Several Ravens to continue careers at four-year schools

February 2, 2012

Left tackle Mark Beard signed with Georgia in December and is one of several players from the 2011 roster who will continue their careers at four-year schools. Beard was a first team All-Conference selection, honorable mention NJCAA All-American and Team MVP last season.

Several Red Raven football players on the 2011 roster have signed on with four year schools. Some of the players transferred in December and several others have signed during the regular signing period that started on Feb. 1.

Left tackle Mark Beard signed with the Georgia Bulldogs. Last season, Beard was an honorable mention NJCAA All-American, first team All-Conference and was named Team MVP. Cornerback Briean Boddy inked with Minnesota. Boddy recorded 40 tackles and a blocked kick this past season. Boddy also intercepted four passes with 50 return yards and recovered three fumbles. Boddy was a second team All-Conference selection.

Linebacker David Cooper signed with Indiana. An honorable mention All-Conference selection last year, Cooper led the Ravens with 102 tackles and was second on the team with 13 tackles for loss for 34 yards. Cooper also had two sacks, an interception, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Three local players also signed on the dotted line with four-year schools. Coffeyville natives Kendall Thompkins and Kameron Thompkins both signed with Eastern New Mexico. Caney native Ethan Smith will play at the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) next season. Kendall Thompkins was honorable mention All-Conference at tight end. Kameron Thompkins, an honorable mention All-Conference defensive lineman, recorded 30 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Kameron also had a sack on the season. Smith was honorable mention All-Conference at left guard this past season.

Second team All-Conference wide receiver Jordon Jenkins will play at Utah State this upcoming year. Jenkins was the Ravens leading receiver this past season. Jenkins caught 57 passes for 800 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Najee Tyler signed with Hampton University. Tyler completed 52% of his passes this past year, completing 146 of 283 attempts for 1,865 yards. Tyler passed for eight touchdowns and rushed for four more. Tyler was a second team All-Conference this past year.

Dexter Blackmon, a second team All-Conference defensive tackle this past year, signed with Arkansas State. Blackmon was credited with 29 tackles, four tackles for loss for ten yards, and a fumble recovery. Blackmon also had an interception that included a return of 63 yards.

First team All-Conference running back Jamarius Green will join the NCAA D-II national championship winning Pittsburg State University program next year. Green ran for 696 yards and five touchdowns in ten games this past season for the Ravens. Green also had 14 kickoff returns for a 26.0 yard return average and returned one kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown this season. Green will join teammate right guard Zach Wamego in the Gorillas' program. Wamego was an honorable mention All-Conference selection last season.

List of 2011 Ravens Signing With Four Year Schools

• Mark Beard, Georgia
• Dexter Blackmon, Arkansas State
• Briean Boddy, Minnesota
• Taylor Coleman, Glenville State
• David Cooper, Indiana
• Fritz Etienne, Memphis
• Jamarius Green, Pittsburg State
• Hayden Groves, Washburn
• Jordon Jenkins, Utah State
• Delvin Jones, Louisiana-Lafayette
• Jamie Kostelac, Washburn
• Isaiah Porter, Eastern New Mexico
• Ethan Smith, Univ. of Sioux Falls
• Kameron Thompkins, Eastern New Mexico
• Kendall Thompkins, Eastern New Mexico
• Najee Tyler, Hampton
• Zach Wamego, Pittsburg State

Additional players will sign and will be added to this list once the signing is confirmed.