Tabor adds football recruits
A number of football recruits recently signed letters of intent to play football at Tabor College for new head coach Mike Gottsch.
They include:
— Peabody native Thomas Phillips, a 5-10, 190-pound running back, is transferring from the University of San Diego. He also played for Hutchinson Community College and Peabody-Burns High School.
"Tommy Phillips will be competing for a spot in the backfield for the Bluejays," Gottsch said. "He possesses excellent balance and speed. He comes to us from the
University of San Diego, where he was competing for a spot at running back. I look forward to working with Tommy this fall. I really like his attitude and his drive to succeed."
Phillips, was twice named Defensive Player of the Week at Hutchinson. He also received All-Academic Jayhawk honors. While at Peabody-Burns High School, Phillips was named to the 2A All-State team as a running back.
He also was an all-state swimmer, qualified for the state track meet in the 100m, and long jump, and earned state honors in power lifting.
A member of the National Honor Society and Phi Theta
Kappa, he is the son of Peggy and Robert Phillips Jr., Peabody.
— Thomas Price, Garcia, a 5-6, 150-pound wide receiver and punt returner, from Chapman.
"We are thrilled that Thomas has decided to attend Tabor," Gottsch said. "He brings great enthusiasm and a passion about the game to our program. Chapman has a fine program and he will be a super addition to the Tabor community."
Price earned NCKL Honorable Mention honors in 2006. The Irish posted a 10-2 record last
season.
He is the son of Thomas and Tina Price, Chapman.
— Timothy Sheppard, a 6-0, 200-pound linebacker from Madison High School in Houston, Texas.
"Timothy comes to us from [University of Texas Heisman Trophy winner] Vincent Young's former high school," Gottsch said. "Timothy will be competing at outside linebacker. He will bring an upbeat attitude and a very solid work ethic to Tabor."
Sheppard's team, the Marlins,
posted a 14-1 record and qualified for the state semifinals.
Sheppard is the son of Rebecca Sheppard, Houston.
— Also from Madison High School in Houston, Howard Marine Jr., Marine, a 6-3, 317-pound tackle.
"Howard is a gifted athlete who has the frame, strength and size to go along with it," Gottsch said. "We are very pleased he
has decided to make Tabor his college of choice. Howard's father was a pastor who is pleased with Tabor's mission statement."
Marine is the son of Linda Marine of Houston.
— Ben Cutler, a 5-10, 225-pound center and long-snapper from Henderson, Nev.
"You can't ever have too many long snappers," Gottsch said. "According to Ben's high
school coach he will be an excellent addition to our football program. He will bring many intangibles to the program. We are very pleased that Ben made Tabor his college of choice. We look forward to a productive relationship with Ben."
Cutler earned NIAA All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2004 and 2005. He was named all-division second team in 2006.
He is the son of Lloyd Cutler, Henderson.
— LaJamal Dixon, a 5-8, 187-pound strong safety and running back from Houston, Texas.
"We will look at
LaJamal as an outside linebacker position and possibly a strong safety spot," Gottsch said. "He is a gifted athlete. We are pleased that LaJamal and his family
have selected Tabor as his college of choice."
Dixon played for Milby
High School and was named a Texas High School Scholar.
He is the son of Ruben Dixon and Tammy Warren-Bookman, Houston.
