Hawks Sign 40 Players on National Signing Day

QUINCY, Ill. – On National Signing Day (Wednesday, Feb. 1), Quincy University football coach Tom Pajic welcomed the addition of 40 student-athletes who signed with the program for the upcoming 2017 campaign and beyond.

The class consists of 18 players from Illinois, 17 from Missouri, three from Florida, one from Iowa and one from Ohio. Nine players were all-state selections, 33 were on all-conference teams and 16 served as team captains. The group has a 2.99 average GPA and an average ACT score of 20.

The class is made up of 18 players on the offensive side of the ball, including eight linemen, four wide receivers and two tight ends. On the defensive side, the Hawks added 21 players with a haul of 10 coming on the defensive line. QU also added six defensive backs, five linebackers and one kicker/punter.

The bios for the 40 student-athletes joining the program follow.

Billy Allen
DT | 5-11 | 245 | Kissimmee, Fla./Kissimmee Gateway
Head Coach: Marlin Roberts
Prior to Quincy: Allen earned All-Central Florida third team as a senior and All-Orange Belt Conference first team honors in his final two seasons at Kissimmee Gateway…He totaled 57 tackles, including four sacks and six tackles for a loss in 2016…He was voted team captain of the football team and also lettered in weightlifting his final two years.
Parents: Billy and Lornia Allen

Chris Avery
OL | 6-1 | 230 | St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran North
Head Coach: Carl Reed
Prior to Quincy: Avery was a first team All-American, all-state, all-district and all-conference from Lutheran High School North…He was listed among the top five of the O-Line Elite team of St. Louis…Avery was the foundation of the Crusaders offensive line at right guard, helping the offense to a league-high 40 points per game…He was named in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for leading the running back to break the record for rushing attempts in a game (47) and 246 rushing yards.
Parents: Raze Avery Jr. and Michele Clark

George Bond
DT | 5-11 | 260 | St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic
Head Coach: Cory Patterson
Prior to Quincy: He compiled 102 tackles (52 solo), 10 sacks, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and an interception in his career…As a senior, he racked up 32 tackles, three sacks…He was a two-time All-Archdiocese Athletic Association and a two-year captain…Bond was a four-time letterwinner and three-year starter…He also lettered twice in baseball.
Parents: Tamara and George Bond Jr.

Brady Booker
DE | 6-3 | 220 | La Salle, Ill./St. Bede
Head Coach: Jim Eustice
Prior to Quincy: Booker was a first team all-conference and all-area player and is St. Bede's all-time leading tackler…He was the team defensive MVP and a team captain…Booker helped St. Bede to a 7-4 record and a berth in the second round of the playoffs…He also letters in baseball.
Parents: Bill and Manuela Booker

Andrew Bronson
LB | 5-8 | 175 | St. Peters, Mo./Fort Zumwalt East
Head Coach: Scott Eacret
Prior to Quincy: Bronson was an All-GAC and all-district standout and is a three-year letterwinner at Fort Zumwalt East…He amassed 76 solo tackles, 72 assisted tackles and two blocked punts…Bronson also rushed three times for 54 yards.
Grandparents: Melissa and Larry Parks

Payton Brunier
OL | 6-3 | 300 | Quincy, Ill./Quincy
Head Coach: Rick Little
Prior to Quincy: Brunier was a first team All-Western Big Six offensive lineman and honorable mention defensive lineman for the Blue Devils…He helped Quincy win the first outright conference title in over 40 years and a 9-2 overall record…Brunier also letters in track & field.
Parents: Christoopher and Jonita Brunier

John Burgett
OL | 6-4 | 310 | Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin
Head Coach: Ken Leonard
Prior to Quincy: Burgett was a multi-time first team All-Central State 8 standout helping the Cyclones to four state title game appearances, winning two of those…Sacred Heart Griffin was 55-2 in his four-year career at tackle.
Parents: Amy and David Burgett

Peyten Chappel
OLB/SS | 6-0 | 185 | Mt. Zion, Ill./Mt. Zion
Head Coach: Patrick Etherton
Prior to Quincy: Chappel was a three-time all-conference player at Mt. Zion at two different positions…He was on the academic all-state team as a senior…Chappel helped Mt. Zion to a 9-2 record and a second round playoff appearance…He was also a two-year team captain…He also letters in basketball and track.
Parents: Neal and Jenny Smalley

Montrail Clay
DB | 6-0 | 165 | O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township
Head Coach: Brandon Joggerst
Prior to Quincy: Clay registered 61 tackles and two interceptions as a senior, starting all 10 games at O'Fallon Township High School…He helped the team to the state playoffs…He also had 10 tackles, a sack and two touchdowns as a junior…Clay also lettered as a basketball player.
Parent: Patricia Clay

Sa'hron Cunningham
DB | 5-10 | 170 | Kansas City, Mo./Raytown South
Head Coach: Nick Adkins
Prior to Quincy: Cunningham was a two-time all-conference and all-district standout as a defensive back…He finished his career with 175 tackles and five touchdowns in his career.
Parents: Joseph Cunningham Sr. and Tasha Harbour

Max Dixon
OL | 6-6 | 290 | Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem
Head Coach: Jim Morrow
Prior to Quincy: Dixon was a first team all-conference performer and a team captain…He helped his team to a 6-3 conference record and a playoff berth…Dixon also letters in track & field, throwing the shot put and discus.
Parents: Ronald and Elizabeth Dixon

Justin Garner
WR | 5-10 | 175 | Chicago, Ill./De La Salle
Head Coach: Mike Boehm
Prior to Quincy: Garner racked up 25 catches and 215 yards, including 100 yards after the catch as a slot receiver in a spread offense…He also caught four touchdowns…Garner is known as a superb route runner, dominant blocker off the ball and possesses great hands.
Parents: Eric and Kimberly Garner

Adrian Greene
DB | 6-1 | 180 | Springfield, Ill./Southeast
Head Coach: Matt Lauber
Prior to Quincy: In his career at Southeast, Greene tallied five interceptions, 67 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery…Offensively, he had seven catches for 189 yards and three touchdowns and three for 976 yards and 11 touchdowns…He also rushed for 490 yards…Greene was a team captain and was named academic all-conference…He also letters in basketball at Southeast.
Parents: Cliffton Flagg and Tamara Skube

Jaron Heller
DB | 5-8 | 170 | St. Louis, Mo./Lindbergh
Head Coach: Josh Norman
Prior to Quincy: Heller was a three-year letterwinner at Lindbergh, earning first team all-conference, all-district and second team all-state honors at the 6A level as a junior…He had 39 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery and rushed for 108 yards on offense…Heller also won the Renaissance Award all four years.
Parents: Joe Heller and Sandra Bonastia

Will Henegar
LB | 6-0 | 205 | Centralia, Ill./Centralia
Head Coach: Bobby Brenneisen
Prior to Quincy: Henegar was a two-time all-conference first team standout, racking up 96 tackles and a pick-six in his senior season…He also won a player of the week honor…He registered 235 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles in his career…Henegar was on the athletic honor roll and was a team captain.
Parents: Tommy and Kellie Henegar

Adam Hillis
TE | 6-4 | 240 | Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville
Head Coach: Mark Grounds
Prior to Quincy: Hillis was a two-time All-Central State 8 first team performer and a team captain…He helped the Crimsons to a 6-4 record and a berth in the playoffs as a senior…In his career, he recorded 39 receptions for 525 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and three touchdowns…He also had 198 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception in his career…He also letters in baseball.
Parents: Greg and Joan Hillis

Blake Huskey
WR | 5-10 | 171 | O'Fallon, Mo./O'Fallon Christian
Head Coach: Andy Hare
Prior to Quincy: Huskey is a two-time All-Archdiocese Athletic Association performer as a wide receiver or defensive back at O'Fallon Christian…He is a four-year letterwinner…Huskey received honorable mention for the prestigious Burlsworth Character Award, a nationwide award given to high school football players that demonstrate both outstanding character and sportsmanship on and off the field…In his career, Huskey had 786 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns and averaged 17.9 yards per catch…He also rushed for 409 yards and six touchdowns…Defensively, Huskey had 190 tackles, four forced fumbles, two sacks and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns…He also returned kicks for 772 yards.
Parents: Glenn and Janet Huskey

Keyon Jenkins
DT | 6-0 | 285 | St. Petersburg, Fla./Admiral Farragut
Head Coach: Ryan Hearn
Prior to Quincy: Jenkins recorded 53 tackles as a senior, earning 2A all-state second team and all-district first team honors…He was also all-county first team…Jenkins was selected to play in the Pinellas County All-Star Game.
Parents: Charlie Jenkins and Kenya White

Noah Kaufmann
OL | 6-0 | 275 | Traer, Iowa/North Tama
Head Coach: Austin Pink
Prior to Quincy: Kaufmann was a four-year letterwinner and two-time first team all-district player…He was also the North Tama Male Athlete of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year…Kaufmann was the starting center on the USA Football National Team and a two-year captain at North Tama…He also lettered in track and baseketball…He is a member of the mock trial team and a two-time state qualifier in speech.
Parents: Paul and Brenda Kaufmann

Michael Klotz
K/P | 5-7 | 165 | Millstadt, Ill./Oakville
Head Coach: Arlee Connors
Prior to Quincy: Klotz averaged 36 yards per punt, including a long of 56 yards last season…He kicked eight touchbacks out of 17 kickoffs and averaged 57 yards per kickoff…Klotz made two field goals, including a 37-yard game-winner…He was an all-conference winner as a punter…Klotz started three years on the soccer team at Oakville.
Parents: Gary and Laura Klotz

Daltyn Korando
OL | 6-3 | 250 | Chester, Ill./Chester
Head Coach: Jeremy Blechle
Prior to Quincy: Korando was voted as the most improved player on his team and was chosen as a team captain…He was a two-sport athlete at Chester, playing both football and baseball.
Parents: Tonia and Mike Korando

Kai Kremer
C/LS | 6-2 | 270 | Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills
Head Coach: Brian Lainhart
Prior to Quincy: Kremer was a three-year starter at Walnut Hills…He recorded 72 knockdowns and converted 42 of 43 field goal snaps in his career...He was also a weight room captain…Kremer was a two-sport athlete, also competing in lacrosse.
Parents: Kristin and Chris Kremer

Kris Mays
DB | 5-9 | 183 | Wentzville, Mo./O'Fallon Christian
Head Coach: Andy Hare
Prior to Quincy: Mays is a two-time first team all-conference player at defensive back and also received all-conference honors as a kick returner…He is also a two-time all-district standout and lettered four times in football…This season, Mays had 52 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery…He also rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass…He averaged 8.5 yards per punt return.
Parents: Kenneth and Tiffany Mays

Max Messer
DT | 6-2 | 250 | O'Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic
Head Coach: Blake Markway
Prior to Quincy: As a senior, Messer was third team all-state and first team all-district and all-conference…He was also all-conference as a junior…He had 58 tackles and nine sacks in his career…Messer was his team's lineman of the year and a captain…He also lettered in baseball.
Parents: Luke and Lisa Messer

Trey Mosley
QB | 6-2 | 195 | Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic
Head Coach: Ken Turner
Prior to Quincy: In his senior year, Mosley threw for 2,651 yards and 33 touchdowns against just four interceptions, completing 63 percent of his passes…He is a two-time All-South Seven player and was named all-metro small school…He was the Week 1 STL Today Player of the Week for throwing five touchdowns in the first half of his first career start…He also had 76 tackles and five sacks on defense in his career…He also lettered in baseball.
Parents: Trevon and Michelle Mosley

Marquae Richardson
DT | 5-10 | 280 | Kansas City, Mo./Center
Head Coach: Bryan DeLong
Prior to Quincy: Richardson was an all-conference offensive and defensive lineman and was named to the all-district team on the defensive line…He was named to the All-Simone first team as a senior…He was a Bobby Bell Award Finalist, given to the top small class offensive lineman (1A-4A)…Richardson had 83 tackles and four forced fumbles.
Parents: Gregory and Marquida Richardson

Tyler Rodriguez
LB | 6-0 | 235 | O'Fallon, Mo./O'Fallon Christian
Head Coach: Andy Hare
Prior to Quincy: Rodriquez had 308 tackles (215 solo), five sacks and two interceptions in his career at O'Fallon Christian…He was a three-time Archdiocese Athletic Association linebacker and was the Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior…He was also a three-time all-district player at linebacker and was awarded AAA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior…He also lettered in wrestling and baseball.
Parents: Emmett and Christine Rodriguez

Ethan Roland
DL | 6-2 | 225 | Potosi, Mo./Potosi
Head Coach: Mark Casey
Prior to Quincy: Roland was a second team media and coaches all-state defensive lineman and was named first team all-conference and all-district on both sides of the ball…He was also the conference offensive lineman of the year…He had 108 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior.
Parents: Patrick and Michelle Roland

Corey Ruyle
OL | 6-0 | 285 | Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville
Head Coach: Mark Grounds
Prior to Quincy: Ruyle was a two-time All-Central State 8 offensive lineman at Jacksonville, including first team honors as a senior…He was a three-year starter and helped the Crimsons to the IHSA playoffs as senior.
Parents: Larry and Laura Ruyle

Josh Sapp
WR | 6-1 | 185 | Peru, Ill./St. Bede
Head Coach: Jim Eustice
Prior to Quincy: Sapp caught 29 passes for 419 yards and three touchdowns, earning all-conference honors at wide receiver and defensive back…Sapp was a team captain at St. Bede and also competed in baseball and basketball.
Parents: Richard and Jill Sapp

Andrew Schultz
QB | 6-0 | 190 | Ewing, Mo./Highland
Head Coach: Mason Swisher
Prior to Quincy: Schultz was a second team all-state, first team all-area selection and a two-time all-district and all-conference choice…In his last two seasons, Schultz threw for nearly 4,000 yards while rushing for 1,200 yards…He accounted for 47 touchdowns and set 16 school records, including completions, passing attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns…He also holds records for longest passing play and total yards of offense…Schultz earned the HHS Leadership Award two times.
Parents: Jeff and Amy Schultz

Marcel Scott
LB/DE | 6-3 | 213 | St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast
Head Coach: Jeremy Frioud
Prior to Quincy: Scott had 70 tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception in his senior year…He also wrestled for two years at Northeast, qualifying for regionals in his first year…This year, he placed first in three tournaments and was the city champion in the 220-pound weight class.
Parents: Joanne Anderson and Maress Scott

Braidy Shipp
WR | 5-11 | 180 | La Salle, Ill./St. Bede
Head Coach: Jim Eustice
Prior to Quincy: Shipp was an all-conference and all-area selection three times at wide receiver and was also a three-time all-area defensive back and first team all-conference member…He was his team's MVP and the BCR tri Player of the Year…He ranks 18^th all-time in the state of Illinois in receiving yards…Last season, he compiled 744 yards on 39 receptions, catching nine touchdowns…He also made 63 tackles and had four interceptions on defense…Shipp helped St. Bede to the state playoffs and a 7-4 record…He also lettered in basketball and baseball.
Parent: Rodney Shipp

Nathan Shook
DL | 6-1 | 255 | Kansas City, Mo./North Kansas City
Head Coach: Leon Douglas
Prior to Quincy: Shook was a third team all-state honoree while also picking up first team all-district and first team all-conference laurels…He was named the Defensive MVP by Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry at the K.C. summer camp last summer…He was a team captain and the defensive MVP at North Kansas City as a senior…Shook was a finalist for the Derrick Thomas Third and Long Scholarship…He is the school record holder in the hang clean.
Parent: Laura Shook

Trystan Short
RB | 5-8 | 173 | Mountain Grove, Mo./Mountain Grove
Head Coach: Richard Adkins
Prior to Quincy: Short is a two-time all-state running back and three-time all-state track athlete…He finished his career as Mountain Grove's all-time leading rusher as a four-year letterman…As a senior, Short rushed for 1,578 yards on 164 carries and 19 touchdowns, averaging 9.6 yards per carry…He also caught six passes and had nearly 200 return yards…He was the all-area Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and earned the first of two all-state nods.
Parents: Jodi Calus and Scott Short

Jerrett Smith
LB | 5-10 | 175 | Carrollton, Ill./Carrollton
Head Coach: Nick Flowers
Prior to Quincy: Smith was an all-state linebacker as a senior and was a two-time all-conference player on offense, defense and special teams at Carrollton…A four-year starter and two-year captain, Smith was a Deep Dish Football All-State linebacker as a senior…He had 23 tackles for loss and scored 24 touchdowns his senior year and set a school record for touchdowns in a game (six) as a junior…He led the state in tackles per game (16.1) in 2016…He was an academic all-state standout in his final two seasons…Smith recorded 17 tackles in the state championship game as a sophomore.
Parents: Luke and Ronda Smith

Zach Suchanick
QB | 6-0 | 195 | Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill South
Head Coach: Mike Sharp
Prior to Quincy: Suchanick was a second team all-conference and all-district selection as a senior…He amassed 2,850 passing yards and totaled 40 touchdowns (14 rushing) in his career…Suchanick also rushed for 542 yards.
Parents: Chris and Nikki Suchanick

Kyle Thompson
LB | 6-0 | 205 | Granite City, Ill./Granite City
Head Coach: Carl Luehmann
Prior to Quincy: Thompson is a three-time all-conference player at linebacker and tight end and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and was the MVP as a senior…He was the Advantage News Player of the Year…Thompson recorded 194 tackles and seven sacks in his career…He had 52 tackles and three sacks in his senior season…He also lettered in wrestling, earning a berth in the final eight in the IHSA state tournament and ranking seventh in the state.
Parents: Henry and Sarah Thompson

Lamontie Williams
DB | 6-0 | 185 | Decatur, Ill./Eisenhower
Head Coach: Drew Wagers
Prior to Quincy: A shutdown cornerback, he had four games in which is assignment had zero receiving yards…He totaled 22 tackles and three interceptions and also returned four kickoffs, all going for touchdowns.
Parents: Lisa Creason and Travis Williams

Alan "BJ" Wilson III
TE | 6-6 | 240 | Florissant, Mo./Saint Louis University HS
Head Coach: Gary Kornfield
Prior to Quincy: Wilson was a three-year starter for the Jr. Bills, catching nine passes for 130 yards, five first downs and four touchdowns as a senior…He was a second team All-Metro Catholic Conference tight end…He was a team captain as a senior…In limited time on defense, Wilson had 10 tackles and an interception…He also lettered four years in basketball, helping SLUH to the Missouri State Class 6A Final Four his last two seasons…He will finish his career with 500 points and 500 rebounds.
Parents: Alan and Leesha Wilson

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