The class includes a mix of four offensive and three defensive players hailing from six different states and regions all across the United States. Offensively, EMU added two players to the offensive line, a tight end, and a running back. On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles welcome a pair of linebackers, and a defensive end.
"Although it is a small class in overall numbers, this is an extremely talented group that truly fits our culture" said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "We cannot wait for these guys to get here."
The highly anticipated class features five student-athletes that will be "true" freshman next season. Of that group, each has earned a three-star ranking from 247Sports, while a pair also received a three-star ranking from either ESPN or Rivals. One player was rated as a three-star prospect by each of those major recruiting services. The class also features the signing of two highly-rated transfers, both from "Power Five" institutions. Coming from the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences, respectively, these two defensive standouts are set to bring better than 25 games of collegiate playing experience to the Eagles roster next season.
The following is a roster and biographical sketches for each of EMU's newest additions.
Joshua Anderson OL 6-5 300 Fr. Florissant, Mo.-Westminster Christian Academy
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Westminster Christian Academy and played under Head Coach Butler Bynote as a Wildcat…Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports…Considered a top-25 overall prospect out of the State of Missouri…Rated as one of the top-75 offensive line prospects in the nation…Three-time letterwinner and two-time team captain as a member of the varsity squad at Westminster…Was twice named an all-conference selection…Helped lead his team to a trio of wins in 2021 as the anchor of the offensive line…PERSONAL: Full Name: Joshua Elijah Anderson…Son of Bennie and Salena Anderson…His father, Bennie, is a former NFL offensive lineman that spent seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills…Has three brothers, Bennie, Joesph, and Jeramiah…His brother Bennie is a member of the Yale University football program…Graphic design intent.
Maliek Bogard DE 6-6 230 Fr. Beggs, Okla.-Beggs
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Four year letterwinner as a member of the Beggs High School varsity football squad, where he played under Head Coach David Tenison…Served as a team captain during his senior campaign...Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals…Named the No. 19 overall college prospect in the State of Oklahoma by 247Sports...Helped lead the Demons to a 11-3 record in 2021 and an appearance in the state semifinals...Set a school record with a 14.0 tackles per game average his senior year…Was an all-state honoree...Was a Oklahoma Class 2A-7 All-Defensive Team selection in 2021…Was named one of Oklahoma's "Super 30" high school football players by The Oklahoman...Turned away offers from six other Division I programs, including multiple in the "Power Five"...PERSONAL: Full Name: Maliek Mykeil Bogard...Son of Aaron and Yvonne Butler...Has one brother, Camerone Brown...Undecided major, Zoology minor intent.
Mack Indestad OL 6-7 265 Fr. Lemont, Ill.-Lemont Twp.
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as in incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Played under Bret Kool as a member of the Lemont High School varsity roster…Served as a team captain in 2021…Ranked as a three-star prospect in both the 247Sports and 247Sports composite rankings…Also ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals…Led LHS to an 11-1 season in 2021…Recorded an impressive 60 pancake blocks, and allowed just two hurries, and two sacks as a senior offensive lineman…Earned all-conference honors two times as a high school player…PERSONAL: Full Name: Mack Thomas Indestad…Son of Cole and Allison Indestad…Has two brothers, Drew and Chase…Secondary education intent.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson RB 5-11 188 Fr. Flint, Mich.-Grand Blanc
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Played his prep ball under Head Coach Clint Alexzander as a member of the Grand Blanc High School football team…Was a two-time captain as a Bobcat…Ranked as a three-start prospect by 247Sports and as a two-star recruit by Rivals…Considered the No. 33 overall prospect out of the State of Michigan in his class…Led Grand Blanc to even higher levels of success in 2021…The team went 12-1 on the season, and did not lose a regular season game en route to a Saginaw Valley League title and semifinal finish in the state title hunt…Rushed 174 times for 1,303 yards and 17 scores…Also hauled in 23 receptions for 266 yards and three touchdowns…Earned SVL All-Conference Team honors in 2021…Also earned a spot on both the all-region and all-state dream teams…Helped Grand Blanc to a 7-2 record in 2020…Caught 19 passes for 279 yards and eight touchdowns…Rushed 41 times for 336 yards and six touchdowns…Also led the Bobcats with 10.5 sacks despite playing part-time on defense…Also a critical special teams player…Turned down offers from nine other Division I institutions, including five other conference opponents, one 'Power Five," institution, and one 2021 College Football Playoff participant…PERSONAL: Full Name: Ihson Elijah Jackson-Anderson…Son of Darnell and Bobbie Anderson…Has six brothers, Emanuel, Nas, Quantrez, Jawaun, Jordan, and Joey, and two sisters, Jordan and Diamond…Business intent.
Chase Kline LB 6-4 234 Jr. Chardon, Ohio-Chardon (Michigan State)
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming transfer after beginning his career at Michigan State…MICHIGAN STATE: 2021: Played in four games, recording 11 tackles...2020: Posted a career-high 29 tackles, with 0.5 tackle for loss and two forced fumbles, in playing all seven games and a total of 226 plays…Tied for second in the Big Ten with two forced fumbles…Academic All-Big Ten honoree…Posted pair of stops at Penn State, playing in 26 snaps…Logged three tackles with 0.5 tackle for loss and one forced fumble vs. No. 3 Ohio State, playing 21 snaps…Posted career-best for fourth-straight game with eight tackles against No. 8 Northwestern playing in 47 snaps…Had six tackles in Indiana game, logging 44 snaps…Made five tackles at Iowa in 50 snaps…Tallied three stops at Michigan and was named Spartan Special Teams Co-Player of the Week…Saw action in season opener vs. Rutgers, logging two tackles and forcing first fumble of career, which came on a punt return and MSU recovered, scoring TD on ensuing offensive play...2019: Played in all 13 games to earn his first letter…Recorded 12 tackles (five solo, seven assists) and one sack…Ranked second on the team with nine tackles on special teams (eight on kickoffs, one on punts)…Played 52 snaps on defense…Had one tackle in New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Wake Forest and played a season-high 10 snaps on defense…Recorded one tackle on kickoff coverage at Rutgers game…Tallied one tackle at Michigan on punt coverage…Posted pair of stops in Illinois game, both coming on kickoffs…Recorded a career-high three tackles in Indiana game…Logged two tackles and first career sack against Western Michigan…Posted one stop in Spartan debut in season opener vs. Tulsa…HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year letterwinner for Coach Mitch Hewitt at Chardon High School… Earned first-team all-state honors by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association after collecting 129 tackles, including 23 tackles for loss and nine sacks, to go along with seven pass break-ups…Named the 2017 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division 3 Defensive Player of the Year…Ranked one of the nation's top 500 players by 247Sports (No. 420)…Rated one of the top 100 prospects in the Midwest by ESPN…Ranked one of the top outside linebackers in the nation by Rivals.com (No. 27) and ESPN (No. 56) and one of the top inside linebackers by 247Sports (No. 22)…Listed among the top prospects in the state of Ohio by 247Sports (No. 12) and Rivals (No. 14)…Ranked top inside linebacker prospect in the state of Ohio by 247Sports and among the top outside linebackers in Ohio by Rivals (No. 3) and ESPN.com (No. 4)…Named Northeast Lakes District Division III Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-district honoree…Named one of six finalists for the 2017 Tony Fisher Award, given to The News-Herald's football player of the year…Two-time All-Western Reserve Conference selection…Received an invitation to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…Named to The Associated Press Division II All-Ohio Second Team as a junior…Recorded 122 tackles and five sacks in 2016 although he missed several games due to an injured hand…Helped lead the Hilltoppers to an undefeated regular season, a conference title, and a berth in the state playoffs…PERSONAL: Full Name: Chase Kline...Son of Jeff and Maureen Kline…Fashion marketing innovation intent.
Max Reese TE 6-3 226 Fr. Elmhurst, Ill.-Fenwick
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Played high school ball at Fenwick High School under Head Coach Matthew Battaglia…Was a three-time letterwinner and 2021 team captain with the Friars…Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN…Led Fenwick to an impressive 12-1 overall record and Illinois 5A State Championship in 2021…The title is the first in the history of the program…Hauled in 79 receptions for 1,473 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021…Finished with multiple school records, including most yards in a single season, most catches in a single season, and most touchdowns by a pass catcher in a single season…Was a three time all-conference, two-time all-state, and one-time all-area honoree…Fielded offers from more than 10 other Division I programs, including multiple other Mid-American Conference institutions and numerous "Power Five" organizations…Also earned all-conference, all-state, and all-area honors as a varsity standout in both basketball and track and field…PERSONAL: Full Name: Maxwell Reese…Son of Alvord and Melinda Reese…Has one brother, Garrett…Business intent.
Joe Sparacio LB 5-11 225 Sr. Naples, Fla.-First Baptist Academy (Boston College)
EMU: 2022: Joins the EMU football program as an incoming transfer after beginning his career at Boston College…BOSTON COLLEGE: 2021: Played in 11 games with five stops...2020: Played in four games and totaled three tackles...2019: Played in all 13 games and made nine starts...Totaled 50 tackles with six TFLs and a half sack plus one interception...Posted six tackles and an interception at the goal line vs. Virginia Tech, Aug. 31, in his first start...Five tackles, including a TFL, vs. Richmond, Sept. 7...Contributed seven tackles, including 0.5 TFLs, vs. Kansas, Sept. 13...Assisted on four tackles at Rutgers, Sept. 21...Made eight tackles, including 0.5 TFLs, vs. Wake Forest, Sept. 28...Credited with two tackles and a four-yard TFL at Louisville, Oct. 5...Made three tackles, including 0.5 TFLs, vs. NC State, Oct. 19…Credited with four tackles, including a TFL, at Clemson, Oct. 26...Started and made seven tackles, including four solo, with 1.5 TFLs and a half sack against Cincinnati, Jan. 2 in the Birmingham Bowl…HIGH SCHOOL: Played under his father, Billy Sparacio at First Baptist Academy, where he was a team captain his senior year…Rated the No. 67 inside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports...ESPN Recruiting's No. 40 inside linebacker nationally and the No. 219 recruit in Florida...Four-time Naples Daily News All-Area first-team selection...59 tackles, including 14 TFLs and three sacks as a senior...Also rushed for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense...Three-time first team all-state linebacker as a sophomore, junior and senior…Also earned honorable mention at the position as a freshman…Southwest Florida Sports Awards Naples Daily News Defensive Player of the Year as a senior...Four-time Naples Daily News all-area selection....Had 101 tackles, nine sacks and 21.5 TFLs during his junior season…At fullback and tight end as a junior, totaled 839 yards of offense and 14 total touchdowns…PERSONAL: Full Name: Joe Sparacio...Son of Billy and Tara Sparaci...Has a brother, Sam, and a sister, Hanna...Management major.