PITT
STATE FOOTBALL
RECRUITING CLASS OF 2006
The following players have signed letters of intent to join the Pitt State football program for the 2006 season.
[updated 9:45 a.m., Feb. 2, 2006]
A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation
with the bricks that others throw at him.
~ David Brinkley
ALEX KUHLMAN, 6-2, 185, FR, DB
Hometown: Ness City, Kan.
High School: Ness City
H.S. Coach: Chris Walters
Honors/Stats: honorable mention Kansas Class 2-1A All-State,
quarterback, 2005; unanimous first-team All-Central Plains League, defensive
back, 2005; honorable mention All-CPL, quarterback, 2005; honorable mention
Kansas Class 2-1A All-State, quarterback, 2003; recorded 101 tackles (61
solo) with 1.0 quarterback sack and five forced fumbles this past fall;
also completed 43 of 101 passes for 626 yards and 3 TDs and rushed 122
times for 808 yards and 7 TDs; recorded 216 tackles in 21 career games
(10.8 pg); also compiled 3,644 career yards of total offense with 32 TDs
(15 rush, 17 pass); an honor roll student & member of the National
Honor Society; a Wendy’s High School Heisman Finalist.
Anticipated PSU major: biology (pre-physical therapy).
Besides pride, loyalty, discipline, heart, and mind,
confidence is the key to all the locks.
~ Joe Paterno
BRANDON BERRY, 5-11, 190, FR, LB
Hometown: Webb City, Mo.
High School: Webb City
H.S. Coach: John Roderique
Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Missouri Class 4A
All-State selection at linebacker, 2005; first-team All-Southwest Conference,
2005; helped the Cardinals to a Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2004
and a quarterfinal appearance in 2005; also helped WCHS to the 2005 Missouri
Class 4A state baseball title.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
AUSTIN BLOSS, 6-0, 170, FR, DB
Hometown: Wellsville, Kan.
High School: Wellsville
H.S. Coach: Bill Oshel
Honors/Stats: A Kansas Class 3A All-State selection,
2005; a two-time first-team All-Frontier League pick, 2004-05; honorable
mention All-Frontier League, 2003; recorded 114 tackles with 5 INTs and
2 fumble recoveries this past fall for the Eagles; also rushed for 1,300
yards and compiled 2,100 all-purpose yards, helping WHS to an 11-2 record
and a 3A state playoff berth in 2005; an honor roll student and a member
of the National Honor Society.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
The difference between the impossible and the possible
lies in a person’s determination.
~ Tommy Lasorda
COLBY CHILDS, 5-11, 205, FR, RB
Hometown: Wichita, Kan.
High School: Bishop Carroll
H.S. Coach: Alan Schuckman
Honors/Stats: first-team All-City selection, 2005; second-team
All-City, 2004; honorable mention All-City, 2003; helped BCHS to a pair
of league titles (2003-04) and an 18-3 combined record his final two prep
seasons (2004-05); also helped the Golden Eagles to a Kansas Clas 5A state
track & field championship in 2005.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
A man’s dreams are an index to his greatness.
~ Zadok Rabinwitz
CARDELL CLEMONS, 5-10, 185, FR, RB
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
High School: Glenpool
H.S. Coach: Steve Edwards
Honors/Stats: Most Valuable Player of the Oklahoma Class
4A All-State squad, 2005; first-team All-Conference, 2005; a two-year
starter for the Warriors; rushed 292 times for 3,069 yards (10.5 ypc,
236.1 ypg) and 40 TDs, helping GHS to an 11-2 record his senior season;
also recorded 72 tackles with three interceptions on defense for the Warriors;
also a stand-out track athlete and basketball player at GHS.
Anticipated PSU major: business management.
I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no
matter how bad it is, you can make it.
~ Gayle Sayers
DOMINICK DOUGLAS, 6-1, 225, FR, DE
Hometown: Manhattan, Kan.
High School: Manhattan
H.S. Coach: Butch Albright
Honors/Stats: A first-team All-Conference performer,
2005; recorded 7.0 quarterback sacks this past fall; helped the Indians
to an 8-3 record, district & regional titles and a sub-state runner-up
finish; a two-year starter at MHS.
Anticipated PSU major: business management.
The ability to prepare to win is as important as the
will to win.
~ Bobby Knight
ANDREW HEDGES, 6-6, 210, FR, DE
Hometown: Burlington, Kan.
High School: Burlington
H.S. Coach: Rusty Emling
Honors/Stats: A Kansas Class 3A All-State performer,
2005; a two-time All-League selection, 2004-05; recorded 85 tackles (36
solo) with 14 tackles-for-loss including 4.5 quarterback sacks; also recorded
two PBUs and five blocks for the Wildcats; also a stand-out basketball
and baseball player at BHS; an honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
~ Theodore Roosevelt
JORDAN KARR, 6-3, 250, FR, DE
Hometown: Paola, Kan.
High School: Paola
H.S. Coach: Mike Dumpert
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 5A All-State, 2004-05;
first-team All-Frontier League, 2003-05; recorded 76 tackles during his
senior prep season; logged 18.0 career quarterback sacks for the Panthers;
the Kansas Class 5A state runner-up in the shot put (59-0) and discus
(168-0); also a stand-out basketball player at PHS; an Honor Roll student;
a 2006 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work
the more I have of it.
~ Thomas Jefferson
SEAN KYLE, 6-3, 240, FR, LB/DE
Hometown: Edmond, Okla.
High School: Edmond Memorial
H.S. Coach: Mark Walker
Honors/Stats: A two-time All-Metro performer, 2004-05;
a three-year All-City selection, 2003-05; led the Bulldogs in tackles
each of the past three seasons; also a standout wrestler at Memorial.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood.
~ Gen. George S. Patton
ZACK LANGSTON, 6-3, 200, FR, LB
Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.
High School: Blue Valley Northwest
H.S. Coach: Mike Zegunis
Honors/Stats: first-team Kansas Class 6A All-State, 2005;
Eastern Kansas League Defensive Player of the Year, 2005; first-team All-Metro
& first-team All-Sun Country, 2005; first-team All-Eastern Kansas
League, 2004-05; recorded 85 tackles (53 solo) with 4.0 quarterback sacks;
caught 24 passes for 433 yards (18.0 ypc) and 7 TDs last fall; also an
EKL League champion in the 100m and 200m in track & field; a Kansas
Class 6A state qualifier in the sprints.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
It is better to be defeated on principle than to win
on lies.
~ Arthur Calwell
TRAVIS RATLIFF, 6-0, 200, FR, LB
Hometown: Chanute, Kan.
High School: Chanute
H.S. Coach: Don Simmons
Honors/Stats: A Kansas Class 4A All-State selection,
2005; a two-time All-Southeast Kansas League performer, 2004-05; recorded
146 tackles this past fall; registered 112 tackles during his junior season;
helped CHS to a 10-2 record, the SEK League crown and a sub-state runner-up
finish in 2005; also a Class 4A All-State third baseman for the Comets;
an honor roll student; a 2006 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
The quality of your play never counts as much as the
quality of your effort.
~ Bud Wilkinson
TYLER RIGGS, 5-11, 190, FR, RB/P
Hometown: Pittsburg, Kan.
High School: St. Mary’s-Colgan
H.S. Coach: Chuck Smith
Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Kansas Class 2-1A
All-State selection, 2005; first-team All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League
pick, 2005; honorable mention Eight Man All-State at Chetopa (Kan.) H.S.,
2003; compiled 4,089 career rushing yards with 57 TDs during his prep
career; averaged 43.0 yards per punt as a senior at SMC this past fall;
helped SMC to consecutive 12-1 seasons and back-to-back Class 2A state
runner-up finishes; also a state qualifier in the 110m and 300m hurdles
in track & field.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude is how well you do it.
~ Lou Holtz
MIKE ROBERTS, 6-0, 265, FR, DL
Hometown: Holton, Kan.
High School: Holton
H.S. Coach: Brooks Barta
Honors/Stats: A Kansas Top 11 pick (All-State, All-Class),
2005; first-team Kansas Class 4A All-State, 2005; second-team Kansas Top
11 (All-State, All-Class; first-team All-Big Seven League, 2004-05; recorded
123 tackles with 6.0 quarterback sacks last fall, helping HHS to an unblemished
14-0 record and the Class 4A state title; also the Class 4A heavyweight
state runner-up as a junior in 2005; a member of the National Honor Society;
a 2006 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
At the base of it was the urge, if you wanted to play
football, to knock someone down, that was what the sport was all about,
the will to win closely linked with contact.
~ George Plimpton
NICK SCHILTZ, 6-0, 210, FR, LB
Hometown: Ponca City, Okla.
High School: Ponca City
H.S. Coach: Bo Hannaford
Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Oklahoma Class 5A
All-State selection, 2005; first-team All-District pick, 2005; PHS’
top tackler each of his final two prep years; helped the Wildcats to a
9-2 record his senior year.
Anticipated PSU major: engineering.
A human being doesn’t know how far he can go until
he’s pushed himself to the limit.
~ Bob Mattick
JEFF SMITH, 6-0, 200, FR, QB
Hometown: Pittsburg, Kan.
High School: St. Mary’s-Colgan
H.S. Coach: Chuck Smith
Honors/Stats: A second-team Kansas Top 11 (All-State,
All-Class) selection, 2004-05; first-team Kansas Class 2-1A All-State
pick, 2004-05; first-team All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League, 2004-05;
led SMC to consecutive 12-1 seasons and back-to-back Class 2A state runner-up
finishes; has 45 career TD passes, 39 career rushing TDs and 9 career
TD receptions; also a Class 2A All-State selection in basketball and baseball
for the Panthers; a 2006 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
You cannot have a perfect day without doing something
for someone who will never be able to repay you.
~ Sam Rutgliano
NEIL SMITH, 6-4, 240, FR, TE
Hometown: Oswego, Kan.
High School: Labette County
H.S. Coach: Craig Hartman
Honors/Stats: A first-team All-Southeast Kansas League
performer, 2005; caught 22 passes for 433 yards (19.7 ypc) and five TDs
for the Grizzlies; helped LCHS to a 7-3 record and a Kansas Class 4A state
playoff appearance this past fall; an honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
Champions keep playing until they
get it right.
~ Billie Jean King
ALEX TALBOTT, 6-0, 165, FR, WR/DB
Hometown: Webb City, Mo.
High School: Webb City
H.S. Coach: John Roderique
Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Missouri Class 4A
All-State selection, 2005; first-team All-Southwest Conference, wide receiver,
2005; second-team All-Southwest Conference, defensive back, 2005; helped
the Cardinals to a Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2004 and a quarterfinal
appearance in 2005; a member of the National Honor Society.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
Pressure is something you feel only when you don’t
know what you’re doing.
~ Chuck Noll
JACOB TUPPER, 5-10, 220, FR, DL
Hometown: Stilwell, Kan.
High School: Blue Valley
H.S. Coach: Steve Rampy
Honors/Stats: A first-team Kansas Class 5A All-State
selection, 2005; first-team All-Eastern Kansas League, 2005; first-team
All-Sun Country, 2005; honorable mention All-Eastern Kansas League, 2004;
honorable mention All-Sun Country, 2004; recorded 81 tackles with 2.5
quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries for the Tigers this past
fall; helped BVHS post an 11-2 record en route to the Class 5A state runner-up
finish in 2005; helped the Tigers claim the 5A state title in 2003; an
honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society.
Anticipated PSU major: mathematics/education.
Really, it comes down to your philosophy. Do you want
to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?
~ Jimmy Johnson
DAVID VAUGHN, 5-9, 175, FR, DB
Hometown: Midwest City, Okla.
High School: Carl Albert
H.S. Coach: Mike Rose
Honors/Stats: A first-team Oklahoma Class 5A All-State
selection, 2005; two-time first-team All-City pick, 2004-05; recorded
91 tackles his senior season; logged 80 tackles with a school-record 7
INTs as a junior in 2004; set a school record with 12 career INTs; helped
the Titans to a 13-1 record and a Class 5A state title.
Anticipated PSU major: construction engineering.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
~ Albert Einstein
DUSTIN WILEY, 6-4, 255, FR, DE
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
High School: Booker T. Washington
H.S. Coach: Antwain Jimmerson
Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Oklahoma Class 5A
All-State selection, 2005; District 5A-3 Offensive Tackle of the Year,
2005; helped the Hornets to three district titles (2002-04) and three
city championships (2002-03, ’05); WHS posted a 13-1 record and
finished as the Class 5A state runner-up in 2004.
Anticipated PSU major: physical education.
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you
take your eyes off your goal.
~ Henry Ford
SPENCER WORTHINGTON, 6-2, 200, FR, LB
Hometown: Carlisle, Iowa
High School: Carlisle
H.S. Coach: Mark Hoekstra
Honors/Stats: A second-team Iowa Class 3A All-State selection,
2005; first-team All-District performer, 2005; recorded 115 tackles and
2 INTs for the Wildcats last fall; also rushed for 1,189 yards (132.1
ypg); an honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: business.
I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anything,
you might as well think big.
~ Donald Trump
MATT ZUBECK, 6-0, 250, FR, OL
Hometown: Raytown, Mo.
High School: Archbishop O’Hara
H.S. Coach: Jim DeMarea
Honors/Stats: An All-Conference offensive guard, 2005;
a three-year starter for the Celtics; helped O’Hara High post a
7-3 record this past fall; an honor roll student.
Anticipated PSU major: undecided.
Just do the best with what you have, and you’ll
soon be doing it better.
~ Gil Hodges