Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Football Adds 14 to 2001 Recruiting Class
03/19/2001 | 12:00:00 | Football
February 7, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. -
Southern Illinois University Carbondale head football coach Jerry Kill announced Wednesday that 14 recruits have signed national letters of intent to become Salukis in the fall of 2001. The group joins six other signees in the 2001 class who committed just 15 days after Kill took over the head coaching job on December 6, 2000.
"I feel that in a short time we put together the start of a solid recruiting class," said Kill. "We addressed some issues such as speed, strength, and size and I feel that with the players we've gotten so far, we are off to a good start."
Among the group are a pair of quarterbacks in Stanley Bryant (Naples, Fla.) and Joel Sambursky (Liberty, Mo.). Bryant, a 6-0 190-pounder out of Naples High School,was Southwest Florida's 5A Player-of-the-Year as he passed for 1,594 yards (82-for-163) with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. In addition, he turned down offers from both Army and Navy to sign with SIU. Sambursky (6-1, 180 lb.), on the other hand, joins the maroon and white from Liberty High School where he was a first-team all-Conference, all-Area, and all-District pick while being named second-team all-State.
Along with Bryant and Sambursky, the Salukis added five others to the offensive side of the ball in running backs Glenn Walker (Detroit, Mich.), Justin George (Stoneboro, Pa.), and Antione Jackson (St. Louis, Mo.), wide receiver Jason Hollingshed (Detroit, Mich.), and offensive lineman Loren Flaharty (Wichita, Kan.). Walker and Hollingshed, teammates at St. Martin DePorres High School, both posted solid numbers throughout their prep careers. Walker, a first-team all-City pick, rushed for 1,130 yards on 102 carries while Hollingshed caught 42 passes for 730 yards en route to second-team all-City honors.
George, who can also play strong safety, appears to have the same ability as former SIU great Terry Taylor who played back in the '80s. A first-team all-Conference and league MVP at Kennedy Christian High School, Taylor was also the state champion in the 200-Meter in track. Meanwhile, St. Louis, Mo., native Jackson comes to SIU from Rockwood Summit High School where he was one of the area's premier double-threats. Jackson rushed for a career total of 2,917 yards on 353 carries while being ranked the No. 2 cornerback in area. Rounding out the offensive class is Flaharty who listed among the top-11 offensive lineman in the state of Kansas at Derby High School.
Defensively, the Salukis welcome local standout Brad Brachear (Harrisburg, Ill.) who was a member of Harrisburg High School's 3A State Championship team this past season. A first-team all-South and Southern Illinois River-to-River Ohio Division selection at running back/cornerback, Brachear stands at 5-10, 172 lbs. He is joined by free safety Brandon Barker (Clinton, Okla.) who was also a member of a state championship team (4A) in 2000. In addition to his state championship ring, Barker was also named Oklahoma Coaches first-team all-State and league Player-of-the-Year. Another St. Louis, Mo. product in Billy Beard then closes out the pack of 14. Beard, a defensive lineman out of Webster Groves High School, was named second-team Associated Press all-state.
2001 Southern Illinois University Recruiting Class:
Tony Anastasio, 6-1, 280, OL, Butler JC, El Dorado, Kan.*
Matt Anderson, 6-3, 290, OL, Butler JC, El Dorado, Kan.*
Brandon Barker, 6-2, 175, FS, Clinton, Clinton, Okla.
Billy Beard, 6-3, 260, DL, Webster Groves, St. Louis, Mo.
Brad Brachea, 5-10, 172, CB, Harrisburg, Harrisburg, Ill.
Stanley Bryant, 6-0, 190, QB, Naples, Naples, Fla.
Billy Chase, 6-4, 210, WR, Washington State*
Loren Flaharty, 6-3, 320, OL, Derby, Wichita, Kan.
Mike Fritzler, 6-2, 285, OL, Butler JC, El Dorado, Kan.*
Justin George, 6-0, 185, RB/SS, Kennedy Christian, Stoneboro, Pa.
Jason Hollingshed, 6-1, 185, WR, St. Martin DePorres, Detroit, Mich.
Antione Jackson, 5-9, 175, RB/DB, Rockwood Summit, St. Louis, Mo.
Thomas Laing, 6-0, 210, SS, North Miami Beach, Opa-Loca, Fla.
Matt Miller, 6-4, 265, OL, Kickapoo, Springfield, Mo.
Alexis Moreland, 6-1, 190, FS, Sarasota Riverview, Sarasota
Joel Sambursky, 6-1, 180, QB, Liberty, Liberty, Mo.
Brandon Walker, 5-11, 280, DL, Fort Scott JC, Fort Scott, Kan.*
Glenn Walker, 5-8, 175, RB, St. Martin DePorres, Detroit, Mich.
Deshon Weaver, 6-1, 220, LB, Washington State*
Andrew Wynn, 6-4, 265, OL/DL, Salem, Salem, Mo.
*Signed earlier in the semester
