FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 2, 2022) – Adding on to the 20 commits signed during the early signing period, Lumberjacks head coach
Chris Ball and the Northern Arizona football program announced another nine additions to the 2022 roster on Wednesday.
Six of the additional nine signees played high school in Arizona, bringing the classes total up to 12 in-state players. Four of Wednesday's signees come from the defensive side of the ball, all at defensive backs, while four also join the offense in addition to one specialist.
In total, Northern Arizona's class includes eight defensive backs who will split between cornerback, safety and nickel in the Lumberjacks' secondary. In total, five offensive linemen join the growing depth up front for Northern Arizona while four defensive linemen, three receivers, three specialists, two linebackers and two tight ends make up the announced class.
Chase Belcher
6-1 – 218 – Athlete
Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes HS
Finished his three-year varsity career with 1,201 yards receiving and 700 yards rushing... Rushed for 15 touchdowns as a senior this past fall and recorded another 10 scores through the air... Averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 125 rushes as a senior and finished with 22.9 yards per catch with 23 receptions... High school teammate of Ezekiel Duncan, who signed with Northern Arizona in December... The Vikings finished the season 10-3 overall and reached the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals... Lowndes held a 26-game home win streak entering the 2021 quarterfinals... Named First Team All-Region as a junior.
Davondre Bucannon
6-2 – 180 – Defensive Back
Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS
Reached the 6A Conference State Championship as a senior with the Firebirds… Recorded a crucial forced fumble against Saguaro, preventing the rival Sabercats from taking a three-possession lead as the Firebirds rallied for a 27-26 win… Won the 6A State Championship as a junior in 2020 after going 3-2 during the regular season… All-6A Desert Valley Region Honorable Mention as a junior… Brother Deone was a first round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFL Draft… Also offered by Idaho.
Connor Clinton
6-0 – 190 – Defensive Back
Queen Creek, Ariz./Casteel HS
Totaled 161 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss during three years on varsity for the Colts... Forced five fumbles and recovered two fumbles during his varsity career... Added 11 passes defended and two interceptions... Reached the state playoffs in all three seasons, including a berth in the 5A Conference semifinals in 2019 and the 6A Conference quarterfinals in 2020 and 2021... Named First Team All-5A San Tan Region during the 2019 season.
Isaiah Gerena
6-4 – 240 – Tight End
Barnegat, N.J./Morgan State
Played in eight games during the 2021 season for the Morgan State Bears, catching 22 passes for 188 yards… Named All-MEAC Second Team as a freshman… Did not play during the 2020-21 spring season as the MEAC suspended football… Caught 31 passes for 399 yards and one touchdown as a senior at Barnegat High School… Added 43 tackles, including seven for a loss, and a sack on defense as a senior… Named a First Team Press All-Star by the Press of Atlantic City… Played for Holy Spirit High School as a junior, reaching the NJSIAA Non-Public 2 State Championship game… Also named First Team Press All-Star as a junior at Holy Spirit.
Kaden Hicks
6-4 – 265 – Offensive Line
Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge HS
Spent three years on varsity for the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions... Finished 7-3 in the regular season and reached the second round of the 6A Conference State Tournament... Blocked for an offense that averaged 52.25 points per game in eight victories between the regular season and postseason... Mountain Lions scored 75 and 77 points in a pair of victories during this past fall season.
Dwayne McDougle
6-0 – 195 – Defensive Back
Oakland, Calif./McClymonds HS
Played for head coach Michael Peters at McClymonds High School… Finished his senior season with Warriors by catching two touchdown passes, intercepting one pass and recording a sack during the CIF Division 3-A State Championship game as McClymonds won 54-7… Helped the Warriors go 12-1, winning the CIF 3-A North title before the state title game… Also offered by Jackson State, Portland State, Sacramento State and Southern Utah.
Noah Nelson
6-7 – 317 – Offensive Line
Gilbert, Ariz./Oklahoma
Played at Williams Field during his high school career, earning All-5A Conference and All-5A San Tan Region First Team in 2019... The Black Hawks finished the 2019 regular season 8-2 and won the 5A Conference state title... Also named All-5A San Tan Region Second Team in 2018 and Honorable Mention in 2017... Played one game for Oklahoma during the 2020 season and redshirted in 2021 giving him four years of eligibility remaining... Was ranked as the No. 8 recruit in Arizona by Rivals and No. 14 by ESPN coming out of high school.
Tre Tate
6-4 – 195 – Defensive Back
Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS
Recorded 49 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, as a senior for the Huskies... Also picked off three passes and defended six total in addition to one forced fumble... Hamilton finished 10-0 in 2021, reaching the Open Division semifinals... Also finished the 2020 season 6-1 and reached the Open Division Championship... Named Second Team All-6A Conference and First Team All-6A Premier Region... Also offered by Southern Utah and Weber State.
Tyler Wigglesworth
5-9 – 215 – Long Snapper
Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge HS
Three-year varsity player for the Mountain Lions... Rated as a 4.5 star long snapper by Rubio Long Snapping... Mountain Ridge finished 7-3 in 2021, reaching the 6A Conference quarterfinals... Team connected on 57 of 58 extra points and 7 of 8 field goals during this past fall.
