Patrick Baldenegro, TE, 6-5, 215, Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler)
Plans to study biology and become a physician's assistant…Member of the Honor Roll…National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Scholar-Athlete first-team honoree…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter for Shawn Aguano…Named first-team All-Arizona…Recorded 41 receptions for 610 yards with five touchdowns as a senior…Son of JoEllen and Andrew Baldenegro.
Watch Video of Patrick
"Patrick is all-state tight end who is great pass catching threat. He is a versatile player who played receiver, tight end and fullback. He is a big receiver with big hands who can go up and make some plays."
-Assistant Coach Craig Knoth
Delvin Batiste, CB, 5-11, 180, Upland, Calif. (Upland)
Plans to study communications…Played for Coach Tim Salter…Named first-team all-area…Helped team to league championship…Recorded 80 tackles with four fumble recoveries, eight tackles and four forced fumbles…Son of Stephanie Batiste and Lawrence Grant.
Watch Video of Delvin Batiste
"Delvin is a tremendous athlete. He played several defensive positions this year but he is going to be a corner for us. He was at our team camp and I thought he was the best corner I saw all year. He is very athletic."
-Assistant Coach Charles Huff
Marc Cooper, WR, 6-0, 185, Eagle, Idaho (Eagle)
Plans to study athletic training…Four-year letter winner and three-year starter for Coach Paul Peterson…Earned all-state honors as a senior…Recorded a school-record 74 catches with a single-season record 1,050 yards with eight touchdowns…Also had 33 rushes for 350 yards and five touchdowns…Helped team to three state championship appearances and 2010 state title…Three-year letter winner in track and field, earning three medals at state meet and team Most Valuable Player honors…Also considered Idaho, Boise State and Weber State…Son of Peggy and Tim Cooper.
Watch Video of Marc Cooper
"We really like Marc Cooper's skill set. He is a scrappy player from Idaho. He will be a great asset to the program. He is a kinda Wed Welker kind of player and really competitive."
-Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello
Derek Craig, LB, 6-0, 220, Tempe, Ariz. (Marcos de Niza)
Plans to study physical therapy…Letter winner and starter for Ray Lopez…Recorded 141 tackles as a senior…Arizona Coaches Association all-state selection…Named Defensive Player of the Year in Arizona Section 3, Division 2…Played sophomore and junior seasons at South Mountain, recording 100 tackles as a junior…Also a state qualifier in wrestling…Son of Cassandra and Ronnie Craig.
Watch Video of Derek Craig
"He is a first-team all-state linebacker and state champion in wrestling. He will bring a lot of toughness and physical play to our defense."
-Defensive Coordinator Andy Thompson
Riley Deen, OL, 6-6, 275, West Covina, Calif. (South Hills)
Plans to study computer science…Four-year letter winner and two-year starter at South Hill…Played for Coach Albert Rodriguez as a senior…Two-time All-Sierra League selection and 2012 all-area choice…Brother, Cameron, played football at Northern Colorado (2009-11) and Cal Lutheran (2013)…Son of Rick and Valerie Deen.
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Pete Denham, QB, 6-0, 195, Auburn, Calif. (Placer)
Plans to study journalism or communications…Two-year starter for Coach Joey Montoya…Led high school ream to 10-0 season for the first time in 30 years…Team captain…Threw for 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns in primarily a run offense…Invited to Elite 11 in Oakland…Made top group at Nike Camp with coaches Trent Dilfer and Dan Hawkins…Father played quarterback in college…Brother, Greg, was an All-American quarterback at UC Davis…Son of Greg and Stephanie Denham.
Watch Video of Pete
"We are fortunate to get Pete to come to NAU. He is a very gifted thrower and highly intelligent. His skill set is built directly for a pro style-west coach offense. Having the luxury of coaching his brother, he has a lot of the same skills and was a prolific passer as well. I am excited about the opportunity to coach Pete."
-Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello
John Herrero, DT, 6-4, 260, Kingman, Ariz. (Kingman)*
Plans to study physical therapy…Has a 3.06 grade point average…Three-year starter and lettermen…Played for Wally Mueller…Earned all-state first-team honors…Helped team to three consecutive state appearances and two state championships (2010, 2012)…Brother, Jim, is a member of the NAU football team…Son of Joe and Sarah Herrero.
Watch Video of John Herrero
"John has really good size right now and still has room for growth. He moves well for a big guy and plays hard. I think his competitiveness and enthusiasm for the game of football will be big factors in his development at the college level."
-Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Corbin Jountti, RB, 5-11, 202, Bakersfield, Calif. (Liberty)
Contemplated major is undecided…Recorded a 3.8 grade point average…Varsity captain and running back for Head Coach Tony Mills…Two-time first-team all-league choice…2013 US Army Arena Bowl XII participant…2011 first-team all-area at running back…Also considered UC Davis, Cal Poly, Utah State and San Jose State…Son of Darryl Jountti.
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Ryshaud Keegan, WR, 5-10, 171, Oceanside, Calif. (Oceanside)
Major is undecided…Four-year letter winner and three-year starter for John Carroll…Helped team to two CIF Championships…Earned first-team all-league and all-county honors, as well as All-Dan Diego second-team honors…Earned most inspirational player award…Son of Sanovia and Richard Keegan.
Watch Video of Ryshaud Keegan
"Ryshaud is a complete player who comes from an elite program in Oceanside. I think he can be a difference maker in this program. He is very competitive and talented. He was a great defensive back as well. We are excited to have him."
-Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello
Ronnie Manning, Jr., S, 5-10, 180, Fresno, Calif. (Edison)
Plans to study business…Starter and captain for Coach Ricky Manning…Led the team in solo tackles and forced fumbled…Uncle, Ricky, played in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and St, Louis Rams…Son of Ron and Tasha Manning.
Watch Video of Ronnie Manning
"Ronnie is a very explosive athlete that played both sides of the ball on one of the better central valley California teams. They have always produced great defensive backs. We fully expect Ronnie to follow in that great tradition."
-Assistant Coach David Reeves
Jabari Marshall, LB, 6-1, 210, Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview)
Plans to study computer science…WIAA Scholar-Athlete…Has a 3.5 grade point average…Three-year letter winner and starter for Coach Steve Kizer…Named to the The Columbian's All-Region football team as a linebacker and Class 4A Greater St. Helens All-League as a running back and a linebacker….Led the team in tackles as a junior and senior...Recorded 106 carries with 17 touchdowns at running back…Part of the first team in school history to reach the state championship game…Also considered Pennsylvania…Son of Dennis and Yvette Marshall.
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"Jabari brings athletic running back/linebacker who has excelled at Skyview High School. We are looking forward to having him in the program not only as a player but a person."
-Defensive Coordinator Andy Thompson
Lorenzo Melvin, DE, 6-2, 230, Maricopa, Ariz. (Desert Vista)
Plans to study criminal justice…Has a 3.00 grade point average…Two-year starter and letter winner for former Lumberjack Dan Hines…Named an all-state first-team selection and All-24/7 first team choice, as well as all-city…Recorded 98 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a senior…Was an honorable mention all-state selection as a junior, recording 10.5 sacks and 88 tackles to help team win Arizona state championship…Cousin, Anthony, played football at Idaho State and brother, Patrick, plays basketball at Wentworth College…Son of Patrick and Rhonda Melvin.
Watch Video of Lorenzo Melvin
"Lorenzo is an explosive football player. He has the speed and athleticism that you are looking for in an edge pass rusher. He is also a quality young man that has been a big part of the winning tradition at Desert Vista High School."
-Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Bridger Rodoni, TE, 6-3, 243, Gilbert, Ariz. (Campo Verde)*
Plans to study exercise science…Graduating as valedictorian of his high school class…4.0 high school GPA…Four-year academic lettermen and principal's honor roll…Two-time student of the month…Played for coach Max Ragsdale at Campo Verde High School…All-Arizona All-Academic Honorable Mention…Also considered the University of Montana, Montana State, and Colorado Mesa… Son of Michael and Melissa Rodoni.
Watch Video of Bridger Rodoni
"Bridger is a solid, line of scrimmage tight end. He has real good physically developed lower body. He is a good size coming out of high school and we think he can grow into a line of scrimmage tight end in the mold of Drew Emanuel."
-Assistant Coach Craig Knoth
Tyler Shank, OL, 6-3, 307, Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler)
Plans to study criminal justice…Member of the Principal's List with a 3.4 grade point average…Four-year starter and three-year letter winner for Coach Shawn Aguano…Received the Most Improved and Hammer Award…Did not allow a sack and recorded 92 pancakes…Son of Norman and Cindy Shank.
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"Tyler Shank is a throw-back player. He is a big kid who can move the line of scrimmage."
-Offensive line coach Eric Reid
Javere Smith, DE/DT, 6-2, 235, Lake City, Fla. (Columbia)
Pronounced Jah-veer…Plans to study criminal justice…Four-year starter and three-year letterman at Columbia High School… Played for coach Brian Allen…Awarded best defensive line…Played in the Virginia Iron Man…High school state weightlifting qualifier…Also considered Tennessee State…Son of Jonathan and Lisa Smith.
Watch Video of Javere Smith
"Javere has outstanding physical strength as a defensive lineman. His combination of foot quickness and power will give him the ability to play a variety of positions on our defensive front. He was a force at the high school level and will be a disruptive playmaker on our defensive line at NAU."
-Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Brandon Stubblefield, FS, 5-11, 190, Fontana, Calif. (Summit)*
Plans to study business and medicine…Captain for Coach Villalobos at Summit High School…Earned first-team all-league honors…Recorded 59 tackles with two forced fumbles and fumble recovery…Played three season at Rancho Cucamonga High School for Coach Biaz…Had 12 tackles and an interception as a junior…Cousin, Ronald Douglas, played football as Azusa Pacific…Son of Tawana Stubblefield.
Watch Video of Brandon Stubblefield
"Brandon is a very talented young man. He comes from a lineage of great football. His cousin is Dana Stubblefield, so he has some football bloodlines. We like the fact has played down low and up high as a safety. He has great contact skills and is a sure tackler."
-Assistant Coach David Reeves
Mo White II, CB, 5-11,175, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Notre Dame Prep)
Contemplated major is undecided…Three-year starter and letter winner for Gary Gregory…Four-sport athlete including, basketball, baseball, football, and track… Two-time all-state honorable mention selection…Helped his team reach the state playoffs three times, qualifying for the triple jump three times…Son of Jaclyn Bilello.
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"Mo White is very athletic and has great ball skills. He had a lot of interceptions. He is a guy that can really come out of break and break on the ball."
-Assistant Coach Charles Huff
Sam Woods, DT, 5-11, 265, Folsom, Calif. (Rocklin)*
Plans to study criminal justice…Recorded 64 tackles with two sacks…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter for Greg Benzel…Named a MaxPreps All-American and first-team all-league, all-metro and all-section…Also played on baseball and wrestling squads…Son of Joe and Coleen Woods.
Watch Video Sam Woods
"Sam is a relentless football player that has been a dominant 2 way starter at the high school level. He is physical, tough, and has a phenomenal motor. Those are traits we really value in our defensive lineman at NAU."
-Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Deon Young, DT, 6-1, 285, Inglewood, Calif. (Culver City)
Plans to study sports medicine…Four-year starter and team captain for Coach Wright…Two-time All-CIF selection in 2011 and 2012…Member of the 2011 All-California team…Named All-Ocean League first-team for 2011 and 2012…2012 Ocean League Defensive Most Valuable Player…Recorded 85 tackles with five sacks as a senior and 108 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior…First all-state player for the Centaurs in 30 years…Son of Derexie Young.
Watch Video of Deon Young
"Deon is going to be a great fit in our defensive system at NAU. He is 280 pounds of solid muscle as a senior in high school right now. I was really impressed by his explosiveness when taking on blocks. He also has the athleticism to run laterally and make plays away from him."
-Assistant Coach Travis Baker
*Plans to enroll at Northern Arizona University
