Fort Hays State football coaches announced Wednesday (February 4) afternoon the signing of 19 players for the 2009 season. Fifteen of the 19 players are from out of state. The Tigers went south and west to find most of the individuals listed, with six from Oklahoma, three from Arizona, three from Colorado, and two from California. There are three junior college transfers in the list, two from Kansas junior colleges and one from a California junior college.

Of the 19 signees, 12 are offensive players, six are defensive players, and one is listed for both offense and defense. There are eight linemen in the this class, offensive and defensive combined. FHSU also adds four wide receivers, three players to the offensive backfield, and a pair of defensive backs and linebackers.

Capsules on the signings are provided below…

Matt Bruner, 6-3, 285, Jr., OL
Andover, Kan.
Butler Community College
Honors/Stats: First Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Region selection.

Keaton Callins, 6-0, 185, Fr., QB
Guthrie, Okla.
Guthrie HS
Honors/Stats: Led Oklahoma Class 5A in passing yards and touchdowns…Set the school record for most passing yards and touchdowns…Led team to state championship…All-state selection.

Daniel Capul, 6-0, 235, Fr., FB
Garden Plain, Kan.
Garden Plain HS
Honors/Stats: All-state selection at linebacker and running back.

Matt Frantz, 6-4, 260, Fr., OL
Lawrence, Kan.
Lawrence Free State HS
Honors/Stats: All-state honorable mention.

Kent Herman, 6-5, 195, Fr., WR
Seibert, Colo.
Hi-Plains HS
Honors/Stats: Colorado Player of the Year for Class A 6-Man Football…First Team All-State and All-League selection.

Benjamin Jackson, 6-2, 270, Fr., OL
Brighton, Colo.
Brighton HS
Honors/Stats: All-State and All-Conference selection.

Dajuan Mack, 6-1, 205, Fr., WR
Denver, Colo.
Bear Creek HS
Honors/Stats: All-State Honorable Mention…First Team All-Conference.

Stephen Marcotte, 6-0, 190, DB
Blackwell, Okla.
Blackwell HS
Honors/Stats: All-District selection in Class 3A.

Damian Mayberry, 6-2, 180, WR
Chandler, Ariz.
Hamilton HS

Blake McAhren, 6-4, 195, QB
Fairfield, Calif.
Solano CC
Honors/Stats: First Team All-Conference selection.

Paul Nelson, 6-3, 300, OL
Dodge City, Kan.
Dodge City CC
Honors/Stats: All-Conference selection at DCCC.

Timothy Parker, 5-10, 180, DB
San Diego, Calif.
Ironwood HS
Honors/Stats: First Team All-Region at cornerback and Honorable Mention All-Region at wide receiver…Team MVP…All-Academic First Team as a cornerback.

Thomas Rollins, 6-3, 300, OL/DL
Noble, Okla.
Noble HS
Honors/Stats: All-State selection in Class 5A…All-Conference selection as an offensive lineman.

Vincent Shatwell, 6-1, 255, DL
Phoenix, Ariz.
Westview HS
Honors/Stats: Two-time First Team All-Region selection…Honorable Mention All-State selection.

Ryan Shaw, 6-3, 295, OL
Phoenix, Ariz.
Shadow Mountain HS
Honors/Stats: All-Region Honorable Mention at offensive line…Three-time state heavyweight powerlifting champion.

Justin Small, 6-2, 235, LB
Hastings, Neb.
St. Cecilia HS
Honors/Stats: Two-time All-State selection…Three-time All-Conference and All-District Selection.

Skyler Smith, 6-0, 225, DE
Guthrie, Okla.
Guthrie HS
Honors/Stats: First Team All-State linebacker…All-City selection at linebacker.

Chris Williams, 6-2, 170, WR
Tulsa, Okla.
East Central HS
Honors/Stats: All-State selection as a senior…Led Oklahoma Class 5A in receiving yards as a senior.

A.J. Woodall, 6-1, 215, LB
Chandler, Okla.
Chandler HS
Honors/Stats: Class 2A Linebacker of the Year…Member of Class 2A State Runner-up squad.