?Many of these guys are from championship programs at the high school level,? he said. ?We?ve added 15 transfers over the summer, not to mention the guys we signed in the spring.?
Gottsch is looking for the transfers to provide ?instant experience and the ability to fill holes? on the depth chart.
With 35 players returning from last year?s squad, Gottsch expects to have a 90-man squad report when fall finally arrives.
The June signees include incoming freshmen Raphael Devon Manous of Okmulgee, Okla., and Johnathon Frankenfield Overland Park.
Four more will transfer: Manse Tuinukuafe of Hayward, Calif., Joseph Urrutia III of San Francisco, Calif., Marc Amos of Lakewood, Colo., and Heath Redding of Waverly.
Tuinukuafe, a 6-foot-0, 230-pound defensive lineman, will provide immediate help to the Bluejays front four next season.
Urrutia, a 5-9, 208-pound strong safety, adds depth to Tabor?s defensive backfield.
Amos, a 6-2, 215-pound quarterback, will strengthen the signal caller position.
Redding, a 6-2, 195-pound wide receiver, will bring immediate help to the receiving core next season.
Manous, a 6-0, 195-pound linebacker, led his Okmulgee High School team in tackles the past two seasons, setting the school record for most unassisted tackles by a player.
Frankenfield, a 6-2, 185-pound offensive guard and defensive lineman, helped lead his team to a 7-2 record.
Zachary Anaya of Westmin?ster, Colo., Joseph Darrehshoori of Fresno, Texas and Troy Celestine of Ridgecrest, Calif. also signed in June, bringing the off-seasong signings count to 63.
Other sports
Other June signings at Tabor:
n The men?s basketball team inked two big players.
Damon Dechant, a 6-6 forward from Kit Carson, Colo., will transfer to Tabor after playing one season at Colorado State University-Pueblo.
While at Kit Carson High School, Dechant was a 3-time all-state selection, leading his team to the state championship in 2007 and earning tournament MVP honors.
Dechant was named Colorado?s ?Class 1A player of the year? following his senior season.
Coach Micah Ratzlaff called him ?an immediate impact player for our program.?
?With his size and athleticism he can play multiple positions in our offense,? Ratzlaff said. ?Damon is very fundamentally sound, and will make everyone around him better. He will also be a force defensively on the boards.?
Tabor also signed Cornerstone Family School graduate A.J. Wiens last month. Wiens, a 6-7 forward from Topeka, will help provide depth down low.
?We are very excited about the commitment from A.J,? Ratzlaff said. ?A.J. gives us really good size, and the skills to work on and off the block. His strengths are his soft touch around the rim, and his ability to shoot the basketball.
n The baseball team added three.
Clay Center High School senior Jake Campbell will bring depth to both left field and first base next season for the Bluejays.
Labette Community College transfer Zach Schibi, of Parsons, is also a first baseman. Schibi batted .300 at Labette.
Shawnee Community College transfer Brett Drone, of Ridgway, Ill., will be looked upon to bring immediate help to the middle of the Bluejays infield next season.
A shortstop, Drone was a four-year first-team all-conference player in high school. At Shawnee, Drone batted .292 and helped lead the Saints to a 16-18 record.
Coach Chad Newhard said that, ?Brett has the tools to anchor our defense in the middle infield.?
n Jolynn Padilla, of Edinburg, Texas, will transfer from Howard College for softball.
n Jordan Stahl, a graduate of James Valley Christian High School, will play soccer and run track.
Stahl will improve the Bluejays depth at forward on the soccer field. Stahl ran the 100, 200, and 400 and competed in the long jump and triple jump in high school.
n Western Iowa Technical College transfer Zach Gould, of Sioux City, Iowa, will run cross country and the 10,000 for the track team.
n The women?s tennis team signed Hillsboro High School graduate Amanda Faber. While at HHS, Faber was a two time regional champion in doubles, placing fourth, fifth, and ninth in the 3-2-1A state doubles tournament.
