Lights add three more gridders to recruiting class

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor [email protected]

With spring practice behind them, the Montana State University-Northern Lights are now counting down to their season-opening game on Aug. 29. And on Monday afternoon, MSU-N head coach Mark Samson announced the addition of three more players to the 2009 recruiting class. Samson has added three transfers, including one with have NCAA Division I experience. The Lights have added wide receiver Brandon O'Brien, a transfer form the University of Kentucky, safety E'Lester Queen, a transfer from Peru State University and Dondre White, an offensive lineman from Laney Community College. “We are extremely excited to announce our last three recruits for next Season," Samson said. "All three of these young men are transferring to Northern from another college and Brandon is joining us from the Marine Corps via the University of Kentucky. We expect these three players to have an immediate impact on our team next fall. They all understand that they have the chance to compete right away for a starting job. We are excited not only to have these young men as part of our football team but part of the Havre and campus community as well. They all do very well in the classroom and off the field and have demonstrated very good leadership and character qualities in high school and at their former colleges.” O'Brien (6-1, 217), a native of Orlando, FL., has four years of eligibility after redshirting at Kentucky and a stint in the Marine Corps where he is a corporal and trains in special ops. "Brandon should be a great target for our QB's to throw to with his combination of size and speed," Samson said. "We also believe he will be a good leader for us with his military background and will definitely have a great work ethic who will not be afraid to block as well as catch the football." Queen (6-2, 205) is a native of Oakland, Calif., and comes to Northern via Peru State where he played as a freshman. He was an all state safety in high school and has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.51. "E'Lester is a great athlete who we expect to come in and compete for a starting safety spot," Samson said. "He is very fast and is not afraid to come up and stop the run. He is also very knowledgeable of the game being that he also played some quarterback in high school." White (6-1, 270) was a high school teammate of Queen's and will compete for a starting position at left tackle for the Lights. He was an all-state player in California on both the offensive and defensive line. "Dondre will come in and compete right away for us to be a starter at the Left Tackle spot," Samson said. "He is an exceptional O-Lineman with 2 years of Junior College experience. He is very quick and strong and will fit in well with the o-lineman that are returning for us.” The Lights will open the season Aug. 29 against the University of Calgary in Medicine Hat.