2010 UW Football Signee Bios

High School Players
Travis Bogard OL 6-4 275 Fr. Kenmore, Wash. (Inglemoor)

Bogard earned First Team All-KingCo Conference honors as both an offensive center and defensive lineman his senior season at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Wash. Inglemoor posted a 5-4 record in 2009. In addition to being a standout two-way football player, he is also one of the top wrestlers in the state of Washington, being ranked No. 3 in the state in all classifications at the 285-pound division. His junior year of high school, he won the Washington Greco-Roman State Wrestling Championship, and placed second in state in Freestyle. Bogard was a National Team qualifier in wrestling in both 2008 and 2009. He played for head football coach Frank Naish.

One of three children of Christy and Mitch Bogard was also recruited by Oregon State and Washington. His grandfather, James Bogard, played football at Oklahoma.

Justin DiRe OL 6-6 270 Fr. Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon)
Pronunciation: dur-RAY

DiRe was selected First Team All-Avocado League as an offensive tackle by the North County Times his senior season. The San Diego Union-Tribune named him to its fall All-Academic Team both his junior and senior seasons. He played in a very successful Southern California football program at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif. DiRe helped La Costa win back-to-back Avocado League titles in 2008 and 2009. His junior season, La Costa posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the CIF Finals. His senior season, DiRe's team posted an 11-1 record, and reached the CIF Semifinals. He was voted a team captain his senior season. He played for head coach Darrin Brown at La Costa Canyon.

The son of Kim Sandefur and Dan DiRe, he was also recruited by Colorado State and San Diego State.

Daniel Fleischman OL 6-6 290 Fr. Issaquah, Wash. (Issaquah)

Fleischman was an outstanding offensive and defensive lineman at Issaquah High School. He earned All-Region and All-Conference honors his senior season. He was ranked as the No. 24 best player in the state of Washington by SuperPrep/Scouts.com. Fleischman was also an All-Conference selection his junior season as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He helped lead Issaquah High to an 8-4 record in 2009 as his team reached the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and placed seventh in the state. His junior season, Issaquah posted an 11-3 record and earned a spot in the state championship game before finishing as the state runner-up. Fleischman recorded 23.5 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 3.0 tackles for losses as a senior. His junior season, he was credited with 19.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for losses. As a sophomore, he recorded 12 tackles, 1.0 sack and 4.0 TFLs. His team elected him a team captain as a senior. He also earned Academic All-State honors his junior year. Fleischman played for head coach Chris Bennett.

Fleischman is the middle of three children of Joanne and Eric Fleischman. Other schools that recruited him included Air Force, Arizona, BYU, Hawaii, Idaho, Washington and Washington State.

Skyler Hinton OL 6-4 305 Fr. Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge)

Hinton earned All-State, All-Area and All-District honors as an offensive lineman his senior season at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Hinton was named Second Team All-State Class 6, the largest classification in Missouri, by the Missouri High School Coaches' Association. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and a one-time letterman in basketball at Rock Bridge. He graduated early from high school and enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January of 2010. Hinton was elected a team captain his senior season. Rock Bridge posted a 5-5 record and placed third in districts in 2009. Hinton was active in Big Brothers, Big Sisters in high school. He was a Senior Mentor Core Leader, and was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He played for head football coach A.J. Ofodile.

One of three children of Elaine and Michael Hinton, his mother played both basketball and softball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where she played on UNO's National Championship Softball Team in 1975, and was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. His father is a basketball official and baseball umpire. Hinton was also recruited by Northern Illinois, Syracuse and Vanderbilt.

Marqueston Huff DB 6-0 180 Fr. Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau)

Huff was named All-Northeast Texas and All-District his senior season at Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas. He also achieved All-District honors as a junior, and was named All-State in track and field as a sprinter and high jumper his junior season. Huff intercepted three passes, was credited with 85 tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered one fumble and blocked one punt his senior season. His junior year, he intercepted two passes, made 53 tackles, forced one fumble and blocked two field goals. He was voted a team captain in football both his junior and senior seasons. He played for head coach Pat Brady.

His aunt and uncle are Rhonda and Richard Carson, he was also recruited by Baylor, Missouri and New Mexico.

Nehemie Kankolongo RB 5-11 200 Fr. Coquitlam, B.C. (Centennial)
Pronounced: NAMY (Rhymes with Amy), kank-uh-LONG-o

Kankolongo led Centennial High School of Coquitlam, B.C., to a Vancouver Provincial Championship his senior season, while being named the Best Back in the championship game. It marked the first provincial championship for Centennial since 1966. Kankolongo rushed for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns on 37 carries in the championship game. He was selected his team's Best Offensive Player for the season, leading his squad to a 10-1 record. Kankolongo rushed for over 1,900 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as a senior. His junior campaign, he helped lead Centennial High to a 7-3 record and the semifinals of the provincial championships while rushing for over 2,200 yards, scoring 30 TDs and earning team MVP honors. He was voted a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. He also rushed for over 700 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore and 400 yards and five TDs as a freshman. He played for head coach Kevin Phillips.

He is one of five children of Marie-Claire and Bukasa Kankolongo. He was also recruited by Idaho.

Riley Lange DL 6-3 245 Fr. Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa)
Pronunciation: LANG

Lange comes to Wyoming as the No. 13 ranked recruit in the state of Colorado by Rivals.com. He also earned Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A honors from The Denver Post in 2009. As a senior at Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colo., Lange recorded 135 tackles, including 15.0 sacks and 20.0 tackles for losses. On offense, he was the starting fullback, scoring six touchdowns. A team captain in 2009, he helped lead Ponderosa to a 6-4 record and the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. As a junior, he was credited with 137 tackles, 9.0 sacks and 10.0 tackles for losses, while earning All-Conference honors as a linebacker. Lange has been invited to play for the South Squad in the Colorado High School Coaches' Association All-State Game the week of June 8-12 at the University of Northern Colorado campus in Greeley. He played for head coach Randy Huff.

One of three children of Diane and Steve Lange, he was also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, Oregon State and TCU.

Drew Martinez WR 6-1 170 Fr. Green River, Wyo. (Green River)

Martinez remains in his home state of Wyoming to play for the Cowboys. He was named to the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 All-State team for the second consecutive year in 2009. He accounted for 1,652 all-purpose yards and scored 25 touchdowns on offense, while intercepting eight passes on defense. Green River posted a 9-6 record in '09 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs. Green River High built an 11-3 record in 2008 and reached the state championship game. In 2007, Green River was 7-7 and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs. As a junior, Martinez amassed 2,785 all-purpose yards, scored 27 touchdowns and intercepted four passes. His sophomore season, he earned All-Conference honors, accounting for 965 all-purpose yards, scoring 12 touchdowns and intercepting six passes. He was selected a team captain as a junior and senior in football. Martinez also lettered three years in basketball, two years in soccer and one year in track. He played for head football coach Darren Howard.

He is the youngest of two children of Laurie and Andrew Martinez. He was also recruited by Colorado State and UNLV.

Dylan McElveen DB 6-1 175 Fr. University Park, Ill. (Crete-Monee)
Pronunciation: Mac-ELL-veen (Rhymes with Mean)

McElveen was named an Honorable Mention All-State selection for all classifications by the Chicago Tribune as a defensive back his senior season at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Ill. He helped lead his Crete-Monee Warriors to a 10-2 record and the quarterfinals of the Illinois 6A State Playoffs in 2009 (Class 6A is the third largest classification in Illinois). Crete-Monee captured the Southland Conference Championship with a perfect 5-0 conference mark, and entered the Illinois State Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in Class 6A, with a regular season record of 8-1. He was also an outstanding track and field athlete in high school. McElveen earned All-Conference honors in track and field both his sophomore and junior years of high school, and he was a regional qualifier both seasons. As a junior, McElveen was part of the 4 x 200-meter state championship relay team and the 4 x 100 relay squad that placed fourth in state. His twin brother, Adrian, played running back for Crete-Monee High. Both played for head football coach Jerry Verde.

McElveen and his twin brother, Adrian, are the youngest of five children of Cynthia and Leonard McElveen. Dylan McElveen was also recruited by Akron, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, UNLV and Western Michigan.

Emory Miller Jr. QB 5-11 195 Fr. Mesquite, Texas (Horn)

Miller received Second Team All-District 5A-11 honors his senior season at Mesquite Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas. He also earned All-District honors in football and basketball his junior season. As a senior, Miller completed 213 of 333 yards (64.0 percent) for 2,678 yards and threw 22 touchdown passes. He added 706 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs for a total offense of 3,384 yards. His junior season, he completed 250 of 366 passes (68.3 percent) for 2,740 yards and 19 TDs, while adding 533 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for 3,273 yards of total offense. He played for head coach Rodney Webb.

The son of Tammy and Emory Miller, he was also recruited by Air Force, Navy, TCU and Tulsa.

C.J. Morgan WR 5-10 175 Fr. Aurora, Colo. (Eaglecrest)

Morgan earned First Team All-City and Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A from The Denver Post in 2009. He was an extremely versatile performer for Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, Colo. Morgan had 24 receptions for 486 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, including a season long 89-yard TD reception. He also rushed for 597 yards on 63 carries and seven rushing TDs his senior season. As a team captain, he led Eaglecrest to the second round of the 2009 state playoffs, defeating Fort Collins High in the first round before losing to Regis High in the second round. His junior year, he was named First Team All-City as he caught 26 passes for 385 yards and four receiving touchdowns, while rushing 54 times for 482 yards and five TDs. Morgan also recorded 21 tackles, intercepted one pass and forced two fumbles as a junior. He was voted a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. He played for head coach Tom Doherty.

One of three children of Aimee and James Lyday, he was also recruited by Colorado.

Sonny Puletasi DL 6-3 220 Fr. Lawton, Okla. (Lawton)
Pronunciation: pool-uh-TOSS-ee

Puletasi achieved a number of honors his senior year playing for Lawton High School in Lawton, Okla. He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches' Association All-State team and is scheduled to play in the Oklahoma All-State game on July 30, 2010. He was selected to the First Team All-State Defensive Team by The Daily Oklahoman in '09, and was named the District 6A-1 Defensive Lineman of the Year. In the talent-rich state of Oklahoma, Puletasi was ranked No. 34 in the Rivals.com's rankings of all 2009 prospects coming out of the state of Oklahoma. A team captain, Puletasi led Lawton High to an 8-2 record and the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He recorded 100 tackles, 12.0 sacks and blocked five punts his senior season. His junior season, Puletasi was credited with 45 tackles, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions. He achieved Honor Roll status all four years of high school He played for head coach Randy Breeze.

He is the eldest of four children of Fa'amasani Puletasi. Puletasi was also recruited by Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State.

Oliver Schober LB 6-0 240 Fr. Munich, Germany (Feodor-Lynen)
Schober comes to Wyoming from Munich, Germany, where he learned to play the American game of football. His connection to the University of Wyoming coaching staff came through David Odenthal, a former college player of Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. Odenthal played for Christensen at the University of Toledo, and coached in the league that Schober played. Schober played his amateur football for the Munich Cowboys and for National Team Germany.

Schober is the youngest of two sons of Elsa and Hans-Joerg Schober. His older brother, Daniel, played for the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe.

Sam Stratton QB 5-11 195 Fr. Littleton, Colo. (Chatfield)
Stratton comes to the University of Wyoming from Chatfield High School in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., where he was a four-year starter at quarterback. He earned Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A honors from The Denver Post as both a junior and senior. Stratton concluded his high school career as Chatfield's career leader in total offense with over 5,000 yards of total offense, including over 3,600 passing yards and nearly 2,000 rushing yards. He also accounted for 54 touchdowns in his career. Stratton's senior season was cut short in the sixth game of the regular season when he injured his right knee in a game versus Pomona. In the six games he played in '09, he had completed 58 of 89 passes (65.2 percent) for 650 yards and six passing touchdowns, while rushing for 550 yards and seven rushing TDs. An outstanding two-sport athlete in football and track and field, Stratton also holds the Chatfield school records in the 400 meters (48.4 seconds) and 200 meters (21.8 seconds). Stratton was named First Team All-State in track as a junior. He anchored Chatfield's 4 x 200-meter relay team to a Class 5A State Championship in the spring of 2009, and placed second individually in the 400-meter dash. Stratton qualified for and competed in the state track and field championships as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He played for head football coach Brett McGatlin.

The youngest of two sons of Sara and Mike Stratton, he was also recruited by Air Force, Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State and Kansas State.

Tyler Strong DL 6-3 275 Fr. Longmont, Colo. (Niwot)
Strong was named First Team All-State Class 4A by The Denver Post his senior season at Niwot High School. His senior year, he made 90 tackles, including 5.0 sacks, and intercepted two passes as a linebacker. He also played some fullback on offense. His junior season, Strong was credited with 120 tackles and he intercepted two passes. He earned All-Conference and All-Area honors both his junior and senior seasons from the Longmont Times-Call and the Boulder Daily Camera. He was a four-year letterman in football at Niwot High School, and was voted a team captain as a senior. Strong will join his former high school teammate Jeff Roueche, who is a redshirt freshman linebacker on the Wyoming Football team. He played for head coach Ron Tesone.

The son of Diane and Ron Strong, he was also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State and Nebraska.

Darrenn White Athlete 6-0 175 Fr. Kansas City, Mo. (University Academy)
White comes to Wyoming as the No. 19 ranked recruit in the state of Missouri by Rivals.com. He played quarterback in high school, but is being recruited as an athlete by Wyoming and could play a number of positions in college. White was named First Team Class 1 All-State as an all-purpose back by the Carthage Press in Carthage, Mo., and was named Third Team Class 1 All-State as a quarterback by the Missouri Football Coaches' Association. His senior year of high school at Kansas City's University Academy saw him pass for 1,809 yards and 19 touchdowns and rush for 1,855 yards and 26 TDs for a total of 3,664 yards of total offense. He captained his University Academy team to a 7-3 record, his school's first district championship and the second round of the state playoffs in '09. White also achieved honor roll status his senior year of high school. He played for head coach Damon Paul.

One of five children of Leah Banks and Darrell White, he was also recruited by Duke, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Evan Williams RB 5-11 185 Fr. Minneapolis, Minn. (DeLaSalle)
Williams was ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the state of Minnesota by Rivals.com in 2009. He was named to the Minnesota All-State Second Team for all classifications by the Associated Press as a quarterback his senior season. He has been recruited as a running back by Wyoming. His senior season, Williams rushed for 2,301 yards, passed for 1,266 and accounted for a total of 41 touchdowns rushing and passing. As a team captain in 2009, he led DeLaSalle High School to an 11-1 record and the sectional semifinals of the state playoffs. His junior season, he rushed for 2,041 yards and accounted for 31 touchdowns, leading led DeLaSalle to a 13-1 record and a State Championship. He played for head coach Sean McMenomy.

The youngest of two children of Dana and Steve Williams, he was also recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, UCLA and Wisconsin.

Junior-College Signees
Austin Daniels CB 5-10 175 Jr. Pasadena, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio CC, Calif.)

Daniels helped lead Mt. San Antonio Community College to a 13-1 record and the 2009 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship, defeating Northern California Champion San Mateo by a score of 7-6. Daniels earned Second Team All-Conference honors in the Southern California Central Conference as a sophomore in '09. A two-year starter at cornerback, Daniels was part of Mt. SAC's back-to-back appearances in the CCCAA State Championship Game. In 2008, they lost to Northern California Champion Butte College by a score of 17-9. His sophomore season, Daniels ranked third on the Mounties squad with 55 total tackles. He had two interceptions (including one he returned 55 yards for a TD), 11 pass breakups, 2.0 tackles for losses and one fumble recovery. In the 2009 state championship game, Daniels recorded two tackles and one pass breakup. As a freshman in 2008, Daniels ranked sixth on the Mt. SAC team with 54 tackles, two interceptions (including one he returned 98 yards for a TD), eight pass breakups, 1.0 tackle for a loss and one forced fumble. He played for head coach Bob Jastrab at Mt. San Antonio. He played his high school football at Muir High School in Pasadena where he was a three-year letterman in football and a four-year letterwinner in track and field.

One of three children of Annette and Kenneth Daniels, he was also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn and Iowa State.

DeJay Lester WR 6-2 195 Jr. Layton, Utah (Snow CC, Utah)
Lester enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January of 2010 after transferring from Snow Community College in Ephraim, Utah. He caught 27 passes for 456 yards during the 2009 season and scored two touchdowns. He also returned eight kickoffs for 195 yards, which was an average of 24.4 yards per return. Snow College finished 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the Western States Football League this past season. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids Community College to capture the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl. They ended the season ranked No. 5 in the final NJCAA National Poll. Snow College ranked No. 16 in the nation in total offense, averaging 397.3 yards per game. Snow ranked No. 8 in the nation in passing offense, averaging 267.8 yards passing per game. He was coached by Steve Coburn while at Snow College. Lester played his high school football at Layton Christian in Layton, Utah.
He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee, Utah and Utah State.

Mazi Ogbonna WR 6-1 190 Jr. Westbury, N.Y. (Snow CC, Utah)
Pronunciation: MAH-zee, ahg-BON-uh

Ogbonna enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January 2010 after being named First Team All-Western States Football League (WSFL) as a wide receiver at Snow Community College in 2009. He was also selected Second Team All-WSFL as a return specialist. He caught 40 passes for 827 yards, averaged 20.7 yards per catch and scored 11 receiving touchdowns.. As a kick returner, he averaged 30.3 yards per return with 21 returns for 637 yards. He helped lead Snow College to a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the WSFL. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids Community College to take the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl Trophy. They ended the season ranked No. 5 in the final NJCAA National Poll. Snow College ranked No. 16 in the nation in total offense, averaging 397.3 yards per game. Snow ranked No. 8 in the nation in passing offense, averaging 267.8 yards passing per game. He was coached by Steve Coburn. Ogbonna played his high school football at Hicksville High School in Hicksville, N.Y.
He was also recruited by Rutgers, Utah and Utah State.

Nick Puetz OL 6-4 315 Jr. Salina, Kan. (Coffeyville CC, Kan.)
Pronunciation: PITTS

Puetz enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January 2010, coming from Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. He was a Second Team All-Jayhawk Conference selection in 2009 at Coffeyville Community College. He helped lead Coffeyville to a 7-4 overall record as Coffeyville concluded the season ranked No. 12 in the final NJCAA National Poll. The team also won the North Star Bowl over Rochester (Minn.) by a final score of 54-12. He earned the Wayne Hittle Memorial Award and the Pete Peltzer Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award at Coffeyville. As a freshman, he was selected Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference along with earning Academic All-Conference honors. He was coached at Coffeyville by Darian Dulin. He played his high school football at Southeast of Saline High School.

His parents are Mary and Ken Puetz. He was also recruited by Houston.

B.J. Sumter DT 6-1 310 Jr. Columbia, S.C. (New Mexico Military)

Sumter helped lead New Mexico Military to a No. 20 ranking in the final NJCAA National Poll in 2009. He was credited with 45 tackles, 3.0 tackles for losses, 1.0 sack and one interception his sophomore season at New Mexico Military in 2009. New Mexico Military posted a 7-4 record in '09 and earned an appearance in the inaugural Central Bank Salt City Bowl where they lost 22-14 to Hutchinson Community College of Kansas. In the bowl game, Sumter was credited with five tackles, 1.0 sack and 1.5 tackles for losses. The New Mexico Military defense ranked No. 42 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents 362 yards of total offense per game, and No. 20 in pass defense, giving up only 153.3 passing yards per game. In the weight room, Sumter broke the all-time combined three-lift record at New Mexico Military with a total combined lift of 1,215 pounds in the bench press, hang clean and squat. He played for head coach Jeff Lynn at New Mexico Military. Sumter played his high school football at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C.

The son of Rochelle and Bernard Sumter, he was also recruited by New Mexico State.

Kurt Taufa'asau DT 6-2 285 Jr. Pago Pago, American Samoa, (New Mexico Military)
Pronunciation: (Each syllable rhymes with the words OUT or OUCH.) tou-FOU-sou

Taufa'asau earned First Team All-Western States Football League (WSFL) as a defensive lineman in 2009. New Mexico Military posted a 7-4 record in '09 and earned an appearance in the inaugural Central Bank Salt City Bowl where they lost 22-14 to Hutchinson Community College of Kansas. In the bowl game, Taufa'asau was credited with four tackles. New Mexico Military concluded the 2009 season ranked No. 20 in the final NJCAA National Poll. The New Mexico Military defense ranked No. 42 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents 362 yards of total offense per game, and No. 20 in pass defense, giving up only 153.3 passing yards per game. He played for head coach Jeff Lynn at New Mexico Military. Taufa'asau played his high school football at Samoana High School in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

The son of Tuilua'ai and Vincent Taufa'asau, he was also recruited by Troy University, Utah State and Western Kentucky.