University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panthers Sign 27 To Letter-of-Intent
7/29/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 7, 2001
CEDAR FALLS-Northern Iowa head football coach Mike Dunbar signed a total of 27 players to national letters of intent today, including five transfers and one other player currently enrolled at UNI this semester. Included in the lot are 15 players from the state of Iowa.
"We believe this is a top-drawer class," Dunbar said. "On paper, this is an excellent group of athletes - only time will tell. It has great balance and speed relative to the specific positions. We started with the Iowa student-athlete and worked our way out. We have two Division I transfers and the three junior college athletes add maturity to our youth from last year."
Dunbar said the quarterback position, of which three were signed, is a "good mix of older guys with what we have returning. We signed one out of a top high school program in Ohio, one Division I transfer and a junior college player. We think we're solid at running back or cornerback - we wanted at least three in the mix. The key was at safety where Ryan Doak graduates. Five or six of the corners can play other positions. It's a talented group of athletes with great athleticism. They are outstanding high school athletes.
"The staff did a nice job of finding and evaluating the prospects. We have three talented inside linebackers coming in and three new offensive linemen that will retain our depth there."
The transfers include a quarterback from New Mexico State and one from William Rainey Harper College, an offensive lineman and wide receiver from North Dakota State College of Science, running back Mark Moothart from Pittsburgh, a native of Waterloo, IA; and an offensive lineman from NDSCS.
The total list of UNI signees follows.
SHERWOOD PARK, ALBERTA, CANADA - Reid Seitz, 6-1, 205, Jr. WR, Salisbury Composite HS/Snow College/North Dakota State College of Science...Three-sport letter winner in track, basketball and football...Provincial All-Star for Team Alberta...Team defeated Team Ontario for Canadian National Championship in 1997...JUCO team MVP, 1st team all-conference, Outstanding Receiver by J.C. Gridwire, honorable mention all-American...Caught 63 passes for 816 yards and eight TDs last season...Also recruited by Oregon State, Arizona, Southwest Missouri State, Louisiana Tech, Western Illinois, Stephen F. Austin, Utah State, Nevada, Nebraska and Tulsa...Majoring in Physical Education...Son of Arthur and Candice Seitz.
ADDISON, IL - William Brechin, 6-0, 175, Fr. DB, Addison Trail HS...In football, two-time all-conference, conference MVP, two-time all-Area, all-state Sun Times and IHSFLA (Coaches Assoc.)...All-conference and all-state Academic Team...Earned three letters...Illinois Coaches Assoc./Shrine High School All-Star Football team selection...Earned three letters in baseball...Two-time all-conference, team MVP...Three letters in basketball, all-conference...Named to Northwest Suburban All-Star baseball team...Broke all school passing records as a quarterback...As a senior, passed for 1,858 yards and 25 TDs, rushed for 495 yards and four scores...Made 35-of-40 PATs and averaged 34.6 yards punting...38 tackles, four interceptions...National Honor Society...Also recruited by Southern Illinois, Bowling Green State, Grand Valley State and Central Michigan...Plans on majoring in Business/Marketing...Son of John and Coleen Brechin.
CHATHAM, IL - Griffith Jurgens, 6-3, 180, Jr. QB, Chatham Glenwood HS/William Rainey Harper College...Currently enrolled...JUCO all-conference and all-region, Special Mention All-American by J.C. Gridwire, 1st team academic all-American...Completed 349-648 passes for 4,471 yards and 35 TDs at Harper...Also recruited by Oklahoma State, San Diego State, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois, Indiana State, Arkansas State, Georgetown College, Benedictine and Montana...Majoring in Elementary Education...Son of Michael and Connie Jurgens.
ANKENY, IA - Derc Albrecht, 6-2, 190, Fr. LB, Ankeny HS...1st team Elite all-conference, 1st team Elite All-State, 1st team INA all-state...Averaged 19.5 yards on punt returns, scored 14 TDs, recorded 81 tackles and four sacks...Played defensive back in high school...Also ran track...Plans on majoring in Sports Psychology...Son of Doug and Tina Albrecht.
APLINGTON, IA - Cody Ubben, 6-2, 280, Fr. OL, Aplington-Parkersburg HS...Currently enrolled after transferring from Hawkeye Tech...1st team all-state, team MVP, 2000 Iowa Shrine Bowl selection...Earned three letters each in football and track and one in baseball...Son of Tim and Deanne Ubben.
BETTENDORF, IA - John Schabilion, 6-4, 260, Fr. OL, Bettendorf HS...Two-year letter winner...2nd team all-conference as a junior...As a senior, team co-captain, 2nd team all-conference, all-Metro, honorable mention all-state, three-time letter winner in track, conference champ in discus...National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete, Academic All-State...National Honor Society...Majoring in Computer Science...Son of David and Charleen Schabilion.
CEDAR FALLS, IA - Jordan Dreyer, 6-4, 210 Fr. TE, Cedar Falls HS...Starter on state playoff team...1st team All-Metro, all-conference, all-state...Also played defensive end...Also letter winner in basketball, earning "Mr. Hustle" Award, team captain...Also recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Simpson, Wartburg, Western Illinois...Son of Dan and Nancy Dreyer.
Mark Moothart, 6-0, 240, Sr. RB, Columbus (Waterloo) HS/Pittsburgh...Currently enrolled after transferring from Pittsburgh...1997 fullback red shirt and played in six games in 1998...Started four-of-11 games in 1999, carrying the ball 17 times for 66 yards...As a junior last year, played in two games with no stats ...Rushed for 1,038 yards on 153 carries and 23 TDs at Columbus as a senior...1st team all-state by Des Moines Register and 1st team all-state linebacker by Waterloo Courier...Three-year all-district and all-Metro, leading conference in scoring...Also four-year letterman in track and lettered in wrestling...Majoring in Sociology...Son of Joe and Nancy Moothart.
CLEAR LAKE, IA - Grant Larson, 6-2, 221, Fr. LB, Clear Lake HS...3A 1st team all-state by INA and Des Moines Register, 1st team all-district linebacker and center...Recorded 178 tackles as a senior...Also three-year letter winner in basketball and two-year in track in shot put...Majoring in Business...Son of Bill and Kim Larson.
CLIVE, IA - John Hermann, 6-4, 212 Fr. DL, Dowling HS (West Des Moines)...As a senior, 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-CIML, 1st team 4A all-state, 1st team Elite All-State, CIML Defensive Player of Year, Shrine Bowl selection...Recorded 13.5 sacks in nine games...Also recruited by Iowa and Southwest Missouri State...Son of Robin and Peggy Hermann.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - Darin Heideman, 6-1, 215 Fr. LB, St. Alberts HS...All-city soccer as a sophomore, all-state soccer, 2nd team all-district and all-City in football as a junior...As a senior, pre-season all-state, all-district and all-state in football...Senior year, 147 tackles and rushed for 515 yards on 70 carries, scoring eight TDs...Played tight end, fullback and linebacker...Also recruited by Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota, Iowa and Iowa State...Son of Richard and Nancy Heideman.
DAVENPORT, IA - Brian Cutright, 6-4, 210, Fr. TE, Bettendorf HS...36 catches for 560 yards as a senior, scoring a school-record three TDs in a single game and 10 in a season...Shrine Bowl selection...Earned three letters in baseball and two each in football and basketball...Also recruited by Western Illinois...Son of Brian and Peggi Cutright.
INDIANOLA, IA - Jeff Bates, 6-4, 270, Fr. OL, Indianola HS...Three-year academic all-conference...Earned three letters in football...Named 2nd team all-conference as a junior and 1st team as a senior...Four-year letter winner in track and once in basketball...Also recruited by Iowa, Kansas State, Northwest Missouri State and Truman State...Majoring in Pre-Med...Son of Henry and Phyllis Bates.
IOWA FALLS, IA - Anthony Howard, 6-3, 215, So. QB, Iowa Falls HS/New Mexico State...Currently enrolled...Red shirted at New Mexico State in '99 and saw limited action last fall after completing three-of-11 passes for 64 yards and running six times for 15 yards in the spring game...Earned three letters in football, four in golf and two in basketball in high school...Prep football team won two district titles, saw three playoff appearances and earned one state semifinal spot and one state championship...Two-year starter in high school...Rated as top QB recruit in state by Cyclone Illustrated...Threw for 1,100 yards and 11 TDs in 1998 while running for 875 yards despite playing just one full game...Midwest Region Elite team by Gridiron Greats...Two-time all-district, INA 1st team all-state...State of Iowa Scholar, graduating with 16 college credit hours...Majoring in Finance...Son of Steve and Glenda Howard.
LAKE MILLS, IA - Kevin Stensrud, 6-3, 240, Fr. DL, Lake Mills Community HS...2nd team all-district 1999, two-time 1st team all-district, district MVP, two-time 1st team INA all-state, two-time 2nd team all-state Des Moines Register, 2nd tam all-conference in basketball, ran on the 4 x 100 relay and threw the shot at state track meet...National Honor Society...275 career tackles...Also recruited by Iowa State, Bowling Green State and Kansas...Majoring in Finance...Son of Mike and Laura Stensrud.
OTTUMWA, IA - Tyler Shannon, 6-2, 190, Fr. DB, Ottumwa HS...Three-year starter, 2000 Prep Star all-region team, 1st team all-conference, CIML Elite All-Conference, INA honorable mention all-state, team MVP, two-year captain...1,212 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 729 yards passing, 6 TDs, career 2,303 rushing yards, 38 TDs, 2,122 passing yards, 20 TDs, 4,425 yards in total offense...Also recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Truman State and Nebraska-Omaha...Majoring in Education...Son of Terry and Sue Shannon.
ROCK RAPIDS, IA - Justin Overman, 6-5, 220 Fr. TE, Central Lyon HS...Two-time all-stater, including 1st team Des Moines Register and INA last fall; two-time all-district, two-time all-Northwest Iowa, team captain, Shrine Bowl selection...Earned two letters in football, three each in basketball and track and one in baseball...Basketball all-conference, all-Northwest Iowa, honorable mention all-state, team captain...High jump state qualifier, member of state champion 4 x 400M...Rushed for 500 yards and eight TDs, passed for 674 yards and five TDs and recorded 54 tackles as a senior...Also punted and placed kicked...National Honor Society...Also recruited by Iowa State, Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, South Dakota State and Augustana...Majoring in Business Administration/Management...Son of Marlin and Shelli Overman.
WEST UNION, IA - Justin Heins, 6-2, 235, Fr. DL, North Fayette HS...Five-year letter winner in baseball, 1st team all-conference, honorable mention all-state Utility...In track, threw the discus and shot, placing third at state in the discus...Four-year letter winner...Has over 100 career wrestling wins, holding the school record for single-season wins with 40...Placed fifth at state at 275 pounds, two-year conference champ and four-year letter winner...Rushed for 1,000 yards and led team in tackles two straight years, including 110 as a senior...Two-time all-district, two-time 1st team all-state...Son of Michael and Barb Heins.
OLATHE, KS - Jason Santifer, 5-9, 170, Fr. WR, Olathe South HS...1st team all-Sunflower WR, KR, DB; 1st team all-Sun Country DB, 1st team all-Metro Sports DB, All-Purpose; 1st team Kansas High School Coaches Team DB, 1st team Kansas 6A DB, 1st team KSHB 41 All-Metro DB, Kansas City Star 1st team All-Purpose, 1st team all-Johnson County DB, 1st team all-Olathe DB...Also recruited by Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri State, Northwest Missouri State...Son of Charles and Cynthia McAllister.
LOUISVILLE, KY - Walter Wright, 6-0, 175, Fr. DB, DuPont Manual HS...Recorded 120 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries...Received the Michigan Camp Defensive Back Award...Three-time HS DB MVP...Presidential Scholar...Also recruited by Ball State, Central Michigan, Northeastern, Cincinnati and Miami (OH)...Majoring in Business Marketing...Son of Ernest and Veronica Wright.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Keith Jackson, 6-0, 187, Fr. RB, Minnehaha Academy...Two-time all-state honorable mention, two-time MVP, two-time Running Back of Year, two-time all-conference, school-record 310 rushing yards in game, five TDs in a game...Majoring in psychology...Son of Keith Cameron and Lisa Jackson.
CLEVELAND, OH - Franklin Smith, 6-3, 200, Fr. WR, Glenville HS...Three-year letterman, CBS Sportsline 2000 All-Region Team...25 catches for 525 yards, five rushes for 35 yards, eight TDs...Honor Roll...Also recruited by Northeastern, Kent, Wisconsin and UMass...Son of Franklin and Malinda Smith.
HINCKLEY, OH - Bryan Panteck, 6-2, 205, Fr. QB, St. Ignatius HS (Cleveland)...Completed 126-230 passes for 2,416 yards and 28 TDs his senior year...School records with six TD passes in a game and 28 in a season...A.P. Northeast 1st team and Division I all-Ohio 1st team...Sun Newspaper QB of Year, Cleveland Plain Dealer Selection for "Best of the Best" QB for seven county coverage...Finalist for Cleveland High School Athlete of Year..One of 15 high school players nominated for Dick Butkus national Player of Year...National Gatorade Academic All-American nominee...Big 33 Classic football All-Star Game selection between Ohio and Pennsylvania...National Honor Society...Also recruited by Northern Illinois, Temple, Rutgers, Eastern Michigan, Kent State...Majoring in Business...Son of Gary and Cheryl Panteck.
POWELL, OH - Bryan Butler, 6-1, 180, Fr. WR, Olentangy HS (Lewis Center, OH)...As a junior, honorable mention all-conference, 2nd team all-district and all-Dispatch, 2nd team Super 25, special teams MVP...As a senior, 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-district, 1st team Super 25, 1st team all-Dispatch, 1st team all-state, team captain and MVP...Earned two letters in football, two in basketball and one in track...As a senior, scored 12 TDs, 58 catches for 1,073 yards, six punt returns for 7.8 average, 19 kickoff returns for 24.5 average, 31 solo tackles, 12 assisted, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, 16 breakups and one fumble recovery, eight rushes for 100 yards...Also recruited by Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Southern Illinois and Cincinnati...Plans on majoring in Business...Son of Michael and Janet Butler.
SIOUX FALLS, SD - Kris Jongejeugd, 6-6, 295, Jr. OL, Platte (SD) HS/North Dakota State College of Science/North Dakota...Currently enrolled...Two-time all-conference, team captain, all-state, Elite 45 Team senior year...All-conference, team captain at NDSCS...Also recruited by Temple, Central Florida, Northern Illinois and Memphis...Majoring in General Studies...Son of Garry Jongejeugd and Joy Garrison.
RACINE, WI - Patrick Hunter, 5-10, 167, Fr. DB, Washington Park HS...Football all-region, all-conference, 1st team all-county...Won all-state in 100 and 200 meter dash...Rushed for over 3,000 yards in career...Also recruited by South Dakota, Michigan State, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois...Majoring in Elementary Education...Son of Patrick Hunter and Patricia Catron.
WAUPACA, WI - James Moyer, 6-2, 275, So. DL, Waupaca HS/Ellsworth CC...1st team defensive end as a prep senior, honorable mention all-region...JUCO academic all-American...Also recruited by Southwest Missouri State, Wisconsin, Iowa State...Majoring in Business...Son of Joe and Sue Moyer.
