Weber State University 2016 recruiting class

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State head coach Jay Hill announced the addition of 31 players to join Weber State’s football program as part of National Signing Day Wednesday.

A total of 21 of the 31 players signed are from the state of Utah. WSU also added seven players from California and three from Idaho. This year’s class has a mix of all positions with 18 players of offense, 12 on offense and one on special teams. Eleven players signed are defensive lineman and six are offensive linemen. Ten players were signed in previous years and are returning to Weber State after serving LDS Church missions. WSU added four junior college transfers and signed 17 players out of high school.

“Overall we feel this is another really good class for us,” Hill said. “It is a good mix of both sides of the ball and we added to spots to help fill our needs. Both the defensive and offensive lines were areas of emphasis for us and we’re excited about that group. Once again we have about two thirds of our class from the state of Utah which is part of our recruiting model. We feel it is a very good class that will help us in the future.”

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown	Previous School	Highlights
Justus Brown	Saf.	6-5	205	So.	Brigham City, Utah	Snow/Box Elder HS	Video
Jeremy Maxwell	DB	5-11	175	Jr.	Santa Ana, Calif.	Santa Ana JC	Video
Parker Preator	DB	5-11	175	Jr.	Mountain Green, Utah	Snow/Fremont HS	Video
Andrew Vollert	TE	6-5	245	Jr.	San Mateo, Calif.	S.F. City College	Video

Returned missionaries previously signed at Weber State

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	High School
Brock Doman	DL	6-3	275	St. George, Utah	Desert Hills
Cameron Hansen	LB	6-2	190	Taylorsville, Utah	Juan Diego
A.J. Lolohea	DL	6-3	200	Salt Lake City, Utah	West
Cole McGinnis	DL	6-4	275	Gooding, Idaho	Gooding
Clay Moss	LB/RB	6-0	205	Sandy, Utah	Jordan
Jared Schiess	DL	6-3	240	Manti, Utah	Manti
Auston Tesch	LB	6-2	205	Eden, Utah	Weber
Kawika Tupuola	DL	6-1	280	Farmington, Utah	Davis
Jonah Williams	DL	6-4	230	Meridian, Idaho	Rocky Mountain
Stetson Wood	OL	6-4	255	Layton, Utah	Layton

 

JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS

JUSTUS BROWN
Safety • 6-5 • 205 • So.
Brigham City, Utah (Snow College/Box Elder HS)

Justus comes to Weber State as a sophomore defensive back after playing one season at Snow College…Is already enrolled at Weber State and will participate with the Wildcats in spring practice…Played in 10 games last season at Snow and had 40 tackles with 27 unassisted tackles and had one interception for Snow and was named the Defensive MVP for the Salt City Bowl…Served an LDS Church mission to Tijuana, Mexico prior to enrolling at Snow…Graduated from Box Elder High School in 2011…Earned first team All-State and All-Region honors and was named the region defensive back MVP…Was the team Defensive MVP for the Bees and had 70 tackles with four interceptions and one sack…Was born July 27, 1993 in Logan…Parents are Jeffery and Debra Brown…Is married to Alexie Brown…His brother Jordan played two years as a safety for the Wildcats in 2009 and 2010…Plans on majoring in Computer Science at Weber State.
JEREMY MAXWELL
CB • 5-11 • 175 • Jr.
Santa Ana, Calif. (Santa Ana JC/Edison HS)

Jeremy signs with Weber State as a cornerback out of Stana Ana Junior College…Played in 17 games in his two seasos at Santa Ana and had 67 career tackles with four interceptions and 12 pass breakups…As a sophomore in 2015 played in 10 games and recorded 43 tackles with eight pass breakups and four interceptions…As a freshman he played in seven games with 24 tackles, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery…Graduated in 2014 from Edison High School where he played for coach Dave White…Earned first team All-League honors and also ran track where he was the league MVP…Was born Sept. 29, 1995…Mother is Michelle Maxwell and has three siblings.
PARKER PREATOR
DB • 5-11 • 175 • Jr.
Mountain Green, Utah (Snow College/Fremont HS)

Parker joins Weber State after playing two sesons at Snow Junior College…Is already enrolled at Weber State and will participate with the Wildcats in spring practice…Played in 20 games in his two years for coach Britt Maughan with the Badgers and had 67 tackles, six interceptions and 24 pass breakups…As a sophomore in 2015 he played in all 11 games and recorded 44 tackles, five interceptions and 18 pass breakups…Also had one force fumble and fumble recovery and had six kick returns…As a freshman in 2014, played in nine games and had 23 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups…Graduated from Fremont High School in 2014 where he played for coach Kory Bosgieter…As a senior in 2013 recorded 62 tackles and two interceptions for the Silver Wolves…Was born Oct. 13, 1995 in California…Parents are Bryce and Shawnee Bishop…Has four siblings…Brother Jordan plays football at BYU…Plans on majoring in Education at Weber State.

 

ANDREW VOLLERT
TE • 6-5 • 245 • Jr.
San Mateo, Calif. (San Francisco City College/San Jose State)

Andrew comes to Weber State out of San Mateo, Calif., where he last played at San Francisco City College…Will be a junior with the Wildcats and is already enrolled at Weber State and will participate in spring practice…Also played in 2013 and 2014 at San Jose State…As a freshman in 2014 played 11 games and started two games for the Spartans…Had 22 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown during the season for San Jose State…Also played basketball for San Jose State…In 2015, played at San Francisco City College…Played high school football at St. Ignatius College Prep, graduating in 2013…Was born March 15, 1995 in San Mateo…Parents are Joe and Stacy Vollert…Plans on majoring in Public Relations and Advertising.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNINGS

 

NOAH ATAGI
OL • 6-4 • 277
Washington Terrace, Utah (Bonneville HS)

Noah signs with Weber State out of Bonneville High School…Earned All-Region and All-State honors as a senior with the Lakers…Also played basketball at Bonneville…Father Miller played football at Weber State.

 

BEN BOS
OL • 6-3 • 275
Heber City, Utah (Wasatch HS)

Ben signs with Weber State out of Heber City, Utah where he played at Wasatch High School…Earned first team All-State and All-Region honors playing for coach Steve Coburn…Played on the offensive and defensive lines for the Wasps…Also wrestled and did track and field at Wasatch and earned All-American honors in wrestling…Was born Oct. 6, 1997 in Murray, Utah…Plans on majoring in Computer Science at Weber State.
KALLIN FISHER
LS • 5-11 • 206
Kaysville, Utah (Davis HS)

Kallin is a long snapper that comes to Weber State from Kaysville, Utah where he played at Davis High School…Played for former Weber State quarterback Tyler Gladwell at Davis…Was the varsity snapper all three seasons at Davis…Also played quarterback for the Darts and earned first team All-Region honors and helped lead Davis to the region title…Was named the Athlete of the Month in September by the Standard-Examiner…Threw for 1,731 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2015 and rushed for 464 yards and nine touchdowns…Was born Aug. 4, 1997 in Las Vegas…Parents are Jason and Teresa Fisher…Plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Weber State.
ROBERT GEOFFRION
OL • 6-4 • 260
Newbury Park, Calif. (Newbury Park HS)

Robert comes to Weber State as an offensive lineman out of Newbury Park, Calif…Played for coach Gary Fabricus at Newbury Park…Earned First Team All CIF honors and was named to the Camino All-League first team…Also did track and field at Weber State…Is already enrolled at WSU and will participate with the Wildcats in spring camp…Was born Sept. 20, 1997 in Newbury Park…Parents are Steve and Frances…Plans on majoring in Electrical Engineering at Weber State.
TREY HOSKINS
WR • 6-3 • 165
San Ramon, Calif. (Dougherty Valley HS)

Trey comes to Weber State from San Ramon, Calif., where he played at Dougherty Valley High School…Played for coach Tisha and coach Lance and played cornerback and wide receiver…Was named Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2015…Also played basketball in high school…Was born Dec. 12, 1997…Is the son of Shawnetta Irvin…Has two siblings, Amir and Nyla.
BRAYDEN KEIM
TE • 6-7 • 215
Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)

Brayden is a 6-7 tight end who comes to Weber State out of Alta High School in Sandy, Utah…Played for coach Alema Teo at Alta…Earned honorable mention honors with the Hawks…Also played basketball at Alta…Was born May 14, 1997 in Sandy…Is the son of Mike and Tiffany Keim…Has three sisters…Plans on majoring in Business at Weber State.
NOAH KRAMER
DL • 6-2 • 285
Layton, Utah (Northridge HS)

Noah comes to Weber State out of Northridge High School where he played for coach Eric Thompson…Earned All-Region honors and was a two-time Defensive Line MVP for the Knights…Recorded 41 tackles as a senior…Finished his career with 121 tackles, three sacks and one interception…Also played basketball at Northridge…Was born July 13, 1997 in Portland…Parents are Jeff and Jeannie Kramer…Plans on majoring in Nursing at Weber State.
JORDAN LUTUI
DL • 6-3 • 260
West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS)

Jordan signs with Weber State as a defensive lineman out of West Valley City…Played for coach Scott Henderson at Hunter High School…Was named co-Defensive Region 2 MVP as a senior at Hunter and earned honorable mention All-State honors…Also played golf in high school…Parents are Vaikalafi and Ilaisaane Lutui…Has five siblings…Plans on majoring in Business at Weber State.
PENI MOBLEY
LB • 6-1 • 214
Herriman, Utah (Herriman HS)

Peni is a linebacker out of Herriman, Utah who comes to Weber State from Herriman High School…Earned first team All-State and first team All-Region honors as a senior for coach Dustin Pearce…Helped lead Herriman to the 5A state championship…Recorded 82 tackles with 6.5 sacks…Was born Nov. 19, 1997 in Kansas City, Mo…Parents are Benjamin and Sofia Mobley…Plans on majoring in Business at Weber State.
JAYDEN PALAUNI
DL • 6-2 • 255
Salt Lake City, Utah (Highland HS)

Jayden joins Weber State as a defensive lineman out of Highland High School in Salt Lake City…Earned first team All-State honors as a senior for coach Brody Benson and helped lead Highland to the state semifinals…Was named the Region 5 Defensive MVP…Recorded 99 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a senior for the Rams…Earned second team All-State honors and first team All-Region honors as a junior after totaled 97 tackles with 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles…Was born Feb. 12, 1998…Parents are Sione and Victoria Palauni…Has five siblings…Plans on majoring in Physical Education at Weber State.
ADAM RODRIGUEZ
DL • 6-2 • 208
Springville, Utah (Springville HS)

Adam is a defensive lineman out of Springville, Utah…Played for coach Willy Child at Springville…Earned First Team All-State honors as a senior and was named the Region 8 MVP…Recorded 70 tackles and 22 sacks as a senior for the Red Devils…In three years had 173 career tackles with 30 sacks…Played on the defensive and offensive lines and helped lead Springville to the Region 8 championship…Was born Aug. 25, 1997 in Provo…Is the son of Ben and Penny Rodriguez…Plans on majoring in Sports Medicine at Weber State.
DOUG SCHIESS
DL • 6-3 • 255
Manti, Utah (Manti HS)

Doug comes to Weber State as a defensive lineman out of Manti, Utah where he played at Manti High School…Played for coach Cole Meacham with the Templars…Earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors as a junior and senior at Manti…Recorded 111 tackles with nine sacks as a senior…Was named to the honor roll all four years at Manti…Was born March 26, 1998 in Fairbanks, Alaska…Parents are Jim and Teri Schiess…Plans on majoring in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering at Weber State…Will be the third Schiess brother to be a part of the Wildcat football family…Brother Blake was a red shirt freshman offensive lineman with the Wildcats in 2015…Brother Jared signed with Weber State in 2014 and is returning this year from an LDS Church mission.
RASHID SHAHEED
Athlete • 6-0 • 165
San Diego, Calif. (Mt. Carmel HS)

Rashid signs with the Wildcats out of Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego…Played on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for coach John Anderson and Mt. Carmel…Is a two-time San Diego Section CIF selection and earned second team all-state honors…Had 3,748 total yards with 24 touchdowns on offense…Also had two interceptions with one touchdown on defense…Set Mt. Carmel school records for most receiving yards in a game and the school record for the longest kick return…Also ran track and field in high school and was as two-time section champion…Was born Aug. 31, 1998 in Phoenix…Parents are Haneef and Cassondra Shaheed…Plans on majoring in Athletic Training at Weber State.
KEVIN SMITH
RB • 6-0 • 197
Fairfield, Calif. (Vanden HS)

Kevin is a running back out of Fairfield, Calif…Played at Vanden High School…Ran for 980 yards and had 308 receiving yards as a senior in 2015…Also played cornerback at Vanden.
LUKE THOMAS
OL • 6-6 • 250
Fruitland, Idaho (Fruitland HS)

Luke joins Weber State as an offensive tackle out of Fruitland, Idaho…Played as a senior for coach Ryan Tracy at Fruitland High School…Earned first team All-State honors on the offensive line and second team All-State honors as a defensive end…Prior to that played high school football at Brazos Christian High School in Bryan, Texas, playing for coach Brandon Green…Earned all-state honors three years at Brazos Christian, including first team All-State honors as a sophomore… Was born in Bryan, Texas and hometown is College Station, Texas…Also did track and field and lacrosse in high school…Was born Dec. 20, 1997 and parents are Andrew and Shelley Thomas…Plans on majoring in Finance at Weber State.
MASON TYE
TE • 6-1 • 235
Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS)

Mason signed with Weber State out of Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah…Played fullback and was a holder for coach Craig Ahnder and the Bobcats…Earned second team All-Region honors…As a fullback rushed for 806 yards and had seven touchdowns as a senior in 2015…Also had 12 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns…Was born Nov. 8, 1997 in Tonga…Is the son of Laura Tye…Has eight siblings.
TY WHITWORTH
OL • 6-4 • 300
Temecula, Calif. (Linfield Christian HS)

Ty comes to Weber State as an offensive lineman out of Temecula, Calif…Played for coach Dechon Burns at Linfield Christian High School where he was the team captain as a senior in 2015…Was named the team Offensive Lineman of the Year and earned first team All-CIF honors…Also played basketball and participated in track and field…Was named to the honor roll each semester of high school…Was born Nov. 18, 1997 in Boston…Parents are Kenneth and Sunita Whitworth…Plans on majoring in Political Science at Weber State.
RETURNED MISSIONARIES PREVIOUSLY SIGNED AT WEBER STATE

 

BROCK DOMAN
OL • 6-3 • 275 • Fr.
St. George, Utah (Desert Hills HS)

Signed with Weber State in February 2014 as part of coach Jay Hill’s first signing class before serving a mission…Graduated from Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah in 2014 where he played for coach Carl Franke…Earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors and served as team captain in 2013…Helped lead Desert Hills to the Utah 3A state title as a senior in 2013…Also earned All-State and First Team All-Region honors as a junior in 2012….Plans on majoring in Communication at Weber State…Was born Feb. 6, 1996 in Salt Lake City…Mother is Michelle Doman.
CAMERON HANSEN
LB • 6-2 • 190 • Fr.
Taylorsville, Utah (Juan Diego HS)

Cameron signed with Weber State in 2014 before serving an LDS Church mission…Comes to WSU as a linebacker out of Taylorsville, Utah…Prepped at Juan Diego High School where he played for coach John Colosimo…Helped lead Juan Diego to a 24-2 record in his final two seasons…Recorded 30 tackles with one sack and one interception as a senior…Also played running back and rushed for 322 yards and five touchdowns…Earned Second Team All-State honors and First Team All-Region honors…Was born Oct. 3, 1995 in Salt Lake City…Parents are Elvis and Bridget Hansen.
A.J. LOLOHEA
DE • 6-3 • 200 • Fr.
Salt Lake City, Utah (West HS)

A.J. joins Weber State from West High School in Salt Lake City…He signed with the Wildcats in 2014 and then served a mission…Played defensive end and linebacker for coach Keith Lopati at West…Was named to the honor roll…Also plays ruby and is an outstanding tennis player…Plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Weber State…Parents are Al and Anna Lolohea…Full name is Al Halani Lolohea, Jr…Was born Feb. 22, 1996.
COLE MCGINNIS
DL • 6-3 • 275 • Fr.
Gooding, Idaho (Gooding HS)

Cole McGinnis comes to Weber State out of Gooding, Idaho…He signed at Weber State in 2014 and then served a mission…Played for coach Cameron Andersen at Gooding High School…Earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Area honors four times in his career…Helped lead Gooding to back-to-back SCIC Conference titles…Was a two-time USA Today All-Idaho defensive lineman…Also earned All-Conference honors each year of his career…Was born Sept. 1, 1995…Parents are Todd and Leslie McGinnis.
CLAY MOSS
LB • 6-0 • 205 • Fr.
Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS)

Signed with coach Jay Hill in February 2014 out of Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah…Played coach Erik Kjar at Jordan…Played linebacker and running back for the Beatdiggers…Earned Second Team 5A All-State honors from the Deseret News…Rushed for nearly 1,500 yards as a senior with 18 touchdowns…Had nearly 3,000 career rushing yards and 42 touchdowns…Recorded 72 tackles with two sacks and one interception as a senior…Also competed in wrestling at Jordan and was a state champion…Was born Aug. 3, 1995…Parents are Alan and Jeanette Moss.
JARED SCHIESS
DL • 6-3 • 240 • Fr.
Manti, Utah (Manti HS)

Jared signed at Weber State in February 2014 before serving a mission…Comes to Weber State out of Manti, Utah where he was highly recruited out of Manti High…Played for coach Cole Meacham…Earned First Team All-State honors as a senior…Helped lead the Templars to state title game…Recorded 80 tackles, 13 sacks and one interception during his senior season…Played multiple positions during his career at Manti and rushed for 533 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 364 receiving yards and six touchdowns…Brother Blake was a red shirt freshman offensive lineman with the Wildcats in 2015…Brother Doug signed with WSU this year…Parents are James and Teri Schiess.
AUSTON TESCH
LB • 6-2 • 205 • Fr.
Eden, Utah (Weber HS)

Auston signed at Weber State in February 2014 before serving an LDS Church mission…Played for former Weber State offensive coordinator Matt Hammer at Weber High…Played linebacker and running back for Weber and could play both for Weber State…Recorded over 1,200 all-purpose yards as a senior…Earned Second Team All-State honors by the Deseret News…Plans on majoring in Health Science at Weber State…Was born Oct. 27, 1995 in Ogden…Parents are Jeff and Laura Tesch…Is the oldest of six children.
KAWIKA TUPUOLA
DL • 6-1 • 280 • Fr.
Farmington, Utah (Davis HS)

Kawika signed at Weber State in 2014 out of Davis High School in Farmington before serving a mission…Graduated from Davis in 2014…As a senior in 2013 he had 51 tackles and 4.5 sacks and earned Second Team All-State honors from the Deseret News…Totaled 135 tackles and 15 sacks in his career with the Darts.
JONAH WILLIAMS
DE • 6-4 • 230 • Fr.
Meridian, Idaho (Rocky Mountain HS)

Signed with Weber State in February 2013 before serving an LDS Church mission…Is already enrolled at Weber State and will participate with the Wildcats in spring practice…Graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho in 2013 where he played for Coach Watt…Earned Second Team All-State honors and First Team All-Conference honors…Was one of the Meridian team captains as a senior…Was born Aug. 17, 1995 in Puyallup, Wash…Parents are Jason and Brittnee Williams.
STETSON WOOD
OL • 6-4 • 255 • Fr.
Layton, Utah (Layton HS)

Stetson comes to Weber State from Layton, Utah where he played for Jim Bachelor at Layton High School…He signed with the Wildcats in February 2014 and then served a mission…Earned All-Region First Team honors as a senior in 2013 and earned All-State Second Team honors from the Deseret News…Also earned Standard-Examiner First Team All-Area honors…Earned Honorable Mention All-Area honors as a junior as well as
All-State Honorable Mention honors…Was born May 12, 1996 in Layton…Parents are Lynn and Kim Wood.

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