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Coach Art Briles is excited about the group of newcomers.
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Third Time Is Charm For Briles With Class Of 2005
Included in the Class of 2005 are 26 who call the state of Texas home as well as four who are already enrolled at the University.
Feb. 2, 2005
HOUSTON, Texas - Looking to return the storied Cougar program to national prominence, University of Houston head football coach Art Briles took a significant step towards restoring the glory, as he announced today the UH program has signed 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent and one to a Statement of Financial Aid. Included in the Class of 2005 are 26 who call the state of Texas home as well as four who are already enrolled at the University.
Entering his third year as the head coach of the Cougar program, Briles feels he found a nice mix of incoming freshmen and junior-college transfers that will help him return Houston to a postseason bowl game after a one-year hiatus.
"We're really excited about the direction we are heading," Briles said. "We're getting guys that really fit into the mold of players we want to get here at the University of Houston, academically and athletically and also character-wise. We have rounded up a good group of guys that are serious about being a good student as well as serious about being a good football player with some self confidence, some self discipline and with some direction in their lives.
"What we have to do is take what we have on campus. We have to mold them, groom them and get them to understand the way college life works as well as the attitude and effort it takes to be a great football player and get them on the field to win for the University of Houston."
This year's class is comprised of 23 high school standouts and four transfers from the junior-college ranks. Still, only one, defensive back Kellan Yancy from Los Angeles Pierce Junior College, hails from outside the Lone Star State, a clear objective from what Briles and his staff endeavor to achieve during the recruiting wars.
"We have a lot of coaches out there (in the state of Texas) working with us in the high school community," Briles added, "but we're always going to heavily recruit Texas. We may go with one or two outside the state, but we live in Texas, we make our living in Texas, so we are going to recruit Texas kids."
Joining Yancy from the Juco ranks is Kenneth Atkins, a linebacker from Bakersfield College by way of Alief Hastings High School in the Greater Houston area. Atkins was a high school teammate of current UH wide receiver Donnie Avery.
The final two junior-college signees are familiar with Briles and his program philosophy. Saddleback College defensive end Scott Lee, who was the lone signee of a Statement of Financial Aid, played for Briles at Stephenville High School, while Da'Vell Lauder, also a defensive end but from Merced College, was a member of Briles' original signing class back in 2003 but went the junior college route after his days at Smiley High School in Houston.
Again, the Cougar coaching staff stretched the borders of the state in securing the future of Houston football, signing athletes from West Texas to the Golden Triangle. Eleven members of this year's group hail from the Greater Houston area, including the Yates High School tandem of defensive back Quinte Williams and defensive lineman Quentin Smith. Joining the Yates duo are Dickinson High School offensive lineman Carl Barnett, defensive back Brandon Brinkley from Bay City High School, offensive lineman Matt Hart from Huffman-Hargrave High School, defensive lineman Andrew Jones from Columbia High School, long snapper Norbie Juist from Strake Jesuit Prepatory, tight end Barry Laird from Baytown Lee High School, kicker/punter Garrett LeFevre of Klein Collins High School, linebacker Chris Mitchell from Westfield High School and wide receiver T.J. Scranton from Hitchcock High School.
From the Metroplex the Cougars added the Allen High School pair of offensive lineman Jerrod Butler and wide receiver Brennan Gleason. From the Dallas/Fort Worth area Houston also signed wide receiver Chris Gilbert from Hillcrest High School, wide receiver Jeff Moturi from Irving MacArthur High School, defensive lineman Anthony Roulette from Garland Forest High School and quarterback Clint Walraven from Alvarado High School.
The Golden Triangle area produced UH signees Broderick Bean, a defensive back from Kirbyville High School, and Justin Washington, an offensive lineman from Port Arthur Memorial High School.
As mentioned, four of the signees are already enrolled at UH this spring. Joseph, Walraven and Williams all graduated early from high school, while Yancy transferred in last month from his California junior college.
Two UH newcomers (Chris Gilbert and Barry Laird) are following in the footsteps of their brothers, current Cougars Ryan Gilbert and Justin Laird; however, the two younger brothers will be playing different positions than their siblings currently play.
Houston is scheduled to begin spring practice on Monday, March 21, with the annual spring rite-of-passage culminating in the Red and White Game on Saturday, April 16, at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. The Cougars-who return 44 lettermen and 17 starters from last season's squad-will kick off the 2005 campaign by playing host to the University of Oregon on national television on Thursday, September 1, at Reliant Stadium.
University of Houston Class of 2005
| Name | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Hometown | Previous School |
| Kenneth Atkins | Jr. | 6-2 | 225 | LB | Houston, Texas | Bakersfield JC |
| Carl Barnett | Fr. | 6-3 | 270 | OL | Dickinson, Texas | Dickinson HS |
| Broderick Bean | Fr. | 6-1 | 190 | DB/LB | Kirbyville, Texas | Kirbyville HS |
| Brandon Brinkley | Fr. | 6-0 | 170 | DB | Bay City, Texas | Bay City HS |
| Jerrod Butler | Fr. | 6-2 | 330 | OL | Allen, Texas | Allen HS |
| Keith Demby | Fr. | 6-0 | 190 | RB | Austin, Texas | Connally HS |
| Chris Gilbert | Fr. | 5-9 | 175 | WR | Dallas, Texas | Hillcrest HS |
| Brennan Gleason | Fr. | 6-0 | 163 | WR | Allen, Texas | Allen HS |
| Matt Hart | Fr. | 6-6 | 290 | OL | Huffman, Texas | Hargrave HS |
| Jeron Harvey | Jr. | 6-5 | 210 | WR | Jacksonville, Fla. | Dodge City CC |
| Andrew Jones | Fr. | 6-3 | 285 | DL | W. Columbia, Texas | Columbia HS |
| Blake Joseph | Fr. | 6-2 | 190 | QB | Bryan, Texas | Bryan HS |
| Norbie Juist | Fr. | 6-4 | 240 | SN | Houston, Texas | Strake Jesuit Prep |
| Barry Laird | Fr. | 6-5 | 215 | TE | Baytown, Texas | Lee HS |
| Da'Vell Lauder | Jr. | 6-2 | 225 | DL | Houston, Texas | Merced JC |
| *Scott Lee | Jr. | 6-4 | 245 | DL | Stephenville, Texas | Saddleback JC |
| Garrett LeFevre | Fr. | 6-0 | 230 | K/P | Spring, Texas | Klein Collins HS |
| Chris Mitchell | Fr. | 6-0 | 215 | LB | Houston, Texas | Westfield HS |
| Tim Monroe | Fr. | 6-1 | 175 | WR | Mount Vernon, Texas | Mount Vernon HS |
| Jeff Moturi | Fr. | 5-11 | 180 | WR | Irving, Texas | MacArthur HS |
| Anthony Reasno | Fr. | 5-11 | 180 | DB | Midland, Texas | Lee HS |
| Anthony Roulette | Fr. | 6-3 | 260 | DL | Garland, Texas | Forest HS |
| T.J. Scranton | Fr. | 5-11 | 170 | WR | Hitchcock, Texas | Hitchcock HS |
| Quentin Smith | Fr. | 6-4 | 245 | DL | Houston, Texas | Yates HS |
| Clint Walraven | Fr. | 6-2 | 185 | QB | Alvarado, Texas | Alvarado HS |
| Justin Washington | Fr. | 6-3 | 300 | OL | Port Arthur, Texas | Memorial HS |
| Quinte Williams | Fr. | 6-1 | 175 | DB | Houston, Texas | Yates HS |
| Kellan Yancy | So. | 6-1 | 190 | DB | Los Angeles, Calif. | L.A. Pierce JC |
*-signed a Statement of Financial Aid
QUARTERBACKS
Blake Joseph
6-2, 190, Bryan, Texas (Bryan HS)
Selected First-Team, All-District as a senior.
Also picked up First-Team, All-Brazos Valley accolades.
Was named his team's Offensive Player of the Year and Team MVP.
Played pitcher and outfield on the baseball team.
Garnered First-Team, Academic All-District honors as well as honorable mention, Academic All-State.
Also recruited by Kansas, TCU, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Baylor.
Graduated early from high school and is already enrolled at UH.
Clint Walraven
6-2, 185, Alvarado, Texas (Alvarado HS)
A member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Area Top 50 list.
Named the District 15-4A Offensive MVP as a senior.
Picked up first-team, all-district honors as well.
As a junior was named First-Team, All-Distict and was All-County MVP.
Threw for 2,168 yards with 19 TDs, while adding 441 yards and seven scores rushing.
Played basketball, baseball and track.
Also recruited by Baylor, BYU, TCU, Iowa State, Tulsa and Texas A&M.
Graduated early from high school and is already enrolled at UH.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Gilbert
5-9, 175, Dallas, Texas (Hillcrest HS)
A member of the Dallas Morning-News State Top 100 list.
Listed as #92 on the list.
Named First-Team, All-District as both a wide receiver and kick returner.
Was selected the Sophomore of the Year in his district.
Nominated for the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.
Also runs track, where he runs the hurdles and the relays and does the triple jump and high jump.
Also recruited by SMU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Iowa, Missouri and Texas Tech.
Younger brother of current Cougar running back, Ryan Gilbert, and cousin of former UH great, Danny Davis.
Brennan Gleason
6-0, 163, Allen, Texas (Allen HS)
A member of the Dallas Morning-News State Top 100 list.
Listed as #95 on the list.
Named First-Team, All-State by TexasPrepExtra.
Recorded 63 catches for 1,271 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Was an All-Dallas/Fort Worth Area performer.'
Also averaged 14.2 yards on punt returns with one score.
Named First-Team, All-District as a senior.
Was an all-district, second-teamer as a junior.
Had 23 receptions for 473 yards and eight TDs in 2003.
Was a 300-meter hurdle regional qualifier.
Jeron Harvey
6-5, 210, Jacksonville, Fla. (Jackson HS/Dodge City CC)
A member of the Superprep Juco 100.
Listed as #59 on the Superprep list.
Listed by CollegeFootballNews.com as one of the Top 25 Juco wide
receivers.
Landed at #11 on the list.
Named First-Team, All-Jayhawk Conference last season.
Had 52 catches for 956 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Recorded eight catches for 140 yards and two scores against Hutchinson
Junior College.
Prepped at Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Fla., where he
had
20 receptions for 400 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.
Named First-Team, All-Gateway Conference after leading team toa 11-1
record in 2001.
Also recruited by Ball State, Middle Tennessee State and Louisville
Tim Monroe
6-1, 175, Mount Vernon, Texas (Mount Vernon HS)
Named District MVP last season.
Picked up All-District honors as well.
Was selected Second-Team, All-State as both a wide receiver and defensive back.
Was a state qualifier in the 400 meters as a sophomore.
Also recruited by SMU and Arkansas State.
Jeff Moturi
5-11, 180, Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS)
A member of the Dallas Morning-News State Top 100 list.
Listed as #70 on the list.
Two-time, First-Team, All-District selection.
Named Team MVP as a junior.
Selected Second Team, All-State as a senior.
Had 51 catches for 981 yards and seven TDs last season.
Recorded 33 receptions for 699 yards and 10 scores in 2003.
Helped lead team to a 10-1 record as senior.
Also recruited by Washington State, Utah, Mississippi State and UTEP.
T.J. Scranton
5-11, 170, Hitchcock, Texas (Hitchcock HS)
Was a 2A All-State selection.
Twice selected to the All-Greater Houston squad.
Picked up both All-County and All-District accolades in 2004.
Plays basketball and was a regional qualifier in the 400 meters and the triple jump.
Also recruited by Iowa State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Stephen F. Austin.
RUNNING BACKS
Keith Demby
6-0, 190, Austin, Texas (Connally HS)
A member of the Austin American-Statesman Central Texas Top 10 list.
Named the 2003 District 17-AAAA MVP.
Named the 2004 District 26-AAAA Offensive MVP.
Also picked up Connally High School Offensive MVP honors.
Helped lead team to an 11-4 record and a Class 4A semifinal berth.
Also plays basketball.
Also recruited by Kansas, Texas A&M, Baylor and Iowa.
TIGHT ENDS
Barry Laird
6-5, 215, Baytown, Texas (Lee HS)
Two-time, First-Team, All-District selection.
Began the 2004 season as a quarterback but was switched to tight end.
Finished the year with 21 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
Against #8 Spring High School hauled in eight catches for 143 yards and 1 score.
Was also an all-district pitcher.
Participated in Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.
Also recruited by Iowa, Wisconsin, BYU and Baylor.
Younger brother of current Cougar punter, Justin Laird.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Carl Barnett
6-3, 270, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS)
Named his team's MVP.
Selected First-Team, All-District last season.
Also picked up all-county first-team honors and was the MVP of the offensive line.
Also participates in basketball, baseball and track.
Played for Warren Trahan, father of former UH graduate assistant, Beau.
Also recruited by Baylor and Iowa State.
Jerrod Butler
6-2, 330, Allen, Texas (Allen HS)
A member of the Superprep Texas 99 list.
Listed as #87 on the Superprep list.
A member of the Dallas Morning-News State Top 100 list.
Listed as #64 on the list.
Named Second-Team, All-State by TexasPrepExtra.
Was selected First-Team, All-State as a senior.
Also was a two-time, all-district first-teamer.
Registered 139 pancake blocks as a senior and 119 as a junior.
Graded out 92% in 2003 and 94% in 2004.
Matt Hart
6-6, 290, Huffman, Texas (Hargrave HS)
Picked up honorable mention, All-State accolades as a senior.
Twice selected First-Team, All-District.
Was named First-Team, All-Area last season after being picked all-area, second-team as a junior.
Helped lead team to district championship and a 9-3 record in 2004.
Was a district champion in the shot put and grabbed third place at regionals.
Also recruited by TCU, Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas.
Justin Washington
6-3, 300, Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial HS)
Named to the Houston Chronicle Top 100 team.
Selected to the Super Team.
Also named First-Team, All-District as a senior.
Helped lead team to a district championship.
Also recruited by TCU, Iowa State and UTEP.
Participates in track and powerlifting.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Andrew Jones
6-3, 285, West Columbia, Texas (Columbia HS)
Prepped at Columbia High School for Brian Lane.
Played both defensive end and tight end in high school.
Helped lead team to a playoff appearance and a 9-2 record.
Twice selected First-Team, All-District.
Also played basketball
Da'Vell Lauder
6-2, 225, Houston, Texas (Smiley HS/Merced JC)
A member of the Superprep Juco 100.
Listed as #87 on the Superprep list.
Named First-Team, All-California JCs.
Honorable Mention, All-America in 2004.
Was the conference Defensive MVP and Best Defensive Lineman.
Two-time, First-Team, All-Conference.
Racked up 63 total tackles, as well as eight sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Preseason All-America by Nike at Smiley High School.
A member of the Dallas Morning News Top State 100 squad, ranked #91.
Ranked #60 by TheInsiders.com recruiting site.
Selected to the Houston Chronicle State Top 100.
Rated #96 player in Texas by Rivals100.
Rated #107 in state by Websider.com.
Two-time unanimous all-district selection in both football and basketball.
Recorded 83 tackles as a junior.
Originally signed with the Cougars out of high school.
*Scott Lee
6-4, 245, Stephenville, Texas
(Stephenville HS/Texas Tech/Saddleback JC)
A member of the Superprep Juco 100.
Listed as #92 on the Superprep list.
Earned Second-Team, All-Mission Conference last season.
Posted 44 tackles, including 21 solo, as well as five sacks, 12 TFLs, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery at Saddleback.
Originally was a linebacker but moved to defensive end due to injuries.
Saddleback squad finished 11-2, leading team to division and conference championships and a win over Mt. San Antonio College in the National Bowl.
Played one season at Texas Tech before transferring to Saddleback.
Earned First-Team, All-District honors for three seasons at Stephenville High School.
Also Second-Team, All-State as a junior and senior.
Was named First-Team, All-Fort Worth and First-Team, All-Big Country.
*-signed a Statement of Financial Aid
Anthony Roulette
6-3, 260, Garland, Texas (Naaman Forest HS)
Selected as Co-Captain of his team.
Was picked First-Team, All-District defensive end.
Was the Team Co-MVP.
Named the Chick-Fil-A Player of the Week.
Was a member of the Nike Football Combine and was selected by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine as a "Player to Watch."
Is a member of both the powerlifting and track and field teams.
Helped lead his 2003 team to a district championship.
Also recruited by SMU, Missouri, Tulsa, Virginia, Arkansas, Kansas and Georgia.
Quentin Smith
6-4, 245, Houston, Texas (Yates HS)
Named to the Houston Chronicle Top 100 team.
Three-time selection to the All-District First-Team.
Was picked to the All-Greater Houston Second-Team as a senior.
Named Most Valuable Lineman.
Helped lead team to 10-3 record in 2004.
A member of the National Acheiver's Society Gents Organization.
Was president of his senior class.
Also recruited by TCU.
LINEBACKERS
Kenneth Atkins
6-2, 225, Houston, Texas (Hastings HS/Bakersfield JC)
A member of the Superprep Juco 100.
Listed as #98 on the Superprep list.
Selected First-Team, All-Western States Conference (unanimous).
Registered 53 total tackles last season, as well as 10 1/3 sacks, four forced fumbles and six pass breakups.
Was sixth in the state in the hammer throw as a freshman.
Prepped at Hastings High School in Houston, where he was a teammate of Donnie Avery.
Named First-Team, All-District as a senior.
Chris Mitchell
6-0, 215, Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
Named District 22-5A Defensive MVP.
Selected First Team, All-Greater Houston.
Picked by the Texas Sportswriters Association as Second Team, All-State.
Also picked First-Team, All-District accolades as a senior.
Finished 2004 with 101 tackles and two interceptions.
Helped lead team to 13-2 record and the Division I 5A state championship game.
Picked up honorable mention, all-district honors as a junior.
Finished career with 172 tackles.
Also recruited by Georgia Tech, Central Michigan and Texas State.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Broderic Bean
6-1, 190, Kirbyville, Texas (Kirbyville HS)
Was a honorable mention, All-State selection as a senior.
Selected to the Super Gold First Team.
Named First-Team, All-District as both a wide receiver and defensive back.
Helped lead high school team to a 10-3 record as a senior.
Also an All-District selection in basketball.
Cousin of former Atlanta Falcon player, Bubba Bean.
Brandon Brinkley
6-0, 170, Bay City, Texas (Bay City HS)
Prepped at Bay City High School for head coach Alan Cherry.
Helped lead team to a playoff appearance and a 9-2 record as a senior.
Was a unanimous First-Team, All-District selection as both a defensive back and wide receiver.
Named to the All-Coastal Bend First Team as well.
Plays basketball and runs track.
Anthony Reasno
5-11, 180, Midland, Texas (Lee HS)
Selected First-Team, All-District as a senior.
Also picked up district accolades as a junior.
Was a four-time Player-of-the-Week performer.
Played for Randy Quisenberry and helped lead team to a playoff appearance and an 8-3 record in 2004.
Also participates in track.
Also recruited by Nebraska and Boise State.
Quinte Williams
6-1, 175, Houston, Texas (Yates HS)
Graduated early from high school and is already enrolled at UH.
Named First-Team, All-District last season as a senior.
Picked up team MVP honors as well.
Selected as Yates High School's Best Defensive Back.
Helped lead 2004 squad to a 10-3 record.
Was a high school teammate of Quentin Smith, another 2005 signee.
Ran both the 200 and 400 meters, triple jumped and was a member of various relay squads.
Was a member of the golf team.
Also recruited by Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
Kellan Yancy
6-1, 190, Los Angeles, Calif. (Fairfax HS/LA Pierce JC)
Selected Second-Team, All-West Conference last season.
Turned in his two best performances against Ventura College and College of the Canyons.
Named First-Team, All-Western League as a senior in 2003.
Also picked All-City, and honorable mention, all-state.
Helped lead team to a 5-5-1 record as a senior.
Father, Charles Yancy, played at Fresno State and was his positional coach at L.A. Pierce JC.
Also recruited by Marshall, San Diego State, Washington, Tulsa and Nevada.
Already enrolled at UH.
KICKERS/PUNTERS
Garrett LeFevre
6-0, 230, Spring, Texas (Klein Collins HS)
A member of the preseason All-Greater Houston squad.
Selected by Prep Magazine All-Region.
Was the winner of the Lone Star Kicking Challenge.
Named First-Team, All-District kicker and punter.
Was eight-for-eight in field goals, with a long of 47 yards as a senior.
Averaged 44.5 yards on punts.
Nailed all of his PATs and had 77% of his kickoffs as touchbacks.
Throws the shot put and discus for the track team.
Also recruited by TCU.
SNAPPERS
Norbie Juist
6-4, 240, Houston, Texas (Strake Jesuit Prep)
One of the top long snappers in the nation.
Lettered two years at Strake Jesuit College Prepatory.
Also played tight end and defensive end.
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