TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State football program and head coach Darrin Chiaverini added 39 student-athletes on 2026 National Signing Day. The signing class is comprised of incoming freshmen from Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

"So much time and energy goes into signing a top college football class," said Chiaverini.  "Our 2026 class is built with state champions from multiple states, as well as great size and athleticism."

"We signed great players from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Kansas. This class adds to the talented roster we have assembled over the last two recruiting cycles. We're excited to welcome this class to our Championship Run in Tahlequah, Oklahoma!"

As the nation's only NCAA Division II Independent, the RiverHawks concluded the season with a 9–3 overall record and captured their first postseason victory since 1999.  The football program cracked the national top-25 ranking and entered the postseason at No. 24 in the D2Football.com poll.

Quarterbacks

Carson Kirby
Bixby, Okla. / Bixby HS
QB / 5-11 / 195

A three-time state champion, he quarterbacked a historic offense that set a program record with 710 points, averaging 0.98 points per play and 8.67 yards per play. He broke Bixby program records with 121 total touchdowns and 37 wins as a starting quarterback, earning Rivals Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year, Bixby's Tom Boone Player of the Year, and 6A-1 District 1 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

John "Tre" Thompson III
Bentonville, Ark. / Bentonville West HS
QB / 6-2 / 180

A record-setting senior season saw him total 3,894 yards of offense, including 3,144 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and 750 rushing yards with 11 scores on an explosive 8.72 yards per carry. He led an offense that set school records with 524 points (43.6 points per game) and earned AR PBS Sports 7A All-Star honors. Off the field, he matched his on-field excellence with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Running Backs

Gabe Blankenship
Mounds, Okla. / Bixby HS 
RB / 5-7 / 165

4-time state champion, ran for 385 yards, six touchdowns, caught 4 passes for 90 yards and three scores as a senior.

Ben Ebeke
Mesquite, Texas / W.T White HS
RB / 5-11 / 190

A two-time First Team All-District selection, he finished his senior campaign as a top-three running back in the DFW 5A area after racking up 1,651 total yards and 20 touchdowns. An explosive playmaker who averaged 7.49 yards per carry, he notched back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons while maintaining a 3.58 GPA in the classroom.

Charles McCuin
Duncanville, Texas / Kimball HS
RB / 6-0 / 180

As a senior, he totaled 1,371 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, highlighted by a standout rivalry performance against Carter with 176 yards and six touchdowns on 29 carries. He earned Dallas Area All-District First-Team honors in 8-4A Division I and was a dual-sport athlete, also competing in track at Kimball High School.

Braden Nash
Centerton, Ark. / Bentonville West HS
RB / 5-11 / 180

A 2025 team captain at Bentonville West, he shared the backfield with quarterback John Thompson III and was a key piece of the Wolverines' offense. Although he was sidelined in his senior season due to injury, he totaled 987 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns as a junior.

Mikail Trotter
Red Oak, Texas / South Oak Cliff HS
RB / 5-10 / 180

2025 Second Team All-Area. VYPE Offensive Player of the Year. 2025 State Champion. Ran for over 140 yards in-state title, scored 3 touchdowns and averaged 13 yards per carry. Had over 1400 rushing yards on senior season.

Wide Receivers

DaCaden Ford
Wagoner, Okla. / Muskogee HS
WR / 5-10 / 160

A two-way standout with elite speed, he played his senior season at Muskogee after three years at Wagoner. He excelled as both a defensive back and a wide receiver.

Matthew Goldsberry
West Helena, Ark. / Jacksonville HS
WR / 5-11 / 160

A multi-sport athlete at Jacksonville, showed lots of speed as a dual-threat player who excelled on both sides of the ball throughout his senior season. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions while emerging as a primary offensive weapon, racking up 864 all-purpose yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Jaylen Moore
Red Oak, Texas / South Oak Cliff
WR / 5-10 / 170

A 2025 State Champion and 2nd-Team THSCA Academic All-State selection, he proved to be a consistent threat for the offense throughout his career. He capped off his tenure with a standout senior season, hauling in 41 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns to finish with over 1,000 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Brady Richards
Farmington, Ark. / Farmington HS
WR / 6-2 / 175

As a 2025 team captain, he earned All-District and All-State honors while serving as a reliable primary target. He finished his senior season with 54 receptions for 745 yards and four touchdowns.

Raymond Smith
Denton, Texas / Denton Ryan HS
WR / 6-2 / 210

He posted 700 yards and seven touchdowns on 45 catches as a senior, highlighted by a 208-yard, three-score game against CTHS. He finished his career with 11 receiving touchdowns.

Jordan Wesley
Beggs, Okla. / Beggs HS
WR / 5-9 / 160

A dual-threat force at Beggs, he totaled over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior while recording 62 tackles and seven interceptions on defense. A sub-50 second 400m runner, he logged back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 all-purpose yards.

Tight Ends

Colsen Jaggars
Frisco, Texas  / Frisco Lone Star
TE / 6-3 / 265

Versatile two-way player. Earned Second Team All-District Honors at tight end as a junior and at defensive end as a senior. 

Elvis Myers 
Hulbert, Okla. / Tahlequah HS
TE / 6-8 / 205

A 6-foot-8 hometown standout, he dominated both sides of the ball as a versatile two-way player. He was a constant threat as both a powerful blocker and a reliable pass-catcher.

Stewart Schwaninger
Siloam Springs, Ark. / Siloam Springs HS
TE / 6-3 / 240

A 6A West All-Conference selection and All-Star, he was named the outstanding tight end in his conference. He recorded 14 catches for 178 yards and two scores while excelling as a blocker and on defense.

Offensive Line

Keaton Fraser
Melissa, Texas / Melissa HS
OL / 6-3 / 305

A two-time First Team All-District selection, he was a dominant force in the trenches throughout his high school career. He recorded over 100 pancakes across three seasons as a starter.

Manolin "Manny" Gonzalez
Tulsa, Okla. / Tulsa Union HS
OL / 6-2 / 315

An All-District selection, he anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 2,294 rushing yards and 5.9 yards per carry.

Hunter Lanier
Muskogee, Okla. / Muskogee HS
OL / 6-2 / 280

Won the 2023 Oklahoma State Championship with Muskogee. Had a standout senior year allowing zero sacks and zero tackles for loss over the season.

Christopher Lanis 
Keller, Texas / Byron Nelson HS
OL / 6-5 / 280 lbs

A standout senior on the offensive line, he helped lead a unit that averaged 148.8 rushing yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry in 2025. He helped pave the way for an offense that totaled 61 touchdowns, including 25 on the ground and 36 through the air.

Poe "Chico" Siavii
DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto HS
OL

Two-way player over his high school career, playing offensive and defensive line. Received First Team All-District Honors as an Offensive lineman in his senior year.

Defensive Line

Jordan Berry
Olathe, Kan. / Olathe South HS
DL / 6-4 / 260

A dual-sport athlete for Coach Michael Allen at Olathe South, he was a versatile force across the defensive line. After an 11-sack junior year as an edge rusher, he moved inside as a senior to record 55 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

Kyron Cope
Muskogee, Okla. / Muskogee HS
DL / 6-3 / 235

Dominated his senior season with 13.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 32 quarterback hurries. He was a constant threat in offensive backfields, forcing 4 fumbles and recorded one scoop-and-score.

Sylus Cozart
Tulsa. Okla. / Tulsa Union HS
DL / 6-5 / 195

All-district selection, finished senior season with 43 tackles, 11 QB Hurries, and 5 sacks.

Daleshun Deadmon
Dallas, Texas / Kimball HS
DL / 6-2 / 290

A 2025 team captain and First-Team All-District selection, he was a dominant two-way force on both the offensive and defensive line throughout his senior year.

Ben Duggins
Owasso, Okla. / Owasso HS
DL / 6-1 / 275

An all-district defensive lineman, recorded 28 tackles, 5 for loss and 2 sacks as a senior.

Cortez Reagor
DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto HS
DL / 6-1 / 285

A three-time state champion at DeSoto, he earned All-District honors twice during his high school career. He capped off his senior season as a key defensive contributor with 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a sack.

Hayden Von Holt
Broken Arrow, Okla. / Wagoner HS
DL / 6-4 / 255

Played at Wagoner and Coweta prior to finishing his high school career at Muskogee where he played on both sides of the line.

Linebackers

Camden Crew
Poteau, Okla. / Poteau HS
LB / 6-2 / 210

Three sport athlete at Poteau, played on both sides of the ball. Made 53 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks as a senior alongside 518 yards of offense on 31 touches. 

Braden Schwickerath
Sapulpa, Okla. / Berryhill HS
LB / 6-2 / 205

2025 3A-4 All-District Defensive Player of the Year. Made 19 sacks over two seasons at Berryhill. 

Torrey Trotter
Jacksonville, Ark. / Jacksonville HS
LB / 6-2 / 205

Dual threat, played linebacker and tight end for Jacksonville. Made 88 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, and 3 pass deflections as a senior.

Kamryn Williams
Mesquite, Texas / Mesquite Horn HS
LB / 6-0 / 205

A two-time first-team all-district selection. A dual threat at both linebacker and running back, dominating both sides of the ball throughout his high school career.

Corners

Tre Burton Jr.
Frisco, Texas / The Colony HS
DB / 5-1 / 170

Named an honorable mention all-district selection in 2025. Made 55 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 pass breakups as a senior. 

Daniel Hayes
Dallas, Texas / South Oak Cliff HS
DB / 5-11 / 175

2025 state champion. 2025 THSCA Academic All-State Honorable mention.

Anthony "Ace" Gilliam Jr
Tulsa, Okla. / Jenks HS
CB / 6-1 / 160

Dual sport athlete, named an All-District defensive back. Helped lead Jenks to the Class 6A-I semifinals. Had a pick-six in a win over Tulsa Union in the "Backyard Bowl". 

Montez Haynes
Dallas, Texas / South Oak Cliff HS
CB / 5-11 / 170

2025 state champion. Equipped with 4.4 speed, Haynes recorded 20 tackles, an interception and pass deflection as a senior in 2025 at South Oak Cliff.

Johnnie "Tre" Miles III
Dallas, Texas / Cedar Hill HS
DB / 5-9 / 170

Helped lead the Cedar Hill defense, finishing the 2025 season with 76 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 3 forced fumbles playing from the nickel and strong safety positions.

Specialists 

Trent Clarkson
Plano, Texas / Prestonwood Christian Academy
K/P /  5-11 / 170

Made 5 of 6 field goals as a senior, a long of 47. 64 of 65 PATS, averaged over 40 yards per punt, with 5 of 16 landing inside the 20.

Masyn Wright
Vian, Okla. / Vian HS
ATH / 6-0 / 190

Cousin of Solomon Wright. Scored 5 total touchdowns in district championship win. Comes to NSU with experience on both sides of the ball at running back and defensive back. Finished career with 4 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.