletic tight end also starred on the hardwood and on the track, setting the school record in the 200-meter with a time of 21.6 seconds.
Cam Lewis | WR | 6-3, 205 | Louisville, Ky. (Ballard HS)
Wide receiver Cam Lewis quickly emerged as a standout at Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky., scoring 14 touchdowns with 1,110 yards receiving in 2011 – his first season playing football for Ballard. The athletic wide receiver was named all-district by MaxPreps following the 2011 season, and was awarded a spot on the Kentucky roster for the annual Border Bowl following the 2012 campaign. Lewis had 1,900 yards receiving for his career at Ballard, scoring 25 touchdowns. In 2012, Lewis helped lead Ballard to a 9-4 season in 2012, which included winning six games in a row down the stretch after starting the season 3-3. Lewis ended the season with 790 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-3, 205-pound athlete also starred on the basketball court for Ballard High School, as he was named as one of the top small forwards in the state of Kentucky by iHigh.com during his junior season of 2011.
Justin Martinez | OL | 6-3, 275 | Port Saint Lucie, FL | (St. Lucie West Centennial HS)
Offensive lineman Justin Martinez contributed on both sides of the ball for St. Lucie West Centennial High School in Port Saint Lucie, Fla., playing along both the offensive and defensive fronts. Martinez was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s MidEast Florida Super60 list prior to the 2012 football season, ranking 13th among the 60 players listed. The 6-3, 275-pound lineman was also mentioned as one of the “Best of the Treasure Coast” by the Palm Beach Post in 2012. Martinez and St. Lucie West Centennial went 5-5 during his junior campaign of 2011, winning a district title for the first time since the 2003 season.
Nicholas Norris | WR | 5-10, 170 | Miami, Fla. | (Booker T. Washington HS)
Nicholas Norris helped guide Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Fla., to a state championship in 2012, finishing the year 14-1, reaching the state title game for the second consecutive year. Norris did his part for the Tornado offense, catching 31 passes for 644 yards with nine receiving touchdowns. Norris, an all-around athlete, also made an impact on special teams, averaging over 42 yards per kickoff return in 2012. Norris led the high-powered offense in receiving yards in his senior season, while finishing second on the team in receptions for an offense that averaged just less than 50 points per game, scoring 60 or more points on four different occasions. In his junior season of 2011, Norris caught 22 passes for 446 yards, scoring four touchdowns helping Booker T. Washington to another 13-1 season, losing its only game of 2011 in the state championship to Bolles High School. Norris was named second team all-state, as well as being tabbed as a 2012 Nike Dade vs. Broward All-Star. The athletic wide receiver also anchors the talented Booker T. Washington 400-meter relay team on the track and field team.
Joeseph Occhipinti | K | 6-3, 190 | Nashville, Tenn. (Hillsboro High School)
Joeseph Occhipinti did just about everything a kicker could do for Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tenn., in 2012. Occhipinti took care of the placekicking and punting duties, while also kicking off for Hillsboro. The 6-3 kicker finished his senior season making seven field goals, while connecting on 30-of-32 extra-points. Occhipinti finished second on the team with 51 points in 2012, trailing only the team’s running back for the most points on the team. Occhipinti’s success in 2012 didn’t end with just placekicking, as he booted a staggering 36 of his 47 kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks, which equates to a touchback nearly 80 percent of the time. Occhipinti also handled the punting duties for Hillsboro, averaging nearly 40 yards per punt, with a long of 67 yards, while pinning the opposition inside the 20 on 13 different occasions. For his stellar 2012 season, Occhipinti was named Kicker of the Year in District 11-AAA in the state of Tennessee, while also earning a spot on the All-Midstate Team by The Tennessean.
Todd Porter | QB | 6-3 1/2, 195 | O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon High School)
Quarterback Todd Porter holds nearly every school passing record at O’Fallon High School in Illinois after wrapping up his career under center for the Panthers in 2012. Porter threw for more than 6,200 yards during his career, breaking the school record for career passing yards and passing yards in a single-season after throwing for 3,009 yards in 2012, which also broke a conference record for single-season passing yards. Porter also holds the school records for career touchdown passes (45), touchdown passes in a single season (22), touchdown passes in a game (5), career completions (319), completions in a season (209) and passing yards in a game (405). Porter etched his name in the record books after a 2012 season that saw the senior signal-caller throw for more than 300 yards in six of the 11 games during his senior season, including a 405-yard performance late in the season, which set the O’Fallon school record. Porter threw for over 400 yards on two different occasions in 2012, and in O’Fallon’s two playoff games Porter threw for a combined 797 yards and five touchdowns. Porter completed 61 percent of his passes for his career, with 532 attempts during his three years as the starting quarterback. Despite 342 passing attempts in 2012, Porter still completed 61 percent of his passes, having 20 or more completions in six of O’Fallon’s games.
Brandon Ray | OL | 6-3, 285 | Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones High School)
Offensive lineman Brandon Ray comes to WKU after a playing career at Bob Jones High School in Alabama. Ray was part of a 2012 team that went 9-4, advancing to the second round of the Alabama state playoffs. The 6-3, 285-pound offensive lineman anchored a Patriot front line that helped Bob Jones average close to 30 points per game in his senior season, and over 35 points per game during his junior campaign of 2011. In his final two years of high school, Ray led Bob Jones to a 19-6 record, including a perfect 11-0 mark at home. The offensive lineman was named a Class 6A All-State honorable mention performer in the state of Alabama in 2012, while also being named to the Huntsville Times Elite First Team after putting together 65 pancake blocks in 13 games. Ray was also named to the Huntsville Times Elite Second Team following his junior season in 2011.
Tanner Reeves | DL | 6-4, 230 | Lakeland, Fla. (George W. Jenkins High School)
Tanner Reeves racked up 12 sacks and 61 total tackles in just 10 games along the George W. Jenkins High School defensive front in 2012, recovering a pair of fumbles and forcing a fumble in his senior season. Reeves, who switched from linebacker to the defensive line in 2012, used his speed to his advantage, helping the 6-4, 230-pound defender average more than a sack per game. The Florida native burst onto the scene early in his senior season, tallying eight sacks in the first three games of 2012, which included five sacks in a game against Kathleen High School. Reeves led a defensive unit that held the opposition to under 20 points in seven of the 10 games in 2012, including one shutout against Lake Region High School. Before making the switch to the defensive line, Reeves excelled as a linebacker and still found ways to get to the quarterback, recording four sacks in 2011, to go along with 86 total tackles in 10 games. Reeves was named first team all-county and honorable mention all-state following his senior year.
Kalvin Robinson | DL | 6-5, 225 | Birmingham, Ala. (Vestavia Hills High School)
Defensive lineman Kalvin Robinson led Vestavia Hills High School in Alabama to a 10-3 season in 2012, aiding a defensive unit that allowed an average of just 16 points per game, including holding five of its opponents to single-digit scoring outputs. The 6-5, 225-pound defensive lineman recorded eight sacks in 2012, to go along with 43 tackles along the defensive front for Vestavia Hills. Robinson’s performance earned him a spot on the Birmingham News All-Hoover South Football Team following his senior season. Prior to the 2012 campaign, Robinson was named to the MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team for the state of Alabama after leading Vestavia Hills to a 7-5 record in his junior season. The athlete also used his talents on the track, helping out the Vestavia Hills track and field squad during his high school career.
Donald Rocker | OL | 6-4, 296 | Jacksonville, Fla. (Sandalwood High School)
Donald Rocker joins his cousin and current Hilltopper defensive end Gavin Rocker at WKU, coming to the Hill after a playing career at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Fla. The 6-4, 296-pound Rocker was a dominant force along the Sandalwood offensive line, helping the team to an eight-win season in 2012, tallying 34 pancake blocks. Rocker and Sandalwood made an appearance on national television during his senior season, taking on DeLand High School in an ESPN-televised game. Following his junior season of 2011, Rocker was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s North Florida Super60 list after leading the Saints to an 8-2 record, averaging a 31-point margin of victory in those eight wins. Rocker, rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com, chose WKU over offers from Arizona, Iowa State, Marshall, Memphis and Pittsburgh among others.
De’Andre Simmons | DB | 5-11, 180 | Royal Palm Beach, Fla. (Royal Palm Beach HS)
De’Andre Simmons was named to the Palm Beach All-Star squad following his 2012 senior season at Royal Palm Beach High School in Florida, leading the team to a 5-4 season. Simmons led a defensive charge that allowed just 15 points per game on average in 2012, while holding four of its nine opponents to single-digit scoring outputs. The 5-11, 180-pound defensive back was named Second Team All-Area for large schools by the Palm Beach Post following his senior campaign, while also earning Palm Beach County FACA District 20 All-Star honors. During his junior season of 2011, Simmons and Royal Palm Beach went 7-4, which included starting the season 7-1, averaging more than a 25-point margin of victory in those seven wins. The overall athlete also made an impact for the Royal Palm Beach track and field squad during his time in high school.
Jimmie Sims |OL | 6-5, 285 | New Orleans, La. (McDonogh 35 Senior High School)
Offensive lineman Jimmie Sims helped McDonogh 35 Senior High School in Louisiana to back-to-back eight-win seasons in 2011 and 2012, anchoring an offensive front that helped the Roneagles reach the state semifinals in 2012. Despite sitting at 4-5 late in the 2012 season, Sims and McDonogh 35 put together four consecutive wins to reach the semifinals, before ultimately falling to Neville High School. Sims, a 6-5, 275-pound offensive lineman, took part in the 2013 Lake Pontchartrain All-Star Football Classic, while also earning a mention as one of the top offensive lineman in the state of Louisiana in the 2013 class by the Louisiana Football Magazine.
Isaac Tanner | LB | 6-0, 223 | Tampa, Fla. (Freedom High School)
Linebacker Isaac Tanner registered 263 total tackles in his final three years at Freedom High School in Tampa, Fla., including a career-high 133 total tackles as a sophomore in 2010. The 6-0, 223-pound linebacker finished his career with 15.5 career sacks, with 7.0 sacks during his junior season of 2011. During his breakout 2010 season, Tanner notched double-digit tackling outputs in seven of the team’s 10 games, including 20 total tackles in the season finale. The sophomore linebacker averaged over 13 tackles per game that season, forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering two fumbles as well. In his final season at Freedom High School, Tanner finished with 55 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks in 10 games in his senior campaign, earning team MVP honors, along with being named first team all-conference. Tanner also earned a spot on the East roster for the 2012 Hillsborough County All-Star Game, recovering a fumble in that particular all-star game.
Taywan Taylor | WR | 6-1, 185 | Louisville, Ky. (Pleasure Ridge Park HS)
Wide receiver Taywan Taylor led Pleasure Ridge Park High School to a 14-1 season in 2012, catching a team-best 52 passes for 1,169 yards, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the team’s receiving yards in his senior season. Taylor and Pleasure Ridge Park advanced to the Class 6A state title game in 2012, losing its only game of the season in the championship. For the year, Taylor found the endzone a team-high 18 times, with 14 touchdown receptions, two rushing touchdowns and one interception returned for a touchdown. Taylor also rushed for 72 yards on just 12 carries, averaging six yards per touch on the ground for an offense that averaged more than 44 points per game. Taylor got off to a hot start in his final season in 2012, going over 100 receiving yards in four of the first five games of the year, with 10 touchdown receptions during that five-game span. The 6-1, 185-pound wide receiver was also a dynamic kick returner for the Panthers, earning all-district honors from the Greater Louisville Football Coaches Association, while also being named honorable mention all-state by the Courier-Journal as a wide receiver in 2012.
Kylen Towner | WR | 5-9, 165 | Mobile, Ala. (St. Pauls Episcopal School)
Kylen Towner defined the term athlete during his time at St. Pauls Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala., making impacts all over the field during his career. Towner, playing virtually all over the place in high school, logged time in the defensive backfield, at receiver, running back and as a kick returner. Towner intercepted seven passes in 2012, returning a pair of the interceptions back for touchdowns. On the offensive side of the ball, Towner had seven catches for 221 yards and five touchdowns. Towner’s season helped guide the Saints to the Alabama state football semifinals in 2012, falling to the eventual state champions in Spanish Fort High School. Towner led a defensive charge that allowed just 11 points per game, pitching three shutouts and holding seven of its opponents to single-digit scoring outputs. Towner was named a first team all-region performer by the Press-Register following his senior season, along with being named honorable mention all-state. The speedy Towner not only used his athleticism on the football field, but also stood out on the track, winning the Class 5A 100-meter state title during his junior season.
Marcus Ward | DB | 6-3, 204 | Birmingham, Ala. (Vestavia Hills High School)
Defensive back Marcus Ward led Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, Ala., to the third round of the Alabama state playoffs in 2012, finishing the season with a 10-3 record. Ward led a defensive unit that allowed just 16 points per game in his senior season, thanks in part to Ward’s 88 tackles and three interceptions in 2012. Ward also broke up four passes and forced a pair of fumbles in his final season with the Rebels. The 6-3, 204-pound defensive back also broke up 10 passes in his junior season of 2011, registering 43 tackles with one interception, leading the Rebels to a 7-5 record. Vestavia Hills won 26 games during Ward’s final three years of high school, which included trips to the second round of the Alabama state playoffs in all three years. Ward earned First Team All-South honors from the Birmingham News after the 2012 season.
Derrell Young | LB | 6-1, 205 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson High School)
Linebacker Derrell Young had a knack for the football during his time at Boyd Anderson High School, registering 29.5 sacks and 140 total tackles in 2012, to go along with 38 tackles for loss, three interceptions and pair of touchdowns. Young led Boyd Anderson to a 10-3 season in 2012, leading a defensive charge that held opponents to less than 12 points per game, while holding eight of its 13 opponents to single-digit scoring outputs. The 5-11, 190-pound linebacker was named honorable mention all-state as a linebacker following the 2012 season, while also earning a spot on the All-Broward Football Team by The Miami Herald.
2013 Early Enrollees (Student-athletes began classes at WKU in January)
Maurice Bennett | 6-3, 300 | Madison, Miss. (Madison Central High School)
Maurice Bennett was one of six early junior college enrollees to come to WKU for the start of the spring semester in January. Bennett comes to WKU after playing in nine games with East Mississippi Community College in 2012. Bennett posted 11 tackles, including a tackle for a loss and forced a fumble from his defensive tackle position during the 2012 campaign. Bennett stayed in his home state of Mississippi following his prep career at Madison Central High School in Mississippi, racking up 30 tackles along the defensive line during his senior season in high school. Bennett was ranked in the top 100 in the nation for defensive tackles coming out of high school by Scout.com following the 2012 season and was originally committed to the University of California.
Raphael Cox | DL | 6-3, 270 | Cedar Hill, Texas (Trinity Valley Community College)
Raphael Cox played his junior college ball at Trinity Valley Community College before enrolling early at WKU in January. Cox tallied 22 tackles in eight games in 2012 with Trinity Valley. As a prep standout at Trinity Christian High School in Texas, Cox was named an all-district defensive lineman, along with an honorable mention all-district mention as an offensive lineman following his senior season in high school. During his final year in high school, Cox racked up 76 total tackles, to go along with a pair of sacks and forced two fumbles. The defensive lineman had two different games in which he posted double-digit tackles, while never finishing a game with less than five total tackles during his senior season. Cox was originally committed to the University of New Mexico.
Johnny Delaney | OL | 6-6, 310 | Fort Worth, Texas (Ventura Community College)
Johnny Delaney was among six junior college early enrollees to come to WKU for the spring semester, beginning in January. Delaney makes his way to the Hill after signing with the Hilltoppers from Ventura College in California. The 6-6, 310-pound offensive lineman helped the Patriots average 346 yards per game offensively, including over 125 yards per game on the ground. The Ventura offense also averaged 30 points per game, as Delaney helped the Patriots to a 10-1 season in 2012 after going 7-4 in 2011 in Delaney's first season. Delaney played at Ventura College after playing his high school ball at Weatherford High School in Fort Worth, Texas.
Devante Duclos | LB | 6-0, 216 | Miami, Fla. (Miami Central High School)
Linebacker Devante Duclos joined Kyle Jones as a pair of early enrollees from the high school ranks, as Duclos came to WKU in January after a high school playing career at Miami Central High School in Florida. The Rockets were ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation entering the 2012 season by USA Today, finishing the 2012 campaign with a 12-2 record. Miami Central opened the season with a nationally televised game against Loganville Grayson High School out of Georgia. Duclos, a 6-0, 216-pound linebacker, helped Miami Central to a state title in 2012, which was the school's second state championship in the last three seasons.
Kyle Jones | OL | 6-4, 300 | Mulberry, Fla. (Mulberry High School)
High school offensive lineman standout Kyle Jones was one of two early enrollees from the high school ranks, coming to WKU in January to begin the spring semester. Jones made his way to WKU after concluding his prep career at Mulberry High School in Florida, graduating early in December. The 6-4, 290-pound offensive lineman led the Panthers to a five-win season in 2012, including ending the season with back-to-back wins. Jones anchored an offensive front that scored 84 combined points in its final two games of the season, outscoring the opposition 84-12 in those final two contests. For the year, Jones and the offensive front led Mulberry to average over four yards per carry on the ground.
Dalton Patterson | DB | 6-3, 195 | New Orleans, La. (Arkansas Baptist College)
Defensive back Dalton Patterson made his way to WKU as one of six early enrollees from the junior college ranks, beginning classes in January at WKU. Patterson comes to the Hill by way of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Ark. The 6-3, 195-pound defensive back played in nine games at Arkansas Baptist in 2012, recording 25 total tackles in nine games. Patterson forced a fumble and recovered a fumble during the year, while also breaking up a pair of passes in the defensive backfield. The New Orleans, La., native played his high school ball at O. Perry High School in Louisiana, leading the team to a 9-4 record his senior season in 2010.
Connor Popeck | OL | 6-4, 285 | Olive Branch, Miss. (Itawamba Community College)
Connor Popeck, a 6-4, 285-pound offensive lineman from Itawamba Community College in Mississippi, came to WKU in January as one of the six junior college early enrollees. Popeck played at Itawamba after finishing a high school career at St. Georges High School in Tennessee that featured a state championship and a perfect season in 2008. Popeck earned all-state honors in both 2007 and 2008, and was named the defensive player of the year in 2008. At Itawamba, Popeck anchored an offensive front that guided the Indians to an average of over 130 yards per game on the ground, averaging nearly four yards per carry in 2012. The Itawamba offensive line powered the Indians to a pair of games of over 200 yards rushing, including a season-high 254 yards on the ground on October 11 against Coahoma Community College.
Lonnie Turner | WR | 5-10, 180 | Inglewood, Calif. (Los Angeles Harbor College)
Wide receiver Lonnie Turner caught 25 passes for 485 yards in nine games with Los Angeles Harbor College in 2012, averaging over 50 yards per game receiving for the Seahawks. The 5-10, 180-pound wide receiver played two seasons with Los Angeles Harbor before enrolling at WKU in January. Turner led Los Angeles Harbor in receiving yards in 2011, while finishing third on the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2012. Turner averaged over nine yards per reception in his final season with the Seahawks, while reeling in one touchdown. The California native played his high school ball at Serra High School, guiding the team to a 15-0 season during his junior campaign, and a 14-1 season in his senior season of 2010. Turner's high school squad won an impressive 29 consecutive games, losing its final game of the 2010 season to end the streak.
