Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football unveils 2007 recruiting class
02/07/2007 | 12:00:00 | Football
Feb. 7, 2007
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
2007 Recruiting Class and Biographical Sketches
CARBONDALE, Ill.-Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill unveiled the 2007 Saluki Football recruiting class Wednesday.
Each year, Kill and his staff hit the recruiting trail with a relentless pursuit to bring in great players.
In other words, they continue to upgrade a program that has made four-straight NCAA Division I Football Championship (formerly I-AA Playoffs) appearances, currently the nation's second-longest I-AA playoff streak.
"Our coaches work very hard at bringing in great players who can help us get closer to winning a national championship," said Kill. "Academically and athletically, this is probably one of our better classes."
With the loss of 2006 Payton Award finalist and first-team All-American Arkee Whitlock, there's no question the running back situation was addressed.
The return of John Randle and addition of junior college transfers Deji Abdul Karim (Day-JEE Kareem) and Larry Warner are expected to help fill that void.
Abdul Karim joins the Salukis from Northeast Oklahoma A&M, where he rushed for 1,972 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons.
Warner comes to SIU from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He rushed for 1,237 yards and 12 touchdowns on 169 carries a year ago.
Another key pickup for the Saluki backfield is fullback Chance Coda. Coda rushed for 737 yards and 16 touchdowns on 135 carries at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School last season. He's also an all-state wrestler.
SIU graduated its fullback J.T. Wise after the 2006 campaign.
"We feel Deji, Larry and Chance can come in and contribute immediately," said Kill.
Finding a kicker, continuing to enhance the speed on defense and adding depth to the quarterback spot were also priorities.
Kyle Dougherty is another high-profile kicker headed to SIU out of Florida. Dougherty was a three-year starter at Merritt Island High School, where he ranked second in the state according to Florida Football Magazine. He fills the gap left by former Saluki record-setting and All-American kicker Craig Coffin (Cape Coral).
"Honestly, probably the biggest spot we had to fill was kicker and we did that with a great young man," said Kill. "Kyle is a big addition to our program."
Linemen Travis Littles, Jason Seaman and Kendrick Young, along with several defensive backs, including Mike McElroy, Steven Morse, Rashad Graham and Korey Lindsey, add to the speed on defense.
Littles, Seaman and Young are quick up front, while McElroy and Lindsey give SIU more of a unique look in the secondary.
Linebackers Connor James and Stephen Franklin are expected to make an impact, as well.
"We recruited three linemen who can run extremely well. Also, at our level, it's hard to get that 6-2, 190-pound safety, so we're fortunate to get some of those players (McElroy, Morse, Graham)," said Kill.
In-state quarterbacks Bobby Brenneisen (Brenn-EYE-sen) and Joe Allaria (All-AIR-ia) add depth at quarterback following the graduation of Jon Cairns.
A native of Springfield, Brenneisen went a perfect 28-0 as a starter and led Sacred Heart Griffin High School to back-to-back 5A State Football Championships (2005, 2006).
One of the top quarterbacks in Illinois, he led the state with a 68 percent completion rating. A first-team all-state pick, he ranks eighth all-time with 6,409 passing yards, including 3,284 in 2005 and 3,125 in 2006.
Allaria, who hails from Edwardsville, completed 87-of-140 passes for 1,237 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to first-team all-state honors. He also rushed for 902 yards and 17 TDs, as his 2,139 yards of total offense rank second all-time in school history.
"We signed two guys in the state of Illinois who we're excited about," said Kill. "Both of them know how to win and will help our depth at the position."
C.J. Robertson should contribute at tight end following the graduation of Braden Jones.
Robertson was a two-way starter at tight end and linebacker at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. He ranked second on the team in points scored (42) and third in receiving (8 catches, 72 yards and 4 TDs) in 2006.
All in all, SIU signed 22 for the 2007 season.
"I think recruiting has gone well this year, and hope these young men can help us reach the expectations of our program," concluded Kill.
