17 Grizzlies ink with NCAA DI programs on signing day

Posted: Dec 17, 2014

EL DORADO, Kan. – Butler football will send another wave of players on to NCAA Division I football programs on Wednesday, with 17 players signing letters of intent at the mid-year signing date today.

The list includes two players going to the Southeastern Conference, one to the Pac-12 and two others going to the Big 12 Conference, as well as others joining programs in the Mountain West, Sun Belt, Southland, and the Conference USA.

More players from this year's team are expected to sign with Division I programs in February.

Six of those Grizzlies signed letters of intent on Wednesday at a ceremony held inside the Criss Football Complex on the Butler campus. They were Matthew Kellerman (Oklahoma State), Brian Ochs (North Texas), Toby Omli (Murray State), Colin Frickey (Murray State), Daniel Jensen (Tennesee-Martin) and Derek Lee (Bowling Green).

All six are from the state of Kansas. Most said they had no FBS offers or interest out of high school, but after time at Butler, were able to get scholarships to play at that level.

"It's great to see these guys realize their dream that they've had since they were young kids to sign with a Division I football program," said Butler coach Troy Morrell. "The hard work that they've put in the classroom and on the field has paid off for them, so it's great to see."

The sophomores leave after compiling a record of 17-5 over the past two seasons with Jayhawk Conference and Region VI playoff championships in 2013. They were ranked in the national poll each week during their two-year career.

Butler has had at least 14 players transfer to NCAA football programs following each season since 1998. The Grizzlies, who have a record of 177-23 while winning 14 conference titles and five national championships in that 17-year span, have had former players transfer to programs including LSU, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Carolina and Georgia. Three former Grizzlies have played in BCS national title games since 2001.

Other Butler signees expected today and their anticipated schools of choice:

Chris Carson-Georgia

Ulric Jones-South Carolina

William Smith-Kansas

Afolabi Laguda-Colorado

Kameron Miles-Boise State

Brady Moore-Central Arkansas

Joel Blumenthal-Northwestern State

Damarcus Smith-North Texas

Kaleb Ringer-Georgia State

Currently Undecided:

Davon Durant-Arizona State/Ole Miss

Vontrell Williams-Louisiana Lafayette/Idaho

Butler

Sat, 11/11 | Football vs. Ellsworth (Iowa) W, 47-8 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 11/04 | Football at #9 Dodge City L, 31-10 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 10/28 | Football at Coffeyville L, 15-7 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 10/21 | Football vs. #2 Iowa Western L, 28-21 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 10/14 | Football at #3 Iowa Central W, 45-10 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 10/07 | Football vs. Jireh Prep (Cancelled)
Sat, 09/30 | Football vs. #1 Hutchinson L, 43-16 (Final) RC | BX | PH | PH
Sat, 09/23 | Football at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College W, 32-7 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 09/16 | Football vs. Independence W, 26-20 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 09/02 | Football vs. Highland W, 38-19 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Thu, 08/24 | Football at #9 Garden City L, 27-22 (Final) RC | BX | PH
Sat, 12/03 | Football vs. Kilgore College W, 28-24 (Final) RC | BX | PH | A | V
Sat, 11/12 | Football at Ellsworth (Iowa) W, 40-9 (Final) RC | RC | BX | PH | A | V
Sat, 11/05 | Football vs. Dodge City W, 30-3 (Final) RC | BX | A | V
Sat, 10/29 | Football vs. Coffeyville L, 19-14 (Final) RC | RC | BX | PH | A | V