SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State football head coach Dave Steckel completed his fourth recruiting class today (Feb. 7) with the addition of 27 total commitments between the December and February NLI dates.
The opening day of the spring signing period for Division I college football saw Steckel and his staff add 14 players for the upcoming campaign. The Bears announced the receipt of commitments from 13 recruits in December during the inaugural early signing period.
“I’m very excited with all the players we signed, and I’m very grateful to our staff for the endless hours they put in to make our 2018 Bear Blitz a success,” said Steckel. “At this time of year, you’re always glad to put the finishing touches on a class, and we feel we have addressed our short-term and long-term needs with this group.”
Nearly half the class – 13 to be exact – are from the state of Missouri. The Missouri State staff was able to sign 19 high school seniors in addition to eight junior college transfers. Six of the junior college commitments are currently on the Springfield campus taking classes this semester.
Additionally, 13 players in this year’s class are classified as offensive linemen, defensive linemen or tight ends. The Bears also added five defensive backs, four wide receivers, two running backs, two linebackers and a kicker.
Fans are invited to attend MSU’s Signing Day Party tonight at 5:30 p.m., at the Springfield Brewing Company (305 S. Market). The event will include burger and beer specials, and Steckel and his staff will review MSU’s 2018 signing class, discuss the Bears’ newest recruits, show highlights and answer questions. A number of door prizes will also be given away.
The signing day party is free and open to the public. No advance RSVP is required.
A complete list of Missouri State’s 2018 commitments follows:
Landon Bebee
OL, Fr., 6-3, 290, Webb City, Mo., Webb City High
A three-year letterman as an offensive lineman for perennial powerhouse Webb City (Mo.) High … Earned Missouri Class 4 all-state and all-regional honors for coach John Roderique in 2016 and 2017, helping the Cardinals to their 14th state title as a senior … Also part of Webb City’s state runner-up squad in 2015, as the Cardinals amassed a 53-5 overall record during his four-year prep career.
Arian Bhat
DL, Fr., 6-2, 290, Denton, Texas, Guyer High
Bhat was a three-year starter on Denton (Texas) Guyer High’s defensive line … Earned first-team all-district and all-area honors as a senior in 2017, helping coach John Walsh’s squad to a 7-4 overall finish … Also earned a second-team all-district nod as a junior.
Lonell Boyd, Jr.
DB, Fr., 5-9, 180, St. Louis, Mo., CBC High
Boyd was a four-year prep letterman at St. Louis CBC High, where he helped the Cadets to a 51-4 overall record during his career … Picked up first-team all-state, all-district and all-metro honors as a senior in leading CBC to a Missouri Class 6 state title … Logged a team-high 94 total tackles and six interceptions for coach Scott Pingel’s club.
Kobe Brandt
OL, Fr., 6-6, 290, Columbia, Mo., Rock Bridge High
A highly-touted lineman, Brandt was a three-year starter at left tackle at Rock Bridge High in Columbia, Mo., earning first-team all-state honors in 2017 … Helped coach Van Vanatta’s Bruins to a 9-2 record and playoff run his senior year, earning all-district honors for the second straight season … Also played basketball two seasons for legendary coach Jim Scanlon.
Ja’Ron Burks
WR, Fr., 6-3, 180, Raytown, Mo., Raytown South High
A three-sport standout at Raytown (Mo.) South High, Burks is a deep-threat athlete who also played cornerback for the Cardinals … Helped Raytown South to a 6-5 ledger and state playoff appearance in 2017 … Also a starting power forward on the basketball team at Raytown South as well as a high jumper and sprinter in track.
Mauricio Chio
TE, Jr., 6-1, 240, Olathe, Kan., Olathe North High, Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College
Was a two-time All-KSCCC selection at fullback for coach Aaron Flores at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College where he also played tight end and special teams … Started all 22 games the past two seasons for the Red Ravens … Was a three-year starter for coach Gene Wier at Olathe (Kan.) North High where he was a member of an 11-1 conference championship team as a senior before an injury-shortened 2014 campaign … Eagles won back-to-back district, regional and sub-state titles his final two years … Earned All-Sunflower honorable mention laurels at WR his junior season … Finished sixth in the 110-meter hurdles and seventh in the 300-meter hurdles at the Kansas 6A track meet his junior year.
Godey Coleus
DT, So., 6-2, 280, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Wharton High, Hinds (Miss.) Community College
Was the starting defensive tackle in 2017 for coach Larry Williams at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., where he was part of a 6-3 season … Was a three-year starter on the defensive line for coach David Mitchell at Wharton (Fla.) High … Helped Wildcats to an 8-2 ledger his senior season in 2015 as a second-team all-conference pick … Earned first-team all-league laurels as a junior for a Class 8A playoff program.
Andrew Colvin
OL, Jr., 6-3, 300, Gainesville, Fla., Santa Fe High, Butler (Kan.) Community College
Played 2017 season for coach Tim Schaffner at Butler (Kan.) Community College where the Grizzlies were 8-3 last year … Started and earned All-MCAC second-team honors as a freshman at Mesabi Range (Minn.) Community College in 2016 … Also earned dean’s list distinction as a freshman … Originally signed with Savannah State out of high school … Was a two-time all-area pick for coach Bill Wiles at Santa Fe High in Alachwa, Fla., and participated in the Georgia vs. Florida Border War all-star game … Helped Raiders to a 7-3 record his senior year.
Elijah Farr
OL/TE, Fr., 6-6, 255, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Lee’s Summit North High
Starting tight end for coach Jamar Mozee at Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North in 2017 … Senior season included a 44-yard touchdown reception against Liberty … Helped Broncos to a 6-4 campaign his senior season … Tallied over 100 receiving yards his junior season, including a TD against Blue Springs … Teammate of fellow MSU signee Jordan Murray … Also a standout basketball player at Lee’s Summit North.
Daylon Figures
S, Fr., 6-1, 190, Tulsa, Okla., Union High
Starting cornerback at Tulsa (Okla.) Union High which advanced to the Oklahoma 6A title game this season … Tallied 40 tackles and 15 pass break-ups for coach Kirk Fridrich’s Redskins in 2017 … Led club to a 12-1 overall record, district championship and state runner-up finish.
Ian Fitzgerald
OL, Fr., 6-5, 285, Hawthorn Woods, Ill., Lake Zurich High
Started all 14 games for a 13-1 Lake Zurich (Ill.) High team that won the North Suburban Conference title and advanced to the Class 7A state championship game in 2017 … Earned all-area and all-conference distinction for coach Luke Mertens his senior season … Was also starting tackle for the Bears in 2016 while earning all-conference and honorable mention all-area honors.
Ian Fox
OL, So., 6-4, 300, Phoenix, Ariz., Greenway High, Scottsdale Community College
Was the starting right tackle for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College in 2017 where he was part of a 6-4 season for coach Doug Madoski … As a prep senior at Greenway High in Phoenix, Fox was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game after earning All-West Valley and all-district distinction at left tackle for coach Jon Becktold … Was team captain three years for the Demons and was a second-team all-conference and all-district pick his junior season.
Jordan Guilfoy
LB, Fr., 6-2, 215, Fenton, Mo., Vianney High
Recorded 123 tackles, 11 for loss, and six sacks at linebacker for coach Paul Day at Vianney High in St. Louis in 2017 … Helped Griffins to a 10-2 season and district title … Was a consensus all-state pick as a senior co-captain while earning All-MCC honors as a junior and senior … Notched 144 tackles, 11 for loss, and six sacks as a junior with four fumble recoveries for a Class 5A state championship squad that finished 9-5 overall.
Matt Harris
LB, Fr., 6-3, 230, O’Fallon, Mo., Fort Zumwalt West High
Logged a team-high 88 tackles, including 29 for loss, as a senior at Fort Zumwalt West High in O’Fallon, Mo. … Helped lead coach Neil Nowack’s Jaguars to an 8-3 campaign and second straight GAC South title in 2017 … Was also a second-team all-state selection as a senior after earning GAC South defensive player of the year honors … Earned all-conference honors three years and all-district honors twice … Broke program record for career tackles for loss.
Nick Hessefort
CB, Fr., 6-2, 185, Blue Springs, Mo., Blue Springs High
Starting defensive back on back-to-back state runner-up squads at Blue Springs (Mo.) High for coach Kelly Donohoe … Helped the Wildcats to an 11-3 record in each of his last two seasons … Earned all-state, all-district, all-metro and all-conference laurels in 2017 … Began his prep career at wide receiver before transitioning to DB his junior year … Is also a noted sprinter and long jumper on the Blue Springs track team.
Paris Jackson
S, Fr., 6-1, 195, Fort Worth Texas, Dunbar High
A standout defensive back at Dunbar High in Fort Worth, Texas, who also played running back for coach Todd Lawson’s Wildcats … Earned first-team all-district at RB and second-team at safety his senior season … Also earned all-district laurels at linebacker his sophomore year and second-team all-district safety distinction as a freshman … Was part of a district runner-up 4×200-meter relay team as an acclaimed sprinter.
Matt McCellan
DE, Jr., 6-4, 225, Ferguson, Mo., Francis Howell High, Kilgore (Texas) College
Was a second-team all-conference outside linebacker last season at Kilgore (Texas) College after helping coach J.J. Eckert’s Rangers to a 5-4 campaign … Posted 53 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks as a sophomore … Stopped 38 ball carriers as a freshman for a 6-5 KC team … Earned all-district and all-conference honors for coach Bryan Koch as a senior at Francis Howell High in suburban St. Louis … Also played wide receiver for the Vikings and was a three-year standout in track and field.
Jordan Murray
TE, Fr., 6-4, 225, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Lee’s Summit North High
Was a two-year starter at tight end and defensive end for coach Jamar Mozee at Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North High outside of Kansas City … Helped the Broncos to a 6-4 mark his senior year after earning Suburban Big Seven all-conference honorable mention status at tight end and defensive end … Was also all-conference at tight end his junior season … Played his freshman and sophomore years at Summit Christian High where he was also an all-conference pick at wide receiver and defensive back.
Matt Platko
OL, Jr., 6-4, 305, Woodstock, Ga., Woodstock High, Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College
Was starting center for Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College in 2017 and earned was a first-team all-conference and all-region selection for coach Jesse Montalto … Was also on the squad at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College for two seasons, including a redshirt year, where he started at tackle and guard in 2016 … Was a first-team all-conference lineman at Woodstock (Ga.) High for coach Brent Budde where the Wolverines started the season 6-0.
Rusty Rudd
DB, Fr., 6-2, 180, Fort Gibson, Okla., Fort Gibson High
A three-year starter for Fort Gibson (Okla.) High, seeing action all over the field as a defensive back, wide receiver and running back during his prep career … Earned All-Verdigris Valley Conference and all-district honors as a senior in 2017 … Also named to the Muskogee Phoenix’s All-Area squad after helping coach Greg Whiteley’s Tigers to a 7-4 finish.
Ethan Swanegan
WR, Fr., 6-5, 200, Blue Springs, Mo., Blue Springs South High
An all-district, all-conference and all-metro wide receiver in 2017, Swanegan finished his career at Blue Springs (Mo.) South High as the program’s career leader in receiving yards with 1,371 … Also broke single-game records for receptions (15) and receiving yards (220) as a senior and capped his career with 90 for coach Greg Oder’s Jaguars … Averaged 14.4 yards per reception as a senior and 15.1 yards as a junior while earning all-district and all-area distinction … Was part of 15-0 Class 6 state championship team in 2015 … Also plays basketball at Blue Springs South.
Damoriea Vick
WR, Fr., 6-3, 180, Oklahoma City, Okla., Westmoore High
Helped lead Westmoore (Okla.) High to an 8-3 season as a standout wide receiver for coach Lorenzo Williams’ Jaguars … Caught 41 passes as a senior for 510 yards and five touchdowns … Averaged 12.4 yards per reception and 46.4 yards per game … Set school record for single-game, season and career pass receptions … Earned district wide receiver of the year honors as a senior in addition to earning all-conference laurels for the second straight season.
Kylin Washington
DT, Jr., 6-2, 280, Fort Smith, Ark., Northside High, Northeast Mississippi Community College
Recorded 32 tackles and three sacks for 24 yards as a sophomore for coach Greg Davis’ Tigers at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss. … Spent 2015 and 2016 seasons at Eastern Illinois University where he redshirted in 2015 … Played defensive end and nose tackle for coach Mike Falleur at Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside High … Rated the No. 37 overall prospect in the state of Arkansas by 24-7 Sports.com out of high school … Selected to play in the Arkansas All-Star game after being named first team all-conference for the Grizzlies in 2014 as a senior.
Ivan Webb
RB, Fr., 5-11, 200, Kansas City, Kan., F.L Schlagle High
Was a two-year starter for coach Dwayne Williams at F.L. Schlagle High in Kansas City, Kan. … Helped Stallions to a 9-1 record in 2017 after rushing for a school-record 2,843 yards and 36 touchdowns … Earned all-state and Kansas City Star All-Metro honors and was a finalist for the Simone Award given annually to KC’s top prep player … Led state of Kansas and ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards as a senior and was Kansas/Atchison League player of the year … Also registered nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards … As a junior, he scored 10 rushing touchdowns and was an honorable-mention all-conference pick.
Nick Williams
K, Fr., 6-1, 180, Kirkwood, Mo., Kirkwood High
Had a 78-percent touchback percentage on kickoffs as a first-team all-conference and all-district kicker as a senior at Kirkwood (Mo.) High … Converted 41-of-43 extra points and four field goals for coach Farrel Shelton’s Pioneers to help them to a Suburban South conference championship in 2017 … Also earned conference special teams player of the year and St. Louis All-Metro honors … Was also a varsity starter for 2016 Missouri state championship team, making 57-of-60 extra points and 8 field goals as a junior … His scoring total (81) in 2016 set a state record for points by a kicker, earning him second-team all-conference and all-district honors … Is also a standout third baseman on the Kirkwood baseball team.
Jeremiah Wilson
RB, Fr., 6-1, 205, Kansas City, Mo., Center High
Was a three-sport standout for Kansas City’s Center High, earning first-team Missouri Class 3 All-State honors in football as a senior … Averaged 10 yards per carry as a running back for coach Brian Delong’s club in 2017, picking up All-Simone Team recognition and district player of the year accolades as well … Also starred as a sprinter for the Yellowjackets on the track, advancing to the state meet in both the 100 and 200 as a junior, as well as the hardwood, where he helped Center to a 20-win season in 2017.
Antwan Woods
WR, Jr., 6-3, 190, Coweta, Okla., Jenks High, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Helped Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to a conference title and 9-3 record in 2017 … Hauled in 24 receptions for 437 yards and three touchdowns for coach Clay Patterson as a sophomore … Played in 10 games with seven starts as a freshman WR at NEO, collecting 11 catches for 138 yards and three scores … Was a standout prep performer at Jenks (Okla.) High where he helped lead coach Allan Trimble’s Trojans to an 11-1 record and 6A playoff run as a senior.
