Northwest football announces 2020 recruiting class

MARYVILLE, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright and his staff have announced the addition of 50 signees and transfers to the Bearcat program.

Wright has inked 46 high school student-athletes and four transfers in the 2020 class.

This year's incoming recruiting class has student-athletes coming in from nine different states – Missouri (25, Iowa (9, Nebraska (5, Kansas (3, California (2, Illinois (2, Wisconsin (2, Arkansas (1) and Texas (1).

HIGH SCHOOLS SIGNEES

Tucker Atwood – 5'11", 214, LB, Lee's Summit, Missouri (Rockhurst HS)

Buck Buchanan Simone finalist in 2019 … 810 Varsity Defensive Player of the Year … first-team all-state pick for head coach Tony Severino … second-team all-state selection in 2018 … two-time all-conference, all-district and all-metro honoree … also played basketball … son of Christy Travis and Joe Atwood.

Zach Bartkoski – 6'2", 273, OL, Kansas City, Missouri (Staley HS)

Earned Suburban Red honorable mention pick in 2018 and 2019 for head coach Phil Lite … honor roll student … mentored incoming freshmen in the weight room … helped at youth camps at Staley High School … read books to preschool students … helped deliver meals to the elderly in the "Meals on Wheels" program … son of Teresa O'Riley Bortkoski and Joe Bartkoski … has a sister, Ella.

Sam Bautz – 6'3", 270, OL, Waukesha, Wisconsin (Catholic Memorial HS)

Three-time state champion at Catholic Memorial High School for head coach Bill Young … two-time first-team all-conference selection … served as captain in football and wrestling as a senior … state qualifier in wrestling … looks forward to joining his brother, Gabe on the Bearcat football team … son of Linda and Brian Bautz.

Corbin Bevan – 6'3", 228, FB, Kearney, Missouri (Kearney HS)

A 2019 KMZU Dream Team pick … 2019 KKWK Dream Team honoree … served as team captain for head coach Josh Gray … 2019 Kearney defensive MVP … 2018 special teams MVP … second-team all-state linebacker … two-time all-conference performer … member of the powerlifting 1,000-pound club … 3.95 GPA … two-time academic all-state selection … son of Tiffanie and Gabe Bevan.

Brett Boram – 6'0", 205, LB, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (Menomonee Falls HS)

First-team all-region and honorable mention all-state as a senior … two-time first-team all-conference pick as a linebacker and fullback … finalist for the John Anderson Award (given to top senior linebacker in Wisconsin) … three-year starter for head coach Dan Lutz … finished his prep career with 22 sacks and 50 tackles-for-loss … led the Indians to the third level of the 2019 playoffs … son of Jeanne and Russ Boram.

Jadon Brady – 5'8", 172, RB, Savannah, Missouri (Savannah HS)

Third-team all-state defensive back and all-conference running back as a senior for head coach Randy Schrader … first-team all-state returner as a junior … all-conference honorable mention as a junior at running back and defensive back … second-team all-state catcher … son of Casey and Cody Stanton.

Sam Clarkson – 6'5", 272, OL, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (Scottsbluff HS)

A Class B all-state pick … second-team Super State selection for head coach Judson Hall … academic all-state honoree … member of National Honor Society … joins his brother, Austin, on the Bearcat football team … son of Julie and Darrin Clarkson.

Kobe Clayborne – 6'0", 260, DT, Sioux City, Iowa (Bishop Heelan HS)

First-team all-state pick at defensive tackle … two-time district lineman of the year for head coach Roger Jansen … two-time first-team all-district selection … two-time state placewinner in wrestling (4th and 6th) … Drake Relays and state track qualifier … served as captain in football and wrestling … selected to represent Bishop Heelan in the Iowa Shrine Bowl … academic all-state honoree … honor roll student … enjoys playing golf in his free time … son of Tiffany and Damon Clayborne.

Conner DeLong – 6'3", 187, WR, Olathe, Kansas (Olathe West HS)

A top 100 Senior Player in Kansas … second-team all-state pick as a junior … all-Sunflower League honoree for head coach T.J. O'Neill … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society … enjoys baseball, hanging out with friends, PS4 and basketball … son of Jamie and Wes DeLong.

Carson Elwood – 6'1", 204, LB, Fenton, Missouri (Fox HS)

Third-team all-state selection … J98 Dream Team pick … two-time all-conference and all-district honoree for head coach Brent Tinker … academic all-state performer … 3.86 GPA … member of National Honor Society … senior class vice president … student advisory council … student leadership council … Letterman's Club … joins his brother, Cole, on the Bearcat football team … son of Kristi and Chris Elwood.

Jakob Forslund – 6'1", 215, LB, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Xavier HS)

Third-team all-state pick … named to the Cedar Rapids Gazette's all-area team … second-team all-metro honoree … first-team all-district performer for head coach Duane Schulte … two-time academic all-state selection … enjoys the outdoors … son of Jen and Phil Forslund.

Charlie Galentine – 6'0", 210, K, St. Louis, Missouri (Mehlville HS)

Second-team all-state pick … all-district honoree in 2019 … 2018 all-metro selection … three-time all-conference performer for head coach Kent Heinemann … honor roll student … enjoys fishing, hunting and golfing … son of Rhonda and Mark Galentine.

Josh Gary-Turner – 6'0", 180, DB, Gurnee, Illinois (Warren Township HS)

Two-time all-area honoree for head coach Bryan McNulty … two-time all-conference pick … set school record for interceptions … multi-sport competitor … son of Lanesha Gary … his grandmother is Lynn Gary.

Spencer Gregory – 6'1", 190, FB, Kahoka, Missouri (Kahoka HS)

Clark County defensive player of the year in 2018 … third-team all-state pick in 2019 … first-team all-district pick at linebacker in 2018 and 2019 for head coach Ethan Allen … second-team all-district running back in 2018 … member of National Honor Society … four-time academic letterwinner … son of Tisha and Ron Gregory.

Patrick Harris – 6'0", 215, LB, St. Louis, Missouri (St. Mary's HS)

Blue-Grey St. Louis All-America selection … second-team all-state pick … second-team all-metro honoree … first-team all-conference and all-district performer … served as team captain for head coach Corey Bethany … single-season sack leader (15) … career sack leader (30) … son of La'Keisha Ellis.

Trevonne Hicks – 5'10", 170, DB, Columbia, Missouri (Battle HS)

All-district pick at defensive back for head coach Atiyyan Ellison … all-area team pick … two-time all-state sprinter … district champion in long jump … three-time district champion in football and track … looks forward to being a teacher … son of Sherri Lane and Ryan Hicks.

Kayden Jackson – 6'1", 180, WR, Florissant, Missouri (Hazelwood Central HS)

Four-time all-conference pick for head coach Carey Davis … 2019 all-district selection … was a part of the A+ program … cousin, Xavier Sneed, is a standout basketball player at Kansas State … grandmother is Danita Knuckles and his grandfather is Torrence Knuckles.

Kayden Jones – 6'2", 190, WR, Sioux City, Iowa (East HS)

First-team all-state in 2019 for head coach Brian Webb … first-team all-state defensive selection in 2018 … lettered in track (4) and football (3) … Walk Fiegel Black Raider Award recipient … helped set the city/metro/school record in the 4x100 in 2019 … honor roll student … son of Christine Jones.

Tre'on Jones – 6'0", 185, DB, Omaha, Nebraska (Omaha North HS)

First-team all-metro selection … served as team captain for head coach Larry Martin … scored two touchdowns in Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia … played running back in the River Battle Bowl in Iowa … honor roll student … son of Tonya Fairgood.

Cal Killian – 5'10", 181, DB, Johnston, Iowa (Johnston HS)

Named to the Iowa Newspaper Association's class 4A all-state team … first-team all-district … three-year starter for head coach Brian Woodley … team captain … honor roll student … 3.98 GPA … four-year all-academic recipient … enjoys videography, fishing and competing in any sport … son of Tricia and Robert Killian.

Ramsey Kohler – 6'4", 195, WR, Pleasant Hill, Missouri (Pleasant Hill HS)

Three-time all-conference and all-district pick at wide receiver … served as team captain for head coach Mike Hedrick … named to 2019 All Cass County Large School team … three-year varsity basketball letterwinner … all-academic recipient in football and basketball … member of National Honor Society … National Society of High School Scholars … A+ Program … enjoys attending home Chiefs games with his family, fishing and spending time with friends … son of Rebecca and Clay Kohler.

Tyler Lenz – 6'4", 240, DL, Seward, Nebraska (Seward HS)

All-state honoree … all Class B selection for head coach Jamie Opfer … honor roll student … enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing … son of Trish and James Lenz.

Marcus Manuel III – 6'1", 185, DB, Columbia, Missouri (Rock Bridge HS)

Earned his team's defensive MVP Award … all-district pick for head coach Van Vanetta … captured the Hardest Hitter Award … member of the A honor roll … competed in track and field … Green Bay Packers fan … son of LaVisha Webb, Marcus Manuel Sr. and Jennifer Manuel (step mom).

Carter Martin – 6'0", 165, WR, Omaha, Nebraska (Omaha North HS)

Academic all-state pick for head coach Larry Martin … member of National Honor Society … senior class officer … plans to major in international business … son of Mari and Larry Martin.

Luke Mathews – 6'0", 165, WR, Liberty, Missouri (Liberty North HS)

All-conference performer for head coach Greg Jones … part of an undefeated conference championship squad … 3.5+ GPA and ranks in top 40% of senior class … enjoys baseball … son of Dana and Nick Mathews.

Wes Merriman – 6'2", 240, TE, Monett, Missouri (Monett HS)

Class 3 All-State pick as a senior … two-time all-region, all-conference and all-district pick for head coach Derrek Uhl … two-time state qualifier in wrestling … placed fourth in the state in 195-pound weight class at 2019 Missouri state championship meet … helped lead his team to the 2019 Class 2 state championship in wrestling … all-state honoree in baseball … earned all-conference, all-district and all-area honors in baseball … member of National Honor Society … Future Business Leaders of Tomorrow member … 3.77 GPA … honor roll student … A+ certification with 62 volunteer tutoring hours … member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes … son of Rebecca and Eric Merriman.

Brady Miller – 6'2" 205, TE, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Lewis Central HS)

Unanimous first-team all-district running back as a senior for head coach Justin Kammrad … honorable mention all-city as a senior … first-team all-city defensive end in 2018 … second-team all-district linebacker as a junior … four-year varsity letterwinner … three-year letterwinner in track and field … letterwinner in basketball … student council member … enjoys fishing and spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks … son of Holly and Dan Miller.

Johnathan Monson – 6'0", 185, WR, Harlan, Iowa (Harlan HS)

First-team all-district selection for head coaches Curt and Todd Bladt … served as captain in football and basketball … selected to take part in the Shrine Bowl … member of National Honor Society … academic all-district honoree … son of Angie and Dave Monson.

Colton Nichols – 6'3", 200, DL, Turney, Missouri (Lathrop HS)

Two-time all-state defensive lineman for head coach Chris Holt … three-time all-conference and all-district selection … named to the KMXU Dream Team … three-time member of the President's Honor Roll … also named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll … son of Megan and Mike Nichols.

Carter Oleson – 6'2", 205, LB, Pleasant Hill, Iowa (Southeast Polk HS)

All-state honoree as a senior for head coach Brad Zelenovich … two-time defensive MVP and "Hardest-Working Player" as voted on by his teammates … two-time all-district pick … first-team all-conference and second-team all-district honoree in baseball … academic all-state in football … member of National Honor Society … enjoys hunting, fishing and working out … son of Amy and Jeremy Oleson.

Dawson Parks – 6'0", 195, QB, Kansas City, Missouri (Staley HS)

First-team All-Simone punter for head coach Phil Lite … second-team all-state as a punter … honorable mention all-conference at quarterback … first-team all-district and all-conference punter … son of Gloria and Doug Parks.

McCaden Phillips – 6'5, 290, OL, Macon, Missouri (Macon HS)

Two-year first-team all-state offensive lineman … KHQA's Lineman of the Year … first-team media all-state selection … two-time Kres all-star lineman … two-time conference champion in wrestling … placed fifth in the state in wrestling … served as captain of wrestling and football teams … played prep football for head coach Pete Claas … academic honor roll … enjoys hunting, fishing and helping on family farm … son of Kelly and Michael Phillips.

Caden Phipps – 5'11", 175, RB, St. Louis, Missouri (Lafayette HS)

Two-time all-conference running back for head coach Boyd Manne … two-time all-district running back … son of Marcee and Anthony Phipps.

Steve Pollard Jr. – 6'2", 285, DL, Highland, California (Citrus Valley HS)

First-team all-league player … USA Football MVP … 247 sport top defensive tackle … Shout Out semifinalist … four-year letterwinner for head coach Kurt Bruhic … 3.0 GPA award recipient … would like to be a preacher … son of Michelle and Steve Pollard.

Seamus Poynton – 6'1", 195, ATH, Solon, Iowa (Solon HS)

Helped leads Solon to a state runner-up finish in Class 3A in 2019 for head coach Kevin Miller … three-year varsity letterwinner in football and track and field … four-year varsity letterwinner in wrestling … son of Mary and Jim Poynton.

Brayden Ralph – 6'3", 205, TE, Rogers, Arkansas (Pea Ridge HS)

Two-time all-state pick … three-year starter for head coach Stephen Neal … selected to the Arkansas All-Star Team … two-time all-conference honoree in baseball … member of National Honor Society … 3.5 GPA … loves hunting and being outside … son of Tisha and Randy Ralph.

Landon Ray – 6'4", 270, OL, Columbia, Missouri (Battle HS)

First-team all-district selection as a senior … helped his prep squad to three consecutive district titles for head coach Atiyyah Ellison … named to the 2019 all-media team … son of Jill and Randy Ray.

Parker Schmitz – Creative Video, Platte City, Missouri (Platte City HS)

Will serve as a student creative video coordinator for football … three-time academic letterwinner at Platte City … also enjoys baseball … son of Erin and Chad Morley.

Myles Shaw – 5'9", 180, ATH, Kansas City, Missouri (Lee's Summit HS)

Two-time all-conference performer for head coach Jamar Mozee … four-year honor roll student … interests include law school or coaching … enjoys video games and fishing … son of Ryana Parks Shaw and Michael Shaw.

Ramon Shelton – 5'11", 160, WR, Kansas City, Missouri (Staley HS)

First-team all-state wide receiver … first-team all-district and all-conference performer for head coach Phil Lite … helped lead Staley to the 2017 state championship … member of National Honor Society … son of Christine Williams and Renauld Shelton.

Andrew Stephens – 5'10", 195, DB, Lawson, Missouri (Lawson HS)

Two-time all-state defensive back for head coach Todd Dunn … unanimous all-conference pick at both safety and kicker … three-time first-team all-district selection at defensive back … three-year KKWK all star pick … three-year member of KMZU Dream Team … KMZU offensive player of the year … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society … son of Jodi Stephens.

Miles Tatum – 5'11", 192, WR, Huntsville, Texas (Huntsville HS)

First-team all-district selection for head coach Rodney Southern … second-team all-district long snapper … academic all-district honoree … joins his brother, Alec, on the Bearcat football team … son of Rachel and Bart Tatum.

Michael Verhoeven – 6'1", 185, K, Parkville, Missouri (Park Hill South HS)

First-team all-district kicker in 2019 … unanimous first-team all-conference kicker … 2018 special teams' player of the year … two-year varsity letter recipient in tennis … two-time academic letterwinner … son of Kim and J.F. Verhoeven.

Brayden White – 6'4", 280, OL, Louisburg, Kansas (Louisburg HS)

810 Varsity Lineman of the Year for head coach Robert Ebenstein … Six Star top-10 offensive lineman in Kansas and Missouri … named to the Elite 81 squad … two-time first-team all-state pick … KPREPS all-state team … Bobby Bell Semifinalist … all-Simone Team … four-time participant in USA Football International Bowl … four-time captain of USA Football Team … named to the principal's honor roll … homecoming king candidate … enjoys fishing, hunting and working on the family farm … son of Melissa and Nick White.

Tucker White – 6'5", 190, ATH, Gower, Missouri (Gower HS)

First-team all-district wide receiver in 2018 and 2019 for head coach Kevin Bryan … two-time second-team all-conference pick … prep squad reached the 2017 Class 1 state semifinals … active in FFA … son of Julie and Sim White.

Shae Wright – 5'11", 180, DB, Elkhorn, Nebraska (Elkhorn South HS)

Served as team captain for head coach Guy Rosenberg … honorable mention all-conference performer … voted team's hardest worker … honor roll student … enjoys hunting and fishing … joins brother, Braden, on Bearcat football team … son of Lisa and Bobby Wright.

TRANSFERS

Edwyn Brown, 6'4", 200, DB, Belleville, Illinois (Althoff Catholic/Eastern Illinois University)

In 2019 at Eastern Illinois, he played in six games missing a portion of the season due to injury ... saw most of time on special teams and as a reserve safety ... finished season with ten tackles, eight solo ... season high three tackles against Southeast Missouri ... had a tackle for loss at Tennessee State ... had an interception, returned for 25 yards, against Tennessee State ... added pass break-ups against Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri ... in 2018, played in all 11 games moving into starting line-up at rover for all eight Ohio Valley Conference games … ranked fourth on the EIU team in tackles with 55 including 38 solo stops ... ranked first in the OVC among freshman for total tackles … posted double figure tackles with 11 against UT Martin and ten at Eastern Kentucky ... had 2.5 tackles for loss with one coming in opener at SEC member Arkansas ... tied for team lead with two interceptions with one coming against Murray State and one against Austin Peay ... joined EIU basketball team in late November for 2018-19 season ... named a second team Freshman All-American … redshirted at EIU in 2017 … played for coach Ken Turner at Belleville Althoff Catholic HS… two-time St. Louis All-Metro selection … had 25 tackles with six interceptions as a junior … had eight interceptions with 19 tackles as a senior … saw time at wide receiver as a senior catching 29 passes for 511 yards and ten touchdowns … led team to an 11-1 record as a senior advancing to the IHSA Class 4A quarterfinals.

Jamar Moya, 5'9", 170, RB, Bakersfield, California (Ridgeview HS/MidAmerica Nazarene)

Played his freshman season at MidAmerica Nazarene for current Bearcat offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy … earned freshman player of the year and newcomer of the year honors at MidAmerica Nazarene where he rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns … caught 23 passes for 200 yards … rushed for 287 yards and four touchdowns against Graceland … tallied four rushing scorers and 107 yards against Clarke College … first-team all-conference performer … attended Ridgeview High School in Bakersfield, California … earned all-state honors for head coach Chris Bandy … helped his prep team to three sectional titles … three-time team MVP … three-year varsity basketball player … helped his team to a state ring in hoops in 2017 … born April 6, 1999 … son of Vontay and Ahmad Moya … has three siblings: Eric, Kamela and Kamari.

Keegan Sturdy, 5'8", 165, WR, Lenexa, Kansas (DeSoto HS/MidAmerica Nazarene)

Caught 23 passes for 291 yards as a freshman at MidAmerica Nazarene … all-state wide receiver as a prep … two-time all-conference pick … all-state in track in the 800m, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay … son of Gina and Todd Sturdy.

Derec Weyer, 6'6", 301, OL, Harlan, Iowa (Harlan HS/Southwest Minnesota State)

Redshirted as a freshman at Southwest Minnesota State University … a 2019 graduate of Harlan Community High School … played for coach Curt Bladt … twice named all-district offensive line … letter winner in wrestling, baseball and track & field … born March 21, 2001 ... son of Melissa and Shane Weyer and Kelli and Tim Miller ... physical education major.