By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western head football coach Matt Williamson and his staff announced the program's 2022 recruiting class on Wednesday during National Signing Day.
The Griffons got signatures from 24 players from nine different states, including five offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three quarterbacks, two receivers, two linebackers and several more.
"Really fired up about the type of kids we got," Williamson said in a press conference Wednesday. "We got some really talented players. Great people, but awesome students, too. So, just the typical fit for Missouri Western."
Among those in Missouri Western's 2022 class are three St. Joseph natives and members of the Lafayette football team - quarterback Jaron Saunders, receiver Carlos Cortez and offensive lineman Quentin Garrett.
All three were first-team all MEC Conference and all-city honorees in 2021. Saunders boasts over 4,000 career passing yards, including a state record 698 yards in a win over Atchison last September.
"We wanted to get on them early," Williamson said of those Lafayette seniors. "They were some of the earliest ones we offered in our class, just because I did want to keep them here. They know what St. Joe is, what it stands for and it's important to them and that's why they wanted to stay and wanted to be a Griffon."
Western is coming off of a 6-5 season in 2021, winning four of their last five games and graduated just four starters. Two big pieces to replace are on defense in All-American cornerback Sam Webb and second-team all-MIAA linebacker Evan Chohon, who led MWSU and was third in the nation with 116 total tackles.
Linebacker Terrance March, defensive end Chris Blakeney and punter all Jack Rasmussen graduated, while placekicker Thomas Kopcho, who got the starting nod for the back half of 2021, transferred out.
Of the 117 players on Missouri Western's 2021 roster, 73 of them were freshmen. At least 20 of those 73 saw regular playing time or even started. With this abundance of young talent and experience returning for 2022 and beyond, including a group of seven transfers, Williamson is optimistic for the long-term future.
"We've got a great team coming back," Williamson beamed. "We've just added a bunch of transfers and we added a bunch of high schools. So, we've got an even better team coming back, but we'll always keep our eyes open and keep the road open to see if someone can't come in and make a huge impact on our football team."
New staff members
Coach Williamson recently added three new coaching staff members - outside linebackers coach Hassan Belton (grad assistant), offensive assistant Justin Stolberg (grad assistant) and tight ends coach Moses Harper. Harper, a full-time hire, just had his first day on the job Tuesday.
Stolberg comes from Mississippi State, playing quarterback for the Bulldogs and spending time as a student assistant for coach Mike Leach.
Harper comes to Missouri Western from William Jewell, where he spent four years as the offensive line coach. His prior experience includes time as an offensive coordinator at the junior college level in Kansas at Fort Scott Community College and Coahoma Community College in Mississippi.
Sam Webb in the East-West Shrine Bowl
Corner and All-American Sam Webb, who played his final game as a Griffon in November, will participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday in Las Vegas - an annual all-star game for the best college football players in the nation.
Webb has already been getting looks and Williamson has been fielding calls from various position coaches around the NFL, inquiring about Webb's abilities.
"It's going to be great to see him compete against some elite of elite football players in the country," Williamson said about Webb. "That's where, in my opinion, that Missouri Western brand is going to be stamped when he plays in that game, because he's going to make plays. He's going to have success and put himself in a good situation."
The Shrine Bowl is at 7 p.m. central Thursday and will be televised on the NFL Network. Webb also played in the Hula Bowl - a college football all-star game in Orlando back on January 15.
Webb was a first-team all-MIAA selection in 2019 and preseason All-American in 2021. He finished his time at Missouri Western with 109 career tackles, seven career picks and 39 passes defended. His 6-2, 195-pound frame makes him an attractive choice in the secondary for NFL scouts.
2022 Missouri Western signing class -numbers by position
- 24 Total Signees
- 24 High School Recruits
- 5 Offensive Linemen
- 4 Defensive Linemen
- 4 Defensive Backs
- 3 Quarterbacks
- 2 Wide Receivers
- 2 Linebackers
- 1 Running Back
- 1 Kickers
- 9 Missouri Recruits
- Hometowns cover 9 states
2022 Missouri Western football signing class
Colton Allen QB 6-3 195 Highlands Ranch, Co / Valor Christian HS
- 2400 career passing yards
- 23 TDs in 2021, state runner-up
Carlos Cortez WR 5'10 170 St. Joseph, Mo. / Lafayette HS
- First-team all conference, all-district, first-team all-city
- Highest GPA on the team
Seth Cromwell RB 5'10 210 Littleton, Co. / Columbine HS
- 1st-team all state, 108 rush yards per game
- 3x 1st-team all conference
- 2x all-state, all-state academic team
Grant Finley DL 6'4 242 St. Louis, Mo. / Chaminade HS
- 2x second-team all state
Chris Floyd, Jr. WR 6'2 195 Springfield, Mo. / Glendale HS
- 2x 1st-team all conference
- 2nd-team all state
Quentin Garrett OL 6'2 277 St. Joseph, Mo. / Lafayette HS
- 1st team all-MEC
- 2x all district and all city
Preston Gregg K 6'3 180 Dallas, Tx. / Lake Dallas HS
- Texas 5A 1st-team all state
Michael Haggerty TE 6'4 200 Lee's Summit Mo. / St. Michael HS
- 2nd team all-state
- 2x all district first-team
Chase Hammond LB 6'0 190 Lee's Summit Mo. / Lee's Summit West
- 2x all-state
TreVon Holmes DB 5'11 185 Wynne, Ar. / Wynne HS
- 5a Defensive Player of the Year Finalist
Connor Holt OL 6'4 275 Festus, Mo. / Festus HS
- all-district, region, conference
- 2x Lineman of the Year
Jake Leader DB 6'2 190 Lincoln, Ne. / Lincoln Southwest HS
- 2x all-conference and all-city
- 185 career tackles
Nicc Oliver DB 5'10 175 Fort Worth, Tx. / North Crowley HS
- 1st team all-district
Sam Pezdirtz DB 5'11 175 Englewood, Co. Cherry Creek HS
- 2x all-conference
Will Pickard LB 6'2 205 Tulsa, Ok. / Bishop Kelley HS
- state track qualifier
Jaron Saunders QB 6'1 180 St. Joseph, Mo. / Lafayette HS
- 2021 all-city player of the year
- 4,053 career passing yards
Eli Scott QB 6'2 195 Louisville, Ky. / Eastern HS
- 3,400 career passing yards
- 1,000 career rushing yards
Khalid Sereal DL 6'4 215 Dickinson, Tx. / Dickinson HS
- all-state, 2x all-district
Autin Sohl OL 6'4 280 Plattsmouth, Ne. / Plattsmouth HS
- 2x all-state honorable mention
Joe Turner OL 6'5 295 Assumption, Ia. / Assumption HS
- 1st-team all state
- district lineman of the yer
Jonas Vickers OL 6'3 305 Derby, Ks. / Derby HS
- 2x all-state, 3x all-conference
- 3x state champion, 46-3 career record
Braxton White DL 6'4 220 Texarkana, Tx. / Texarkana Texas HS
- four-sport athlete
Cam Whitt TE 6'4 225 St. Charles, Mo. / St. Dominic
- all-district, all-conference
Braydon Wickliffe DL 6'1 285 Goddard, Ks. / Goddard HS
- KFBCA 1st-team all state
- 244 career tackles, 16.5 sacks, 3 blocked FGs
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