AFA ‘selective' in football recruiting

Air Force again valued quality over quantity this recruiting season.

The result is what Falcons football coach Troy Calhoun called an "even tighter" class of recruits than arrived at the academy and the academy's prep school last summer.

"We were very selective," Calhoun said. "With what we did up front in terms of our evaluations, we were really able to pinpoint key guys and spend a good chunk of time with them. ... I just think the more focused it is, the better the quality is going to be."

While today is National Signing Day, Air Force recruits don't sign binding letters of intent, and the academy does not release names of recruits because of the ongoing congressional appointment process.

But based on the players The Gazette has confirmed have committed to attend the academy or its prep school, it appears Calhoun has secured another quality group. Calhoun is prohibited from commenting on specific players until they arrive on campus, but he said he thought "at least eight to 10" freshmen would have a chance to contribute next fall.

"One thing I notice with every recruit is they're very good football players, first and foremost," said Jeremy Crabtree, the national recruiting editor at Rivals.com. "They might not have the measureables of other kids, but they're very good football players."

Air Force landed several highly regarded linemen, including 6-foot-5, 287-pound offensive tackle Jake Morin of Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas) and 6-2, 260-pound defensive tackle Nathan Badger of Norman, Okla. (Norman North). Crabtree said Morin, who played left tackle for a team that ran the spread offense out of the shotgun, has "a big, great-looking frame" and "great feet." He labeled Badger "a steal."

A dual-threat quarterback, 6-0, 185-pound Desi Rodriguez of Saugus, Calif. (Saugus), will attend the prep school next season. The Falcons also landed a pair of good linebackers from Texas in James Chambers of Wichita Falls (Rider) and Richard Stevens of Dallas (Bishop Lynch).

AIR FORCE FOOTBALL RECRUITS (with comment as available)

Nathan Badger DT 6-2, 260 Norman, Okla. (Norman North)

HS coach Lance Manning called three-year starter "best defensive lineman I've been associated with."

Ashton Barbour DB 6-0, 180 Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad) 

David Baska P/K 6-1, 160 Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 

Steffon Batts DB 5-11, 170 Columbia, S.C. (Ridge View)

HS coach Raymond Jennings said Batts has "the range to be a corner or free safety."

Loyd Bradley DB 5-9/170 Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Summit) 

Two-year starter and all-district selection played multiple defensive spots.

James Chambers MLB 6-0, 215 Wichita Falls, Texas (Rider) 

Described by HS coach Scott Ponder as "physical" and "a hard-hitter."

Drew Coleman WR 5-10, 165 Cedar Park, Texas (Vista Ridge) 

Daniel Compton K 5-10, 205 Phoenix (Paradise Valley) 

Made 19-of-30 career field goals; Averaged 34.4 yards punting and put 31-of-98 inside 20-yard line.

Brian Corcoran LB 6-0, 220 Klein, Texas (Klein Oak)

Made 116 tackles, 41 for losses, and recovered three fumbles; team's defensive MVP.

Devin Durden TE 6-4, 220 Buford, Ga. (Buford) 

Helped Buford to 15-0 season, second straight Class AA state title.

Cody Getz ATH 5-7, 150 Buford, Ga. (Buford) 

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA Player of the Year ran for 223 yards, 4 TDs in state title game.

David Greenstreet OL/DL 6-4, 215 Woodland Park HS 

HS coach Brent Cottrell said he was all-conference past two years, "they're recruiting an athlete."

Tucker Hancock WR 5-6, 147 Leander, Texas (Leander) 

Corey Howard OL 6-1, 295 Wichita Fallls, Texas (Rider) 

Nick Jackson OL 6-4, 291 Kennesaw, Ga. (Harrison)

Big, athletic player started 34 straight games at center for Harrison the past three seasons.

Brett Johnson LB 6-1, 210 North Augusta, S.C. (North August)

HS coach Dan Pippen said Johnson was team's defensive MVP last three seasons.

Darius Jones RB 5-8, 170 Chamblee, Ga. (Chamblee) 

Colin King TE 6-4, 232 Victoria, Minn. (Holy Family Catholic) 

In 2008, caught 32 passes for 664 yards and 6 TDs; ran for 305 yards, 3 TDs on 52 carries.

Brent Michaels RB 6-0, 219 Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (Lake Havasu) 

Rushed for 4,165 yards, 55 TDs on 570 carries in three seasons.

Jake Morin OL 6-5, 287 Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Three-year starter played left tackle in a spread offense that used the shotgun.

Jordan Padgett S 6-0, 200 Woodstock, Ga. (Etowah) 

Joey Parris WR 6-0, 185 Olmstead Falls, Ohio (St. Ignatius) 

Caught 54 passes for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 69-yarder.

Roland Pierce DB 5-9, 160 Phoenix (North Canyon) 

Desi Rodriguez QB 6-0, 185 Saugus, Calif. (Saugus)

Dual-threat passed for 1,655 yards, 16 TDs and 5 INTs; Rushed for 1,783 yards, 20 TDs.

Kyle Shaw DL 6-4, 218 Montgomery, Ala. (Trinity Presbyterian) 

Richard Stevens LB 6-2, 215 Dallas (Bishop Lynch) 

Was recruited by Tulsa, Rice, SMU and others - "a gem," said HS coach Bill Persinger.

Drew Swartz OL 6-4, 260 Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert) 

Played both ways and was Gilbert's long-snapper. Had 8.5 sacks.

Dylan Turner DL  Evans, Ga. (Greenbrier)

Jordan Wilson OL 6-0, 240 Conroe, Texas (Conroe)

Two-way player, "which is unheard of in (Texas) 5A football," said his coach, Roger Holtkamp.