FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Feb. 6, 2019) – The Northern Arizona football program has finalized a 24-member recruiting class on National Signing Day, NAU head coach Chris Ball announced on Wednesday.
The class features 13 offensive players and 11 on the defensive side of the ball. Five of the 24 players were signed during the early period in December.
The position breakdown on the offensive side is five offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, one running back, one tight end and one athlete.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks added five linebackers, three defensive backs and three defensive linemen.
"This class features many talented playmakers on both sides of the ball," Ball said. "The coaching staff worked hard to put together this exceptional class. I couldn't be more proud to welcome this group of exceptional student-athletes into the Lumberjack family."
The Lumberjacks recruiting class hails from a total of five states with 12 players from California, nine from Arizona as well as one each from Texas, Hawai'i and Washington.
The Lumberjacks open the 2019 schedule with a special Thursday night showdown vs. Missouri State on August 29 at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.
NAU is expected to announce the date for the start of spring practice as well as the annual NAU Football Spring Game in the near future.
Fans can also follow along on NAU Football's social media platforms:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAU_Football
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naufootball/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2TDv3T6
2019 NAU FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS LIST/HIGHLIGHTS
| Noah Barta, OL, 6-3, 270, Mesa, Ariz. (Skyline HS) - Early Signing Period |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Dawson McPeak, QB, 6-4, 225, Yuba City, Calif. (River Valley HS) - Early Signing Period |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Rascheed Sterling, DB, 5-11, 175, Phoenix, Ariz. (Goldwater HS) - Early Signing Period |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Caden Wechsler, OL, 6-4, 280, Tucson, Ariz. (Sabino HS) - Early Signing Period |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Jeff Widener, QB, 6-2, 210, Apple Valley, Calif. (Apple Valley HS) - Early Signing Period |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Hendrix Johnson, WR, 6-1, 185, Anthem, Ariz. (Boulder Creek HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Terrell Hayward, WR, 5-8, 155, Tucson, Ariz. (Cienega HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Daego Albert, DB, 6-1, 190, El Cerrito, Calif. (El Cerrito HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Matty Horne, ATH, 6-2, 190, Elk Grove, Calif. (Elk Grove HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Clayton Ingram, OL, 6-6, 270, Concord, Calif. (De La Salle HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Eloi Kwete, DL, 6-1, 250, Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix Central HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| George Romero-Robinson, RB, 6-2, 230, Stockton, Calif. (Chavez HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Amelec Juntunen, LB, 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz. (Pinnacle HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Jhasi Wilson, LB, 6-1, 235, Brentwood, Calif. (De La Salle HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Angel Flores, OL, 6-5, 320, Goleta, Calif. (Dos Pueblos HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Morgan Vest, DB, 6-0, 190, Leander, Texas (Kilgore College) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Brooklyn Hardiman, LB, 6-2, 210, Concord, Calif. (Los Medanos College) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Jonathan Lolohea, DL, 6-2, 300, Lahaina, Hawai'i (Washington State) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Jay Tauanu'u, LB, 6-3, 230, Antioch, Calif. (Pittsburg HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Andrew Blitzke, LB, 6-1, 195, Laveen, Ariz. (Cesar Chavez HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Shane Semeit, OL, 6-6, 285, El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Capital Christian School) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Leon Morgan, WR, 5-9, 160, Mesa, Ariz. (Mesa HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Mark Ho Ching, DL, 6-3, 290, Tracy, Calif. (McClymonds HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| Alishawuan Taylor, TE, 6-4, 242, Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS) |
HIGHLIGHTS |
2019 NAU FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS BIOS
Name: Noah Barta
Height/Weight: 6-3 - 270 lbs.
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
High School: Versatile offensive lineman that saw time at both guard and tackle positions during prep career at Skyline High in Mesa…Helped guide Skyline HS to a No. 35 ranking in the state of Arizona during senior season (2019)…Played for the 2016 U.S. National Team in the Developmental Games in California…Bench presses 325 pounds, squats 455 and cleans 260.
Name: Dawson McPeak
Height/Weight: 6-4 - 225 lbs.
Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Yuba City, Calif.
High School: Attended River Valley High School where he played for Brennan McFadden and Dave Humphers as a quarterback…Three-year letterwinner...Owns every single passing record for the Dust Devils...Was a starter and captain for all three years...2x Team MVP, 2x First Team All-League...Second Team All-Metro…Second Team All-Section...Also lettered in basketball twice…Recorded 62 passing touchdowns while completing 290-of-471 passes for 4,733 yards over 31-game career at River Valley High School…Averaged 16.3 yards per completion…Amassed 2,180 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing 66.3 percent (130-of-196) of passes as a senior…Tabbed 1,892 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior…Combined for 22 touchdown tosses and 1,281 during freshman and sophomore campaigns…Rushed for 365 yards and added five rushing touchdowns…Averaged 5.1 per carry over prep career…Hauled in a touchdown pass as a junior...Boasted a GPA of 3.70...Academic Honor Roll...Played in the Optimist All-Star Game in Sacramento.
Personal: Born November 23, 2000...Son of Sara and Lee...Goes by 'Scooter'...Has four siblings; Jackson, Riley, Emily and Natalie...Most memorable moment of career came during a game in his junior season against the defending state champions when he went 20-27 for 330 yards with four passing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown in a comeback win ...Chose NAU because he enjoys the scenery and loved the offense...Admires his father for molding him into the man he is today...Enjoys musical instruments... Plans on majoring in political science.
Name: Rascheed Sterling
Height/Weight: 5-10 - 170 lbs.
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Surprise, Ariz.
High School: Competed at Barry Goldwater High School in 2017-2018 as cornerback and receiver; played 2015-2016 at Paradise Honors High School as a corner and running back…5A All-State...Played for coach Doug Provenzano...Played both cornerback and running back at Goldwater High School in Phoenix…Saw action in 13 games during prep career and tallied 853 rushing yards while averaging 8.3 yards per carry…Rushed for 11 touchdowns and hauled in another two passes for scores and ran one kickoff back the distance…Tabbed one interception, forced a pair of fumbles and registered 44 tackles on the defensive side…Also played basketball at Goldwater HS.Also ran track and played basketball… Boasted high school GPA of 3.40.
Personal: Born December 3, 2000...Son of Tyesha...Goes by 'Sheed'...Has three sisters; Alexia, Tasia, Ziona and Zeila...Most memorable moment of career came when he scored the game winning touchdown against Pinnacle...Chose NAU the coaches were great here and he felt the players to be very welcoming...After tearing his meniscus his freshman year he was able to recover and get himself back on the field his sophomore season... Enjoys drawing and writing poems.
Name: Caden Wechsler
Height/Weight: 6-4 - 280 lbs.
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.
High School: Athletic offensive tackle who also played on the defensive line during prep career at Sabino High School in Tucson…Two-way player started all 13 games and helped guide the Sabercats to a 10-3 record during his senior season…Racked up 48 tackles and a pair of sacks as a senior…Posted 28 solo tackles during his junior campaign.
Name: Jeff Widener
Height/Weight: 6-2 - 210 lbs.
Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Apple Valley, Calif.
High School: Completed 310-of-538 passes while compiling 5,791 yards and 88 touchdowns over 36 games as singal caller at Apple Valley High School…Averaged 18.7 yards per completion during prep career and committed only eight interceptions…Posted a staggering 53 touchdown passes against only five picks as a senior (2018) while recording 3,629 aerial yards for an average of 302.4 per game…Rushed for 346 yards and eight scores on 76 carries (4.6 per rush) in 2018…Set a school-record with eight touchdown passes in win over Silverado HS…Tabbed 35 touchdown passes, three interceptions and 2,151 yards through the air during junior season (2017) while adding 535 rushing yards (5.5 per rush) and seven touchdown runs…Made six receptions for 48 yards and a score as a sophomore (2016)…Saw some time at linebacker as a prep…Guided the Sun Devils to a 10-2 mark during final prep season (2018)…Also played basketball at Apple Valley HS.
Name: Hendrix Johnson
Height/Weight: 6-1 - 185 lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Anthem, Ariz.
High School: Played for Tony Casarella at Boulder Creek High School…Established himself as one of the most feared prep receivers in Arizona…Was honored as the 2018 Desert Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Arizona selection at wide receiver…Tallied 37 total touchdowns, 2,028 receiving yards, 106 receptions and 29 touchdown catches in his 30 game career…Had a breakout senior campaign in 2018 which saw him haul in 20 TD receptions and 1,446 yards on 84 catches…Snagged a pass of 80 yards…Amassed 3.155 all-purpose yards as a prep…Rushed for 320 yards and six scores…Took two kickoffs to the house for touchdowns…Also was a member of the track and field team.
Name: Terrell Hayward
Height/Weight: 5-8 - 155 lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.
High School: Played for Pat Nugent at Cienega High School...Snagged 38 passes for 763 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior…Also rushed 78 times for 636 yards and five scores…Finished 2018 with 1,887 all-purpose yards…Added 32 tackles and three interceptions on defense…Ran back a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns…Hauled in 51 passes for 1,021 and 12 TDs as a junior…Amassed 2,205 all-purpose yards in 2017 and totaled 21 touchdowns…Caught 30 passes for 582 and eight touchdowns as a sophomore…Also ran track and played baseball at Cienega HS.
Name: Daego Albert
Height/Weight: 6-1 - 190 lbs.
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: El Cerrito, Calif.
High School: Played for Jacob Rincon at El Cerrito High School…Played free safety and wide receiver…Helped guide the Gauchos to a 9-4 record in 2018…Three-star prospect who also received offers from a number of FBS programs…Was a three-way threat for El Cerrito contributing at free safety, wide receiver and as a return specialist…Also played basketball as a prep.
Name: Matty Horne
Height/Weight: 6-2 - 190 lbs.
Position: Athlete (Multiple)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
High School: Attended Elk Grove High School while playing for coach John Heffernan...Second-team state defensive back...Was a two year starter...Was rated as a three-star prospect by 24/7sports.com.
Personal: Born February 10, 2001 in Mountain View, California...Son of Sean and Juli...Has three siblings; Andrew, Noah and LaShawda...Most memorable moment of career came when he scored his first touchdown at the varsity level...Chose NAU because he felt the really wanted him here and he enjoyed the overall family atmosphere of NAU...Enjoys cars, fishing, and being goofy...Plans on majoring in criminal justice or health care.
Name: Clayton Ingram
Height/Weight: 6-6 - 270 lbs.
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Concord, Calif.
High School: Played for Justin Alumbaugh at De La Salle High School…Helped lead the Spartans to a 12-1 and consensus national top 10 ranking…Played three years at the varsity level for De La Salle…Saw time on both the offensive and defensive fronts.
Name: Eloi Kwete
Height/Weight: 6-1 - 250 lbs.
Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
High School: Played for Jon Clanton at Phoenix Central High School…Hard hitting linebacker that received offers from a number of FBS programs…Benches 290 pounds…Grew up playing rugby…Tallied 223 tackles, 135 solo, and eight sacks, and four fumble recoveries over his 20-game varsity career.
Name: George Romero-Robinson
Height/Weight: 6-2 - 230 lbs.
Position: Running Back
Hometown: Stockton, Calif.
High School: Played for Michael Chicago at Chavez High School…Posted 884 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 11 carries as a senior in helping guide the Titans to a 7-3 overall record…During junior campaign he posted 895 yards on 142 carries and scored 11 rushing TDs…Added 373 yards and three scores on 18 receptions.
Name: Amelec Juntunen
Height/Weight: 6-0 - 190 lbs.
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
High School: Played for Dana Zupke at Pinnacle High School...Was captain for squad that advanced to 2018 Arizona 6A State Semifinals…Winner of the National Football Foundation's Ron Prichard Award, which is presented to the top linebacker in the state of Arizona…Honored as Arizona Varsity 6A Linebacker of the Year…2018 Desert Valley Defensive Most Valuable Player, All-Arizona 6A First Team and Paradise Valley Defensive Player of the Year…Saw time at linebacker and running back for the Pioneers…Helped lead Pinnacle to an 11-2 record and a final ranking of No. 6 in the state of Arizona during senior season…Compiled 107 tackles as a senior – an average of 8.9 stops per game…Recorded a pair of sacks, picked off a pass and forced a fumble…Also rushed for over 300 yards…Posted 670 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 carries as a junior…Averaged 7.7 yards per carry…Was also a member of the track and field team at Pinnacle HS.
Name: Jhasi Wilson
Height/Weight: 6-1 - 235 lbs.
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Brentwood, California
High School: Attended De La Salle High School...Played for coach Justin Alumbaugh...Member of three state-runner up teams (2018, 2017, 2016)...Three year letterwinner... NCS first-team…All-Bay Area News Group First Team All-American...All-State as a junior... Team captain as a senior...2016 NCS Wrestling Champion...2015 and 2016 NCS Wrestling Duals Champion.
Personal: Born July 10, 2001...Son of Carl and Kalelia...Has a 13-year old sister named Kamea...Most memorable moment of career came when he scored his first touchdown after blocking a kick and returning it all the way to the endzone...Admires his mother because she is the hardest working person he knows and has always been by his side while putting food on the table and clothes on his back....Enjoys working on cars...Plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.
Name: Angel Flores
Height/Weight: 6-5 - 320 lbs.
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Goleta, California
High School: Played for Douglas Caines at Dos Pueblos High School...Helped guide team to a record of 12-2 senior season…Was recognized as a first-team all-league choice and was honored with first-team All-CIF status as a senior.
Personal: Born February 25, 2001...Son of Natalia Flores...Has two brothers Raudel and Victor along with a sister Marisela...Enjoys bike riding.
Name: Morgan Vest
Height/Weight: 6-0 - 190 lbs.
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Leander, Texas
Previous School: Kilgore College (Texas)
Name: Brooklyn Hardiman
Height/Weight: 6-2 - 210 lbs.
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Concord, Calif.
Previous School: Los Medanos College
Name: Jay Tauanu'u
Height/Weight: 6-3 - 230 lbs.
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Antioch, California
High School: Attended Pittsburg High School and played for coach Galli…Also played volleyball for three years.
Personal: Born October 26, 2000...Son of Naisha and Chris...Goes by 'Jay'...Has two siblings; Xavier and Janieva...Most memorable moment of career was when he received an offer from NAU and when his team went to state...Chose NAU because of the great coaches and support staff and to receive an education...Admires his parents for teach him everything he knows...Uncles July (College Cal Poly) and Jeff (Idaho) both played collegiate football...Plans to major in business.
Name: Andrew Blitzke
Height/Weight: 6-1 - 195 lbs.
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Laveen, Ariz.
High School: Played for Manuel Alcantar at Cesar Chavez High School…Played both ways seeing time at linebacker and running back…Rushed for over 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns over final two prep seasons…Added 21 receptions for a pair pf scores and 260 yards…Averaged 7.8 tackles per game for his career and totaled 250 stops overall…Registered 18 sacks, forced 13 fumbles and recovered two…Blocked four punts and one field goal.
Name: Shane Semeit
Height/Weight: 6-6 - 285 lbs.
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: El Dorado Hills, Calif.
High School: Played for Casey Taylor at Capital Christian School…Helped lead the Cougars to a 13-1 record in 2018 and a perfect 6-0 league record...Started all four years of prep career and was a two-year captain...Played in the Shrine Bowl...Was a two-time first team all-league selection and a first team All-Metro choice.
Personal: Born on November 3, 2000 in San Mateo, Calif...Son of Mark and Jen Semeit...Has three brothers, David, Tyler and Travis...Enjoys the outdoors...Most memorable moment was winning the section championship during his senior season...Chose NAU because of the location and coaching staff...Lists his father as his hero...Anticipated major is criminal justice.
Name: Leon Morgan
Height/Weight: 5-9 - 160 lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Snow College: Played for two years under Paul Peterson.
High School: Was a four-year starter and three year captain at Mesa High School...Established himself as one of the top kick returners in the state of Arizona...Recorded 68 catches in high school for 744 yards and four receiving touchdowns as well as 18 total touchdowns...Holds his school record for yards in a game and the longest interception returned for a touchdown.
Personal: Born July 28, 1999...Son of Jennifer Morgan...Has three siblings; Jayden, Alyha and Arthur Morgan...Most memorable moment of career came when he played with his brother under his dad...Chose NAU because it felt like home and the players were like a family...Says his brother Arthur Morgan is the toughest competition he has faced...Admires his family because they have supported him so that he can provide for his own kids someday... Enjoys running track...Anticipated major is criminal justice.
Name: Mark Ho Ching
Height/Weight: 6-3 - 290 lbs.
Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Tracy, California
High School: Attended McClymonds High School where he played for Michael Peters...2017 First Team Offensive Lineman All-City….2018 First Team All-City Defensive Tackle...Helped his team win the state championship after forcing three fumbles...Boasted a high school GPA of 3.3.
Personal: Born October 11, 2000...Son of Shannon...Has three siblings; Johnny, Alaia and Mia...Enjoys spending time with his family.
Name: Alishawuan Taylor
Height/Weight: 6-4 - 242 lbs.
Position: Tight End
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
High School: Attended Union High School and played for Rory Rosenbach...Owns school record for sacks in a season...Played basketball as well...Three-star prospect according to 24/7sports.com...
Personal: Born January 30, 2001...Son of Jesse and Aretha...Goes by his first name or 'Dream'...Has two siblings; Asante and B'Vatta ...Most memorable moment of career was winning state...Chose NAU because he thinks it is the best...Admires his parents for always being there for him... Plans on a career in law enforcement.
