University of Houston Athletics
Four New Standouts Sign With Cougars
12/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 20, 2001
HOUSTON, Texas---University of Houston head football coach Dana Dimel today announced his program has signed four student-athletes during the mid-year signing period. All four will enroll at the University and practice with the team during the spring semester.
"We had some immediate needs to address (during this signing period)," said Dimel. "We have brought in some very talented players who can step in right away and contribute for us. Our offense had some issues last season at tight end, and we lost a four-year starter at cornerback (senior Jason Parker.) These players can fill these holes right now. We'll address the rest of our needs during the February signing period."
Tight ends Jon Clark and Matt Mattox and cornerback Delenell Reid from the junior-college ranks and high school defensive end Kade Lane make up this year's mid-year signing class. Heading up the group is Clark, who is the younger brother of former Cougar kicker Mike and current San Francisco 49er tight end Greg.
A 6-5, 215-pounder from Centerville, Utah, Clark was a consensus All-American at Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho. Heavily recruited by a slew of major Division I-A colleges, Clark led Ricks in receiving this past season, hauling in 55 receptions for 815 yards and a remarkable 13 touchdowns.
Clark also picked up first-team honors with the All-Western States Football League, as well as All Region 18. Clark was a vital member of the final football team at Ricks JC (changing name to Brigham Young University-Idaho and dropping all sports at the end of the 2001-2002 season), helping the Vikings to a fifth-place national finish.
Mattox-a high school teammate of current UH fullback Matt Schirmer-was a First Team, All-Jayhawk Conference tight end at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. A bruising blocker, Mattox, 6-4, 250, also was selected a Second Team All-America in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Despite catching only three catches for 29 yards, Mattox was voted the 11th best player regardless of position in BCCC's region. At Holton High School Mattox was selected the Big 7 League First Team on both offense and defense, leading his high school squad to a 12-1 record as state runner-up.
A 5-10, 180-pound defensive back out of Bearden, Arkansas, Reid played the last two seasons at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Reid was an All-Jayhawk Conference first-teamer as a cornerback in 2000, as well as honorable mention all-conference this past season after switching to safeties due to injuries.
Reid racked up eight interceptions in his career at CCC, including five as a freshman. At Bearden High School Reid set the Arkansas state record for career touchdowns with 108 as a running back. He also rushed for 6,025 yards as a three-year letterman and was named First Team, All-State twice.
The final addition to the Cougar roster is Lane, a 6-2, 250-pound defensive end from nearby Jersey Village High School. As a senior in 2000, Lane was a unanimous selection to the District 16-5A First Team, as he racked up 75 tackles, including 15 for loss, as well as seven sacks, five pass breakups and three fumble recoveries. As a three-year letterman at JVHS, Lane picked up the prestigious Defensive Lineman of the Year award, while being selected a senior captain.
-UHCougars.com-
