By Grant Abston, Sports Editor
With the departure of some of the best skill position players in ACU football history, the Wildcat football staff knew they would have to address those needs during the offseason.
ACU addressed those needs on Wednesday, adding 22 high school players and four junior college transfers to a team that returns eight starters on defense and six on offense. The reigning Lone Star Conference champions added six wide receivers and one standout junior college running back to help fill the void left by the departure of wide receiver Johnny Knox and Harlon Hill winner Bernard Scott. “I think top to bottom, it’s a really good class,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. “We got some good junior college transfers that can make an immediate impact, as well as some high school guys and some developmental players that should contribute a lot to what we’re doing.”
One of those players looking to make an immediate impact is junior college transfer Reggie Brown. Brown, a running back from Blinn College, led the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in rushing and averaged more than 7.5 yards per carry last season. Brown will look to make an immediate impact in the backfield after the Wildcats lost Taber Minner and Chancy Campbell in addition to Scott.
Wide receiver Kendrick Johnson from Kilgore College and defensive tackle Marvin Jones from Laney College also will push for playing time in 2009. Johnson was a first-team all-Southwest Junior College Football Conference selection in 2008 and averaged 22.3 yards per return on punts. Jones adds an inside presence to the Wildcats defense at 6-3, 290 pounds, and will play nose tackle in the Wildcats’ 3-4 defense.
“Kendrick Johnson from Kilgore College is also a threat in the kicking and punting game,” Thomsen said. “We haven’t had a dominant presence inside in a while, and we hope he can come in and provide that presence,” Thomsen said of Jones.
In addition to Johnson, the Wildcats added five high school wide receivers led by Taylor Gabriel. Gabriel, a first-team Class 5A all-state selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association, caught 90 passes for 1,354 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior year at Horn High School.
Running back Amon Pimpton will join three other players from Cooper High School as the only local players to sign. Pimpton was voted District 4-4A Offensive MVP as a senior after leading Cooper to its first playoff berth since 2003 and rushing for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensive back Stefphun Haslett, defensive back Demetric Lee and offensive lineman Blake Spears will join Pimpton as the other Cooper players.
“We look at kids all over the state and some outside of the state, and it’s amazing how you go look and you end up with some of the very best players in [Abilene],” Thomsen said. “We’re really excited about the Cooper kids.”
The Wildcats also added one defensive end, five linebackers, two tight ends, three offensive linemen, one quarterback and one junior college punter. But despite the new additions, Thomsen knows work still is to be done.
“I think we need to add at every position on defense and add another transfer receiver and a couple more running backs, but we are already on those guys and will bring them in over the next three to four months,” Thomsen said.
However, he is excited about the future and excited about the current class.
“We have core of players returning, and most have been involved in the recruiting process, and the guys have done a good job of welcoming them,” Thomsen said. “I know that these [recruits] are key pieces to be successful in 2009 and in the future.”
