ISU football coach Brock Spack added depth to his program Wednesday with a 22-man recruiting class. (photo courtesy og GoRedbirds.com)
By Bryan Bloodworth
NORMAL – Illinois State football coach Brock Spack got what he wanted in this year's 22-man recruiting class that he announced Wednesday at the Kaufman Football Building.
The group included 13 players from within the state, as well as players from Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Kansas and Texas. The class is comprised of four versatile athletes (players who can play multiple positions); four defensive backs; three defensive linemen and three offensive linemen; two linebackers, quarterbacks and tight ends; one wide receiver and one running back.
In addition to the high school signees, the Redbirds added transfers Stephen Amoako (defensive back from the University of Oregon), David Kenney (defensive lineman from Indiana University) and Reggie Spearman (linebacker from the University of Iowa) prior to the start of the spring semester.
The trio is already enrolled in classes at ISU and will take part in spring practices and be eligible to play next season.
“I think we addressed several depth issues and questions with this class and were able to add three transfers at the semester that will help us immediately,” Spack said. “From that standpoint, our staff did a great job, particularly at the end holding onto these talented recruits.
"Recruiting the state and the Chicago area extremely hard has always been a priority for us and we were able to add some local kids (seven from Central Illinois) as well this year. As with every year, we think this will be a great class, but we won’t know for a couple years.”
Spack said the Redbirds’ deep run in the playoffs and appearance in the FCS national championship game cost his staff some crucial recruiting time, but he still thinks the class they put together will be a good one.
“The long playoff affected us both positively and negatively, but we will take that any year, and I think we have a great class in 2015,” Spack stated. “We were able to get a lot of players to commit early before we even started the playoffs, which helped.
"But we had to scramble at the end to close out a few of the guys because we weren’t able to get in their homes to see them like other schools did after the regular season ended. I think we will see the biggest effects in next year’s class and we should see an uptick with that class.”
The Redbirds begin spring practice in March with the annual spring showcase April 25, at 1 p.m.
ILLINOIS STATE SIGNING DAY BIOGRAPHIES:
Jawill Aldridge | WR | 5-10 | 185 | Fr.-HS | Chicago, Ill. (Marist HS)
Four-year player for head coach Pat Dunne … named a team captain as a senior … recorded 33 carries for 290 yards and scored six touchdowns … also caught eight passes for 84 yards … as a junior, carried the ball 51 times for 445 yards and scored six touchdowns … also recorded 78 tackles and picked off four passes, while causing two fumbles … helped team to the semifinals of the IHSA state playoffs. Personal: Born Oct. 27, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois … son of Will Aldridge ad Shena Pinkney … one of two children … plans to major in business management.
Jeremy Bivens | ATH | 6-0 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Springfield, Ill. (Rochester HS)
Three-year varsity starter for head coach Derek Leonard … Rochester HS won the IHSA Class 4A state championship in each season of prep career … recorded 79 receptions for 1,435 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior … averaged 18.2 yards per catch … earned Central State 8 All-Conference honors and was named an all-state special mention selection in final prep season … helped Rochester win its fifth-consecutive IHSA Class 4A state championship, finishing the game with eight receptions for 163 yards in the win over Phillips … on defense, posted 65 tackles, snagged three interceptions and added three tackles-for-loss … also returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown … as a junior, caught 48 passes for 807 yards and scored seven touchdowns … added 54 tackles, one tackle-for-loss and two interceptions as a defensive back … earned Central State 8 All-Conference special mention honors, while helping the team to the IHSA Class 4A state title … also a standout on the track, where he was an all-conference and all-state selection and state medalist in the 4×200 meter relay. Personal: Born March 31, 1997, in Springfield, Illinois … son of Jack and Christy Bivens … has an older brother, Jake … earned the Prairie State Science Award and was a member of the honor roll … plans to major in business administration.
Jamal Brown | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Fr.-HS | Chicago, Ill. (Phillips Academy)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Troy McAllister … ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … ranked as the No. 39 player in the state of Illinois by ESPN.com … Chicago Sun-Times All-Area selection and Chicago Tribune All-State special mention pick … ranked second on the Wildcats with six interceptions and 90 tackles as a senior, while leading the team to the IHSA Class 4A state title game in Champaign against four-time defending champion Rochester … Phillips became the second Chicago Public League team to advance to a state title game. Personal: Born Oct. 10, 1995, in Chicago, Illinois … son of Mike Larson … his father played football at Illinois State from 2002-04 … plans to major in history.
Tuvone Clark | LB | 6-2 | 205 | Fr.-HS | St. Louis, Mo. (McCluer South-Berkeley HS)
Three-year varsity starter for head coach Howard Brown … Missouri Football Coaches Association 2014 Class 3 all-state third-team selection … first-team all-conference selection and conference defensive player of the year as a senior … recorded 163 tackles, 10 sacks, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes in his final season … also amassed 615 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver … as a junior, recorded 78 tackles and eight sacks, along with two interceptions … named a second-team all-conference pick, while helping his team to the state playoff quarterfinals and a district championship … tallied 48 tackles and six sacks while playing on the varsity squad as a sophomore … also a standout on the track, where he finished third in the state in the 300-meter hurdles and sixth in the state in the 110-meter hurdles in 2014 to earn all-state honors. Personal: Born Sept. 10, 1997, in Marysville, California … son of Erwin Clark … member of the honor roll … plans to major in athletic training.
DeMarco Corbin | RB | 6-0 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Euless, Texas (Colleyville Heritage HS)
Three-year varsity starter and two-year team captain for head coaches Darren Allman and Mike Fuller … ranked as two-star recruit by Scout.com … named his team’s offensive MVP as a senior, after totaling 1,388 yards of total offense and scoring 18 touchdowns … District 7-6A First-Team All-District selection and all-area pick, while leading his team to the playoffs … rushed for 1,068 yards and totaled 320 yards receiving out of the backfield … as a junior, finished the season with 772 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns … rushed for 377 yards and recorded 395 yards receiving, on his way to being named a District 6-5A Second-Team All-District selection … accounted for 560 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns as a sophomore … also a standout in track and basketball. Personal: Born April 30, 1997, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma … son of Erica Murphy … has one sibling, Riley … member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars … plans to major in kinesiology.
Steve Covington | DB | 6-1 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods HS)
Two-year starter for head coach Roland Brown … named a first-team all-conference performer as a defensive back and earned second-team all-area honors … recorded 76 total tackles on defense, and added a kickoff return for a touchdown on special teams … caught 16 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for another … helped team advance to the IHSA Class 6A playoffs … earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior … posted 81 tackles on defense and hauled in 25 passes for 586 yards with seven touchdowns as a junior, while leading his team to the playoffs. Personal: Born Oct. 26, 1996, in Orlando, Florida … son of Brian and Delores Covington … has an older brother, Brian … his father, John, played football at Central Florida … both of his parents attended Illinois State … plans to major in athletic training.
Willie Edwards | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Wichita, Kan. (Wichita East HS)
Four-year varsity starter for head coach Brian Byers … ranked as two-star recruit by Rivals.com … selected to play in the Kansas All-Star Shrine Bowl game following his senior season … earned 6A honorable mention all-state honors and was a first-team all-city selection … recorded 85 tackles as a defensive back and scored a pair of touchdowns with over 800 yards receiving on offense at wide receiver … led team to a playoff appearance in final year … as a junior, was named an honorable mention all-city performer and was the top kickoff returner in the city … named the special teams player of the year, while also starting at wide receiver. Personal: Born Jan. 18, 1997, in Wichita, Kansas … son of Rogenia Adkins … one of three children … plans to major in kinesiology.
Jason Harris | DL | 6-5 | 215 | Fr.-HS | Barrington, Ill. (Barrington HS)
Four-year varsity player for head coach Joe Sanchez … Chicago Tribune All-State special mention selection following senior season … all-area and all-conference pick … recorded 72 tackles, 13 sacks, one interception and forced a fumble in final prep season … the interception led to a touchdown in the state playoffs … led team to the state playoff quarterfinals and a 10-2 overall record … helped team to a conference championship and a 10-2 record as a junior … also played basketball and was a member of the track and field team for one season. Personal: Born Feb. 6, 1997, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois … son of Al and Maggie Harris … has an older sister, Emily … his father, Al, was an All-American in college at Arizona State and played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles … plans to major in kinesiology.
Jake Hendershot | FB/H | 6-2 | 230 | Fr.-HS | North Salem, Ind. (Tri-West HS)
Four-year varsity starter for head coach Chris Coll … Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 3A All-State selection as a senior while playing quarterback … also earned all-conference and all-county plaudits, while being named the team MVP and captain … led team to a 14-1 overall record and an Indiana Class 3A state championship … accounted for 35 total touchdowns in final prep season … threw for 2,627 yards and 27 touchdowns, completing 176-of-277 pass attempts (63.5 percent), while passing for 175 yards per game … also ran for 676 yards and eight touchdowns … recorded five interceptions on defense … as a junior, earned all-state, all-conference and all-county honors while leading the team to a conference title … scored 36 total touchdowns, threw for 2,572 yards and 20 touchdowns, and ran for 849 yards and 16 scores on the ground … scored 30 touchdowns as a sophomore while playing at the varsity level, earning all-state honors for the first time … threw for 1,957 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 506 yards and 10 touchdowns … was also a three-year starter in basketball and played one season of baseball. Personal: Born Feb. 22, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri … son of Jack and Jennifer Hendershot … one of four children … plans to major in marketing.
Drew Himmelman | TE/OL | 6-8 | 230 | Fr.-HS | Geneseo, Ill. (Geneseo HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Larry Johnsen, Jr. … all-state honorable mention selection as a senior, after recording 55 tackles, nine sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss … caught 17 passes for 356 yards with six touchdowns in final season … also earned all-conference and Quad Cities All-Metro Team honors … led team to the IHSA Class 5A semifinals with a 12-1 overall record and helped the team secure a NIB-12 conference championship … also earned academic all-conference honors … earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a junior, while helping the team to an IHSA Class 4A state runner-up finish and conference title … also a standout on the basketball court and on the baseball field. Personal: Born Sept. 19, 1996, in Geneseo, Illinois … son of Scott and Angela Himmelman … oldest of three children … member of the National Honor Society and an academic all-conference selection in football, basketball and baseball … plans to major in business administration.
Bryce Jefferson | ATH | 5-10 | 190 | Fr.-HS | Wentzville, Mo. (Lutheran HS)
Four-year varsity standout for head coach David Steinbacher … earned all-state and all-metro area plaudits as a senior, after rushing for 2,303 yards and scoring 34 total touchdowns … scored six touchdowns in final Homecoming game of his prep career … also earned all-district honors and was named the conference player of the year at running back … also recorded 67 solo tackles on defense in 10 games played … rushed for 1,150 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, while earning all-conference honors and being named the special teams player of the year … tallied 69 total tackles on defense that season … rushed for over 500 yards as a sophomore while playing at the varsity level … also a star on the baseball diamond, helping the team to a preseason No. 1 ranking in the state and a school-record 24 wins in 2014. Personal: Born July 26, 1996, in Saginaw, Michigan … son of Kennith and Tracey Jefferson … oldest of two children … member of the honor roll all four years … plans to major in biology.
Decxavier Kelly-Martin | LB | 6-3 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Plainfield, Ill. (Nazareth Academy)
Three-year varsity starter for head coach Tim Racki … ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Chicago Tribune All-State special mention selection at linebacker … Chicago Sun-Times All-Area honorable mention selection as an athlete … led team to the IHSA Class 6A state championship as a senior in 2014 with a 14-0 record … recorded 77 tackles, two sacks, one interception and forced a fumble in his final season, on his way to earning ESCC All-Conference and Defensive MVP honors … also earned all-conference and all-area honors as junior … also competed in wrestling and track and field. Personal: Born Dec. 6, 1996, in Oak Park, Illinois … son of Jamar and Idaly Kelly … one of three children … plans to major in biology.
Luther Kirk | DB | 6-2 | 170 | Fr.-HS | Garland, Texas (Garland HS)
Dual-threat quarterback and defensive back for Garland HS … completed 87-of-165 pass attempts for 1,160 yards and threw 12 touchdown passes during senior season … rushed 93 times for 798 yards and five touchdowns in final season, as Garland recorded a 5-1 record in district play.
Michael Kolzow | WR | 6-2 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Mike Stine … rated as a two-star recruit by Scout and Rivals.com … Illinois Football Coaches Association Class 8A All-State selection … Daily Herald All-Area selection and Naperville Sun All-City pick … DVC All-Conference selection at wide receiver, after recording 50 receptions for 792 yards and five touchdowns … helped team to the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs and a conference title … also tallied four interceptions on defense … as a junior, earned Daily Herald All-Area and Naperville Sun All-City honors while helping Naperville Central win the IHSA Class 8A state championship along with current Redbird quarterback Jake Kolbe … tallied 61 receptions for 795 yards with nine touchdowns … recorded four interceptions on defense as well … also played baseball for one season. Personal: Born Oct.21, 1996, in Naperville, Illinois … son of Tom and Kerry Kolzow … youngest of four children … his sister, Kelly, is an Illinois State graduate … member of the honor roll every semester … academic all-conference selection during the 2013-14 school year.
Aston Langley | DL | 6-1 | 280 | Fr.-HS | Pleasant Prairie, Wis. (Indian Trail HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Mike McKay … earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior, while helping his team to a 7-4 record … recorded 30 tackles, with seven tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Personal: Born April 10, 1997, in Orange Park, Florida … son of Joe and Donna Langley … has an older brother, Aubrey.
LaCale London | DL | 6-4 | 270 | Fr.-HS | Peoria, Ill. (Peoria HS)
Three-year varsity starter for head coach Tim Thornton … IFCA Class 5A All-State selection on the defensive line … named the Illinois Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today … named a Peoria Journal-Star All-Area and All-City selection … helped his team advance to the semifinals of the state playoffs … earned all-state special mention honors as a junior in 2013. Personal: Born Aug. 5, 1997, in Peoria, Illinois … son of Steve London and Patty Lane … his high school coach, Tim Thornton, was a member of the 1999 ISU football Gateway Championship team and lettered at ISU from 1998-2000.
Erik Mikkelson | OL | 6-3 | 280 | Fr.-HS | Oswego, Ill. (Oswego HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Brian Cooney … all-state honorable mention selection … named an all-area and all-conference selection on the offense line, while helping the team to the IHSA Class 8A playoffs … as a junior, earned all-area and all-conference honors while helping the team to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the IHSA playoffs. Personal: Born Jan. 28, 1997, in Aurora, Illinois … son of Rick and Julie Mikkelson … has one sister, Annika … member of the honor roll … plans to major in business administration.
Marc Miller | OL | 6-2 | 270 | Fr.-HS | Beverly Hills, Mich. (Brother Rice HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coaches Dave Sofran and Albert Fracassa … ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals and Scout.com … earned all-league honors and was a team captain as a senior, while helping his team to an 11-1 record and league and district championships … blocked for an offense that amassed nearly 3,000 passing yards and over 1,100 rushing yards as a senior … began his junior season at defensive tackle, before making the move to the offensive line to play guard … named as one of the top 10 linemen in the state … led team to a 14-0 undefeated record and the team’s second-consecutive state championship … brought up to varsity as a sophomore and played five games at defensive tackle. Personal: Born March 25, 1997, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama … son of Tom and Holly Miller … has two younger sisters, Nicole and Brooke … member of the honor roll and earned honors for mathematics and chemistry excellence (4.0 GPA) … plans to major in business with a minor in computer science.
Hasan Muhammad-Rogers | QB | 5-11 | 170 | Fr.-HS | Calumet Park, Ill. (Richards HS)
Two-year varsity starter for head coach Dave Sofran and Albert Fracassa … ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals and Scout.com … IFCA Class 6A All-State selection at quarterback … Chicago Tribune All-State special mention pick and Chicago Sun-Times All-Area honorable mention selection … Southtown Star All-Area honorees and named The Reporter Player of the Year … South Suburban Conference Player of the Year as a senior, after throwing for 2,480 yards and 27 touchdowns … rushed for 612 yards and nine touchdowns as well … led team to an appearance in the state quarterfinals with a 10-2 overall record … as a junior, earned Champaign News-Gazette All-State special mention honors, after leading his team to a state runner-up finish in Class 6A … threw for 2,524 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 498 yards and five touchdowns … earned all-conference honors and Chicago Sun-Times special mention honors … scored 21 touchdowns and accumulated over 1,600 yards of total offense as a sophomore … also a standout in wrestling. Personal: Born Nov. 11, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois … son of Dennis and Nicole Rogers … one of three children … plans to major in criminal justice.
Jared Rients | OL | 6-5 | 290 | Fr.-HS | Minonk, Ill. (Fieldcrest HS)
Four-year starter for head coach Derek Schneeman … IFCA Class 2A All-State selection as an offensive lineman/defensive lineman … named the 2014 Peoria Journal Star Small School Football Player of the Year, becoming the first Fieldcrest player and first pure down lineman to earn small-school POY honors in the 24-year history of the award … recorded 65 tackles and 12 sacks from his defensive tackle position … helped lead team to a 9-0 regular season mark and a berth in the state semifinals … was a two-way starter as a junior, earning all-conference and all-area honors. Personal: Born Oct. 11, 1996, in Minonk, Illinois … son of Alan and Susie Rients … has two older sisters, Megan and Katie … plans to major in agriculture science.
Josh Sromovsky | ATH | 6-2 | 200 | Fr.-HS | Brooklyn, Wis. (Oregon HS)
Three-year starter for head coach Dan Kissling … rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … played both wide receiver and safety in final prep season … earned second-team all-conference honors … was also a standout on the basketball court and on the track. Personal: Born Oct. 17, 1996, in Madison, Wisconsin … son of Adam Sromovsky and Erika Winchel … has a younger brother, Elijah … his mother, Erika, ran track at Northern Iowa … plans to major in business management.
DeMarco Washington | QB | 6-3 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Peoria, Ill. (Notre Dame HS)
Three-year starter for head coach Joe Walters … two-time first-team all-conference selection … named an all-area and all-city selection as a senior, while also serving as a team captain … passed for 1,273 yards and rushed for over 500 yards as a senior on way to being named the team’s MVP … helped Notre Dame advance to the IHSA Class 6A quarterfinals … passed for over 700 yards and rushed for over 600 as a junior in 2013 … also a standout and starter for the basketball team. Personal: Born March 13, 1997, in Houston, Texas … son of DeMarco Washington, Sr., and Collen Wake, who is an ISU graduate … has two siblings … plans to major in kinesiology.
ILLINOIS STATE MID-YEAR TRANSFER BIOGRAPHIES:
Stephen Amoako | DB | 5-11 | 185 | Jr.-TR | Arlington, Texas (Martin HS/ Oregon)
At Oregon: Amoako was a three-year member of the Oregon football team … did not see game action in 2014 … member of the Ducks’ practice team in 2013 as a redshirt freshman … did see action in Oregon’s 66-3 season-opening win over Nicholls State … redshirted in 2012 … during his prep career, earned second-team all-University Interscholastic League honors and was named a Gatorade National Performer … totaled 20 tackles, five pass deflections and three interceptions during his senior season.
David Kenney | DL | 6-2 | 250 | So.-TR | Indianapolis, Indiana (Pike HS/Indiana)
At Indiana: Kenney was a two-year member of the Indiana football team and a former teammate of current ISU quarterback Tre Roberson … did not see game action in 2014 … played in seven games as a true freshman in 2013, recording nine tackles with one pass breakup … recorded five stops in win over Illinois … selected to the 2012 Indianapolis Star Super Team and named Position Award winner (defensive line) at the end of his prep career … named Indiana Associated Press Class 5A All-State and Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Top 50 as a senior … IFCA All-State selection as a junior and senior … played in the 2013 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … tallied 76 tackles, nine sacks, 19.5 tackles-for-loss, 29 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and four pass breakups in his final prep season … rated the No. 6 prospect in Indiana, the No. 11 weak-side defensive end nationally and the No. 244 prospect overall by Rivals.com coming out of high school.
Reggie Spearman | LB | 6-3 | 230 | Jr. | Chicago, Illinois (Simeon HS/Iowa)
At Iowa: Spearman was a two-year member of the Iowa football team … played in 21 games over those two seasons, with 49 total tackles … played in 12 games as a sophomore in 2014, recording 39 tackles, one sack, two tackles-for-loss and three pass breakups … saw action in 10 games as a true freshman in 2013 and finished the year with 10 tackles … recorded four assisted tackles in a 59-3 win over Western Michigan … named a first-team all-state selection as a senior at Simeon and named to Team USA . . . named first-team all-city and All-Chicago Public League in final prep season as well … helped prep team earn city championship three straight years . . . team won Chicago Prep Bowl at Soldier Field as a senior, posting a combined 21-5 record his last two seasons.
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected]
