ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University football Head Coach Hal Mumme introduced his “Class of 2012” on Wednesday evening, a list of 18 student-athletes who will be the cornerstone of the War Hawk program's transition to NCAA Division II beginning in the Fall of 2012.
The group will also be among the first student-athletes on the McMurry campus to receive athletic scholarships since the 1976-77 season.
As one examines the demographics of the “Class of 2012,” not surprising perhaps is the fact that no less than 13 of the newcomers will be on the offensive side of the ball and should enhance Mumme's “Air Raid” offense. The largest number of recruits were at the wide receiver position, where all five come in with both good credentials and good size. The quintet all stands better than 6-foot, with two of them checking in at 6-foot-3.
Up front on offense, McMurry brought in some sizeable protectors. Among the four men added to the offensive front – charged with giving the War Hawk quarterbacks time to scan the field in the high-powered scheme – three check in at 300 pounds or better. The incoming “O-line” has an average size of 6-foot-4 and 294-lbs.
Mumme has also added three running backs to the McM stable, as well as a state championship quarterback.
On defense, the initial “Class of 2012” members includes two safeties, a defensive end, as well as a state championship and all-state linebacker. One special teams player – a kicker/punter – rounds out McMurry's first wave of recruits for 2012.
As far as the high school supply line goes, three players will be coming from 3A state champion Wimberley (
Brady Lambert, QB; Nick Alana, LB;
Taylor Robertson, OL), along with two each from Denton Guyer (
Josh King, K/P;
Ryan Williams, S) and Smithson Valley (Easton McIntosh, WR;
Nolan Nasis, OL).
Mumme's group will have some local flavor with one recruit each from Abilene (
Paxton Grayer, RB), Abilene Cooper (
Garrison Railsback, DE), Brownwood (Stehl Ratliff, RB), and San Angelo Central (Corey Lopez, WR).
Burleson (
Barrett Cain, WR), Sachse (Billy Cole, RB), Ft. Bend Hightower (
Ryan Nelson, WR), Corpus Christi Moody (Charlie Thornton, OL), A&M Consolidated (
Brett Mahnke, S), Allen (
Jake Trotter, OL) and Grand Prairie (
A.J. Singleton, WR) all contributed one player, as well.
Three of the new War Hawks will also be bringing Academic All-State credentials in as a part of their résumés.
“I think that this group will be a great compliment to the outstanding things the players over the past few seasons have accomplished here,” Mumme said. “This group will also be integral as we make that move toward full NCAA Division II membership and the type of young man we want to represent McMurry University Football.
“We obviously want a high-caliber athlete. But just as important is that we have individuals who can carry the name of McMurry – as well as the city of Abilene – to other places as we compete and be good 'ambassadors'.”
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PLAYER
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POS
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HIGH SCHOOL
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HT
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WT
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NOTES
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Nick Alana
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LB
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Wimberley
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6-2
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220
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- Member of 3A State Championship team
- 3A-26 Defensive MVP
- 3A First Team All-State
- First Team Academic All-State
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Barrett Cain
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WR
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Burleson
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6-2
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185
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- 2011 First Team All-District (QB)
- 2011 Second Team All-District (P)
- 2011 DFW Super Team – Second Team (P)
- 2011 First Team All-Country (QB)
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Billy Cole
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RB
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Sachse
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5-9
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190
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- 5A-10 First Team All-District
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Paxton Grayer
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RB
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Abilene
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5-9
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185
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- 5A-3 Offensive MVP
- Class 5A BigCountryHomepage.com Sports “Player of the Year”
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Josh King
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K/P
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Denton Guyer
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5-8
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185
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- 5A-7 First Team All-District
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Brady Lambert
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QB
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Wimberley
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6-1
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195
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- Led team to 3A State Championship
- 3A-26 Offensive MVP
- 3A All-State HM
- Dave Campbell's Region 4 MVP
- Austin American Statesman All-Central Texas Newcomer
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Corey Lopez
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WR
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San Angelo Central
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6-3
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180
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- 5A-2 Second Team All-District
- All-West Texas Super Team
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Brett Mahnke
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S
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A&M Consolidated
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5-11
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170
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- 5A-12 First Team All-District
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Easton McIntosh
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WR
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Smithson Valley
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6-3
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185
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- 4A-27 First Team All-District
- 2011 Academic All-State HM
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Nolan Nasis
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OL
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Smithson Valley
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6-3
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300
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- 4A-27 First Team All-District
- 2011 Academic All-State HM
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Ryan Nelson
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WR
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Ft. Bend Hightower
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6-0
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175
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- 5A-23 First Team All-District
- All-Sun First Team All-District
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Garrison Railsback
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DE
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Abilene Cooper
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6-3
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225
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- 5A-3 First Team All-District
- All-State HM
- First Team All-Big Country
- First Team All-Big Country Super Team
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Stehl Ratliff
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RB
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Brownwood
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5-11
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200
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- 3A-5 First Team All-District
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Taylor Robertson
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OL
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Wimberley
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6-7
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310
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- Member of 3A State Championship team
- Two-time 6-man All-State (So & Jr)
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A.J. Singleton
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WR
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Grand Prairie
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6-0
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170
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- 5A-5 First Team All-District
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Charlie Thornton
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OL
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Corpus Christi Moody
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6-3
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300
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- 4A-31 All-District HM (So)
- 4A-31 First Team All-District (Jr)
- 4A-21 First Team All-District (Sr)
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Jake Trotter
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OL
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Allen
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6-1
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265
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- 5A-8 First Team All-District
- DFW 5A Second Team All-Area
- All-Colin County First Team
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Ryan Williams
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S
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Denton Guyer
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5-11
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170
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- 5A-7 First Team All-District
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