SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va. -- Shepherd University head football coach Monte Cater recently announced that 11 more high school football players have signed letters-of-intent to play football for the Rams in 2005. Among the group are five players from Virginia, four from Maryland, and one each from Tennessee and West Virginia.
Brandon Conway (Silver Spring, MD/ Paint Branch HS), a quarterback/wide receiver, was a two-year captain for Paint Branch. He was an All-State and All-County selection for former Ram standout Ernie Williams.
Derek Cooper (Winchester, VA/James Wood HS), an offensive lineman, was an All-Area selection for James Wood. Cooper was a team captain for former Ram wide receiver and assistant coach Steve Campbell.
Will Grantham (Shepherdstown, WV/Jefferson HS), a running back/defensive back, will likely be a wide receiver/ return specialist for the Rams. Grantham was First Team All-State selection for the Cougars. He recorded 2,262 career rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.
Jeremy Hairston (LaPlata, MD/Lackey HS), an offensive lineman, was a Washington Post First Team All-Met selection. He was also a First Team All-State choice and team captain for Lackey.
Layton Hersh (Taneytown, MD/ Francis Scott Key HS), a safety, was a three-time First Team All-County selection in both football and baseball. Hersh rushed for over 2,500 yards and led his team in interceptions. He is the son of former Ram All-American Larry Hersh.
Travis Huff (Sterling, VA/Park View HS), a defensive lineman, was a First Team All-District choice for former Ram All-American Charlie Pierce at Park View. He gained Team MVP honors as a senior.
Stephan Johnson (Rockville, MD/ Gaithersburg HS), a wide receiver, was an All-League selection for Gaithersburg as a senior. Johnson also lettered in track for the Trojans.
Ryan Lavin (Centreville, VA/Westfield HS), a tight end, was a First Team All-District and All-Region choice for West Field. Lavin had 10 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns as a senior.
Justin Mirch (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge HS), a defensive lineman, was a First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State selection as a senior at Stone Bridge. Mirch also earned Defensive Lineman of the Year honors.
Kevyn Murray (Franklin, TN/ Franklin HS/FUMA), a wide receiver, was an All-State selection at Franklin. He hauled in 19 touchdown catches in his final two seasons. Murray also spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy.
Brett Zirkle (Stuarts Draft, VA/Stuarts Draft HS), a quarterback, was a two-time All-District selection for Stuarts Draft. Zirkle passed for 1,158 yards and ran for 312 more as a senior.
2005 Shepherd Football Recruits
Name Ht. Wt. Pos. High School Hometown
Brandon Conway 5-11 175 QB/WR Paint Branch Silver Spring, MD
Derek Cooper 6-2 280 OL James Wood Winchester, VA
Will Grantham 5-8 155 WR/RS Jefferson Shepherdstown, WV
Jeremy Hairston 6-0 275 OL Lackey La Plata, MD
Layton Hersh 6-0 180 DB Francis Scott Key Taneytown, MD
Travis Huff 6-1 235 DL Park View Sterling, VA
Stephan Johnson 6-3 200 WR Gaithersburg Rockville, MD
Ryan Lavin 6-2 215 TE Westfield Centreville, VA
Justin Mirch 5-9 255 DL Stone Bridge Ashburn, VA
Kevyn Murray 6-3 186 WR Franklin Franklin, TN
Brett Zirkle 6-4 190 QB Stuarts Draft Stuarts Draft, VA
