Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Football Announces 2008 Recruiting Class
2/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University head football coach Butch Jones announced the signing of 22 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.
“We are very excited about this class and feel it addresses the needs we had in our football program,” Jones said. “With this class we have improved our overall athleticism and team speed and addressed some needs we felt we had in terms of depth on the offensive line, defensive line and in the secondary. All of our signees come from strong family backgrounds and have great values. They understand it is a privilege to wear the maroon and gold, and everyone in the class shares the traits of competitiveness, character and a commitment to academics.”
The recruiting class includes 11 defensive players and 11 on offense. Broken down by position, the class includes five defensive backs, four defensive ends, three offensive linemen, three receivers, three running backs and one each at quarterback, linebacker, defensive line and tight end.
Ten of the recruits hail from Florida, seven from Michigan, three from Indiana and one each from Illinois and Ohio.
“We are excited to be able to continue our commitment to the state of Michigan, along with continuing our strong ties to the state of Florida,” Jones said. “We’ve also established ourselves throughout the Midwest in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.”
CMU also has added six players to the program who will join the team as preferred walk-ons. Long-snapper Brian Bennyhoff (Saline, Mich./Saline HS), linebacker Jake Bentley (Grandville, Mich./Grandville HS), offensive lineman Matt Kanitz (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac HS), linebacker/tight end Joe Kinville (Detroit, Mich./Catholic Central HS), punter Jake Linklater (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS) and linebacker Kyle Torzy (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren De La Salle HS) have committed to CMU.
| Name | Position | Height | Weight | Hometown/High School |
| Jahleel Addae | RB | 5-9 | 176 | Valrico, Fla./Riverview HS |
| David Blackburn | TE | 6-3 | 245 | Detroit, Mich./Warren De La Salle HS |
| John Carr | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS |
| Derek Carter | DB | 6-0 | 183 | Sunrise, Fla./Dillard HS |
| Grant Cartwright | OL | 6-5 | 245 | Westville, Ind./Chesterton HS |
| Paris Cotton | RB | 5-9 | 175 | Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS |
| Cedric Fraser | WR | 6-3 | 180 | Pembroke Pines, Fla./Everglades HS |
| Kashawn Fraser | DE | 6-3 | 215 | Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch HS |
| Jerry Harris | WR | 6-3 | 182 | Delray Beach, Fla./Boca Raton HS |
| Richard Hayes | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Lindenhurst, Ill./Lakes Community HS |
| Darren Keyton | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West HS |
| Yvener Lisca | DB | 5-9 | 170 | Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS |
| Ryan Radcliff | QB | 6-2 | 195 | Hicksville, Ohio/Fairview HS |
| Mike Repovz | DE | 6-4 | 243 | Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic HS |
| Bryan Schroeder | RB | 5-9 | 212 | Corydon, Ind./North Harrison HS |
| Valtorrey Showers | WR | 5-9 | 170 | Detroit, Mich./Crockett HS |
| Armond Staten | LB | 6-1 | 205 | Detroit, Mich./Inkster HS |
| Darryll Stinson | DE | 6-6 | 225 | Jackson, Mich./Jackson HS |
| Lorenzo White | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS |
| John Williams | DL | 6-0 | 270 | Miami, Fla./Miami Central HS |
| LaVarus Williams | DB | 5-11 | 185 | Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis HS |
| Steve Winston | DE | 6-3 | 235 | Muskegon Heights, Mich./Muskegon Heights HS |
2008 CMU Football Signing Class Biographical Sketches
Jahleel Addae RB 5-9 176 Valrico, Fla./Riverview HS
At Riverview High School: Ran for 1,426 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2007 ... third team Class 6A all-state honoree ... Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team selection ... rushed for 1,051 yards and 11 scores in 2006 ... all-county second team selection by the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times in 2006 ... just the second player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three different seasons ... ran for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore ... earned second team all-state accolades as a sophomore. Personal: Son of Freddie and Jennifer Addae ... born January 24, 1990 ... prep coach was Dan O’Regan ... chose CMU over West Virginia and Iowa State ... older brother, Jahmile, was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at West Virginia.
David Blackburn TE 6-3 245 Detroit, Mich./Warren De La Salle HS
At De La Salle High School: Three-year starter ... lined up at tight end and on the defensive line ... No. 50 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 ... All-Macomb County first team as a senior ... selected to Detroit Free Press All-East honorable mention team ... also earned All-Central Division and All-Catholic honors in 2007 ... caught 17 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end ... voted team’s best receiver by his teammates ... earned one varsity letter in basketball. Personal: Parents are Deborah Cade and Edward Blackburn ... born October 10, 1989 ... attended same high school as current Chippewa Shane Torzy and CMU preferred walk-on Kyle Torzy ... prep coach was Paul Verska ... also considered Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
John Carr DB 6-2 180 Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS
At St. Thomas Aquinas High School: Three-sport athlete ... helped lead team to a 15-1 record and Florida Class 5A state title in 2007 ... St. Thomas Aquinas lost in double overtime in the state championship game in 2006 ... recorded 43 tackles and three interceptions in 2007, including a key interception late in the state championship game ... All-Broward 6A-4A honorable mention selection ... honorable mention All-Broward County selection in basketball ... earned three varsity letters in basketball and two in track and field. Personal: Parents are John and Windle Carr ... born February 25, 1990 ... prep coach was George Smith ... attended same high school as current Chippewa Marcel Archer ... chose CMU over Syracuse, Tulsa, Buffalo, Akron and Florida International.
Derek Carter DB 6-0 183 Sunrise, Fla./Dillard HS
At Dillard High School: Four-year starter ... earned all-county honors ... selected to play in Dade-Broward All-Star Game ... also earned four varsity letters in track and field ... ran on No. 1-ranked 4x100m relay team in the country ... earned all-state honors in track. Personal: Son of Derek and Pat Carter ... born September 10, 1989 ... prep coach was Keith Franklin ... high school teammate of CMU signee Lorenzo White ... chose CMU over Wisconsin, Rutgers, Purdue, Toledo, Akron, Florida International and La.-Lafayette.
Grant Cartwright OL 6-5 245 Westville, Ind./Chesterton HS
At Chesterton High School: Three-year starter on the offensive line and two-year starter at defensive end ... honorable mention Class 5A all-state selection by the Associated Press as a defensive lineman in 2007 ... also honorable mention all-state in 2006 ... named to Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times all-area second team ... also named to Michigan City News-Dispatch all-area squad ... selected to Bloomington Herald Times Big State team ... recorded 34 tackles and three sacks from his defensive line position as a senior ... finished career with 65 total tackles and three sacks. Personal: Son of Bruce and Sue Cartwright ... born April 1, 1989 ... prep coach was John Snyder ... chose CMU over Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Miami.
Paris Cotton RB 5-9 175 Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS
At Hialeah High School: Four-year letterman ... ran for 854 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007 ... selected to participate in Dade-Broward All-Star Game ... named to Miami Herald All-Dade 6A-4A third team in 2006 ... was an honorable mention All-Dade selection by the Miami Herald in 2007 ... also lettered in track and field. Personal: Son of Elaine Cotton ... born November 2, 1989 ... prep coach was Alex Terry ... high school teammate of CMU signee Yvener Lisca ... chose CMU over Florida International, Florida Atlantic, BYU and Iowa State.
Cedric Fraser WR 6-3 180 Pembroke Pines, Fla./Everglades HS
At Everglades High School: Three-year letterman ... caught 25 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns in 2007 ... earned All-Broward County honors. Personal: Parents are Ulda and Cedric Fraser ... prep coach was Josh Shapiro ... chose CMU over Akron, Northern Illinois and Florida Atlantic.
Kashawn Fraser DE 6-3 215 Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch HS
At Monarch High School: Earned Miami Herald All-Broward County 6A-4A second team honorable mention accolades in first year playing organized football ... selected to play in Dade-Broward All-Star Game ... credited with 14 sacks ... honorable mention all-county in basketball ... averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Personal: Parents are Yohanna and Steffan Webb ... born March 26, 1990 ... prep coach was Allen Jackson ... attended same high school as current Chippewa Derek Rifenbury ... also considered Toledo, Akron, Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Arkansas State.
Jerry Harris WR 6-3 182 Delray Beach, Fla./Boca Raton HS
At Boca Raton High School: Two-year starter and letterman ... selected to play in Palm Beach County All-Star Game ... caught 35 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns as a senior ... all-conference first team selection as a senior ... recipient of Super Bobcat Award, presented to team’s top player ... also lettered twice in basketball and once in track and field ... two-time winner of a Boca Raton area slam dunk contest. Personal: Son of Jerry and Pat Harris ... born March 2, 1990 ... prep coach was Eddie Giersbrook ... chose CMU over Southern Miss, Western Michigan and La.-Lafayette.
Richard Hayes OL 6-3 275 Lindenhurst, Ill./Lakes Community HS
At Lakes Community High School: Three-year starter ... started two years at right tackle before moving to left tackle as a senior ... did not allow a sack while averaging one pancake block per game in 2007 ... Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-star selection ... earned all-state, all-area and all-conference accolades. Personal: Parents are Richard and Vicki Hayes ... born January 12, 1990 ... prep coach was Luke Mertens ... chose CMU over Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
Darren Keyton OL 6-3 275 Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West HS
At Traverse City West High School: Three-year starter ... No. 43 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 ... helped lead team to a Big North Conference title and state playoff berth as a junior ... two-time all-conference first team selection ... two-year captain ... Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region Dream Team member ... played as an offensive lineman, tight end, defense end and linebacker during career ... credited with 38 pancake blocks and graded at 90 percent for his career as an offensive lineman ... 78 career tackles and 10 sacks on the defensive side of the ball ... two-sport athlete who also earned three varsity letters in basketball. Personal: Son of Diane and Jim Keyton ... born June 15, 1990 ... prep coach was Matt Prisk ... chose CMU over Western Michigan and Michigan State.
Yvener Lisca DB 5-9 170 Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS
At Hialeah High School: Two-year letterman ... recorded eight interceptions, three blocked field goals and three blocked punts in 2007 ... returned one kickoff for a touchdown ... earned Miami Herald All-Dade 6A-4A honorable mention accolades in 2006 ... All-Dade second team in 2007 ... also lettered in baseball and track. Personal: Son of Samson and Rosmela Lisca ... born October 29, 1989 ... prep coach was Alex Terry ... high school teammate of CMU signee Paris Cotton ... chose CMU over Illinois, Boise State, BYU and Florida International.
Ryan Radcliff QB 6-2 195 Hicksville, Ohio/Fairview HS
At Fairview High School: Three-year starter and four-year letterman ... 22-5 record as a starting quarterback ... two-time All-Ohio first team selection (2006, 2007) ... Ohio Division V Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 ... Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 ... two-time all-conference selection ... career statistics: 784-for 1,294, 11,038 yards, 139 touchdowns ... as a junior, completed 336-of-557 passes for 4,611 yards and 57 touchdowns ... as a senior, completed 329-of-500 passes for 4,738 yards and 64 touchdowns ... also rushed for 618 yards as a senior ... named to All-Toledo Blade team ... career passing yards and career touchdown passes both rank second in state history ... 64 touchdown passes in 2007 ranks second in state history ... 4,738 passing yards in 2007 ranks third in school history ... holds 14 school single-season and career records ... set a state record with 678 passing yards and tied a state record with nine touchdown passes in a 68-41 victory in 2006 ... earned four varsity letters in baseball and two in basketball. Personal: Son of Bob and Debbie Radcliff ... born February 14, 1990 ... prep coach was Bob Olwin ... chose CMU over Western Michigan, Ball State, Bowling Green, Ohio, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
Mike Repovz DE 6-4 243 Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic HS
At Lansing Catholic High School: Three-year starter before missing senior season with an injury ... earned all-state accolades in 2006 ... two-time all-conference honoree ... named to Lansing State Journal all-area team in 2006 ... named a team captain in 2007 and earned program’s coaches’ award ... selected team’s defensive MVP in 2006 ... recorded 99 tackles and blocked three kicks as a junior in 2006 ... 15 of his tackles were for a loss of yardage, including an area-leading 11 sacks ... tallied 33 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore ... earned two varsity letters in basketball ... named to Lansing State Journal all-area basketball team following junior season in which he averaged 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Personal: Son of Bill and Lucy Repovz ... born September 29, 1989 ... prep coach was Tony Costello.
Bryan Schroeder RB 5-9 212 Corydon, Ind./North Harrison HS
At North Harrison High School: Four-year starter ... ran for a school-record 6,003 yards and 96 touchdowns ... averaged more than 11 yards per carry during career ... posted 2,043 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns as a junor ... ran for 2,557 rushing yards as a sophomore in 2005 ... finished the regular season as the state of Indiana’s leading rusher both seasons ... twice broke the school single-game rushing record as a sophomore, running for 350 yards and five touchdowns in the 2005 season opener and two weeks later running for 367 yards and six scores ... three-time all-state and all-conference selection ... selected to the Bloomington Herald Times Top 33 team ... selected as one of Street and Smith’s top 50 juniors in the country in 2006 ... also earned three varsity letters in track and field. Personal: Son of Mike and Lori Schroeder ... born December 12, 1989 ... prep coach was Jason Mullis ... also considered Purdue, Iowa and Indiana.
Valtorrey Showers WR 5-9 170 Detroit, Mich./Crockett HS
At Crockett High School: No. 60 on Detroit News Blue Chip list ... named to Detroit Free Press All-Detroit first team offense ... caught 38 passes for 590 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007 ... also recorded 39 tackles and intercepted five passes on defense ... as a junior, caught six touchdown passes, returned two kickoffs for scores and returned two punts for touchdowns. Personal: Parents are Val and Conya Showers ... born May 4, 1990 ... prep coach was Rod Oden.
Armond Staten LB 6-1 205 Detroit, Mich./Inkster HS
At Inkster High School: Three-year starter ... No. 46 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 ... No. 53 on Detroit News Blue Chip list ... named to Detroit Free Press All-West second team ... helped lead Inkster to a 12-2 record and the Division 6 state championship game in 2006 ... set a single-season school record with 24 sacks as a junior in 2006 ... finished career with 35 sacks and four interceptions ... recorded 72 tackles in 2007 ... three-sport athlete who earned two varsity letters in basketball and three in track. Personal: Born July 27, 1989 ... prep coach was Greg Carter ... also considered Bowling Green and Iowa.
Darryll Stinson DE 6-6 225 Jackson, Mich./Jackson HS
At Jackson High School: Two-year letterman ... named to Citizen Patriot Dream Team in 2007 ... all-league first team selection ... named one of the top eight defensive linemen in the state by the Mid-Michigan Touchdown Club ... credited with 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble last season ... also earned three varsity letters in basketball and one in track and field. Personal: Parents are Darrall Stinson and Yolanda Brown ... father was a three-year letterman at CMU (1990-92) ... prep coach was Jack Fairly ... chose CMU over Eastern Michigan.
Lorenzo White DB 6-0 170 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS
At Dillard High School: Three-year letterman and two-year starter ... selected to play in Dade-Broward All-Star Game ... named to Miami Herald All-Broward 6A-4A second team ... collected more than 100 tackles and five interceptions in 2007 ... returned two interceptions for touchdowns ... honorable mention selection to the Super 11 team, which features the top 11 players in Broward County ... earned MVP honors in the annual Soul Bowl game between Dillard and Blanche Ely ... also earned three letters in track and field ... ran on the No. 1-ranked 4x100m relay team in the country ... ran on the 4x400m relay team that qualified for the state championships in 2007. Personal: Mother is Katherine Adams ... father is former Michigan State standout and NFL Pro Bowl running back Lorenzo White ... born November 24, 1989 ... prep coach was Keith Franklin ... high school teammate of CMU signee Derek Carter ... chose CMU over Michigan State, Purdue, Auburn, South Carolina and Mississippi.
John Williams DL 6-0 270 Miami, Fla./Miami Central HS
At Miami Central High School: Four-year letterman ... named to Miami Herald All-Dade 6A-4A second team in 2007... selected to play in Dade-Broward All-Star Game ... played in Florida North/South All-Star Game ... recorded 45 tackles, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 2007 ... also lettered in wrestling. Personal: Parents are Jonathan Williams and Trudy Witt ... born July 26, 1990 ... prep coach was Manny Martin ... chose CMU over Miami (Fla.), Tennessee, Memphis, Ohio and Buffalo.
LaVarus Williams DB 5-11 185 Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis HS
At Ben Davis High School: Three-year starter as a safety and receiver ... runner-up for Indiana’s Mr. Football award as a defensive back ... earned all-conference and all-state accolades ... recorded 33 tackles and intercepted one pass as a senior ... finished career with 36 catches for 494 yards ... also used as a kickoff and punt returner ... averaged 35 yards per kickoff return with one touchdown as a senior ... also averaged 25.5 yards per punt return with one touchdown ... two-sport athlete who earned four varsity letters in track and field ... finished eighth in the state in the 100 meters twice ... ran on state championship winning 4x100m relay team as a junior. Personal: Son of Connie Jones ... born July 13, 1989 ... prep coach was Mike Kirschner ... chose CMU over Indiana.
Steve Winston DE 6-3 235 Muskegon Heights, Mich./Muskegon Heights HS
At Muskegon Heights High School: First team all-state Division 5 selection by the Detroit Free Press ... Detroit News first team all-state Division 5/6 selection ... No. 34 on Detroit News Blue Chip list. Personal: Son of Steve and Kathy Winston ... born June 19, 1990 ... prep coach was Tommy Elliott.
2008 CMU Football Preferred Walk-On Biographical Sketches
Brian Bennyhoff LS 6-0 225 Saline, Mich./Saline HS
At Saline High School: Two-year starter ... did not have a bad snap during his two years as team’s long-snapper ... first team academic all-state selection ... earned team’s Hustle Award and Ironman Award as a junior and senior ... SEC Sportsmanship Award winner ... vice president of National Honor Society. Personal: Son of Bruce and Bonnie Bennyhoff ... born November 1, 1990 ... prep coach was Mike Glennie ... chose CMU over Toledo.
Jake Bentley LB 6-2 205 Grandville, Mich./Grandville HS
At Grandville High School: Two-sport athlete ... earned two varsity letters in football and basketball ... recorded 127 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception as a senior ... credited with 90 tackles as a junior. Personal: Parents are Ray and Jodi Bentley ... father, Ray, is CMU’s third all-time leading tackler and was Mid-American Conference MVP in 1982 ... born March 14, 1990 ... prep coach was Scott Shaw ... chose CMU over Northern Illinois, Ball State and Toledo.
Matt Kanitz OL 6-6 260 Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac HS
At Cadillac High School: Two-year letterman on the offensive and defensive lines ... team captain in 2007 ... led team in tackles in 2006 and was leading team in 2007 prior to season-ending injury ... Big North Conference first team in 2006 and 2007 ... earned all-state first team honors from the Detroit Free Press and Associated Press in 2006 ... twice named to both Cadillac News Dream Team and Traverse City Record-Eagle Dream Team ... part of district championship teams in 2005 and 2006 ... also lettered three seasons in hockey ... scholar-athlete award winner. Personal: Son of Bill and Cindy Kanitz ... born November 15, 1989 ... prep coach was Jim Webb.
Joe Kinville LB/TE 6-2 210 Northville, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central HS
At Detroit Catholic Central High School: Two-year letterman ... recorded 90 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions as a senior ... helped lead team to a 10-3 record and district and regional championships ... earned all-state and All-Catholic honors ... also earned three varsity letters in wrestling. Personal: Son of Karen and Paul Kinville ... born January 1, 1990 ... prep coach was Tom Mach.
Jake Linklater P 6-2 180 Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion HS
At Lake Orion High School: Two-year letterman ... averaged 42.8 yards per punt in 2007 ... earned all-league and honorable mention all-county honors. Personal: Parents are Joseph and Jacqueline Linklater ... born February 14, 1990 ... prep coach was Chris Bell.
Kyle Torzy LB 6-2 232 Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren De La Salle HS
At De La Salle High School: Two-year starter ... team captain in 2007 ... earned all-league and All-Catholic honors ... All-Macomb County first team selection ... selected to MHSFCA East All-Star team ... played on defense, offense and special teams ... converted 7-of-8 field goal attempts and rushed for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Personal: Son of Mark and Shannon Torzy ... born June 12, 1990 ... prep coach was Paul Verska ... chose CMU over Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
