In the unpredictable and somewhat unscientific world of football recruiting, Emporia State football coach Garin Higgins believes he and his staff accomplished a lot in the little time they had.
“In a month’s time,” Higgins said, “we really hit the ground running.”
With the signing on 25 high schoolers and two junior-college players to letters-of-intent, the new ESU coach has officially laid the foundation of players for the program he hopes to build.
And, considering all the factors, he said he was pleased with the group he was able to bring in.
“It’s a special class, just because it’s our very first one with this coaching staff,” Higgins said. “I think it’s a good one. I think it’s a great one. Of course, you never can tell.”
One of the headliners of the class is quarterback Zach Rampy, who comes to ESU after winning the Simone Award as the most outstanding player in the Kansas City area.
Last year’s Simone winner was Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman.
“Zach runs a similar offense to what we want to run here at Emporia State,” Higgins said. “He’s a winner, he works hard and he’s a studier.”
Rampy, who was coached by his father at Blue Valley High School, posted a 24-2 record in two seasons as a starter. He completed 132 of 200 passes for 2,247 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior in the Tigers’ State Championship season.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Rampy also received looks from other MIAA schools, including Pittsburg State. He was not recruited by some Division-I schools because of his small stature.
“We weren’t worried about his size, and we weren’t worried about his speed,” Higgins said, “because the guy’s a winner.”
Junior-college transfer Andre Sloan El also has been added to compete for the starting quarterback position.
The 6-foot-3 Sloan El threw for 1,768 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at Visalia (Calif.) College of the Sequoias. He originally signed his freshman season to play for Minnesota.
Ben Purkeypile, ESU’s starter from last season, also returns to the team, and Higgins said all three would get their chance to compete for the starting position.
“I don’t have any preconceptions of any of them,” Higgins said. “Everybody’s going to get an opportunity, that’s why I think it was important for me to bring Andre Sloan El in. I’m definitely not anointing him the starting quarterback.”
Another player with a chance to have an immediate effect on offense is running back Adrian Abner from DeSoto (Texas) High School.
The 5-7 Abner rushed for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Texas 5A powerhouse last season.
“He’s one of those backs that will make somebody miss in a phone booth,” Higgins said. “He’s not very big, but he’s put together well.”
Higgins also was excited to bring Muskogee (Okla.) High’s Braxton Owens to ESU.
The 6-foot, 245-pound linebacker is Higgins’ cousin.
“I got married in Emporia in 1994, and Braxton was my ring-bearer,” Higgins said. “It’s kind of funny how everything’s come full circle.”
Though nine of the signees came from Higgins’ home state of Oklahoma, the coach also succeeded in snagging most of the local talent.
That included getting a commitment from Emporia High linebacker Dillon Cox, who received strong offers from both Washburn and Pittsburg State.
“I had heard a lot of things about him,” Higgins said, “and he was definitely a kid we targeted early.”
Matt Coursen joins the Hornets after earning All-State honors at Waverly. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound running back will move to wide receiver at ESU.
“He’s another exciting kid. I really am excited about him,” Higgins said. “The more I watch that highlight tape of that kid, he really makes some outstanding plays.
“A kid like that who’s patient and stays with it will end up being a player for you.”
Lebo’s Taylor Barker (defensive end) and Bryant Linsey (defensive back/running back) were the other area athletes that committed to the Hornets.
Though Higgins won’t rule out adding more players, the major focus will now turn to coaching the ones he already has.
“That’s what we’re going to be doing next is getting ready for spring ball and just developing this football team that’s here right now,” Higgins said. “Those guys have been doing an excellent job in the weight room.”
Practices will start the week after Spring Break, with the annual Spring Game scheduled for April 21.