2005-06 recruits

2005-06 Recruits

06-28-05 Tight End Signs With Graceland

Lawan Ahmed, Jr., from Valley Christian High School in San Jose, Calif., has signed a letter of intent to play football for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Ahmed, a 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound tight end for Valley Christian, was a WCAL honorable mention football player in his senior season. “LJ,” who also played basketball for the Warriors, was the team’s most outstanding hooper. Academically, Ahmed received the Chemistry Recognition Award and the outstanding award in bible studies. Ahmed is a member of No Limits youth ministry and the prayer evangelism club. Lawan Jr. is the son of Lawan and Belinda and the brother to Briana. Lawan plans to study computer science and information technology at Graceland.

06-14-05 Linebacker Signs With Graceland University

Marlon Ransom II, from Chino, Calif., has signed a letter of intent to play football at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Ransom is a 6-2, 200-pound linebacker, who played football for Citrus College in Glendora, Calif. following his high school career at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, Calif. Ransom was an honorable mention all-conference player for AHS, and was the defensive most valuable player for the Bulldogs.

Marlon II is the son of Marlon and Char and the brother to Yvonne, Julian and Lance.

04-29-05 Craig High School Senior To Play Football For Graceland

Kevin Wright from Craig, Mo., has signed a letter of intent to play football for Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2005. Wright was a five-foot-eleven-inch, 235-pound offensive lineman and defensive end at Craig High School. “KW” was an honorable mention all-district center for the Hornets this season. He also plays basketball at CHS. Kevin is on the honor roll and participates in FFA, FCCLA and the Lutheran Church Fellowship. Kevin is the son of Mike and Karia Wright and the brother of Caleb.

04-30-05 Graceland Signs Ventura College Defensive Back

David Herrera, a defensive back for Ventura College in California, has signed a letter of intent to play football for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Herrera, from Oxnard, Calif., was a six-foot, 180-pound all-conference honorable mention player for Ventura. At Channel Islands High School, “D” played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He was a first team all-league and second team all-county player for the Raiders.

Herrera was a scholar-athlete in both high school and at his junior college, where he was on the dean’s list for two years. Herrera is a Young Athletes for Christ Foundation member and participates in the chess club.

Dave is the son of Gregorio and Elizabeth and the brother to Gregorio, Gerard and Eddy. Dave plans to major in athletic training at Graceland.

04-01-05 Central Decatur Senior Signs With Graceland Football

Tyson Smith, from Leon, Iowa, has signed a letter of intent to play football for Graceland University in the fall of 2005. Smith played quarterback and defensive back for the Cardinals, and was named first team all-state as a senior. Smith was the leading passer in class 1A the past two years, and was a two-time KAAN radio all-star, first team all-district and all-area player. Tyson is a four-year honor roll student and three-time football academic all-district performer. Tyson is a five-sport athlete at CDHS in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and track. He is a member of National Honors Society, the academic team and a youth group. Tyson is the son of David and Kathy and the brother to Tiara and Taylor.

02-09-05 Ben Brummit Signs With Graceland

Graceland Head Coach Cris Welch announces the signing of Ben Brummit to the 2005 Yellowjacket football team. In his senior year with the Putnam County Midgets, Brummit was an all-area, district and conference football player. He was a KMZU radio dream team selection as a six-foot-two-inch receiver for Coach Phil Lite. Brummit was an all-area, district and conference basketball player, along with all-state, district and conference honors in track and field. Brummit is on the high school honor roll, National Honors Society secretary, and is a member of band, FFA and SADD. Ben is the son of Jim and Cindy and the brother to Cari and Josh, who was a quarterback for the Jackets the past two seasons. Ben plans to study physical education, health and business at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

02-08-05 Valley High Grad To Be A Yellowjacket

Cameron Godfrey, a senior at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, has signed a letter of intent to play football for Graceland University in the fall of 2005. Godfrey, a six-foot linebacker for the Tigers, received second team all-state, first team all-CIML and first team all-conference honors in 2004. He was an academic all-conference student four years in high school and is a member of FCA and the Community of Christ church. Cam is the son of Mark and Debbie and the brother to Blake. Godfrey plans to study psychology at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

01-29-05 Graceland Football Signs Pierce City Trio

On Saturday, Coach Cris Welch added three players from Pierce City High School in Missouri to play football for Graceland University this fall. Jason Gunter, Tyler Palmer and Kalen Thomas all signed their letters of intent during a recruiting weekend held by the Yellowjacket football staff.

Jason Gunter, a six-foot-four-inch, 310-pound tackle, was a first team all-state offensive and defensive lineman for the Eagles this season. For the past two years J-Gun was selected to first team all-Ozark and all-area on the offensive line and was on all-district and all-conference teams as a tackle on both sides of the ball. Gunter plays football, basketball, golf and track at PCHS, along with membership in FFA, FCA and Spanish Club while academically excelling on honor rolls all four years. Gunter plans to study pre-engineering and minor in culinary arts at Graceland. Jason is the son of Patty Osterloh and Greg Gunter, and has one sister, Torree.

Tyler Palmer is a six-foot-four-inch tight end and defensive end. He is an all-conference and all-district player at both positions, and also plays basketball and track for the Eagles. Palmer is listed on the National Honor Roll and the Excellence Honor Roll. He is a member of FFA, the First Baptist Church and participated in the scholar’s bowl. Palmer will enroll in Graceland’s art program and minor in pre-engineering. Tyler is the son of Richard and Tammy, and the brother of Ashley.

Kalen Thomas is a five-foot-eight-inch running back, who also played outside linebacker at PCHS. KT was the conference offensive player of the year this season, to go along with his first team all-state from the coaches and press associations. He was a first team all-district running back, and second team all-district outside linebacker. The conference placed Kalen on the first team roster for both offense and defense and he has been the team MVP the past two seasons. Thomas participates in track along with the A+ Program and FBLA, FCA, Stu-Co, Spanish Club and the First Baptist Church Praise Band. He is on the honor roll and E-Team of Excellence. Thomas plans to major in computer animation and minor in drama and special effects. Kalen is the son of Tod and Suzy Thomas, and the brother to Rebekah, Jessica, Tyler-Beau and Merrie.

The three Pierce City High School players will begin their 2005 season at the opening game, matching Graceland against Avila University in Kansas City, Mo., on September 3, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.