Arkansas State head football coach Blake Anderson announced Wednesday that the Red Wolves have signed 17 players from nine different states as part of their 2019 recruiting class.
A-State’s latest recruiting class, the sixth under Anderson, is made up of 10 defensive and seven offensive players. The group includes five defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three offensive lineman, two wide receivers and one quarterback, running back and linebacker.
“I thought it went well today, and overall I think we got a really solid class that meets our needs,” said A-State head coach Blake Anderson. “We’re not quite done with it yet and still have a few spots to fill, so we’ve still got work to do. Today wasn’t extremely chaotic and was pretty calm down the stretch. I think our coaching staff did a really good job over the course of the recruiting process to get guys locked in, and they’ve been settled on us for a while.
“I feel like all these guys that signed today are quality players. We didn’t want to wait on them and we didn’t have any doubts about them, so it was full tilt trying to make sure that we got them signed right now.”
Today’s announced class thus far includes three players who were already enrolled at Arkansas State University and participated in the 2018 season. A-State added 14 players on the first day of the early signing period today, including possibly up to seven who will be available to participate in spring camp.
While several honors still haven’t been announced for the 2018 season, 15 of the 17 players in the class have already been named high school all-state, college all-conference and/or rated as a 3-star prospect by one of the major recruiting web sites.
The Red Wolves signed five players from Kansas, three from Texas, two from both Mississippi and Oklahoma and one each from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri and New Mexico.
The Red Wolves completed the 2018 regular season with an 8-4 overall record and as the Sun Belt Conference West Division co-champions. Their eight victories matches their third highest total since moving to FBS status in 1992.
Set to play in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29, A-State is making its eighth consecutive bowl-game appearance for the 15th longest streak in the nation. The Red Wolves have secured a school-record eight consecutive winning seasons as well and piled up 67 victories from 2011-18 for their most over an eight-year span in the program’s 104-year history.
2019 ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
- 1. Elery Alexander: 6-0, 190, Jr., S, Van Vleck, Texas (Kilgore (Texas) College)*
- 2. Isaiah Azubuike: 5-11, 200, Fr., RB, St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran North High School)
- 3. Jeffmario Brown: 6-3, 229, Jr., DE, Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Hutchinson (Kan.) CC)**
- 4. Coltin Clack: 6-3, 215, Fr., QB, Texarkana, Texas (Texas High School)*
- 5. Kailon Davis: 6-4, 240, Jr., DE, 6-4, 240, New Orleans, La. (Independence (Kan.) CC)
- 6. Aaron Donkor: 6-2, 240, Jr., DE, Aachen, Germany (New Mexico Military Institute)*
- 7. Jeff Foreman: 6-2, 175, Fr., WR, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Del City High School)
- 8. Amir Howard: 5-10, 190, Jr., CB, Citra, Fla. (Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College)
- 9. Jerry Jacobs: 5-11, 204, Jr., CB, Atlanta, Ga. (Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College**
- 10. Forrest Merrill: 6-1, 338, Jr., DL, Willard, Mo. (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)**
- 11. Ethan Miner: 6-3, 285, Fr., OL, West Hartford, Conn. (Kingswood-Oxford High School)
- 12. Eugene Minter: 6-5, 220, Jr., WR, Birmingham, Ala. (Dodge City (Kan.) Community College)*
- 13. Dane Motley: 6-0, 193, Fr., LB, Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta High School)
- 14. Ernesto Ramirez: 6-3, 295, So., OL, La Puente, Calif. (Cerritos (Calif.) College)*
- 15. Jarius Reimonenq: 5-11, 180, Fr., S, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove High School)
- 16. Vershaud Richardson: 6-4, 235, Fr., DE, Paris, Texas (Paris High School)
- 17. Ivory Scott: 6-4, 315, Jr., OL, Kenner, La. (Pearl River (Miss.) Community College)*
*midyear signee available for spring camp
**enrolled fall 2018 and participated in the 2018 season, but counted toward the 2019 recruiting class
BY STATE
Kansas (5): Jeffmario Brown, Kailon Davis, Amir Howard, Jerry Jacobs, Eugene Minter
Texas (3): Elery Alexander, Coltin Clack, Vershaud Richardson
Mississippi (2): Jarius Reimonenq, Ivory Scott
Oklahoma (2): Jeff Foreman, Forrest Merrill
California (1): Ernesto Ramirez
Connecticut (1): Ethan Miner
Georgia (1): Dane Motley
Missouri (1): Isaiah Azubuike
New Mexico (1): Aaron Donkor
BY POSITION
QB (1): Coltin Clack
RB (1): Isaiah Azubuike
WR (2): Jeff Foreman, Eugene Minter
OL (3): Ethan Miner, Ernesto Ramirez, Ivory Scott
DL (1): Forrest Merrill
DE (4): Jeffmario Brown, Kailon Davis, Aaron Donker, Vershaud Richardson
LB (1): Dane Motley
CB (2): Amir Howard, Jerry Jacobs
S (2): Elery Alexander, Jarius Reimonenq
2019 RECRUITING CLASS BIOS:
Elery Alexander: 6-0, 190, Jr., S, Van Vleck, Texas (Kilgore (Texas) College)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves . . . Helped lead Kilgore College to a 10-2 record, the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) championship and No. 4 ranking in the final NJCAA Poll in 2018 as a sophomore . . . The Rangers defeated Pima (Ariz.) in the TIPS-C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Waco, Texas . . . Earned Honorable Mention All-SWJCFC honors in 2018 after recording 63 tackles (third most on the team and 10th most in the conference), 2 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery for 32 yards and 4 pass break-ups . . . His freshman campaign saw him record 36 tackles for a Kilgore squad that finished 5-4 and receiving votes in the final NJCAA Poll . . . Competed in football, basketball and track at Van Vleck (Texas) High School, where he played both offense and defense for the Leopards’ football team . . . Tabbed 1st team all-district as a running back and wide receiver as a junior and senior, respectively . . . Named a 2nd team all-district linebacker as junior and as a defensive back his senior season . . . 2-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals . . . Listed by 247Sports as the No. 18 junior college player in the state of Texas and No. 15 junior-college safety in the nation.
Isaiah Azubuike: 5-11, 200, Fr., RB, St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran North High School)
Four-year varsity letterman who played on both sides of the ball . . . Completed his career with 2,196 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground and 266 tackles while earning All-Metro League honors at either linebacker or running back every year of his career . . . Named Missouri Football Coaches Association (MFCA) 2nd team all-state as a running back as a senior in 2018, while also earning Metro League Player of the Year honors . . . Tabbed a St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Athlete of the Week” after recording 370 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 15 carries in a 56-27 victory over Farmington . . . Helped lead Lutheran North to a 10-4 record and the Class 2 semifinals of the state playoffs in 2018 . . . Ended his senior campaign with 133 rushing attempts for 1,237 yards (9.3 average) and 19 touchdowns . . . Also posted 68 tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries from his linebacker position . . . Named a 1st team all-conference linebacker as a junior in 2017 when he posted 77 tackles, 5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries . . . Tallied 221 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in limited duty as a running back . . . Lutheran North finished Azubuike’s junior season with a 12-1 record while advancing to the semifinals of the state playoffs . . . Sophomore season saw him run for 490 yards and nine touchdowns, while also collecting 37 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception to earn 2nd team all-conference honors as a linebacker . . . Totaled 248 yards and 3 touchdowns on 44 rushing attempts as a freshman . . . Named a 2nd team All-Metro League linebacker with 84 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception . . . Also competed as a runner and thrower on the varsity track and field team . . . teammates with current A-State running back Donovan Marshall, who signed with A-State in 2017 . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN . . . 247 Sports’ composite rankings list him as the No. 88 running back in the nation and No. 29 overall player in the state of Missouri . . . Rivals’ No. 23 high school player in the state of Missouri among all positions . . . ESPN ranks him as the No. 29 player in the state and No. 136 athlete in the nation . . . Also recruited by schools such as Iowa, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Bowling Green, Central Michigan and East Carolina.
Jeffmario Brown: 6-3, 229, Jr., DE, Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Hutchinson (Kan.) CC)
Enrolled at A-State last fall and participated in the 2018 season, but counts toward the 2019 recruiting class . . . Saw action in five games in 2018, recording one tackle versus Appalachian State . . . Second team all-conference selection at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College as a freshman in 2017 . . . Played in 11 games, posting 42 tackles, 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles . . . Varsity letterman at Carolina Forest High School . . . 1st team all-conference choice . . . Listed a 2-star recruit by Rivals . . . Also recruited by school such as Louisiana Tech, South Alabama and Troy.
Coltin Clack: 6-3, 215, Fr., QB, Texarkana, Texas (Texas High School)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp . . .Two-time all-district selection at Texas High . . . Completed 147-of-268 passes for 2,149 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for eight scores to earn 2nd Team All-District 7-5A Division I honors as a senior . . . Saw his junior season cut short by injury, but still completed 79-of-134 passes for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns as he was named Honorable Mention All-District 16-5A . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN . . . Listed in 247Sports composite rankings as the No. 49 pro-style quarterback in the nation and No. 197 overall player in the state of Texas . . . Listed as the No. 32 pocket passer in the nation and No. 146 overall player in the state of Texas by ESPN . . . Also recruited by schools such as SMU, Southern Miss, UTSA, Akron, Florida Atlantic and Louisiana.
Kailon Davis: 6-4, 240, Jr., DE, 6-4, 240, New Orleans, La. (Independence (Kan.) CC)
Two-year letterman at Independence Community College . . . Recorded 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery as a sophomore in 2018 . . . Freshman campaign posted 7 tackles . . . Varsity football letterman at East St. John (Louisiana) High School . . . 3-star prospect by Rivals . . . Also recruited by schools such as UAB, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Liberty and Western Kentucky.
Aaron Donkor: 6-2, 240, Jr., DE, Aachen, Germany (New Mexico Military Institute)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves . . . Despite playing in just four games as a sophomore, still recorded 27 tackles (6.8 pg), 11.5 sacks (2.9 pg), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery . . . Led Region 14 in sacks . . . Helped lead NMMI to a 5-4 record . . . Saw action in 8 games as a freshman in 2017, recording 5 tackles, 1 sack, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery . . . Brother, Anton, plays in the German Football League (GFL) . . . 3-star recruit by Rivals.
Jeff Foreman: 6-2, 175, Fr., WR, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Del City High School)
Caught more than 50 passes for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, earning all-district and all-state honors by The Oklahoman and OK Preps . . . Ranked No. 12 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 rankings for the state’s top prospects . . . VYPE All-OKC Area Football Team . . . Junior season saw him haul in 48 receptions for 1,183 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also recording 43 tackles, 8 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns . . . Varsity basketball and track & field letterman . . . 3-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals . . . Listed as the No. 102 athlete in the nation and No. 13 player in the state of Oklahoma in 247Sports’ composite rankings . . . No. 9 player in Oklahoma by Rivals . . . Also recruited by schools such as Iowa State, Texas Tech, Eastern Michigan, North Texas and Texas State.
Amir Howard: 5-10, 190, Jr.-R, CB, Citra, Fla. (Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College)
Completed his lone season at Fort Scott as sophomore in 2017 with 25 tackles and 2 tackles for loss . . . Originally signed with Coastal Carolina out of his school and redshirted his true freshman season in 2016 . . . Played in 10 games, including five as a starter, in 2017 . . . Posted 51 tackles, 1 pass break-up and 1 forced fumble . . . Coming out of North Marion (Fla.) High School, was listed as a 2-star recruit by Scout . . . 2nd Team All-North Central Florida Elite Team and 1st Team All-Marion County Interscholastic Athletic Conference selection . . . Recorded 99 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a senior . . . Helped team reach the second round of the 5A state playoffs . . . MaxPreps Player of the Game after recording 13 tackles versus Vanguard in Sept. of 2014.
Jerry Jacobs: 5-11, 204, Jr., CB, Atlanta, Ga. (Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College
Enrolled at A-State last fall and participated in the 2018 season, but counts toward the 2019 recruiting class . . . Played in every game in 2018, including 10 as a starter . . . Earned Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors after recording 31 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 7 pass break-ups . . . Leads the team and ranks No. 5 in the Sun Belt in passes defended . . . Leads team and ranks No. 4 in the Sun Belt in interceptions . . . Collected KJCC All-Conference honors in his only season at Hutchinson Community College in 2017 . . . Played in 12 games, recording 39 tackles and 4 interceptions . . . Varsity football, baseball, lacrosse and track & field letterman at South Cobb High School . . . Graduated high school with honors . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports . . . Also recruited by schools such as Iowa State, Kansas, North Texas and Tulsa.
Forrest Merrill: 6-1, 338, Jr., DL, Willard, Mo. (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)
Enrolled at A-State last fall and participated in the 2018 season, but counts toward the 2019 recruiting class . . . Played in every game, including the last 11 as a starter in 2018. . . Named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference . . . Ranked No. 15 in the Sun Belt in sacks, No. 20 in tackles for loss and No. 43 in tackles among all players . . . Among interior defensive linemen only, ranked No. 2 in the Sun Belt in sacks, No. 3 in tackles and No. 4 in tackles for loss . . . Ended the regular season with 53 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 pass break-up and 1 forced fumble . . . Played sophomore season in 2017 at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, where he recorded 30 tackles, including 19 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble . . . Helped lead the Norsemen to a 9-3 record and the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship . . . Signed with Missouri State out of high school . . . Varsity football letterman at Willard High School.
Ethan Miner: 6-3, 285, Fr., OL, West Hartford, Conn. (Kingswood-Oxford High School)
All-New England Lineman of the Year . . . Two-time 1st Team All-New England conference selection as a junior and senior . . . Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy showcase invitee . . . Played in the Connecticut-Rhode Island All-Star Game . . . Boston Globe NEPSAC All-Star and Evergreen All-Star . . . Played on both the offensive and defensive line, recording 31 tackles while forcing and recovering a fumble as a junior . . . Helped lead Kingswood-Oxford to a 6-2-1 record and the Mark Conroy Bowl (New England Prep School Championship game) as a senior . . . Also recruited by programs such as Navy and Cornell.
Eugene Minter: 6-5, 220, Jr., WR, Birmingham, Ala. (Dodge City (Kan.) Community College)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves . . . Completed his sophomore campaign with 24 catches for 316 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and a touchdown with a long reception covering 34 yards . . . Posted 11 catches for 177 yards (16.1 yards per catch) and a touchdown with a long reception of 45 yards as a freshman in 2017 . . . Recorded 1,234 career receiving yards on 76 catches, 20 of which were touchdowns, at Parker (Ala.) High School . . . Posted 12 receiving touchdowns as a senior . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN . . . Among junior college players, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 75 player in the nation and No. 9 wide receiver . . . ESPN’s No. 10-ranked junior college wide receiver . . . 2-star prospect by Rivals . . . Also recruited by schools such as Kansas, East Carolina, Middle Tennessee, Toledo and South Alabama.
Dane Motley: 6-0, 193, Fr., LB, Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta High School)
Four-year varsity letterman . . . North Georgia Touchdown Club’s Alpharetta HS Player of the Year . . . Named 1st Team 7-6A All-Region at linebacker as a senior and claimed 2nd Team honors as a junior . . . Received the team’s “Outstanding Defensive Player Award” . . . Team captain . . . Selected to the GACA North/South All-Star Classic . . . Recorded 77 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and 13 pass break-ups during his senior season . . . Helped lead the Raiders to the state playoffs three times in 2016, 2017 and 2018 . . . The 2017 team were region champions and state quarterfinalists . . . 3-star recruit by both 247Sports and ESPN . . . ESPN’s No. 112 safety in the nation and No. 146 player in the state of Georgia . . . 247Sports’ composite rankings list Motley as the No. 168 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 214 overall player in Georgia . . . 2-star recruit by Rivals . . . Also recruited by school such as Appalachian State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ball State, Buffalo, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Coastal Carolina.
Ernesto Ramirez: 6-3, 295, So., OL, La Puente, Calif. (Cerritos (Calif.) College)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp and will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves . . . Lone season at Cerritos saw him 2nd Team All-National Division Central League (NDCL) honors . . . Helped pave the way for a school-record 2,111 rushing yards by running back and NDCL Player of the Year Rhamondre Stevenson . . . Part of an offensive line that helped the Falcons average 260 rushing yards per game . . . Cerritos posted a 7-4 record and won the Southern California Bowl . . . Three-year varsity letterman at Bishop Amat High School . . . Named All-CIF as a senior and was two-time 1st Team All-Mission League selection.
Jarius Reimonenq: 5-11, 180, Fr., S, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove High School)
Three-year varsity starter . . . Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game . . . 1st Team Class 6A All-State Team as a senior . . . Helped lead Oak Grove to the Class 6A state championship game . . . Senior season recorded 37 tackles, 5 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery . . . Posted 7 interceptions as a junior in 2017 and was named 2nd Team All-Area by the Hattiesburg American . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN . . . ESPN’s No. 136 cornerback in the nation and No. 40 player in the state . . . Rivals’ No. 43 overall player in Mississippi . . . 247Sports’ composite rankings No. 181 corner in the nation and No. 52 player in the state . . . Also recruited by schools such as Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Florida Atlantic and Louisiana.
Vershaud Richardson: 6-4, 235, Fr., DE, Paris, Texas (Paris High School)
Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 4A Honorable Mention All-State selection . . . Dave Campbell’s Texas Football candidate for the state’s Whataburger Super Team . . . Named an Athlete of the Week by Paris News after recording 10 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 4 sacks versus Argyle . . . Helped lead Paris to a 9-3 record the Area round of the state playoffs as a senior . . . Named the 7-4A Division I Defensive MVP as a junior after posting 97 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 1 pass break-up and 1 fumble recovery . . . 3-star prospect by 247Sports . . . Listed by 247Sports as the No. 58 weak-side defensive end in the nation and No. 120 player in the state of Texas . . . 2-star prospect by Rivals . . . Also recruited by schools such as Texas Tech, TCU, SMU, Colorado State, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana, ULM, North Texas, Texas State and Southern Miss.
Ivory Scott: 6-4, 315, Jr., OL, Kenner, La. (Pearl River (Miss.) Community College)
Midyear signee who will be able to participate in A-State’s 2019 spring camp and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves . . . Named 1st Team All-MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges) as a sophomore . . . Varsity football letterman at Bonnabel High School in Kenner, La. . . . Invited to play in the All-American Bowl Game Classic in Hammond, La., as a senior . . . Named a 1st Team All-District 8-5A selection on the offensive line as a senior . . . Played on both sides of the ball . . . Senior campaign recorded 69 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 fumble recovery . . . 3-star recruit by 247Sports . . . Rated by 247Sports as the No. 145 junior college player in the nation, No. 6 junior college offensive guard and No. 26 junior college player in the state of Mississippi . . . 2-star prospect by Rivals . . . Also recruited by schools such as UAB and New Mexico.