HOUSTON – The start-up Houston Baptist University football program has signed six local student-athletes, the first football signing class in school history, head coach Vic Shealy announced during a press conference on campus Monday.
 
“Though the recruiting class is not large in number, I do believe they possess a good level of ability and potential as we build to compete early in the Southland Conference,” Shealy said. “These athletes are all products of Greater Houston football and are evidence of the depth and talent that's exists in the area.
 
“I am also impressed by the strong personal character of each of these young men. Their collective character will serve our program well as we look to them for a foundation of leadership, which will guide us forward.”
 
Craig Bell Jr., Chris Chaison, Jonathan Fleming, Jake Lowrey, Jackie Robinson Jr. and Dexter Wande are the first group of student-athletes to join the HBU football program, which will begin play in the fall of 2013, then play its first full schedule and begin Southland Conference play in the fall of 2014.
 
Bell Jr. is a running back from Sweeny, compiling 2,031 total yards and 23 touchdowns during his career. Chaison is a linebacker from Houston Madison High School. Fleming spent one season at Abilene Chrisitan before transferring to HBU. As a senior quarterback at Northland Christian High School, he passed for 3,109 yards and 39 touchdowns.
 
Lowrey is an offensive tackle from Spring and had 44 pancake blocks to help Concordia Lutheran average 325 rushing yards per game and advance to the state title game. Robinson Jr. is a running back from Pearland and had 1,800 total yards as a senior, 500 as a junior when the Oilers won the state championship, and 900 as a sophomore. Wande is a defensive end from Sugar Land, and was an all-district selection his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Lamar Consolidated.
 
The Huskies will begin practicing this fall in preparation for the 2013 inaugural season.
 
HBU Football Initial Signees
 
Craig Bell Jr. – RB – 5-9 – 195 – Sweeny (Sweeny)
Was a two-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Sweeny High School for coach Brett Sawyer…was a first-team all-district and second-team all-county selection as a senior, after earning second-team all-district honors as a junior…also earned academic all-district recognition as a junior…in two seasons, had 236 carries, 2,031 total yards and 23 touchdowns…rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior…full name is Craig Dewayne Bell Jr. …born Oct. 14, 1993 in Angleton, Texas…son of Craig Bell and Gaybrielle Simmons…has one older brother, one older sister and one younger sister…majoring in business management.
Shealy on Bell Jr.: “He shows strength, speed and dynamic ability. Craig has taken the ball and scored from anywhere on the field against athletic teams. He comes from a very successful high school program and brings and understanding of how to win. Craig's love for the game of football is evident and does not take long in time spent around him to realize just how much he wants to be great. I'm confident his desire will be a strong influence within our program.”
 
Chris Chaison – LB – 6-0 – 205 – Houston (Madison)
Was a two-year letterwinner and one-year starter at Madison High School for coach Pat Reinecke…graduated among the top 10% in his class…full name is Christopher Darnell Chaison…born May 6, 1994 in Houston…son of Ralph and Jeannie Chaison…has two brothers and two sisters…majoring in business.
 
Shealy on Chaison: “He is a physically strong tackler at the point of attack and also has the ability to run well on the perimeter. His ability as an effective blitzer will be important as we build our defense. Chris was a strong communicator on the field as a high school player and we will challenge him to continue to be a leader for us. Chris has a great upside, we look forward to the development we anticipate from him in years to come.”
 
Jonathan Fleming – QB – 6-2 – 205 – Spring (Northland Christian/Abilene Christian)
Was a two-year letterwinner and starter at Northland Christian High School for coach David Nelson…was named team captain and earned first-team all-district honors as a senior…passed for 3,109 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior…played one season at Abilene Christian for coach Ken Collums…full name is Jonathan Wade Fleming…born Oct. 16, 1992 in Covington, La. …son of David and Beverly Fleming…has two sisters…majoring in communication.
 
Shealy on Fleming: “I have been quickly impressed with the knowledge of the game and with Jonathan's leadership and character. These attributes will be important as we look to him for leadership in the months and years ahead. Jonathan has great arm talent and has show the ability to create offense when the original play has broken down. We feel fortunate to have Jonathan transfer into HBU and with that, also bring maturity and a strong work ethic. I feel that you cannot place enough importance on having a quarterback who has experienced winning, and Jonathan is a winner.”
 
Jake Lowrey – OT – 6-4 – 275 – Spring (Concordia Lutheran)
Was a two-year letterwinner and one-year starter at Concordia Lutheran High School for coach Bobby Lindquist…was an all-district and Offense Defense All-American selection as a senior, and selected as Sportsmarketingexperts.com Bowl starting right tackle…had 44 pancake blocks and helped the Crusaders average 325 rushing yards per game…led Concordia Lutheran to the state championship game…full name is Jacob Rutherford Lowrey…born May 10, 1994 in Houston…son of Charles and Ruth Lowrey…has two sisters…Father, Charles, attended HBU from 1981-85…undecided on major.
 
Shealy on Lowrey: “He is blessed with a great frame and possesses tremendous flexibility and quickness for a big man. Jake is another product of a highly successful high school program, and we believe he will develop into a very good Southland Conference offensive tackle. He has a good foundation of strength and will no doubt continue to build on his strength levels. The heart of a football team is the offensive line, and Jake will be expected to be a leader as we continue to build that unit.”
 
Jackie Robinson Jr. – RB – 5-8 – 180 – Pearland (Pearland)
Was a one-year starter at Pearland High School for coach Tony Heath…had 1,800 total yards as a senior, 500 as a junior and 900 as a sophomore…helped the Oilers to the state title as a junior…full name is Jackie Robinson Jr. …born March 4, 1994 in Pearland, Texas…son of Jackie Sr. and Kathy Robinson…has two sisters…sister, Katrina, attended HBU from 2002-04…majoring in business.
 
Shealy on Robinson Jr.: “Jackie has been a part of one of the very best programs in the state of Texas, and we are excited to have that expectation of winning to carry over to the culture we are looking to build here at HBU. He is an explosive athlete and has shown the ability to change a game with the ball in his hands. As we look to bring athletes in that can bring a running balance to our offense, we believe Jackie is going to be a dependable and capable ball carrier in years to come.”
 
Dexter Wande – DE – 6-3 – 235 – Sugar Land (Lamar Consolidated)
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Lamar Consolidated High School for coaches Lydell Wilson and Ronald Patton…was named first-team all-district on offense and second-team on defense as a senior…earned second-team all-district honors on offense as a junior and honorable mention on offense as a sophomore…full name is Dexter Remi Wande…born March 21, 1994 in Houston…son of Ezekiel and Felicia Wande…has two brothers and one sister…majoring in kinesiology/athletic training.
 
Shealy on Wande: “Dexter has qualities that are difficult to find in recruiting. His combination of size, length, agility and ability to run are tremendous. I feel Dexter has the potential to be a difference maker in the Southland Conference as his potential develops. His high school success as both a run stopper and pass rusher are exciting for us to build around for the success we expect to have on defense.”