Texas Tech University Athletics
Leach Signs 24 to National Letters of Intent
February 07, 2001 | Football
Feb. 7, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech University head football coach Mike Leach announced this afternoon the following 24 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their educations and play football for the Red Raiders.
This year's class is made up of 19 true freshmen-to-be and seven junior college additions. This signing class joins two mid-year transfers - Anton Paige of Northwest Mississippi Community College and Josh Ratliff of Butte (Calif.) Community College - already enrolled at Texas Tech as newcomers to the Red Raiders.
"Our staff has worked hard over the last year to help us secure a top-notch recruiting class," Leach said. "This group is very athletic and should provide our fans with plenty of highlights over the next four to five years."
The Red Raiders are coming off a 7-6 campaign and their first bowl appearance in two years - galleryfurniture.com Bowl. Texas Tech has been bowl eligible each of the past eight seasons.
2001 Texas Tech Signees
| Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Hometown (High School / Junior College) |
| Michael Bailey | OL | 6-5 | 270 | Wichita Falls, Texas (Wichita Falls) |
| Loliki Bongo-Wanga | RB | 6-0 | 200 | Salinas, Calif. (Hartnell Community College) |
| DeWayne Brandon | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Temple, Texas (Temple) |
| Quincy Butler | DB | 6-2 | 180 | San Antonio, Texas (Roosevelt) |
| Randall Cherry | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Celina, Texas (Celina) |
| Armon Dorrough | WR | 6-1 | 170 | Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster) |
| Cody Fuller | WR | 6-1 | 185 | Smithson Valley, Texas (Smithson Valley) |
| Jose Hanson | DB | 5-10 | 175 | Inglewood, Calif. (El Camino College) |
| Clayton Harmon | DL | 6-5 | 270 | Stephenville, Texas (Stephenville) |
| Taurean Henderson | RB | 5-10 | 170 | Gatesville, Texas (Gatesville) |
| Cody Hodges | QB | 6-1 | 190 | Hereford, Texas (Hereford) |
| Antonio Huffman | CB | 5-11 | 180 | Lovejoy, Ga. (Lovejoy) |
| Bryan Kegans | OL | 6-5 | 303 | Stephenville, Texas (Stephenville) |
| Josh Lale | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Hiram, Ga. (Hiram) |
| SirDon Lewis | CB | 5-9 | 160 | Hitchcock, Texas (Hitchcock) |
| Ivory McCann | RB | 5-9 | 170 | Houston, Texas (Forest Brook) |
| Rodney McKinney | DL | 6-2 | 285 | Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Mississippi Delta Community College) |
| Anton Paige | WR | 6-5 | 205 | Royal Palm Beach, Fla. (Northwest Mississippi Community College) |
| Josh Rangel | DB | 6-2 | 200 | West Covina, Calif. (Mount San Antonio Community College) |
| Josh Ratliff | DL | 6-3 | 240 | Chico, Calif. (Butte [CA] Community College) |
| Ricky Sailor | DB | 5-11 | 190 | Tampa, Fla. (Butte [CA] Community College) |
| John Saldi | LB | 6-4 | 205 | Southlake, Texas (Carroll) |
| Fred Thrweat | DL | 6-3 | 215 | Midland, Texas (Lee) |
| E.J. Whitley | OL | 6-6 | 300 | Texas City, Texas (Texas City) |
MICHAEL BAILEY
OL, 6-5, 270
Wichita Falls, TX (Wichita Falls)
Texas Sportswriters Association Co-Red River 22 Offensive Player of the Year ... Class 4A All-State member ... recruited by Kansas and TCU.
LOLIKI BONGO-WANGA
6-0, 200, RB
Salinas, CA (Hartnell CC)
Rushed for 1,264 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2000 ... helped lead team to 8-3 record ... California Junior College Player of the Year ... logged 17 touchdowns and 1,141 rushing yards in 1999 ... originally from the Congo ... raised in Belgium ... speaks four languages ... French is primary language ... will major in business or economics ... parents still reside in Europe. Recruited by Georgia Tech, Stanford, and Cal.
DeWAYNE BRANDON
DB, 6-4, 202
Temple, TX (Temple)
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Fab 44 state prospect ... Texas Football 2000 First-Team "Super Team" ... 120 tackles and two interceptions in 2000 ... also visited Colorado and Texas ... three-time All-State and All-District ... finished the 2000 season with 45 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries ... returned 25 kickoffs for a 29-yard average per return ... averaged 12 yards per punt return on 16 punts ... caught 15 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Recruited by Florida State, Colorado, Texas and Texas A & M. Ranked No. 23 in the nation by Max Emfinger's recruiting service.
QUINCY BUTLER
DB, 6-2, 180
San Antonio, TX (Roosevelt)
First-Team All-District quarterback as a junior and senior ... All-City selection at quarterback ... rushed for 1,100 yards and passed for 600 yards ... accounted for 18 touchdowns, 12 on the ground. Recruited by Colorado, Kansas State, Oklahoma and TCU. Lonestar.com recruiting service ranks him as No. 34 in the nation as a Safety.
RANDALL CHERRY
LB, 6-3, 220
Celina, TX (Celina)
Registered 10 sacks, 104 tackles and 20 tackles for loss ... three fumble recoveries ... returned one fumble for a touchdown ... team finished 16-0 and won 2A Division II State Championship ... All-State and All-Area two years ... voted All-State by three state polls ... team finished 16-0 and won 2A Division II State Championship ... wants to study accounting. Recruited by Iowa State, Texas A & M, Arizona State and TCU. Ranked among the top defensive linemen in the country.
ARMON DORROUGH
WR, 6-1, 170
Lancaster, TX (Lancaster)
Rated 15th nationally among wide receivers by Rivals100.com ... 37 catches for 567 yards and eight touchdowns last season ... Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 in Texas ... Texas Football 2000 First-Team "Super Team" ... 4.4 in the 40 ... caught 48 passes for 565 yards as a junior. Chose us over Purdue, Notre Dame, and Arkansas. Among one of the top three in the State.
CODY FULLER
WR, 6-1, 185
Smithson Valley, TX (Smithson Valley)
Caught 83 balls for 1,325 yards in 2000. Father Kenny played at Texas Tech. Considered by many pro scouts to be drafted for baseball. Chose Texas Tech over Colorado. Has great hands and runs great routes. He will be a great possession receiver for TTU.
JOSE HANSON
DB, 5-10, 175
Inglewood, CA (El Camino College)
Grabbed three interceptions and scored a touchdown last season ... registered 30 tackles ... interested in studying mass communications. Chose Texas Tech over Illinois and Arkansas.
CLAYTON HARMON
DL, 6-5, 270
Stephenville, TX (Stephenville)
Member of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 ... rated 15th nationally among defensive linemen by Rivals100.com ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram Second-Team All-State ... Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Fab 44 ... finished 2000 season with more than 100 tackles. Recruited by Texas A & M, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Considered one of the best defensive ends in the state.
TAUREAN HENDERSON
RB, 5-10, 170
Gatesville, TX (Gatesville)
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 list ... rushed for 2,953 yards and 32 touchdowns on 386 carries in 2000 ... helped lead GHS to Class 3A State Championship ... rushed for 6,337 yards and 76 touchdowns during career ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram First-Team All-State ... 17-3A District MVP ... Super Centex Player of the Year ... Killeen Supreme Team Offensive Player of the Year ... Associated Press First-Team All-State ... Texas Sportswriters Association Offensive Player of the Year ... wants to study sports medicine. Recruited by Baylor, TCU and Kansas. Poses a double threat, coming out of the backfield and lining up at receiver and will cause problems for opposing teams.
CODY HODGES
QB, 6-1, 190
Hereford, TX (Hereford)
Threw for 2,458 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2000 ... Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 ... 22-4 record as starting quarterback since 1999 ... accounted for 62 touchdown passes over four years ... two-time 3-4A District Player of the Year ... All-District punter as a sophomore ... Amarillo Globe-News Newcomer of the Year in 1997 ... Amarillo Globe-News Player of the Year the last two years ... All-South Plains Player of the Year ... All-South Plains quarterback ... Second-Team All-State in 1999 ... plans on studying education. Was ranked by Lonestar.com as one of the top 100 Quarterbacks in the Nation. Recruited by Arizona, TCU and Baylor.
ANTONIO HUFFMAN
CB, 5-11, 180
Lovejoy, GA (Lovejoy)
Signed as a cornerback, despite playing at receiver in high school ... caught 26 balls for 449 yards and four touchdowns ... also rushed for five touchdowns ... registered 81 tackles and four interceptions on defensive side ... wants to study aerospace engineering or sports medicine. Ranked among the top 100 CB's in the country. Chose Texas Tech over Kentucky, Auburn and Notre Dame. This kid is not only fast but very physical. A polished DB that can cover as well as play the run.
BRYAN KEGANS
OL, 6-5, 303
Stephenville, TX (Stephenville)
Member of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram Second-Team All-State. Was a member of the three-time State Champion Stephenville Yellowjackets Team with teammate Clayton Harmon. Bryan chose Texas Tech over Oklahoma and Texas A & M.
JOSH LALE
OL, 6-4, 285
Hiram, GA (Hiram)
Plans on studying communications ... also visited North Carolina State ... has two sisters attending Texas Tech. Recruited by North Carolina State, Missouri\ and USC. A big guy with tremendous athletic ability. Will make a great addition to Texas Tech's front line.
SIRDON LEWIS
CB, 5-9, 160
Hitchcock, TX (Hitchcock)
Grabbed three interceptions last season ... ... two-year regional qualifier in cross country ... two-time regional qualifier in powerlifting ... two-time All-District ... will graduate third in his class ... wants to study engineering. Considered a real find, a diamond in the rough. Undersized but with tremendous strength and speed.
IVORY McCANN
RB, 5-9, 170
Houston, TX (Forest Brook)
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 ... rushed for 1,456 yards on 105 carries in 2000 ... has run the 400 meters in 46.7 and ranks fifth nationally. Chose Texas Tech over Texas A & M, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. This kid can fly. Definitely will bring some excitement to the Mike Leach pass style offense both from the backfield and as a receiver.
RODNEY McKINNEY
DL, 6-2, 285
Tuscaloosa, AL (Mississippi Delta CC)
NJCAA All-Region XXIII ... five sacks ... First-Team All-State ... recruited by Auburn out of high school ... wants to study landscaping or related field. Chose Texas Tech over Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. Considered one of the top defensive lineman in junior college. Will make an immediate impact in the Red Raider Swarm Defense.
ANTON PAIGE
WR, 6-5, 205
Royal Palm Beach, FL (Northwest Mississippi CC)
Honorable mention NJCAA All-American ... 64 receptions for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns last season ... NJCAA All-Region XXIII ... ninth-rated junior college recruit by Max Emfinger ... helped lead team to 11-0 record ... was a redshirt at Kansas in 1998 ... caught five balls for 49 yards in 1999 at KU ... interested in studying sports medicine. Chose TTU over Kentucky, LSU and Louisville. Mid-year signee that will spend spring training with the Red Raiders and will figure heavily in Tech's offensive attack.
JOSH RANGEL
DB, 6-2, 200
West Covina, CA (Mount San Antonio College)
Recorded three interceptions, including one for a touchdown last season ... also tallied two blocked punts, one fumble recovery and two sacks. Very knowledgeable player, a student of the game. Chose Texas Tech over Iowa State, Washington State and Oregon.
JOSH RATLIFF
DL, 6-3, 240
Chico, CA (Butte [CA] CC)
NJCAA First-Team All-American ... First-Team All-NorCal Conference ... All-NorCal Defensive Lineman two straight seasons ... interested in computers and coaching. Plays with a high level of intensity. Currently enrolled in Texas Tech as a mid-year signee. Should have an outstanding spring for the Red Raiders. Recruited by Iowa State and Arizona.
RICKY SAILOR
DB, 5-11, 190
Tampa, FL (Butte [CA] CC)
NorCal Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season ... First-Team All-America selection ... recorded one touchdown, two fumble recoveries and 40 tackles last season ... also had eight interceptions and 11 passes broken up ... will major in sociology. Recruited by Minnesota, Arizona State and Mississippi State.
JOHN SALDI
LB, 6-4, 205
Southlake, TX (Carroll)
Father, Jay, played for the Dallas Cowboys ... 150 tackles for Southlake Carroll ... wants to study business ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram Second-Team All-State. Had one of the top senior seasons on defense of any player in the state. Chose Texas Tech over Nebraska, South Carolina and TCU. Long, rangy guy that can run.
FRED THRWEATT
DL, 6-3, 315
Midland, TX (Lee)
Logged 64 tackles, 11 sacks, 39 quarterback pressures and six pass breakups last season ... member of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Top 100 and All-South Plains ... top 15 prospect ... played on three state championship high school teams ... will study communications ... benches 330 pounds and squats 600. Texas Tech considered Fred to be one of the best defensive players in West Texas. A True DT. LoneStar.com ranks him 32nd in the Nation. Recruited by SMU and Texas A & M.
E.J. WHITLEY
OL, 6-6, 300
Texas City, TX (Texas City)
Great size and an excellent pass blocker ... benches 320 and squats 550. Very mobile and athletic for a big guy. In the year of great linemen, E. J. stood among the top of the pack. This graceful giant chose Texas Tech over Kentucky, Texas A & M, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
