UNI football: Panthers add 15 to 2026 class

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Head coach Todd Stepsis and the UNI football team added 15 athletes to the roster on Wednesday as a part of 2025's December early signing day.

"This incoming class represents what we are building — a team full of talented, driven young men who embody the grit, character, and commitment we demand at UNI," said head coach Todd Stepsis. "These guys along with the rest of our team are the total package, and we're excited about their potential to make an impact on the field, on campus, and in the community. National Signing Day is just the beginning of our journey together, and we can't wait for this group to join our brotherhood and become champions we know they can be.

Additions to the roster for the 2026 season include:

QB Will Anderson, 6-2, Bellevue West HS (Nebraska)
CB Joquez Beck, 5-11, Cardinal Ritter College Prep (Missouri)
CB Lamarious Clark, 5-11, Ankeny HS (Iowa)
WR Sam Drexler, 6-1, Dowling Catholic HS (Iowa)
OL Yusif Fofanah, 6-5, Kimberly HS (Wisconsin)
OL Carson Hynes, 6-8, Plainview-Elgin Millville HS (Minnesota)
DE Benton Mohrmann, 6-6, Parkway North HS (Missouri)
OL Max Nelson, 6-6, Stoughton HS (Wisconsin)
LB Brooks Ragland, 6-2, Liberty HS (Missouri)
WR Will Remmert, 5-11, Cedar Falls HS (Iowa)
OL Colt Schipper, 6-4, Waukee HS (Iowa)
K Jimmy Scott, 6-3, Lewis Central HS (Iowa)
WR Jamiir Sloan, 5-11, Kirkwood HS (Missouri)
SAF Quinn Street, 6-0, Osage HS (Iowa)
RB Drew Thompson, 6-1, Southeast Polk HS (Iowa)

QB WILL ANDERSON

Bellevue West quarterback Will Anderson joins UNI as a poised, team-driven leader developed under head coach Michael Huffman. A multi-year varsity contributor and two-time team captain, Anderson established himself as a steady presence in one of Nebraska's premier high school programs. He earned varsity letters in all four seasons while consistently excelling in the classroom as an Honor Roll student. Known for his football IQ, leadership, and composure under pressure, Anderson brings a strong foundation and high ceiling to the Panthers' quarterback room.

CB JOQUEZ BECK

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Joquez Beck comes to UNI from Cardinal Ritter College Prep where he was a two sport athlete, competing on the football field and the track. Beck is a two-time football State Champion (2022/2023) and is a 2025 4x100 and 4x200 meter relay State Champion.

CB LAMARIOUS CLARK

Coming to UNI from Ankeny High School, Lamarious Clark spent his time at Ankeny as a two-sport athlete. On the football field, Clark is a two-time All-State First Teamer and three-time All-District Defense First Teamer. He was named to the MVC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team as a freshman on the basketball court.

WR SAM DREXLER

A three-sport athlete from Dowling Catholic High School, Sam Drexler competed on the football track and field, and basketball teams for the Maroons. A 2025 First Team All-District and Second Team All-State wide receiver, Drexler holds the Dowling Catholic Distance Medley School Record. A four-year Honor Roll student, Drexler is a 2025 football State Champion and 2025 Drake Relay State Champion in the distance Medley.

OL YUSIF FOFANAH

Kimberly High School offensive lineman Yusif Fofanah signs with UNI as a powerful, emerging talent in the trenches. After developing steadily throughout his high school career, Fofanah put together a standout senior season, earning unanimous First Team All-Conference honors and All-Region recognition. His size, strength, and late-career surge make him a high-upside addition to the Panthers' offensive front, bringing both physicality and room to grow within UNI's system.

OL CARSON HYNES

Plainview-Elgin-Millville standout Carson Hynes signs with UNI as a powerful, multi-sport lineman who excelled under head coach Daren Wingert. A three-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track and field, Hynes earned All-Conference and All-Section honors on the offensive line while also qualifying for the state meet in track as a junior. He was a consistent Academic All-Conference performer throughout his high school career, reflecting his strong commitment both on the field and in the classroom. A key contributor to a Section runner-up finish, Hynes brings strength, athletic versatility, and a disciplined work ethic to the Panthers' offensive front.

DE BENTON MOHRMANN

Parkway North standout Benton Mohrmann joins UNI as a versatile addition to the 2026 signing class. A two-way force at tight end and defensive end under coach Kar Odenwald, Mohrmann was a four-year 4.0 Honor Roll student and multi-sport athlete who earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and golf, highlighted by a Tri-Athlete Award as a junior. A team captain in both football and basketball as a senior, he was named the Suburban Green Conference's Lineman of the Year and helped lead Parkway North to back-to-back Class 4 District 4 football titles in 2024 and 2025.

OL MAX NELSON

An offensive lineman from Stoughton High School, Max Nelson joins the Panther class after playing football as a two-way athlete on the offensive and defensive line. The All-Badger Conference First Teamer was also a member of the Viking basketball team.

LB BROOKS RAGLAND

Liberty High School standout Brooks Ragland signs with UNI as a tough, instinctive playmaker who excelled at both tight end and linebacker under head coach Chad Frigon. A three-sport athlete who also competed in basketball and baseball as a catcher, Ragland built an impressive resume highlighted by multiple All-Conference and All-District honors, culminating in All-State recognition at linebacker as a senior. He was also a consistent Academic All-State performer, reflecting his strong discipline on and off the field. A key contributor to Liberty's deep postseason runs - including a district title and state semifinal appearance as a junior and conference and district championships with a state quarterfinal berth as a senior - Ragland brings physicality, versatility, and winning experience to the Panthers' 2026 class.

WR WILL REMMERT

Cedar Falls standout Will Remmert stays close to home as he signs with UNI, bringing elite speed, versatility, and proven big-meet production to the Panthers. A two-sport star in football and track, Remmert is a multiple-time state champion sprinter, including back-to-back Sprint Medley Relay titles, and holds the Cedar Falls school record in the 100 meters at 10.56. On the football field, he earned Second Team All-State honors, District Special Teams Player of the Year, and First Team All-District and All-Metro recognition as a senior while serving as a team captain. Remmert also excelled academically as an Academic All-State honoree in both football and track. A key contributor to multiple state-qualifying football teams and two state runner-up finishes in track, he adds top-end speed, playmaking ability, and hometown pride to the Panthers' 2026 class.

OL COLT SCHIPPER

Waukee High School product Colt Schipper signs with UNI as a dependable, high-motor interior lineman known for his strength and consistency at right guard under coach Gabe Bakker. A multi-sport athlete who also competed as a center in basketball, Schipper earned academic honors every year of his high school career, culminating in Academic All-State recognition as a senior. On the field, he was a two-time Second Team All-District selection and a key contributor to Waukee's postseason success, helping the Warriors qualify for the state playoffs twice, including a run to the state quarterfinals. Schipper brings the Panthers a blend of toughness, intelligence, and competitive experience that fits seamlessly into UNI's offensive front.

K JIMMY SCOTT

Lewis Central's Jimmy Scott signs with UNI as one of the most decorated special teams athletes in Iowa, bringing elite production as a kicker, punter, and receiver under head coach Justin Kammrad. A multi-sport standout who also excelled in basketball and track, Scott helped lead Lewis Central to a 4A state championship as a sophomore and went on to become a two-time First Team All-State kicker, multiple-time All-District and All-City selection, and the Des Moines Register's First Team punter as a junior. A team captain in basketball and a consistent Blue Honor Roll and Academic All-Conference performer, he pairs athletic versatility with strong leadership and academic discipline. Scott's powerful leg, all-around athleticism, and championship experience make him a major addition to UNI's 2026 class.

WR JAMIIR SLOAN

Kirkwood High School wide receiver Jamiir Sloan joins UNI as an explosive playmaker developed under the guidance of head coach Jeremy Maclin. Sloan emerged as one of the area's most dynamic pass catchers, earning back-to-back First Team All-Conference honors as an upperclassman along with Second Team All-State recognition as both a junior and senior. A steady producer throughout his career, he also collected multiple Second Team All-Conference awards early on, showcasing consistency and growth each season. With his speed, ball skills, and proven ability to perform against top competition, Sloan adds big-play potential and competitive edge to the Panthers' receiving corps.

SAF QUINN STREET

Osage standout Quinn Street signs with UNI as a gifted multi-sport quarterback and defensive back who excelled under head coach Chris Kyhl. A rare four-sport impact athlete, Street earned First Team All-District honors in football in three straight seasons, culminating in a senior year that saw him named District MVP and First Team All-State. Equally accomplished off the gridiron, he was a multi-year First Team All-Conference basketball selection and a multiple-time state track placewinner, showcasing exceptional all-around athleticism. Street's dynamic playmaking ability, leadership, and competitive versatility make him a high-upside addition to the Panthers' 2026 class.

RB DREW THOMPSON

Southeast Polk running back Drew Thompson joins UNI as a dynamic, high-character athlete developed under head coach Brad Zelenovich. A two-sport standout in football and track, Thompson earned multiple Academic All-Conference honors and was recognized as team captain and First Team All-District as a senior. On the field, he was a key contributor to two 5A state championship teams, showcasing his speed and playmaking ability, and helped set school records in both the indoor 4x1 and outdoor 4x2 relays in track. Thompson brings a rare combination of explosiveness, leadership, and championship experience to the Panthers' 2026 signing class.

UNI football action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Football), X (@UNIFootball) and on Instagram (@unipantherfootball). The full 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

Calendar

Upcoming Events