Today is national signing day for college football, which means productivity around the nation drops dramatically as sports freaks wait and analyze their favorite college’s recruiting class. Of course the Aging Disco Diva only cares about Kansas State University, and, in her humble opinion so should the rest of the planet. This looks to be a fantastic group of recruits and the Purple Nation is already counting the days until the first game next season
Here are the young men who have signed with Kansas State as of early this morning: All information is from http://www.kstatesports.com/
--- Javonta Boyd, 6-3, 290, DL | Watch Video
--- Jarell Childs, 6-3, 216, RB | Watch Video
--- William Cooper, 6-5, 260, OL | Watch Video
--- Logan Dold, 6-1, 200, RB | Watch Video
--- Ethan Douglas, 6-6, 285, OL | Watch Video
--- Tony Gillespie, 6-1, 298, DL | Watch Video
--- Adrian Hilburn, 6-2, 190, WR | Watch Video
--- Blair Irvin, 5-11, 185, DB | Watch Video
--- Joseph Kassanavoid, 6-6, 215, QB | Watch Video
--- Collin Klein, 6-4, 202, QB | Watch Video
--- Billy McClellan, 5-9, 180, DB | Watch Video
--- George Pierson, 6-0, 180, P | Watch Video
--- Ulla Pomele, 6-1, 235, LB | Watch Video
--- Edward Prince, 6-5, 280, OL | Watch Video
--- Hansen Sekona, 6-0, 230, LB | Watch Video
--- Blake Slaughter, 6-0, 219, LB | Watch Video
--- Daniel Thomas, 6-2, 227, RB | Watch Video
--- Wade Weibert, 6-5, 300, OL | Watch Video
--- Braden Wilson, 6-4, 220, ATH | Watch Video
008 Signees
Javonta BOYD | DL
6-3, 290 | St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast HS) |
NORTHEAST HS: A three-star prospect and the No. 30 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals... Also ranked as the 58th-best prospect in the state of Florida by Rivals... Named to the Times-Union Florida Top 75... Also a three-star prospect, the No. 46 defensive lineman in the country and the 91st best player in the state of Florida by Scout.com... Recorded 63 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a senior.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from Louisville, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina, Rutgers, South Florida and Ole Miss.
Jarell CHILDS | RB
6-3, 216 | Kansas City, Mo. (Oak Park HS) |
OAK PARK HS: Ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the state of Missouri by Rivals and 11th in the state by Scout.com... First team all-district by the Kansas City Star at defensive back... Named second team all-state at defensive back by the Missouri Football Coaches Association... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... Rushed for 1,580 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior... Selected to play in the Missouri vs. Kansas All-Star game... Was a standout performer at the 2007 Kansas City Nike Combine, finishing first among running backs and 10th overall in the bench press (26 reps)... Also finished third among running backs at the combine in the vertical leap (34)... One of the leading rushers in Kansas City in 2006, Childs had 1,333 yards and also had 38 tackles on defense... Played for head coach Keith Ross... Also lettered in track and basketball.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over interest from Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Wisconsin.
PERSONAL: Jarell Childs was born January 4, 1990... Parents are Angela Childs and Vernon Baston... Brother, Jaron Baston, plays football at Missouri.
WHY K-STATE: “I felt comfortable on the campus when I was up there. I really like the school and I like the players I have met.”
William COOPER | OL
6-5, 260 | Hayti, Mo. (Hayti HS) |
HAYTI HS: Named to the Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State First Team in Class 1... A First Team All-Region selection along the offensive line... Earned first team SEMO South all-conference honors... Also averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds this past season on the hardwood... Played for head coach David Gilmore... Valedictorian of his 2008 high school class.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over interest from Kansas and Missouri.
PERSONAL: William Cooper was born February 7, 1990... Parents are William, Sr. and Betty Cooper.
WHY K-STATE: “Kansas State was the best place for me. The whole visit went very well."
Logan DOLD | RB
6-1, 200 | Garden Plain, Kan. (Garden Plain HS) |
GARDEN PLAIN HS: A three-star prospect by Rivals, the No. 8 player in the state of Kansas and is ranked as the 50th-best safety in the nation... Scout.com ranks Dold as the No. 9 player in the state and the 33rd-best safety in the nation... Named to the KFBCA Kansas Top 11 and was a first team all-state selection at running back after a stellar senior season... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... A two-way player that led Garden Plain to its first-ever state title in 2007 and a perfect 14-0 record... Rushed for 2,388 yards and 49 total touchdowns and added 787 passing yards and seven touchdowns in his final prep season... In the state title game, Dold finished with 289 yards rushing and five touchdowns and completed 6-of-7 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown... Played running back, quarterback and defensive back during high school career... Named the 11-man Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 by the Hutchinson News... Ran for 7,144 yards for his high school career, which ranks second all-time in the state of Kansas for all classes... Also totaled 109 touchdowns for his career... Rushed for 1,859 yards in 2005 and then had 1,538 yards in 2006... Played for head coach Todd Puetz... Also was a standout in track where he won the class 2A state championship in the long jump with a leap of 22.05 feet and also has a personal best in the 100 meters of 10.9 seconds.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State early in the recruiting process over interest from Georgia Tech, Kansas, Iowa and Tulsa.
PERSONAL: Logan Dold was born June 23, 1989... Parents are Joyce Bilson and Kurt Dold.
WHY K-STATE: “I have been a K-State fan for as long as I can remember and have always wanted to be a Wildcat.”
Ethan DOUGLAS | OL
6-6, 285 | Basehor, Kan. (Basehor Linwood HS) |
LINWOOD HS: Ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the state of Kansas by Rivals... A Class 4A first team all-state selection by the KFBCA... An honorable mention All-Metro selection by the Kansas City Star... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... Earned second-team all-Kaw Valley honors in 2006 after playing both left tackle and defensive tackle... Played for head coach Steve Hopkins... Also lettered in track and wrestling.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over interest from Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado State.
PERSONAL: Ethan Douglas was born November 27, 1989... Parents are Ingrid and Kenny Douglas.
WHY K-STATE: “I grew up a K-State fan. I have a bunch of great memories of K-State, and it's a great football tradition. I just love it up there. I'm definitely a K-Stater."
Tony GILLESPIE | DL
6-1, 298 | Jenks, Okla. (Jenks HS) |
JENKS HS: A three-star prospect from Rivals.com and the No. 36 defensive tackle in the nation... Also tabbed by Rivals as the No. 8 player in the state of Oklahoma... Also a three-star prospect, the No. 6 player in the state of Oklahoma and the 21st-best defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com... Selected to play in the ESPN All-American Game in Orlando... Totaled 84 tackles during senior season and had 22 tackles with 16 assists and two sacks during Jenks’ four playoff wins en route to the 2007 6A state title... Collected 89 tackles, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown as a junior... Went 13-1 in 2006 en route to the 6A Oklahoma state title... Played for head coach Allan Trimble.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from Arkansas, Florida, Minnesota, TCU, Oklahoma State and Tennessee.
PERSONAL: Tony Gillespie was born November 4, 1989... Parents are Tony Gillespie and Sheronda Tillis.
Adrian HILBURN | WR
6-2, 190 | New Braunfels, Texas (City College of San Francisco) |
SAN FRANCISCO CITY COLLEGE: A three-star prospect by Rivals and the No. 43 junior college prospect in the nation... The fifth-best junior college receiver prospect according to Rivals... Caught 40 passes for 516 yards and three touchdowns last season at City College... Helped lead San Francisco to a 10-1 record, a NorCal Conference title and the California Community College Athletic Association football championship... Caught 27 passes for 366 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman... Attended same junior college as current Wildcat Alesana Alesana and former Wildcats Brett Jones and Maurice Porter... Played for head coach George Rush.
CANYON HS: All-district wide receiver after leading Cougars in receptions... Served as a kickoff return man and played some defensively...Helped lead the team into state quarterfinals during senior campaign... Was a three-year letterwinner and also ran track and participated in powerlifting... Coached by Les Davis.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Nebraska, Oregon and California.
PERSONAL: Adrian Hilburn was born May 6, 1987... Son of Herbert Hilburn and Annette Crespo... Has five older siblings... Cousin, Eric Mitchum, is a professional track and field athlete... Plans on majoring in business management.
WHY K-STATE: “There were a few things that really made me know it was the right place. The first was just how the coaches are. Right after I scheduled the visit, Coach Prince came to my house. I was sold right then, but still wanted to take the visit. They've done great with junior college players and what they're doing with the program is really something I want to be a part of. They are really on top of things and make you accountable for going to classes. And lastly, everyone was down to earth on the visit. They were a lot of fun to be around and talk to. All the people from the coaches to the players were just great.”
Blair IRVIN | DB
5-11, 185 | Patterson, La. (Coffeyville CC) |
COFFEYVILLE CC: Earned second team all-conference honors at defensive back this past season at Coffeyville... Totaled 24 tackles and one interception in 2007... Also averaged 16.5 yards on 29 punt returns this past season... Rated the No. 50 junior college prospect in the nation by Rivals... A three-star prospect by Rivals.com.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: A 12th-round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2002... Played minor league baseball for four seasons before deciding to come back to football in 2006... Played in 91 games for the club’s Rookie Level Princeton Rays and posted a career batting average of .229... Was successful in 20 of 25 stolen base attempts and hit .307 in 34 games in 2003.
PATTERSON HS: Earned first team All-District honors as a wide receiver during junior and senior seasons for the Lumberjacks... Named honorable mention all-state after senior campaign... Won the Class 3A state championship in the long jump and was on the state runner-up 4x100 relay team... Was an all-state selection in football, baseball and track and field... Originally signed with LSU in the class of 2002 out of Patterson, La... Coached by Tommy Minton.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Auburn, Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, Missouri and West Virginia.
PERSONAL: Blair Irvin was born on May 16, 1983... Son of Blair Irvin, Sr. and Jacqueline Woods... Also is married to the former Amy Hammone... The couple has one son, Blair III, who was born on June 4, 2007... Plans on majoring in physical education.
WHY K-STATE: “I just decided Kansas State was the place for me. The coaches there were cool, but that is nothing against the other schools. It's just that I felt Kansas State was the best place for me and my family.”
Joseph KASSANAVOID | QB
6-6, 215 | Lawson, Mo. (Lawson HS) |
LAWSON HS: A three-star prospect by Scout.com... Rated the No. 53 quarterback in the country and the 17th-best prospect in the state of Missouri by Scout... A three-sport star at Lawson in football, baseball and basketball... Was 91-of-157 for 1,464 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season as a senior... Also rushed for 352 yards on 73 carries and 11 touchdowns... First Team All-Conference linebacker, punter and second team quarterback... First team all-district as a linebacker, quarterback and punter... First team all-state quarterback by the Missouri Coaches Association... Also named the Missouri Player of the Year by the coaches... First team AP all-state quarterback... Named to the KMZU and KKWK radio All-Star teams... First team All-Kansas City Metro team... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... Finished his career 260-of-478 for 4,125 yards and 33 touchdowns... Collected 16 career rushing touchdowns... Played for head coach Todd Dunn... Also a first team all-district and all-conference selection in both basketball and baseball... Considered by many to also be a pro pitching prospect.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over interest from Notre Dame, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Kansas.
PERSONAL: Joseph Kassanavoid was born August 14, 1989... Parents are Janet and Ron Kassanavoid.
WHY K-STATE: “It was an easy decision once I got to know the coaches. That was a big positive for them. I went up to quite a few games and got to talk to them some then. The coaching staff was a big part of my decision."
Collin KLEIN | QB
6-4, 202 | Loveland, Colo. (Loveland HS) |
LOVELAND HS: A three-star rated prospect by Rivals.com... Also tabbed as the seventh-best prospect in the state of Colorado by Scout.com... Earned first team honors in the Northern Conference this past season after completing 116-of-176 passes (65.9 percent) for 1,398 yards and 12 touchdowns... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... Rushed for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns... Had 1,457 passing yards with 15 touchdowns in 2006... Also contributed 403 yards rushing and five scores... Holds school records for completion percentage (66-percent) and all-purpose yards... Named to the Reporter-Herald All-Area basketball team and garnered all-Front Range League honors after scoring 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as a junior.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over interest from Utah, Colorado State and Air Force.
PERSONAL: Collin Klein was born Sept.19, 1989... Parents are Kelly and Doug Klein... Hobbies include playing the piano, violin and mandolin.
WHY K-STATE: “I really liked the town. It is a great atmosphere and the people are really nice. I got along great while I was there and I think it will be a good place to be in college."
Billy McCLELLAN | DB
5-9, 180 | Torrance, Calif. (Harbor CC) |
HARBOR CC: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com... Also named a PrepStar JUCO All-American... Tied for 15th in the Western State Conference with three interceptions in 2007... Had 29 tackles, three of which went for losses, and three pass breakups... Named honorable mention all-conference after collecting 45 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups as a freshman... Played for head coach Andrew Alvillar.
NORTH TORRANCE HS: Named CIF All-Division X defensive back in 2005... Earned First Team All-Pioneer League honors during junior and senior seasons... Had a school record three interceptions in a playoff game during senior season... Led team in catches with 26 for 441 yards and three touchdowns as a wide receiver... Competed in the 100-meter, long jump, triple jump and 4x100... Went to same high school as actor and martial artist Chuck Norris.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Oregon State, Washington State, Wyoming and Utah State.
PERSONAL: Billy McClellan was born Feb. 26, 1988... Parents are Tammy Johnson and Richard Blackwell.
WHY K-STATE: “I talked to all of the coaches and they were all showing a lot of respect. They showed great respect for me and my game. They want me to play corner and I'm ready to go out there and compete for a spot right away.”
George PIERSON | P
6-0, 180 | Arlington, Va. (Tyler JC) |
TYLER JC: A three-star prospect by Scout.com... Averaged 43.2 yards on 42 punts this past season at Tyler Junior College... Garnered All-America honors in 2007... Had a career-long 75-yarder last season... Named to the All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference First Team as a punter.
YORKTOWN HS: Attended Hargrave Military Academy in 2005... Ranked as the No. 7 punter in the nation by Scout.com in 2005.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from Colorado, Syracuse, UMASS, UAB, Tulsa and San Diego State.
PERSONAL: George Pierson was born January 12, 1987... Parents are Lloyd and Elida Pierson.
WHY K-STATE: “I really loved the coaching staff, and I knew that Kansas State was the right place for me.”
Ulla POMELE | LB
6-1, 235 | Santa Rosa, Calif. (Santa Rosa JC) |
SANTA ROSA JC: A four-star prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 38 junior college prospect in the nation... Also a three-star prospect by Scout.com... Recorded 64 total tackles (32 solo), including 11.0 tackles for loss and five sacks... Recorded team season highs in tackles (15 against Reedley) and tackles for loss (3.0 against Feather River)... Earned All-Big 8 Conference honors ... Played for head coach Keith Simons.
ELSIE ALLEN HS: Was named the team’s defensive MVP during his sophomore season, which was his first to play football... Team MVP as a senior as both a quarterback and linebacker... Participated in the California North vs. South All-Star game... Also played rugby and basketball.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Fresno State, San Diego State and Washington State.
PERSONAL: Ulla Pomele was born Sept. 25, 1986... Son of Ula and Alofasau Pomele... Married to the former Elizabeth Leigh Robbins... Majoring in social sciences.
WHY K-STATE: “Honestly, when I visited out there, the people, the coaching staff, they were all very welcoming. They were encouraging and supportive. It is a great place.”
Edward PRINCE | OL
6-5, 280 | Starkville, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC) |
COPIAH-LINCOLN CC: A three-star prospect by Scout.com... Rated as the No. 24 JUCO prospect in the state of Mississippi by the Sun Herald... Two-year starter at left tackle for the Wolves... Earned second team all-conference honors after his freshman season... Named a preseason All-American in 2007.
EAST OKTIBBEHA HS: Lettered and starred at East Oktibbeha High School.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Southern Miss and Marshall.
PERSONAL: Edward Prince was born April 17, 1988... Parents are Carl and Debra Prince.
WHY K-STATE: “I really like (Coach Prince) and my family likes him too. He told me he wants to turn me into a dominating lineman.”
Hansen SEKONA | LB
6-0, 230 | San Mateo, Calif. (College of San Mateo) |
SAN MATEO CC: A three-star prospect and the 78th-best junior college player in the nation by Rivals.com... A three-star prospect by Scout.com... Named first team All-NorCal Conference after tallying a team-leading 71 tackles, 10 of which were for losses, and two sacks in 10 games played... Team captain and defensive MVP who helped lead San Mateo to an 8-3 record as a sophomore...Totaled 23 tackles, three for losses, two sacks and one interception as a freshman... Played for head coach Larry Owens.
ARAGON HS: Was an All-County selection at linebacker for head coach Steve Sell.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from Nevada, Washington State, Marshall and New Mexico.
PERSONAL: Hansen Sekona was born July 6, 1987... Son of Ed and Topov Sekona... Youngest of 10 children... Undecided on major.
WHY K-STATE: “(My visit) was a great experience, and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. They take their football seriously out there.”
Blake SLAUGHTER | LB
6-0, 219 | Missouri City, Texas (Elkins HS) |
ELKINS HS: Three-star rated prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com... Named one of the top 100 players in Texas for 2008 by Rivals.com... Rated as the No. 22 middle linebacker in the nation by Scout.com... Named to the preseason Touchdown Club All-Greater Houston team... Also named to the PrepStar All-Region team... Missed most of senior season after an ACL injury in the second game of the season... Collected 25 tackles and two sacks in the first two games of the season... Set the record for tackles for the Knights when he recorded 124 tackles including 11 for loss and five sacks during junior season... Also nabbed an interception and recovered two fumbles... Had 58 tackles and an interception during sophomore season... Also excelled in the classroom... Named to the National Society of High School Scholars and also Randy Rodgers’ First Team Academic All-State team.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Rice and Texas Tech.
PERSONAL: Blake Slaughter was born March 14, 1990... Parents are Ava and Steve Slaughter.
WHY K-STATE: “My family and I broke it down and it was just the total package from academics to athletics. It took a lot of consideration and a lot played into it.”
Daniel THOMAS | RB
6-2, 240 | Hilliard, Fla. (NW Mississippi CC) |
NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI CC: A four-star prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 35 junior college prospect in the nation... Also a three-star prospect by Scout.com... Rated as the No. 8 JUCO prospect in the state of Mississippi by the Sun Herald... Rushed for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman and helped lead Northwest to a division championship... Accounted for 618 yards and six touchdowns last season on 103 carries... Also threw for 450 yards and two scores.
HILLIARD HS: Rushed for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns at quarterback as a senior... Threw for 950 yards en route to all-state honors... Also chipped in 57 tackles and one interception as a senior safety... Earned all-state honors as both a quarterback and linebacker.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from Oklahoma, Baylor, Middle Tennessee St., and UAB.
PERSONAL: Daniel Thomas was born October 29, 1987... Parents are Jerald and Louella Thomas.
WHY K-STATE: "I loved it there. Everything went great (during his official visit). I loved having the chance to hang out with some of the players. They were all pretty cool. Josh Freeman was my host and he was real cool too.”
Wade WEIBERT | OL
6-5, 300 | Hillsboro, Kan. (Butler County CC) |
BUTLER COUNTY CC: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 48 junior college prospect in the nation... A four-star prospect by Scout.com... Helped lead Butler County to the 2007 NJCAA National Football Championship and a perfect 12-0 record... A First Team All-Jayhawk Conference, All-Region VI and NJCAA All-America selection... Helped lead Butler County to a 23-1 record in two seasons... Played for head coach Troy Morrell.
HILLSBORO HS: An all-conference and all-state selection as both an offensive and defensive lineman... Three-year starter for head coach Len Coryea... Also lettered in basketball.
RECRUITING: Chose K-State over offers from North Carolina State and Baylor.
PERSONAL: Wade Weibert was born August 31, 1987... Son of Dave Weibert and Brenda Brown... Undecided on major.
WHY K-STATE: "I think Kansas State is going to be pretty tough during the next couple of years. And I want to be part of that."
Braden WILSON | ATH
6-4, 220 | Smith Center, Kan. (Smith Center HS) |
SMITH CENTER HS: A two-way player both at running back and defensive end who was a Kansas Top 11 selection and First Team KFBCA All-State selection this past season... Team scored 72 points in the first quarter of a game last season, a national high school record... Helped lead Smith Center to four consecutive undefeated seasons and state titles... Ran for 1,807 yards on 112 carries and 29 touchdowns as a senior... His 65 total tackles on defense helped the Redmen shut out their first 11 opponents and allow just 20 points all year... Won the 2007 Kansas Class 2-1A championship with a 40-14 win over St. Mary's-Colgan... Rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns in the 2007 state title game... Named to the 2007 Hays Daily News Super 11... The Redmen average 419 yards rushing — and an incredible 11.8 per play and outgained their opponents by more than 4,000 yards for the season in total offense and by more than 4,300 yards on the ground... Also out-scored their opponent, 840-20, in 20007... Played for head coach Roger Barta... Also was an all-league basketball player and state qualifier in the discus and long jump.
PERSONAL: Braden Wilson was born October 9, 1989... Parents are Chuck and Meg Wilson... Biggest influence has been Smith Center native and former Wildcat mark Simoneau.
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