Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Football Adds 17 in 2014 Football Recruiting Class
2/5/2014 1:30:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Head Coach Chris Creighton adds nine players from Michigan
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Just 54 days after being named the 37th head football coach in Eastern Michigan University history, Chris Creighton announced his first recruiting class Wednesday, Feb. 5, as part of the National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
Creighton, named to the head coaching position Dec. 11, 2013, wasted little time putting together a coaching staff to hit the recruiting trail in late December and January, and the brevity paid off in an outstanding group of 17 recruits signing national letters of intent to join the Eagles in 2014.
"On Thursday, Dec. 12, I was introduced as the new EMU head coach at a press conference," said Creighton. "That evening, I was at Michigan's Dream Team Banquet where both Ian Erikson and Jeremiah Harris were being honored. Despite the challenges of an extended recruiting dead period and the need to hire an entire coaching staff, we are both thrilled and fortunate to announce our first class of EMU Eagles. The class is talented, for sure, but we are even more excited about the quality of their character."
The largest group of Eagle newcomers - nine - are from the state of Michigan, but EMU coaches fanned out across the nation for this class with the states of Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio also represented. The nine signees from the Great Lakes State are the most by the Eagles since inking 13 student-athletes to NLIs in 2007.
The overall class exhibits quite a bit of variety as the Eagles will welcome student-athletes at six different positions, including five offensive linemen, four defensive backs, three linebackers, two defensive linemen, two running backs and a wide receiver.
"These are great guys who believe that they can help transform this program from the inside out, ultimately being a true source of pride and joy for this outstanding university and our surrounding community," Creighton added. "This class will forever be very special to me as it our inaugural class at Eastern."
The Eagles begin preparations for the 2014 schedule Tuesday, March 11, when they hit the field for the first time in the spring. The annual spring game will be held Saturday, April 12, inside Rynearson Stadium.
The following is a roster and biographical sketches for each of EMU's signees…
2014 Eastern Michigan University Football Recruits
Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School
Ka'John Armstrong OT 6-4 270 Fr.-Fr. Detroit, Mich.-Loyola
Jason Beck CB 6-1 195 Fr.-Fr. Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical
Cameron Bouldin DB 6-3 170 Fr.-Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio-La Salle
Chris Bukoski OT 6-5 265 Fr.-Fr. Dewitt, Mich.-Dewitt
Ian Eriksen RB 5-10 190 Fr.-Fr. Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston
David Francis LB 6-3 190 Fr.-Fr. Opa Locka, Fla.-Hialeah
Tim Gordon DB 5-11 175 Fr.-Fr. St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall
Jeremiah Harris DL 6-5 235 Fr.-Fr. Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior
Chris Hendricks OL 6-5 270 Fr.-Fr. Fruitport, Mich.-Fruitport
Jeremy Hickey OL 6-4 290 Fr.-Fr. Troy, Mich.-Brother Rice
Kenny Jones WR 6-2 190 Fr.-Fr. Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central
Lion King DL 6-4 205 Fr.-Fr. Southfield, Mich.-Southfield
D'Marcus Moon LB 6-1 225 Fr.-Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side
Kyle Rachwal LB 6-3 215 Fr.-Fr. Warren, Mich.-Lapeer East
Dakota Tallman OL 6-5 300 Fr.-Fr. LaGrange, Ohio-Elyria Catholic
Shaq Vann RB 5-10 195 Fr.-Fr. South Bend, Ind.-John Adams
Ross Williams CB 5-11 160 Fr.-Fr. Birmingham, Mich.-Groves
Ka'John Armstrong OT 6-4 270 Fr.-Fr. Detroit, Mich.-Loyola
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Loyola High School in Detroit, Mich...Played under Head Coach John Callahan as a Bulldog...Ranked as the 30th-best player in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press' Mick McCabe on his Fab 50 team...Ranked as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports.com and Rivals.com...Rated as the 19th-best player in the state of Michigan by Rivals.com...Earned All-State honors in Division 7-8 from the Associated Press as a senior... PERSONAL: Son of Dana and Lamar Armstrong.
Jason Beck CB 6-1 195 Fr.-Fr. Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Ind....Played under Head Coach Emil Ekiyor as a Titan...Led his team as a senior with a pair of interceptions...Ranked as the 20th-best player in the state of Indiana by 247Sports.com...Played in 10 games in 2012, recording 31 tackles (24 solo, 7 assist) to go along with four pass deflections...All-State selection...A two-sport athlete, was also a member of the City Champion basketball team...PERSONAL: Son of Iaquesha and Jason Beck.
Cameron Bouldin DB 6-3 170 Fr.-Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio-La Salle
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio...Played under Head Coach Nate Moore as a Lancer....Played both safety and wide receiver...Ranked as as two-star recruit by Scout.com...Finished the season with 45 tackles (32 solo, 13 assist) to go along with two fumble recoveries and an interception...Had a season-best 10 stops in a game against Bishop Dwenger...Turned in five games with at least four tackles...Also returned 11 punts for 93 yards while taking back four kickoffs for 19.3 yards per return...Named to the 2013 Preseason All-Tri-State Football Team...Had 36 tackles (20 solo and 16 assist) and an interception as a junior...Also a shortstop on the baseball team...PERSONAL: Son of Jennifer and Paul Bouldin.
Chris Bukoski OT 6-5 265 Fr.-Fr. Dewitt, Mich.-Dewitt
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Dewitt High School in Dewitt, Mich...Played under Head Coach Rob Zimmerman as a Panther...Selected the fifth-best offensive tackle in the state of Michigan and the 61st-best player overall...2013 Dream Tem selection...Was part of an offensive line that paved the way for a team total of 15 scores and 1,273 yards in 2013....Dewitt went 13-1 on the season, losing in the Division 3 State Championship...PERSONAL: Son of Shery and Glenn Bukoski.
Ian Eriksen RB 5-10 190 Fr.-Fr. Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Mich....Played under Head Coach Kurt Richardson as a Wolf...Ranked as the 14th-best player in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press' Mick McCabe on his Fab 50 team...Ranked as a the third-best player in Michigan by MaxPreps and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...Listed as the 124th-best player by Scout.com...Rated by The Detroit News as the top running back in the state as a senior...Named to the 2013 Detroit Free Press' Dream Team...Carried the ball 232 times for 1,695 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 26 touchdowns...Helped Clarkston run away from Detroit Catholic Central in the 2013 MHSAA Division 1 Football State Championship game as the program captured the first state title with a 32-14 victory at Ford Field...Carried the ball 32 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the state final...Ran for 1,087 yards (217.4 yards per game) and scored 16 touchdowns during the Wolves' five playoff games in 2013...His best performance came in the semifinals against Flint Carman-Ainsworth when he rushed 44 times for 355 yards and six touchdowns in the Wolves' 61-26 victory...Underwent arthroscopic surgery for a partially torn meniscus in his knee on Sept. 19, 2013, and missed four games...Immediately made an impact in his first start and first touch of the 2012, with a 99-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff as he finished with six touchdowns and also 250 rushing yards against Rochester Adams...Set the school record with 34 touchdowns and 2,167 rushing yards on 319 carries (average carry 6.9 yards) in 2012...Earned all-state first team honors by several publications, as well as All-OAA Red Division, All-North Oakland Area and All-Oakland County after his dominating junior season...Garnered Metro Detroit Offensive Player of The Year accolades....Already has his jersey retired at Clarkston...Also earned all-state accolades as a sprinter in track and field...Qualified for two events for the D-1 state finals, the 200 meters and the 1,600-meter relay...Placed sixth in the state in the 200 meter to earn all-state accolades, while his 1,600 meter relay quartet finished 10th at state, two rungs away from an all-state medal...Can bench 350 pounds...PERSONAL: Son of Lauren and Mark Erikson.
David Francis LB 6-3 190 Fr.-Fr. Opa Locka, Fla.-Hialeah
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hialeah High School in Hialeah, Fla...Played under Head Coach Marc Berman as a Thoroughbred...Selected as a team captain his senior season...Honorable mention All-Conference...Recorded 71 tackles (13 for loss), four sacks, four punt blocks and one interception as a senior...Hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception in a 42-0 victory over Krop...Snagged a 66-yard reception for a score against South Fort Myers...Also a member of the basketball team, averaging 7.5 points per game...PERSONAL: Son of Andrea Bodden
Tim Gordon DB 5-11 175 Fr.-Fr. St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Cretin Derham Hall High School in Saint Paul, Minn...Played under Head Coach Mike Scanlan as a Raider...Ranked as a two-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals.com...Rated as the 44th-best player in the state of Minnesota by Maxpreps.com...Named second team All-State as a senior by the Associated Press...Had five interceptions and 18 pass breakups as a junior...Ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash...PERSONAL: Son of Cara and Tim Gordon.
Jeremiah Harris DL 6-5 235 Fr.-Fr. Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Bedford Senior High School in Temperance, Mich...Played under Head Coach Jeff Wood as a Kicking Mule...Ranked as the 11th-best player in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press' Mick McCabe on his Fab 50 team...Ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com...Named Division 1-2 First Team All-State by the Associated Press...Named to the 2013 Michigan All-State Dream Team...Named All-Toledo Blade as the team posted an 11-2 record...Played in all 12 games as senior, recording 98 tackles (40 solo, 58 assists)...Notched 14 sacks and 17 tackles-for-loss to go along with 10 pass breakups...As a junior, finished with 73 tackles (24 solo, 49 assist), 11 TFLs and six sacks...PERSONAL: Son of Karen and Phil Harris.
Chris Hendricks OL 6-5 270 Fr.-Fr. Fruitport, Mich.-Fruitport
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Fruitport High School in Fruitport, Mich...Played under Head Coach Greg Vargas as a Trojan...Ranked as a two-star recruit by Scout.com...A member of the 2013 Lakes Eight First Team as both an offensive and defensive lineman...Posted 71 tackles, 30 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and three forced fumbles in his senior season...In 2013, was ranked as the No. 2 heavyweight in Division II wrestling...Was the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association city wrestling champion at 285 pounds in 2012...Currently 32-0 as a senior wrestler...Would have been within range of a state record in a recent powerlifting event had he competed...The 2012 season was his first at Fruitport after transferring from Mona Shores...PERSONAL: Son of Lana and Bruce Hendricks.
Jeremy Hickey OL 6-4 290 Fr.-Fr. Troy, Mich.-Brother Rice
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich...Played under legendary Head Coach Al Fracassa as a Warrior...A late bloomer ranked as a two-star recruit by Scout.com...Received honorable mention all-league honors...Helped his team capture its third-straight Division II state title in 2013 with a 14-0 record...First perfect season at Brother Rice since 1983...PERSONAL: Son of Mary and Michael Hickey.
Lion King DL 6-4 205 Fr.-Fr. Southfield, Mich.-Southfield
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Southfield High School in Southfield, Mich...Played under Head Coach Tim Conley as a Blue Jay...Part of a team that finished 7-0 in league play and 7-3 overall in 2013...Ranked as the 129th-best player in the state of Michigan...Returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown against Bloomfield Hills...PERSONAL: Son of Diane and Rudy Conaway.
Kenny Jones WR 6-2 190 Fr.-Fr. Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lawrence Central in Indianapolis, Ind...Played under Head Coach Jed Richman as a Bear...Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com...Ranked as the 11th-best player in Indiana by 247Sports.com...Hauled in 25 catches for 400 yards and five touchdowns as a senior...Caught 15 balls for 395 yards and four scores as the team went 15-0 during his junior season...Grabbed a season-best 52-yard reception against Southport...Earned honorable mention all-state honors in 2012...PERSONAL: Son of Rosemary Williams.
D'Marcus Moon LB 6-1 225 Fr.-Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Ind...Played under Head Coach Ryan Hall as a Redskin...Rated as the 32nd-best player in the state of Indiana by 247Sports.com and a two star recruit by Scout.com...Selected all-conference and All-Northeast Indiana...Playing linebacker for the first time, recorded 38 tackles and six sacks in the first four games of his senior season...Spent his first three years as a running back at Bishop Dwenger High School, tallying 793 yards and seven touchdowns as a juinor...PERSONAL: Son of Nicole and Ray Moon.
Kyle Rachwal LB 6-3 215 Fr.-Fr. Warren, Mich.-Lapeer East
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lapeer East High School in Lapeer, Mich...Played under Head Coach Jake Weingartz as an Eagle...Receiving three stars from 247sports.com...Listed as the 69th-best player in the state and a two-star recruit by Scout.com...Played both middle linebacker and running back...Headlined The Flint Journal's Dream Team for defense as the Player of the Year...As a senior, racked up 109 tackles and four interceptions on defense, and returned two of those picks for touchdowns...On the offensive side, scored 16 rushing touchdowns with 812 yards on 92 carries...Caught 23 passes for 333 yards...Selected to play in the Michigan versus Ohio All-Star Football Game on June 14 in Findlay, Ohio, with the top-40 high school seniors in the state...PERSONAL: Son of Sandy and Steve Rachwal.
Dakota Tallman OL 6-4 300 Fr.-Fr. LaGrange, Ohio-Elyria Catholic
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio...Played under Head Coach Mike Polevacik as a Panther...Selected as one of Ohio's Top-200 senior football prospects by JJHuddle and ScoutingOhio...Was a starter since midway through his freshman season...First Team All-Ohio Division IV as a senior...Was a Second Team Division IV All-Ohio player as a junior...During the 2012 season opener against Huron, he had eight knockdown blocks on offense and two tackles, while forcing and recovering a fumble on defense...PERSONAL: Son of Brandie Horning and Don Talman.
Shaq Vann RB 5-10 195 Fr.-Fr. South Bend, Ind.-John Adams
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended John Adams High School in South Bend, Ind...Played under Head Coach Craig Redman as an Eagle at running back and linebacker...Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com...Rated as the 20th-best athlete in the state of Indiana by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com...First Team All-State during both his junior and senior seasons...Ran for 425 yards on 39 carries, while adding eight tackles and an interception on defense in a 40-34 win over cross-town rival St. Joseph...Scored a three touchdown performance in the 2012 Indiana 5A Sectional Finals on runs of 32 and 67 yards as well as a 71-yard pass play...Qualified for the Indiana State Track meet in both the 100 and 200 meter sprints...Named all-state in track as a sophomore and as a junior...PERSONAL: Son of Allison Townsend.
Ross Williams CB 5-11 160 Fr.-Fr. Birmingham, Mich.-Groves
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Groves High School in Birmingham, Mich...Played under Head Coach Brendan Flaherty as a Falcon...Ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com...One of 10 finalists for the MLive Michigan High School Football Player of the Year award...Earned First Team All-State honors in 2013...Rushed for 1,340 yards on 110 carries for an average of 12.2 yards per carry his senior season...Scored 18 touchdowns (16 rush, 1 receiving, 1 punt return) as a senior...Rushed for 233 yards in an opening week matchup against Bloomfield Hills and then for 140 yards a win over Hazel Park...Added 224 yards and two scores on 13 carries in a 36-0 win over Royal Oak...Ran for 1,250 yards as a junior...Won the Division I 300-meter hurdles title as a junior in 37.96, seconds and finished runner up in the 110-meter hurdles at 14.41 seconds...PERSONAL: Son of Valencia Leach and Tyrone Williams....Father was captain of the Michigan State University track and field team.
