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UIW makes fast work of recruiting

By Pat Turner
Updated 1:22 am, Thursday, February 7, 2013

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  • Steele receiver Matthew Mayle hauls in a 64-yard reception during first-quarter Class 5A Division II football playoffs action against Edinburg North in Kingsville on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Photo: Billy Calzada, Express-News / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

    Steele receiver Matthew Mayle hauls in a 64-yard reception during first-quarter Class 5A Division II football playoffs action against Edinburg North in Kingsville on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

    Photo: Billy Calzada, Express-News

 

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Cardinals glance

Analysis: The Cardinals focused on fixing the team’s size and speed issues that haunted them in their final season in the Lone Stat Conference. Incarnate Word should be better in those areas next fall, but now the Cardinals face the question of whether it’s enough to compete in Division I FCS.

Top prospect: Corey Lee, DT — A few inches taller and Lee probably would have been a Big 12 signee. However, he still proved to be a dominant force and is a perfect fit for coach Larry Kennan and Co.

Sleeper: John Oglesby, RB — Injuries hindered him in the early portion of his high school career, but he bounced back to earn his team’s comeback player of the year award. With a healthier outlook, his best years could be on the horizon.

— Pat Turner

Signing list

• Michael Allen,LB,6-0,205,Lakeview Centennial

• John Almaraz, OL, 6-3, 317, Cypress Lakes

• Jared Ambres, S, 6-0, 180, Manvel

• Daryl Brooks, WR, 6-3, 175, Teague

• Michael Cameron, OL, 6-1, 275, Churchill

• Tyler Colbert, NG, 6-1, 315, FW Southwest

• Taryn Davis, DE, 6-6, 220, Carr. Newman Smith

• Jamari Gilbert, S, 6-1, 178, Baytown Lee

• Kaleb Hardy, QB, 6-3, 230, RR Florence

• Jordan Hicks, WR, 5-8, 167, Arlington Seguin

• Joel Higgins, LB, 6-0, 195, Sweeny

• Austin Jennings, OT, 6-3, 275, Smithson Valley

• Blake Klumpp, OL, 6-3, 210, Alamo Heights

• Corey Lee, DT, 6-0, 260, La Porte

• Greg Lemon, LB, 6-2, 220, Sweeny

• Keshon Leonard, RB, 5-7, 160, Lamar Consolidated

• Matthew Mayle, WR, 6-0, 170, Steele

• Breylann McCollum, ATH, 6-1, 200, Steele

• Adrian Norwood, S, Jr., 5-11, 185, Waco

• John Oglesby, RB, 6-1, 200, Katy Seven Lakes

• Chase Ragusa, WR, 5-8, 170, Cypress Woods

• Broderick Reeves, RB, 5-9, 185, Mexia

• Justin Roberts, OL, 6-4, 240, Steele

• Johnny Session, RB, 5-10, 218, Mesquite

• Allen Smith, LB, 6-2, 210, FB Marshall

• Michael Thomas, TE, 6-3, 220, Angleton

• Deion Williams, RB, 5-10, 190, Katy Morton Ranch

• Josh Zellars, LB, 6-0, 195, Baytown Lee

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It didn't take long for Incarnate Word coach Larry Kennan to realize speed and size were not the Cardinals' strong suit during his first season.

After slogging through a 2-9 (1-7 Lone Star Conference) debut, and with a move to Division I FCS coming in 2013, Kennan made sure the weaknesses were addressed during recruiting.

Looking at Wednesday's signing class, Kennan believes the Cardinals did what they set out to do.

“We were probably the slowest and smallest team of anyone we played last year,” he said. “We needed to get bigger and faster. There's no question we did that. We have more size and we have a tremendous amount of speed.

“This is the fastest group overall. Five of these players are planning to run for our track team. The track coaches are extremely excited about that.”

As far as speed goes, the Cardinals landed running backs Keshon Leonard (Lamar Consolidated), Broderick Reeves (Mexia) and Deion Williams (Katy Morton Ranch) and safety Jamari Gilbert (Baytown Lee).

Headlining this year's defensive signees was 6-foot, 260-pound La Porte tackle Corey Lee.

Some of UIW's needs were filled locally. The Cardinals picked up offensive line help from Smithson Valley's Austin Jennings, Alamo Heights' Blake Klumpp and Churchill's Michael Cameron.

UIW also fared well with Class 5A Division II semifinalist Steele with the signing of quarterback Breylann McCollum, offensive lineman Justin Roberts and receiver Matthew Mayle.

“McCollum was the only quarterback we actually recruited,” Kennan said. “He throws the ball well and is an extremely good athlete. He's tall enough, fast enough and has all kinds of things you need. The longer the season went on, the better he played.

“Justin Roberts is very athletic. He has a chance to come in and become one of our top seven or eight linemen. Matthew Mayle is a tough receiver. Getting him was a gift for us.”

sports@express-news.net

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