Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head football coach Darrell Morris announced today the names of 27 high school seniors who will suit up for the Lopers this fall.
In addition, seven players transferred into UNK last month and are currently going through winter workouts with the team.
Morris noted more players will be added to the 2010 roster in the coming weeks and months. To view head shots and player info on each, click
HERE.
The entire group includes 16 players on offense, 16 on defense and two kickers. By state, 20 are Nebraska natives, six are from Colorado, three from California, two from Kansas and one each from Arizona, Montana and Texas.
On the offensive side of the ball, the newcomers include seven linemen, three quarterbacks, two receivers, two running backs and two tight ends. Defensively, the Lopers added seven linebackers, five defensive linemen and four defensive backs.
UNK picked up three of Colorado’s top quarterbacks as Davis Brendel (Regis Jesuit H.S.), Nate Grimes (Arvada Pomona H.S.) and Zach Thenell (Bear Creek H.S.) were among the Class 5A (largest class in the state) passing leaders this fall. Thenell replaced current Loper Jake Spitzlberger as Bear Creek's starting quarterback three years ago.
Among the players eventually protecting these QB’s will be Peter Trausch (Minden H.S.), Cody Wheeler (Fredrick, Colo.) and Matt Anderson (Prescott, Ariz.).
Trausch was a 2009 Class C-1 1st-team all-state pick, Wheeler was tabbed 1st-team Class 4A this fall with Anderson having two years of college football under his belt after playing for the Scottsdale College Artichokes.
Transferring into UNK are receivers Kyle Spotts (Giltner H.S./Eastern New Mexico U.) and Adam Lehner (Hastings H.S./Nebraska-Omaha) as well as running back Alex Hutchinson (Stapleton H.S./Colorado School of Mines).
With its entire secondary graduating, the Lopers went out of state to pick up corner backs Kenny Hill (San Diego, Calif./Grossmont College), Ryan Lendrum (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Alonzo Young (DeSoto, Texas). The one projected safety is Kearney Catholic’s Jared Reinke.
Two of Nebraska’s top prep rushers the past four years, Ryan Behmer (Adams Central H.S.) and Sean Campbell (Pleasanton H.S.), are slated to be at linebacker for UNK. Also here is Garden City C.C. transfer John Gaede (Hoxie, Kans.).
Up front, where UNK will be extremely stout in 2010, the Lopers welcome in Braxton Flaming (Billings, Mont.) and Jack Wardyn (Palmer H.S.), a 2009 Eight Man-2 1st-team all-state pick.
Finally, Michael Gruber (El Cajon, Calif.) and Nic Stoll (Marysville, Kans.) look to follow in the line of great Loper kickers. Senior Jordan Alegria handled UNK’s punting and kicking duties last fall; current senior Brennan Johnson helped out in the punt game last fall and could be the team’s starting punter in 2010.
UNK’s last true freshmen starting kicker/punter was Jessup Pfeifer in 2003.
Attached are notes on each player. The Lopers went 11-2 in 2009, winning the RMAC title and advancing to the 2nd round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Spring ball will begin in late March, weather permitting.