KANSAS STATE FOOTBALL NOTES

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 19, 2003 by Kevin Haskin Capital-Journal

When Joe Redmond accepted the job as high school football coach at Deerfield Beach, Fla., two years ago, his quarterback had not yet enrolled in the school. But Redmond already knew of Brent Schaeffer.

The QB's reputation at two other schools was already creating a stir in fertile south Florida and Redmond knew first-hand what he was getting after serving as athletic director at Schaeffer's middle school.

"He transferred here and he became our quarterback. That was that," Redmond said. "It's been a great marriage. He's a complete player."

Kansas State will court Schaeffer this weekend as one of 18 prospects expected on campus. This weekend is the last chance to see recruits before a holiday dead period is imposed, which works well for Kansas State since it is scheduled to depart a week from today for the Fiesta Bowl.

Schaeffer is considered a plum as a run-pass threat who led Deerfield Beach to the state semifinals and a 12-2 finish in Florida's largest class this past season. He threw for 2,574 yards and 31 touchdowns, while rushing for 583 yards and 15 scores.

"He's probably the best player I've ever coached and I coached college football for 23 years and high school for seven," Redmond said. "He's a 3.0 student, has his test scores, comes from a great family. Everything about him is a plus, and he has great character."

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel seized on Schaeffer's charisma and is running accounts written by the recruit on the five officials visits he is allowed to take. The first was dated Dec. 18 and touched on his visit last weekend to Tennessee.

"I research teams I'm interested in," Schaeffer wrote in the Sun- Sentinel, "and when I saw the young receivers and young offensive line in person, that convinced me more about Tennessee.

"I heard the quarterback from Oregon (Erik Ainge) committed, but that doesn't bother me. I know they want to sign two."

Kansas State wouldn't mind signing a pair, either, though another quarterback scheduled to visit this weekend had to cancel.

Nick Patton of Winfield has basketball games tonight and Saturday and also must take the ACT exam on Saturday. According to Winfield athletic director Dave Morford, Patton will visit K-State the weekend of Jan. 23 or Jan. 30.

Patton has narrowed his choices to Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri, and told Morford he still plans to announce his decision during the Army All-American all-star game on Jan. 4 in San Antonio. Patton, who threw for 1,262 yards and rushed for 339 this past season, is one of 78 players invited to play in the game.

Juco transfers sign

Kansas State signed four junior college players on Wednesday, the first day juco transfers could sign with four-year schools.

Two players off the City College of San Francisco secondary, free safety Bret Jones and cornerback Maurice Porter, signed, along with wide receivers Yamon Figurs of Garden City and Jesse Martinez of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Jones and Porter played on the top-ranked defense in the California juco system, on a team which finished 12-0 and shared JC Gridwire's No. 1 national ranking with Butler County. Jones was named defensive player of the year in the Coast Conference.

"They're just great prospects and both big kids that so many teams are looking for these days in the secondary," said City College of San Francisco assistant coach Dan Hayes. "They're getting a pair of aces."

Martinez is also a punter, averaging 39.6 yards after leading his conference as a freshman. He had 17 touchdown receptions this season, playing for the same program which produced current K-State wideout Joe Lawson.

"If he puts all his time and effort into punting, he'd be an NFL type," Santa Rosa coach Keith Simons said. "We saw he was fast, and he was also 6-5, so we decided to teach him to be a receiver. He wants to do both."

All four juco signees will enroll for the spring semester and be able to participate in spring practice.

K-State currently has 13 known commitments.

Pep rally set

The Kansas State pep rally for the Fiesta Bowl is scheduled at 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 1 at the Wells Fargo Arena, located on the Arizona State campus next to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Doors will open at 3 p.m. The pep rally is free and open to the public.

Those who attend will receive a free commemorative Fiesta Bowl button while supplies last.

The K-State team will attend the rally, which is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association and the athletic department.

The team is scheduled to leave at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 26 from Manhattan Regional Airport.

CAT COMMITMENTS

HIGH SCHOOL

LB Jordan Bedore, Goodland, 6-4, 250.

OL Matt Boss, Cherryvale, 6-5, 315.

WR Romunn Grigsby, Clayton, Ohio (Northmont), 6-4, 185.

OL John Hafferty, Alpharetta, Ga., 6-3, 305.

OL Caleb Handy, Conway Springs, 6-2, 300.

ATH Nevin McKenzie, San Antonio (Jay), 6-2, 195.

DB Tyvenskie Page, Dallas (Adamson), 6-2, 210.

K Jared Parker, Ankeny, Iowa, 6-0, 185.

OL Gerard Spexarth, Andale, 6-6, 301.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

WR Yamon Figurs, Garden City, 6-0, 180.

DB Bret Jones, City College of San Francisco, 6-1, 195.