Feb. 1, 2006

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - New Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tony Samuel has announced the signing of 12 high school players, two junior college players and two I-A transfers to national letters of intent.

"We got a late start, but our coaches did a good job of going out and finding players," said Samuel who was hired on Jan. 4. "We went out looking for toughness, speed and versatility. I'm pleased with the group we signed, but you never really know about a recruiting class for a year or two."

Five of the players have already enrolled at Southeast and will be available for spring drills that begin on March 8. They include a pair of transfers from New Mexico State where Samuel coached from 1997-2004. Stevelan Harper will be a wide receiver and return specialist. He averaged 10.6 yards per kickoff returns last season at New Mexico State. The diminutive Harper, 5-6, 155, had 31 catches during his two-year career for the Aggies.

The other New Mexico State transfer is running back Clinton Jones, 6-0, 230. He was redshirted last season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Clayton Caron, 6-1, 285, is an offensive center from Ceritos College in California. Originally from Laguna Beach, Calif., Caron was an all-conference performer last season.

Two high school graduates were able to join the Redhawks for the second semester. Todshon Jones is a cornerback from Winslow Township High School in Atco, New Jersey while Jerrick Sebree is a defensive end from Dracula High School in Dracula, Ga.

The other players will all enroll in the fall. The complete list of recruits follows.

Southeast Missouri State University

2006 Football Signees

Feb. 1, 2006

Marvin Anderson, 6-1, 197, Fr., FS, Willingboro, New Jersey (Willingboro)

All-Conference safety with 4.5 speed for the 40

67 tackles in 2005, 98 career tackles

3 interceptions in 2005, 6 career interceptions

330 yards in punt returns

Edward Calvin, 6-1, 170, Fr., DB/WR, St. Louis, Mo. (Rockwood Summit)

First team all-state as a kickoff returner

First team all-conference as a DB, WR, KR

3-year letterman in football, basketball and track

Placed third in state 110-meter high hurdles

Placed third in state 300-meter hurdles

High jumped 6-8

Patrick Christian, 6-4, 250, Jr., DE, Pittsburg, Calif. (Los Medanos JC)

All-conference

Most valuable defensive lineman

Scholar Athlete

Miles Edwards, 6-3, 175, Fr., WR, Winslow, New Jersey (Winslow Township)

42 catches for 563 yards and seven touchdowns

Led track team to state titles in 2002-2003

High jumped 6-6

Timed 14.3 in the 110-meter high hurdles, 7.6 in the 55-meter hurdles

Jared Goodson, 6-2, 215, Fr., LB, Palm Bay, Fla. (Palm Bay)

Space Coast Player of the Year

First team all-conference

First team all-district

Florida East/West All-Star game, Defensive Captain

Selected for Florida vs. California All-Star game

Nick Grassi, 5-9, 225, Fr., FB/LB, Wilsonville, Ore. (Wilsonville)

First-team all-state linebacker for two seasons

Second-team all-state running back

First-team all-league running back

Unanimous selections as Defensive Player of the Year

Averaged six yards per carry

Broke school record with five TD's in the first half of a game

Leon Hill, 6-1, 245, Fr., LB, Royal Palm Beach, Fla. (Royal Palm Beach)

First team all-conference

First team all-county

Josh Jackson, 6-1, 200, Fr., LB/S, Baytown, Texas (Sterling)

Team Captain

Second team all-district

Three-year starter

Patrick Maloney, 6-0, 215, Fr., LB, Fair Oaks, Calif. (Del Campo)

All-league for three years

Three year letterman

Top Student Athlete in 2004

Samuel Toomer, 6-1, 170, Fr., SS, Brawley, Calif. (Brawley)

First team all-league

First team all-San Diego section

T.J. Walls, 5-9, 175, Fr., WR, Camden, New Jersey (Woodrow Wilson)

Rushed for 1,270 yards and 10 TD's last season

16 catches for 237 yards

Runs the 100-meters in 10.6

Timed 6.42 in the 55-meters (fastest in the country when run, now 2nd fastest)

Ranked second in his graduating class

National Honors Society

Southeast Missouri State University

2006 Football Mid-Season Transfers

(Enrolled this semester at Southeast)

Clayton Caron, 6-1, 285, Jr., OL, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Ceritos College)

All-conference offensive center in 2005

Two-year starter at Ceritos

First team all-CIF at Laguna Beach High School

First team all-Pacific Coast League

Stevelan Harper, 5-6, 155, Sr., WR/PR/KR, Oakland, Calif. (New Mexico State)

12 catches for 97 yards in 2005

12 punt returns for 86 yards (7.1 avg)

13 kickoff returns for 270 yards (20.6 avg)

19 receptions for 296 yards in 2004

19 punt returns for 197 yards (10.3 avg)

21 kickoff returns for 394 yards (18.7 avg)

Clinton Jones, 6-0, 230, So., RB, Mesquite, Texas (New Mexico State)

First team all-area at Mesquite High School

Played on Coca-Cola all-star team

Three year letterman in football and track

Two year letterman in basketball

Todshon Jones, 6-2, 160, Fr., CB, Atco, New Jersey (Winslow Township)

First team all-conference

Second team all-Jersey

Two year letterman

Jerrick Sebree, 6-2, 240, Fr., DE, Dracula, Ga. (Dracula)

All-county for two seasons

Honorable mention all-state as a junior