pitt helmetPITT STATE FOOTBALL
RECRUITING CLASS OF 2003 [updated 7:25 p.m., Feb. 5]
 
 

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."  -- Vince Lombardi
 
 
 

NATHAN ALLEMAN, 6-2, 175, FR, PK
  Hometown: Bartlesville, Okla.
  High School: Bartlesville
  H.S. Coach: Rich McGuire
Honors/Stats: honorable mention Oklahoma Class 6A All-State, 2002; led state of Oklahoma with 13 field goals, including four 40-yard kicks (41,41,47,48), 2002; converted 30-32 (.938) PATs, 2002; All-District and All-Area MVP, 2002; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: biology
 

"(Life's) a little like wrestling a Gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired -- you quit when the Gorilla is tired."  -- Robert Strauss
 

KYLE BECKER, 6-1, 200, FR, P
  Hometown: Derby, Kan.
  High School: Derby
  H.S. Coach: Tom Young
Honors/Stats: first-team All-Conference, 2002; 40.0 yard average per punt, 2002; helped lead the Panthers to the Kansas Class 6A state runner-up finish, 2002; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: chemistry (pre-pharmacy)
 

" We must use time creatively -- and forever realize that the time is always hope to do great things."  -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
 

DANIEL BERG, 6-0, 185, FR, LB
  Hometown: La Junta, Colo.
  High School: La Junta
  H.S. Coach: Gene Dixon
Honors/Stats: All-Conference, 2002; helped the Tigers to a pair of conference championships, 2000-01; a three-year football letterwinner, 2000-02.
Anticipated PSU major: business management
 

"Life is a game of survival of the fittest; the strong will survive. It's not how much talent you have, but how much of it you make use of and what kind of physical condition you are in."  -- Mike Pruitt
 

KYLE BERTHOLD, 6-0, 195, FR, LB
  Hometown: Lawrence, Kan.
  High School: Free State
  H.S. Coach: Bob Lisher
Honors/Stats: Two-year varsity letterwinner, 2001-02; starting linebacker who helped the Firebirds to a 7-2 overall record and a district title, 2002.
Anticipated PSU major: elementary education
 

"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence by seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control."  -- Tom Landry
 

JOHN BRASHEARS, 6-2, 244, FR, DL
  Hometown: Clarksville, Ark.
  High School: Clarksville
  H.S. Coach: Michael Banning
Honors/Stats: Arkansas Class AAAA All-State, 2002; recorded 133 tackles with 22 tackles-for-loss, including eight quarterback sacks, 2002; first-team All-Conference, 2002; KARV Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2002; 2003 All-Star game selection; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"The secret of winning football games is working more as a team, less as individuals. I play not my 11 best, but my best 11."  -- Knute Rockne
 

DREW BROWN, 6-2, 290, FR, OL
  Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
  High School: Blue Springs
  H.S. Coach: Kelly Donohoe
Honors/Stats: first-team Missouri Class 5A All-State, 2002; first-team All-Conference, All-District, All-Area, 2002; second-team All-Conference, All-District, All-Area, 2001; helped guide the Wildcats to a 14-0 record and the Missouri Class 5A state title in 2001; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: mathematics (secondary education)
 

"I have always tried to teach my players to be fighters. When I say that, I don't mean put up your dukes and get in a fistfight... I'm talking about facing adversity in your life... most people just lay down and quit. Well, I want my people to fight back."  -- Paul 'Bear' Bryant
 

KYLE BUNDY, 6-4, 276, FR, OL
  Hometown: Bixby, Okla.
  High School: Bixby
  H.S. Coach: Pat McGrew
Honors/Stats: honorable mention Oklahoma Class 5A All-State, 2002; District 4 Offensive Lineman of the Year, 2002; second-team All-Tulsa Metro, 2002; three-year starter for the Spartans; allowed just one sack in 35 career varsity starts; helped BHS a to district title in 2001.
Anticipated PSU major: plastics engineering technology
 

"Lots of people know how to be successful, but very few people know how to handle success."  -- Bum Phillips
 

JASON CLARK, 5-10, 165, FR, WR/DB
  Hometown: Pittsburg, Kan.
  High School: Pittsburg
  H.S. Coach: Merle Clark
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 5A All-State (Wichita Eagle, KFBCA), 2002; first-team All-Southeast Kansas League, 2001-02; 33 career receptions for 410 yards and two TDs; Purple Dragons second-leading tackler, 2002; four career INTs; helped guide PHS to a Class 5A state runner-up finish, 2001; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"There is nothing in this world that can't be accomplished through hard work and with the help of God. Don't be afraid to talk to God; after all, He is our Father."  -- Johnny Unitas
 

TYLER COLLUMS, 5-11, 187, FR, RB/LB
  Hometown: Bartlesville, Okla.
  High School: Bartlesville
  H.S. Coach: Rich McGuire
Honors/Stats: first-team Oklahoma Class 6A All-District linebacker, 2002; All-Region, 2001-02; All-Area, 2001-02; rushed for 812 yards, received for 415 yards, 2002; recorded 84 tackles, 2002; rushed for 558 yards, received for 457 yards, 2001; recorded 90 tackles with 3 INT, 2001.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"Great men are meteors designed to burn so that earth may be lighted."  -- Napoleon
 

PIERCE CURRAN, 6-1, 175, FR, PK
  Hometown: Clarksville, Ark.
  High School: Clarksville
  H.S. Coach: Michael Banning
Honors/Stats: Arkansas Class AAAA All-State, 2002; Arkansas State Super Team (Associated Press), 2002; first-team All-Conference and first-team All-River Valley, 2002; booted seven field goals, including three kicks over 50 yards; 2003 All-Star Game selection; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so."  -- Charles de Gaulle
 

NICK DELLASEGA, 6-0, 175, FR, DB
  Hometown: Pittsburg, Kan.
  High School: St. Mary's-Colgan
  H.S. Coach: Chuck Smith
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 2-1A All-State, 2002; Kansas Top 11 (All-State, All-Class), Kansas Coaches Assn., 2002; honorable mention Kansas Class 2-1A All-State, 2001; first-team All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League, 2001-02; 2003 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection; rushed for 1,000 yards and accumulated 2,000 all-purpose yards, 2002; helped guide SMC to three straight undefeated Kansas Class 2-1A state titles (40 straight wins), 2000-02; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: business administration
 

"After the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser and all the pomp and fanfare has faded, the enduring things that are left are: the dedication to excellence, the dedication to victory, and the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live."  -- Vince Lombardi
 

IKE EGUAE, 6-2, 250, FR-TR, DE
  Hometown: Arlington, Texas
  High School: James Bowie
  Previous School:  Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
  H.S. Coach: Anthony Criss
Honors/Stats: first-team Texas Class 5A All-District performer as a senior at Arlington's James Bowie High... also an All-Area selection... recordeded 44 tackles with nine quarterback sacks... redshirted this past fall at NEO A&M.
Anticipated PSU major: business
Pronunciation: EGG-whah
 

"Have respect for yourself. Love yourself and realize that whatever you attempt to achieve in life is a direct reflection of you. Be proud."  -- Joe Greene
 

CODY HAGER, 6-0, 190, FR, LS
  Hometown: Freeman, Mo.
  High School: Cass Midway
  H.S. Coach: Larry Burchett
Honors/Stats: second-team All-Conference offensive lineman, 2001-02; honorable mention All-Conference defensive lineman, 2001-02; no missed snaps as Vikings' long snapper; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: technology education
 

"Successful men usually snatch success from seeming failure. If they know that there is such a word as defeat, they will not admit it. They may be whipped, but they are not aware of it."  -- President Thomas Jefferson
 

CODY HINES, 6-0, 195, FR, LB/WR
  Hometown: La Junta, Colo.
  High School: La Junta
  H.S. Coach: Gene Dixon
Honors/Stats: first-team All-Conference, 2001-02; state wrestling qualifier, 2002; recorded 80 tackles with six quarterback sacks and two INTs, 2002; 580 receiving yards and seven TDs, 2002; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: biology (pre-physical therapy)
 

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  -- President Franklin D. Roosevelt
 

DeMARKO JONES, 5-11, 170, FR, QB
  Hometown: Guthrie, Okla.
  High School: Guthrie
  H.S. Coach: Rafe Watkins
Honors/Stats: first-team Oklahoma Class 5A All-State, 2002; District 2 MVP, 2002; All Big City Offensive Player of the Year, 2002; 2003 Oil Bowl selection (Oklahoma - Texas All-Star game); carried the ball 281 times for 1,660 yards (5.9 ypc) and 28 TDs, 2002; passed for 1,437 yards and 15 TDs, 2002; helped guide the Blue Jays to a 12-2 record and the Class 5A state title this past fall.
Anticipated PSU major: information systems
 

"Some place along your life, you are going to have to function in a pressure situation and if you can learn to do it in a game where the results are not life and death, you can come to a situation where it is life and death and be better able to cope."  -- Chuck Noll
 

DAVID LEE, 6-1, 175, FR, DB
  Hometown: Andover, Kan.
  High School: Andover Central
  H.S. Coach: Tom Audley
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 4A All-State (KFBCA), 2002; first-team All-Chisolm Trail League, 2001-02; recorded 26 tackles, 1 INT and 14 PBU, 2002; 10 career INTs; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"The time will come when winter will ask what you were doing all summer."  -- William Clay
 

JASON NEIGHBORS, 5-11, 165, FR, DB/WR
  Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.
  High School: St. Thomas Aquinas
  H.S. Coach: Kevin Kopecky
Honors/Stats: recorded 63 tackles, 1 INT, 2 fumble recoveries, 2002; helped the Saints to a 9-3 record and a sectional title, 2002; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: construction engineering technology
 

"Dont' tell me how rocky the sea is. Just bring the darn ship in."  -- Lou Holtz
 

GERMAINE RACE, 5-11, 203, FR, RB
  Hometown: Warrensburg, Mo.
  High School: Warrensburg
  H.S. Coach: Shane Taylor
Honors/Stats: first-team Missouri Class 4A All-State, 2002; first-team All-District, 2001-02; first-team All-Conference, 2000-02; rushed for 2,069 yards and 29 TDs, 2002; rushed for 1,785 yards and 19 TDs, 2001; rushed for 897 yards and 15 TDs, 2000; holds every significant WHS rushing record; helped guide the Tigers to a district crown in 2001 and a conference championship in 2000.
Anticipated PSU major: social studies (history)
 

"I grew up with the sense that if you're going to do something in life, do your best. When I was growing up, I didn't know what I wanted to be, what I would do, but I remember being told, 'If you're going to be a garbage man, be the best garbage man you can be.' That stuck. If it's important to you and you want to be successful, there is only one person you can look at as being responsible for success or failure. That's you."  -- Alan Page
 

ZACHARY ROBINSON, 6-5, 265, FR, OL
  Hometown: Jenks, Okla.
  High School: Metro Christian Academy
  H.S. Coach: Jeff Adams
Honors/Stats: third-team Oklahoma Class 2A All-State (Daily Oklahoman), 2002; honorable mention Oklahoma Class 2A All-State (Tulsa World), 2002; District 6 Lineman of the Year, 2002; 2003 Oil Bowl selection (Oklahoma - Texas All-Star game); honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: engineering/technology
 

"Some men see things as they are and say 'Why?' I dream things that never were and say, 'Why not?'"  -- George Bernard Shaw
 

SCOT SCHIEFELBEIN, 5-11, 225, FR, OL
  Hometown: Pittsburg, Kan.
  High School: St. Mary's-Colgan
  H.S. Coach: Chuck Smith
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 2-1A All-State, 2002; honorable mention Kansas Class 2-1A All-State, 2001; first-team All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League, 2001-02; 2003 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection; starting offensive lineman and defensive lineman for the Panthers; helped guide SMC to three straight undefeated Kansas Class 2-1A state titles (40 straight wins), 2000-02; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: biology, mathematics
 

"I see no virtue where I smell no sweat."  -- Francis Quarles
 

JUSTIN SHEPARD, 6-2, 200, FR, LB
  Hometown: Rossville, Kan.
  High School: Rossville
  H.S. Coach: Steve Buhler
Honors/Stats: honorable mention Kansas Class 3A All-State, 2002; first-team All-Midwest League, 2002; recorded 138 tackles with three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries, 2002; second-team All-Midwest League, 2001; three-time Class 3A state qualifier in track & field, 2002; helped guide the Bulldawgs to a 10-3 record and a sectional appearance, 2002; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: English (education)
 

"Success is like anything worthwhile. It has a price. You have to pay the price to win and you have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible. Most important, you must pay the price to stay there."  -- Vince Lombardi
 

DEREK SUMNER, 6-0, 195, FR, LB
  Hometown: Liberal, Kan.
  High School: Liberal
  H.S. Coach: Rich Anderson
Honors/Stats: first-team All-Western Athletic Conference, 2002; first-team All-Area, 2002; helped the Redskins to a district title and a WAC championship; 4.0 GPA; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: engineering
 

"The only thing that counts is your dedication to the game. You run on your own fuel; it comes from within you."  -- Paul Brown
 

ANDREW TUGGLE, 6-1, 200, FR, RB
  Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
  High School: Blue Springs
  H.S. Coach: Kelly Donohoe
Honors/Stats: first-team Missouri Class 5A All-State, 2002; Gatorade/Missouri Football Player of the Year, 2001; first-team All-Conference, All-District, All-Area, 2001-02; rushed for 4,256 career yards (6.2 ypc) and 54 TDs; also caught 36 passes for 253 career yards; honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undeclared
 

"The successful man has enthusiasm. Good work is never done in cold blood; heat is needed to forge anything. Every great achievement is the story of a flaming heart."  -- President Harry S. Truman