HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University football coach
Ron Roberts announced Tuesday the addition of junior college defensive lineman
Ivan Abarenov to the 2012 roster. Abarenov, a native of Glendale, Calif., is Southeastern's 25th prospect added to the roster and the sixth from the state of California.
Abarenov, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder, earned first-team All-Western State Conference and Region VI All-California honors in 2011 after recording 47 tackles (including 25 solos), with 4.5 tackles for loss at Glendale College. Abarenov forced a pair of fumbles while recovering three for the Vaqueros.
“We're real excited about adding Ivan to our program,” Roberts said. “He's a big, strong kid who's very athletic and can run well. He's a guy that we're looking at coming in and contributing right away. He's going to add a lot of depth up front and we expect him to come in and compete for a starting job.”
Before playing at GC, Abarenov was a first-team All-Pacific League selection at Glendale's Hoover High School. He was the team's defensive MVP as a senior and led the Tornadoes in sacks.
Abarenov is the 15th player signed by the Lions on the defensive side, and the fourth defensive lineman. Southeastern, which has added players from eight states, has also added 10 players on offense.
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 2012 SIGNEES (* - denotes mid-year signee)
Ivan Abarenov, DL, 6-3, 290, Glendale, Calif. (Glendale College/Hoover HS)
*
Theo Alexander, DB, 6-4, 200, St. Louis, Mo. (ASA College/Gateway Tech)
Jerry Anderson, WR, 6-5, 215, Germantown, Tenn. (Garden City CC/Houston HS)
Josh Byars, DB, 5-10, 175, Amite, La. (Oak Forest Academy)
*
Tiray Dove, DB, 6-2, 205, Jacksonville, Fla. (ASA College/Robert E. Lee HS)
Joe Graves, OL, 6-2, 300, Covington, La. (Covington HS)
John Graves, DB, 6-0, 195, Compton, Calif. (Golden West CC/St. Anthony's HS)
Kevin Harmon, DB, 6-2, 195, Southfield, Mich. (College of the Desert/Southfield HS)
Cole LeBlanc, DB, 6-2, 205, Denham Springs, La. (Live Oak HS)
*
Collin Middleton, DE, 6-3, 250, Cedar Park, Texas (Air Force Prep/Cedar Park HS)
Austin Miller, QB, 6-2, 215, Hammond, La. (Hammond HS)
Harlan Miller, DB, 6-0, 180, Kentwood, La. (Kentwood HS)
* Roosevelt Morrisset, WR, 6-6, 205, Miami, Fla. (Northland [Minn.] CC/Edison HS)
* John Murphy, OL, 6-1, 280, Alameda, Calif. (College of San Mateo/Encinal HS)
John O'Brien, OL, 6-8, 320, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside CC/Jurupa Valley HS)
Craig Payne, DL, 6-5, 280, Los Angeles, Calif. (Mt. SAC CC/Colony HS)
Jeremy Polk, OL, 6-3, 320, Austin, Texas (CISCO College/LBJ HS)
Dereck Robinson, LB, 5-10, 245, Destrehan, La. (Destrehan HS)
Juwaan Rogers, LB, 6-0, 230, Amite, La. (Amite HS)
Taylor Romero, OL, 6-2, 280, Manvel, Texas (Manvel HS)
Jeff Smiley, DB, 5-9, 170, Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS)
Travon Travis, WR, 5-11, 170, Gulfport, Miss. (Gulfport HS)
Greg Triay, DL, 6-2, 270, Upland, Calif. (Citrus CC/Upland HS)
Brent Wagner, OL, 6-2, 275, League City, Texas (Clear Creek HS)
Caleb Young, LB, 6-3, 220, Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA SIGNEE CAPSULES
Ivan Abarenov, DL, 6-3, 290, Glendale, Calif. (Glendale College/Hoover HS)
A first-team All-Western State Conference and Region VI All-California selection in 2011 at Glendale College … recorded 47 tackles, including 25 solos and 4.5 tackles for loss … forced a pair of fumbles and tallied three recoveries for the Vaqueros … first-team All-Pacific League as a senior at Glendale's Hoover High School … named the team's defensive MVP and led the Tornadoes in sacks.
Theo Alexander, DB, 6-4, 200, St. Louis, Mo. (ASA College/Gateway Tech)
Mid-year signee who is currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice … recorded 41 tackles at ASA (N.Y.) College where he was a teammate of fellow Lion newcomer
Tiray Dove … As a prep standout at St. Louis' Gateway Tech, Alexander was rated as one of the top receivers in the metro area before being converted to free safety in junior college.
Jerry Anderson, WR, 6-5, 215, Germantown, Tenn. (Garden City CC/Houston HS)
Missed the entire 2011 season to an injury … caught 13 passes and averaged over 19 yards per reception as a senior at Houston High School … originally committed to Memphis out of high school … coached by Tim Haney.
Josh Byars, DB, 5-10, 175, Amite, La. (Oak Forest Academy)
An All-District MAIS 4-2A selection as a senior at Amite's Oak Forest Academy … originally attended Hammond High School before transferring to OFA … rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a district win over Bowling Green Academy.
Tiray Dove, DB, 6-2, 205, Jacksonville, Fla. (ASA College)
Mid-year signee who is currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice … totaled 18 tackles with two for loss and an interception at ASA (N.Y.) College … recorded 16 stops, including three for loss and two sacks, as a freshman for the Avengers … returned lone interception for a touchdown in win over Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Community College … teammate of fellow Lion newcomer
Theo Alexander … originally committed to Florida Atlantic University out of Jacksonville's Robert E. Lee High School … rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.
Joe Graves, OL, 6-2, 300, Covington, La. (Covington HS)
A second-team All-District 6-5A selection as a senior at Covington High School … helped the Lions to a 7-4 record and a berth in the Class 5A state playoffs.
John Graves, DB, 6-0, 195, Compton, Calif. (Golden West CC/St. Anthony's HS)
Named a second-team All-Southern California Football Association selection … finished with a team-high 55 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups … finished tied for fifth in tackles as a freshman (39) while intercepting two passes for the Rustlers.
Kevin Harmon, DB, 6-2, 195, Southfield, Mich. (College of the Desert/Southfield HS)
A two-time All-Southern California Football Association selection … named a first-team pick at linebacker as a freshman in 2010 before being named a second-team selection at defensive back as a sophomore … totaled 26 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, in 2011 … picked off three passes … recorded 49 stops as a freshman while leading the team with four interceptions.
Cole LeBlanc, DB, 6-2, 205, Denham Springs, La. (Live Oak HS)
Finished his prep career at Live Oak after transferring from nearby Central High School … threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for two more in non-district victory over perennial power Redemptorist.
Collin Middleton, DE, 6-3, 250, Cedar Park, Texas (Air Force Prep/Cedar Park HS)
Mid-year signee who is currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice … recorded 68 tackles with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a senior at Cedar Park High … originally committed to Air Force … earned All-District 25-4A honors as a senior for the Timberwolves and was an honorable mention All-State selection.
Austin Miller, QB, 6-2, 215, Hammond, La. (Hammond HS)
Directed a Tornado offense under first-year coach Kevin Moore … as a junior, threw for 2,460 yards and 20 touchdowns as the Tornadoes finished 5-5 … threw for over 300 yards in games against St. Amant, Covington and Mandeville.
Harlan Miller, DB, 6-0, 180, Kentwood, La. (Kentwood HS)
Named the District 7-1A Offensive Player of the Year after helping lead the Kangaroos to an 8-4 record and berth in the Class 1A playoffs … coached by David Currier … an honorable mention All-State selection in 2011 … accounted for 15 touchdowns as a junior, including 11 TD passes.
Roosevelt Morrisset, WR, 6-6, 205, Miami, Fla. (Northland Community College)
Mid-year signee who is currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice … rated nationally as the No. 24 junior college receiver by Rivals.com … caught 50 passes for 707 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore at Northland (Minn.) Community College … one of three receivers on the team to catch 50 or more passes on the season … helped Pioneers to 7-4 record … caught 11 passes as a freshman … prep standout at Miami's Edison High School.
John Murphy, OL, 6-1, 280, Alameda, Calif. (College of San Mateo/Encinal HS)
Mid-year signee who is currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice … helped the College of San Mateo (Calif.) to a pair of 8-3 records and was an anchor on a line that helped the Bulldogs average over 300 yards rushing per game … a three-year letterwinner at Encinal (Calif.) High School, Murphy helped the Jets post a combined record of 34-5, including a 13-0 mark and the BSAL championship in 2008.
John O'Brien, OL, 6-8, 320, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside CC/Jurupa Valley HS)
A two-star junior college prospect by Rivals.com … a first-team All-Conference selection as a sophomore at Riverside Community College helped anchor a line that guided the Tigers to a pair of 10-win seasons … as a freshman in 2010, helped Riverside to a 10-1 record and its first conference title since 1989.
Craig Payne, DL, 6-5, 280, Los Angeles, Calif. (Mt. SAC CC/Colony HS)
Named the Most Valuable Player after helping lead Mt. SAC to the 2009 California State and national championship … preserved a 7-6 victory over the College of San Mateo with an interception in the final minute … played junior year of prep football at White Castle (La.) … originally a Utah commitment … was a three-star prospect by Rivals.com coming out of high school.
Jeremy Polk, OL, 6-3, 320, Austin, Texas (CISCO College/LBJ HS)
Two-year letterwinner at Cisco (Texas) College … prep standout at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson High School … a first-team All-District 26-4A selection as a senior.
Dereck Robinson, LB, 5-10, 245, Destrehan, La. (Destrehan HS)
Named the Defensive Player of the Year at Destrehan High School … a first-team District 8-5A selection … was the Wildcats' primary run stopper, recording 64 solo tackles and nine assists … also got into the backfield on a regular basis, finishing the regular season with 23 tackles for loss and five sacks … caused four fumbles and recovered two.
Juwaan Rogers, LB, 6-0, 230, Amite, La. (Amite HS)
Named the LSWA Class 3A Outstanding Defensive Player and first team all-state linebacker following the 2011 season … helped Amite to a 12-2 record and a Class 3A state runner-up finish … a three-star prospect by Rivals.com … ranked the No. 21 prospect in the state of Louisiana … a two-time Class 3A All-State selection for the Warriors … coached by Alden Foster.
Taylor Romero, OL, 6-2, 280, Manvel, Texas (Manvel HS)
Named to the 61st annual Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 4A all-state football team … a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … had 45 knockdowns and 52 pancakes, helping the Mavericks win the 24-4A district championship … had 14 pancake blocks in the 4A Region 3 Championship game against La Marque … a member of the Houston Hot 100 … also recruited by New Mexico.
Jeff Smiley, DB, 5-9, 170, Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS)
Named Co-MVP of District 8-5A and was selected as a first-team running back … carried the ball 137 times for a 9.87 yard average … scored 18 rushing TDs … caught nine passes for 53 yards … high school teammate of Deion Sanders, Jr. … coached by Bryan P. Erwin.
Travon Travis, WR, 5-11, 170, Gulfport, Miss. (Gulfport HS)
Named second team All-State in Class 6A as a junior … a three-star recruit by Rivals.com … hauled in 26 receptions for 298 yards and two TDs … participated in the long jump as a track athlete … coached by Mike Justice.
Greg Triay, DL, 6-2, 270, Upland, Calif. (Citrus CC/Upland HS)
Recorded 24 total tackles including one sack, two stops for loss and a fumble recovery … recorded 12 total tackles and three sacks as a freshman … named a first team All-CIF and second team All-Baseline League as a high school senior … coached by Ron Ponciano at Citrus CC.
Brent Wagner, OL, 6-2, 275, League City, Texas (Clear Creek HS)
A two-time All-District 24-5A selection at Clear Creek High School … a member of the Houston Hot 100 … a second-team All-Galveston County selection.
Caleb Young, LB, 6-3, 220, Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)
A two-time All-District 21-5A selection at North Shore High School … helped lead the Mustangs to an 8-4 record in 2011 … was part of a Mustang squad that posted an 11-2 record in 2010 … named to the 2011 Region 3 Super List by 5ATexasFootball.com.
BREAKDOWN
Junior College (12) – Abarenov, Alexander, Anderson, Dove,
John Graves, Harmon, Morrisset, Murphy, O'Brien, Payne, Polk, Triay.
High School (12) – Byars,
Joe Graves, LeBlanc, A. Miller, H. Miller, Robinson, Rogers, Romero, Smiley, Travis, Wagner, Young.
Prep School (1) – Middleton.
By Position
Offense (10)
Offensive Linemen (6) –
Joe Graves, Murphy, O'Brien, Polk, Romero, Wagner.
Quarterback (1) – A. Miller.
Receiver (3) – Anderson, Morrisset, Travis.
Defense (15)
Defensive Linemen (4) – Abarenov, Middleton, Payne, Triay.
Linebacker (3) – Robinson, Rogers, Young.
Defensive Back (8) – Alexander, Byars, Dove,
John Graves, Harmon, LeBlanc, H. Miller, Smiley.
By State
Louisiana (7) – Byars,
Joe Graves, LeBlanc, A. Miller, H. Miller, Robinson, Rogers.
California (6) – Abarenov,
John Graves, Murphy, O'Brien, Payne, Triay.
Texas (5) – Polk, Romero, Smiley, Wagner, Young.
Florida (2) – Dove, Morrisset.
Michigan (1) – Harmon.
Mississippi (1) – Travis.
Missouri (1) – Alexander.
Tennessee (1) – Anderson.
