FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 3, 2021) – With 21 players already added to the program following the early signing period in December, another five joined the Northern Arizona football program on Wednesday as we reached National Signing Day.
The five additions all arrive after playing at Arizona high schools, joining the 15 Arizona natives who signed in December. Three of the day's signees come on the defensive side of the ball while one more was added to the offensive line and PJ London joins the program as an athlete.
Including the group of early signees, NAU added 12 to its defense and 11 to the offense while the remaining three in the class enter as athletes. The addition of Connor DePrez brings the offensive line to six total signees while Tage Rigby and Mo Sarnowski gives the Lumberjacks three incoming linebackers from the two signing days. CJ Flores caps off the class with four defensive backs. Additionally, linebacker
Josh Marsh announced his commitment to NAU in late December between the two signing days, transferring into the program from Auburn.
"We were just trying to meet needs and I think we met those needs with the offensive linemen, defensive linemen, we signed a really good linebacker and shored up the secondary," said NAU head coach
Chris Ball.
With the majority of NAU's class already in place, and some December signees already on campus, Ball said the goal was to get everyone signed on as early as possible.
"The longer it drags out, the more someone is going to cherry-pick someone from you," Ball said. "We like to get them signed up in that early signing day if we can."
The 2021 signing class ranks as one of the best in the nation among FCS programs according to 247Sports.
"This class is No. 2 in the country," Ball said. "When we started, when COVID hit, we came up with a plan immediately. The No. 1 thing we do besides the relationship with our players is recruit. We spend about three or four hours a day recruiting and we put together a plan on how we were going to do this without going to the high schools."
2021 NAU Football National Signing Day Signees
Connor DePrez
6-4 – 250 – Offensive Line
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS
Originally from Carmel, Calif., DePrez started at right tackle during his senior season with the Huskies this past fall... Hamilton wrapped up the 2020 season with a 6-1 record, reaching the AIA Open Division Championship game... Hamilton's offense averaged 38.8 points per game, including its postseason run... During his junior season, Hamilton finished 8-2 during the regular season and reached the Open Division semifinals... Earned All-6A Premier Region Second Team honors as a senior.
CJ Flores
5-11 – 195 – Defensive Back
Vail, Ariz./Cienega HS
Finishing his career with 47 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and two passes defended, Flores finished his high school career with the Bobcats going 2-0 in their shortened season... During Flores' junior season, Cienega finished the regular season 8-2 and reached the 5A Conference quarterfinals.
PJ London
6-3 – 210 – Athlete
Lakeside, Ariz./ Blue Ridge HS
Spending four years at quarterback for the Yellowjackets, London finished his career with 5,785 passing yards and 37 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,280 yards and another 29 scorers... Recorded 207 tackles, 10 interceptions, and four forced fumbles on defense... Blue Ridge finished 5-2 this past fall and 8-2 during London's junior year... Repeated as 3A East Player of the Year honors as a senior, as well as All-3A Conference Second Team honors... Named to the All-3A Conference First Team as a junior in addition to earning 3A East Player of the Year.
Tage Rigby
6-2 – 225 – Linebacker
Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS
Tallied 25 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries for the Coyotes... Also carried the ball 38 times for 364 yards and five touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons... The Coyotes finished 6-2 during Rigby's senior season, reaching the eight-team Open Division Championship... Centennial also reached the Open Division Championship bracket in 2019, finishing with a 9-1 record.
Mo Sarnowski
6-2 – 225 – Linebacker
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS
Finishing his senior season with 58 tackles in 10 games, Sarnowski added three sacks and eight quarterback hurries for the Huskies... Tallied 47 tackles in seven games as a junior... Hamilton finished 6-1 this past fall, reaching the AIA Open Division Championship game... Also played on an 8-2 team as a junior, with the Huskies reaching the Open Division semifinals... Earned All-6A Premier Region Second Team honors as a senior.
Full 2021 NAU Football Signing Class (^ Signed in Early Period)
| Player |
Position |
Height | Weight |
Hometown/Previous School(s) |
| Zach Blackwood^ |
DL |
6-4 | 260 |
Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge HS |
| Jonah Carnell^ |
WR |
5-11 | 170 |
Moreno Valley, Calif./Rancho Verde HS |
| Quinn Carolan^ |
TE |
6-5 | 230 |
Seattle, Wash./O'Dea HS |
| Marzion Cosby^ |
DB |
6-0 | 165 |
Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS |
| Connor DePrez |
OL |
6-4 | 250 |
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS |
| CJ Flores |
DB |
5-11 | 190 |
Vail, Ariz./Cienega HS |
| Draycen Hall^ |
RB |
5-8 | 175 |
Gilbert, Ariz./Higley HS |
| Cosmas Kwete^ |
DL |
6-3 | 260 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Central HS/Washington State |
| Richard Kwete^ |
DL |
6-3 | 260 |
Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope HS |
| PJ London |
ATH |
6-3 | 200 |
Lakeside, Ariz./ Blue Ridge HS |
| Alani Ma'afu^ |
DL |
6-3 | 285 |
Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro HS |
| Joe MaQatish^ |
TE |
6-7 | 245 |
Adair Village, Ore./Santiam Christian School |
| Josh Marsh |
LB |
6-2 | 218 |
Decatur, Ala./Decatur HS/Auburn |
| RJ Martinez^ |
QB |
5-11 | 180 |
Austin, Texas/Westwood HS |
| Andrew Mason^ |
OL |
6-5 | 280 |
Gilbert, Ariz./Perry HS |
| Caiden Miles^ |
OL |
6-4 | 290 |
Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS |
| Tage Rigby |
LB |
6-2 | 225 |
Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS |
| Mo Sarnowski |
LB |
6-2 | 225 |
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS |
| Jake Schmitt^ |
LB |
6-2 | 210 |
Tempe, Ariz./Corona del Sol HS |
| Brady Shough^ |
ATH |
6-2 | 195 |
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS |
| Dante Smith^ |
DL |
6-3 | 280 |
Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge HS |
| Seth Smith^ |
OL |
6-6 | 285 |
Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS |
| Justin Thomas^ |
OL |
6-3 | 285 |
Queen Creek, Ariz./Casteel HS |
| Jakobe Walton^ |
DB |
5-11 | 185 |
McKinney, Texas/McKinney HS |
| Holden Whipple^ |
OL |
6-4 | 285 |
Salem, Ore./West Salem HS |
| Diallo (DJ) Williams^ |
DB |
6-1 | 180 |
Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS |
| Xander Werner^ |
ATH |
6-3 | 225 |
Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro HS |
