March 9, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. — In his first signing class as the head coach at Kentucky, Johan Cedergren has secured three standout players, including in-state product Jacob Scearce and Texas standouts Caleb Richardson and Jacob Speed, it was announced on Thursday.
“We are very excited about the three standout student-athletes,” Cedergren said. “It is always an exciting moment for high school seniors and their families to officially sign and we are thrilled that they are now Wildcats. All three are talented players who will have the ability to greatly impact our program. We are looking forward to welcoming Jacob Scearce, Caleb Richardson and Jacob Speed into the UK Athletics family.”
Cedergren signed Richardson and Speed out of Texas, with Scearce a product of Louisville’s Ballard High School. Richardson and Speed both come to UK after starring on the same club team, the Dallas Texans, while Scearce starred at Ballard High School, where he was the runner-up as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year and Kentucky High School Mr. Soccer awards.
Richardson, a native of Highland Village, Texas, played at Marcus High School and with the Texans. As a junior for Marcus, Richardson tallied 14 goals and eight assists to earn first-team all-district accolades. The highlight of his club career came when the Texans went 15-0 during a six-goal, seven-assist campaign for Richardson.
“Caleb is a talented attacking player that possesses great speed, quickness and ability on the ball,” Cedergren said. “He will help us stretch teams during his career here with his smart running ability and athletic talent.”
Scearce, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound midfielder, has had a distinguished career at Ballard High School. In addition to his decorated career at Ballard, Scearce has played with the highly respected club team Jovanon. During his Ballard career was the 2011 runner up for Kentucky Mr. Soccer and Gatorade High School Player of the Year. A National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America honoree, Scearce scored 27 goals and added 17 assists as a senior at Ballard.
“Jacob is a versatile player who can play midfield or forward,” Cedergren said. “He has shown that he is a prolific scorer and has been a very balanced talent. It is terrific to have a player from the state of Kentucky join the program.”
A talented 6-foot-3, 165-pound defender and midfielder, Speed will join UK after a standout career at Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. Speed joined fellow UK signee Richardson on the Dallas Texans club team, leading the Texans to an undefeated schedule in 2011 and a third-place national finish.
“Jacob is a well-rounded, complete defender,” Cedergren said. “He is a big, strong and athletic defender who is a good passer. He has a good understanding of the game and will have the ability to fight right away for a spot along our backline. Jacob, like his teammate Caleb, has a great pedigree coming from one of the best youth programs in the country Dallas Texans Soccer Club.”
Signee Bios
Caleb Richardson
5-4, 145, F
Highland Village, Texas (Marcus High School)
Pre-College
Played for John Gall at Marcus High School in Texas, earning three varsity letters … During the club season, Richardson was under the guidance of David Hudgel as a member of the Dallas Texans Academy club team for the past seven seasons, the same club team as fellow UK signee Jacob Speed … During his freshman year at Marcus, Richardson connected on eight goals while dishing out six assists to help Marcus High to a 22-2 record, while being named second team all-district … The same year in club soccer, Richardson notched 11 goals also tallying 10 assists … The sophomore campaign ended for Marcus High with Richardson finding the back of the net 12 times and adding six assists with the team recording a 20-3 mark … Earned his second consecutive second team all-district nod in 2010 … For the club squad, Richardson scored five goals while yielding eight assists … Junior year concluded with a 21-2 record, with Richardson accumulating 14 goals and eight assists, earning him first team all-district … Club soccer for Richardson, saw his team go flawless during the season at 15-0 while he scored six goals and seven assists, placing third at nationals.
Personal
Born Caleb Daven Richardson on Nov. 7, 1993 to Hillary and Noel Richardson in Carrollton, Texas … Three siblings, brother Hillary II (30) and sisters Carissa (31) and Adrian (24) … Brother Hillary played soccer at Division II … Choose Kentucky over Cal State-Bakersfield … Active in the community by providing skills training classes to recreation teams in Texas … Plans on being a business management major.
Cedergren on Richardson …
“Caleb is a talented attacking player that possesses great speed, quickness and ability on the ball,” Cedergren said. “He will help us stretch teams during his career here with his smart running ability and athletic talent.”
Jacob Scearce
5-11, 165, MF
Louisville, Ky. (Ballard)
Pre-College
A Kentucky native, Scearce was a three-year letterman for Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky., under the tutelage of coach Rob Zoeller… Outside of school, Scearce played for coach Jason Bell of the Jovanon 94 club team … In the two years prior to high school, he aided Jovanon to the club state title in 2003, 2004, and 2006 while also playing in the state title match in 2005 and 2007 … During his freshman year at Ballard, Scearce scored 16 goals to go along with nine assists helping Ballard to a 14-5 record … The same year for his club team Jovanon, he helped them claim the state club title again in 2008 as well as getting Jovanon to the state semi-final … At Ballard, he scored 39 goals and connected on eight assists while also reaching third with the longest streak of goals in consecutive games with 16, the team finished 20-3 reaching the region finals … That same year, Scearce was named runner-up for Kentucky Mr. Soccer as well as runner-up for Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and added NSCAA Regional All American to his accolades… During club soccer season, Jovanon once again one the state title for 2010 … For his senior season, Scearce scored 27 goals and added 17 assists while leading Ballard to a 14-7-3 record and the region finals for the second consecutive year … During the senior campaign he was named a Kentucky Mr. Soccer nominee and gathering another NSCAA Regional All-American award … At the end of the club soccer season, Scearce helped Jovanon win a second consecutive state title, his sixth overall, and finished second in the National League and reached the Region II semi-finals
Personal
Born August 26, 1993 as William Jacob Scearce to Bill and Jill Scearce … Has two siblings, Sister Holly (20) and Brother Scotty (16) … Mother Jill played volleyball for the University of Alabama-Birmingham … Three time Academic All State (2008, 2010 and 2011) … Member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and earned the prestigious University of Kentucky Book Award in 2011 … Active community service leader with two mission trips, one to Merida, Mexico, in 2009 for 10 days and another in 2011 to Tarma, Peru, for 10 days … Involved with Endeavor Ministries helping teach children in Somali about soccer.
Cedergren on Scearce …
“Jacob is a versatile player who can play midfield or forward,” Cedergren said. “He has shown that he is a prolific scorer and has been a very balanced talent. It is terrific to have a player from the state of Kentucky join the program.”
Jacob Speed
6-3, 165, D/MF
Mansfield, Texas (Mansfield)
Pre-College
Earned three letters for coach John Frazekas at Mansfield High School … Played with the club team Dallas Texans and coach David Hudgell from 2008-12, joining UK signee Caleb Richardson on the Texans … Was on the NTX ODP State team (92 boys) and the NTX ODP State team (93 boys) … With club team in 2011, led the team to an undefeated season, a USSDA Regional Championship and a third-place USSDA National Finalists … Led high school to the bi-district championship as a freshman and sophomore … In 2009, Mansfield finished as a regional quarter finalist and in 2010 was a regional semi finalists … Was a first-team all-district honoree in 2010 and honorable mention all-district as a freshman … Was named the Mansfield High School Utility Player of the Year in 2009 as a freshman … Was named the Man of the Match at the USSDA Finals in 2011 … Was the team captain of the Dallas Texas U-18 academy in 2011 … Was named to the all-district academic team in 2010.
Personal
Full name is Jacob Aaron Speed … Son of Ricky and Jeriann Speed … Born Sept. 9, 1993 in Fort Worth, Texas … Has a younger brother, Jordan (16) … Interested in pursuing a major in kinesiology … Was active in the community through his involvement in the Walnut Ridge Baptist Church youth group in Mansfield … Father Ricky played basketball at Southwestern Oklahoma State University … Cousin, Richard Reed played football for Oklahoma and professional with the Denver Broncos.
Cedergren on Speed …
“Jacob is a well-rounded, complete defender,” Cedergren said. “He is a big, strong and athletic defender who is a good passer. He has a good understanding of the game and will have the ability to fight right away for a spot along our backline. Jacob, like his teammate Caleb, has a great pedigree coming from one of the best youth programs in the country Dallas Texans Soccer Club.”
