Football Signing Day Bios
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona University football team has signed 17 student-athletes to a National Letter-of-Intent to join the program in the fall, including 11 prep and junior college players from the state of Arizona, Head Coach Jerome Souers announced.
"I believe that Arizona high school football in the last 10 years has shown tremendous growth in its competitiveness with football players across the country," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "To get 11 really fine football players is a credit to our staff. Our goal to create a football team with an Arizona core falls in line with our vision. Not only will they help us in 2011 but this group paints a bright future for our football program."
The Lumberjacks' Arizona group includes center Jake Abbott (Centennial), offensive lineman Lee Guenther (Wickenburg), athlete/safety Anas Hasic (North Canyon), linebacker Austin Hasquet (Liberty), wide receiver Alex Holmes, (Chaparral), linebacker Harrison Johnson (Greenway), quarterback Kyren Poe (Hamilton), linebacker Tevin Ray (Centennial), linebacker Ryan Reardon (Notre Dame Prep/Glendale CC) and tight ends R.J. Rickert (Gilbert) and Dejzon Walker (Chandler).
NAU also signed four California products center Marcus Alford (Rio Mesa), defensive end Mitchell Melugin (Mission Viejo), linebacker Eric Storey (Los Madones College) and defensive back Aaron Williams (Dominguez). Souers inked Las Vegas Bishop Gorman defensive lineman Bryson Mook and Miami (Fla.) Northwestern CB Devin Willis, who will transfer from Palomar College.
The NAU class includes 11 defensive players and seven offensive players. The class was heavy on linebackers with five overall and four defensive backs. They added two wide receivers, two tight ends and three offensive linemen.
"Building on a team we feel was very close competitively was very close to be the type of contender, we return 24 juniors from that team. We have identified some of the areas we need to fill now with some strong candidates that will balance out our squad to be competitive next year as well as investing in the future."
Here are complete bios on the Northern Arizona signee with video highlights from their previous schools:
Jake Abbott C 6-3 275 Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial)
Plans to study communications… Two-time All-Academic selection…Member of the National Honor Society…Three-year starter and team captain for Richard Taylor…Played at center and defensive line…Helped team to three region championships (2008-10)…2008 state champions in the 4A-II division…Also competed in basketball and track which brought academic honors in both sports….Also considered Air Force and San Jose State…Son of Kit and Julie Abbott…Father played football at Arizona (1986-87) and grandfather ran track at NAU (1961-64).
"Jake Abbott is an outstanding contributor on and off the field for the NAU football program. He was highly recruited in-state and has the ability to help our football team this fall as an offensive lineman, which is rare."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Marcus Alford CB 5-10 160 Oxnard, Calif. (Rio Mesa)
Plans to study kinesiology…Has a 3.4 grade point average…Four-year letter winner for Coach Bob Gregorchuck…Had 18 touchdowns and 1,500 all-purpose yards…Named All-C.I.F., all-county and all-league…Team most valuable player in 2010…Selected one of top defensive backs in California by Scout.com…ESPN Rise Pre-Season first-team all-region choice…Invited to the NVC All-American game…Helped team to the league championship…Also ran track, earning four letters…Part of the 4x100 relay team that posted the second-fastest time in the Untied States…Son of Tracie Alford…Played with teammate Jamaal Perkins…Cousin Mike McNeill plays football at Auburn, while cousin Pat McNeil plays at Middle Tennessee.
"Marcus Alford has the ability to play offense and defense. We have recruited him to play cornerback. He has change of direction speed that makes him a tremendous open-field performer with big-play impact type football player. He is a very high character person."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Lee Guenther III OL 6-7 235 Wickenburg, Ariz. (Wickenburg)
Plans to study biology…Ranks in top 15 percent of graduating class with a 3.3 grade point average…Three-year starter and letter winner…Captain for Bobby Gonzalo…Arizona Republic 1A-3A All-State first-team selection at defensive line in 2010…Three-time all-state choice in 3A division…Recorded 85 tackles with six sacks…Helped team to three state playoff appearances…Also competed in basketball and track and field…Threw the discus 150 feet and shot put 50 feet…Son of LeRoy Guenther II and Julie Conrad.
"Lee Guenther is very athletic, raw candidate with tremendous upside. At 6-7 and his ability to run, he will have the opportunity to be a great offensive lineman. He played both ways for Wickenburg and as a dominant athlete who threw the shot put and discus."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Anas Hasic WR 6-0 180 Phoenix, Ariz. (North Canyon)
Major is undecided…Two-year starter and letter winner for Brian Cole…Named region offensive player of the year and All-5A at receiver…Big 33 Selection…Holds every receiving record at North Canyon…Recorded 49 catches for 1,016 yards with right touchdowns with 51 rushes for 656 and six touchdowns…Also had 60 tackles with two interceptions, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and a touchdown on defense…Son of Nahid and Nermina Hodzic…Born in Croatia…Also considered Arizona, New Mexico State and Weber State.
"Anas Hasic is a playmaker on offense and defense. We signed him as a safety. Given the fact he has only played football for two years and developed a standard of play that he has in a short period of time indicates he shows great promise. We believe his ability to impact our depth chart this fall is highly probable."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Austin Hasquet LB 6-1 225 Peoria, Ariz. (Liberty)
Planning to study biomedical science…Ranks 10th in his class with 4.00 grade point average…4A Skyline Region Scholar-Athlete…Three-year letter winner and starter for Danny Filleman…4A Skyline Defensive Player of the Year…4A-II All-State first-team linebacker by AZFCA…Recorded school-best 334 tackles in his career, including a school record 158 during his senior season…Set single-game mark with 19 tackles in a game and had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown…Also earned All-Skyline second-team honors at tight end in 2010…4A All-Skyline at linebacker in 2009…Also played baseball for two years for Mark Ernster, the brother of former NAU All-American Paul Ernster…Helped team to 4A-II state championship in baseball…Son of Mike and DeAnn Hasquet…Cousin Jordan played basketball at Montana…Also considered Brown and South Dakota State.
"Austin Hasquet is the type of student-athlete everyone wants. He is not just a great football player but a phenomenal student. He is very dedicated and committed young man. He is a great addition to our linebacker corp."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Alex Holmes WR 6-0 180 Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral)
Planning to study criminal justice…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter for Charlie Ragle…Earned all-state, all-region and all-city honors…East Valley All-tribune team selection…Recorded 37 receptions for 717 yards and 11 touchdowns…Helped team to 44-2 record with three state championship appearances and back-to-back state titles, including a 14-0 mark in 2010…Son of Christopher and Katy Holmes…Father played at NAU (1982-83)…Brother, Ryan, plays football at Northern Colorado…Born on Super Bowl Sunday…Also considered Mesa State, Adams State and Eastern New Mexico.
"Alex Holmes is a playmaker who played quarterback up until junior year before moving to receiver. He is real unselfish guy in the role that he played on a great football team. He is a receiver in the likes of former standout Curt Sweeney. He is a great competitor who makes big plays. He brings it every time he lines up."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Harrison Johnson LB 6-3 195 Glendale, Ariz. (Greenway)
Plans to study accounting…Region Scholar-Athlete…Ranks fourth in his class with a 4.0 grade point average…Three-year letter winner and starter for K.J. Anthony…Named to Scout.com all-state team at linebacker…Also earned all-region honors…Also competed in basketball and track and field…Won region title in the high hurdles and finished second in region in high jump…Track team won region championship…Son of David and Christy Johnson…Mother attended NAU.
"Harrison Johnson is a tremendous addition to our linebacker corp. He has a 4.0 GPA with an accomplished high school career as a football player. He brings excellence in both academics and athletics. He is ranked as a hurdler in the state and is an athlete with an outstanding up-side."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Watch Video of Harrison Johnson
Mitchell Melugin DE 6-3 250 Mission Viejo, Calif. (Mission Viego)
Plans to study forestry/firefighting… Two-year starter for Bob Johnson…Named first-team South Coast League selection…High school team finished his senior season with a 13-1 record and was nationally-ranked in the top 10 in the country…Also considered playing for San Jose State and Villanova…Son of Gary and Audrey Melugin…Father played basketball at Chico State and professionally in Australia.
"Mitchell Melugin is a defensive lineman that has great athletic ability and plays with tremendous passion. He is a guy who is relentless who as a true freshman has a chance to impact our depth chart."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Watch Video of Mitchell Melugin
Bryson Mook DE 6-2 240 Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman)
Plans to study criminal justice…Played to Bishop Gorman for Tony Sanchez…Had 35 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior…Helped team to a state championship…Son of Raymond and Michelle…Also considered UTEP.
"Bryson Mook has a tremendous up-side in growth and ability. He plays with great effort and is an outstanding competitor."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Kyren Poe QB 6-3 180 Mesa, Ariz. (Hamilton)
Plans to study business administration with a focus on finance and accounting…Posted a 3.96 grade point average…National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete winner…Member of the National Honor Society…Has a 3.95 grade point average…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter for Steve Belles…Arizona Republic all-state honorable mention selection…Earned all-region first-team honors in 2010 after earning honorable mention honors in 2009…Named most valuable player of the state championship games…Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year Top 50 selection…Completed 65% of his passes for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns versus four interceptions while helping the Huskies to 15-0 record and the 5A1 state title…Added 891 yards on 152 attempts and 15 TDs on the ground…Won three consecutive state championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010...Played with NAU sophomore Zach Bauman at Hamilton…Son of Edward and Catrina Poe…Also considered Fresno State and Illinois State.
"Kyren Poe is a tremendous playmaker off a state championship team at Hamilton. He has a very strong arm and is extremely mobile as a quarterback. His ability to make plays with his arm and his feet with his intelligence, vision and leadership make him a very strong quarterback candidate."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Tevin Ray LB 6-1 190 Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial)
Plans to study biology…Member of the Honor Roll…Two-year letter winner and starter for Richard Taylor…Team captain…Named region defensive player of the year as a senior…Made 91 tackles with two sacks…Recorded 91 tackles with 5.5 sacks as a junior…Son of Derrick and Sunny Ray…Also considered Southern Illinois and Yale.
"Tevin Ray fits the prototype outside linebacker for us. He brings both athletic ability and physicality to his position. He is also a phenomenal student. He was recruited very heavy by the Ivy League schools on his academics. He is one of the great leaders coming off a successful Centennial football team."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Ryan Reardon LB 601 235 Scottsdale, Ariz. (Notre Dame Prep/Portland St./GCC)
Plans to study communications…Transfer from Glendale Community College with two years of eligibility…Originally signed with Portland State in 2009…Also attended Arizona State for a semester…Helped GCC to the Valley of the Sun Bowl championship…Played outside linebacker for one season at Portland State in 2009...Played in all 11 games as a true freshman as a backup and on special teams...Finished the year with 180 tackles, including one tackle for loss…A 2009 graduate of Notre Dame Prep...Was an integral part of back-to-back state championships from 2007 to 2008...Named all-state in 2008 and all-region in 2008-08...Selected to Offense-Defense All-American game in Myrtle Beach, S.C....Led the west in tackles…Son of Geralyn Reardon…Also considered Montana State.
"Ryan Reardon is a physical, athletic linebacker who could impact our team immediately."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
R.J. Rickert TE 6-3 230 Gilbert, Ariz. (Mesquite)
Plans to study business…Has a 3.75 grade point average…Four-year starter for Miek Rardon…Arizona Republic All-Arizona selection…Central Region Player of the Year and Arizona Republic 5A all-state first-team choice…Had 40 catches for 724 yards…Three-time all-region selection…Selected for the Arizona vs. California All-State game scheduled for ASU on June 23…Son of Randy and Judy Rickert.
"R.J. Rickert is great athlete and playmaker as a tight end. It is rare to see as a successful blocker be as good of a receiver as he is. He is a very passionate player and is a true freshman who has the ability to impact our lineup. He has been in our camp and we have had our eyes on him for a long time."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Eric Storey LB 6-0 235 Oakley, Calif. (Moreau Catholic/Los Madones College)
Plans to study sociology or business…Transfer from Los Madones College…Played for Coach Shipe…Two-year starter and letter winner…Recorded 77 tackles with five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, three pass deflections and two sacks…Led Golden Gate Conference in tackles…Named first-team all-conference…Had school record 14 tackles against Chabot College…A 2009 graduate of Moreau Catholic…Three-year letterwinner for Coach Cotter…Named defensive most valuable player and first-team all-league at both running back and linebacker…Recorded 70 tackles and more than 800 yards rushing…Son of Eric Storey…Also considered Southeast Missouri State and Cal Poly.
"Eric Storey brings size and physicality to our inside linebacker position. His contact skills are exceptional and fit into the style of defense we play. He is a high character individual that has tremendous leadership potential."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Aaron Williams DB 5-8 152 Compton, Calif. (Dominguez)
Plans to study communication…Four-year honor roll selection…Ranks 58th in his class with a 3.46 grade point average…Selected to Best of the West team…All-C.I.F. and all-league choice in 2010…All-Los Angeles Wave second team selection…Recorded 82 tackles (51 solo), two interceptions and 11 passes defended…Also had an 89-yard kickoff return…Scheduled to play in the 605 All-Star game…Son of Cherie and Jermaine Ford.
"Aaron Williams came to our camp and stood out as a great competitor. He is an outstanding leader with the things he did not only as an individual but the way he made his teammates better. He is about a strong of character young man as we have been able to recruit to Northern Arizona University."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Dejzon Walker TE 6-3 225 Chandler, Ariz. (Basha)
Two-year letter winner and starter fro Bernie Busken…Earned all-region first-team honors and selection to the Friday Night All-Fever Team…Recorded 1,500 receiving yards with 19 touchdowns in his career…Caught 43 passes for 680 yards and 12 touchdowns for 9-2 Basha during his senior season…Set school records for receiving yards in a game (195) and career touchdowns (19)...Son of Tasha Hutch…Uncle Gerell Robinson plays football at Arizona State.
"Dejzon Walker is a hybrid athlete. He is a big receiver who has size for a tight end. He is a tremendous playmaker and is very talented. I think his upside is hard to assess because he is so talented. He was missed by a lot of schools. We got a great one in him."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
Devin Willis CB 6-0 178 Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern/Palomar College)
Plans to study criminal justice and sociology…Transfer from Palomar College…Played for Joe Early…Recorded 91 tackles for 27 passes defended with two interceptions…Had 58 tackles with 15 pass deflections with 2.5 tackles for loss in 2010…Named all-conference second-team…A 2009 graduate of Miami (Fla.) Northwestern…Starter and letter winner for Billy Rolle…Helped prep team to national championship in 2007...Son of Velisa Willis.
"Devin Willis is a lock down cover corner. He doesn't lack physicality. He makes plays against the run. He has tremendous speed, a guy you can't run away from."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
