Liberty standouts to play in Div. I

Sixteen area seniors inked national letters to Division I-A or I-AA schools.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LIBERTY -- Chris Harrison -- all 6-foot-5, 270 pounds of him -- stood inside an upstairs classroom at Liberty High School on Wednesday, talking to Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio on speakerphone.
"How's your mom doing?" Dantonio asked.
His mother, Roxanne Chambers, shouted from across the room, "She's doing fine!"
Funny stuff. But, then, Wednesday was a good day for smiling at Liberty as a school-record five football players signed letters-of-intent with Division I schools on national signing day.
"I think that's a tribute to the coaches and how hard the athletes here work," said Harrison.
Harrison was joined by teammates John Humphrey (Purdue), Donovan Fletcher (Ohio), Robert Hightower (Ohio) and Chris Harden (Duquesne).
The Leopards have had eight football players sign with Div. I programs in the last three years, including Fletcher's brother, Bradley, who now plays at Iowa. Marcellus Bowman (Boston College) and Keith Forestal (Toledo) signed last year.
"You don't usually think of Liberty having a whole bunch going to D-I schools, so it's great for us," said Hightower, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
Added Harden, "I think it's good for future classes."
Big group
Sixteen area players signed letters-of-intent to play Div. I or I-AA football. Warren Harding had five players sign in 2004, as did Boardman in 2003.
"One of the reasons we do get so much attention is because our players go on and do well at the college level," said Liberty coach Jeff Whittaker, who has led the Leopards to their only three playoff appearances in school history.
The Leopards recorded their first undefeated season this year before falling to Akron Buchtel in the Division III regional final. Liberty lost to eventual state champion Mooney in the Div. IV regional final in 2004.
"We've had two great seasons in a row," said Humphrey. "I've had some great teammates and everyone worked really hard to accomplish what we did."
Humphrey is one of three area recruits headed to Big Ten schools, joining Salem kicker Bryan Wright (Michigan) and Howland running back Lance Smith (Wisconsin).
Toledo-bound
Mooney senior defensive back Desmond Marrow, who verbally committed to Miami (Ohio) before the season, signed with Toledo on Wednesday, giving the Rockets four area players.
Ursuline tight end Jerome Jones, Ursuline linebacker Joe Underwood and Warren Harding lineman Levi George are also headed to Toledo.
"Toledo is sort of like a bigger Youngstown," said Marrow, whose uncle, Vince, played with the Rockets. "They've got good coaches and a winning program."
Marrow, the Div. IV defensive co-player of the year, had been leaning toward the Rockets in the past few weeks before making the decision late Tuesday night.
"The main thing is, when I went [to Toledo], I felt at home with all the coaches and the players," said Marrow, who plans to major in broadcasting. "It was kind of tough to tell Miami, but in the end, you've gotta tell somebody no."
Kent State had two area recruits (Fitch's Pat Reedy and LaBrae's Danny Hartman), as did Youngstown State (Canfield's Kyle Banna and Lakeview's Jesse Smedi).
Canfield's Angelo Babbaro is headed to Villanova, while Warren JFK running back Anthony Elzy chose North Carolina.
scalzo@vindy.com