Written by Mike Perry

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(This is the second in a series of in-depth looks at each 2011 MAC recruiting class)

Darrell Hazell was deeply involved in recruiting the state of Florida in his time as receivers coach at Ohio State. Now, at the helm of his own program at Kent, the first-year head coach is concentrating a little more on his own back yard.

Hazell’s 18-player recruiting class includes 13 from Ohio, just one from Florida and one each from Arizona, California, Florida and Virginia.

Included in the class are 16 high school players, one junior college transfer and one member already enrolled at Kent.

It was a decent haul for a coach that has been on the job for just six weeks.

 “I’m so excited about this recruiting class,” Hazell said. “There is a lot of talent, great character and guys that have done an outstanding job in the classroom. We fully anticipate that these players are going to do exceptional things for Kent State in the near future.”

Local high school football fans will recognize one of the top players in the class, Lakewood St. Edwards running back Terrell Bates, a 5-foot-9, 205-pounder that led his Eagles to the big school Ohio State Championship last season.

Hazell is thrilled with the athletes he and his staff were able to sign.

 “I couldn’t be more proud of my staff,” he said. “In a very short period of time, they’ve done a phenomenal job of evaluating talent and going out and cultivating relationships with high school coaches, players and parents. We started three weeks ago by taking a good hard look at the current players on the team and put together a plan from there. Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work.”

Here is a look at Kent State’s 2011 recruiting class (Player bios courtesy of the Kent State University department of sports information):

Terrell Bates, Fr. Running Back, 5-9, 205, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward

Gained 1,369 yards and scored 19 touchdowns to help lead St. Edward High School to a perfect 15-0 season and a state title in 2010…was a second team all-district selection as a senior…had 633 yards and fourtouchdowns en route to being named a Sun News All-Star as a junior…coached by Rick Finotti.

Born Oct. 7, 1991…son of Cathy Bates…has two siblings, Temeka Hayes and Bernard Munel…plans to major in sports management.

Jason Bitsko, Fr. Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 260,  Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne

Second team all-conference…recipient of the conference Academic/Athlete Award…member of 2010 state runner-up team at Wayne High School…coached by Jay Minton…also lettered in basketball.

Born May 6, 1993…son of Randy and Pam Bitsko…has two siblings, Ryan and Caitlin.

Tristin Boykin, Fr. Running Back, 6-0, 188, Centerville, Ohio/Centerville

First team all-conference as a senior after recording 1,004 all-purpose yards (833 rushing, 171 receiving) and 11 touchdowns…was a second team all-conference selection as a junior at Centerville High School…played for Ron Ullery.

Born June 22, 1992…son of Trista Douglas and Matt Boykin…plans to major in marketing.

 Josh Boyle, Fr. Athlete, 5-10, 165, Venice, Fla./Venice

First team all-area as a wide receiver his senior and junior seasons…was the team offensive MVP in 2009 after totaling 1,117 all-purpose yards (646 receiving, 471 rushing) and nine touchdowns…646 yards was a school record for receiving…lettered four years at Venice High School…coached by John Peacock…also lettered four years in baseball.

Born Oct. 9, 1992…son of Jeanett Bowdell…has an older brother, Steaven, and an older sister, Ashley…volunteered with Challenger baseball for handicapped children…plans to major in physical education.

Trayion Durham, Fr. Running Back, 6-2, 240, Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain

Was an all-state, all-conference, all-southwest Ohio and all-city selection after rushing for 1,096 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior…selected to play in the 2011 Big 33 Classic…third-ranked player at his position in the nation according to ESPN.com…was an all-league selection as a junior and sophomore at Colerain High School…rushed for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009 and 1,294 yards and nine scores the previous season…finished as the second-leading rusher in school history with 3,503 yards…accumulated 38 career touchdowns…coached by Tom Bolden.

Born May 15, 1992…son of Arlando and Danille Durham…plans to major in computer science.

Chris Humphrey, Fr. Wide Receiver, 6-1, 175, Solon, Ohio/Solon

First team all-state and all-district senior year…first team all-conference junior and senior year…2010 NOC Conference Offensive Player of the Year…2010 Plain Dealer all-star senior year…accounted for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns senior year…two way starter for Solon High School as a quarterback and safety, in addition to handling punt and kick return duties…guided Solon to consecutive undefeated seasons and conference championships…played for Jim McQuaide…also lettered in lacrosse.

Born June 6, 1992…son of Richard and Joetta Humphrey…has an older brother, Michael…plans to major in marketing/design.

Joe Kenn, Fr. Linebacker, 5-10, 205, Gilbert, Ariz./Perry

Was an honorable mention all-region selection as a senior at Perry High School…previously played quarterback and safety…coached by Preston Jones his freshman and senior years at Perry…was coached by Ken Whalen as a sophomore and junior at Eastern High School.

Born Jan. 22, 1993…son of Joseph and Angela Kenn …has a younger brother, Peter…father played football at Wake Forest from 1984-88…plans to major in sports administration.

C.J. Malauulu, Jr. Linebacker, 6-1, 235, Oceanside, Calif./El Camino/Palomar C.C.

Defensive captain at Palomar Community College…posted 47 tackles (27 solo), two tackles for loss and a blocked kick in nine games in 2010…recorded 10 stops in the final game of the season…coached by Joe Early at Palomar…was first team all-league and defensive MVP his senior season at El Camino High School…also played basketball, volleyball and rugby.

Born Jan. 9, 1991…son of Casey Sr. and Janet Malauulu…is the oldest of seven siblings, Quincey, Kameron, Kenidy, Camille, Connor and Carter.

Jeremy McCoy, Fr. Wide Receiver, 6-2, 189, Columbus, Ohio/Marion-Franklin

Named first team all-city senior year and second team as a freshman, sophomore, and junior…four-time all-district selection…junior year recorded 45 receptions for 605 yards and nine touchdowns…senior season started at wide receiver, cornerback, kicker, and punter…averaged 17.6 yards per catch senior season…helped lead Marion-Franklin High School to an 11-1 record in 2010 and the school’s fourth straight city title…played for Brian Haffele with fellow Kent State signee Devante’ Strickland…also lettered in basketball and was named all-city twice.

Born July 12, 1992…son of Jerry Ward and Denise McCoy…has three brothers, Jerry, Carlos, and Jason.

Chevin Meadows, Fr. Cornerback, 5-11, 185, Akron, Ohio/Buchtel

Was a second team all-state selection as a senior…helped team to an 11-4 mark and a berth in the Division III state title game…garnered honorable mention all-state accolades as a junior…was a three-time all-city honoree…played running back and cornerback for Buchtel High School…coached by Ricky Powers…also lettered in basketball and track.

Born Oct. 30, 1992…son of Veronica Meadows and Leonard Shepherd…plans to major in sports management.

Andre Parker, Fr. Linebacker, 6-1, 215, Ruckersville, Va./Fork Union

First team all-state at linebacker and running back…named the Virginia Prep League Player of the Year and the All-Central Virginia Defensive Player of the Year by the Daily Progress…led for Fork Union Military Academy to a state title, recording 101 tackles 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions…coached by Micky Sullivan…also lettered in basketball and track

Born July 31, 1992…guardian is Katherine Johnson…has two older siblings, Leanna and Leon…plans to major in criminal justice or education.

Kyle Payton, Fr. Tight End, 6-3, 245, Dublin, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson

Second team all-conference honorable mention junior and senior season…2010 all-metro and all-district special mention…junior year helped lead Hilliard Davidson High School to 14-1 record and a 2009 state championship…senior year team finished 13-1 en route to finishing as state runner-up…also lettered in track and field…played for Brian White.

Born Dec. 12, 1992…son of Brian and Samantha Payton…has an older sister, Staci…plans to major in applied engineering.

Anthony Pruitt III, Fr. Defensive End, 6-3, 270, Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison

Second team all-state selection senior season…first team all-conference his senior year and was a second team pick as a junior…all-district junior and senior seasons…2010 Spielman Classic MVP…second team all-city sophomore season…2010 Big 33 nominee…as a senior recorded 19 tackles and 3 sacks…also lettered in track and field and basketball…played for Tim Brown.

Born Feb. 9, 1993…son of Alisa Timothy…has two sisters, Asheli and Amber…plans to major in sports medicine.

Evan Shimensky, Fr. Quarterback, 5-11, 182, Kent, Ohio/Kent Roosevelt

Was first team all-state, district player of the year and conference MVP as a senior after compiling 3,002 yards of total offense (2,202 passing and 800 rushing)…had 28 passing touchdowns and seven on the ground…threw for 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, while rushing for 650 yards and six scores en route to earning honorable mention all-state honors…was also first team all-conference and all-district…second team all-league as a sophomore when he tallied 2,000 total yards (1,500 passing, 500 rushing) and 26 total touchdowns…led Roosevelt High School to a 24-6 mark in three seasons, finishing his career with 5,502 yards and 67 touchdowns passing and 1,950 yards and 20 scores on the ground…coached by John Nemec.

Born June 18, 1992…son of Steve and Terri Shimensky…has one sibling, Cory…plans to major in education.

Luke Smurthwaite, Fr. Quarterback, 6-2, 190, Grove City, Ohio/Grove City

Was an all-conference and all-district selection as a senior, while also being named to the Columbus Super 25 Team…was 168-288 for 2,369 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010…added 477 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground…selected to play in both the North-South All-Star Game and the Central Ohio All-Star Game…was an all-district safety as a junior for Grove City High School…coached by Matt Jordan…also lettered in baseball.

Born March 7, 1992…son of Gregg and Michelle Smurthwaite…has two brothers, Elijah and Christian…plans to major in justice studies.

Devante’Strickland, Fr. Strong Safety, 6-2, 215, Columbus, Ohio/Marion-Franklin

First team all-state, all-district, all-metro and all-city selection…named district defensive player of the year…tallied 80 tackles, six interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles…was a first team all-city pick after posting 70 stops and eight forced fumbles as a junior…also had 50 tackles and five forced fumbles as a sophomore…helped lead Marion-Franklin High School to an 11-1 record in 2010 and the school’s fourth straight city title…played for Brian Haffele with fellow Kent State signee Jeremy McCoy.

Born March 24, 1993…son of Amanda Strickland…has a sister, Dajanae’…plans to major in education.

Jordan Tarver, Fr. Quarterback, 5-11, 195, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson

Team’s offensive player of the year and MVP…threw 17 touchdowns as a senior…posted 1,000 yards passing and rushing and 26 touchdowns through the air as a junior…led Stephenson High School to a 20-3 record in two years as the starting quarterback…coached by Ron Gartrell…was also a four-year letterwinner in baseball…posted a .375 batting average with 14 home runs as a junior to go along with 56 strikeouts on the mound.

Born Dec. 14, 1992…son of Lacretia and Jeffrey Tarver…has an older brother, Jeffrey Jr.…uncle is actor Chris Tucker.

Nate Terhune, Fr. Defensive End, 6-4, 230, Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Orange

2010 first team all-state…first team conference and all-region senior year and was conference and region defensive MVP…all-conference honorable mention as a junior…holds Orange High School team record for sacks in a season (16)…finished senior season with 118 tackles, 16 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss…finished high school career with179 tackles, 23.5 sacks, and 41 tackles for loss…also lettered in track and field…played for Adam Bechlem.

Born Sept. 29, 1992…son of Scott and Sindy Terhune…has an older brother, Dan, who plays football at the College of Wooster.