BISMARCK, ND – On the first day of the 2021 national signing period, University of Mary head coach
Craig Bagnell announced the commitment of 30 student-athletes who will continue their education at UMary and compete on the gridiron for the Marauders.
"Our staff did a great job building relationships and getting to know these guys during a very interesting recruiting cycle," said Bagnell. "Our focus this year was to increase our size and athleticism across the board. Due to our players regaining a year of eligibility, we looked at particular positions where we needed to build up our depth.
"To win in our conference, teams need to have a group up front that can play at a high level and push each other so emphasizing the offensive line was a key for us.
"Another big thing was identifying kids who not only love the game but are also intelligent players with the ability to come in and learn our system quickly. The average GPA for this recruiting class is 3.43."
Out of the 30 commitments, one is a graduate transfer who already attends UMary. Twenty-nine commitments are high school student-athletes who will join the Marauders this summer.
BREAKDOWN BY STATE
The Marauders have gained commitments from student-athletes from North Dakota (9), Arizona (5), Florida (1), Iowa (3), Minnesota (6), Nevada (5) and Washington (1).
BREAKDOWN BY POSITION
QB 2 | RB 3 | WR 3 | TE 2 | OL 9 | DL 5 | LB 2 | DB 1 | K 1 | P 1 | ATH 1
Today is the first day student-athletes could sign an NCAA Division II National Letter of Intent for football for 2021.
The Marauders open the 2021 season Labor Day weekend at Wayne State College.
2021 University of Mary Marauders football commitments
NORTH DAKOTA
Jaxon Feller (RB, 5-8, 165, Fr., Minot, N.D. / Bishop Ryan HS)
Two-time first-team all-state performer at Minot Bishop Ryan High School… two-time all-conference player… ran for 1,809 yards and 25 TDs on 203 carries (8.9 yards/carry) and totaled 2,406 all-purpose yards and 27 TDs… career totals of 4,122 yards rushing and 52 TDs on 532 carries (7.7 ypc), 55 catches for 643 yards and 4 TDs, and 5,113 all purpose yards and 56 TDs… Career record of 35-9 at Ryan… two-time team offensive MVP… the Scott Team player of the year as a sophomore… multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball… Honors student… The son of Jason and Colleen Feller, Jaxon will major in radiology at the University of Mary.
Braeden Bloch (OL, 6-3, 281, Fr., Dilworth, Minn. / Shanley High School)
Team captain at Shanley High School… won a state title with the Deacons in 2018… Also lettered in track & field and weightlifting and competed in trap shooting… Member of the Shanley student council executive board… The son of Kim and Dean Bloch, Braeden will major in business management at the University of Mary.
Zach Haas (OL, 6-4, 250, Fr., Bismarck, N.D. / St. Mary's Central High School)
First team All-State performer as a senior at Bismarck St. Mary's Central High School… had three sacks as a senior… led Saints to a AA state title in 2020… state runner-up as a sophomore in 2018… first team all-conference as a senior… honorable mention all-conference as a junior… played on both sides of the ball… also lettered in basketball… Member of Catholic Athletes for Christ, Knights of Virtue, science club, and is an assistant chaplain… The son of Scott and Michelle Haas… mother is a UMary alumni… Zach will major in computer science at the University of Mary.
Eli Heinrich (LB, 5-11, 180, Fr., Kindred, N.D. / Kindred HS)
Team captain at Kindred High School… Three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track & field… basketball team captain… involved in FCA and PAY… The son of Laura and Josh Heinrich, Eli will major in exercise science/physical therapy at the University of Mary.
Jacob Pierce (Punter, 5-11, 166, Fr., Mandan, N.D. / Mandan High School)
All-Western Dakota Association punter as a senior in 2020 at Mandan High School… Special Teams most valuable player for the Braves as a senior… multisport letter winner who also competes in basketball and track & field… High school football coach Todd Sheldon was an all-conference player for UMary… National Honor Society member… Son of Lee and Aaron Pierce… father works at UMary… Will major in exercise science at the University of Mary.
Austin Richter (TE, 6-5, 208, Hazen, N.D. / Hazen High School)
All-State selection his senior season in 2020 at Hazen High School… Team captain… played on both sides of the ball… Son of Andrea Weisz and Matthew Richter… mother is a UMary graduate… father played basketball at Minot State… plans to major in business administration at the University of Mary.
Carter Smith (OL, 6-3, 290, Fr., Bismarck N.D. / Legacy High School)
All-State second team selection as a senior in 2020 at Legacy High School… Two-way starter… Named to the All-WDA team his senior season… team captain… Legacy High School coach Chris Clements was the team captain of the Marauders 1995 Hall of Fame team… multi-sport athlete who also lettered in track & field… Son of Andy and Barbie Smith… Carter will major in criminal justice at the University of Mary.
Tyler Thilmony (Athlete, 6-0, 160, Fr., Mandan, N.D. / Mandan HS)
First-team All-State wide receiver at Mandan High School as a senior in 2020… Named the Team MVP… all-conference performer at wide receiver, safety and punt return… tied a school-record 43 receptions for 612 yards and seven TDs… defensively recorded 33 tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions… second in the WDA in receiving yards and TD catches as a senior… Multi-sport athlete who also lettered in basketball and track… High school football coach Todd Sheldon was an all-conference player for UMary… Honor roll student… Special Olympics volunteer… The son of Debra and John Thilmony, Tyler will major in construction management at the University of Mary.
Keagen Woodbury (WR, 6-0, 170, Fr., Bismarck, N.D. / Legacy High School)
All-State performer as a senior at Legacy High School… two-time all-conference player as a junior and senior… team captain as a junior and a senior… intercepted two passes as a senior… caught 66 passes in his prep career for 819 yards and 6 TDs… also a basketball letter winner… Legacy High School coach Chris Clements was the team captain of the Marauders 1995 Hall of Fame team… Son of Karen and Rob Woodbury… Keagan will major in business at the University of Mary.
ARIZONA
Mika Fuamatu (OL, 6-3, 305, Fr., Goodyear, Ariz. / Millennium High School)
Two-time All-Desert West 5A selection at Millennium High School… team captain… 4-year starter… helped the Tigers to a 9-3 record as a junior in 2019 and the 5A playoff semifinals… also saw action on the defensive line… The son of Jennifer Powell and Iona Fuamatu, Mika will major in biology at the University of Mary.
Jadon Hanzal (QB, 6-1, 182, Fr., Chandler, Ariz. / Valley Christian High School)
Second team Arizona all-state and first team all-region performer as a senior at Valley Christian High School in 2020… In eight games completed 109-of-170 (64.1%) passes for 1,753 yards and 21 TDs… set school record with 8 passing TDs in a single game… for his career completed 185-of-305 passes for 2,826 yards and 30 TDs… team captain and second team all-conference as a senior… Son of Troy and Shea Hanzal… father played QB at UMary and head coach Jake Peterson also played for the Marauders… also had an aunt who ran track at UMary… Jadon will major in civil or mechanical engineering at the University of Mary.
Gabe Levy (RB, 5-11, 213, Fr., Sahuarita, Ariz. / Cienega HS)
Two-time first-team all-region performer helped lead Cienega High School to a regional championship in 2019… Also earned first team All-Southern Arizona honors as a senior after running for 359 yards and 4 TDs in two games in 2020… Ran for 1,341 yards and 11 TDs in his career, averaging 7.0 yards/carry… also a letter winner in wrestling… The son of Cindy and Edward Levy, Gabe will major in business at the University of Mary.
Mason Phillips (LB, 6-2, 207, Fr., Gilbert, Ariz. / Casteel High School)
Second team all-region selection at Casteel High School… an honorable mention All-CUSD (Chandler Unified School District) choice… posted 10 sacks, 61 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and blocked a PAT as a senior… Led Casteel to the Arizona state semifinals in 2019 and the quarterfinals in 2020… The son of Greg Phillips and Marti Cruz… has a twin… plans to major in business at the University of Mary.
Jason "Kana" Ramirez-Corpuz (DB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Phoenix, Ariz. / Mountain Pointe High School)
Named the most improved defensive player at Mountain Pointe High School in Tempe, Ariz., as a senior in 2020… played defensive back and linebacker… son of Jocelyn Ramirez-Corpuz… Plans to major in criminal justice at the University of Mary.
FLORIDA
Dave Small, Jr. (RB, 5-9, 215, Jr., Lauderhill, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons HS / University of South Florida)
Transfer from NCAA Division I University of South Florida… played eight games for the Bulls in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore, rushing five times for 35 yards and a TD and made three tackles… played in six games in 2018, rushing five times for 21 yards… redshirted as a freshman at USF in 2017… As a senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School, totaled 76 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception… also rushed 34 times for 165 yards (4.9 ypc) with four touchdowns in 2016…In his career, totaled 159 solo tackles, 45 touchdowns, 12 forced fumbles, three interceptions, two blocked punts and one blocked punt return for a touchdown... served as team captain for three seasons and named to the all-county first team as a senior and second team as a junior... played in the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game as a senior... also wrestled and helped Cardinal Gibbons place third at the state championship in 2017... earned varsity letters in football (4), track and field (2), and wrestling (2)... The son of Shezette Blue-Small and Dave Small Sr., … Father played at the University of Cincinnati and still holds school records… cousin
Tylen Small plays football for the Marauders… Dave will major in education at the University of Mary.
IOWA
Brayden Evertsen (LB, 6-1, 210, Fr., Clemons, Iowa / West Marshall HS)
A two-time all-State player who led West Marshall to the 2020 state quarterfinals and three district championships… registered 17 sacks as a senior (school record) and totaled 36.5 sacks (school record) and 67 tackles for loss in his career… 2020 2A All-State captain… three-time first-team all-district and two-time district defensive lineman of the year… team captain and defensive most valuable player… multi-sport letter winner (football, basketball, track and baseball)… involved in FFA… Son of Chris and Josie Evertsen… Father (football) and mother (softball) both played NCAA Division I athletics at Southeast Missouri State… Brayden will major in nursing at the University of Mary.
Raph Hamilton (QB, 6-4, 230, Fr., Iowa City, Iowa / Iowa City HS)
Iowa 4A All-District and Mississippi Valley Conference 1st team quarterback at Iowa City High School… three-year starter and two-year team captain… 7th all-time in passing yardage in 110-year football history at Iowa City HS, throwing for 2,302 yards and 13 TDs while running for 898 yards and 11 TDs… In six games as a senior in 2020 passed for 665 yards and 5 TDs while running for 429 yards and 5 TDs… In 9 games as a junior in 2019 passed for 766 yards and 4 TDs and ran for 343 yards and 4 TDs… in 7 games as a sophomore in 2018 threw for 870 yards and 4 TDs and ran for 126 yards and 2 TDs… multi-sport athlete who also lettered in basketball and track… featured on ESPN College Gameday holding the Little Cy-Hawk trophy after defeating Ames HS on eve of Iowa vs. Iowa State game… Intern and on-air talent for Iowa City Catholic Radio 92.7 FM… Honor roll and 4.0 student… Mississippi Valley Conference All-Academic honors for football, basketball and track… The son of Greg and Marcy Hamilton, Raph (pronounced RAY ff) will major in secondary science teacher education at the University of Mary.
Dylan Koch (OL, 6-1, 257, Fr., Council Bluffs, Iowa / Lewis Central High School)
Named to Iowa's 3A district 9 All-Conference first team as a senior in 2020 at Lewis Central High School… earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior in 2019… team captain… earned the Titan Award… twice advanced to the state semifinals… The son of Tim and Melanie Koch, Dylan will major in business management at the University of Mary.
MINNESOTA
Isaac Ask (WR, 6-0, 190, Fr., Farmington, Minn. / Farmington HS)
Two-year all-conference football player and a three-year starter at Farmington High School… helped Farmington to a section title in 2020… multi-sport athlete who also earned all-conference honors in basketball and baseball… team captain in basketball and baseball… The son of Andy and Celeste Ask, Isaac will major in mechanical engineering at the University of Mary.
Luke Bodine (TE, 6-3, 195, Fr., Plymouth, Minn. / Wayzata High School)
Won the Minnesota 6A state title at Wayzata High School in 2019… All-conference performer… team captain… Caught 15 passes for 191 yards and 2 TDs in six games as a senior… also played basketball and baseball in high school… The son of Steve and Jenn Bodine, Luke will major in civil engineering or construction management at the University of Mary.
Jaydon Coley (OL, 6-4, 277, Fr., Moorhead, Minn. / Moorhead Senior High School)
Won the 2021 Minnesota State title at Moorhead Senior High School… A two-time section champion with the Spuds… multisport athlete who also competes in track & field and wrestling… Son of Dana and Jeff Coley… aunt is a UMary graduate… plans to major in nursing at the University of Mary.
Jonathan Elliott (OL, 6-3, 315, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South High School)
Won a Minnesota 6A state championship at Lakeville South in 2020… won two section championships… team was 8-0 as a senior in 2020… also lettered in track & field and competed in Olympic weightlifting.. The son of Kurt and Kristen Elliott, Jonathan plans to major in electrical engineering at the University of Mary.
Michael McIntyre (DE, 6-3, 227, Fr., Maple Grove, Minn. / Osseo HS)
An all-area and all-conference performer his senior year at Osseo High School… Team captain and pre-season all-state selection in 2020… posted 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, one pass deflection and one forced fumble as a senior… three-year letter winner in football… multi-sport athlete who also won letters in basketball and weightlifting… A four-time academic letter winner and high honor roll student who was the English scholar of the Year as a junior… The son of Amy McIntyre, Michael will major in pre-dentistry at the University of Mary.
Kyle Newham (DL 6-2, 250, Fr., Farmington, Minn. / Farmington HS)
Lettered in football at Farmington High School as a sophomore and junior… Also earned multiple academic letters… The son of Cory Bennett and Travis, Kyle will major in business at the University of Mary.
NEVADA
Christian Janota (DL, 6-1, 240, Fr., Gardnerville, Nev. / Douglas High School)
Two-sport athlete at Douglas High School… Registered three sacks, 34 tackles (12 solo), produced 26 hurries, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble as a junior… Also competes in lacrosse… Honor roll student and member of Nevada All-State academic team… took part in a Helping the Homeless mission trip… Son of Andrea and Jason Janota… Christian will major in criminal justice at the University of Mary.
Alec Rodriguez (OL, 6-1, 282, Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman High School)
Won a Nevada state championship at Bishop Gorman in 2018 as a sophomore… The Gaels were 11-3 in 2018 and finished 11-2 in 2019… Served on food drives during the pandemic, Catholic Charities during the Christmas season, Miracle League aid… Son of Jose and Iris Rodriguez… Alec will major in construction management at the University of Mary.
Cam Swain (WR, 6-3, 230, Fr., Gardnerville, Nev. / Douglas High School)
2nd team All-Region as a junior at Douglas High School in 2019… caught 56 passes for 938 yards (16.1 ypc) and 8 TDs… honorable mention all-region as a sophomore… also a letter winner in basketball, where he serves as team captain and earned 2nd team all-region honors… Honor roll student… Son of Karey Swain… Grandfather was a lineman at Arizona State… Great Uncle also played at ASU plus eight years in NFL for Bills and Raiders… Cam plans to major in business at the University of Mary.
Tanner Vaughan (DE, 6-4, 255, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev. / Palo Verde High School)
Second team All-Division as a defensive end at Palo Verde High School… as a sophomore and junior he totaled 8 sacks, 98 tackles, five forced fumbles and two interceptions… team captain… named team's Best Defensive Lineman as a junior… most improved player as a sophomore… also played tight end and long snapper… multisport athlete who competes in track & field as a thrower… regional runner-up in the shot as a junior… Son of Pat Vaughan and Kristen Smyth… sister plays NCAA D1 soccer at Jacksonville State University… will major in sports management at the University of Mary.
Tim Vaughn (OL, 6-2, 320, Fr., Normal, Ill. / Arbor View (Nev.) High School)
Named to the 2019 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada honorable mention football team as an offensive lineman… helped Aggies to nine wins in 2019… multi-sport athlete who also lettered in wrestling and track & field… Son of Melissa Vaughn… plans to major in construction management at the University of Mary.
WASHINGTON
Kevin Powell (Kicker, 6-0, 152, Fr., Bremerton, Wash. / Bremerton HS)
Helped lead Bremerton High School to the state finals in 2019… 5-for-6 in his career on field goals… 2-sport high school athlete who also competed in soccer… The son of Mark and Tina Powell… His mother played collegiate volleyball at the University of San Francisco… Father was a goalkeeper at USF before playing professionally for the San Diego Sockers in the MISL… Brother Erik is a kicker at Washington State while brother Sean plays rugby at WSU… Kevin will major in accounting at the University of Mary.
SUMMER 2020 COMMITMENTS WHO ENROLLED AT UMARY IN FALL 2020
Ty'Rhae Gibson (DB, 6-1, 175, Jr., Lawndale, Calif. / Paramont HS / Montana State University)
Ty'Rese Gibson (DB, 6-1, 175, So., Lawndale, Calif. / Paramont HS / Montana State University)
Nick Thune (OL, 6-4, 315, Jr., Hibbing, Minn. / Hibbing HS / Itasca CC)
Dylan Missoul (K, 6-4, 185, Jr., Simi Valley, Calif. / Royal HS / Santa Monica College)
Ronnie Preston (DB, 6-0, 190, Jr., Antioch, Calif. / Deer Valley HS / Diablo Valley CC)
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