Feb. 4, 2009
The following players' National Letter of Intent have been received by Lamar... as of Noon CT - Check back a little after 4 p.m. for updated quotes and reaction to the class from head coach Ray Woodard.
The site will be updated throughout the day as the signed National Letters of Intent's are received. Per NCAA rules, no announcements can be made until the proper paperwork has been received and approved by the Lamar University compliance office.
| Name | Pos. | Hgt. | Wgt. | Yr. | Exp. | Hometown (Last School) |
| Emone Bailey | OL | 6-4 | 310 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Alief Elsik HS) |
| Stephen Babin | OL | 6-5 | 280 | Fr. | HS | Bellville, Texas (Bellville HS) |
| Asa Cardenas | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Fr. | HS | Nederland, Texas (Nederland HS) |
| Jesse Dickson | DE | 6-3 | 235 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor HS) |
| Chris Drayton | QB | 6-5 | 190 | Fr. | HS | Corrigan, Texas (Corrigan-Camden HS) |
| Johnathan Ekpe | LB | 6-0 | 200 | Jr. | JC | Cape Vincent, N.Y. (Thousand Island HS/Dean College) |
| Barry Ford | WR | 6-2 | 190 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Spring Westfield HS) |
| Mario Foster | DT | 6-4 | 255 | Jr. | JC | Biloxi, Miss. (Biloxi HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) |
| Darby Jackson | DE | 6-3 | 220 | Jr. | JC | Humble, Texas (Humble HS/Navarro College) |
| Jeremy Kirt | DE | 6-2 | 230 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Madison HS) |
| Donte Lopez | WR | 5-9 | 180 | Fr. | HS | Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) |
| Christian Louis | QB | 6-0 | 205 | Fr. | HS | Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) |
| Ryan McLin | DL | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | HS | Port Neches, Texas (Port Neches-Groves HS) |
| Cody Milam | OL | 6-4 | 290 | Fr. | HS | Allen, Texas (Allen HS) |
| Mark Murrill | DT | 6-2 | 240 | Fr. | HS | Lumberton, Texas (Lumberton HS) |
| Jordan Nixon | RB | 6-0 | 230 | Fr. | HS | Livingston, Texas (Livingston HS) |
| Keaton Parker | RB | 5-7 | 170 | Fr. | HS | Livingston, Texas (Livingston HS) |
| Keinon Peterson | CB | 5-10 | 180 | Fr. | HS | Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS) |
| John Prescott | DT | 6-0 | 240 | Fr. | HS | Beaumont, Texas (Ozen HS) |
| Chris Pruitt | DE | 6-3 | 215 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Davis HS) |
| Harrison Tatum | QB | 6-1 | 200 | Fr. | HS | Port Neches, Texas (Port Neches-Groves HS) |
| Branden Thomas | CB | 5-9 | 180 | Fr. | HS | Beaumont, Texas (Central HS) |
| Ricky Wagner | DT | 6-1 | 250 | Fr. | HS | Livingston, Texas (Livingston HS) |
| James Washington | LB | 6-0 | 210 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (Madison HS) |
| Jestin White | DE | 6-4 | 210 | Fr. | HS | Houston, Texas (North Shore HS) |
Emone Bailey
Offensive Line
6-4, 310, Fr.
HS
Houston, Texas.
Alief Elsik HS
Played offensive and defensive line for coach Bill Baron ... Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press ... First Team All-District as a senior after Second team honors as a junior ... 2008 Elsik Ram MVP and "Boss Hog of the Year" Award winner ... First Team Academic All-District.
Stephen Babin
Offensive Line
6-5, 280, Fr.
HS
Bellville, Texas
Bellville HS
Three-year letterwinner for coach Huey Chancellor ... Second Team All-State, First Team All-District, First Team Academic All-State and All-District ... Didn't allow a
sack his senior season and recorded 142 pancake blocks while grading out at 98 percent ... Voted captain and Most Valuable Offensive Lineman by his teammates ... Invited to play in Houston's Lone Star Bowl ... Helped the Brahmas to the Class 3A state quarterfinals with a 12-2 record and the District 25-3A title ... Named Academic All-District his sophomore and junior seasons ... Carries a 4.159 grade point average and has been an Academic Excellence Award recipient all four years ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Also a member of the Latin and Environmental Clubs at Bellville ... Active in his church and Young Life ... Played the trombone in the band as a freshman and sophomore.
Asa Cardenas
Wide Receiver
6-0, 190, Fr.
HS
Nederland, Texas
Nederland HS
Played for coach Larry Neumann at Nederland HS ... The top receiver in SE Texas who led District 20-4A in receptions (37), yards (600), yards per catch (16.2), TDs (12) while playing in nine games ... Was named to the Port Arthur News Super Team and the Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team as a junior and senior ... Also nabbed All-State honors in 2008 and All-District 2-4A accolades in 2007 and 2008 ... The Bulldogs went 5-5 in 2008 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs ... Season-high 141 yards on five catches in the season-opener against West Orange-Stark HS ... Had a pair of 30-yard receptions in 49-0 win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville ... Hauled in a season-best eight balls for 85 yards and two TDs against Livingston ... One week later against Vidor he had two more TD catches thanks to 112 yards on six catches ... Had three catches for 84 yards - including a 41-yarder and a 30-yard TD - in his final prep game against Magnolia in the area round of the state playoffs ... Finished his junior year with 67 receptions, 944 yards and 12 TDs in 10 games.
Jesse Dickson
Defensive End
6-3, 235, Fr.
HS
Houston, Texas
Alief Taylor HS
Three-year letterman for coach Trevor White at Alief Taylor HS ... Second Team All-District as a senior after earning Honorable Mention recognition on defense in 2007 and offense in 2006 ... Also lettered in basketball soccer and track ... Will play baseball for the Lions this spring ... Member of the Taylor African American Student Association (TAASA) and Peer Assistance Leadership Service (PALS) ... Active with the music group at Cathedral Assemblies of Prayers.
Chris Drayton
Quarterback
6-5, 190, Fr.
HS
Corrigan, Texas
Corrigan-Camden HS
Three-sport athlete who played football for coach Seven Armstrong at Corrigan-Camden HS, the same school that produced Lamar head coach Ray Woodard ... First Team All-District at defensive back and Second Team at quarterback as a senior ... Honorable Mention All-District at QB his junior year ... Also a standout basketball and track athlete for the Bulldogs ... Named First Team All-District as a Center in basketball ... Member of the 2008 2A state champion mile relay and district champ in the triple jump.
Johnathan Ekpe
Linebacker
6-0, 200, Jr.
JC
Cape Vincent, N.Y.
Thousand Island HS/Dean College
Two-year letterwinner for coach Todd Vasey at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. ... The Bulldogs went 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the Northeast Football Conference (Region XXI) in 2008 and appeared in the Graphic Edge Bowl ... Team captain in 2008 ... Appeared in all 11 games and finished with 59 tackles, 36 solo, five sacks, four pass break-ups and three interceptions ... Also forced two fumbles and recovered a pair ... Second team All-Conference ... Named NFC Co-Defensive Player of the Week following the regular-season finale when he recorded six tackles - four solo - and picked off a pair of passes ... ... Also carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards and three TDs, and had two receptions for 84 total yards, including s 76-yard TD ... DC went 9-1 in 2007 and claimed the NFC title with a 4-1 record ... Also recruited by Rutgers, Syracuse, Buffalo and Coastal Carolina.
Four-year starter at running back for coach Joe Gilfus at Thousand Island HS ... All-State selection at RB as a junior and senior, while adding All-State honors as a safety in 2006 (senior).
Barry Ford
Wide Receiver
6-2, 190, Fr.
HS
Houston, Texas
Spring Westfield HS
Played for coach Corby Meekins at Spring Westfield ... First Team All-District as a junior in 2007 before missing part of his senior season with an injury ... Had 24 receptions for 340 yards and nine TDs ... Also recruited by Utah and Boise State ... Also ran track and was a member of the 4x400 all-district champion quartet ... Also ran the 400 ... Academic All-District.
Mario Foster
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 255, Jr.
JC
Biloxi, Miss.
Biloxi HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Played for coach Steve Campbell at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC in Perkinston, Miss. ... 24 tackles, 10 solo, two for loss, six sacks, one foreced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 11 QB hurries as a sophomore in 2008 ... 2007 NJCAA Co-National Champions and No. 5 final ranking in 2008 after defeating Georgia Military College in the inaugural Mississippi Bowl ... MJCCC went 22-2 from 2007-08 captured the MACJC state title both seasons.
Played high school ball for coach Russell at Biloxi HS.
Darby Jackson
Defensive End
6-3, 220, Jr.
JC
Humble, Texas
Humble HS/Navarro College
Two-year letterwinner for coaches Nick Bobeck and Ray Woodard at Navarro ... Second Team All-SWJCFC ... Finished with 58 tackles and six sacks ... The Bulldogs' defense yielded 301 yards per game and had 17 interceptions, 42.5 sacks and 78 tackles for loss ... Navarro spent seven weeks atop the NJCAA/JCFootball.com Top-25 in 2008.
Played for coach Walt Beasley at Humble HS ... First Team All-District.
Jeremy Kirt
Defensive End
6-2, 230, Fr.
Houston, Texas
Madison HS
Played for coach Ray Seals at Madison HS ... Second Team All-District ... The Marlins went 8-3 and reached the regional round of the Class 5A Division 2 playoffs.
Donte Lopez
Wide Receiver
5-9, 180, Fr.
Beaumont, Texas
West Brook HS
Played for coach Craig Stump at West Brook HS ... Had 13 catches fro 200 yards and three TDs as a receiver and a 25 yards per return average as a kick returner ... Helped the Bruins to the area round of the state playoffs with a 9-2 record and 4-1 in District 21-5A ... In 2007 WB was 10-2 and 7-0 in 21-5A while reaching the area round of the state playoffs ... Three-year letterman and two-year starter on the basketball team who has averaged 16 points per game.
Christian Louis
Quarterback
6-0, 205, Fr.
Beaumont, Texas
West Brook HS
Two year starter for coach Craig Stump at West Brook HS ... Named First Team All-District and to the Port Arthur News Super Team as a senior ... District 21-5A MVP by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, First Team All-Region, First Team All-District and to the Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team as a junior in 2007... Threw for 1,579 yards with a 60.7 completion pct. (105-173) and 12 TDs ... Also rushed for 102 yards and a pair of scores ... Passed for 2,018 yards and 16 TDs as a junior in 2007 ... Helped the Bruins to the area round of the state playoffs with a 9-2 record and 4-1 in District 21-5A ... In 2007 WB was 10-2 and 7-0 in 21-5A while reaching the area round of the state playoffs ... Was also recruited by Sam Houston State.
Ryan McLin
Defensive Line
6-4, 285, Fr.
Port Neches, Texas
Port Neches-Groves HS
Two-year letterman for coach Matt Burnett at PNG HS ... All-District at offensive tackle as a senior ... Helped lead the Indians to an 8-4 record in 2007 and 11 wins in his two seasons.
Cody Milam
Offensive Line
6-4, 290, Fr.
Allen, Texas
Allen HS
Three-year letterman and two-year starter for coach Tom Westerberg at Allen HS ... Team captain who was named All-District as a senior ... Helped lead the Eagles to the Class 5A Division I State Championship after consecutive District 9-5A titles in 2006 and 2007 ... Community service activities include volunteering with Special Olympics, Reading with the Eagles and serving as a peer tutor for special education students.
Mark Murrill
Defensive Tackle
6-2, 240, Fr.
Lumberton, Texas
Lumberton HS
Three year varsity starter for coach Alvin Credeur at Lumberton HS ... AP Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-District as a senior ... Willie Ray Smith nominee ... Helped the Raiders to their first playoff appearance in school history in 2007 when they were District 20-4A tri-champs with an 11-2 overall record (2-1 in playoffs) ... Followed that up with an 8-2 mark in 2008 and were District 20-4A co-champs ... 50 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2008 ... As a junior in 2007, he finished with 41 tackles, six for loss, three sacks and forced one fumble ... LHS went 4-6 in 2006 as he completed his first varsity season with 36 tackles, seven for loss and a pair of sacks ... 2007-08 Second Team All-District in soccer ... 2008-09 National Honor Society.
Jordan Nixon
Running Back
6-0, 230, Fr.
Livingston, Texas
Livingston HS
Played for coach Randy Rowe at Livingston HS ... Led the Lions in rushing with 735 yards on 124 carries and 10 TDs ... Rushed for over 100 yards four times as a senior ... Carried the ball 19 times (for 106 yards) against Beaumont Ozen and again three weeks later (with 139 yards) against Nederland ... Rushed for two scores with a game-high 133 yards on 10 carries against Vidor ... Had a season-high 20 rushes for 106 yards in a playoff loss to Dayton ... The Lions went 8-3 and made the playoffs in their first year in District 20-4A.
Keaton Parker
Running Back
5-7, 170, Fr.
Livingston, Texas
Livingston HS
Played running back, wide receiver and returned kicks for coach Randy Rowe at Livingston HS ... Named All-District on both sides of the ball as a junior and senior ... Led the team in receiving with nine catches for 153 yards and a pair of TDs ... Fourth on the team in rushing with 42 carries for 411 yards and five TDs ... Had a standout-game against Ozen HS with a 50-yard TD reception and a 95-yard kickoff return for a TD ... Carried the ball nine times for 112 yards with a TD, while adding a 32-yard TD catch against Nederland ... Season-high 119 yards rushing on eight carries and two TDs (including a 50-yard score) against Beaumont Central ... The Lions went 8-3 and made the playoffs in their first year in District 20-4A in 2008 ... Carries a 3.3 grade point average.
Keinon Peterson
Cornerback
5-10, 180, Fr.
Dickinson, Texas
Dickinson HS
Three-year varsity letterman for coach Warren Trahan at Dickinson HS ... First Team All-District and All-Galveston County as a junior and senior ... The Gators went 9-3 in 2008 and advanced to the regional round of the Class 5A Division 2 state playoffs ... A Junior Rotarian and volunteered with a monthly food drive benefitting the VFW and senior citizens.
John Prescott
Defensive Tackle
6-0, 240, Fr.
Beaumont, Texas
Ozen HS
Played for coach Ishan Rison at Ozen HS ... The Panthers were 3-6 in 2008 ... Was recruited as a defensive tackle but also played on the offensive line.
Chris Pruitt
Defensive End
6-3, 215, Fr.
Houston, Texas
Davis HS
Played for coach Chuck Arnold at Davis HS ... The Jaguars went 9-2 in 2008 and advanced to the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals ... Houston Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year finalist as a senior ... Third Team Class 4A All-State and First Team Greater Houston ... Also plays basketball and averages 21 ppg.
Harrison Tatum
Quarterback
6-1, 200, Fr.
Port Neches, Texas
Port Neches-Groves HS
Three-year starter at QB for coach - and former Lamar assistant - Matt Burnett at Port Neches-Groves HS ... Named Honorable Mention All-Southeast Texas, Tomorrow's Team and Second Team All-District ... Threw for 1,024 yards on 71-of-155 passing with seven TDs as a senior (also rushed for two TDs) ... As a junior he completed 74-of-164 passes for 1,073 yards, seven TDs in leading the Indians to the District 20-4A title and an 8-4 record ... Moved from JV to varsity as a sophomore and after appearing as a backup in the first district game of the 2006 season, he took over the starting role for the remainder of his career ... Was also recruited by Stephen F. Austin.
Branden Thomas
Cornerback
5-9, 180, Fr.
Beaumont, Texas
Central HS
Three-year letterman and two-year starter for coach Donald Stowers at Beaumont Central HS ... Second Team All-District in 2008 after Honorable Mention honors in 2007 ... 56 tackles, 32 solo, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, five pass break ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a TD ... Also returned punts for the Jaguars and had a 18.6 yard average ... In 2007 as a junior he had 29 tackles, 10 PBUs and a pair of interceptions ... The Jaguars went 9-4 in 2008 and advanced to the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals ... Also ran track all four years and was a state qualifier ... Member of the National Honor Society and the Junior NAACP.
Ricky Wagner
Defensive Tackle
6-1, 250, Fr.
Livingston, Texas
Livingston HS
Played for coach Randy Rowe at Livingston HS ... First Team All-District ... The Lions went 8-3 and made the playoffs in their first year in District 20-4A.
James Washington
Linebacker
6-0, 210, Fr.
Houston, Texas
Madison HS
Played for coach Ray Seals at Madison HS ... First-Team All-District and All-Greater Houston area ... Team Defensive MVP ... The Marlins went 8-3 and reached the regional round of the Class 5A Division 2 playoffs ... Ran track and was a regional finalist in the 110 hurdles after winning the district championships.
Jestin White
Defensive End
6-4, 210, Fr.
Houston, Texas
Galena Park North Shore HS
Played for coach David Aymond at North Shore HS, a program which has produced numerous Division I signees and broke the national high school record of consecutive regular-season victories with 73 ... First Team All-District his senior year following Honorable Mention plaudits as a junior in 2007 ... The Mustangs reached the area round of the 2008 Class 5A Division I playoffs after reaching the state semifinals with a 14-1 mark in 2007 ... Named NSHS Most Valuable Defensive Lineman at 2007-08 ... teammates that signed with Nebraska and Fresno State ... Also lettered in track ... Named Most Outgoing Sophomore ... Active with the AIDS Walk for Life and the March of Dimes.
