Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Football Adds Quarterback to 2007 Signing Class
3/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
February 7 National Signing Day Release
MOUNT PLEASANT – Central Michigan University head football coach Butch Jones has announced the addition of quarterback Derek Rifenbury (Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch HS) to the 2007 recruiting class.
“Throughout the recruiting season we were able to watch Derek compete, and we feel he has all the intangibles we look for here in a quarterback,” Jones said. “We are very excited to welcome him into our football family.”
Rifenbury becomes the 17th member of the 2007 recruiting class. He is the lone quarterback signee.
A four-year starter, Rifenbury holds every passing record at four-year-old Monarch High School. As a senior, he threw for 2,063 yards and 21 touchdowns as Monarch posted a 5-4 record. His yardage total is the fifth-highest in a single season in Broward County history.
Rifenbury, an honor student with a grade-point average above 4.0, was named his team’s Most Valuable Player as a junior and a senior. He was a first team all-county selection by both the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel in 2006. He also earned Miami Dolphins Player of the Week honors during the 2006 season.
Rifenbury capped his prep career by competing in both the Broward County All-Star Game and NFL Global Junior Championship. He tossed two touchdown passes and was named MVP in Team USA’s 23-13 loss to Team Canada in the championship game.
CMU (10-4 overall, 7-1 Mid-American Conference), defeated Ohio University, 31-10, in the 2006 MAC Championship Game and Middle Tennessee State, 31-14, in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. The Chippewas open the 2007 season at Kansas on Sept. 1.
