ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Ouachita Tiger Head Coach Todd Knight and Recruiting Coordinator Coach Brett Shockley are excited to announce the Ouachita Football National Signing Day Class of 2014. In all, the Tigers signed 30 players to address needs on both sides of the ball and contribute in seeking another Great American Conference championship.

Head Coach Todd Knight talked about the impact this class will have on the Tiger program.

"Our coaching staff, with Coach Shockley's guidance, has brought in what might be the most critical class in three years," Coach Knight said. "We have 22 seniors next season and this class will help us carry on with continued success in future seasons."
He added, "This class is very comparable to our 2011 class, which was one of our most successful classes in recent years."

The Tigers signed players from four states with the majority coming from Arkansas. This continues a long tradition of bringing in players from the Natural State. In all, the 2014 class includes 17 student-athletes from Arkansas, 11 from Texas, one from Louisiana and one from Mississippi.

Of the 30 players signed, 16 will address needs on defense. Ouachita signed six defensive lineman, five linebackers and five defensive backs. Last season, the Tigers finished third in the conference in total defense and second in pass defense. They were first in limiting opponents to 17.2 first downs per game.

Several of these defensive players will be asked to step in immediately as the Tigers lost five starters on defense at the end of the 2013 season. Coach Shockley emphasized what this group of signees brings to Ouachita.
"Defensively, I'm excited about the group we've brought in," said Coach Shockley. "We definitely added athleticism with this group of defenders."

On offense, The Tigers added explosiveness at the skill positions. This will bolster a Tiger offense that averaged 37.1 points per game in 2013. They also added a young group of offensive lineman who will have time to mature in the weight room their first year.

Coach Shockley said, "Offensively we couldn't ask for a more explosive group of athletes. The skill kids in this group amassed over 24,000 yards of combined offense in their high school careers."  

The Tigers will look to fill a big void left by graduating All-Conference punter Clark Gaddis. Gaddis led the conference in 2013 with a net average of 38.2 yards per punt. Shelton Wooley from Ruston, Louisiana will take over the punting duties and add to an already stable group of specialists in kicker Matt Ehasz and deep snapper Eric Ashburn.

"Our specialist fields an immediate need at punter and will be able to step in at kicker after Ehasz graduates," Coach Shockley said.

Coach Shockley added, "Overall I'm proud of the class our staff has assembled. This class will definitely help carry on the winning tradition we've established here at Ouachita."

Ouachita Tigers NSD Class Of 2014

Cortez Akins l DL l 6'2" l 250 lbs l Conway H.S. l Conway, Ark. 

Cortez is the son of Larry and Jae Akins.
115 career tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 career sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections, 3 fumble recoveries
2012-13 All 7A Central Team, All 501 Area Team
Three-year football letterman

Cameron Alexander l OL l 6'3" l 280 lbs l Nashville H.S. l Nashville, Ark.

Cameron is the son of Sandy Alexander.
185 pancake blocks, 91% career blocking average, three-year starter only allowed eight sacks
2011-13 7-4A All Conference, 2012-13 Texarkana Gazette 1st Team Offense, 2013 All State, 2013 7-4A Lineman of the Year, All-Star Game invitee, 2013 Team Captain, 2013 Team MVP
Three-year football letterman, two-year baseball letterman, three-year basketball letterman

R.J. Bailey l DB l 5'10" l 185 lbs l Dumas H.S. l Dumas, Ark. 

R.J. is the son of Lakiesha Bailey.
105 tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 pass break-ups, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries. six INTs, two defensive TDs. five offensive TDs, 300 yards rushing
2012-13 8-4A All Conference
Three-year football letterman

AJ Burton l DB l 5'9" l 180 lbs l Conway H.S. l Conway, Ark.

AJ is the son of Elroy and Donna Davis.
180 tackles, 73 assisted tackles, 23 pass break-ups, nine INTs, six receptions for 160 career yards, three kickoff returns for 140 yards, seven punt returns for 100 yards
2011-13 7A Central All Conference, 2013 All State, 2013 All-Star Game Invitee
Three-year football letterman, two-year basketball letterman

Michael Carr l WR l 5'8" l 165 lbs l Liberty-Eylau H.S. l Texarkana, Texas 

Michael is the son of Weldon and Jacquwline Carr, Sr.
19 catches for 400 yards and two TDs
2013 All District
Two-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman

Andrew Estes l OL l 6'0" l 275 lbs l Arkansas Baptist l Little Rock, Ark. 

Andrew is the son of Dwight and Cheryl Estes.
75 Pancake blocks, 94% career blocking average
2011-13 7-4A All Conference
Three-year football letterman, two-year basketball letterman

Michael Farley l DB l 6'1" l 185 lbs l Lufkin H.S. l Lufkin, Texas 

Michael is the son of Michael Farley.
Started 26 games, 135 tackles, four INTs, 16 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries
2013 1st Team All District, 2013 2nd Team All County
Two-year football letterman

Drew Farmer l WR l 5'8" l 165 lbs l Clinton H.S. l Clinton, Ark. 

Drew is the son of Darin and Shiela Farmer
As a senior he had 28 carries for 335 yards and three TDs, eight catches for 100 yards, 40 tackles four tackles for loss
Three-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman

Kiehl Frazier l QB l 6'2" l 225 lbs l Auburn University/Shiloh Christian H.S. l West Fork, Ark. 

Kiehl is the son of Robin and Layron Beach.
H.S. Stats - As a senior passed for 2,975 yards and 42 TDs, rushed for 1,164 yards and 22 TDs
College Stats - Played in 39 games at Auburn, starting in five, 787 yards passing and 10 TDs, 386 rushing yards and 3 TDs, 33 yards receiving and one TD, 1,113 total yards of offense
Named USA Today's National Offensive Player of the Year; listed as the nation's No. 2 quarterback by ESPN.com/Scouts Inc. and the No. 47 player overall on the ESPNU 150; Ranked No. 4 nationally among quarterbacks by Scout.com; Named the nation's No. 5 quarterback, the No. 2 player from the state of Arkansas and the No. 89 player nationally by Rivals.com; Rated as the No. 4 dual threat quarterback in the nation, the No. 2 recruit from Arkansas and the No. 101 player overall nationally by 247Sports; Ranked as the No. 2 combo passer and the No. 11 overall prospect in the MaxPreps Top 100 Named an All-American, the nation's No. 4 quarterback and the No. 1 recruit from Arkansas by SuperPrep and the No. 26 overall player nationally in the SuperPrep Elite 50; Named to the PrepStar Dream Team as the No. 100-ranked player in the nation; Named to the Parade All-America team; Played in the Under Armour All-American game; Selected to play for USA Football's 2011 U.S. Under-19 National Team in the Team USA vs. the World game; Ranked No. 42 in the Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120; Named to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Southern Team as a first-team selection from Arkansas; Led his team to Class 4A state championship 2008-'10 earning MVP honors all three years;
Three-year letterman at Auburn

Tyler Gahr l OL l 6'2" l 280 lbs l Valley View H.S. l Valley View, Ark. 

Tyler is the son of Freddie and Melissa Gahr.
Started 37 games, 93% career blocking grade, 115 pancake blocks
2012-13 3-4A All Conference, 2013 KAIT Region 8 Super Team, 2013 Best Under the Sun Team, 2012-13 All State, 2014 All-StarGame selection
Three-year football letterman, three-year track letterman

Jordan Harold l LB l 6'1" l 225 lbs l Horn H.S. l Mesquite, Texas 
Jordan is the son of Michael Harold and Linda McFarland
108 tackles, five sacks, six tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and nine QB hurries
2013 12-5A All District
Three-year football letterman, two-year powerlifting letterman

Cameron Haskins l LB l 6'0" l 215 lbs l Garland H.S. l Garland, Texas 

Cameron is the son of Johnathan and Dwayla Haskins.
235 tackles, 25 sacks, five INTs, eight forced fumbles, seven pass break-ups, 38 tackles for loss
2012-13 All District, 2013 District Defensive MVP, 2013 All State Honorable Mention
Four-year football letterman

Nicholas Hayes l DB l 5'10" l 180 lbs l Little Rock Central H.S. l Little Rock, Ark.

Nick is the son of Ray and Cheri Hayes.
115 tackles, two INTs, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine pass break-ups
2013 7A-Central  All Conference
Three-year football letterman, two-year wrestling letterman

Jakahari Howell l ATH l 5'10" l 180 lbs l Arkadelphia H.S. l Arkadelphia, Ark. 

Jakahari is the son of Anthony Howell and Freda Buckley.
4,107 yards passing and 39 TDs, 2,168 yards rushing and 27 TDs, 6,275 total yards and 66 TDs
2012-13 7-4A All Conference, 2013 All State, 2012-13 Landers Award Finalist, 2012-13 Team Captain
Three-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman, two-year basketball letterman

Demetric Jennings l DL l 6'2" l 220 lbs l Commerce H.S. l Commerce, Texas 

Demetric is the son od Deanna Jennings.
148 tackles, three INTs, 15 sacks, six forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries
2012-13 All Conference, 2013 All NE Texas, 2013 All State Honorbale Mention
Four-year football letterman

Drake Jones l FB l 5'11" l 215 lbs l Warren H.S. l Warren, Ark. 

Drake is the son of Mike and Karon Jones.
6,362 passing yards and 69 TDs, 52% completion rate, 15.6 yards per completion, 7,165 rushing yards and 91 TDs
2012-13 8-4A All Conference, 2012-13 All State, 2013 Hootens 4A Offensive Player of the Year. 2014 All-Star Game Invitee
Three-year football letterman

Austin Kirkpatrick l ATH l 5'10" l 180 lbs l Gurdon H.S. l Gurdon, Ark. l

Austin is the son of Gary and Brandie Kirkpatrick.
3,578 passing yards and 45 TDs, 2,588 rushing yards and 31 TDs, 6,166 total yards and 76 TDs
2011-13 7-2A All Conference, 2011-13 All State, 2011-13 7-2A Conference Offensive MVP, 2013 7-2A Conference Outstanding Back, 2013 Farm Bureau 2A Offensive Player of the Year, 2014 All-Star Game Invitee
Three-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman, three-year basketball letterman

Joseph Klein l LB l 5'10" l 185 lbs l Whitehouse H.S. l Whitehouse, Texas 

Joseph is the son of Anthony and Shiloh Klein.
As a senior, he recorded 67 solo tackles, 32 assisted tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 12 pass break-ups
2014 1st Team All-16-4A Linebacker
Two-year football letterman, two-year baseball letterman

Chris Leger l DL l 5'11" l 260 lbs l North Shore H.S. l Houston, Texas 

Chris is the son od Christopher and Sharon Leger.
2012-13 All District 21-5A, One of only two unanimous All-District platers, 2013 Honorable Mention All State
Three-year football letterman, three-year powerlifting letterman

Kraft McLean l LB l 5'11" l 210 lbs l Canton Academy l Canton, Miss. 

Kraft is the son of Charles and Mary Elizabeth McLean.
As a senior, he had 90 carries for 580 yards and 13 TDs, eight catches for 102 yards, 694 total yards, 84 tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles
2011-13 All-Conference
Four-year football letterman, four-year basketball letterman, three-year baseball letterman

Jahlon Mitchell l LB l 5'11" l 185 lbs l Arkadelphia H.S. l Arkadelphia, Ark.

Jahlon is the son of Wilma Mitchell.
As a senior, he amassed 69 solo tackles, 70 assisted tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 10 sacks, one defensive TD
2012-13 7-4A All Conference, 2012-13 Team Defensive MVP, 2012-13 Defensive Team Captain
Three-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman, one-year basketball letterman

Logan Morris l TE l 6'4" l 220 lbs l Hamburg H.S. l Hamburg, Ark. 

2,326 yards passing and 20 TDs, 55% completion percentage
Selected to O-D All American Game in Orlando, Fla.
Three-year letterman in football

Alex Myres l DB l 5'9" l 175 lbs l College Park H.S. l The Woodlands, Texas 

Alex is the son of Albert and Angela Myres.
104 tackles, 84 unassisted tackles, three INTs, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one punt return
2013 1st Team All District, 2013 All-County 2nd Team, MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Week, 3-time Defensive Player of the Game
Three-year football letterman, three-year track letterman, one-year basketball letterman

Kris Oliver l RB l 5'8" l 170 lbs l Arkadelphia H.S. l Arkadelphia, Ark. 

Kris is the son of Erica Bailey.
3,507 rushing yards and 41 TDs, 1,152 receiving yards and 22 TDs, 580 passing yards and 11 TDs, 5.599 total yards and 74 TDs at RB, WR and QB.
2012-13 7-4A Outstanding Back, 2012-13 7-4A All Conference, 2012-13 All State, 2013 Landers Award Finalist
Three-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman, three-year basketball letterman

Davon Potts l DL l 6'2" l 215 lbs l Hope H.S. l Hope, Ark. 

Davon is the son of Shirley Potts.
196 tackles, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six pass deflections
2013 All State, 2012-13 All 5A Southwest Conference, 2013 Texarkana Gazette 1st Team All Defense, 2013 All-Star Game Invitee
Three-year football letterman

John Rachal II l DL l 6'3" l 225 lbs l Channelview H.S. l Channelview, Texas 

John is the son of John and Tammie Rachal.
20-game starter, 79 tackles, nine tackle for loss, five sacks, one fumble recovery
Two-time 2013 District 21-5A Player of the Week
Two-year football letterman, two-year basketball letterman

Trevor Reger l WR l 5'9" l 170 lbs l Detroit H.S. l Detroit, Texas l

James Ryan Reed l OL l 6'3" l 250 lbs l Rison H.S. l Rison Ark. l

Tristen Walsworth l DL l 5'11" l 270 lbs l Troup H.S. l Troup, Texas 

Tristen is the son of Destry Walsorth and Leslie Braswell.
120 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, one INT
2013 Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2012 1st Team All District, 2012 All East Texas Honorable Mention
Four-year football letterman, four-year powerlifting letterman, four-year track letterman

Shelton Wooley l P/K l 5'10" l 180 lbs l Ruston H.S. l Ruston, La. l

Shelton is the son of Steve and Missy Wooley.
100 career kickoffs with 65% touchback rating, 17/34 FGs with a longest of 47 yards, 114/117 PATs, 88 punts with a 36.5 yard average
2011-13 All District, 2012-13 All Lincoln Parish, 2012-13 All State, 2013 All NE Louisiana, 2013 Louisiana Football Magazine Top 25 recruit
Four-year football letterman, three-year baseball letterman, one-year soccer letterman