Oklahoma State University Athletics
Head Coach Les Miles Announces His 2001Class
April 07, 2003 | Cowboy Football
OSU will release its 2001 football signing class Wednesday with updates every 45 minutes beginning at 10:15 a.m.
The official athletics website of Oklahoma State University, www.okstate.com, will provide updated information concerning OSU©ˆs latest signees as it becomes official.
Head coach Les Miles will hold a press conference in the interview room in Gallagher-Iba Arena at 1 p.m.
2001 Oklahoma State Football Signees Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Hometown (High School) Kobina Amoo DB 5-10 180 NEO (Okla.) J.C. /Alief, TX (Hastings H.S.) Billy Bajema TE/DE 6-5 240 Oklahoma City, OK (Westmoore H.S.) Jerry Don Bray DE 6-5 230 Chickasha, OK (Chickasha H.S.) Trumain Carroll LB 6-5 210 Fort Bend, TX (Elkins H.S.) Corey Curtis DL 6-4 250 Owasso, OK (Owasso H.S.) Kellen Davis TE/OL 6-5 260 Stigler, OK (Stigler H.S.) Paul Duren LB 6-2 210 Del City, OK (Del City H.S.) Cole Farden K/P 5-11 180 Grapevine, TX (Grapevine H.S.) Josh Fields QB 6-2 210 Stillwater, OK (Stillwater H.S.) Paul Francis DB 6-2 170 Lawton, OK (Eisenhower H.S.) Andre Johnson WR/DB 5-10 180 Chickasha, OK (Chickasha H.S.) Greg Jones RB 5-10 185 Carrollton, TX (Newman Smith H.S.) Leonard Jones WR 6-0 180 Stillwater, OK (Stillwater H.S.) Kyle Hix TE/DE 6-5 250 Ardmore, OK (Dickson H.S.) Chase Holland DB 6-0 185 Oklahoma City, OK (Heritage Hall H.S.) John Lewis WR 5-11 185 Hinds (Miss.) J.C., Port Arthur, >TX(Jefferson H.S.) Josh Letourneau DB 6-0 190 Plano, TX (Plano H.S.) Errick McCown RB 5-11 170 Arlington, TX (Grace Prep H.S.) Efe Mowarin DL 6-2 285 Tulsa, OK (Memorial H.S.) Khreem Smith DE 6-3 245 Garden City (Kans.) CC/Miami, FL (Carol City H.S.) Brandon Verrett WR 6-3 205 Jasper, TX (Jasper H.S.) Matt Wakefield OL/DL 6-5 250 El Reno, OK (El Reno H.S.) Ryan Wimberly P 6-0 190 Houston, MO (Houston H.S.) Darrent Williams DB 5-9 170 Fort Worth, TX (O.D. Wyatt H.S.) Brandon York DE 6-5 230 Altheimer, AR (Altheimer H.S.)
Information on 2001 Signees
Kobina Amoo, DB, 5-10, 180, 4.4, NEO (Okla.) J.C. /Alief, TX (Hastings H.S.) Originally signed with Oklahoma State two years ago, Amoo has been a two-year starter at cornerback for NEO. This past season he had three interceptions with an average of 20 yards per return. He also logged 19 unassisted tackles and 27 assisted tackles. Amoo signed at the mid-term and will participate in spring drills with the Cowboys. At Hastings High School, he earned All-State honors and led the state in interceptions during the 1998 season. Coming out of high school, Amoo was a two-sport standout in football and track and was recruited by the likes of Texas A&M, Arkansas, Baylor, and Houston.
Billy Bajema, TE/DE, 6-5, 240, 4.6, Oklahoma City, OK (Westmoore H.S.) A three-sport performer at Westmoore, Bajema was known primarily as a quarterback in high school. During his senior season he played both ways also seeing significant time at defensive end. He finished the season completing 69 of his 149 passes for 845 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Both The Daily Oklahoman and the Tulsa World listed Bajema as an honorable mention All-Stater. He was also listed among the Top-30 Oklahoma prospects by First Down Sports and was selected to participate in the Oil Bowl. Bajema also competes as a member of the Jaguar©ˆs basketball and baseball teams. He was also recruited by Kansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
Jerry Don Bray, DE, 6-5, 230, 4.7, Chickasha, OK (Chickasha H.S.) Bray played both tight end and defensive end at Chickasha, helping the Chicks to several successful seasons. As a senior, he earned honorable mention All-State honors from The Daily Oklahoman. Bray served as a team captain and earned All-District honors as a tight end. He was a three-year letterwinner in both football and basketball for the Chicks.
Trumain Carroll, LB, 6-5, 210, 4.5, Fort Bend, TX (Elkins H.S.) Carroll was a late bloomer for Elkins High School in Fort Bend, Texas. He did not make a lot of the preseason lists, but had over 100 tackles as a senior and earned his way to All-Greater Houston honors and second-team All-District plaudits. He was recruited by Houston and Rice among others.
Corey Curtis, DL, 6-4, 250, 4.9, Owasso, OK (Owasso H.S.) Curtis earned second-team All-Metro honors on the defensive line from the Tulsa World. A two-year starter for the Rams, Curtis tallied 11 career sacks and 53 tackles. He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association©ˆs All-State squad and was an All-District selection. Curtis was tabbed as a member of Oklahoma©ˆs Oil Bowl team. Rice and Tulsa were also among the schools seeking his services.
Kellen Davis, TE/OL, 6-5, 260, 4.98, Stigler, OK (Stigler H.S.) The Daily Oklahoman named Davis to its third-team All-State offense as an offensive lineman even though he played tight end. Davis was a Top 20 Oklahoma prospect according to First Down Sports. He also excelled on the hardwood, earning the 2000 Black Diamond Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Davis was also recruited by Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas A&M, TCU, and Tulsa.
Paul Duren, LB, 6-2, 210, 4.6, Del City, OK (Del City H.S.) A tremendously gifted athlete, Duren was a two-way performer in football, is a two-time state champion in wrestling, and starting shortstop in baseball. He is also on track for valedictorian honors at graduation. Playing quarterback in Del City's option offense, Duren had 839 yards rushing and 990 yards passing with 14 touchdowns as a senior. His career numbers include 2,482 yards rushing, 2,787 yards passing and 42 touchdowns. He was also one of the top kick returners in the state. He was listed as a first-team All-State selection by both The Daily Oklahoman and the Tulsa World as a defensive back. Duren was also a Top 10 Oklahoma prospect according to First Down Sports. Duren was also recruited by Nebraska and Texas A&M among others.
Cole Farden, K/P, 5-11, 180, 4.6, Grapevine, TX (Grapevine H.S.) Farden earned All-District honors as a punter and safety as a junior, but successfully added kicking to his chores as a senior and had the same success. Farden also competes for the Grapevine track and soccer squads. He was also recruited by Baylor, SMU, and UTEP.
Josh Fields, QB, 6-2, 210, 4.6, Stillwater, OK (Stillwater H.S.) Fields was arguably the top quarterback in the state as a senior. He was the District 6A-4 co-MVP and this past season threw for 2,019 yards on 119-of-208 passing with 19 touchdowns. His career numbers are an impressive 5,447 yards and 50 touchdowns. He is multi-talented as he also was 4-of-4 on field goals, 45-of-50 on extra points, and punted for a 39.7-yard average. He was first-team All-State pick by both The Daily Oklahoman and the Tulsa World. First Down Sports had him as a Top 10 Oklahoma prospect. Fields is also an outstanding baseball player and a professional prospect in that sport.
Paul Francis, DB, 6-2, 170, 4.47, Lawton, OK (Eisenhower H.S.) Francis was a two-year starter at wide receiver for Lawton Eisenhower. For his career, he averaged over 19 yards per reception. During his junior season, Francis caught 18 passes for 323 yards and five touchdowns. As a senior, he registered 33 tackles and returned eight kick-offs for 270 yards. Francis also competes as a member of the Eagles©ˆ track squad.
Kyle Hix, TE/DE, 6-5, 250, 4.8, Ardmore, OK (Dickson H.S.) A three-year starter for Dickson, Hix earned honorable mention All-State honors from both The Daily Oklahoma and the Tulsa World. He was also listed among the Top 20 Oklahoma prospects by First Down Sports and was named the Most Valuable Player at Jay Novacek©ˆs camp. Hix was also recruited by Missouri, Oklahoma, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Chase Holland, DB, 6-0, 185, 4.55, Oklahoma City, OK (Heritage Hall H.S.) Holland was a two-way starter at Heritage Hall and was very productive on both sides of the ball. On offense, primarily as a running back, he had 1,461 yards rushing with 35 receptions for 640 yards and a total of 29 touchdowns. On defense he led the team with 126 tackles and had nine interceptions. He was listed as a first-team All-State pick by the Tulsa World and second team by The Daily Oklahoman. He was also a Top 30 Oklahoma prospect according to First Down Sports. He is also a standout soccer player. Holland was recruited by Kansas, Texas Tech, Rice, California, and Nevada.
Andre Johnson, WR/DB, 5-10, 180, 4.5, Chickasha, OK (Chickasha H.S.) Johnson was fourth in the state in class 5A in receiving with 28 receptions for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnson was listed as a third-team All-State defensive back by The Daily Oklahoman and was honorable mention All State at wide receiver by the Tulsa World. He was named as the district 5A-1 Defensive Back of the Year and also earned All-State honors as a member of the Chickasha track squad. Johnson was also recruited by Colorado State, Rice and Tulsa.
Greg Jones, RB, 5-10, 185, 4.48, Carrollton, TX (Newman Smith H.S.) Jones was a jack-of-all-trades for Newman Smith, as he played quarterback, wide receiver, running back and cornerback as a senior. At running back, he ran for 970 yards and nine touchdowns. At receiver he caught 20 passes for 220 yards. At quarterback, he completed both of his pass attempts for 50 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two interceptions on defense. Jones was also recruited by Tulsa and Marshall.
Leonard Jones, WR, 6-0, 180, 4.45, Stillwater, OK (Stillwater H.S.) Jones is the younger brother of current Cowboy Marcus Jones. He finished second in class 6A in receiving this season with 40 receptions for 905 yards and nine touchdowns. He also saw time at cornerback and has been a standout return specialist for the past three seasons. Jones finished his high school career with 99 catches for 2,156 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was an All-State selection by the Tulsa World and a third-team pick by The Daily Oklahoman. He is also a standout in basketball for the Pioneers. Jones was also recruited by North Texas and Kansas State.
John Lewis, WR, 5-11, 185, 4.5, Hinds (Miss.) J.C., Port Arthur, TX (Jefferson H.S.) Originally recruited by OSU out of Jefferson High School, Lewis was with Oklahoma State during the 1998 season. He transferred to Hinds Junior College in Mississippi. This past season he earned All-Mississippi Junior College Conference honors at wide receiver. He also lettered in track, running in sprint events. In high school at Port Arthur Jefferson in Texas he was a three-time All District selection in football and a four-year letter winner in track. Lewis signed in the fall and will go through spring drills with the Cowboys.
Josh Letourneau, DB, 6-0, 190, 4.5, Plano, TX (Plano H.S.) Letourneau, who was a three-year letterwinner for Plano, started his prep career as a running back before making the switch to wide receiver. Letourneau was also a special teams standout, averaging 26 yards per kick return. He caught 14 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. He was the first verbal commitment in this OSU recruiting class giving his pledge last July. Letourneau's father played football at Kansas State and his cousin is currently playing safety at Kansas.
Errick McCown, RB, 5-11, 170, 4.47, Arlington, TX (Grace Prep H.S.) McCown ran for 2,208 yards and 19 touchdowns this past season to earn All-District honors in TAPPS 3-3A. He was also listed on the All-Metro team and among the Top 100 Area Recruits in The Dallas Morning News. McCown was named as the offensive MVP at Grace Prep and received the same recognition at the Texas Private School All Star Game. The Cowboys beat West Virginia for McCown's services.
Efe Mowarin, DL, 6-2, 285, 5.0, Tulsa, OK (Memorial H.S.) Mowarin finished his senior season with 106 tackles and had 227 tackles and six fumble recoveries during his high school career. He also registered 13 sacks during his high school career and finished with 30 for his career. Mowarin was named as District 6A-4©ˆs Lineman of the Year. He was named All-State by the Tulsa World and third-team All-State by The Daily Oklahoman along with being listed as a Top 20 Oklahoma prospect by First Down Sports. Mowarin was also recruited by Colorado, Kansas State, Missouri, and Texas A&M.
Khreem Smith, DE, 6-3, 245, 4.6, Garden City (Kans.) CC/Miami, FL (Carol City H.S.) Smith was honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference this past season. As a high schooler coming out of Miami, he earned first-team All-State honors as a defensive end. He was also the MVP in the Dade/Broward County All Star game and the defensive MVP in the Shrine Bowl game matching Florida and Georgia high school all stars.
Brandon Verrett, WR, 6-3, 205, 4.54, Jasper, TX (Jasper H.S.) Verrett was a standout on both sides of the football at Jasper as he had 18 catches for 388 yards and five touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he had 97 total tackles with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He was coached by former Waxahachie coach Thomas Brooks, who also coached current Cowboy Darrius Whitehead. Verrett, who earned All-District honors in 19-4A, is a Dallas Morning News Top 100 State Recruit, was listed in the Top 100 Texas prospects by both Longhorn Link and First Down Sports. He was also recruited by Arkansas and LSU.
Matt Wakefield, OL/DL, 6-5, 250, 5.0, El Reno, OK (El Reno H.S.) Wakefield was listed as a second-team All-State player on the offensive line by The Daily Oklahoman and is a Top 30 Oklahoma prospect according to First Down Sports. He was named as the District Lineman of the Year and earned first-team All-Big City honors. Wakefield was named as El Reno©ˆs team MVP this past season. Wakefield was also recruited by Kansas, Colorado State, and Tulsa.
Ryan Wimberly, P, 6-0, 190, 4.6, Houston, MO (Houston H.S.) Wimberly is the Cowboys most decorated recruit as he was named as a first-team All-American punter by USA Today. Wimberly rushed for close to a 1,000 yards as a running back, played safety and returned kicks for Houston High. He averaged 49.2 yards per punt as a senior and 48.5 yards a punt as a junior. Either year his average would have been good enough to lead both the NCAA and the NFL. He was also recruited by Iowa State, Northwestern, Florida, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.
Darrent Williams, DB, 5-9, 170, 4.5, Fort Worth, TX (O.D. Wyatt H.S.) Williams was listed by The Dallas Morning News on their Area Top 100 Recruits. He was named All-District three times and was the 7-4A Defensive MVP as a senior. This season he had five interceptions with his longest return being for 54 yards. Speaking of returns, Williams excelled on special teams as well, averaging 30 yards per punt return and returning four for touchdowns. He also scored three other touchdowns in spot duty on the offensive side of the ball as a tailback. Williams was named an All-American a year ago by Track and Field News. He was also recruited by TCU and Louisiana Tech.
Brandon York, 6-5, 230, 4.5, Altheimer, AR (Altheimer H.S.) York was named to the Arkansas Top 50 list and All-State by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. He was also a Top 15 Arkansas prospect according to First Down Sports. This past season he also picked up All-District honors.
