Waynesville all-state defensive back-receiver BJ Ray couldn’t choose between football and basketball...and he’s not going to have to.
Ray signed a football letter of intent to play at NCAA Division I-AA power Northern Iowa. In addition, Ray will also play basketball at Northern Iowa as well.
A 6-3 jumping jack and speedster, Ray has been considered one of the area’s top football recruits the past two years. And in basketball is a Mosports.com Top-50 recruit.
According to BJ’s father, Billy Ray, it was decided on the Rays’ recruiting trip to Northern Iowa a couple of weeks ago that B.J. could play both sports if he signed there.
But Ray (6-3, 200) didn’t make that decision until right before going to bed Tuesday night. “Late (Tuesday) night we talked about it and finally came to the conclusion Northern Iowa was the place,” Billy Ray said. “We decided around 11:30.”
B.J. then signed with Northern Iowa Wednesday morning, the first day recruits could sign with NCAA programs.
Ray will join former Waynesville teammate L.J. Fort as a member of the Northern Iowa football squad. Fort will be a sophomore linebacker next fall. Fort and Ray led Waynesville to the 2007 Class 5 championship.
At least four other Ozark Conference players have signed at the NCAA Division I level. Lebanon offensive lineman Justin Britt (6-6, 270) and Springfield Glendale receiver Alex Sanders (6-6, 217) are both among the signees for Mizzou.
Springfield Hillcrest all-purpose back-safety Mikael Cooper-Falls and Springfield Glendale running back Joey Mendel (6-1, 200) have both signed with their hometown college, Missouri State.
Union’s record-setting quarterback Jordan Webb signed with Kansas. After graduating from high school early, Webb has already enrolled at Lawrence, Kan. and will be in the Jayhawks’ spring practice drills.
Big day at Lindenwood
As far as smaller Missouri colleges are concerned, it appears that Lindenwood University was one of the big winners.
Lindenwood, a NAIA powerhouse this past season, on Wednesday announced the signing of 46 players, including several from Rolla. The Lions are coming off a 11-2 record and a one-point loss in the NAIA Championship Series Semifinals in 2008 and have won 21 games the past two seasons.
Topping the area signings for Lindenwood was Rolla all-state running back (and Rolla’s career rushing leader) Cameron Fore.
“I’m excited to get up there and see what I can do,” Fore said. “They’re coming off a national semifinal loss.
“Probably the major factor (in signing with Lindenwood) is that it’s close to home. Another one is I got a great deal there.”
Another reason Fore is excited to attend Lindenwood is he’ll be playing with a lot of players he’s play with -- or against -- in high school.
Fore’s classmate, offensive lineman Anthony Bigby, is also playing at Lindenwood as is former Bulldog quarterback Tanner Dinsdale.
Dinsdale led the Bulldogs to the Missouri Class 5 Quarterfinals in 2006.
Other area standouts who have signed with Lindenwood are Lebanon receiver Phillip Archer, Lebanon quarterback Ryan Howerton and Salem offensive lineman Andy Flett.
“That’s great, all the players we were able to get,” Fore said. “It’s nice we can all go to one school and accomplish some of our goals.
“Definitely (Dinsdale playing there) was a reason I chose Lindenwood. I’m going to be rooming with him. He’s been on my case to come there since last year.”
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