pack0808
02-02-2006, 08:56 AM
Lufkin continues to produce college talent
By JEFF AWTREY
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Wednesday was business-as-usual for the Lufkin Panthers football program on national signing day when eight seniors signed letters of intent to play in the college ranks.
Lufkin's ability to produce college athletes ranks as high as any other high-school program in the state, if not the nation. According to Lufkin Head Coach John Outlaw, 45 former Panthers suited up for college teams last year and he has no problem talking college recruiters into checking out his players.
"There's not much of a problem with success in our process," he said. "Anytime you have a successful program, those guys will just show up."
The past speaks for itself. Former Panthers like Reggie McNeal, Jorvorskie Lane and McKinner Dixon are just a sampling of the college athletes the Lufkin program has produced.
This year's squad featured three players who have come across the national recruiting radar: Leonard Hewitt, Mandela Roberts and E.J. Shankle. All three are listed on Rivals.com's search database.
Rivals is the "bible" for college football fans wanting the inside scoop on how their favorite school is doing on the recruiting trail. Members can pay a subscription to see articles about the top recruits and what schools are offering them scholarships, what schools they are interested in, how visits to the schools went, etc.
Rivals has over 140,000 paying subscribers, according to Bob Burton, Jr., general manager and executive vice president of Rivals.com. Burton says East Texas never comes up short in providing football talent.
"Year-in, year-out East Texas has special years and this year is no different," he said.
Hewitt is listed as a four-star (out of a possible five stars) recruit and signed to play for Texas Tech, while Roberts, a two-star recruit, signed to play for Indiana and Shankle, a three-star recruit, signed with Texas A&M.
While those three prospects have attracted the most attention, Lufkin has many others who will be moving to the next level, whether it is a non-BCS conference school, a lower division school or even a community college.
Jamie Harris signed with SFA, Eric Taylor and Roger Hurts signed with Kilgore College, Robert Taylor signed with Navarro College, and Clifton Kibble signed with East Texas Baptist University.
Lufkin will likely have at least a few more players sign to play collegiate ball in the upcoming weeks.
According to Outlaw, any senior who wants to play in college can do so.
"When we finish the season, I ask kids that aren't getting recruited if they still want to play and we find them a place to play," Outlaw said.
On the Web: http://www.rivals100.com.
Jeff Awtrey's e-mail address is jawtrey@coxnews.com.
They have had 8 and only 3 signed div1a so far. That is a down year for Lufkin but still very solid. Lufkin has had 14 div1a players in the last 3 years which is top 10 in the nation.
Just for you farmer because i knew you were wanting an update! ;)
By JEFF AWTREY
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Wednesday was business-as-usual for the Lufkin Panthers football program on national signing day when eight seniors signed letters of intent to play in the college ranks.
Lufkin's ability to produce college athletes ranks as high as any other high-school program in the state, if not the nation. According to Lufkin Head Coach John Outlaw, 45 former Panthers suited up for college teams last year and he has no problem talking college recruiters into checking out his players.
"There's not much of a problem with success in our process," he said. "Anytime you have a successful program, those guys will just show up."
The past speaks for itself. Former Panthers like Reggie McNeal, Jorvorskie Lane and McKinner Dixon are just a sampling of the college athletes the Lufkin program has produced.
This year's squad featured three players who have come across the national recruiting radar: Leonard Hewitt, Mandela Roberts and E.J. Shankle. All three are listed on Rivals.com's search database.
Rivals is the "bible" for college football fans wanting the inside scoop on how their favorite school is doing on the recruiting trail. Members can pay a subscription to see articles about the top recruits and what schools are offering them scholarships, what schools they are interested in, how visits to the schools went, etc.
Rivals has over 140,000 paying subscribers, according to Bob Burton, Jr., general manager and executive vice president of Rivals.com. Burton says East Texas never comes up short in providing football talent.
"Year-in, year-out East Texas has special years and this year is no different," he said.
Hewitt is listed as a four-star (out of a possible five stars) recruit and signed to play for Texas Tech, while Roberts, a two-star recruit, signed to play for Indiana and Shankle, a three-star recruit, signed with Texas A&M.
While those three prospects have attracted the most attention, Lufkin has many others who will be moving to the next level, whether it is a non-BCS conference school, a lower division school or even a community college.
Jamie Harris signed with SFA, Eric Taylor and Roger Hurts signed with Kilgore College, Robert Taylor signed with Navarro College, and Clifton Kibble signed with East Texas Baptist University.
Lufkin will likely have at least a few more players sign to play collegiate ball in the upcoming weeks.
According to Outlaw, any senior who wants to play in college can do so.
"When we finish the season, I ask kids that aren't getting recruited if they still want to play and we find them a place to play," Outlaw said.
On the Web: http://www.rivals100.com.
Jeff Awtrey's e-mail address is jawtrey@coxnews.com.
They have had 8 and only 3 signed div1a so far. That is a down year for Lufkin but still very solid. Lufkin has had 14 div1a players in the last 3 years which is top 10 in the nation.
Just for you farmer because i knew you were wanting an update! ;)