WMU National Signing Day press conference transcript

Western Michigan will update www.wmubroncos.com throughout National Signing Day as each student-athlete submits his signed National Letter of Intent.  Fans will have access to information on the future Bronco, coaching insight and video highlights.

WATCH NATIONAL SIGNING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE (Available at 3 p.m., Feb. 3)

As each student-athlete submits his NLI to Western Michigan University, fans and media can come back here and read a complete bio of that student-athlete, read an insightful comment from the WMU coach that recruited the young man and watch a video higlight of the student-athlete from his most recent season. (YOU MAY HAVE ISSUES VIEWING VIDEO ON iMacs)

Also for the first time, we want to hear directly from fans about what there thoughts are regarding the recruiting class.  In order to do so go to http://twitter.com/kananmj or http://twitter.com/CoachCubit, choose to follow me and then reply to each post made on the specific student-athletes or retweet each post on your Twitter account.  If you are not familiar with Twitter you can submit your comment here.  The best fan comments will be posted online at the conclusion of the day.

TRAVONTE BOLES (tra-VON-tay)
5'11 – 322 – Defensive Tackle – Fr.
Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on TRAVONTE BOLES: Strong, powerful player who has a strong work ethic in the weight room and excels in the classroom.  Team captain and great leader, all-state player, ranked #11 Defensive Tackle in state of Florida.

DESMOND BOZEMAN
6'0 – 230 – Linebacker – Fr.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on DESMOND BOZEMAN: Hard nosed Linebacker that plays with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, can fill the gap quickly and drop into coverage as well.  Good student and community leader, and was named MVP for South team in Broward All-Star Game.

RAHEAM BUXTON (ruh-HEEM BUKS-ton)
6'0 – 175 – Safety – Fr.
Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on RAHEAM BUXTON: Versatile DB who has played safety and corner, great athlete who can play anywhere on the field.  Comes from a great program and has faced excellent competition at the High School level.

DAREYON CHANCE (dair-e-ON)
5'4 – 158 – Running Back – Fr.
Lauderhill, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on DAREYON CHANCE: Shifty Running Back who has great vision, speed, and quickness.  Can be a big time playmaker as a returner as well, and has the intelligence to pick things up very quickly.  Was named Offensive MVP in Broward All-Star Game.

MANNY DIAZ
6'3 - 215 - Defensive End - Fr.
Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on MANNY DIAZ: Athletic Defensive End that has a great motor and makes a lot of plays because of outstanding effort every down.  Exceptional student who has great character.

TEVIN DRAKE
6'1 – 210 – Running Back – Fr.
Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Technical
Coach Grant's Take on TEVIN DRAKE: Big physical athlete that can run over or around you. Explosive at the linebacker level and great footwork to be a big back.  Can also sit in and pass protect.

PAT DRISCOLL
6'2 – 289 – Defensive Tackle – Fr.
Lemont, Ill./Lemont
Coach Moreland's Take on PAT DRISCOLL: Pat is a big, and physical guy who moves well and has a high motor.  He is a great student who is excited about coming to WMU and doing what he can do to help the team.

MATT FINNIN
6'6 – 304 – Offensive Lineman – Fr.
Crete, Ill./Crete Monee
Coach Jake Moreland's Take on MATT FINNIN: Matt has worked very hard over the past year to make sure that his accomplishments on the field match what he is doing in the classroom.  He is a hard worker who is excited to get started here at WMU.

NICK GALVIN
5'11 - 218 - Linebacker - Fr.
Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller
Coach Moreland's Take on NICK GALVIN: Nick is a tough LB who plays the game at a high level and loves to compete.  He is a guy who enjoys working hard in the classroom and on the football field, and does what he can to help his team.

BRENDON GANNON
6'2 – 273 – Defensive Tackle – Fr.
Halethorpe, Md./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)
Coach Rich Nagy's Take on BRENDON GANNON: Brendan graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 2009 and attended Wyoming Seminary as a post-graduate this past year.  He was a 220 pound linebacker in High School who has grown into a 270 pound defensive lineman. Brendon will bring both size and athleticism to our interior defensive line.

JON HENRY
5'11 – 182 – Cornerback – Fr.
Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood
Coach Bob Stanley's Take on JON HENRY: Jon is a gifted athlete, Michigan state 100 meter champion from East Kentwood in his junior year.  We look at Jon as being a defensive player and a kick returner who runs track.  What stood out when I visited with Coach Greg Hudkins of East Kentwood about Jon was his emphasis on Jon being a leader on the team and a leader in the school.  We think Jon's athletic skills are very obvious but the character and leadership skills that Jon brings to Western will enhance our team and our university.

JON HOFFING
6'5 – 279 – Offensive Lineman – Fr.
Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville
Coach Mike Sabock's Take on JON HOFFING: Jon is an offensive lineman that can play anywhere along the line. Good movement and good feet. Runs well. Should be red shirted this coming season.

MICHAEL JOHNSON
6'0 – 203 – Wide Receiver – Fr.
Detroit, Mich./Clintondale
Coach Jake Moreland's Take on MICHAEL JOHNSON: Michael Johnson is a gifted athlete who has worked hard in the classroom to prepare himself for as a student-athlete at WMU.  He is a guy who has a great work ethic and will provide instant athleticism and depth for the team.

ALI KASSEM (kuh-SEM)
6'6 – 330 – Offensive Lineman – Fr.
Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller
Coach Bob Stanley's Take on ALI KASSEM: Ali has a rich background in football, being a two year starter for the storied football powerhouse Cincinnati Moeller.  We were attracted to Ali because of his physicality and his ability to move his feet.  Coach John Rodenberg told us that Ali was one of the hardest working players on their team.  He loves the game and has the tools and the temperment to be an outstanding player.

MICHAEL LIEDTKE (LID-ke)
6'4 - 239 - Defensive End - Fr.
Woodstock, Ill./Woodstock
Coach Mike Sabock's Take on MIKE LIEDTKE: Defensive end from Woodstock Il. Graduated in December and joined the Broncos for spring semester 2010. Is enrolled in classes and will participate in spring practice. DE who runs around well. Set the state playoff record in ILL with 6 sacks in one game.

MIKE PERISH
6'3 – 185 – Quarterback – Fr.
Frankfort, Ill./Marist
Coach Jake Moreland's Take on MIKE PERISH: Mike is a talented Quarterback with all of the intangibles that will make him a great student-athlete here at WMU.  He is a 3-sport athlete who does the things that it takes for his teams to be successful.

DEMETRIUS PETTWAY
5'11 – 180 – Safety – Fr.
Homestead, Fla./Homstead Senior
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on DEMETRIUS PETTWAY: Talented safety who strives on playing physical and has played corner as well.  He has the confidence and ability to make an impact early.

JOHN RICE
6'1 - 280 - Defensive Tackle - Jr.
Starkville, Miss./East Mississippi CC/East Oktibbeha
Coach Mike Grant's Take on JOHN RICE: Cousin to Jerry Rice, John is quick off the ball.  A big man with fast twitch speed off the snap.  Can hold a  gap vs the run game and get up the field with aggressive pass rush hand movements.

MAURICE ROBERTS
5'10 – 178 – Cornerback – Fr.
Immokalee, Fla./Immakolee
Coach Mike Grant's Take on MAURICE ROBERTS: Two-way player with great ability with the ball in his hand.  We are excited about Maurice's explosion from point A to point B. Nice hip flip on the otherside of the ball and is developing good cover skills one on one.

WESTON ROSS
5'10 – 184 – Running Back – Fr.
Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling
Coach Mike Sabock's Take on WESTON ROSS: Running back from Wheeling Il. 190 lb RB who should add some power to the running game. Great athlete who high jumped 6 feet 7 inches last spring as a junior in high school. He is a cousin of the NFL's Simeon Rice.

JOHNNIE SIMON
6'0 – 170 – Safety – Fr.
West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Lakes
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on JOHNNIE SIMON: Hard hitting safety who can cover ground and play man-to-man as well.  Extremely intelligent and mature player who will provide great leadership.  Team Captain, Honor Roll student, and was an Outback All-Star.

GARRETT SMITH
5'9 – 170 - Cornerback – Fr.
Pompano, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
Coach Ryan Cubit's Take on GARRETT SMITH: Physical corner who has great speed and can change direction really well.  Smart defensive player who has played in various schemes in High School and will translate well to the next level.  Was named Defensive MVP for North team in Broward All-Star Game.

PETER TERRANA
6'4 – 220 – Tight End – Fr.
St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast
Coach Jake Moreland's Take on PETER TERRANA: Peter is a hard working TE who excels in the classroom and on the football field.  We almost had him graduated and here at the semester, but we will take him this summer.

ZACK WYNN
6'2 - 199 - Quarterback - Fr.
Hudson, Fla./Hudson
Coach Mike Grant's Take on ZACK WYNN: Strong armed kid who has been in a Pro-Style offense his entire HS career.  Intelligent young man who is pursuing and education in the medical field boasting a 4.0+GPA.  Really excited about the upside of Zack.