UNI Football Signs 30 for 2019 Roster

SIGNING DAY CENTRAL PAGE

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI Football head coach Mark Farley has announced the signing of 30 student-athletes. The class to date includes 22 Iowans highlighted by Cedar Falls native Logan Wolf.

"The strength of the recruiting class will be leadership," Farley said. "The players that we recruited have the capability to grow into those roles. They have the potential to be very productive, and leaders, because of their experience. They are winners with great character. I am excited because they really fit UNI and fit our team."

The class includes two freshman quarterbacks, six offensive linemen, six linebackers, five defensive backs, two tight ends, two wide receivers, four running backs, two special teams players and a defensive end. Four members of the incoming class come from the junior college ranks with 26 coming from high school.

The Panthers continue to put an emphasis on recruiting the best in-state players possible.

"The success of UNI will always be based around the Iowa student-athlete," Farley said. "When you have players that grew up Panther fans and understand who we are, it is critical to keep those players here."

The recruiting process is an effort that involves dozens of people and Farley was quick to credit all of those that helped from the coaches to the support staff.

"Our staff did a tremendous job," Farley said. "There are a lot of people that got involved from our coaches to our administrative support staff to get these guys to sign. Our coaches went out and created relationships and once they hit campus, we had great support from academic services, professors, compliance and communications. There are a lot of people that made a big difference in this recruiting class.

"Our coaching staff did an awesome job of bringing this crew in."

RECRUITS

Cameron Baker • LB • 6-2 • 220 • Council Bluffs, Iowa • Thomas Jefferson HS
Baker is a highly recruited linebacker from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs where he played linebacker and fullback. He might be best known for an 80-yard touchdown run from his junior season when he broke multiple tackles en route to the score. Video from the run went viral and was featured on national sites, including ESPN.

Baker is more than his highlight reel run. He is a heavy-hitting linebacker with great instincts. He was a four-year starter at TJHS and notched 52 total tackles his senior season. He is also a wrestler and is currently ranked second in Class 3A at 220 lbs.

Spencer Cuvelier • LB • 6-3 • 240 • Cresco, Iowa • Iowa Central CC
Cuvelier is a native of Cresco in near the Minnesota border. He closed out his redshirt freshman season at Iowa Central with 96 total tackles, 22 TFLs, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. He was named All-ICCAC and led ICCC to a victory in the Graphic Edge Bowl at the UNI-Dome. He had six tackles, including 2.5 TFLs in the bowl game victory.

He was a First-Team All-State honoree at Crestwood High School where he also lettered in basketball, baseball and track.

His teammate at IWCC Jackson Martens will join him in Cedar Falls.

Edwin Dearman • FS • 6-0 • 180 • Houston, Texas • Nimitz HS
Dearman comes to Cedar Falls from Houston where he was a star at Nimitz HS. He tallied 105 tackles in just nine games for an outstanding 11.7 tackles per game. On film, you see a player with great vision and quick reactions. He goes by the nickname "The Missile" and the moniker is well-earned.

Maverick Gatrost • TE • 6-5 • 235 • Center Point, Iowa • Center Point-Urbana HS
Gatrost is a blue-collar tight end from Rural Center Point. He notched 416 yards on 29 receptions this season for an impressive 14.3 yards per catch. He has five touchdowns with a season-long score of 62 yards. He is already an elite blocker and has the size to make an impact early in his career at UNI.

Caleb Lomica • LB • 6-3 • 205 • Alleman, Iowa • North Polk HS
Lomica was productive for a North Polk team that finished 5-4 on the year. He notched 82 tackles, including 55 solo stops. He tallied 9.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, he tallied eight receptions for 140 yards and three touchdowns. He has great size and the ability to maintain position and shed blocks. He also makes a statement with his hitting ability.

Jackson Martens • LB • 6-2 • 215 • Burnsville, Minn. • Iowa Central CC
Martens finished his sophomore season at Iowa Central with 28 tackles and .5 sacks. Most impressively, he notched two interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for touchdowns on the season. His speed, range and ball-hawking will help him compete immediately in the search to replace the production of graduating Duncan Ferch.

Nate Martens • QB • 6-3 • 225 • St. Louis, Mo. • DeSmet Jesuit HS
Martens is an early enrollee and is already on campus and participating in team workouts. He will look to compete right away in the battle to replace Eli Dunne for the starting spot. He is top-rated QB recruit in the FCS by Hero Sports. He notched 51 career touchdown passes and 5,617 passing yards. The southpaw passed for 2,001 yards and 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions during his senior season. He didn't throw an interception during his last six games. He also ran the ball 105 times for 324 yards and five touchdowns. He led DeSmet to a 9-3 record on the year and earned second team all-district honors.

Micah Mayberry • DB • 6-1 • 200 • Blue Springs, Mo. • Butler CC
Mayberry tallied eight pass-breakups and 24 tackles including a tackle for loss during his sophomore season. He helped lead Butler to a Midwest Classic Bowl victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to finish an 8-4 season. He was a high school teammate of Briley Moore and earned First-Team All-District Honors in high school.

Jake McLaughlin • LB • 6-3 • 215 • Defiance, Iowa • Harlan HS
McLaughlin lived in opposing backfields during his senior season. He had 10 solo sacks, all solo well as 19 total tackles for loss. He closed the season with 46.5 total tackles, including 27 solo stops. His ability to get to the quarterback derives from his speed and ability to quickly evaluate the offense.

Jared Penning • OL • 6-6 • 325 • Clear Lake, Iowa • Clear Lake HS
Jared is the brother of current UNI lineman Trevor Penning. He comes to UNI from a Clear Lake team that finished 7-2 overall. He earned All-District Team honors in 2017 and 2018. He also second-team All-State recognition in 2017. His size immediately stands out, but he is also agile enough to be a big contributor on the Clear Lake basketball team where he averaged. 5.2 PPG last season.

Kobe Rios • OL • 6-6 •305 • Rock Island, Ill. • Rock Island HS
Rios is another big-bodied lineman. He will look to compete for playing time right away. He put together an All-Conference and All-Metro performance during his senior season for the 5-5 Rock Island Rocks. His size stands out among, but he brings the attitude to go with it.

Tristan Roper • OL • 6-5 • 270 • Blue Springs, Mo. • Blue Springs South HS
Roper joins UNI from the same high school that produced Briley Moore and fellow incomer Micah Mayberry. The size continues to be a trend with this recruiting class and Roper has the frame to be a starter for the Panthers. He earned First-Team All-Conference honors in 2018 and received an honorable mention nod in 2017.

Logan Wolf • WR • 6-4 • 180 • Cedar Falls, Iowa • Cedar Falls HS
Wolf is a name that many UNI faithful will remember with a family history that ranges from the football team to the current UNI women's basketball squad. He was ranked the No. 7 recruit in Iowa by 247 sports and spurned other offers to maintain his commitment to UNI. His production is undeniable. He helped lead Cedar Falls to the state championship with a 12-1 record. He caught 71 passes for 1,221 yards and 22 touchdowns. He had an amazing 17.2 yards per catch. He also carried the ball 24 times for 216 yards and a touchdown and threw nine passes, completing seven for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Justin Fomby • QB • 6-3 • 184 • Lawrenceville, Ga. • Central Gwinnett HS
Fomby comes to UNI from Central Gwinnett where he spent one season after transferring and found his way as the starting signal caller. He notched over 1,500 yards passing his senior year and picked up looks from around the country. He has the physical tools to be an elite quarterback. Like the other incoming freshman, Nate Martens, he will compete right away.

Matthew Cook • K • 5-11 • 174 • Cedar Falls, Iowa • Cedar Falls HS
Cook is first-team All-State kicker who is deadly accurate. His senior season, he made 54-56 PAT attempts and 14-16 field goals with a long of 45 yards. He really showed his range on kickoffs where he tallied 46 touchbacks on the season. He also has the benefit of kicking in the dome for his entire career. He earned All-District honors both his junior and senior seasons. With the loss of Austin Errthum to graduation, he will add much-needed competition this fall.

Dawson Fenton • TE • 6-3 • 215 • Sioux City, Iowa • Bishop Heelan HS
Fenton comes to UNI from Bishop Heelan Catholic, a UNI pipeline in Western Iowa. He was productive on the defensive side of the ball with 52 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2018, but he projects at as a tight end for UNI where his size and frame are well suited for the MVFC. He caught 15 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns during his senior season. He earned All-State honors and led 3A in sacks and tackles for loss.

Clayton Kempf • OL • 6-6 • 260 • Williamsburg, Iowa • Williamsburg HS
Kempf is an outstanding addition to an already stellar offensive line class. He brings a hard-nosed attitude with a 6-6 frame and room to grow. He has the opportunity to grow into a multiple year starter for at UNI with his athleticism and toughness.

Isaac Jorgensen • K/P • 5-11 • 170 • Dike, Iowa • Dike-New Hartford
Jorgensen earned first-team All-State honors and his numbers back up his selection. He was 72-76 (94.7 percent) on PATs, he was 6-11 in field goals with a long of 42 and had 69 touchbacks on 97 kickoffs. He had a punt average of 39.6 yards on 27 punts with a long of 66. He could compete for the punting job as a freshman.

Liam McComas • FB • 6-2 • 215 • Iowa City, Iowa • Iowa City HS
McComas was a two-way player at Iowa City High. He racked up 284 total yards and a touchdown on 19 receptions and 11 carries. On the defensive side, he notched 51.5 tackles, 13 TFLs and seven solo sacks. He will be a fullback for the Panthers and can be a difference maker as a rusher and a blocker.

Kendall Robinson • RB • 6-2 • 200 • Waterloo, Iowa • Waterloo East HS
Robinson is a two-year All-District honoree for Waterloo East. He has the size and speed of a prototypical Division I running back and will look to contribute right away. He is a three-sport athlete and an honor roll student.

Christian Seres • RB • 5-9 • 185 • Hudson, Iowa • Hudson HS
Seres was the 1A Player of the Year (All-State Captain) after leading Hudson to a state title and a perfect 13-0 record. He rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the title game to cap off a season that saw him rack up 2,075 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground and another 70 yards and a score receiving. He notched 4,550 yards rushing and 69 touchdowns over his career. He set the school career record for rushing yards his junior season.

Reed Snitker • LB • 6-3 • 211 • Dubuque, Iowa • Hempstead HS
There is a theme when it comes to the size of the UNI linebacker recruits in this class and Snitker fits right into the mold of the long and athletic linebacker. He had 31 total tackles his senior season, including four TFLs. He also had a pick-six and a pair of fumble recoveries in 2018. He also tallied 42 rush attempts and five receptions for 285 total yards and two touchdowns.

Luke Velky • DB • 6-1 • 185 • Waverly, Iowa • Waverly-Shell Rock HS
Velky was the starting quarterback for Waverly-Shell Rock but will look to play on the defensive end for UNI. He had 10 total tackles and also notched a pick-six on the season. He rushed for 691 yards on 99 attempts for 12 touchdowns. He averaged a stellar 7.0 yards per carry his senior season. He threw for 828 passing yards and seven touchdowns on 50 completions.

Omar Brown • DB • 6-1 • 180 • Minneapolis, Minn. • North Senior HS
Brown is the highest ranted cornerback in Minnesota by 247Sports and his film shows why. He has great size and showed off his ability in the Minnesota State All-Star Game where he won Defensive MVP honors. His has all of the tools to become a shutdown corner at the Division I level.

Jackson Leistikow • OL • 6-3 • 285 • Cedar Falls, Iowa • Cedar Falls HS
Leistikow committed just hours before signing day, but he was on the coaching staff's radar for much longer. He is a quick interior lineman that lives in the weight room and brings the attitude to match. He earned All-Metro honors and All-District Honors. He helped lead Cedar Falls to the state title game and joins several teammates on the squad at UNI.

Tanner Sauerbrei • DE • 6-4 • 180 • Fairbank, Iowa • Wapsie Valley HS
Sauerbrei has the height and the athleticism to be a big contributor in his career at UNI. He had a productive senior year for Wapsie Valley with 56.5 tackles, including 11 TFLs and five sacks. He earned First-Team All-State honors after leading WVHS to a 7-3 season. He is a hard-working, tough-nosed kid.

Drake Shelton • RB • 5-8 • 185 • Decorah, Iowa • Decorah HS
Shelton racked up 1,220 yards rushing and 11 carries on 158 carries and 136 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven receptions. He earned First-Team All-State honors after leading Decorah to an 8-3 record.

Michael Zachary • WR • 5-9 • 170 • Des Moines, Iowa • Iowa Western CC
Zachary racked up 708 yards in 11 games, averaging 64.4 yards per game. He notched eight touchdowns for the Reivers to lead the team in TDs. Along with his prowess on the gridiron, he is also a two-time IHSSA State Wrestling champion. He prepped at Dowling Catholic in Des Moines.

Jesse Hilby • OL • 6-3 • 260 • Dubuque, Iowa • Hempstead HS
Hilby is a two-year all-district and all-area team member and earned Third-Team All-State honors his senior season. He was named a team captain. He is an athletic interior lineman with speed and athleticism. He was a teammate of fellow signee Reed Snitker.

Trey Lasek • DB • 6-2 • 180 • Ainsworth, Iowa • Highland HS
Lasek is a ball-hawking DB from Highland with the ability and the athleticism to do a little of everything. He tallied six interceptions, including a 100-yard interception returned for a touchdown. He also picked up two fumble recoveries. He racked up 45.5 total tackles, including 29 solo stops. Offensively, he threw for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns on 61 completions while rushing for 1,323 yards and 18 touchdowns. He even recorded a 38-yard punt on the season.

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