Missouri Football Announces 2001 Recruiting Class
2/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 7, 2001
COLUMBIA, Mo.- University of Missouri Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel announced the signings of 24 football players on Wednesday's "National Letter-of-Intent Day" for college football. Pinkel, who was hired on Nov. 30, got off to a late start in recruiting, but his staff was able to put together what many believe is the best recruiting class that Missouri has had in quite some time.
Of the 24 signees, eight are from the St. Louis, Mo. area, a region that Missouri has been criticized for allowing talent to get away for a number of years. In all, 10 of Missouri's recruits are from the state of Missouri or southwest Illinois. The Tigers also had success in the state of Texas, garnering five signatures, as well as three top recruits from the state of Ohio, whom Pinkel and his staff had been recruiting while at the University of Toledo. Missouri also signed two talented players out of Michigan and inked future Tigers out of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Oklahoma and California.
2001 RECRUITING CLASS
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL/JUCO) |
| Arnold Britt | ATH | 6-2 | 180 | St. Louis, Mo. (Vashon) |
| Elgin Childress | TE/LB | 6-2 | 220 | Southfield, Mich. (Southfield High) |
| Sean Coffey | WR/DB | 6-6 | 205 | Cleveland, Ohio (Shaw) |
| Chris Crosby | WR/DB | 6-3 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. (CBC) |
| Ben Fredrickson | TE | 6-4 | 252 | Westminster, Calif. (LaQuinta/Orange Coast College) |
| Orlando Gooden | RB/DB | 6-0 | 180 | East St. Louis, Ill. (Cahokia High) |
| A.J. Kincade | RB/DB | 5-11 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. (Hazelwood Central) |
| Marcus King | QB/DB | 5-11 | 180 | Irving, Texas (Nimitz) |
| Derrick Ming | RB/LB | 6-0 | 230 | Webster Groves, Mo. (Webster Groves High) |
| C.J. Mosley | OL/DL | 6-3 | 290 | Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. (Waynesville) |
| Damien Nash | RB/DB | 5-11 | 195 | East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis) |
| Thomson Omboga | WR/DB | 6-2 | 180 | Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Prairie High) |
| Tony Palmer | OL/DL | 6-3 | 290 | Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City) |
| Jason Rhodes | OL/DL | 6-6 | 290 | Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill South) |
| Santino "Sonny" Riccio | QB/DB | 6-2 | 195 | Ellwood City, Pa. (Lincoln) |
| Tyrone Roberson | RB/DB | 5-10 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. (Pattonville) |
| Justin Scott | WR/DB | 6-1 | 185 | Lufkin, Texas (Hastings Alief) |
| Jason Simpson | WR/DB | 6-1 | 185 | The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands High) |
| Brad Smith | QB/DB | 6-3 | 190 | Youngstown, Ohio (Chaney) |
| Brandon Smith | TE/LB | 6-2 | 210 | Stanford, Ky. (Lincoln County) |
| Tim Starks | ATH | 6-1 | 205 | Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Heights/ Los Angeles Valley College) |
| Earl Stephens | TE/DL | 6-4 | 230 | Ferndale, Mich. (Oak Park) |
| Quincy Wade | RB/DB | 5-9 | 178 | St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh) |
| Calvin Washington | WR/DB | 6-1 | 185 | Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster High) |
Here is a brief biographic look at Missouri's 2001 recruiting class.
ARNOLD BRITT, ATH, 6-2, 180, St. Louis, Mo. (Vashon)
Product of Vashon High School in St. Louis ... an excellent athlete who starred as a quarterback at the high school level ... ranked as the 66th top high school QB prospect in the country by Rivals.com. ... rated as the No. 1 athlete in the MO/Kan. region by MOKAN.com ... second team all-Metro selection and a two-time all-league pick ... passed for 1,118 yards while rushing for over 700 yards as a junior ... last year threw for over 900 yards while rushing for 500 yards ... also was a star on Vashon's nationally-ranked basketball team and legendary high school coach Floyd Irons ... a member of the Herbert Hoover Boys Club ... intends to pursue a degree in business ... high school coach - Anthony Mitchell ... son of Arnold Britt and Melissa Moore ... born April 17, 1983.
ELGIN CHILDRESS, TE/LB, 6-2, 220, Southfield, Mich. (Southfield)
Linebacker prospect who racked up 230 tackles in his career ... a three-time all-league performer who earned honorable all-state honors this past season ... made 127 tackles (72 solo, 55 assists) and recorded six quarterback sacks ... a big play performer as he intercepted two passes, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles ... ranked as the 29th top player in the state of Michigan by one publication ... member of the Southfield Student Congress, St. Gerards Parish Youth Group ... also lettered in wrestling and track ... high school football coach - David Reese ... intends to pursue a degree in business management ... son of Stanley and L. Joy Childress, both of whom are teachers ... born Feb. 25, 1983.
SEAN COFFEY, WR/DB, 6-6, 205, Cleveland, Ohio (Shaw)
Talented wide receiver who is one of the top all-around athletes in the this year's recruiting class ... tabbed a high school All-American by ESPN ... an all-state selection last year after catching 34 passes for 903 yards and 12 touchdowns ... recorded 26 receptions for 648 yards and 7 TDs as a junior ... two-time all-league selection ... enjoyed fabulous basketball and track careers ... all-state pick in both sports ... is the defending Ohio state high school high jump champion ... a member of his Shaw High School's Black History Committee ... intends to pursue a degree in business management ... high school coach - Devlin Culliver ... son of Ollie and Kathi Coffey ... father is a coin collector ... born July 12, 1983.
CHRIS CROSBY, WR/DB, 6-3, 195, St. Louis, Mo. (CBC)
One of the top high school talents in the city of St. Louis and ranked among the top 50 wide receivers in the country ... rated as the No. 1wide receiver in the MO/Kan. region by MOKAN.com ... a first-team all-state, all-Metro and all-conference selection ... racked up 48 receptions for 957 yards, averaging 19.9 yards per catch ... scored 12 touchdowns on the season ... three-sport athlete who also lettered in basketball and track and field ... was voted the team's most improved track athlete last spring ... involved in a number of organizations including the Organization for Black Cultural Awareness where he is the President and serves as a counselor at the Salvation Army and YMCA ... intends to enroll in the College of Arts and Science and pursue a degree in mathematics ... high school coach - Bob Shannon ... son of Jack and Gail Crosby ... born May 28, 1983.
BEN FREDRICKSON, TE, 6-4, 255, Westminster, Calif. (La Quinta/ Orange Coast College)
Junior College All-American tight end who was the team MVP at Orange Coast College last season ... caught 38 passes for 472 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2000 ... pulled in 30 receptions for 491 yards and 5 TDs in 1999 ... a California junior college all-state selection last year and two-time all-Mission Conference pick ... two-time team MVP at LaQuinta High School where he starred on both sides of the football ... was a three-year letterwinner in both football and basketball and lettered in baseball his junior and senior years ... JUCO coach - Mike Taylor ... high school coach - Jeff Veeder ... son of Jeff and Theresa Fredrickson ... born Oct. 17, 1980.
ORLANDO GOODEN, RB/DB, 6-1, 192, East St. Louis, Ill. (Cahokia)
All-American defensive back and a two-time all-state performer in Illinois ... two-time all-conference selection ... a three-year starter who intercepted eight passes in his career ... recorded 178 tackles, forced eight fumbles and recovered seven fumbles ... a star on offense as well, racking up 1,382 yards rushing last year (10.3 yards per carry) and scoring 15 touchdowns ... ended his career with over 2,500 yards rushing and 33 touchdowns ... also caught 31 passes in his career for 575 yards ... also lettered in basketball and track ... a member of Cahokia High's Student Council and Jobs for Graduates program ... high school football coach - Rob Eden ... son of E.V. Gooden and Dianne Foster ... born Aug. 22, 1982. Nickname is "Doc."
A.J. KINCADE, RB/DB, 5-11, 185, St. Louis, Mo. (Hazelwood Central)
One of the top defensive backs in state of Missouri and ranked among the top 65 DBs in the country by Rivals.com ... Prep Star ranks him among the top 20 defensive backs in the entire Midwest ... possesses great speed (4.4 in the 40-yard dash) ... is already physically strong for his size, bench pressing 270 lbs and squatting 470 lbs. ... has a 34-inch vertical jump ... first-team all-state and all-metro selection and two-time all-district pick ... has a nose for the football as he registered six career interceptions and forced eight fumbles ... also recovered four fumbles ... racked up 106 solo tackles in three varsity seasons while assisting on 74 others ... also recorded 33 career pass breakups ... on offense, rushed for 1,443 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2000, averaging 9.5 yards per carry ... also lettered in track and field ... intends to pursue a degree in marketing ... high school coach - John Pukala ... son of Arthur Kincade and Bessie Kincade ... father is a software engineer, mother is a international customer support representative ... full name - Arthur Johnson Kincade III. ... born Dec. 11, 1982.
MARCUS KING, QB/DB, 5-11, 180, Irving, Texas (Nimitz)
Hails from one of the top high school football programs in the country that has also produced current Tigers Adrian Cole, Eric Earthly and Jemarcus Joshua ... rated as the one of the top 60 defensive backs in the nation ... a three-year starter who was tabbed the team MVP this past season ... first-team all-district selection and was a second-team all-district punter ... doubled as the team's quarterback ... posted 13 career interceptions ... a tremendous tackler and a hard-hitter ... registered 179 career tackles and 30 forced fumbles ... threw for 649 yards (39-of-90) and 5 TDs last year ... rushed for 300 yards on 35 carries ... As a junior, completed 20-of-50 passes for 227 yards and 3 TDs ... rushed for 302 yards and two touchdowns ... a track star his freshman year, qualifying for the Junior Olympics and finishing 13th in the triple jump ... ran the 100 meters in 10.58 seconds and long jumped 22'8 as a junior ... intends to major in accounting ... high school coach - Mike Farda ... son of Fernando King and Beverly Blackmon ... born March 24, 1982.
DERRICK MING, RB/LB, 5-11, 230, Webster Groves, Mo. (Webster Groves)
One of the top linebackers in the St. Louis area ... rated as the No. 1 fullback in the MO/Kan. region by MOKAN.com ... an all-state selection and a first team all-Metro and all-conference pick ... racked up 64 tackles and five quarterback sacks last year ... also intercepted a pass ... a two-time all-conference pick as a running back ... rushed for 1,305 yards on 150 carries in 2000 ... also caught 15 passes for 208 yards ... scored 20 touchdowns on the year ... a member of STAR, a group that helps the homeless at local soup kitchens ... an accomplished writer who intends to go into journalism at the No. 1 Journalism School in the country ... high school football coach - Cliff Ice ... son of Patricia Ming ... born July 16, 1982 ... claims that "Academics is the key to any door, take advantage and open them."
C.J. MOSLEY, OL/DL, 6-3, 290, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. (Waynesville)
Missouri product who garnered all-state accolades in 2000 and is currently ranked among the top 55 defensive line prospects in the country according to Rivals.com ... rated as the second-best defensive lineman in the MO/Kan region by MOKAN.com ... three-time first team all-district selection who recorded 21 career quarterback sacks ... in 2000, had 97 tackles and 10 sacks ... finished his career with 267 tackles in three seasons ... is also one of the top high school track athletes in the shot put as he finished third in the shot at the Missouri high school state meet a year ago ... high school football coach - Rick Vernon ... son of Calvin, Sr. and Angela Mosley ... father is in the U.S. Army ... full name - Calvin Michael Mosley, Jr. ... born Aug. 6, 1983.
DAMIEN NASH, RB/DB, 5-11, 195, East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis)
One of the prize recruits of the Missouri recruiting class ... rated among the nation's top 15 to 30 running backs in the nation by most recruiting services ... rushed for 1,444 yards and 28 touchdowns this past season, despite missing the first game of the season ... also caught four passes for 87 yards and completed three passes throwing the football for 97 yards and a touchdown ... followed his high school to East St. Louis after spending his first three seasons at St. Louis Riverview Gardens ... helped lead Riverview Gardens to the Missouri Class 5A state title in 1998 ... for his four-year career, rushed for 5,395 yards, tallied 311 receiving yards and scored 95 touchdowns ... also threw for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdowns ... a track star as well as we was timed in the 100 meters at 10.3 seconds on two different occasions last year ... a three-time St. Louis Post-Dispatch first team all-Metro selection ... a member of Teenage Health Consultants and is a Teen Reach mentor ... intends to pursue a degree in journalism ... high school coach - Darren Sunkett ... son of Kim Nash ... born Apr. 14, 1982.
THOMSON OMBOGA, WR/DB, 6-2, 180, Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Prairie)
Regarded as one of the top wide receivers in the country ... ranked as the 27th top wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com ... ranked as the fifth top receiver in the Midlands (Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma) by Prep Star ... a first team all-state performer in the state of Texas ... recorded 50 receptions for 1,027 yards and nine touchdowns last season ... as a junior, caught 51 passes for 900 yards and 10 TDs ... pulled in 32 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore ... two-time first team all-district and all-area ... two-year basketball starter and placed third in the state in the 110 hurdles last year (13.7 seconds) ... high school coach - Jerry Bomar ... son of Cassandra Omboga ... born Feb. 19, 1982.
TONY PALMER, OL/DL, 6-3, 290, Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City)
Big offensive line prospect who was named the Blue Chip Offensive Lineman of the Year in the state of Oklahoma ... tabbed first team all-state by the Daily Oklahoman as well as all-Metro and all-city honors ... had a solid defensive career as well racking up 133 tackles and forcing 11 fumbles ... recorded six fumbles on his own last year ... hails from the same city that produced Missouri all-conference cornerback and 1998 Insight.com Bowl MVP Julian Jones ... intends to major in elementary education ... high school football coach - Ricky Oliver ... son of Richard and Adrianne Gaines ... father is an aircraft supervisor, mother is an aircraft mechanic ... father is also a church pastor where Tony sings and plays the piano ... born Feb. 23, 1983.
JASON RHODES, OL/DL, 6-6, 290, Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill South)
The top offensive line product in the state of Missouri and is ranked among the top 90 offensive linemen in the country by Rivals.com ... considered the second-best offensive lineman in the state of Missouri by MOKAN.com ... enters Missouri already physically strong as he is also a power-lifter ... all-state, all-Metro and all-district selection ... team was the district champions in 1999 ... also an all-conference selection in track and field in the shot put as he has thrown the shot 51 feet ... intends to pursue a degree in business ... high school coach - Greg Jones ... son of Steven and Cindy Rhodes ... born Dec. 4, 1982.
SANTINO "SONNY" RICCIO, QB/DB, 6-2, 195, Ellwood City, Pa. (Lincoln)
Athletic quarterback who was a four-year letterwinner at the varsity level ... completed 42-of-88 passes a senior for 618 yards and six touchdowns ... rushed for 601 yards on 77 carries and 8 TDs ... rushed for 454 yards and 7 TDs and threw for 1,353 yards and 15 TDs as a junior ... unanimous all-conference selection at quarterback and the league MVP ... selected for the Big 33 Game (Ohio vs. Pennsylvania), the most prestigious All-Star Game in Ohio/Pennsylvania ... talented baseball player as well who has attended tryouts for the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins ... led his high school baseball team with a .370 batting average ... voted to play in the American Legion All-Star Game last year at Three Rivers Stadium ... involved in working at his parents restaurant as well as working with a production crew for a local television station ... high school football coach - Curt Agostinalli ... son of Vince and Patricia Riccio ... born July 23, 1982.
TYRONE ROBERSON, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, St. Louis, Mo. (Pattonville)
The top running back prospect in the state of Missouri ... ranked among the top 85 running back prospects in the nation by Rivals.com ... rated as the No. 1 running back in the state of Missouri by MOKAN.com ... ranked the 14th best running back in the Midlands by Prep Star which includes the states of Texas and Oklahoma ... Named the Offensive Player of the Year by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Argus ... the Metro Player of the Year and first team all-state selection ... two-time all-district pick ... accumulated 2,766 all-purpose yards in 2000 and scored 28 touchdowns ... registered 2,020 yards in total offense ... rushed for 1,569 yards while compiling 451 receiving yards ... as a junior, rushed for 1,102 yards and racked up 456 yards in returns ... scored 12 touchdowns ... an outstanding baseball player who was ranked the No. 2 prospect at the Team One Baseball Camp at the University of Notre Dame ... a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Focus St. Louis and Young People Talking ... intends to major in either marketing or accounting ... high school football coach - Don Greco ... son of Charles and Cheryl Roberson ... father is a pastor, mother is a customer service representative at Western Union ... born Feb. 15, 1983.
JUSTIN SCOTT, WR/DB, 6-1, 190, Lufkin, Texas (Hastings Alief)
The defensive most valuable player for Hastings Alief High last season and a two-time all-district performer ... recorded 86 tackles last season and intercepted two passes, returning one for an 88-yard touchdown ... picked off three passes as a junior ... an excellent return man as well ... returned a punt 46 yards for a touchdown last season and returned another punt for a TD as a junior ... intends to major in accounting ... high school - Bobby Stuart ... son of Elayne McClendon ... born Nov. 28, 1982.
JASON SIMPSON, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands)
Defensive back prospect who shined as a high school senior last year ... all-district and all-county selection ... a playmaker who recorded three interceptions (one for a touchdown) and two fumble recoveries ... tallied 78 tackles ... named the team's defensive player of the week six times during the season and team MVP twice ... caught six passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns ... also lettered in track ... member of Young Life, HAMUN Geographical Society, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... has also volunteered in nursing homes ... intends to major in finance and banking ... high school coach - Waldon Willig ... son of Mike Simpson and Charles and Karen Heitz ... mother is the Assistant Athletic Director and basketball coach at the Woodlands High School ... born Apr. 6, 1983.
BRAD SMITH, QB/DB, 6-3, 190, Youngstown, Ohio (Chaney)
Talented quarterback who was one of the top prospects on the list of Missouri's new coaching staff while at Toledo ... continued to recruit him to Mizzou ... two-time all-state selection and two-time All-City Offensive Player of the Year ... threw for over 2,700 yards in his career and 34 touchdowns ... also rushed for over 1,200 yards and 19 TDs ... an all-city pick in basketball ... ... led his team to a perfect 10-0 record and a trip to the Ohio High School football playoffs ... member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... high school coach - Ron Berdis ... son of Phillip and Sherri Smith ... mother is an administrative assistant for Mt. Calvary Pentecostal ... born Dec. 12, 1983.
BRANDON SMITH, TE/LB, 6-2, 210, Stanford, Ky. (Lincoln County)
Two-time all-state and three-time all-district defensive end ... recorded 115 tackles in 2000, 15 of those for loss ... seven of the 15 tackles for losses were quarterback sacks ... enjoyed a monster junior campaign racking up 138 tackles, 18 quarterback sacks and 29 tackles for losses ... rushed 17 times offensively for 308 yards ... registered 27 receptions in his career for 625 yards ... returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown as a junior ... played for the district champion basketball team last year and was the 1999 region runner-up in the long jump and triple jump in track and field ... owns a 36-inch vertical jump ... best triple jump mark is 21'8 inches ... member of his high school's pep and science clubs as well Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... high school football coach - Tim Estes ... son of Jeanette Smith ... born Aug. 25, 1983.
TIM STARKS, ATH, 6-1, 205, Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Heights), Los Angeles Valley College
Junior College transfer who possesses a tremendous amount of speed ... has played running back for most of his career ... rushed for 500 yards and seven touchdowns last season at Los Angeles Valley College ... a two-sport star in high school ... a three-time all-conference selection ... rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and scored 50 touchdowns in three seasons ... was the MVP of his high school All-Star Game and an all-state nominee ... two-time state qualifier in track ... led his school to the state finals in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays both in 1998 and 1999 ... in high school, timed in the 100 meter dash at 10.79 seconds and the 200 meter dash at 22.1 seconds ... has plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice ... son of Tim Starks, Jr. ... born Dec. 31, 1979.
EARL STEPHENS, TE/DL, 6-4, 230, Ferndale, Mich. (Oak Park)
Product of Detroit who is ranked among the top 50 players in the state of Michigan ... all-Metro and all-league performer in 2000 ... recorded 33 receptions for 792 yards and 7 touchdowns ... also was on the receiving end of eight 2-point conversions in his career ... defensively, made 90 tackles and seven quarterback sacks ... also lettered in basketball ... played for his father, Keith Stephens ... son of Keith, Sr. and Dorothea Stephens ... born March 25, 1983.
QUINCY WADE, RB/DB, 5-9, 185, St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh)
A speedy defensive back out of St. Louis ... second team all-state selection ... first team all-district and named the Suburban West Defensive Player of the Year ... rated as the fourth-best cover cornerback in the MO/Kan. Region by MOKAN.com ... chalked up 102 tackles as a senior, five quarterback sacks and three interceptions ... made 74 tackles as a junior and picked off two passes ... rushed for 692 yards in his career, averaging nearly 7.5 yards per carry ... track star who is a two-time state qualifier ... led his team to the state record in the 4 x 100 meter relay in 1998 ... in 1999, was a state qualifier in the 100 meters and the 4 x 200 meters ... last year placed sixth in the state in the 100 meters, third in the 4 x 100 meter relay and sixth in the 4 x 200 meter relay ... member of the Big Brothers Mentoring Program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Matthews-Dickey Boy's Club ... intends to study computer science ... high school coach - Tim Beauchamp ... son of Doris Wade ... born Feb. 5, 1982.
CALVIN WASHINGTON, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster)
Talented wide receiver out of the state of Texas ... all-region and all-district and listed among the Dallas Morning News top 100 ... broke the school record for receiving yards in 2000 with 820 yards on 40 receptions ... scored five touchdowns ... helped lead Lancaster High to the Bi-District and Area championships ... also participated in track where he was a member of the district champion 4 x 400 relay team ... ran the 400 and 800 meter events as well as the high jump and pole vault ... timed at 10.68 seconds in the 100 meters ... a member of Christ Youth Group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... has an interest in physical therapy ... says he refuses to use the words "I can't" ... high school coach - Doug Black ... son Calvin, Sr. and Sheila Washington ... father is a Dallas fireman ... mother is a detention officer in the Dallas Sheriff's Department ... born Dec. 12, 1982.
