May 14, 2008

Eighteen More Join Football

From Five States

     Kearney, Neb. –  Nebraska-Kearney head football coach Darrell Morris today announced the names of 18 high seniors who will play for the Lopers next season.

      They join four mid-year transfers, and sixteen high seniors who came aboard in February, as newcomers to the program.      

      Today's group features 10 Nebraska natives, four players from Colorado and two from Kansas. Other states represented are Arizona and New Mexico.

      By position, this group includes six defensive backs, three wide receivers, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen/ends, two quarterbacks, two linebackers and one running back. 

      The Nebraska natives include Cambridge's Lance Shifflet, who ranked second in the state this past fall in rushing (2,103 yards). However, he'll switch over to the defensive side of the ball and play outside linebacker for the Lopers. 

      Justin Drudik of Adams Central, whose older brother, Adam, is currently at tight end for UNK, and Nick Cooley of Morrill will be the new quarterbacks on the 2008 roster. The current QB's include a senior and three redshirt freshmen.

      Another family connection comes from Grand Island Senior High School where Peter Kropp will join older brother, Jay, in the UNK secondary.

      From Colorado, the Lopers picked up running back Ryan Skogg of Heritage High School (Highlands Ranch). In the state's largest class (5A) this fall, Skogg ranked fifth in rushing with 1,556 yards.

      UNK returned to Fort Collins -- home to many an ex-Loper -- to snag linemen Parker Jolly (Rocky Mountain H.S.) while defensive linemen Ray Hatchett (Sand Creek H.S.) and corner back Josh Jordan (Rampart H.S.) both come from Colorado Springs.

      Finally, UNK went out West to pick up linemen Eric Cooley (Los Alamos, N.M.) and safety Zach Moore (Chandler, Ariz.).

      The complete list is below. The Lopers begin the 2008 season August 30^th with a home game vs. Wayne State. Game time is still TBA.

Eric Brabec (DB, 6-0, 185 lbs., Clarkson, Neb./Clarkson H.S.)

Eric Carlson (OL, 6-4, 270 lbs., Los Alamos, N.M./Los Alamos H.S.)

Nick Cooley (QB, 6-3, 170 lbs., Morrill, Neb./Morrill H.S.)

Justin Drudik (QB, 6-0, 190 lbs., Juniata, Neb./Adams Central H.S.)

Wes Georgeson (WR, 6-4, 185 lbs., Norton, Kans./Norton H.S.)

Michael Gross (CB, 5-11, 170 lbs., Columbus, Neb./Columbus H.S.)

Ray Hatchett (DL, 6-0, 270 lbs., Colo. Springs, Colo./Sand Creek H.S.)

Parker Jolly (OL, 6-2, 270 lbs., Ft. Collins, Colo./Rocky  Mountain H.S.)

Josh Jordan (CB, 5-9, 190 lbs., Colo. Springs, Colo./Rampart H.S.)

Peter Kropp (S, 6-1, 190 lbs., Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island H.S.)

Sam Kuck (S, 6-2, 190 lbs., Central City, Neb./Central City)

Brayton Maier (WR, 6-3, 195 lbs., Cimarron, Kan./Cimarron H.S.)

Zach Moore, (S, 5-11, 200 lbs., Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton H.S.)

Lance Shifflet (OLB, 6-0, 180 lbs., Cambridge,  Neb./Cambridge H.S.)

Ryan Skogg (RB, 5-10, 180 lbs., Highlands Ranch, Colo./Heritage H.S.)

Tommy Velasquez (DE, 6-2, 210 lbs., Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island H.S.)

Turner Vollmer (ILB, 6-0, 215 lbs., Omaha, Neb./Skutt Catholic H.S.)

Mike Weaver (WR, 5-11, 185 lbs., Kearney, Neb./Kearney H.S.)