Football Announces Signing of 14 Transfer Students To Join Team in 2008
January 28, 2008


MONTICELLO, Arkansas – University of Arkansas at Monticello head football coach Gwaine Mathews has announced the signing of 14 transfer student-athletes from other universities and junior colleges to join the Boll Weevil football team in the 2008 season.
 
<Ehab Tayeh (6-5, 220, Antelope, Calif.) joins the team after playing two seasons at American River College. Mathews said Tayeh can play both interior and exterior defensive line. “Ehab is a tall, aggressive defensive lineman,” said Mathews. “He will be an immediate help to our d-line. He has a rough, tough mentality, which should make him good at both defending the run and the pass.”
 
>Ricky Spencer (6-0, 175, San Diego, Calif.) joins the team after playing two seasons at Fullerton College. Spencer is a defensive back that runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. “What a find,” said Mathews. “Ricky is a tall cover corner with three years left to play. He is one of those rare finds…real strong and fast, and the true mentality of a corner.”

<Casey Cathcart (6-0, 180, Santa Maria, Calif.) joins the club to play quarterback after signing late. “Casey has really lit up the Monticello campus,” said Mathews. “He is a talented QB with a great mind…very athletic and throws a good ball. He’ll compete for the job once we open up Spring practice in March.
 
>Joseph Welch (5-11, 190, White Hall, Ark.) joins the team from GSC rival school Southern Arkansas. Welch was signed as an versatile athlete. He can play quarterback, receiver, and free safety. “Joseph is a tough, athletic player from the local area that can play on both sides of the ball…a strong, physical player with a great attitude. We are excited to have him on our team.”
 
<Michael Cooper (5-9, 175, Detroit, Mich.) transfers from Pierce Community College in Los Angeles after earning all-conference and all-state honors at the wide receiver position. “Mike is a very gifted receiver that caught a bunch of balls at Pierce,” said Mathews. “He does a great job of catching the ball with his hands and always makes the first person miss. He’s an inside player that loves to catch the ball…knows how to get open.”
 
>Kent Moore (6-2, 200, Marshall, Texas) transfers from Alcorn State to play wide receiver or tight end for the Weevils. Moore joins his brother on the football team, Ronnard Tonney, who was the starting nose guard this past season. “Moore is very athletic,” said Mathews. “He will provide some much needed depth at the tight end position.
 
<Tyler Boyett (6-5, 290, Greenville, Miss.) joins the team after playing at the University of New Mexico under head coach Rocky Long. “Tyler has been on our recruiting board for two years now,” said Mathews. “We offered him last year and could not seal the deal. He signed with New Mexico, and lucky for us, he was unhappy…after a couple of calls, he was a Weevil….very quick offensive lineman with great size. He could play either center or tackle, and should be a big time player in this conference.”
 
>Stephen Harris (6-4, 235, Cleveland, Ohio) joins the Weevils as a defensive lineman. “Harris is another tall, long and very fast defensive lineman,” said Mathews. “He gets to the ball unlike anybody I have ever recruited…He is relentless...even when he played inside, he never got knocked back. I think he could be a very good player in this league. His long arms and lanky body will help him contain some of these athletic quarterbacks that we will face.”
 
<Spenser Garrison (5-10, 183, Redwood City, Calif.) joins the Weevils after playing at San Mateo Junior College, where he was named to the All-Nor. Cal Conference team as a wide receiver and a returner. “When we first watched film on Spenser, we thought that there was no way he has a shot to land this kid,” said Mathews. “We put an offer out there and just kept recruiting him. He wil make an impact on our team. Our kick return team was dead last in the GSC last year and this guy could be the answer. On offense, he will give us another speed guy on the outside.”
 
>Quincy Lucas (5-11, 197, San Francisco, Calif.) is also a utility player from San Mateo. Lucas runs a 4.56 40-yard dash. He was named the most improved offensive player on his team this past season. “Quincy has hit the ground running,” said Mathews. “He is a very strong young man. Ever since I have been here, John L. (Williams) has been the guy, but Quincy has all the tools that John L. had. He is lighting fast, and has good vision. I cannot wait to see him in pads.”
 
<Charles Spann (6-2, 225, Los Angeles, Calif.) joins UAM after playing at Glendale College as a tight end. “(Spann) is a tight end that works very hard,” said Mathews. “He has great hands and has the ability to stretch a defense…strong player that will not get out-worked during a play.”
 
>Ronnie Herrin (5-10, 225, Sacramento, Calif.) comes to UAM with several options. He is a running back, but will also be used in the passing game. “Ronnie is a very strong and physical back that has good vision and breaks tackles,” said Mathews. “We think he has both fullback and tailback qualities…will also use as a receiver coming out of the backfield.”
 
 

<Glendon Glaspie (5-7. 165, San Francisco, Calif.) joins the Weevils after returning kicks for San Mateo Junior College. Glaspie runs a 4.51 40-yard dash. “Glaspie is another exciting back that we signed from San Mateo that we will utilize as a kick returner,” said Mathews. “He is lightning quick and has good speed…good vision and runs the ball very hard.”
 
>Francisco Coronado (6-2, 290, Los Angeles, Calif.) joins the Weevils after being named an honorable mention for the Western State All-Conference team, playing for Glendale College. “Francisco is one of the top recruits for our defensive line,” said Mathews. “He is an inside player and could be the tackle or the shade for us…very physical and creates good pressure on the quarterback…always around the ball and should compete for the starting job when we start spring drills.”
 
Mathews spoke on these transfers as a whole. “We hope that this group will close the gap between us and the top three teams in the GSC.  Whenever you can free up that much money at the semester and sign this many players you should be a better team.  All of these kids have had tremendous attitudes and have hit the ground running.  Six of the 14 come in with a 3.0 GPA or better, and that always helps in retention.  This has been the best looking bunch that we have signed at one time since I have been here.”