CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird football program, and head coach Demario Warren, have announced the team's signing class for 2020's National Signing Day.Â
"We are excited about adding these young men to our program," SUU head coach Demario Warren said. "Our coaches did a fantastic job of researching and building relationships with our recruits. We continue to focus on building our football program with young men that have high values. This class is very versatile in a lot of facets focusing on guys that would improve our roster in a lot of ways. This class will continue to represent the exciting future that is ahead of this football program and our wonderful university."
*THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS SIGNEES ARE ANNOUNCED*
Duce Anderson, DB, 6-2, 190, Orem, Utah (Mountain View High School)Â
Duce Anderson will be heading South on I-15 to join the Thunderbirds, after a successful career at Mountain Crest High School.Â
He was named First Team All-Region twice during his career, and was named to the All-Valley First Team following the 2019 season. He was a varsity captain all four years of his high school career.Â
David Atencio, WR, 6-1, 190, Huntington Beach, California (Golden West CC)
Heading to Cedar City from Golden West Community College, David Antencio will have two years to suit up in a Thunderbird uniform.Â
He racked up 1,030 yards on 94 catches at Golden West, and broke into the endzone on 13 different occasions.Â
In high school, he piled up 2,317 yards on 135 catches and 24 touchdowns en route to being named First Team All-County.Â
Peyton Borrelli, TE, 6-3, 230, Brentwood, California (Liberty High School)
Making his way from California to Cedar City, Peyton Borrelli will join the Thunderbirds out of Liberty High School.Â
He was a unanimous choice for the First Team All-League Team. He primarily played on the defensive side of the ball, racking up 35 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and blocked a punt.Â
Dakota Dixon, OL, 6-5, 280, Lehi, Utah (Skyridge High School)
Dakota Dixon is joining the Thunderbirds from Lehi, where he attends Skyridge High School as a multi-sport athlete.Â
He played on the offensive line the majority of his high school career.
Izayah Fawson, LB, 6-1, 225, Sandy, Utah (Jordan High School)Â
Staying in state, Izayah Fawson will join the Thunderbirds from Sandy where he attends Jordan High School.Â
He was an Honorable Mention to the 6A All-State team following the 2019 season. He racked up more than 70 tackles during his career as a Beetdigger. He was also Jordan High's 2019 Defensive MVP, along with being a three-year varsity captain.Â
Tanner Holden, WR, 6-2, 185, American Fork, Utah (American Fork High School)
Another Utah native, Tanner Holden will be joining the Thunderbirds from American Fork, where he attends American Fork High School.Â
Holden had a huge senior season for American Fork, catching 79 passes for 1,210 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 80.7 yards per game. He also punted during his high school career, downing seven inside the 20-yard line as a senior. He averaged 40 yards per punt.
Edgardo Huerta, DL, 6-2, 250, Hyrum, Utah (Mountain Crest High School)Â
Joining the Thunderbirds from Hyrum, Edgardo Huerta signs as a big recruit for the T-Birds on the defensive line following an impressive high school campaign.Â
Huerta finished his senior season with 68 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also had a huge junior campaign, racking up 52 tackles 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. Â
Jordan Jefferson, RB, 5-8, 180, Riverside, California (Rancho Verde High School)
The Thunderbirds are adding a shifty running back from Riverside, California in Jordan Jefferson, who played his high school career at Rancho Verde High School.Â
Jefferson finished his senior year with 1,422 yards on the ground and 25 touchdowns. Over the course of his high school career, he had 41 touchdowns and 2,851 rushing yards.Â
As a senior he also caught 22 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.Â
Rand Jensen, QB, 6-0, 195, Queen Creek, Arizona (ALA Queen Creek)Â
Heading to Cedar City from Queen Creek, Arizona, quarterback Rand Jensen will enroll in Southern Utah fresh out of the American Leadership Academy.Â
In 14 appearances last season as a senior, Jensen completed 201 passes for 3,216 yards and 46 touchdowns. He threw 10 touchdowns on just 62 attempts as a junior in four appearances.Â
He also finished last season with 244 yards on the ground and an additional touchdown.Â
He was named All-State Offensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign, along with earning First Team All-State honors. Along with being a state champion, he was also an Ed Doherty Nominee and led the state of Arizona in passing touchdowns.
Easton Jones, K/P, 5-11, 155, Las Vegas, Nevada (Arbor View High School)
After a successful career on the special teams unit at Arbor View High School, Easton Jones is making his way to the Thunderbirds and Cedar City.Â
Jones finished his senior season 37-of-38 on PAT attempts, with eight made field goals including a long of 50 yards. For his career, he was 150-of-159 on PAT's and 19-of-30 in terms of field goals.Â
He also had a lot of success punting the football. As a senior he had 29 punts go for an average of 37.6 yards. He had a long of 65 yards and downed seven inside the 20-yard line.
Mana Kula Jr., DL, 6-1, 245, Herriman, Utah (Herriman High School)
After a massive senior season on the defensive line for Herriman High School, Mana Kula Jr. is joining the Thunderbird football program.Â
Kula Jr. had a massive senior season on the defensive side of the ball. He racked up 77 tackles, and more impressively he finished the year with 31.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. As a junior he also had 17.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.Â
Kiki Laie Jr., DL, 6-3, 225, Oceanside, California (Oceanside High School)
Making the transition from Oceanside, California, to Cedar City, Kiki Leia is joining the Thunderbirds.Â
Leia was a problem on the defensive line in California, racking up 74 tackles during his senior season. He more than doubled his production year-to-year, finishing his junior season with 35 tackles. Â
He also finished the year with 13.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 13 appearances. The defensive lineman also ended the season with an interception. Â
He was named First Team All-CIF and First Team All-Avocado League, along with earning an Alex Spanos All-Star Selection. He was also given the CIF Sportsmanship Award en route to becoming a CIF Champion.
AJ McCarroll, K/P, 6-0, 175, St. George, Utah (Pine View High School)Â
Another future T-Bird making their way up North from St. George, AJ McCarroll will be joining the program from Pine View High School.Â
McCarroll finished his senior year 67-of-69 in terms of PAT's, and knocked home seven field goals. He also held punting responsibilities for the Panthers, averaging 33.1 yards per punt and knocking nine dead inside the 20.Â
Chase Merrell, TE, 6-5, 190, Afton, Wyoming (Star Valley High School)
Making the transition from Afton, Wyoming to Cedar City, Chase Merrell is joining the Thunderbirds at the tight end position.Â
Merrell was named First Team All-State in both 2018 and 2019, and was a State Champion in 2016, 2018 and 2019. He was also named a USA Today All-Wyoming First Team receiver. He holds all significant receiving records at Star Valley High School.Â
Merrell is a multi-sport athlete for Star Valley High School, with records in basketball, football and soccer through his tenure.
Izaiah Moten, WR, 6-1, 185, St. George, Utah (Pine View High School)
Making the quick trip up I-15, Izaiah Moten is joining the Thunderbirds from Pine View High School in St. George.Â
Moten finished his senior season with 60 catches for 1,224 yards. He broke into the endzone 12 times for the Panthers. As an upperclassmen he accounted for 14 scores.Â
He also lined up on the defensive side of the ball, racking up eight interceptions and 20 tackles. Â
Moten was First Team All-State, along with being Utah's Region 9 MVP.Â
David Moore III, RB, 5-8, 185, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Pine Creek High School)
Traveling down to Cedar City from Colorado Springs, Colorado, David Moore III will be joining Southern Utah's roster of running backs.Â
When it comes to the numbers, Moore III has a lot to brag about. Over his four year high school career, he racked up 7,627 yards on the ground on 793 carries, and scored 94 touchdowns for Pine Creek High School. As a senior he scored 36 of those TD's.Â
With those numbers, he ended his high school career as the No. 3 all-time rusher in the state of Colorado.Â
He also had two receiving touchdowns and 290 yards through the air in his career in Colorado Springs.Â
He was named Gazette Player of the Year, Conference MVP and Conference Offensive MVP. In 2019, his team finished with a 13-1 record.Â
Jake Narayan, DB, 6-0, 185, San Pablo, California (Contra Costa CC)Â
Joining the Thunderbirds from Contra Costa Community College, Jake Narayan has signed on as a defensive back.Â
He played both wide receiver and defensive back, making a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball with four interceptions and 25 total tackles.
Kaleb Ostler, OL, 6-4, 290, American Fork, Utah (American Fork High School)Â
Traveling South from American Fork to Cedar City, Kaleb Ostler will join the Thunderbirds as an offensive lineman.Â
Ostler was named First Team All-State and First Team All-Region during his career, along with being a team captain and being voted most valuable lineman.Â
He helped lead American Fork to a 10-5 record last season.
Adam Pond, OL, 6-5, 240, Lehi, Utah (Skyridge High School)Â
Making the trip South from Lehi to Cedar City, Adam Pond will be joining the Thunderbirds as an offensive lineman.Â
He was recognized as an All-Region performer twice during his high school tenure, as well as serving as team captain.
Jose Rodriguez, OL, 6-2, 305, Los Angeles, California (Cathedral HS/East LA College)
Transfering from East LA College, Jose Rodriguez will have two seasons to play for the Thunderbirds starting next season.Â
The offensive lineman hails from Los Angeles, California, where he attended Cathedral High School.
Tylor Stubbs, OL, 6-4, 285, Provo, Utah (Timpview High School)Â
Joining the Thunderbirds from Provo, Tylor Stubbs will make his way to Cedar City after graduating from Timpview High School.Â
Stubbs was recruited to SUU as an offensive lineman. He was named First Team All-Region at Timpview, and was also named a Blue-Grey All-American.
Iversyn Tapusoa, DB, 6-1, 185, Salt Lake City, Utah (East High School)Â
Recruited to the Thunderbirds as a defensive back, Iversyn Tapusoa is joining the program from Salt Lake City, where he attends East High school.Â
Tapusoa saw a lot of time at running back while playing for East High as well.
Kina Taufa, RB, 5-11, 215, St. George, Utah (Desert Hills High School)
Another future T-Bird heading up North from St. George, Kina Taufa will join the Thunderbirds from Desert Hills High School.Â
He was named First Team All-Region for Region 9. Last season he rushed for 933 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. He finished his junior season with 10 touchdowns.
Adrian Tena, OL, 6-4, 300, Santa Ana, California (Orange Lutheran High School)Â
Looking to join in the long line of successful offensive linemen to put on a Thunderbird jersey, Adrian Tena is joining Southern Utah from Santa Ana, California.Â
He played both tackle on the offensive line and defensive tackle on the opposite side of the ball for Orange Lutheran High School.Â
He was named to the Second Team All-Trinity League offensive line, along with being a team captain.
Ryan Thomas, DB, 6-0, 175, Holladay, Utah (Olympus High School)
Hailing from Olympus High School, Ryan Thomas is joining the Thunderbirds as a defensive back.Â
During his senior season he accounted for 41 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions during the year. He also had four pass deflections to his name. He also had two interceptions as a junior, along with 40 tackles. Â
He also caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown as a senior. He was named First Team All-Region, along with Special Teams MVP for his efforts.
Trent Whalen, LB, 6-3, 215, Las Vegas, Nevada (Arbor View High School)
Trent Whalen will join the Thunderbird football program from Las Vegas, where he spent his high school career suiting up for Arbor View High School.Â
Whalen racked up a number of stats as an upperclassman at Arbor View. As a junior and senior he compiled 149 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. He also had an interception to his credit as a senior. Â
He was honored as the First Team North West League linebacker, along with All-City Second Team linebacker. He was also a team captain and named Team MVP.
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