NUC Class of 2013 Alaska Recruits

Class of 2013 Alaksa Recruits

Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine

Class of 2013 Alaksa Recruits

Courtesy: Barry Every / National Underclassmen Combine           Release: March 29, 2012

Alaska's nickname is "The Last Frontier" for its expanse of wilderness and natural resources. One thing it is not known for is producing DI talent in the game of football. The state has had only seven athletes' sign DI scholarships out of high school over the last ten years. Most recently Jeff Overbaugh of Service, AK signed with San Diego State as a long snapper for the class of 2012.

In February, 2011 Wasilla, AK native David Green became the first ever DI football player from his school to sign a football scholarship as he inked with UNLV. 2009 saw Josh Kaiwi of West Anchorage, AK sign with Oregon State but he was forced to grey shirt and was never heard from again. Cordell Macon of East Anchorage, AK signed with Colorado state in 2006 and ended up staring his junior year for the Rams. In 2005 Rhett Manger of Colony, AK signed with Bowling Green State but he never played for the Falcons. The signing class of 2003 saw linebacker Nick Fuhr of Service, AK ink with The University of Nevada. Fuhr had moderate success playing extensively his junior and senior seasons. In the same year Chad Adams of Dimond, AK signed with Air Force.

There has been moderate success coming out of Alaska in the last ten years, but many have had to take an unconventional route to success on the gridiron. The Class of 2008 saw Bartlett, AK star David Garness walk-on at Hawaii only to end up playing at C.C. Francisco for two seasons. He later signed with USC and is now listed as a RS Junior reserve offensive lineman. In 2004 West Valley, AK linebacker, Ward Dobbs, originally signed with Northeastern. But soon after that he transferred to Wyoming where he ended up being a three-year starter. He left the Cowboys as the fifth leading tackler in school history. That same year saw Casey Flair of East Anchorage, AK, one of the most prolific pass catchers in Alaskan High School Football History, walked on at UNLV. He ended his career with over 200 catches for the Rebels. The previous year Zach Bowman of Bartlett, AK signed with New Mexico Military Institute. He later transferred to Nebraska and ended up being drafted in the fifth-round by the Chicago Bears.

When you think about real success stories in Alaskan Football three offensive linemen come to mind. Current ESPN Football Analyst Mark Schlereth attended Service, AK. He ended up being signed by Dennis Erickson, then head coach of the University of Idaho. Schlereth went on to be selected in the tenth-round in the 1989 NFL Draft. His NFL career included being named to the Pro Bowl twice and winning three Super Bowl rings. In the 2006 NFL Draft two players hailing from "The Last Frontier" were drafted. Daryn Colledge of North Pole, AK was taken in the second round by the Green Bay Packers after an illustrious career at Boise State. He has since started in over 90 NFL football games. Later in the 2006 draft Chris Kuper of Dimond, AK/University of North Dakota was selected in the fifth-round by the Denver Broncos. He has started over 60 games in his NFL career.

What does the signing class of 2013 have to offer in the state of Alaska? Is it possible with the explosion of YouTube and HUDL for these prep stars to gain more exposure? Below is a list of possible candidates that may become the next stars from "The Last Frontier".

1.     Lincoln Tulimaseali, 6-2/235, LB/DE, West Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: Named First Team All-State, selected to the 2011 Tanoa Bowl. He ran for 389 yards on offense and two scores while recording 96 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

2.     Kieron Kuper, 6-4/270, OL, West Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: Selected to the 2011 Tanoa Bowl.

3.     Phillip Fenumiai, 6-2/190, QB, Juneau-Douglas, AK

Honors/Stats: Named Second Team All-State, selected to the 2011 Tanoa Bowl. He passed for 1,542 yards and 19 scores while rushing for 463 yards and eight touchdowns.

4.     Conor Feckley, 5-11/190, QB, West Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: Named First Team All-State, selected to the 2011 Tanoa Bowl. He passed for 2,541 yards (State Single Season Record) and 25 touchdowns.

5.     Dalton Sauder, 5-11/190, LB/SE, South Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: Named First Team All-State.

6.     Matthew Ilalio, 5-8/180, DB/ATH, Service, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State, State Champions (10-0-1), selected to 2011 Tanoa Bowl. Ilalio had 652 yards of offense and 17 scores while recording 48 tackles and two picks on defense.

Other FBS/FCS Prospects

-Viliamu Aukustino, 5-10/180, QB/ATH, Service, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State, Offensive Player of the Year, State Champions (10-0-1). Aukustino threw for 2,396 yards and 22 scores while rushing for 1,008 yards and 13 scores.

-Marcel Dion, 5-7/155, WR, West Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State, selected to 2011Tanoa Bowl. Dion caught 58 passes for 1,000 yards and nine scores.

-Larenzo Graham, 6-1/191, ATH, West Valley, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State. Graham ran for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 360 yards and six scores. Defensively he recorded 39 tackles and three picks.

-Jarred Laws, 6-2/190, WR, East Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State. Laws snagged 34 passes for 661 yards and nine scores.

-Falema'o Tosi, 6-0/290, DL, East Anchorage, AK

Honors/Stats: First Team All-State, selected to 2011 Tanoa Bowl.