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Southern Utah University Athletics

SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
National Signing Day

Football Bryson Lester - SUU Athletics Strategic Communication

Thunderbird Football Unveils 2019 Signing Class

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird football program and head coach Demario Warren announced their 2019 Signing Class on Wednesday afternoon, which features 29 future Thunderbird student-athletes (at the time of publication; subject to change).

"We're really excited about this class, there's a ton of talent and really good kids in this group," Warren said. "Our staff worked really hard to get these kids here, and these are all kids that want to be Thunderbirds. We were able to win some battles for guys, and at the end of the day I think this will be a very memorable class for both the coach staff and Thunderbird fans."

Remedy Akoteu, DL, 6-3, 200, Riverton, Utah (Alta HS)

Joining the Thunderbirds from Riverton, Remedy Akoteu will suit up on the T-Bird defensive line after a successful career at Alta High School. While playing for the Hawks he was named First Team All-Region 7.

Dallin Brown, WR, 6-0, 190, St. George, Utah (Pine View HS)

Making the trip up I-15 to join the Thunderbird Family, Dallin Brown just wrapped up his senior year at Pine View High School playing wide receiver for the Panthers. Following the season he was named First Team All-Region and First Team All-State for his play.

Drew Carter, LB, 6-1, 190, Camarillo, California (Camarillo HS)

After a very successful high school career at Camarillo, Drew Carter will join the Thunderbirds at linebacker. Carter was the Ventura County Defensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-CIF. He racked up 115 tackles, two touchdowns, two sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss which led to him being named Team MVP and got him an invite to the East/West All-Star Game, where he also earned MVP status. He was also named Camino League Linebacker of the Year.

Dayne Christiansen, RB, 5-8, 175, Pleasant Grove, Utah (Pleasant Grove HS)

After racking up 2,451 all-purpose yards and 29 touchdowns, Dayne Christiansen was named First Team All-State and First Team All-USA Utah Team for his play. He will be making his way to Cedar City from Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Mason Creager, DL, 6-3, 225, St. George, Utah (Desert HIlls HS)

Another future T-Bird making their way to Cedar City from St. George, Mason Creager has concluded his senior season at Desert Hills High School. He was an All-State Honorable Mention performer, and was also named First Team All-Region. He was a three year starter for the Thunder and was a state champion his sophomore year.

Kohner Cullimore, LB, 6-0, 205, Gilbert, Arizona (Highland HS)

Out of Gilbert, Arizona, Kohner Cullimore was named 6A Central Region Player of the Year and a First Team All-State Safety. He was also a finalist for AZ Central's High School Football Player of the Year. He accounted for 1,736 all-purpose yards, 975 yards rushing, 305 yards receiving, 21 touchdowns, 88 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two interceptions.  

Billy Davis, LB, 6-0, 220, Las Vegas, Nevada (Arbor View HS)

Making his way from Las Vegas to Utah, Billy Davis is very decorated out of Arbor View High School. He totaled 103 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was also named First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and was placed on USA Today's First Team All-Nevada.

Thomas Duckett, RB, 5-10, 180, Oxnard, California (Pacifica HS/Ventura College)

Transferring to SUU from Ventura College, Thomas Duckett had a very successful high school career before making his way up. Last season for Ventura he had 820 total yards and eight touchdowns. During his high school days, he had 1,948 rushing yards, 2,588 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named 2017 All-State, 2018 Conference Player of the Year, as well as 2018 All-State and All-American.

Drake Fakahua, LB, 5-10, 215, Cedar City, Utah (Cedar HS)

Staying home in Cedar City, Drake Fakahua will switch out his Cedar High School jersey for a Southern Utah one. He was a Second Team All-Region performer, totaling 1,075 all-purpose yards, 105 tackles, four interceptions and seven sacks.

Aiden Gordon, OL, 6-1, 275, Riverton, Utah (Riverton HS)

Making his way down South from Riverton to Cedar City, Aiden Gordon will join the Thunderbird offensive line family. He was both a First Team All-State and First Team All-Region performer.

Briasen Harward, TE, 6-4, 220, South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS)

After suiting up at tight end for the Bingham Miners, Briasen Harward is making his way to Cedar City to continue his football career. The All-Region performer had three touchdowns, 297 receiving yards and over 60 pancake blocks.

Trevor Hobbs, DE, 6-3, 235, Millville, Utah (Ridgeline HS)

Trevor Hobbs was a Second Team All-Region offensive lineman for Ridgeline High School, and was also Second Team All-Region on the defensive line. He had 77 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two blocked punts and an interception.

Kingsley Holliday, OL, 6-2, 285, Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)

One of two future Thunderbirds to make their way to Cedar City from Corner Canyon, Kingsley Holliday was a First Team All-State performer while suiting up for the Chargers.

Clayton Johnson, WR, 6-3, 210, Springville, Utah (Springville HS)

Suiting up at wide receiver for Springville, Utah, Clayton Johnson was a First Team All-Region performer catching 32 passes for 641 yards and seven touchdowns.

Brock McChesney, DB, 6-0, 165, Provo, Utah (Lone Peak HS)

Heading to Cedar City from Lone Peak, Brock McChesney had a very successful high school career and will continue playing for the Thunderbirds. He was a First Team All-State and All-Region performer with 38 tackles, five interceptions and two touchdowns.

John Mitchell, WR, 6-3, 195, Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)

One of two future T-Birds from Corner Canyon, John Mitchell was one of the top receivers in Utah. He finished with 53 catches for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns. That was enough to earn him First Team All-State honors.

Zach Molina, WR, 5-10, 175, Mesa, Arizona (Red Mountain HS)

Another receiver out of Mesa, Arizona, Zach Molina had a great high school career at Red Mountain High School and is ready to be a T-Bird. He was named First Team All-East Valley Region with 40 catches for 630 yards and six touchdowns.

Riley Morris, LB, 6-0, 185, Thatcher, Arizona (Thatcher HS)

Riley Morris will head to Cedar City from Thatcher, Arizona, following a year where he had 151 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Offensively he also had 1,418 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year in his conference, along with being 2A Player of the Year and First Team All-State.

Zach Nelson, WR, 6-1, 190, Queen Creek, Arizona (Casteel HS)

Zach Nelson accounted for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns receiving over his varsity career, and had 97 catches, 1,507 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior campaign. He was First Team San Tan Region, and was a JD Hill Award Winner which is given to the best receiver in the state. He was also an Ed Doherety Award nominee.

Derek Reese, TE, 6-4, 220, Logandale, Nevada (Moapa Valley HS)

Derek Reese was a First Team All-State performer out of Nevada, finishing the year with 505 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

Jet Richins, LB, 6-1, 185, Stansbury Park, Utah (Stansbury HS)

Out of Stansbury Park, Jet Richins was the Region 11 Defensive MVP, and led 6A, 5A and 4A in tackles.

Lyle Santos, OL, 6-3, 235, Las Vegas, Nevada (Arbor View HS)

Lyle Santos was a First Team All-Region and a Second Team All-State performer for Arbor View High School, and also served as a team captain. The Las Vegas native was also an All-Star selection at tackle.

Brandon Schenks, WR, 6-3, 210, Chandler, Arizona (Hamilton HS)

A four-sport athlete in high school, Brandon Schenks had 515 receiving yards, 578 passing yards, 267 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. He was also the second leading scorer on his high school soccer team.

Zack Shepard, QB, 6-3, 160, Gilbert, Arizona (Williams Field HS)

Making his way from Gilbert, Arizona where he played for Williams Field High School, Zack Shepard heads to SUU as a quarterback. Starting varsity since his sophomore year, Shepard also led the Black Hawks to a 5A State title as a junior. During his senior year he threw for over 2500 yards and was named 1st Team All San Tan Region. Upon graduation he finished his career with a 68 percent completion percentage.

Rylen Su'a-Filo, DL, 6-2, 260, Orem, Utah (Orem HS)

Heading to Cedar City from Orem, Utah, Rylen Su'a-Filo joins the Thunderbirds as a defensive lineman. During his four years as a Tiger, Su'a-Filo was awarded First Team All-State, First Team All-Region, Team DL MVP and racked up 75 tackles with 8.5 sacks.

Kani Taufa, DL, 6-0, 255, Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)

Suiting up as a defensive lineman, 6 foot 225 pound Kani Taufa makes his way down from Timpview High School. While playing for the Timpview Thunderbirds Taufa was named 1st Team All Region and 5A All State Honorable Mention.

Khalid Taylor, DB, 5-7, 180, Sherman Oaks, California (Notre Dame HS/College of the Canyons)

Defensive Back Khalid Taylor makes his way to Cedar City from Sherman Oaks, California where he played for Notre Dame High School then College of the Canyons. During his play at College of the Canyons Taylor racked up two INT's, 68 tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 500 all-purpose yards and served as the Cougars team captain both years.

Cervontes White, DB, 5-9, 170, Las Vegas, Nevada (Liberty HS)

After a successful senior year at Liberty High School on offense and defense, Cervontes White is making his way to the Thunderbird Family. He had one interception defensively, and had seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Isaiah Williams, WR, 6-1, 210, Chula Vista, California (Olympian HS/San Diego Mesa CC)

Isaiah Williams joins the Thunderbirds from Chula Vista, California where he played for Olympian High then San Diego Mesa Community College. During prep play the 6 foot 1 inch wide reciever accumulated 1,000 all-purpose yards, was named All-CIF and named All-League twice. While playing for SDMCC, Williams made 35 catches for a total of 395 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Canaan Yarro, OL, 6-2, 285, Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)

Coming down to Cedar City from Provo, Utah where he played for Timpview High school, Canaan Yarro signs with the Thunderbirds as an offensive lineman. Not only did Yarro allow zero sacks his senior year, he also was awarded OL MVP at Nike Opening, OL MVP D1 Utah, OL MVP Blue Grey Utah, Under Armor LA Final 5, 33 consecutive starts, 2x All-State, 3x All-Region and 2x team captain.

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