Feb. 5, 2003

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OXFORD, Ohio - A total of 16 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play football at Miami University, head coach Terry Hoeppner announced Wednesday. Hoeppner's fourth recruiting class is comprised of nine players from Ohio, two from Michigan and Pennsylvania and one each from Illinois, Indiana and Florida.

"As always, we focused our recruiting efforts in Ohio with a special emphasis on speed. This year we needed to target our offensive line and all positions on defense." said Hoeppner, who sports a 27-19 record in four seasons as Miami's head coach."

"I want to commend the coaching staff on another great job as they sought out and targeted these student-athletes. All of their hard work has paid off. Each and every one of these student-athletes has what it takes to be a Miami Man." Head Coach Terry Hoeppner

Once we secured our needs, we went out and found the best available athletes - regardless of position. This year's class, like the ones before it, has a good combination of athleticism and speed, highlighted by the signing of the Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year Brandon Murphy from Strongsville and the Division IV Defensive Player of the Year Darren Paige from Rossford High School."

In a class of 16 athletes, six players are taking part in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game, which is slated to take place in June, while another four will take part in July's Ohio/Pennsylvania Big 33 game in Hershey, Penn.

"I want to commend the coaching staff on another great job as they sought out and targeted these student-athletes. All of their hard work has paid off. Each and every one of these student-athletes has what it takes to be a Miami Man."

With these 16 signees, Hoeppner says Miami's recruiting class for 2003 is now complete.

Jerome Bennett
RB/LB 6-2 215
Southfield, MI/Southfield High School

Coach's Comments:
Very athletic and intelligent player...makes plays all over the field...named one of Michigan's top 50 players in the state. Notes: all-state and North all-county honoree ... had 78 solo tackles, 56 assisted tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, two touchdowns ... team was OAA conference champions 2001 and 2002. Other schools interested: Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.

Justin Davis
WR/DB 6-5 220
Plain City, OH/Fairbanks High School

Coach's Comments:
Tall athlete who has great ball skills as a wide receiver ... loves to out jump defensive backs to catch the ball ... aggressive defensive player. Notes: Two-time all-conference wide receiver ... Division VI Central District Player of the Year ... first-team all-state selection ... named to first-team Columbus Dispatch all-Agonis team. Others schools interested: Wake Forest and Ohio University.

Jared Evans
OL/DL 6-3 290
Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis High School

Coach's Comments:
Dominating and physical blocker that improved greatly in team's stretch run ... physically impressive athlete ... has clocked a 4.87 in 40yd dash ... squats 500, benches 390 ... a member of a senior class that achieved back to back state championships ... three-year starter and letterman helping his team to a 40-4 mark in those three seasons ... 2001 squad (Junior year) was ranked fourth in USA Today's final poll. Notes: Selected to play in the Indiana North/South All-Star Game ... Associated Press All-State selection ... Indianapolis Star All-State team member ... Reebok IFCA All-State ... Bloomington Herald Top 33 honoree ... picked all-conference and all-Marion County ... was team's Offensive Lineman of the Week in 10-of-15 games ... school record holder for " pancake" blocks in a season at 50 ... 101 career " pancake" blocks. Other schools interested: Indiana

Jerrid Gaines
DB 6-0 190
Springfield, OH/Springfield South High School

Coach's Comments:
A big, physical corner who is very aggressive ... good ball skills and outstanding leaping ability. Notes: Selected to play for the South team in the Ohio North/South Game in June ... will be a member of the Ohio squad in the Big 33 All-Star game ... first-team all-conference as a senior year...a varsity starter at cornerback since his junior season. Other schools interested: Central Michigan, Louisville and Toledo.

Mike Kokal
QB/P 6-2 175
Warren, OH/ Warren G. Harding High School

Coach's Comments:
Intelligent and athletic quarterback ... quick release ... split time at QB with a fellow senior blue-chip prospect ... his best is yet to come, a true hidden gem. Notes: Selected to play for the North squad in the Ohio North/South Game in June ... named first-team all-state as a punter, all-Steel Valley and all-district his senior season. Other schools interested: Toledo, Kent State and Northern Illinois.

Otto Linwood, III
OL/DL 6-1, 285
Frankfort, IL/Lincoln-Way East High School

Coach's Comments:
Dynamic, young (17 years old) football player with a very promising future ... leader and two-year captain on an 11-2 team that made it to the state quarterfinals in the school's second season of football ... explosive off the ball ... demonstrates great feet and quickness ... makes plays all over the field from his defensive line position. Notes: Second-team all-state and two-time all-conference and all-area selection ... posted 65 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery his senior season ... as a junior, recorded 78 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery ... listed on Top 50 lists in Illinois. Others schools interested: Bowling Green, Ball State and Northern Illinois.

Stephen Meister
OL/DL 6-3 255
Allison Park, PA/Shaler High School

Coach's Comments:
A very athletic offensive lineman ... very intelligent player ... exceptional student. Notes: Nominated for Big 33 and Pennsylvania Shrine Game ... selected to the NAFCA vs. City League All-Star game ... first-team all-conference his senior season ... Red Zone Player of the Year and Wendy's High School Heisman winner for Shaler High School his final year. Other schools interested: Ohio and Kent State.

Craig Mester
DL 6-3 220
Grand Rapids, MI/East Grand Rapids High School

Coach's Comments:
A very explosive and extremely fast defensive end ... very quick off the line of scrimmage ... named one of Michigan's top 50 players in the state. Notes: All-conference, all-area ... selected first-team all-state by the Associated Press and the Detroit News ... also named to the Detroit Free Press and Grand Rapids Press Dream teams ... helped team to a 14-0 record and MHSAA Division III State Championship as a senior ... brother of former Miami defensive lineman Kurt Mester. Other schools interested: Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.

Brandon Murphy
RB 5-8 170
Strongsville, OH/Strongsville High School

Coach's Comments:
Is an exciting runner with lightning quickness and tremendous speed ... a 6-foot-6 high jumper ... his explosive running style turns heads ... is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball ... statistically one of the top five running backs in Ohio high school history. Notes: Was the Division I Offensive Player of the Year ... selected to play for the North squad in the Ohio North/South Game in June ... will be a member of the Ohio squad in the Big 33 All-Star game ... three-time Division I all-state running back ... three-time Cleveland Plain Dealer " Best of the Best" Top 24 ... three-time all-Northeast Ohio and all-Pioneer Conference pick ... first-ever two-time Pioneer Conference Most Valuable Player ... USA Newspaper Top 50 High School Players ... 2002-03 Cleveland Touchdown Club Lou Groza Award winner for the outstanding player in Northeast Ohio. Other schools interested: Pittsburgh, Louisville, Ohio, Bowling Green and Toledo.

Charles Norden
OL/DL 6-5 250
Dublin, OH/Dublin Scioto High School

Coach's Comments:
A very athletic lineman who can pass protect and still be a physical run blocker ... has a great future as a lineman in college. Notes: Selected to play for the South squad in the Ohio North/South Game in June...first-team all-state, all-district, all-OCC selection ... named to Columbus Dispatch all-Agonis team ... three-year starter in football and lacrosse ... also was team captain his senior year. Other schools interested: Maryland, Ohio and Toledo.

Patrick O'Bryan
WR/DB 6-1 185
Beavercreek, OH/Carroll High School

Coach's Comments:
A versatile player with great hands ... makes the extraordinary catches as well as the easy receptions ... very fast and quick off the ball ... returned kicks and played corner in high school. Notes: Three-year letterman...earned first-team all-league, all-area, and Division II all-state honors as a junior and senior ... Dayton Daily News first-team all-area ...also three-year letterman in track where he was the Mid-Miami League Runner of the Year. Other schools interested: Central Michigan, Akron and Ball State.

Darren Paige
WR/DB 6-1 180
Rossford, OH/Rossford High School

Coach's Comments:
An exceptional athlete who excelled on both sides of the ball ... great hands ... is dangerous every time he touches the ball. Notes: Was the Division IV Defensive Player of the Year ... selected to play for the North squad in the Ohio North/South Game in June ... will be a member of the Ohio squad in the Big 33 All-Star game ... was a candidate for Mr. Ohio ... Toledo Blade Defensive Player of the Year and Maumee Mirror Player of the Year ... selected all-district, all-Wood County, first-team all-state . Other schools interested: Cincinnati, Toledo, Ohio and Eastern Michigan.

Ryne Robinson
WR/DB 5-10 170
Toledo, OH/Central Catholic High School

Coach's Comments:
Big-play guy with excellent speed and agility ... three-sport athlete with exceptional ball skills. Notes: Selected to play for the North squad in the Ohio North/South Game in June ... three-time first-team all-city selection ... all-city and district player of the year ... two-time all-district pick ... first-team all-state senior year ... had 62 catches for 1,035 yards, and 16 touchdowns as a senior. Other schools interested: Toledo and Bowling Green.

Tranaine Sills
DL/LB 6-1 220
Miramar, FL/Miami Northwestern Senior High School

Coach's Comments:
Fast and aggressive defensive player ... team captain and emotional leader ... very productive. Notes: Selected first-team all-state, all-county and first-team all-Gridiron ... named county defensive MVP ... played in the Dade-Broward County All-Star Game ... led the state of Florida with 27 sacks his senior season. Other schools interested: South Florida, Louisville and Western Michigan.

Austin Sykes
RB/DB 6-0 220
Coraopolis, PA/Moon High School

Coach's Comments:
A very powerful running back ... also punted in high school ... a standout center fielder on his high school baseball team. Notes: Selected twice as the Pittsburgh Tribune Review's Terrific 25 South/West running back ... two-time Parkway Conference Top 22 all-conference pick ... twice named Class AAA Second-Team Pensylvania Football News All-State ... was nominated for the Big 33 game. Other schools interested: Akron, Kent State, and Eastern Michigan.

Peter Walters
OL 6-5 270
Columbus, OH/Upper Arlington High School

Coach's Comments:
Hard worker in the weight room and is a physical blocker ... great student of the game. Notes: Named all-state, all-district and first-team all-conference as a senior ... team captain ... team won state championship as a sophomore, posting a perfect 15-0 record Other schools interested: Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.