Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Head Coach Jerry Kill Unveils Football Recruiting Class
02/04/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Feb. 4, 2004
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill and the Saluki football program continue to reap the rewards of last year's 10-2 season. On Wednesday, Kill unveiled the 10-member, 2004 recruiting class and said without the team's recent success, they could not have signed what he believes is his best class to date.
"We may only sign one or two of these guys," said Kill, who in three, short years has reversed the fortunes of the SIU program. "There's no question that the winning helped us get the quality of the kids we recruited. Some of these guys were on the wish list that we didn't think we'd have a chance at."
Kill credited his assistant coaches for selling the program to recruits and emphasizing the opportunity to join a winning program.
"Even if your facilities are not top notch or as good as someone you're recruiting against, we're still 10-2," he said. "We had that (Gateway Conference) championship ring flashed all over the place. That's what kids want. They want that ring and the opportunity to be successful. We sold the 10-2 and the chance to compete for a National Championship."
The Salukis have to replace three running backs due to the graduation of SIU's career rushing leader Tom Koutsos, All-American Muhammad Abdulqaadir and All-Gateway Conference fullback Brandon Robinson. Combined they rushed for 2,453 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2003.
"This recruiting class is going to have to make an impact for us to be successful because of what we lose in the backfield," Kill said.
Ironically, Kill said it was Koutsos and Abdulqaadir who helped sell the program by meeting with recruits during on-campus visits.
"If they're happy, and the coaches treat them right, the word travels through the world of recruiting," Kill said.
The Saluki coaching staff has already gotten a look at three of its signees, OL Jared Green, RB Arkee Whitlock and RB Terry Jackson, because they are enrolled at SIU and working out with the team.
Kill likes what he sees.
"If Terry is as good a player as he is a person, we'll be in great shape," Kill said of Jackson, who rushed for 1,317 yards for Minnesota in 2002. "A lot of transfer kids will come in and talk about 'hey I was at Minnesota,' or 'I was this.' He's fit in like a glove with our kids because he hasn't done that. He said he wants to be a Saluki."
Here are thumbnail bios on the 2004 class...
Brandon Bruner, DB, 6-0, 185, So., Oklahoma City, Okla./Northeast Oklahoma A&M
First-Team All-Southwest Conference in 2003...Recorded 4 INTs...Team finished 10-2 and ranked #2 in the nation among JUCOs in 2003 and 11-1 and #3 in the nation in 2002...6A All-State at Putnam City North H.S. in 2001...Led state with 8 INTs.
Mike Farrell, OL, 6-4, 305, Fr., Lake Bluff, Ill./ Lake Forest H.S.
All-state, all-area, all-county and all-conference his senior year...Two-time winner of the school's award for outstanding offensive lineman...Also lettered in track.
Jared Green, OL, 6-2, 275, Jr., Oolagah, Okla./Northeast Oklahoma A&M
All-state his senior year at Oologah-Talala H.S. in 2000...Started last year for Northeast Oklahoma A&M
Terry Jackson, RB, 5-11, 190, Sr., Saginaw, Mich./Minnesota
Rushed for a team-high 1,317 yards for the Golden Gophers in 2002 and ranked sixth in the Big Ten in rushing yards...Named honorable mention All-Big Ten and listed in ESPN.com's top 100 impact players in college football...Rushed just 55 times for 256 yards in 2003.
Brian Murph, WR, 6-1, 175, So., Howardville, Mo./Butler County Comm. College
Caught 14 passes for 225 yards in 8 games in 2003...Helped lead team to JUCO National Championship...All-conference performer in 2000 and 2001 at New Madrid H.S.
Willie Reed, RB, 5-10, 190, Fr., Pompano, Fla./Coral Springs H.S.
Rushed for 1,075 yards and 15 TDs in 7 games in 2003...Played in the Broward All-Star game...Track star who ran the third fastest 100M time in Broward County (10.49)...Also a member of the school's 4x100 relay team that won the regional finals.
Justin Thurston, LB, 6-1, 215, Fr., Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely H.S.
Played in the Broward all-star game...His team was 32-4 during his three season on the varsity squad and were the 5A state champions his junior season.
Craig Turner, FB, 5-11, 200, Fr., Boutte, La./Hahnville H.S.
Rushed for 1,340 yards, 30 TDs and 9.8 average in 2003...Also had 20 catches for 423 yards and 7 TDs, and 2 kick returns for TDs...Led team to 15-0 record and 5A state championship...Team finished ranked 17th in the nation by USA Today...Rushed for 384 yards in playoff game vs. Fontainebleau
Arkee Whitlock, RB, 5-10, 205, So., Rock Hill, S.C./Coffeyville Comm. College
Honorable mention all-conference Kansas Junior College Conference in 2003 with 188 carries, 1,383 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6.1 avg...Two-time all-state selection at Rock Hill H.S.
Jimet Young, S, 6-2, 200, Fr., Covington, Tenn./Covington H.S.
Recorded 96 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 3 PB and 1 TD as a senior last year...Team finished runner-up in state playoffs and had a combined record of 34-6 during his three seasons on the varsity squad.
