The Pierce College Football team once again produced another class of players that will be moving on to four-year schools. 15 Brahmas signed letters of intent to play at four year universities. Here are the players and what they will be bringing to their schools for the 2014 college campaign:
Quarterback, Nick Arbuckle, Georgia State University- Nick Arbuckle is perhaps one of the greatest quarterbacks that Pierce College has ever produced. During his 2013 season at Pierce, Arbuckle threw for 40 touchdowns and over 3,700 yards thrown and was deadly accurate with a 67 completion percentage. Arbuckle is not only a great passer from the pocket and will fight for positive yardage. Biggest Game: Georgia State and Arbuckle’s toughest opponent this year will be when they travel to South Carolina to play the Clemson University Tigers. Clemson last season had a strong campaign going 11-2 and finishing the season by beating the Ohio St Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl. Along with Florida St. beating Auburn in the national championship, the victory for Clemson signified that the ACC is back to being one of the power conferences in college football. Arbuckle will definitely have his hands full come November. Georgia State vs Clemson, November 22.
Tight End, Isaac Ijalana, University of Oklahoma– Ijalana will bring a lot of depth, size and tenacity to an Oklahoma team that had a hot finish to their season by beating defending National Champion Alabama at the Sugar Bowl. At 6’5 and weighing 255 pounds he will be a big target for head coach Bob Stoops who is a contender to win a national championship next season. Biggest Game: Remember Marcus Jenkins Moore from Pierce class of 2013? The former Brahma will be expected to cover Ijalana when the two meet in Norman, Oklahoma. Kansas vs Oklahoma, November 22.
Defensive End, Jonathon Johnson, University of California, Berkeley- Johnson received a full ride scholarship to play with the Bears after a tremendous 2013 season with the Brahmas. During the season Johnson recorded 34 tackles seven sacks and was named the Southern California Football Association American Division Pacific Conference Defensive player of the year. In terms of his play Johnson is as quick as he is powerful, with speed and footwork. Biggest Game: For Johnson and the Cal Bears in general will be when they visit the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and play the University of Southern California where he will face former Brahmas safety Gerald Bowman. Cal vs USC November 13.
Offensive Lineman, Justin Scott, West Virginia University- The big man from Detroit was the quintessential piece of the puzzle for the Brahmas success and he’s sure to do great things at West Virginia. During his two years at Pierce he helped the Brahmas become one of the most explosive offenses in the state. His sophomore campaign was shortened by a knee injury, but the Mountaineers stuck with him and during the offseason he looks to be in fine shape as he makes his transition from junior college to division one college. Biggest Game: Longs first game will be the biggest of his career as the Mountaineers travel to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to play the University of Alabama, which tout the best recruiting class in the nation. West Virginia vs Alabama, August 30.
Linebacker, Kohl Adams-Hurd, Old Dominion University- Adams-Hurd had a terrific start for the Brahmas before breaking his foot in the middle of the season. However he had garnered himself enough acclaim to make a stake at being able to move on to the next level. At 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 215 pounds Adams-Hurds looks a littl undersized in person. Once he puts the pads on though he looks like a weapon, with uncanny speed, agility, power and play making ability. The only downside is his maturity. Adams-Hurd was suspended two weeks from school for disrupting a class. Hopefully he can give Old Dominion a boost defensively after losing their last game of the regular season by giving up 80 points against North Carolina. Biggest Game: The Monarchs did have a record of 8-4 last season, they were 0-3 vs teams from the ACC and it only gets tougher when they play Vanderbilt University of the SEC. Vanderbilt went 9-4 and get to play Adams-Hurd at home. Old Dominion vs Vanderbilt, November 1
Linebacker, Reece Schmidt, Old Dominion University- Joining Kohl Adams-Hurd at Old Dominion is fellow linebacker Reece Schmidt. Schmidt is the kind of linebacker that you want in the trenches on a blitz or going head to head with a power running back. Even though Schmidt is 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 245 pounds, he never stops working. Pierce coaches often raved about his work ethic along with his calm demeanor. Schmidt and Kohl Adams-Hurd should make for a formidable tandem when they play for this Monarchs this fall. Biggest Game: Old Dominion vs Vanderbilt, November 1.
Defensive End, Hakeem Allonce, University of Cincinnati- Allonce is the second Brahma to be recruited to play for the Bearcats, joining former Pierce cornerback Howard Wilder. At 6 feet 6 inches and 280 pounds, Allonce is a monster on the line with the ability to stuff running lanes.. He can deliver big hits, but most importantly the uncanny ability to wrap up players on the run. Whether it was running backs darting to the outside, or a quarterback scrambling for extra yards; if Hakeem got his hands on them don’t expect them to get very far. Biggest Game: For Cincinnati and Allonce the biggest game of the year will be when they play Ohio State coached by Urban Meyer. The Bearcats will have to play a good game defensively and hopefully Allonce will be able to bring the pressure against last year’s fifth best offense in the nation.
Tight End, Tyler Kolodny, University of Memphis- Whether it was winning city championships in baseball or scoring 20 points a night in basketball during his high school years at El Camino, Tyler Kolodny has succeeded in nearly everything athletically. The former minor league third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, had to stop playing baseball because of repeated injuries to his throwing shoulder. Determined to never give up however, he came to Pierce College and reinvented himself and coming out as one of the most highly touted junior college tight ends in the nation. What Kolodny brings to the football field is similar to what he brought to the basketball court. Good footwork, terrific hands and the ability to create space for himself when catching the ball. Biggest Game: Tyler Kolodny’s dreams might be coming true as he gets to fly all the way home to play against UCLA in the Rose Bowl on September 6. Playing against a Pac-12 contender Kolodny will get to play in front of his family. Memphis vs UCLA, September 9
Offensive Line, Brandon Mitchell, Marshall University- Brandon Mitchell is another offensive lineman going to a Division I school. At 6 feet 4 inches and 320 pounds, his size alone will help out the Thundering Herd who are coming off of a loss against Rice in the Conference USA Championship game. Biggest Game: For Mitchell and the Thundering Herd it is all about redemption as they get to play Rice University during the regular season and will try to get pay back after losing the conference championship to them in the 2013 season. Rice vs Marshall, November 15
Linebacker, Martin “Nico” Henry, Southern University and A&M College- Henry is a converted linebacker who during his first season at Pierce was listed a safety. From Philadelphia, the city of “Brotherly Love” he is anything but friendly on the football field. Listed at 6 feet and weighing 227 pounds, Henry is both fast and powerful. Known for his in game hits and the speed and agility to play. Henry will be a welcomed addition to the Jaguars who won last year’s Southwestern Athletics Conference Championship game. Biggest Game: The biggest game of the year for Henry and the Jags will be when they play the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. The Ragin’ Cajuns will be looking to beat Southern in this “Bayou Battle” after winning last year’s New Orleans Bowl. Southern vs Louisiana-Lafayette, August 30
Safety, Bobby Baker, University of Alabama at Birmingham- From one Birmingham to the other, that seems to be the actual case for now former Brahma, Bobby Baker. Baker, a graduate Birmingham High School in Van Nuys came to Pierce and was a late bloomer. Up until the last few games of the season he had rarely seen enough playing time to make an impact on the field. His patience was rewarded and was a major player in the Brahmas American Division Championship victory as well as getting signed with UAB. A tremendous work ethic and a high GPA to go along with speed and a great pair of hands he’ll be a good fit for UAB Biggest Game: With one of the strongest non conference schedules in the country, the Blazers get two SEC teams before they start conference play. The stronger of the two between Mississippi St and Arkansas has to be Mississippi St. The Blazers will need Baker’s defense when they play the Bulldogs in Mississippi. UAB vs Mississippi St, September 6
Cornerback, Max Lyons, Portland State University- Lyons is a former bounce back who attended the University of Washington and was the most consistent defensive back the Brahmas had all season. At 5 feet 11 inches, Lyons has proven that he can run with the best of him. He plays good on ball and man to man coverage and has great leaping ability to guard against taller wide receivers. Not only does Lyons possess these skills, but he is also is a powerful tackler as well. The Vikings will need his skills after giving up 42 and 43 points in the final two games of their season. Biggest Game: The biggest game for the Vikings who play in the Big Sky Conference will be when they square off in the first game of the season against Oregon State University of the PAC-12. Portland State vs Oregon State, August 30
Defensive Tackle, Terrance Neuhauser, Missouri State University- Neuhauser or “Big T” as his Brahma teammates called him, will be a valuable asset for the Division II Bears. At 6 feet 300 pounds, Neuhauser is a little bit undersized for his position but none of that mattered when he played at Pierce. He’s physical, tenacious and most of all surprisingly quick for a player of his build. He can get through blockers or past them if he chooses to and never stops applying the pressure even after the first 10 seconds of grinding for control. Neuhauser looks to improve a Bears team that went 5-7 last season. Biggest Game: Even though Missouri State is listed as being a Division II school, they will get the opportunity to play Division I football contender Oklahoma State University. Although the Bears aren’t expected to win, it should give Neuhauser and the rest of the team exposure and experience before they play their Division II schedule. Missouri State vs Oklahoma State, September 9.
Linebacker, John Pruden, Missouri Southern State University- John Pruden, another former safety converted to linebacker still brings the power. Known for being able to read a quarterback’s eyes, Pruden was an enforcer during the Brahmas division title run. Capable of making the big hit on opposing receivers, he will be a key addition to the Lions. Biggest Game: MSSU’s biggest game of the year will be against their rival Pittsburg State University. MSSU vs Pittsburg St, November 1
Safety, Byron Rozier, Chowan University- Rozier had a strong finish to his Brahma career. Known for having good speed and good tackling skills he’ll be a good fit for Chowan that plays in the NCAA Division II. Biggest Game: No schedule has been posted for the 2014 season yet.
Linebacker, Lonnie Parks, Henderson State University- At 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 225 pounds, he will be a welcomed addition to Henderson State, a team that finished 11-1 last year. Biggest Game: No schedule has been posted for the 2014 season but the Division II Reddies of the Great American Conference went to last year’s NCAA playoffs before getting defeated by St. Cloud University 40-35 in the first round.
