Signed, Sealed, Delivered: JT Puts 13 In College Ranks
| Published on Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:24 Written by Harold Wilson |
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They signed and sealed their immediate futures, and delivered one of the largest signing days in John Tyler football history.
More than a dozen John Tyler student-athletes autographed college paperwork Wednesday in front of a packed house in the 100s during National Signing Day at the Frank E. Melton Academic & Athletic Complex.
The all-state trio of Tyus Bowser, Fred Ross and Greg Ward highlighted the grandiose morning. Bowser and Ward wore red after agreeing to remain college teammates at the University of Houston and Ross represented Mississippi State with his maroon attire.
JT placed seven players in the Division I ranks, including four players to FBS schools: Darion Flowers (Sam Houston State, defensive back), LB Richard Gipson (Lamar, linebacker), Justice Liggins (Stephen F. Austin State, wide receiver), and Emmanuel Terrazas (Central Arkansas, offensive lineman).
A trio of Lions picked Division II universities in the Lone Star conference: defensive back Elliott Hart with Tarleton State, and the duo of Traven Johnson and DeQuante Woods with Texas A&M-Commerce.
Three more Lions secured college homes close to their high school, with running back Duan Brooks and defensive back Jamarcus Warren choosing Texas College and lineman Chris Mobley opting for Tyler Junior College.
Ross, a PARADE All-America selection, switched his longtime oral commitment from Oklahoma State on Monday, ending a whirlwind recruiting period. Ross joins two first cousins, Mississippi State assistant women’s basketball coach A’Quonesia Franklin, and Yasma Smith, a team manager.
“I fell in love with the school, coaches and program” Ross said. “I felt at home. When you feel comfortable, it’s easier to play.”
Mississippi State, a member of the prestigious SEC, went 8-5 last year and played in the Gator Bowl. The Bulldogs averaged 237 yards passing per game.
“The program is on the rise,” Ross said. “I just want to be a contributor and help the program go up. When I go to college, I have to prove myself like everyone else on the team. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there. I’m going to chase my dream and get there.”
Bowser decided to join Ward at Houston after weighing several options. Bowser plans to play football fist, and join the basketball team after the gridiron season ends. He originally offered a verbal to Oklahoma State before pulling back and deciding to remain in the Lone Star State.
“I went on a visit this last Saturday and I liked it a lot,” said Bowser, who settled on the U of H on Tuesday, a school where he plans to study architecture. “It’s just great people (there).”
Ward stuck with Houston to continue his career at quarterback, where he produced more than 10,000 total yards the past two seasons. Several schools courted Ward’s service as an athlete. After throwing for close to 8,000 yards and 75 touchdowns on the varsity level, Ward wants to keep taking snaps.
“I had other options but I wanted to play quarterback,” Ward said. “They were giving me the best opportunity. I had to take advantage of it.”
The JT senior class constituted one of the winningest groups in school history after helping the Lions go 36-8 over the last three varsity seasons. JT finished the 2012 season 13-2 and reached the Class 4A Division I state semifinals for the second straight year.
“They’ve accomplished a great amount of trophies, records, wins and moved on deep in the playoffs the last three years,” JT head coach Ricklan Holmes said. “These young men have grown up over the years. But that’s only the football side. Just to see them do the things they’ve done since their freshman year has been amazing.”
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John Tyler 2013 Signing Class
Division I - FBS
Tyus Bowser, Houston
Position: Defensive end
Size: 6-3, 215
Statline: 73 tackles (33 for loss), 22 sacks, 6 CFs, 3 FRs, 1 TD; 129 yards, 3 TDs, offense
Honors: All-State (first team), All-16-4A Defensive MVP
Noteworthy: Bowser scored four different ways for the Lions, rushing, passing, receiving and on defense while setting a school record for sacks in a single season. Bowser, one of the area’s top hoopsters, also plans to play basketball for the Cougars at the next level.
Quoteworthy: “I finally got peace. Just knowing I have all the opportunities — playing football and basketball and academics — I’m just real happy right now.”—Tyus Bowser
Fred Ross, Mississippi State
Position: Wide Receiver
Size: 6-2, 200
Statline: 85 receptions, 1,580 yards, 22 TDs; 28 rushes, 166 yards, 3 TDs
Honors: PARADE All-American, All-District (first team)
Noteworthy: Ross, a four-star recruit, is one of Mississippi State’s three highest grabs. Ross ranks as the country’s No. 23 receiver and nation’s No. 208 player according to Rivals.com.
Quoteworthy: “All the stress is gone. Everything is out the way. Now we can just relax and focus on what we’ll be doing the next four years of our life. “—Fred Ross
Greg Ward, Houston
Position: Quarterback
Size: 6-0, 170
Statline: 5,053 yards, 56 TDs, total offense (279-400 passing, 70 percent, 4,190 yards, 43 TDs, 5INTs; 170-863 rushing, 13 TDs)
Honors: All-16-4A MVP
Noteworthy: Ward leaves JT as the school’s all-time career leader in total yards and touchdowns. Ward wrapped up a stellar career tying a state record with 48 completions against Denton Guyer, and finishing the state semifinal with 660 total yards and six TDs.
Quoteworthy: “I’m not going to try; I’m going to make it happen. It’s all in the mind and heart. I have all the heart in the world.”—Greg Ward
Division I - FCS
Darion Flowers, Sam Houston State
Position: Defensive back
Size: 5-11, 180
Statline: 42 tackles, 3 INTs; 68 receptions, 1,143 yards, 9 TDs
Honors: All-District receiver (first team), All-district cornerback (first team)
Noteworthy: Flowers finished with 1,000-yards receiving as a junior and senior, and started both ways this past fall. He chose SHSU, national finalists the last two years, over Southland Conference rivals SFA and Lamar.
Quoteworthy: “They’re known for DBs. They’ve got a great program, great facilities. What else more is there to look for? They’ve won back to back conference championships, played for back-to-back (championships). That weighed a lot on me.” —Darion Flowers
Richard Gipson, Lamar
Position: Linebacker
Size: 6-2, 213
Statline: 132 tackles (11 for los), 4 FRs, 2 CFs, 2 INTs
Honors: All-District (first team)
Noteworthy: Gipson made more than 250 tackles as a two-year starter at the “Mike” position. He chose Lamar over AM-Commerce.
Quoteworthy: “This is exciting. It just felt like it was my home. They really opened up their arms to me.” -—Richard Gipson
Justice Liggins, Stephen F. Austin State
Position: Wide Receiver
Size: 6-1, 195
Statline: 56 receptions, 689 yards, 7 TDs
Honors: All-District (second team)
Noteworthy: Liggins finished with a career-high nine receptions for 131 yards in JT’s final game. He also received Division I offers from Northwestern State and Wyoming.
Quoteworthy: “They’re doing the same thing we did on offense. It was the passing attack they had and they’ve had a receiver go to the (NFL) that inspired me.”—Justice Liggins
Emmanuel Terrazas, Central Arkansas
Position: Offensive lineman
Size: 6-2, 240
Statline: Terrazas protected the QB’s blindside and helped passing game flourish with 4,254 yards and 44 TDs.
Honors: All-District (first team)
Noteworthy: Terrazas was named JT homecoming king during the fall. He wants to major in optometry at the next level.
Quoteworthy: “Every since I was in Pop Warner, my goal was to start in high school and earn a scholarship to college. This is one of the proudest days of my life.” - Emmanuel Terrazas
Division II
Elliott Hart, Tarleton State
Position: Defensive back
Size: 5-11, 170
Statline: 72 tackles, 5 INTs
Honors: All-District (first team)
Noteworthy: Hart started two years on a pair of state semifinalists for JT. He picked Tarleton State over Angelo State.
Quoteworthy: “I felt their program could offer a lot to me. I wanted to go to a program with a strong tradition. I’m just happy to be (going) there.”—Elliott Hart
Traven Johnson, Texas A&M-Commerce
Position: Defensive back
Size: 6-1, 180
Statline: 52 tackles, 10 PBUs, 3 INTs, TD
Honors: All-District (second team)
Noteworthy: Johnson played three varsity seasons, including 14 playoff games. He considered going to Arizona Wesleyan before choosing to go to Commerce.
Quoteworthy: “I wanted this all along. Coming into high school, it’s the first thing you think about: playing college football.” — Traven Johnson
DeQuante Woods, Texas A&M-Commerce
Position: Running back
Size: 5-11, 175
Statline: 59 tackles, 5 PBUs, INT TD, 604 yards, 13 TDs rushing; 368 yards, 3 TDs receiving
Honors: All-District running back (first team), All-District returner (first team), All-District linebacker (second team)
Noteworthy: Woods scored three different ways for the Lions (rushing, receiving, defense) and totaled 1,128 yards and 17 TDs on offense while starting at LB.
Quoteworthy: “I get to play with people I know. The decision was easy. … I chose to stick at running back. I like scoring.”—DeQuante Woods
NAIA
Duan Brooks, Texas College
Position: Running back
Size: 5-8, 165
Statline: 5 rushes, 73 yards
Quoteworthy: “I’m looking forward to it, trying to better my life. I’m proud to be going to Texas College.”- Duan Brooks
Jamarcus Warren, Texas College
Position: Defensive back
Size: 5-10, 175
Statline: 19 tackles, 1 caused fumble
Noteworthy: Warren, one of JT’s top special teams tacklers, attended two signing ceremonies on Wednesday, along with Brooks, at John Tyler and Texas College.
NJCAA
Chris Mobley, Tyler Junior College
Position: Lineman
Size: 6-2, 235
Statline: 92 tackles (10 for loss)
Honors: All-District (first team, DL)
Noteworthy: Mobley made the all-district first team as an offensive lineman as a junior before doing the same on the defensive line as a senior.
