TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State head football coach J.J. Eckert announced the signing of 39 incoming freshmen to National Letters of Intent Wednesday.
 
The class is the largest in the past decade for the NSU football program with 22 hailing from Oklahoma and ten from Arkansas.  Keeping things local, NSU will have six signees coming from Tahlequah High School.
 
"It's amazing the difference a year can make. I think that goes all the way across, from the relationships that you're able to build to ultimately the time you're able to spend evaluating and more than anything else have a chance to go through the process and be able to locate what you're trying to locate," head coach J.J. Eckert.  "I think the coaches did a tremendous job of not only going back and evaluating these players off junior video but being able to ultimately be able to develop the relationships through the course of April all the way through signing day."

"I think it's really special, to be able to sit here and think about six guys from Tahlequah High School that signed today is really remarkable. They're great football players but even greater people. That being said, they've won a lot of games so ultimately they're going to have a chance with the community and the following, I hope that's something that can really benefit us moving forward. I'm really proud of it, it kind of got me thinking how cool that was that at 12:30 today those guys were all signing. To be able to have that opportunity for those guys to come be RiverHawks is really exciting."
 
Additionally, NSU has two mid-year additions with Bryce Brown (Oklahoma State) and Chris Friday (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M).  Brown played for the Cowboys for three seasons is slated to play defensive back this fall.  Friday led NEO with seven touchdowns on the ground and had 117 carries as a junior.
 
Malik Antwine // 6-1 // 165 // Wide Receiver // Benton, La. // Benton HS
 
Reagan Bailey // 6-7 // 285 // Offensive Line // Hallsville, Texas // Hallsville HS
 
High School: Four-year letter winner in football.
 
Personal: Son of Mike and Cari Bailey… Has one sister (Ryan)… Plans to major in Hospitality and Tourism.
 
Brett Bond // 6-2 // 205 // Linebacker // Ashdown, Ark. // Ashdown HS
 
High School: Four-year letter winner in Baseball… Named All-Conference in Football his Sophomore, Junior and Senior Years… Lists his Greatest Sports Moment as Winning a World Series Championship while playing on his dads' team.
 
Personal: Son of Jarrin Bond and Tempa Middleton, Robin Bond and Gerald Middleton… Plans to major in Business.

Allandis Boyd // 6-2 // 265 // Defensive Lineman // Columbus, Ga. // Glenwood HS

High School: listed greatest sports moment as signing his letter of intent.

Personal: Born in Columbus, Georgia … son of Willetta and Allandoe … has a brother, Terry.
 
Brandon Calvert // 5-11 // 180 // Defensive Back // Marion, Ark. // Marion HS
 
High School: lettered in football all four years … listed greatest sports moment as winning All State, All-Conference, and Defensive MVP.
 
Personal: son of Brandon and guardian Gloria King … anticipated major is game warden or veterinarian.
 
Tate Christian // 6-3 // 200 // Quarterback // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS
 
High School: Played quarterback for the Tigers and was a starter for two seasons … listed greatest sports moment as winning the first district championship in Tahlequah football since 1991.
 
Personal: Born in Grove, Okla. … Son of Chrissie and Brandon … has a brother, Tanner … father played football at NSU … anticipated major in secondary education.
 
Jimmie Coleman // Running Back // Muskogee, Okla. // Muskogee HS

Blake Corn // 6-0 // 235 // Defensive Lineman // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS
 
High School: 2019 District 5A-4 Player of the Year… 58 tackles, team-high 15 tackles for losses, 9 sacks and 6 quarterback hurries…19 career sacks and 32 tackles for losses
 
Personal: son of Heather Taylor and Mike Corn … stepfather, Danny Taylor … has a sister, Mikayla Corn … anticipated major is physical education.
 
Drew Elerick // 5-11 // 180 // Wide Receiver // Stroud, Okla. // Stroud HS
 
High School: Listed his greatest sports memory as rebuilding Stroud's football program
 
Personal: Son of Keri and Chris… Has one brother (Grant)… Plans to major in education.
 
Grant Elerick // 6-0 // 180 // Quarterback // Stroud, Okla. // Stroud HS
 
High School: District A7 MVP after winning District Champions as a senior…threw for 2700 yards and 38 touchdowns during the 2018 season…conference MVP in baseball…lettered also in basketball…named as Valedictorian and member of the Superintendent's Honor Roll.
 
Personal: Has a twin brother (Drew)…son of Chris and Keri…dad played baseball at Central Oklahoma…named beating Morrison in the second-round game of junior year as greatest sports moment.
 
Marquez Ester // 5-11 // 175 // Defensive Back // De Queen, Ark. // De Queen HS
 
High School: Four-year letterwinner in Football and Track and Field… 5A State Track and Field Champion sophomore year… Lists greatest sports moment as Game-Winning Kickoff Return and Winning a State Championship
 
Personal: Son of Tiffany Ester… Has one sister (Teonna)… Will major in either Business or Sports Management
 
Josiah Factor // 6-8 // 330 // Offensive Line // Weleetka, Okla. // Weleetka HS
 
High School: Played offensive line at Weleetka HS … All district OL 1st team his senior year … Listed greatest sports moment as beating the number 2 ranked team in the state.
 
Personal: Born in Tulsa … Son of Ellie and Daniel … Has a sister, Kaitlyn and two brothers, Isaak, and Kolby.

Cedrik Frazier // 6-2 // 185 // Defensive Back // Stillwater, Okla. // Stillwater HS

High School: COAC DB Honorable mention his senior year, 6A-II All-District First team DB … listed greatest sports moment as playing in back to back State Championships his junior and senior year.

Personal: Son of Stacey and Kalip … has a sister, Kylie … anticipated major in business/finance.

Logan Furnish // 6-5 // 290 // Offensive Line // Norman, Okla. // Norman HS

High School: Played offensive line at Norman HS … OCA All-State team, OCA 6A All-Star team, 6A First team All-Conference, 6A-1 All-District, All-Transcript team, Norman North team MVP.

Personal: Son of Bridget and Justin … Has a sister, Londyn … father played football at East Central University.

Jerrion Green // 5-9 // 174 // Defensive Back // Jonesboro, Ark. // Jonesboro HS
 
High School: Also played strong safety … Went 8-4 his senior year at Jonesboro HS … listed greatest sports moment as catching a game-winning interception.
 
Personal: Born in Little Rock, Ark. … Son of Maronica Green and Jerry Reynolds … has a sister, Kiara and a brother, Marquion … Anticipated major in physical education.

Gunnar Griffith // 6-1 // 190 // Linebacker // Vian, Okla. // Vian HS

High School: District Champs his freshman and Sophomore years … class 2A State runner-up senior year … First team All-District Linebacker junior year … All-District Linebacker MVP, All-Phoenix Linebacker, All Star Linebacker, NUC All American MVP his senior year … listed greatest sports moment as playing previous state champions and broke their 36-game winning streak.

Personal: Born in Tulsa … Son of LaLita and Doug and stepmother Jill.

Trae Hampton III // 6-3 // 220 // Linebacker // Eufaula, Okla. // Eufaula HS

High School: Four-time Academic All-District and All-State selection…recorded 133 tackles at middle linebacker as a senior…also lettered in baseball playing third base and pitched…lettered in basketball winning district as a junior.

Personal: Played in the Little League World Series…played club with East Texas Raiders, Gladewater Cubs and Gladewater All-Stars…member of the Checotah Nation…named being a part of the football team that won school's first-ever back-to-back District Championship…son of Kenneth W. Hampton Jr. and Kristy E. Hampton…and has two sisters Augusta and Faith Hampton-Hart.

Mark Heard Jr.  // 6-2 // 205 // Defensive Lineman // Kansas City, MO. // Hogan Prep HS

High School: All-District his junior year

Personal: Anticipated major in fine arts.

Kevan Jones // 6-7 // 305 // Offensive Line // Cedarville, Ark. // Cedarville HS
 
High School: Named All-Conference Second-Team Defense senior year… Recorded 35 tackles and three sacks… Two-year letter winner in both Football and Track and Field… Named River Valley Prep Boys Track Athlete of the Year following his junior year… Listed his greatest sports moment as winning the 3A State Title in Shot Put his junior year.
 
Personal: Son of Tabitha and Shawn… Has three sisters (Piper, Paige and Phoebe) and one brother (Lucas)… Planning to major in Business Administration.

Tristan King // 6-3 // 205 // Wide Receiver // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS

High School: 2019 District 5A-4 First Team Selection… Had 425 receiving yards during his senior year… Led the Tigers with eight touchdown catches.

Coltin Knape // 6-3 // 210 // Long Snapper // Kingston, Okla. // Kingston HS

High School: Starting long snapper for three seasons…All-District selection and started eight games at left tackle as a senior…2A District 8 Champions…started on the defensive line during junior season blocking two punts and recorded over 25 tackles…played in the Oklahoma 2A Playoffs all four seasons…member of FCA and National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Rowdy and Bonnie Knape…intends to major in Health and Human Performance… greatest sports moment happened Junior year when he won the 2A-8 District Title for the first time in 33 years…born in Denison, Texas.

Dae Dae Leathers // 5-8 // 170 // Running Back // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS

High School: 2019 District 5A-4 Offensive Player of the Year… Set Tahlequah's all-time rushing record during his senior season... Rushed for 1,568 yards and 22 touchdowns… Had three games of over 200 yards… Finished his career with a school record 3,570 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Caden Lee // 6-4 // 297 // Offensive Line // Dewar, Okla. // Dewar HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner…Two-Time All-District selection and Three Rivers All-Vype…Went 12-1 as a senior and was a District Champion…Class B All-Star…8-Man All-Star…member of the Principals Honor Roll and Superintendent Honor Roll…also a member of the Powerlifting team.

Personal: Son of Trixy Ford and Joe Lee…born in Okemah, Okla…intends to major in Biology.

William Lyons // 6-0 // 280 // Defensive Line // Vian, Okla. // Vian HS

High School: listed greatest sports moment as going to the 2A state championship.

Personal: Born in Poteau … son of Melissa and Gabe … has a brother, Ethan and a sister, Marissa … anticipated major in criminal justice.

Jayden Mankin // 6-1 // 190 // Defensive Back // Poteau, Okla. // Poteau HS

High School: Wide receiver and strong safety for Poteau his junior year and running back and safety his senior year … won honorable mention, district defensive back of the year, Max Preps Poteau Football Overall POTY, Southwest times player of the week his senior year … Listed greatest sports moment as the semi-finals game and state championship game his senior year.

Personal: Born in Cameron … Son of Jana and Dustin … Has a brother, Jase … Plans to major in sports medicine … Mother played basketball at Carl Albert.

Kooper McAlvain // Offensive Lineman // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS

High School: 2019 District 5A-4 Honorable Mention

Michael Moton // 6-0 // 160 // Defensive Back // Shreveport, LA. // Huntington HS

Personal: Anticipated major in computer science

Manowa Ngenzirabona // 6-0 // 205 // Defensive Back // Kansas City, Kan. // Schlage HS

Personal: Played Club with Fury AAU…speaks Swahili…born in Congo, Africa…intends to major in Physical Education.

Michael Nwokocha // 6-5 // 280 // Defensive Line // Dallas, Texas // Lake Highlands HS

High School: Played defensive end and tackle for a Lake Highlands team that when 7-3 during his senior season.

Mason Olguin // 6-1 // 225 // Linebacker // Edmond, Okla. // Edmond Santa Fe HS

High School: Led team in tackles his senior year (124) … All-State Linebacker, All-Conference Linebacker of the Year, All-District Defensive Player of the Year, 6A-1 District Champions … listed greatest sports moment as winning district title against Norman at home his senior year.

Personal: Born in OKC … Son of Emily and Ronnie … Has two brothers, Alex and Frankie, and two sisters, Kaylee and Micha.

Jose Olvera // 5-11 // 178 // Kicker // Broken Bow, Okla. // Broken Bow HS

Personal: Born in Idabel … anticipated major in criminal justice

Dylan Parish // 5-11 // 198 //Linebacker // Tahlequah, Okla. // Tahlequah HS

High School:  2019 District 5A-4 Linebacker of the Year… Led Tahlequah during his senior season with 103 tackles and nine tackles for losses… Recorded 261 total tackles during his career.

Ethan Pirraglia // 6-2 // 260 // Offensive Line // Booneville, Ark. // Boonville HS
 
Personal: Son of Jordan Piraglia, Amanda Pirraglia and Heather Adams
 
Kerlose Ruzek // 6-3 // 305 // Offensive Lineman // Gentry, Ark. // Gentry HS 
 
Brody Sartin // 5-10 // 205 // Defensive Back // Bixby, Okla. // Bixby HS
 
High School: played linebacker for the Spartans … listed greatest sports moment as winning two state championships in a row, earning multiple awards, including OCA All-State linebacker and linebacker of the year in 2019.
 
Personal: son of Jobie and Bryan … have two brothers, Christopher and Levi and a sister, Ryleigh … anticipated major in business marketing.

Jackson Shelton // 6-3 // 285 // Offensive Line // Benton, Ark. // Bauxite HS

High School: Made first team All-Conference his sophomore, junior and senior years … listed greatest sports moment as beating Robinson at home when they were the number one team in the state.

Personal: Son of Brandy and Justin … Has a sister, Taylor … anticipated major in Criminal Justice.

Michael Von Powell // 6-5 // 303 // Defensive Line // Clarksville, Ark. // Clarksville HS
 
Personal: Born in Tampa, Florida… Son of Kimberley Reeves… Has one brother (Nalidje) and five sisters (Eunitee, Yneque, Acynde, Ecynce and Dygniti)… Plans to major in Education

Hunter Webb // 6-3 // 215 // Defensive Lineman // Altus, Okla. // Altus HS

High School: Played defensive end at Altus HS … undefeated season freshman year … voted team captain senior year … listed greatest sports moment as beating Lawton Mac in football his sophomore year for the first time in 10 years.

Personal: Born in Sayre … Son of Debra and Caleb … Has a sister, Jackie … anticipated major in business.

Johnnie White // 6-4 // 200 // Defensive Lineman // Little Rock, Ark. // Little Rock Central HS
 
Personal: Son of Louwanda McGehee and Johnny White… Has two sisters (Johneice and Jariyah) and one brother (Jaylon)… Plans to major in Criminal Justice.
 
Cade Williamson // 6-5 // 258 // Offensive Line // Mustang, Okla. // Mustang HS
 
High School: Four-year starter in football… Named COAC All-Conference and All-District senior year… Played summer baseball for SWAT Rebels Academy and coach Chris Wimmer… Lists greatest sports moment as his walk-off hit in April of 2019 to send his baseball team to the regional finals.
 
Personal: Son of Kyla and Shawn… Has one brother (Keegan) and one sister (Kelbi)… Is a member of the Chichasaw Nation Tribe… Plans to major in Sports Management.