"It was a very challenging year for all of us – coaches and recruits both – but I couldn't be happier with this group that we were able to sign," head coach Jim McElwain said. "There's a lot of really talented, tough kids in this group and I give them a lot of credit for navigating through this process with everything going on and having to do most things virtually. It's been fun watching this class come together and I can't wait to get them up here on campus."
Jase Bauer • Quarterback • 6-2, 205 • Ankeny, Iowa /Ankeny HS
High School: Passed for 2,041 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2020 … also rushed for 852 yards and had 10 rushing touchdowns ... led AHS to a state championship … named first team all-state as a senior and junior, named captain in his senior year … also earned all-conference honors twice … in junior season, passed for 2,207 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 61.5 percent of passes (126-of-205) … also earned all-state honors in baseball as a shortstop … head coach is Rick Nelson … parents are Jeff Bauer and Amy Bauer.
Coach McElwain says: "Really excited about Jase. He's someone our staff had been evaluating for a long time and over time he just continued to show us that he was a guy we needed to bring into our program. He's a proven winner, a tremendous athlete, very good student, and a heck of a leader. He comes from a football family and has a great understanding of football and the quarterback position."
DeAnthony Becton • Defensive Back • 5-10, 175 • Akron, Ohio/Akron East HS
High School: Led Akron East to a City Series championship and a 5-0 conference record as a junior … played at Stow-Munroe Falls as a senior, leading it to a 5-2 record … played running back and safety … recorded three pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2020 … head coach is Marques Hayes … parents are Anthony Becton and Michelle Becton.
Coach McElwain says: "DeAnthony has the ability to line up at a few different spots within the secondary. I love the aggression and energy he plays with, and whether he's at safety, nickel, or corner, he always makes his presence felt out there. He runs and tackles very well and can also go up and get the ball when given the opportunity."
Dakota Cochran • Linebacker • 6-2, 211 • Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights HS
High School: Named first team all-conference in 2019 … received honorable mention on the Cleveland.com All-Decade Team … recorded 48 tackles, including 10 for loss, four interceptions, and one defensive touchdown … had 24 receptions for 346 yards and four touchdowns … also had one rushing touchdown … averaged 40.5 yards on 38 punts with 13 inside the 20-yard line … also earned third team all-state honors in basketball … head coach is Alex Nicholson … mom is Robbyne Walker.
Coach McElwain says: "I love the athleticism Dakota brings to the linebacker position. He's also lined up at safety and wide receiver throughout his high school career and he uses that athleticism to allow him to make plays in pass coverage, in pursuit, and in the box. He's a very skilled basketball player and I love his competitiveness."
Tyson Davis • Wide Receiver • 5-9, 166 • Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich HS
High School: Three-time All-State honoree … named All-Region in 2020 by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association … totaled 30 receptions for 548 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … named to the All-Metro League Stars Division First Team on both offense and defense … also registered two touchdowns on punt returns and had two interceptions … as a junior, racked up 1,620 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns on offense, and had seven interceptions and averaged 7.4 tackles per game on defense … earned All-State First Team honors in basketball … head coach is Tom Alward … parents are Lance Sumpter and Keyatta Sumpter.
Coach McElwain says: "Tyson is a player who has shown he can impact the game in many different ways. We're really excited about the versatility he is bringing to our offense and the return game, and he is the type of guy who can break a game wide open when he has the ball in his hands. He's extremely elusive and has a very natural feel for the game."
Bruno Guberinich • Offensive Tackle • 6-5, 280 • Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central HS
High School: Earned All-Region recognition from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and was named to the All-Catholic High School League Team in 2020 … led Catholic Central to the 2020 CHSL Central Division title … head coach is Dan Anderson … mother is Cristina Scappaticci.
Coach McElwain says: "Love the toughness that Bruno plays with. He has a great frame that will allow him to continue putting on size and strength, as well as a high level of natural athletic ability. He understands the culture of our offensive line and is going to bring a great work ethic and a lot of grit to our team."
Michael Heldman • Defensive End • 6-4, 230 • Romeo, Mich./Romeo HS
High School: Named All-Region by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association in 2020 … named to the All-Macomb Area Conference Red First Team in 2020 … recorded 19 sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss and four forced fumbles in 2020 … ranked No. 38 on the Detroit News Blue Chip List … head coach is Curt Rienas … mother is Timara Regnerus.
Coach McElwain says: "Michael has a motor that never quits and brings great pass-rushing ability off the edge. He's had tremendous production and can wreak havoc in the backfield, both in run and pass defense. I love his energy and excitement for the game, and it's something that the entire team can feed off of."
Irone Jackson • Athlete • 6-0, 185 • Bradenton, Fla./Manatee HS
High School: Had multiple kickoff return touchdowns, receiving touchdowns and interceptions in 2020 … a Herald-Tribune All-Area First Team selection on defense in 2019 … totaled 417 kickoff return yards and 121 punt return yards … had six carries for 84 yards and a touchdown, 33 catches for 462 yards and four touchdowns … on defense, recorded 24 tackles, two interceptions and forced two fumbles … head coach is Yusuf Shakir … parents are Tiniya Parker and Irone Jackson.
Coach McElwain says: "Irone is a player that will have the chance to impact all three facets of the game. He's got a great feel for finding room to run when he's got the ball in his hands and has very natural instincts when it comes to playing in the secondary. Whichever side of the ball he's lined up on, he has the ability to change the game as soon as the ball is snapped."
Trevor Jones • Guard • 6-4, 270 • Ypsilanti, Mich./Lincoln HS
High School: Earned All-Region recognition from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association in 2020 … named 2020 first team all-conference offensive line … ranked No. 53 on the Detroit News Blue Chip List … totaled 17 pancake blocks … had three sacks on defense … as a junior, selected to the Ann Arbor Dream Team and earned first team all-conference honors … head coach is Chris Westfall … parents are Jennifer Jones and Casey Jones.
Coach McElwain says: "Trevor is an old-school, blue-collar offensive lineman who takes a ton of pride in his job. He plays the game how it's supposed to be played and does a great job of combining his athleticism with his physicality. I love that he's got a multi-sport background and he just loves to go out there and compete."
Quindario Lee • Defensive Line • 6-5, 275 • McKenzie, Ala./McKenzie HS/Fort Scott CC
2020 (Fort Scott CC): Recorded three sacks in scrimmage for Fort Scott CC. High School: Earned All-State recognition in basketball … earned all-conference honors … played for head coach Tony Norris at McKenzie HS … mom is LaKeisha Ball.
Coach McElwain says: "Quindario has lined up at a lot of different positions throughout his career, which is really a testament to his ability and athleticism. We're really excited about adding someone with his size and skill to our defense. His strength and burst allow him to be very disruptive up front."
Hunter Marcom • Tight End • 6-7, 240 • Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca HS
High School: Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter … in 2020, recorded a season-high five receptions for 72 yards vs. West DePere HS … earned all-area and first team all-conference honors in basketball … head coach is Bennett Hansen … parents are Pat Marcom and Amy Marcom.
Coach McElwain says: "Hunter is a kid that has the ability to cause a lot of mismatches on the field based on his size and skill set. He combines his great abilities as a pass catcher with a very impressive frame and has also put a lot of focus and effort into his blocking. He'll be a guy that can help us in a lot of ways."
Jonah Pace • Defensive Line • 6-5, 240 • Marengo, Ill./Marengo HS
High School: earned all-conference honors in 2019 … also earned Area Defensive Player of the Year honors … named to the all-area and all-conference teams during junior season … earned all-conference and all-area honors in basketball as a junior … head coach is Paul Forsythe … parents are Jay Pace and Lesley Pace.
Coach McElwain says: "Jonah is a grinder on the defensive line. He has had a lot of production, and he also does a lot of the things that don't show up on the stat sheet but can make a difference between winning and losing a game. He brings great versatility to our D-Line and can line up at a few different spots for us."
Alec Palella • Tight End • 6-4, 230 • Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett HS
High School: Named all-area and all-conference in 2019 … as a junior, recorded 81 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss including three sacks and two interceptions … also made eight catches for 192 yards and five touchdowns … two-time academic all-state selection … head coach is Matt Erlenbaugh … parents are Mike Palella and Laura Palella.
Coach McElwain says: "I love what Alec is bringing into our tight end room. He brings great run-blocking and pass-catching ability and can line up as an inline guy or unattached, which gives you a lot of options as to how we can incorporate him into the game plan. He's a natural athlete and he combined that with great toughness."
Chris Parker • Wide Receiver • 6-2, 180 • Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS
High School: Named All-Saginaw Valley League on both offense and defense in 2020 … totaled 33 receptions for 467 yards and four touchdowns … carried six times for 66 yards … had 29 tackles, two interceptions, and returned one interception for a touchdown … also returned a kickoff for a touchdown … nephew of Brian Pruitt, an All-America running back for CMU in 1994 … head coach is Justin Thelen.
Coach McElwain says: "Chris is a very talented receiver from just down the road in Saginaw. He has family that have played here and gone to school here, so he understands what it means to be a Chippewa and represent this university. He's a bigger body guy and does a great job of using his frame and athleticism to make plays in a lot of different facets of the game."
Eric Reese • Athlete • 5-10, 170 • Macomb, Mich./Dakota HS
High School: Named first team All-Macomb County and First Team All-Macomb Area Conference Red in 2020 … notched 77 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, three sacks, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions … head coach is Greg Baur … parents are Sidney Smith and Laurelle Smith.
Coach McElwain says: "You can't watch Eric play without noticing the incredible speed he has. I love the skill set and athleticism he's bringing to this team, and he'll be able to help us in more ways than one with his versatility. His energy is contagious and he just loves to go out there and compete."
Elijah Rikard • Safety • 6-1, 175 • Detroit, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS
High School: Earned All-Catholic High School League First Team honors in 2020 … No. 60 on the Detroit News Blue Chip List … had one interception and four pass breakups … did not allow a reception … also caught six passes for two touchdowns … head coach is Matt Lewis … parents are Nathan "Nate" Rikard and Ladonna Rikard.
Coach McElwain says: "Elijah is a very long, smooth athlete and a natural safety. He has outstanding ball skills, and he does a great job of making sure the secondary is organized and is lined up properly. He has great skills in coverage, but he also has the toughness to come up in the box and be a presence in the run game."
Isaiah Rogers • Defensive Tackle • 6-2, 270 • Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park HS
High School: Invited to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … named first team all-state, all-area and all-conference in 2019 … as a junior, recorded 78 tackles and 3.5 sacks in leading Academy Park to a conference championship and a district-title game … head coach is Jason Vosheski … parents are Shawn and Tonya Rogers.
Coach McElwain says: "Isaiah has great burst off the ball and it causes a lot of problems for opposing offenses. When he does break through the line of scrimmage, he also displays great redirect ability which allows him to make a lot more plays in the backfield. He plays with great toughness and does a very good job of using his hands to shed blocks."
Fernando Sanchez III • Linebacker • 6-2, 212 • Loganville, Ga./Grayson HS
High School: Totaled 67 Tackles, eight sacks, 19.0 tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble in 2020 … head coach is Adam Carter … parents are Fernando Sanchez Jr. and Donna Sanchez.
Coach McElwain says: "Fernando is everything you look for in a linebacker. He combines great football IQ with tremendous burst and athleticism, as well as a high level of toughness and physicality. He loves flying around the field to make plays and he jumps off the screen any time you turn his film on."
Caleb Spann • Defensive Back • 5-11, 190 • River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian HS
High School: Earned All-District honors as a senior … in 2020, totaled 25 carries for 200 yards and six touchdowns … made eight receptions for 100 yards … registered 54 tackles on defense … returned five kickoffs for 152 yards and three punts for 48 yards … head coach is J.T. Curtis … parents are Corry Spann and Katina Spann.
Coach McElwain says: "Caleb has shown the ability to make plays all over the field, as he's been asked to play at running back and linebacker, in addition to defensive back. He's got great physical tools that he combines with great instincts and work ethic, and that combination allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways."
De'javion Stepney • Running Back • 6-0, 182 • Macomb, Mich./Dakota HS
High School: Named Macomb Area Conference Red Most Valuable Player in 2020 … named All-MAC Red Division First Team and first team All-Macomb County … earned All-Region recognition in 2020 from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Associated … ranked No. 26 on the Detroit News Blue Chip List … rushed 131 times for 933 yards and seven touchdowns … averaged 133.3 yards rushing per game … totaled 1,200 all-purpose yards, averaging 171.4 per game … returned one kickoff for a touchdown … recorded 35 tackles, including 26 solo, and had four interceptions for 55 yards and one touchdown … head coach is Greg Baur … parents are Chamar Stepney and Roslyn Turner.
Coach McElwain says: "DJ is a really dynamic player and when you watch his film you see him making plays at running back, wildcat quarterback, safety, and in the return game. He's got a great feel for the game and has a great energy to him."
Brayden Swartout • Offensive Tackle • 6-7, 285 • Essexville, Mich./Garber HS
High School: Earned All-Region recognition in 2020 from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association … named first team all-conference on both the offensive and defensive lines … head coach is Jake Coquillard … parents are Tonya Swartout-Wrege and Bill Swartout.
Coach McElwain says: "Brayden made a lot of plays on both sides of the line throughout his high school career. He's got great size and length, which when you combine that with his toughness and aggression, makes for a great football player. I love the mentality he plays with and he is always in attack mode."