SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Head Coach
Larry Kennan and University of the Incarnate Word football program released the names of their 2017 signing class on Wednesday afternoon at UIW's National Signing Day Press Conference in Benson Field House.
OPENING KICK
The class includes nine signees out of high school, eight transfers and one preferred walk-on, for a total of 18 incoming student-athletes. Eight newcomers are Texas products, including three from the San Antonio area, while the class spans the country and includes players from Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York and Pennsylvania.
MEET THE CARDINALS
The nine signees out of high school are Chandler Herman (Georgetown, Texas / Georgetown H.S.), Marquis Britten (Baton Rouge, La. / Scotlandville H.S.), Derrion Hill (San Antonio, Texas / Brennan H.S.), Jaecorien Barnes (Port Arthur, Texas / Port Arthur Memorial H.S.), Kolton Lindemann (El Paso, Texas / Americas H.S.), Isaiah Nelson (Burleson, Texas / Burleson H.S.), Zak Kepner (Georgetown, Texas / Georgetown H.S.), Darren Thomas (Converse, Texas / Judson H.S.) and Javon "T.J." Wright (San Antonio, Texas / Taft H.S.).
The eight Cardinal transfers are Sean Brophy (Scottsdale, Ariz. / Glendale C.C.), Malik Harris (Omaha, Nebr. / Prima C.C.), Jezel Parra (Hutchinson, Kans. / Hutchinson C.C.), Devin Bracy (Vallejo Calif. / Diablo Valley College), Mario "Rio" Mezier (Miami, Fla. / Shasta C.C.), Carl Robertgeau (Homestead, Fla. / Shasta C.C.), Shane Schuback (Old Forge, Pa. / Lackawanna C.C.) and Justin Alexandre (Elmont, N.Y. / ASA College).
Joining UIW as a preferred walk-on is Kade Creek (Sonora, Texas / Sonora H.S.).
BY THE NUMBERS
Of the 18 incoming student-athletes, five are expected to play on offense and 13 on defense. UIW added two quarterbacks, two tight ends and one wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball. The Cardinals signed five defensive backs, four linemen and four linebackers on the defensive side.
2017 UIW FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
OFFENSE
Sean Brophy – QB, 6-3, 210, Scottsdale, Ariz., Chaparral H.S. / Glendale C.C.
Completed 62.2 percent (336-of-540) of his passes over his sophomore, junior and senior year… Totaled 4024 yards and 39 touchdowns, with 20 interceptions over three seasons of action… Named All-Conference as a sophomore and junior… Earned All-Region honors as a sophomore and All-City honors as a junior… Member of the Junior Purpose Society and Kids for Kids charities… Son of Rory and Bridget Brophy, Sean has three siblings, Parker, Patrick and Brian… Brother Patrick played rugby for Dartmouth and brother Brian played Lacrosse at Colorado College and Wisconsin… Majoring in English with a minor in Business Administration, Sean hopes to pursue a master's degree in Business Administration or a law degree.
"We're really excited about Sean. He's very mature and has a great football I.Q. He's very poised in the pocket with great natural throwing ability. He's an athlete that moves well in the pocket and can extend plays. We expect him to be in the mix for the starting quarterback job immediately."
Chandler Herman – QB, 6-3, 205, Georgetown, Texas, Georgetown H.S.
Completed 66.4 percent (422-of-636) of his passes over his junior and senior campaigns… Totaled 5360 yards and 53 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions over his final two high school seasons… Added 433 yards and 10 touchdowns on the rushing… Named Honorable Mention All-District as a freshman and First Team All-District as a sophomore, junior and senior in basketball… Named Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-District as a junior and First Team All-District as a senior in football… An Academic All-District selection, Herman earned Academic All-State honors as a senior… Member of the National Honor Society and volunteer at First Baptist Church… Son of Kyle and Robin Herman, Chandler has two siblings, Emory and Darson… Chandler's mother played basketball for Texas State and father played football for Texas State (1992-96)… Majoring in Biology with a minor in Business, Chandler hopes to become a Dentist.
"We think Chandler's best football is ahead of him. He made great strides from his junior to senior year on his throwing motion. He's very accurate and has great touch on his deep balls. He's a lot better athlete than he gets credit for and makes great decisions."
Kade Creek – WR, 5-11, 165, Sonora, Texas, Sonora H.S. | PREFERED WALKON
Totaled 616 all-purpose yards over his junior and senior seasons… Registered 516 receiving yards on 36 catches, with seven touchdowns to his credit.
"Kade is a former quarterback, turned wide receiver. He has great intangibles and provides depth. He's very sharp mentally. We've known Kade for several years and seen him grow. We're excited about him as he continues to mature as a football player and a man."
Malik Harris – TE, 6-6, 250, Omaha, Nebr., Central H.S. / Prima C.C.
"Malik has great physical attributes. He has a huge frame and is a very willing blocker. With his size and athleticism and as a former basketball player, we think he can be a huge threat in the middle of the field."
Jezel Parra – TE, 6-3, 240, Hutchinson, Kans., Hutchinson H.S. / Hutchinson C.C.
Named First Team All-Conference… Earned All-Region honors as a basketball player in high school… Son of Maria Martinez, Jezel has three siblings, Juan Gomez, Sergio Luna-Parra and Julio Damien Martinez… Majoring in Business with a minor in Art.
"Jezel has only played two years of organized football. He's a very gifted athlete and former basketball player. He's a very intelligent football player and we anticipate lining him up all over the place to use his speed and hands. He will also be a solid blocker for us in the run game."
DEFENSE
Devin Bracy – CB, 6-0 180, Vallejo, Calif., Vallejo H.S. / Diablo Valley College
Totaled 465 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior… Earned All-League honors as a football and basketball player… Made Sports Center Top 10 Plays with a one-handed catch over a defender… Member of the Honor Roll… Son of Kevin Bracy and Karen Pitts, Devin has six siblings, Mario, Antione, Kevin, Aaron, Alex and Gabrielle… Majoring in Communications and hopes to become a journalist.
"Devin is a really strong and hard-working young man. He's a guy that loves man-to-man coverage and press coverage. He has good balls skills and is a physical player."
Marquis Britten – CB, 6-0, 170, Baton Rouge, La., Scotlandville H.S.
"Marquis is really a really talented football player and great student. He can play both corner and safety and has excellent ball skills. He loves to compete."
Derrion Hill – CB, 6-0,170, San Antonio, Texas, Brennan H.S.
Totaled 25 tackles, including 14 solo tackles, and an interception over his senior campaign at Brennan H.S. in Northside I.S.D…. Was a track state qualifier in 2014 and 2016… Son of Robert and Shelia Hill, Derrion has three siblings, Tristan, Alex and Derrick.
"Derrion is extremely fast. He ran a 4.3 at our camp last year. He comes from a great local program at Brennan High School and show great cover skills. He isn't afraid to come up and make a tackle. As he continues to develop his body we think he can be an elite cover corner."
Mario "Rio" Mezier – CB, 5-11, 185, Miami, Fla., South Dade H.S. / Shasta C.C.
Selected as a two-time Outstanding Defensive Back award and two-time All-Conference player… Earned All-Region honors… Son of Wilson Delisca and Meselita Mezier, Rio has eight siblings, Christian Mezier, Peterson Rosier, Harolson Delisca, Emmanual Mezier, Shelove Mezier, Olson Delisca, Chris Delisca and Jimmyson Delisca… Named a team captain… Majoring in Social Science with a minor in Communications and Journalism.
"Romario loves to play press coverage. He's a high-energy guy that always plays with a lot of swagger. He's very competitive. He can play corner and nickel, so we play on putting him at multiple positions this year."
Carl Robertgeau – S, 6-0, 190, Homestead, Fla., Homestead H.S. / Shasta C.C.
Named All-American in 2016 and All-Conference in 2015… Earned Honorable Mention All-District honors in high school… Totaled 23 tackles, two interceptions, 1.0 sacks and one forced fumble as a senior… Was an Honor Roll student… Son of Carl-Henry Robertgeau and Rose Miclisse, Carl has five siblings, Wilkenson, Wismi, Richecard, Daphline and Yrline Robertgeau… Majoring in Communications, Carl hopes to pursue a career in the National Football League.
"Carl is a true difference-maker. He led the nation at the junior college level with 13 interceptions last season, including five for touchdowns. He also had three punt returns for touchdowns and is a former high school receiver who made the transition to safety in junior college. He was a JC First Team All-American."
Jaecorien Barnes – ILB, 6-0, 220, Port Arthur, Texas, Port Arthur Memorial H.S.
"Jaecorien is a big, strong, physical guy. He loves contact. He's like a heat-seeking missile. He's a very bright young man and is a natural football player."
Kolton Lindemann – ILB, 6-2, 235, El Paso, Texas, Americas H.S.
Totaled 62 tackles, including 58 solo tackles as a senior… Added 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery… Named First Team All-District as a sophomore, junior and senior… Selected as the El Paso Times City Defensive MVP as a junior and El Paso Times All-City as a junior and senior… Named District 1-6A Athlete of the Year… Member of the Libertas Political & Law Club and an Honor Roll student… Son of Karl and Yvette Lindemann, Kolton has two siblings, Kaleb and Kassandra… Majoring in Business with a minor in Criminal Justice, Kolton hopes to find a profession where he can work with children and have a positive impact on their lives.
"Kolton is a massive human being. He was extremely productive and is a very fluid athlete for his size. He'll knock your head off. He seeks out contact and makes plays from sideline to sideline. He's a throwback football player and we love the way he plays the game.
Isaiah Nelson – ILB, 6-4, 220, Burleson, Texas, Burleson H.S.
Named All-District as a junior, First Team All-District as a senior and First Team All-Johnson County as a senior… Member of the AVID College Prep Society and an Honors Student…Son of Cedric Nelson and Carla Pullen, Isaiah has two siblings, Madisson and Christian… Isaiah hopes to own his own business.
"Isaiah is a really good athlete. He has a huge frame so he can play multiple positions for us. He made a ton of plays and when we watched his film he seemed to always show up. He has an instinct for the football and as he continues to mature physically we think he can be a force for years to come."
Shane Schuback – ILB, 6-2, 240, Old Forge, Pa., Old Forge H.S. / Lackawanna C.C.
Earned First Team All-Conference honors… Garnered Second Team All-American and Second Team All-Conference recognition… Volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization… Son of Mike and Amanda Schuback, Shane has one sister, Madison… Majoring in Communications, Shane hopes to become an NFL analyst.
"Shane is an extremely tough, hard-nosed football player. He's going to bring an immediate level of intensity to our linebacker core. He makes tackles all over the field and when he tackles someone they feel it. Having played two years of college football we anticipate him coming in and helping us immediately."
Justin Alexandre – DL, 6-5, 260, Elmont, N.Y., Sewanhaka H.S. / ASA College
Named Defensive Lineman of the Year in as a senior… Son of Patrick and Myrna Alexandre, Justin has two siblings, Jordin and Jeremy… Majoring in Criminal Justice.
"Justin is a huge junior college transfer with tremendous potential to play any position on the defensive line. His size, speed and athleticism make him a dynamic addition to our defensive unit."
Zak Kepner – DL, 6-5, 250, Georgetown, Texas / Georgetown H.S.
Totaled 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three pass deflections as a senior… Named Honorable Mention All-District and Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior… Also played basketball… Earned Academic All-District honors as a junior and senior… Son of Craig and Tina Kepner, Zack has one sister, Madeline… Uncle Keith Jones played football for Baylor (1973-77)… Majoring in Chemistry, Zak hopes to be a forensic scientist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"Zak is an NFL-caliber sleeper. He's only played two years of organized football and has the talent to be a phenomenal Division I football player."
Darren Thomas – DL, 6-2, 270, Converse, Texas, Judson H.S.
Named First Team All-District and First Team All-Area… Selected for Dave Campbell's Top 300 in Texas and Lone Star Top 50 Defensive Linemen… Member of the Criminal Justice Club and an A-B Honor Roll student… Son of Donald Sr. and Dora Thomas, Darren has one brother, Donald Jr…. Majoring in Computer Information Technology with a minor in Cyber Security, Darren hopes to become an IT manager.
"Darren comes from an outstanding and storied local high school program and has the potential to play right away. His size and strength give him the ability to be a four-year starter on our defensive line."
Javon "T.J." Wright – DL, 6-4, 215, San Antonio, Texas, Taft H.S.
Named First Team All-District as a senior… Given the award for Outstanding Achievement in Physics… Named First Team Academic All-District… Member of the National Honor Society, Raiders in the Community and Fellowship of Faith… Son of Anthony and Susan Wright, T.J. has three siblings, Crystal, Tracey and Marcus… Majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering, T.J. hopes to become a biomedical engineer and create devices that improve the lives of others.
"Javon is a high-intensity player and exemplifies what we look for in a UIW football player. He wants to be a biomechanical engineer and is as smart on the field as he is off the field."
QUOTES FROM THE NATIONAL SIGNING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE
HEAD COACH LARRY KENNAN ON UIW'S 2017 SIGNING CLASS
"We feel really good about our signees. We have a lot of work to do but we feel really good. We added a number of junior college players and we feel this class has a little more maturity than most classes. Each year we feel like we get a little bit better and bring in higher-caliber athletes, so we feel really good about where we're at."
KENNAN ON THE RECRUITING PROCESS
"Recruiting is funny. A lot of teams go out and offer a whole bunch of scholarships and then yank them back as they don't need them, but we don't do that. If we offer a guy a scholarship, we want to be real about it and until he says 'no' we aren't going to offer somebody else at that position."
KENNAN ON THE UPCOMING SEASON
"It's going to be a lot of fun. I think football ought to be fun and this year we'll really have a chance to have fun playing football because we have those kind of guys. We have guys who really enjoy playing the game. Each year we get better players, guys who like to play and can have fun doing it."
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals will begin spring practice on Monday, March. 20. A date for the team's annual Spring Game has not been set.
MIC DROP
UIW is coming off of a season in which the program finished 3-6 in Southland Conference action and ended the year with back-to-back wins over Lamar and archrival Houston Baptist. The Cardinals will complete their transition to NCAA Division I and be eligible for postseason play beginning in 2017. With a number of key returners and the addition of Wednesday's signing class, Coach Kennan hopes to have the program ready to compete for a Southland Conference championship and an FCS playoff spot immediately.
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