BISMARCK, ND – University of Mary Head Football Coach Shann Schillinger announced the initial wave of his first recruiting class on the 2024 National Signing Day for NCAA Division II football.

"We're excited about the group we have coming in," said Schillinger. "This is a group of young men we have spent a lot of time getting to know and they've spent a lot of time getting to know us. We think this incoming class of recruits is a good, quality group."

With over 75 players on the Marauders squad this spring, ten high school scholar-athletes committed to UMary on signing day.

"This is a small recruiting class by design," said Schillinger. "After losing only five seniors we knew this would be a small incoming class. We tried to identify some guys with size and length who we think can come in, develop into quality players and help us. We're excited about this class.

"We like the guys we have coming back. We have some players who didn't have a chance to play much last year due to some injuries. Potentially we have as many as 20 starters returning. We didn't lose a lot and we're excited about the group coming in. The incoming class will mix well with our returners."

Schillinger, a former NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans, and his staff will look to continues adding to the Marauders roster.

"Recruiting is never done, especially with another spring portal opening for college scholar-athletes and junior college scholar-athletes earning their associate's degrees. We like the group we got and anticipate adding another 10-12 players before fall camp begins in August."
 
2024 University of Mary Marauders Football National Signing Day Commitments

Syeed Alkhatib (OL, 6-4, 280, Fr., Gilbert, AZ / Williams Field High School)
A two-year starter at Williams Field High School… Right tackle… Played for head coach Steve Campbell at Williams Field… Son of Melanie and Hisham Alkhatib… Intends to major in Computer Science / Engineering at the University of Mary.
 
Luke Dockter (TE/DE, 6-3, 220, Fr., Bismarck, ND / Bismarck High School)
First team all-state defensive end for Bismarck (ND) High School as a senior in 2023… Also earned All-WDA at tight end and defensive end for the Demons his senior season…  Played football at BHS for coach Mark Gibson… Also competes in golf, basketball and baseball for the Demons… Son of Jeff and Kelley Dockter… Father played football at North Dakota State, coached football at UMary (2000-2014) and is an admissions representative at UMary… Brother Chase played football at Concordia (MN) College… Will major in Business Administration at the University of Mary.
 
Gavin Frye (QB, 5-9, 185, Fr., Mound, MN / Holy Family Catholic High School)
A four-time letter winner who earned first team all-district honors as a senior… Set the all-time passing record at Holy Family Catholic High School under coach Dan O'Brien … Three-year starter… Captain his senior year… Was named Offensive Player of the Year twice… Led his team to the Section championships his senior year… Brother played football at the University of St. Thomas… Son of Beth and Larry Frye… Intends to major in Biomechanics at the University of Mary.
 
Jack Henninger (K, 6-4, 190, Fr., Sequim, WA / Sequim High School)
Earned All-Olympic League second team honors for Sequim High School… Twice broke the school record for longest field goal… Launched a number of kickoffs for touchbacks during the season… Phi Theta Kappa Running Start student… Eagle Scout… Son of Ann Marie and Ray… will major in health sciences at the University of Mary.
 
Christian Jangula (K/P, 6-1, 190, Fr., Bismarck, ND / Century High School)
Named the Bismarck (ND) Century Specialty Player of the Year as a senior in 2023… Switched from playing soccer to football… Played for coach Ron Wingenbach at Century… National Technical Honor Society member… volunteers at his church… Son of Jenny Samuelson and Jeffrey Jangula… Plans to major in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Mary.
 
Javon "Von" Maxey (DE/OLB, 6-2, 225, Fr., Gilbert, AZ / Williams Field High School)
Helped lead Williams Field High School to the Arizona 6A quarterfinals as a senior… Productive senior season with 4 sacks, 12 tackles for 36 yards lost, 12 QB hurries, and 57 total tackles (30 solo)… For his career he had 8 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss totaling 60 yards, 31 QB hurries amd 85 total tackles (43 solo)…  Plays the saxophone… Son of Keyoundra and Javon Maxey Sr. … Majoring in Criminal Justice at the University of Mary.
 
Keyton McGregor (WR, 6-1, 170, Fr., West Fargo, ND / West Fargo High School)
1^st EDC all-conference honors after a record-setting senior season in 2023 for West Fargo High School… caught 54 passes for 874 yards and 11 TDs – all school records…. Also set Packets records for most yards in a single game (254) and most catches in a single game… Team captain. Team MVP and Team Offensive Player of the Year… finished career with 71 catches for 1,109 yards and 13 TDs… Opened his senior season with 13 catches for 247 yards and 3 TDs against Bismarck (ND) Century… Earned team Most Improved Player honors as a junior…  also had 70 tackles and two interceptions in his career… Played for coaches Adam Palczewski and Jay Gibson with the Packers… joining his older brother Payton on the Marauders football team… Son of Angi Quenzer and Ross and Jodi McGregor… Father played basketball for the Marauders… Will major in Business at the University of Mary.
 
Braylon Rach (RB, 5-10, 205, Fr., Perham MN / Perham High School)
Played four years at Perham High School under coach Jesse Hein… Rushed for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns for his high school career… A two-sport athlete in football and track… 75 career wins in wrestling and a section champion… Was named to the All-Conference team in wrestling and football during his junior season… Named to the All-District and All-State teams in football… Three-time conference champion in wrestling… Team captain in both wrestling and football… Named offensive MVP in football and team MVP in wrestling… Older brother wrestled at North Dakota State University… Son of Lorrie and Lance Rach… Intends to major in Sports Studies at the University of Mary.
 
K.J. Suggs (WR, 6-2, 166, Fr., Chaska, MN / Holy Family Catholic High School)
Played four years at Holy Family Catholic High School under coach Dan O'Brien … Two-sport athlete in football and track… Was named to the All-District team as a wide receiver and defensive back… Team captain of both his football and track teams… Named Special Teams Player of the Year… Competed in the triple jump, long jump, 400 and 100… Son of Mary Suggs… Intends to major in Pre-Med at the University of Mary.
 
Noah Watson (OL, 6-3, 265, Fr., Gilbert, AZ / Perry High School)
A three-year starter at Perry High School under coach Joseph Ortiz… Was named team captain and offensive line MVP… Was named to the All-CUSD first team and the All-premier region first team… Was named an honorable mention to the 6A All-Conference team… Uncle played football at the University of Hawaii… Son of Christylee and Steve Watson… Intends to major in Business at the University of Mary.

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