Epperson inks with SFA on National Signing Day
By Chad Wilson Editor

Chad Wilson Photo Ryan Epperson and his father Larry Epperson fill out the paperwork to join SFA while Bears' Athletic Director John Settle watches on.

Steven F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches is gearing up for a bright future in college football.

By agreeing to let Brownsboro athletic star Ryan Epperson play baseball as well as football the Lumberjacks landed the 2-time All- East Texas Defensive Player of the Year.

On National Signing Day last Wednesday Epperson signed with SFA on a fullride scholarship. He will major in Kinesiology in hopes of one day becoming a coach.

`Epp' (as called by players and coaches) has been arguably the best defensive player to come through Brownsboro.

A four year starter at linebacker Epperson holds the school record in career tackles with 526 and the single season tackle record with 176.

He was also named the 2007 Smoaky.com Defensive Player of the Year. In his final year in the blue and gold Epperson recorded 168 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, forced and recovered three fumbles and pulled down one interception.

Epperson was also named to the 2007 Second Team defense by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

The 6-1, 220lb linebacker was the 38th overall East Texas recruit on Smoaky.com.

According to Rivals.com Epperson was also being recruited by Houston, Boston College and TCU. Epperson's love of baseball coupled with a fullride scholarship is what led the senior to SFA.

Ryan joins an impressive recruiting class by the Lumberjacks. SFA has also brought in local talents such as Chris Mass from Chapel Hill and Graylon Crawford from Palestine Westwood.

Other area recruits by SFA include John Tyler's Romonte Hampton and Spring Hill's Shawn Hawkins.

Hampton is the first cousin of Chris Mass and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Lions last season. He was the 35th overall recruit on Smoaky.com and was named to the District 12- 5A first team offense as a running back.

Overall the Lumberjacks signed deals with 29 football players on National Signing Day.

While Epperson has set several school records in football and has won several awards he is not done yet. Epp has his sights set on helping the Bears baseball team advance to the playoffs this season.

Last baseball season Epp played catcher for the Bears most of the season. This year he will return to the mound forming a 1-2 punch with fellow senior Keaton Parsell.

Brownsboro will begin their 2008 baseball season on February 21 in the Palestine Tournament.