Feb. 4, 2009
Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State head football coach John Zamberlin announced an initial class of 27 to National Letters of Intent or financial tenders, including five from Idaho, running his total to 18 over the past three seasons. Included among the five Idahoans in his third recruiting class is local product Chris Hardinger of Highland High School, and the 4A State Player of the Year in Minico running back Skylar Morgan.
The Bengals in all had 12 signees from California, seven from Washington, five from Idaho, and one each from Utah, Arizona, and Hawai'i. ISU signed 14 on offense (five offensive line, four receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs and one athlete who will be either a receiver or running back) and 11 on defense (nine defensive linemen, one defensive back and one linebacker. Two signees are lineman who can play either side. ISU picked up 22 freshman on Wednesday, and five junior college transfers.
Much like last year, Idaho State's Gem state recruits are spread out, coming out of Pocatello (Highland), Firth (Firth), Hazelton (Minico), and Eagle (Eagle). Overall in Zamberlin's three years he has picked up Idaho recruits from Pocatello, Mackay, Boise, Pingree, Dalton Gardens, Shelley, Hazelton, Eagle, Firth, Burley, Newdale, Meridian, Nampa and Hailey.
Below are capsules for all 27 of Idaho State's new players for the 2009 season:
Andrew Benavides
Wide Receiver
5-9 * 175 * Fr * HS
Santa Rose, CA
Folsom HS
HS ... Lettered in football for two years at Folsom High School ... as a senior he was the first all-purpose MVP of the Delta River League after scoring 23 touchdowns ... was also Folsom's Offensive player of the year ... had 56 receptions for 1,223 yards and 20 touchdowns ... also added a touchdown on seven punt returns, averaging a ridiculous 40 yards per return, and he averaged 33.8 yards on 12 kickoff returns with two touchdowns ... totaled 1,908 all-purpose yards as a senior as Folsom went 9-2 and made it to the first round of the state playoffs ... as a junior he was named First Team All-Delta River League at wide receiver after catching 17 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns in his first season ... Personal ... his parents are Randy Benavides and Tami Withers ... will major in sports management ... his birthday is November 24, 1991 ... his cousin Joe Rausch played football at Fresno State.
James Bergren
Defensive Line
6-5 * 225 * Fr * HS
Murrieta, CA
Vista Murrieta HS
HS ... Was a four year letterman in football at Vista Murrieta High School, where he also lettered in basketball as a senior and track as a sophomore ... Recorded 62 tackles and five sacks as a senior in earning First Team All-Southwestern League honors ... was a Second Team All-Southwestern league pick as a junior after recording 50 tackles and four sacks ... helped Vista Murrieta, a fairly new school in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District to undefeated seasons in 2006 and 2007 ... Personal ... his parents are Corey and Kim Bergren ... will major in business ... his birthday is October 14, 1986.
Mark Clampitt
Offensive Line
6-2 * 260 * Fr * HS
Torrance, CA
West HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years at West High School, as well as basketball for one ... was rated the #67 offensive guard prospect in the nation by Scout.com ... was a team captain in 2007 and 2008 ... was named both First Team All-Bay League and First Team All-Area ... helped his team to an 11-1-1 record and the CIF Division II finals in 2006 ... was West's offensive MVP in 2007 and the teams' MVP in 2008 ... was named Second Team All-State as a junior in 2007 by Scout.com ... Personal ... his parents are Jim Clampitt and Maggie Montleon ... is undecided on a major ... his birthday is March 7, 1991 ... his father played college football and basketball at Whitman College.
Mo Culpepper
Wide Receiver
6-3 * 190 * Fr * HS
Parris, CA
Citrus Hill HS
HS ... Lettered in football at Citrus Hill High School ... was named First Team All-League and First Team All-CIF after catching 14 touchdowns and amassing 909 yards receiving ... helped Citrus Hill to back-to-back CIF titles as a junior and a senior ... Personal ... his parents are Leon Culpepper and Tracy Young ... his birthday is December 6, 1990 ... will major in business ... first name is Maurice.
Cameron Gupton
Defensive Back
5-9 * 185 * Fr * HS
Brentwood, CA
Freedom HS
HS ... Lettered in football and basketball for three years, and track for two at Freedom High School ... played both defensive back and running back, earning First Team All-League honors in each of the last two years ... was also named First Team All-Metro in 2008 ... was a two-time captain, and was Freedom's 2008 Defensive Player of the Year ... was also Homecoming King ... Personal ... his parents are Troy and Euone Gupton ... is undecided on a major ... his birthday is May 3, 1991.
Christopher Hardinger
Offensive Line
6-7 * 250 * Fr * HS
Chubbuck, ID
Highland HS
HS ... Lettered in football at Highland High School, where he played his home games at Idaho State's Holt Arena ... was named Second Team All-State as a senior, helping the Rams to the 2008 state 5A title ... was a member of Highland's Honor Roll ... Personal ... his parents are Wayne and Julie Hardinger ... is undecided on a major.
Puchi Lesu
Offensive Line
6-1 * 315 * Fr * HS
Marina, CA
Monterey Peninsula JC
Seaside HS
JC ... A two-year starter and letterman in football at Monterey Peninsula Junior College ... was named First Team All-Coast Conference as a sophomore ... HS ... A two-sport letterwinner in high school, letting in football and track at Seaside High School, where he earned all-league honors as a senior ... Personal ... goes by the name Puchi ... his parents are Leuta and Selai Legu ... will major in communications ... his birthday is September 18, 1989 ... his cousin is Indianapolis Colt linebacker Freddy Keiaho ... first name is Laijia.
Justin Level
Quarterback
6-1 * 195 * Fr * HS
Santa Maria, CA
Righetti HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years at Righetti High School ... was named First Team PAC-7 as a senior after throwing for 1,887 yards and 16 touchdowns, and then rushing for 527 yards and another four scores ... was also the PAC-7 Offensive Player of the Year ... Personal ... his parents are Robert and Stephanie Level ... will major in sports medicine ... his birthday is March 15, 1991, the Ides of March.
Talai Livai
Offensive Line
6-3 * 280 * Fr * HS
South Jordan, UT
Bingham HS
HS ... Lettered in football for two years at South Jordan High School ... was named Second Team All-Utah and helped Bingham High to the state finals ... the South Jordan's Lineman of the Year ... Personal ... his parents are Fatai and Aho Livai and George and Tasi Prichard ... will major in management ... his birthday is March 29, 1990 ... is related to Weber State's Marky Filipe and his cousin Isi Filimoeatu plays for Utah.
Ryan McElwain
Offensive Line/Defensive Line
6-5 * 230 * Fr * HS
Eagle, ID
Eagle HS
HS ... Lettered in football and baseball at Eagle High School ... was named First Team All-State as a senior, along with earning First Team All-SIC honors ... helped Eagle to the 2008 state championship game ... Personal ... his parents are Ken and Erin Waller ... will major in management ... his birthday is March 4, 1991.
Sean McElwain
Offensive Line/Defensive Line
6-5 * 230 * Fr * HS
Eagle, ID
Eagle HS
HS ... Lettered in football and track at Eagle High School ... was named Second Team All-State as a senior, along with earning First Team All-SIC honors ... helped Eagle to the 2008 state championship game ... Personal ... his parents are Ken and Erin Waller ... will major in history ... his birthday is March 4, 1991.
Skylar Morgan
Running Back
5-9 * 180 * Fr * HS
Hazelton, ID
Minico HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years and track for three as well at Minico High School ... was named the Idaho 4A State Player of the Year by the Idaho Statesman ... had a brilliant career setting Minico career marks for rushing yards with 4,300, carries with 625, and touchdowns with 62 ... As a senior he led Minico to their best season in school history, breaking his previous record for rushing yards with 2,062, scoring a record 26 touchdowns, all that on just 275 carries ... he also owns Minico single game marks with six touchdowns and 41 carries in a game ... led his team to the 2008 state 4A semifinals where Minico lost 41-38 on the final play, despite his 41 carries for 252 yards and four touchdowns ... was a two-time All-State selction as both a junior and a senior, and he was also the conference player of the year ... a two-time captain as well ... Personal ... his parents are Cody and Cathy Morgan ... is undecided on a major ... his birthday is December 28, 1990.
Kyle Morris
Quarterback
6-2 * 185 * Fr * HS
Ukiah, CA
Ukiah HS
HS ... Was a three-year starter in football at Ukiah High School, and he also lettered for one year as a sprinter in track ... as a senior he was named the NBL's Offensive Player of the Year, and he was a two-time First Team All-NBL pick and First Team All-Redwood Empire selection as well ... threw for 2,490 yards, completing 176-of-287 (61.3%) with 24 touchdowns and only nine interceptions ... also rushed for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns ... invited to participate in the invitation only EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp in Berkeley, California ... led Ukiah to the state playoffs as a senior ... Personal ... his parents are Craig and Mary Morris ... is undecided on a major ... his birthday is November 8, 1990.
Jarrid Nash
Linebacker
6-2 * 245 * Jr * JC
Glendale, AZ
Glendale CC
Upper Iowa College
Independence HS
JC ... Lettered for one year at Glendale Community College where he helped Glendale finish first in the Western States Football League in yards allowed per game (201.9) and second in fewest points allowed (14.4) ... UIC ... Lettered in football for one season at Upper Iowa ... HS ... Lettered in football, basketball, and track at Independence High School ... was named First Team All-Region as a senior ... was a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who ... was also the Homecoming Prince ... Personal ... his parents are Mike and Toye Nash ... will major in sports medicine ... his birthday is May 1, 1989 ... his father Mike played football at Arizona State and his mother ran track as well.
Tuiasosopo Niusulu
Defensive Line
6-0 * 255 * Fr * HS
Lakewood, WA
Lakes HS
HS ... Lettered in football for four years and track for three years at Lakes High School ... was named First Team All-State by the Associated Press as a senior ... was also named conference Defensive Lineman of the Year ... was named First Team All-Conference as both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman ... named to the East/West All-State Game ... was team captain ...was an Old Spice Player of the Year Nominee ... helped Lakes to four straight playoff appearances including a trip to the state semifinals as a senior ... Lakes went 43-5 over his four seasons ... Personal ... his parents are Solovaa and Violet Niusulu ... will major in sports medicine ... is related to Marques Tuiasosopo, a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders (cousin), Zach Tuiasosopo, a running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (cousin), Matt Tuiasosopo, a third baseman for the Seattle Mariners (cousin), Matt Toeaina, a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears (cousin), Manu Tuiasosopo, former defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers (uncle) and Mike Tuiasosopo, a coach with the Arizona Wildcats (uncle).
Travis Nua
Offensive Line
6-3 * 290 * Jr * JC
Wai'anae, Hawai'i
Arizona Western JC
Wai'anae HS
JC ... Lettered in football for two years at Arizona Western College, where he entered 2008 as a preseason All-American ... was named 2007 All-Western States Football League All-Academic ... was a team captain ... HS ... Lettered in football at wrestling at Wai'anae High School ... was named First Team All-State by the Honolulu Advertiser and Third Team All-State as a senior by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin ... was also an Honorable Mention pick for All-OAI West ... also took first in the conference in wrestling in the heavyweight class... Personal ... his mother is Michallene ... will major in sociology ... his birthday is July 14, 1989 ... he cousin Daniel Otineru played football at Hawai'I, and his uncles Corenzo Nua and Shawn Nua both played in the NFL, Corenzo for the Ravens, and Shawn for the Steelers and the Lions.
Chad O'Donnell
Defensive Line
6-2 * 260 * Jr * JC
El Cajon, CA
Grossmont College
San Diego State
Christian HS
JC ... Lettered in football for two seasons at Grossmont College ... helped Grossmont to a Foothills Conference title .. as a sophomore he recorded 48 tackles, including 6.0 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble ... earned Foothills Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors three times during the season ... was named Grossmont's Lineman of the Year ... SDSU ... Redshirted ... HS ... Lettered in football at Christian High School ... Personal ... his parents are John and Connie ... will major in engineering ... his birthday is November 22, 1987.
Colton Paulhus
Defensive Line
6-2 * 260 * Fr * HS
Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay HS
HS ... Lettered in football for two years at Granite Bay High School ... was named First Team All-League and Second Team All-City after recording 87 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior ... was Second Team All-Sierra Foothills League as a junior with 78 tackles and five sacks ... helped Granite Bay to back-to-back state playoff appearances, including a section title in 2007 ... Personal ... his parents are Scott and Lynette Paulhus ... will major is business management ... his birthday is June 3, 1991.
Jake Pele
Defensive Line
6-2 * 210 * Fr * HS
Algona, WA
Auburn-Riverside HS
HS ... Lettered for three years in football, two in wrestling and one in basketball at Auburn-Riverside High School ... was a two-time, two-way selection as First Team All-League, once as a linebacker/tight end and once as a linebacker/running back ... was team MVP and a team captain ... was named to the East/West All-Star Game, and also earned the team's Coaches Award ... helped Auburn-Riverside to a pair of state playoff appearances ... also qualified for state in wrestling as a junior in the 215 pound division ... was a four-year scholar-athlete ... Personal ... his parents are Doug Pele and Victory Ayers ... will major in criminal justice.
*Rustin Phillips
Defensive Line
6-3 * 245 * Jr * JC
Bothell, WA
CC of San Francisco
Kentwood HS
JC ... Lettered in football for two years at the City College of San Francisco ... helped the Rams to the 2007 national title ... also earned academic honors there as well ... HS ... Lettered in football, rugby, and wrestling at Kentwood High School ... was an Honorable Mention All-State selection as a senior ... was also a team captain, and was First Team All-League ... set Kentwood's squat record as a senior ... made the 2004 state finals and the 2005 state semifinals in wrestling ... Personal ... his parents are Pat and Terri Phillips ... will major in sociology.
Colter Reeves
Defensive Line
6-2 * 210 * Fr * HS
Firth, ID
Firth HS
HS ... Lettered in football, basketball, and track at Firth High School ... as a senior he was named First Team All-Nuclear Conference at three positions, running back, linebacker, and punter ... was also named the 2008 2A State Player of the Year in basketball ... was named First Team All-State as a running back and Second Team All-State as a linebacker ... helped First to state titles across the board, in 2006 in football, in 2006 and 2007 for track, and in 2007 and 2008 in basketball ... Personal ... his father is John Reeves ... his birthday is June 16, 1991 ... will major in radiographic science ... first name is John.
*Rodrick Rumble
Wide Receiver
6-3 * 210 * Fr * HS
Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years along with basketball and track, each for three, at Oak Harbor High School ... was named First Team All-State 4A at wide receiver as a senior, and First Team All-Conference as both a junior and a senior ... recorded 29 career touchdowns ... was also three-time All-Conference in track, and finished third in the state high jump at 6'-8" ... was named team MVP in basketball as a senior ... was named in football to the East/West All-Star Game ... Personal ... his parents are Roosevelt and Theresa Rumble ... is undecided on a major ... was born in Yokosuka, Japan.
Shaquille Senegal
Wide Receiver
6-3 * 190 * Fr * HS
Stockton, CA
Stagg HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years and basketball for three years in high school ... lettered two seasons in football at McNair High before switching to Stagg High School for his senior season ... as a senior he earned First Team All-League honors and Second Team All-Area ... caught 50 passes for 874 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, and also recorded 48 tackles with two interceptions ... also returned 10 kickoffs for 222 yards, giving him 1,221 all-purpose yards ... was team Offensive MVP ... as a junior at McNair earned Second Team All-Conference honors at both wide receiver and defensive back ... caught 31 passes for 576 yards with six touchdowns to go along with 29 tackles and an interception ... Personal ... his parents are Marvin and Diane Stockton ... will major in education ... his birthday is July 28, 1991.
Tubotein Taylor
Athlete
5-11 * 170 * Fr * HS
Anaheim Hills, CA
Canyon HS
HS ... Was a four-year letterman in football at Canyon High School, where he also lettered three times in track ... was named team Offensive MVP as a senior and was First Team All-League ... was named Special Teams MVP in 2007 as a junior ... was the 2007 Canyon High School overall MVP ... qualified for the CIF Finals in the 200, the 400, the 4x1, and th 4x4 relays ... as a junior he broke the Orange County record in the 400-meter with a 48.46, breaking a mark that had lasted for 56 years ... helped Canyon to the CIF Playoffs three times, including the semifinals in 2008 when Canyon went 8-4 and won the Century League title ... was a Student of the Month recipient in 2007, and at Canyon he served as president of the Black Student Union ... Personal ... his mother is Ene Taylor ... will major in business ... his birthday is November 1, 1991 ... his first name reflects his West African heritage and means "God's child is the greatest".
Rob Tramonte
Defensive Line
6-1 * 245 * Fr * HS
Sammamish, WA
Skyline HS
HS ... Lettered in football for three years at Skyline High School ... was named First Team All-Conference at both offensive line and defensive line as a senior, and was named a "Star Player" by the Seattle Times ... was also named All-Area by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ... was named First Team All-State on the defensive line ... was a team captain and a nominee for the East/West All-State Game ... helped Skyline to state titles in his junior and senior seasons as they went undefeated back-to-back years ... as a senior his team finished ranked #6 in USA Today after finishing eighth his junior season ... his junior state title was at the 3A level, and then Skyline moved up to 4A, and again went undefeated and won another state title ... Personal ... his father is Marc Tramonte ... wants to major in graphic design.
Justin Vae'ena
Defensive Line
6-0 * 230 * Fr * HS
Oceanside, CA
Oceanside HS
HS ... Lettered in football and baseball at Oceanside High School ... was named First Team All-North Country, and was also the Defensive Player of the year there as well ... was also a First Team All-CIF pick, and he earned team MVP honors as a senior ... was also Second Team All-State after recording a school record 162 tackles, leading the Pirates to their fifth straight CIF San Diego Section Division II title ... was featured during his senior season on ESPN.com's E-Ticket Outside the Lines ... was a four-time First Team All-Academic pick for the CIF ... Personal ... his parents are Nu'utele and Michell ... will major in sociology ... his birthday is March 18, 1991 ... his cousin Alofa Vae'ena played football at USC.
Isaiah Walker
Defensive Line
6-4 * 250 * Fr * HS
Kent, WA
Kent-Meridian HS
HS ... Lettered in football for four years and track for one at Kent-Meridian High School ... recorded 52 tackles as a senior with 9.5 sacks in earning First Team All-Conference accolades ... was also Second Team All-Conference as an offensive lineman ... a nominee for the East/West All-State Game and was a team captain ... Personal ... his parents are George and Stacy ... will major in engineering.
2009 Recruiting Class
Name Pos Ht Wt Cl Ex Hometown (Last Schools)
Andrew Benavides WR 5-9 175 Fr HS Folsom, CA (Folsom HS)
James Bergren DL 6-5 225 Fr HS Murrieta, CA (Vista Murrieta HS)
Mark Clampitt OL 6-2 260 Fr HS Torrance, WA (West HS)
Mo Culpepper WR 6-3 190 Fr HS Parris, CA (Citrus Hill HS)
Cameron Gupton DB 5-9 185 Fr HS Brentwood, CA (Freedom HS)
Christopher Hardinger OL 6-2 250 Fr HS Chubbuck, ID (Highland HS)
Puchi Lesu OL 6-1 315 Jr JC Marina, CA (Monterey Peninsula JC/Seaside HS)
Justin Level QB 6-1 195 Fr HS Santa Maria, CA (Righetti HS)
Talai Livai OL 6-3 280 Fr HS South Jordan, UT (Bingham HS)
Ryan McElwain OL/DL 6-5 230 Fr HS Eagle, ID (Eagle HS)
Sean McElwain OL/DL 6-5 230 Fr HS Eagle, ID (Eagle HS)
Skylar Morgan RB 5-9 180 Fr HS Hazelton, ID (Minico HS)
Kyle Morris QB 6-2 185 Fr HS Ukiah, CA (Ukiah HS)
Jarrid Nash LB 6-2 245 Jr JC Glendale, AZ (Glendale CC/Upper Iowa/Independence HS)
Tuiasosopo Niusulu DL 6-0 255 Fr HS Lakewood, WA (Lakes HS)
Travis Nua OL 6-3 290 Jr JC Wai'anae, HI (Wai'anae HS)
Chad O'Donnell DL 6-2 260 Jr JC El Cajon, CA (Grossmont JC/San Diego State/Christian HS)
Colton Paulhus DL 6-2 260 Fr HS Granite Bay, CA (Granite Bay HS)
Jake Pele DL 6-2 240 Fr HS Algona, WA (Auburn-Riverside HS)
*Rustin Phillips DL 6-3 245 Jr JC Bothell, WA (CC of San Francisco/Kentwood HS)
Colter Reeves DL 6-2 210 Fr HS Firth, ID (Firth HS)
*Rodrick Rumble WR 6-3 210 Fr HS Oak Harbor, WA (Oak Harbor HS)
Shaquille Senegal WR 6-3 190 Fr HS Stockton, CA (Stagg HS)
Tubotein Taylor ATH 5-11 170 Fr HS Anaheim Hills, CA (Canyon HS)
Rob Tramonte DL 6-1 245 Fr HS Sammamish, WA (Skyline HS)
Justin Vae'ena DL 6-0 230 Fr HS Oceanside, CA (Oceanside HS)
Isaiah Walker DL 6-4 250 Fr HS Kent, WA (Kent-Meridian HS)
*currently enrolled
By State - California 12, Washington 7, Idaho 5, Hawai'i 1, Utah 1, Arizona 1
By Position - Offense 12 (WR 4, OL 5, QB 2, RB 1), Defense 12 (DL 10, DB 1, LB 1), Undecided 2 (OL/DL, OL/DL), Athlete 1
By Class - Freshmen 22, Juniors 5
