FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 5, 2020) – The Northern Arizona football team completed their 2020 Signing Class with 17 future Lumberjacks officially committing to the program on National Signing Day.
The 17 commitments on Wednesday join the
13 players who signed in December during the early national signing period to form NAU's 30-player Class of 2020.
"Our staff did a great job identifying the players who fit and meet our needs," said head coach
Chris Ball. "This class is strong in our recruiting core values: Character, Hardworking, Smart, Mentally Tough and Talented."
All but two of the 17 signees on Wednesday will be incoming freshmen in the fall. The Lumberjacks also got two transfers (one FBS and one JUCO). In all, Ball and his staff will welcome in 24 Lumberjack freshmen in this class and six transfers this upcoming season.
Of the 30 members of this signing class, 16 of them hail from the state of Arizona.
On Wednesday, the Lumberjacks officially received commitments from 11 players on the defensive side of the ball. NAU went heavy in the trenches and the secondary with five signees each on the defensive line and secondary. The 'Jacks also snagged a linebacker.
Offensively, NAU also focused on the line with three offensive lineman among its six announced players on that side of the ball. The Lumberjacks got commitments from two wide receivers and a running back.
Ball and his staff will formally announce their 2020 Signing Class at the National Signing Day Event at Twin Arrows Casino Resort later Wednesday night.
NAU will open the 2020 season at Arizona State on Sept. 3 prior to its home opener in the Walkup Skydome on Sept. 12 versus South Dakota.
The Lumberjack Ticket Office is currently accepting season ticket renewals as well as
season ticket deposits for new season ticket holders. For more information regarding season tickets, please contact the Lumberjack Ticket Office at 928-523-0639 or
LumberjackTicketOffice@nau.edu. Information regarding single game tickets will be available in the future.
Detailed bios of NAU's National Signing Day commitments are below.
2020 NAU Football National Signing Day Signees
Trejan Apodaca
5-11 – 160 – Defensive Back
Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside HS
Recorded 74 tackles, with 52 solo stops, six interceptions and 20 pass breakups in his career at Oceanside HS…Recorded 27 tackles, with 20 solo, and one sack as a senior…Also recorded three interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior…Totaled 47 tackles, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery during junior season…Returned all three interceptions for touchdowns as a junior…Recorded one rushing and one receiving touchdown as a senior…Also rushed for two touchdowns as a junior…Helped team win San Diego Section CIF Division I championship in 2019…Team advanced to Division I-A CIF regional finals.
Victor Arteaga
6-3 – 305 – Offensive Line
Torrance, Calif./Glendora HS/El Camino College
Played two seasons at El Camino College…Appeared in 18 games over two seasons in 2018 and 2019…Helped team to back-to-back 7-4 seasons and a CCCAA Southern California Regional playoff appearance in 2018…Played prep career at Glendora HS.
Kukea Emmsley
6-5 – 263 – Defensive Line
Kapolei, Hawaii/Kapolei HS/Boise State
Spent two years and played one season at Boise State…Appeared in one game and made one solo tackle versus BYU as redshirt freshman in 2019…Redshirted in 2018…Played linebacker at Kapolei HS…Selected to play in the Polynesian Bowl following senior season…Earned All-OIA Division I Red Conference honorable mention as both a junior and senior…Was a three-star recruit by ESPN, 247sports and Rivals…Ranked as No. 3 prospect in Hawaii by Rivals, No. 5 by ESPN and No. 7 by 247sports.
Blake Gamez
6-1 – 275 – Offensive Line
Buckeye, Ariz./Verrado HS
Played on the offensive and defensive line at Verrado HS…Recorded 13 tackles, with eight solo, in his senior season…Also recorded 5.0 tackles for loss and one sack as a senior…Helped team reach Arizona 5A State playoffs in 2019…Named to 5A All-Desert West Region First Team as a defensive lineman as a senior and as an offensive lineman as a junior.
Cory Hall
6-5 – 251 – Defensive Line
Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View HS
Recorded 38 total tackles, nine solo, with 5.0 tackles for loss during his senior season at Arbor View HS…Also registered 2.0 sacks for 11 yards loss as a senior…Helped team reach NIAA 4A Mountain Region playoffs in 2019.
Sean Haymon
5-11 – 190 – Defensive Back
Fresno, Calif./Central HS
Recorded 86 tackles, with 34 solo stops, in his career at Central HS…Averaged 4.0 tackles per game and totaled 60 tackles, with 25 solo, and 3.5 tackles for loss as a senior…Also recorded two interceptions, five pass breakups and one forced fumble as a senior…Returned one interception for a touchdown…Also rushed for two touchdowns as a junior…Helped team win Division I-AA CIF State Championship in 2019…Team also won Central Section CIF Division I championship in 2019.
Colby Humphrey
5-10 – 165 – Defensive Back
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS
Recorded 105 tackles, with 84 solo stops, in his career at Desert Vista HS…Also recorded four interceptions, 19 pass breakups and two forced fumbles in his career…Posted 44 tackles, with 33 solo, and averaged 3.7 tackles per game as a senior…Also recorded 1,219 rushing yards and 408 receiving yards during his career…Averaged 93.8 all-purpose yards per game as a junior…Returned a kickoff for a touchdown as a junior…Helped team reach Arizona 6A State semifinals in 2019…Named to All-6A Central Region Second Team as a senior…Named to All-6A Central Region First Team as a junior.
Devontae Ingram
5-11 – 165 – Defensive Back
Phoenix, Ariz./South Mountain HS
Recorded 37 tackles, with 23 solo stops, and five interceptions during his junior season at South Mountain HS…Also recorded five pass breakups and one tackle for loss as a junior…Played on the offensive side and recorded 33 receptions for 745 yards and eight touchdowns…Averaged 87.6 all-purpose yards per game as a junior… Helped team qualify for the Arizona Open State Tournament in 2019…Named 5A All-Conference First Team and 5A All-Region Player of the Year in 2019 as a senior…Named All-5A Metro Region First Team as a junior.
Miles Leblanc
6-0 – 270 – Defensive Line
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS
Recorded 22 tackles, with 11 solo stops, and 2.0 sacks in his career at Desert Vista HS…Totaled 20 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss as a senior…Helped team reach Arizona 6A State semifinals in 2019.
Nehemiah Magalei
6-1 – 309 – Defensive Line
Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS
Played offensive line at Chandler HS…Part of four state championship teams during his career…Team won the Arizona Open State Championship in 2019 and three straight Arizona 6A State Championships from 2016-18…Team finished 2019 season ranked No. 18 in the country according to MaxPreps…Named to MaxPreps All-State Team as a senior…Named to 6A All-Conference First Team and All-6A Premier Region First Team as a junior and senior…Named All-6A Premier Region Honorable Mention in 2017 as a sophomore…Ranked No. 42 prospect in Arizona by 247sports.com.
Joshua Maignan
5-9 – 182 – Running Back
Florence, Ariz./Florence HS
Rushed for 3,818 yards and averaged 8.2 yards per carry with 39 touchdowns in his career at Florence HS…Rushed for 1,636 yards and 17 touchdowns at 7.6 yards per carry as a senior…Averaged 181.8 rushing yards per game in senior season…Recorded 1,439 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior…Recorded 62 career receptions for 828 receiving yards and seven touchdowns…Compiled 4,768 all-purpose yards in his career… Named 3A All-Conference Second Team in 2019 and 3A All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2018…Named to 3A All-Central Region First Team as a senior.
Andrei Mayberry
6-0 – 205 – Defensive Back
Gilbert, Ariz./Perry HS
Recorded 195 tackles, with 86 solo stops, and 2.0 sacks in his career at Gilbert HS…Also recorded 10 interceptions and five pass breakups in his career…Totaled 66 tackles, with 29 solo, and averaged 6.0 tackles per game as a senior…Posted five interceptions as a senior…Recorded at least 60 tackles and two interceptions in all three varsity seasons…Helped team reach Arizona 6A State quarterfinals in 2019…Team finished 6A State runner-up in 2017 and 2018…Named to MaxPreps All-State Second Team as a senior…Named to All-6A Premier Region Second Team as a senior…Named All-6A Premier Region Honorable Mention as a sophomore and junior.
Sheldon Newton
6-4 – 316 – Defensive Line
San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto HS
Recorded 109 tackles, with 72 solo stops, 15.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks in his career at San Jacinto HS…Averaged 4.7 tackles per game for his career…Totaled 79 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in his senior season…Averaged 6.6 tackles per game as a senior…Also recorded three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in his career…Caught two touchdowns as a senior…Named to CIF Southern Section Division 6 First Team in 2019…Helped team reach first CIF Southern Section final since 2007 during junior season in 2018.
Braxen Tessler
5-10 – 180 – Outside Linebacker
Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro HS
Recorded 288 tackles, with 103 solo stops, 40.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks in his career at Saguaro HS…Averaged 9.6 tackles per game for his career…Totaled 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in his senior season…Averaged 6.3 tackles per game as a senior…Recorded 131 tackles, with 45 solo, 22.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks as a junior…Also recorded four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, seven fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt in his career…Returned one interception and one fumble recovery for touchdowns…Helped team reach the Arizona Open State Championship game and runner-up finish in 2019…Helped team win Arizona 4A State Championship in 2018…Named 4A All-Desert Sky Region Honorable Mention as a senior.
Regis Velez
6-4 – 212 – Wide Receiver
Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep
Totaled 21 receptions for 205 yards in his career at Brophy Prep…Averaged 9.8 yards per reception in his career…Helped team reach Arizona 6A State playoffs in 2019.
Adam Verbalaitis
6-0 – 263 – Offensive Line
Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS
Played offensive line at Pinnacle HS…Helped team reach Arizona 6A State quarterfinals in 2018…Named All-6A Desert Valley Region Second Team as a senior…Named All-6A Desert Valley Region Honorable Mention as a junior.
Jake Woods
6-5 – 200 – Wide Receiver
Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman HS
Totaled 50 receptions for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career at Cardinal Newman HS…Averaged 17.1 yards per reception in his career…Recorded 36 receptions for 630 yards as a senior…Also recorded 66 tackles, with 35 solo, and eight interceptions during his career…Posted six interceptions, two pass breakups, two blocked punts, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a senior…Returned two interceptions for touchdowns… Helped team win Division 3-AA CIF State Championship in 2019…Team also won Central Section CIF Division I championship in 2019.
Full 2020 NAU Football Signing Class (^ Signed in Early Period)
| Player |
Position |
Height | Weight |
Hometown/Previous School(s) |
| Trejan Apodaca |
DB |
5-11 | 160 |
Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside HS |
| Victor Arteaga |
OL |
6-3 | 305 |
Torrance, Calif./Glendora HS/El Camino College |
| Bryan Certain^ |
ILB |
5-10 | 210 |
Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman HS |
| Kevin Daniels^ |
RB |
6-2 | 225 |
Glendale, Ariz./Glendale HS |
| Kukea Emmsley |
DL |
6-5 | 263 |
Kapolei, Hawaii/Kapolei HS/Boise State |
| Blake Gamez |
OL |
6-1 | 275 |
Buckeye, Ariz./Verrado HS |
| Adam Giordano^ |
TE |
6-5 | 245 |
Pennsauken, N.J./Milford Academy/Wagner College |
| De'Von Graves^ |
DB |
6-1 | 200 |
Appomattox, Va./Appomattox County HS/NC State |
| Tyson Grubbs^ |
RB |
5-10 | 190 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS |
| David Haen^ |
WR |
6-1 | 183 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope HS |
| Niko Haen^ |
QB |
6-0 | 185 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope HS |
| Cory Hall |
DL |
6-5 | 251 |
Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View HS |
| Sean Haymon |
DB |
5-11 | 190 |
Fresno, Calif./Central HS |
| Kamdan Hightower^ |
DB |
6-1 | 180 |
Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS |
| Colby Humphrey |
DB |
6-1 | 180 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS |
| Devontae Ingram |
DB |
5-11 | 165 |
Phoenix, Ariz./South Mountain HS |
| Tye Kassen^ |
OL |
6-3 | 270 |
Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro HS |
| Miles Leblanc |
DL |
6-0 | 270 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS |
| Xavier Lyas^ |
DL |
6-5 | 245 |
Plant City, Fla./Durant HS/NC State |
| Nehemiah Magalei |
DL |
6-1 | 309 |
Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS |
| Joshua Maignan |
RB |
5-9 | 182 |
Florence, Ariz./Florence HS |
| AJ Maluia^ |
DL |
6-2 | 260 |
Henderson, Nev./Liberty HS |
| Andrei Mayberry |
DB |
6-0 | 205 |
Gilbert, Ariz./Perry HS |
| Sheldon Newton |
DL |
6-4 | 316 |
San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto HS |
| Traemaine Savea^ |
DL |
6-1 | 290 |
Monrovia, Calif./Desert Pines HS/East Los Angeles College |
| Braxen Tessler |
OLB |
5-10 | 180 |
Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro HS |
| Regis Velez |
WR |
6-4 | 212 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep |
| Adam Verbalaitis |
OL |
6-0 | 263 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS |
| Jake Woods |
WR |
6-5 | 200 |
Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman HS |
| Rene Zaldivar^ |
RB |
6-0 | 200 |
Hacienda Heights, Calif./Los Altos HS |
