RELEASE – The Evangel football coaching staff welcomed a talented recruiting class Wednesday, adding signees from 32 prep standouts for the 2023 season.
The 2023 class is made up of talent from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia.
“First of all I would like to thank and congratulate our staff on their hard work and efforts in signing a great class. We have a goal every year to recruit the best student-athletes to Evangel to fill position needs and to compliment our current team due to graduation,” EU head coach Chuck Hepola stated. “Along with our current roster, this class has fulfilled that goal and will allow us to continue to compete at a high level.”
“We are grateful to our signees and their families for their trust in our coaching staff and Evangel University to be their choice for spiritual growth, earning their degree and playing some great football. We look forward to their contributions this fall.”” Hepola added.
Game times and dates for the 2023 season will be announced at a later date.
Below are biographies of the recruits:
Kolton Banks // LB // 5-11 // 210 // Independence HS // Frisco, Texas
Highlights:
• 2nd Team All-District Linebacker
• 54 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 TD
Jeremiah Blakely // K // 6-0 // 190 // Ava HS // Ava, Mo.
Highlights:
• 4 Time All-Conference Kicker
• 3 Time All-State Kicker
Lance Bown // DL // 6-1 // 205 // Excelsior Springs HS // Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Highlights:
• 3 Time All-Conference Defensive Lineman
• 2021 KMZU Dream Team Member
Wyatt Branscum // DE // 6-1 // 230 // Hilldale HS // Muskogee, Okla.
Highlights:
• District 4A-4 Defensive MVP
• Oklahoma All-State Defensive Player
Jayden Brown // RB // 6-0 // 190 // Forney HS // Forney, Texas
Highlights:
• 2nd Team All-District RB
• Team Captain
Gavin Coleman // DL // 6-1 // 220 // Lake Dallas HS // Corinth, Texas
Highlights:
• Honorable Mention All-District Defensive Lineman
Kyle Cummings // RB // 6-0 // 195 // Northwest HS // Justin, Texas
Highlights:
• 1st Team All-District
• Offensive MVP in Junior and Senior Seasons
Garrett Finley // DL // 5-11 // 215 // Colleyville Heritage HS // Colleyville, Texas
Highlights:
• Two Time All-District Defensive Lineman
• 30 sacks and 141 total tackles in career
Stephen Gibson // WR // 5-8 // 174 // Rock Bridge HS // Columbia, Mo.
Highlights:
• Second Team All-Conference
• Helped lead Rock Bridge to a 9-3 overall record
Hollen Glenn // DB // 6-0 // 175 // Mountain Grove HS // Mountain Grove, Mo.
Highlights:
• 3x 1st Team All-Conference
• All-State Defensive Back
• 3x All-Area
Elliott Goings // DE // 6-7 // 230 // Strafford HS // Strafford, Mo.
Highlights:
• Recorded nine sacks in the 2022 season
• 1st Team MLC-Defense (DE)
Justis Grammar // DB // 5-9 // 160 // Coweta HS // Coweta, Okla.
Highlights:
• 1st Team All-District DB, WR, & Returner of the Year
• 6 INTs & 1 TD on defense in senior season
Cam Harris // RB // 6-0 // 205 // Parkview HS // Springfield, Mo.
Highlights:
• 2X All-District
• 2X All-Conference
• Single Game School rushing record – 356 yards
• Parkview MVP
Jayden Hart // RB // 5-11 // 210 // Keller HS // Keller, Texas
Highlights:
• Over 1,400 yards, 19 TDs in senior season
• Averaged 109 rushing yards per game
Logan Jeskevic // TE // 6-4 // 195 // Northwest HS // Justin, Texas
Highlights:
• 2x All-District
• 78 receptions, 1,120 yds, 12 TDs in career
Victor Klote // WR // 6-3 // 207 // Raymore-Peculiar HS // Peculiar, Mo.
Highlights:
• All-American Bowl Participant
Broc Lyle // WR // 5-10 // 155 // Rolla HS // Rolla, Mo.
Highlights:
• All-Conference DB, RB, Returner, All-District DB, All Media WR in junior season
• All-Conference ATH, All-Media DB in senior season
Michael Lyons // DB // 6-0 // 160 // Independence HS // Frisco, Texas
Highlights:
• All-District Safety
• 43 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 PBUs, 1 INT in senior season
Hunter Means // OL // 6-2 // 255 // Mountain Grove HS // Mountain Grove, Mo.
Highlights:
• First Team All-Conference
• SCA Lineman of the Year
Azlen Metscher // DE // 6-3 // 225 // Skyline HS // Urbana, Mo.
Highlights:
• 2nd Team All District Defensive End in Class 2
• SWMFBCA All-Area 2nd Team Defensive Line
Solomon Morton // DB // 5-8 // 170 // Rejoice Christian HS // Owasso, Okla.
Highlights:
• Multi-Sport Athlete in HS (Football, Basketball, and Track)
• 2021 Rejoice Christian Single Season Interception record (7) holder
• 2021 All-State Honorable Mention Defensive Back
• 2022 Co-All District Cornerback of the Year
Oluwafela Oladeinde // OL // 6-3 // 275 // Mansfield Legacy HS // Mansfield, Texas
Highlights:
• 2nd Team All-District Guard
Colt Petty // DB // 5-10 // 170 // Independence HS // Frisco, Texas
Highlights:
• 1st Team All District
• 53 tackles, 7 PBU, 2 forced fumbles in senior season
Demarius Reynolds // DT // 6-0 // 250 // Broken Arrow HS // Broken Arrow, Okla.
Highlights:
• 60 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 3 block PATs in senior season
Jonathan Schaffer // OL // 6-1 // 265 // Harrison HS // Harrison, Ark.
Highlights:
• 31 Pancake Blocks in senior season
• All-NWADG 2023 Offensive Lineman
• Two-Time 5A West All-Conference Offensive Lineman
• 5A West All-State Offensive Lineman, Arkansas All-Star Game Representative
Erik Spring // DB // 5-10 // 170 // Royse City HS // Royse City, Texas
Highlights:
• 3rd Team All State Defensive Back
• 2nd Team All-District Defensive Back
• 71 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 6 INTs in senior season
Kenneth Spring // QB // 5-11 // 178 // Royse City HS // Royse City, Texas
Highlights:
• Three year starter
• 1st Team All-District
• 2083 pass yds, 853 rush yds, 18 TDs in senior season
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2K010F
Dajuan Springer // ATH // 5-9 // 165 // Mundy’s Mill HS // Jonesboro, Ga.
Highlights:
• 2130 All-Purpose yards
• 29 Touchdowns
• 5 interceptions and 78 tackles in senior season
Talon Stephens // DB // 5-9 // 175 // Harrison HS // Harrison, Ark.
Highlights:
• All Conference WR & DB
• NWA-Super Team DB
• All-State DB
• 57 tackles (40 solo) 5 INTs 7 Blocked PATs/FG’s in senior season
Paul Summers II // WR // 6-0 // 175 // Mansfield Legacy HS // Mansfield, Texas
Highlights:
• All District WR
• Academic All-State
• MaxPreps Mansfield Legacy Player of the Year
Ronald Swanson // OL // 6-1 // 260 // Mundy’s Mill HS // Jonesboro, Ga.
Highlights:
• All-Region Second Team Offensive Lineman
David Yampanya // OL // 6-0 // 250 // Glendale HS // Springfield, Mo.
Highlights:
• 2nd Team All Conference
• 2nd Team All-Region
