Long-Time Ties Help Owens With First AU Football Recruiting Class
February 4, 2004

Updated List Posted Feb. 18

Football Recruits Information (List and Bios)

Akron is roughly 45 miles from Ashland. Sometimes the distance between Division I and Division II football isn’t that far.

Lee Owens is in his first year as Ashland University’s head coach. While many new coaches come into a job and have to learn the recruiting territory, Owens could hit the ground running at Ashland. He came to AU after nine years as the head coach at the University of Akron. Prior to that, there were stops at Ohio State, Massillon and several other high schools. The common denominator – every stop was in Ohio.

That paid huge dividends as Owens hit the road looking for recruits for Ashland. High school coaches and players throughout the state were familiar with Owens and what he represents. Being on the recruiting trail for Akron helped when he took the job at Ashland.

“A lot of the players we recruited we had established relationships with long before coaching at Ashland,” said Owens. “A few of our recruits had been offered (at Akron) and several others would have been offered. That kind of raised the bar for this class. So we continued to look for Division I players who were left behind.

“Being familiar with the state was a big part of this class. We wanted to get the same kind of player we had in the MAC and develop them into great players.”

Any football coach looks for size, but Owens believed he needed an upgrade in that department right away.

“We didn’t think we had a lot of size on our current Ashland team,” admitted Owens. “In this class you’ll see a lot of 6-3, 6-4 players that will grow into their size.”

Certain positions got added attention from the coaching staff. AU’s starting cornerbacks last season were both seniors and graduation will also claim a starting safety. For that reason, this initial list of recruits includes an influx of players who have experience in the secondary.

Another area that was heavily reinforced was running back. That position got a shot of size and speed. The offensive line was a priority as well.

The AU head coach pointed out that this group has the potential to excel in the classroom, too. Eleven members of this initial group of recruits have qualified for AU Presidential Scholarships.

2004 Ashland University Football Recruits Information

Brandon Baxter, DL, 6-5, 230, Columbus Grove, OH
High School Coach: Jerry Cooper
Name first team All-Ohio in 2003…was first team all-league in 2002 and 2003…selected first team all-district in 2003 and second team all-district in 2002…named to the 2003 Lima News Dream Team (all divisions)…named to the first team Lima News Small School all-star team in 2002..holds school records for tackles for loss in a season and a career…played on a 2003 team that went 15-0 and captured a state championship…in 2002 Columbus Grove was 13-1 and advanced to the state Final Four…2001 team was 11-3 with a trip to the Ohio Final Four and in 2000 Columbus Grove was 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs…earned two letters apiece in football, basketball and track and field…was a team captain in football and basketball…is the son of Robert and Beverly Baxter.

Quote From Owens: “He played on a state championship team. He’s a real athletic lineman, he can be an outstanding speed rusher off the edge. He could play tight end. He may start at outside linebacker and grow into a defensive end. He’s an athlete with great speed running the ball down.”

Kyle Calvert, S/OLB, 6-0, 205, Canton, OH/Massillon Jackson
High School Coach: Phil Mauro
Named All-Ohio, all-district, all-conference and All-Stark County…preseason Stark County player of the year candidate…Canton Repository player of the week once this season…lettered three times in football, four times in track and field…is the son of Barbara Heath and Steve Calvert.

Quote From Owens: “He was picked by most initial scouting services as the Stark County player of the year. Then he suffered a broken leg and missed most of the season. He’s a productive player, he makes a lot of big plays. He might be the steal in this whole group. We’ll never recruit too many playmakers.”

Kyle Clark, OLB/DE, 6-3, 230, Sullivan, OH/Black River
High School Coach: Al Young
Two-time second team All-Ohio pick…also was All-Ohio special mention in 2001…two-time first team all-district selection…named the Mohican Area Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year…has secured nine letters – four apiece in football and basketball and one in track and field…led team to 8-2 finish this year, Pirates advanced to the regional finals, 2002 team lost in the first round of the playoffs…was also All-Ohio honorable mention in basketball…is the son of Larry and Nancy Clark.

Quote From Owens: “He’s about as physical a player as we recruited. He has skill, he played quarterback and running back in high school, but he wants to play defense. He’s physical and he’s a real smart football player.”

Josh Hendrix, TB, 6-1, 215, Applecreek, OH/Waynedale
High School Coach: Bill Seder
Is the school’s career rushing leader with 3,214 yards…owns the school record for the longest kickoff return (93 yards)…had a school record 2,003 yards rushing in a single season and averaged 8.7 ypc…was first team All-Ohio in 2003 (Division 4) and a first team all-district choice…first team All-Wayne County Athletic League…named to the all-star teams of the Wooster Daily Record and Akron Beacon Journal…played on a team this past season that went 10-2 and was a conference tri-champion…team advanced to the state playoffs and scored a school record 503 points this past season…is the son of Denny and Deb Hendrix.

Quote From Owens: “He’s very explosive. He can explode through the hole and run over people. He’s deceptively fast.”

Justin Hood, DB, 5-9, 175, Youngstown, OH/Chaney
High School Coach: Ron Berdis
Garnered second team All-Ohio laurels...named first team all-conference…two-time first team all-city pick…two-time team most valuable player…played on teams that won four city championships…owns three letters in football and one in basketball…parents are Lesha and Jerry Hood.

Quote From Owens: “He can play right away. He runs well. We need help at cornerback and he needs to ready to contribute right from the start.”

Ray Kent, FB, 6-0, 240, Uniontown, OH/Green
High School Coach: Eldon McVicker
Led team to four consecutive postseason berths…Named All-Suburban League as a junior and senior…as a senior was honorable mention All-Ohio, was placed on the All-Summit County all-star team and earned a spot on the All-Northeast Ohio squad…was also All-Suburban League in baseball and wrestling and has been a state qualifier in wrestling…has earned 11 letters – three in football and four apiece in wrestling and baseball…is the senior class vice president…parents are Raymond and Allison Kent.

Quote From Owens: “He’s a tough, throwback player. He just loves blocking ends and linebackers. He’s ranked ninth in the state as a heavyweight wrestler and he’s an honor student. He’s a total package guy.”

John Long, DE/OL, 6-4, 250, Ravenna, OH
High School Coach: John Lonardi
Named first team all-conference as an offensive tackle as a junior and senior…second team All-Ohio in 2003…named first team all-district…in 2002 was honorable mention All-Ohio…honored by the Akron Touchdown Club in 2002…earned four letters in football…is the son of Corinne Long.

Quote From Owens: “He’s a big, strong player. I think we’ll start him on defense, he runs well enough to play defense. He’s put together physically.”

Dan McMullen, OL, 6-7, 285, Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore
High School Coach: Tom Adams
Earned three letters in football, two in track and field and one letter in baseball…part of the All-GMAC Academic Team…team most valuable player in 2003…is a member of the school’s 1200-Pound Club…played on an offense that was ranked second in the conference in 2003 and was the league’s top offense in 2002. This past year the Aviators averaged 34.0 ppg., and 404.0 ypg. in total offense…is the son of Tim and Mimi McMullen.

Quote From Owens: “He’s strong, moves well, bends his knees as a blocker. He finishes blocks. He’s a player like we would see in the MAC.”

Sam Morant, DB, 5-11, 180, Pittsburgh, PA/Schenley
High School Coach: James Trent
Selected to the 2003 Pittsburgh City League all-star team…has earned six letters – three on the gridiron, three in track and one in baseball…is the son of Samuel and Vanita Morant.

Quote From Owens: “He runs well enough to cover people deep and is physical enough to come up and make tackles. I don’t think you can just have a ‘cover corner,’ you need defensive backs who can cover and tackle. He will hit.”

Brady Pisano, OL, 6-5, 275, Westerville, OH/Westernville South
High School Coach: Rocky Pintello
Named first team All-Ohio Capital Conference…first team all-district, special mention All-Ohio…selected to play in the Central Ohio all-star game…led team to 10-1 season in 2003…South won conference title and was the top seed in Region 3…lettered three times in football, two times in track and field…is the son of Gary and Nancy Pisano.

Quote From Owens: “He’s a big, strong player. We have recruited him all season. He has what we’re looking for, he has a powerful punch as a pass blocker.”

Jay Reed, RB/DB, 6-2, 235, Windham, OH
High School Coach: Joe Baum
Rushed for 2,122 yards (10 games) this past season…averaged 7.0 ypc., with 36 touchdowns in 2003…ended the year (12 games) with 2,580 yards with 10, 200-yard rushing games…ended his prep career with 4,327 yards rushing with 50 touchdowns…named first team All-Ohio (Division 6) and the Region 21 player of the year as a senior…was the Akron Touchdown Club player of the year for 2003…first team All-Portage County League in 2002 and 2003…first team all-district in 2002 and 2003…named the Portage County League player of the year in 2003.

Quote From Owens: “He was a man playing against boys in most games this year. He’s a big back and a punishing runner with speed. He’s the type of player who stepped it up in big games his senior year.”

Jon Schroeder, RB, 6-0, 185, Avon Lake, OH
Head Coach: Dave Dlugosz
Was first team all-state and the Division II offensive player of the year…first team all-league, all-county and all-district…was the conference player of the year and the district offensive player of the year…received the Golden Helmet Award…honored by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as part of the “Best of the Best.”…team went 15-0 this past season and won a state championship…during his career, Avon Lake won three conference championships…is Avon Lake’s all-time leading rusher and scorer and holds the county’s single-season rushing record…parents are Tom and Jeannette Schroeder.

Quote From Owens “He’s also from a state championship team. He’s very impressive. He’s got a presence about him, he’s a leader, a winner. He runs track and has legitimate track speed. He may have been the best Division II player in the state this season.”

D.J. Shaw, DB, 6-3, 190, LaGrange, OH/Keystone
High School Coach: Phil Tuttle
Highly-decorated player, was first team all-conference, first team all-county and first team all-district…named honorable mention All-Ohio…in 2002 was the team’s most valuable player and in 2003 was the team most valuable player…2003 team captain…picked up four letters apiece in football and basketball…parents are Rick and Laura Shaw.

Quote From Owens: We saw D.J. play basketball and we realize how athletic and competitive he is. D.J’s another recruit that could play safety or outside linebacker depending on how he develops.”

Nate Summerfield, RB, 6-0, 185, Ashland, OH
High School Coach: Scott Valentine
Was named the Cardinal Conference offensive player of the year in 2003…was first team All-Ohio and a two-time Ashland County player of the year…also recognized as the Mansfield News Journal player of the year…two-time team most valuable player and the North Central Coaches Association offensive back of the year…team went 8-3 in 2003...parents are John and Sandy Summerfield.

Quote From Owens: “He has tremendous balance, you can’t get a clean shot on him. He’s so quick. All the running backs we’ve recruited bring something different to the table. Nate is a glider who is a special running back.”

Mike White, OL, 6-7, 315, Poland, OH/Poland Seminary
High School Coach: Paul Hulea
Named first team All-Metro Athletic Conference as a senior...was the conference’s defensive lineman of the year as a junior and senior…first team All-MAC as an offensive lineman…first team All-Quad County…honorable mention All-Northeast Ohio…team was 25-9 during his career…earned three letters – two in football and one in baseball…parents are William and Judith White.

Quote From Owens: “He has great size, moves well, just a big, strong player. Mike is smart and a real hard-working football player.”

David Ziegelhofer, WR/KR, 6-3, 185, Lexington, OH
High School Coach: Dave Kaples
In 2003 was first team All-Ohio and first team All-Northwest District…was first team Ohio Cardinal Conference and was named a first team all-star by the Mansfield News Journal…was the team most valuable player in 2003…during his career at Lexington received the Ball Hawk award, the Best Receiver award, the Best Special Teams Player award and was tabbed the Outback player of the week three times…holds Lexington High records for most receptions in a season and career and is the school record holder for most receiving yards in a season and career…earned eight letters – three apiece in football and basketball and two in track and field…is the son of Mike and Pat Ziegelhofer.

Quote From Owens: “He’s a very versatile player. He can return kicks and punts. He has good hands and a good feel for the game. He plays fast and he plays hard. You can’t have enough players who play with passion.”