SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State University head football coach Bobby Petrino announced Wednesday (Feb. 5) the addition of eight players to his inaugural Bears recruiting class. The newest roster additions for the 2020 season include three freshmen and five junior college transfers.
Missouri State previously announced the addition of 22 players during the early signing period in December. A complete list of the 2020 signees is as follows:
Signing National Letters of Intent Wednesday to attend Missouri State were:
P.J. Hall Jr., DB, 6-3, 185, Fr., Little Rock, Ark. (Robinson High)
Standout receiver and defensive back from Little Rock (Ark.) Robinson High … Earned Arkansas 4A Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 for a 14-1 state championship team under coach Todd Eskola … Team captain was also MVP of the state championship with 8 catches for 85 yards and 3 TDs against Shiloh Christian … Set team single-season records for receptions (59), receiving yards (1168) and touchdowns (20) … Finished career with 74 tackles and 3 interceptions to go with 71 pass receptions for 1389 yards and 21 touchdowns … Was a Boys State delegate and National Honor Society inductee … Also recruited by Lamar … Plays high school baseball.
Jayden Jacobs, DE, 6-2, 220, Fr., Van, Texas (Van High)
Four-year letterman for coach Jared Moffatt at Van (Texas) High where he helped lead the Vandals to a 6-4 record his senior season … Earned 6A all-state honors in 2019 … Team captain set program record with 4 sacks in a game … As a junior, named American State Bank Palyer of the Week (10/25/18) with 16 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles against Palestine … Also recruited by New Mexico, Rice, Lamar and Sam Houston … Also plays basketball.
Charles Johnson (DT, 6-1, 330, Jr., Huntersville, N.C., (Mallard Creek High, Hutchinson [Kan.] CC)
Standout defensive tackle who spent the 2019 season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College … Racked up 13.0 tackles in 6 appearances in 2019 with a sack … Helped coach Drew Dallas’ Blue Dragons to a 10-2 season and Salt City Bowl appearance … Spent his freshman season at Arizona Western College … Prepped at Mallard Creek High in North Carolina where he helped coach Michael Palmieri’s Mavericks to a 14-1 record and 4A state runner-up showing his senior season (2017).
Ferrin Manuleleua, LB, 6-1, 225, Jr., Manteca, Calif., (Manteca High, Modesto [Calif.] Junior College)
A two-time defensive MVP for coach Rusty Stivers at Modesto (Calif.) Junior College … Earned All-CCCAA linebacker honors in 2018 and 2019 at Modesto, earning all-state honors in 2019 for a 9-3 Pirates team that advanced to the Northern California finals … Part of a Pirates sophomore class that won 17 games in two seasons … Led all Modesto defenders with 162 career tackles and 30 tackles for loss with 9 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.
Keshun Parker, LB, 5-11, 230, Jr., Calhoun City, Miss. (Calhoun High, Itawamba [Miss.] CC)
Named the 2019 NJCAA National Defensive Player of the Year, Parker led Itawamba (Miss.) Community College with a team-high 81 tackles, including 18.5 for a loss … He also racked up 7 sacks, 5 pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles for the Indians … Parker led coach Sean Cannon’s squad to a 5-4 record in 2019 and four consecutive wins to close out the season … Had three double-figure tackle games as a sophomore, including a three-sack effort (9/19/19) which helped him garner national defensive player of the week laurels … Compiled 121 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his two seasons at the Fulton, Miss., juco … Prepped at Calhoun (Miss.) High where he guided coach Perry Liles’ Wildcats to an 11-3 season and 2A state semifinal run in 2017 … Brought down 96 ball carriers as a senior with 75 solo stops … Finished his high school career with 329 total tackles and 239 solos … Also had two 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Calhoun City, including 1,534 yards on 209 carries as a senior with 26 touchdowns … Wildcats were 15-1 and Class 2A state champions his junior year (2016) with a team-high 9 tackles in the state championship game.
Tarrell Roberts, WR, 5-7, 155, Fr., Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta High)
Speedy slot receiver who had 46 catches for 614 yards as a senior in 2019 at Valdosta (Ga.) High for coach Alan Rodemaker … Helped Wildcats to a 10-3 playoff run his senior year … Named to Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Region first team during his final prep season … Hauled in 39 pass receptions for 720 yards as a junior … Is also stellar track athlete who finished third in the 2019 Georgia Class 6A state meet in the 100-meter dash (10.85) with a 10.68 in the prelim round.
Paul Sogialofa, OL, 6-5, 325, Jr., Pago Pago American Samoa (FaAsao Marist High, Modesto [Calif.] JC)
Earned All-America first-team and Region I All-California first-team honors as a sophomore at Modesto (Calif.) Junior College … Helped lead Modesto to a 9-3 record and appearance in the Northern California finals in 2019 … Part of a Pirates sophomore class under coach Rusty Stivers that won 17 games in two seasons … Was the leader of an offensive line that led the league in all offensive statistical categories … Was offensive team captain in 2019 … In high school, was on the All-Island team (American Samoa) at FaAsao Marist … Lettered in football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball in high school while earning male athlete of the year honors … Set school record for most rebounds … Graduated with high honors and was a National Honor Society inductee … Also recruited by Utah, Oregon, Oregon State and Alabama A&M.
Otto Ulberg, DT, 6-3, 350, Jr., Kansas City, Mo. (Fort Osage High, Iowa Western Junior College)
Brought down 31 ball carriers with 5.5 tackles for loss in his two-year tenure at Iowa Western Junior College in Council Bluffs … Part of a 9-3 playoff run by coach Scott Strohmeier’s Reivers in 2019 … Iowa Western was 10-1 his freshman year with an appearance in the Graphic Edge Bowl … Widely regarded as a big, strong run stopper with the ability to rush the passer efficiently … Helped coach Brock Bult’s Fort Osage Indians (Independence, Mo.) to a 9-3 ledger and Class 5 quarterfinal run his senior season in 2017 … Had 35 total tackles as a senior with 8 tackles for loss.
Signees from the early commitment period in December were:
Kaunor Ashley, DB, 5-10, 170, Fr., Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee High)
Was a two-time all-district defensive back at Muskogee (Okla.) High under coach Rafe Watkins … Helped lead the Roughers to an 8-3 campaign and district runner-up finish his senior season (2019) … Was Muskogee’s top receiver his junior season with 16 receptions for 188 yards and 6 touchdowns, and was the team’s top tackler his sophomore year with 78 total stops … Was a three-time Frontier Valley Academic All-Conference honoree … Also plays high school basketball and baseball.
Brock Borin, TE, 6-4, 235, Fr., Monkey Island, Okla. (Adair High)
Part of a remarkable high school program at Adair (Okla.) High where the Warriors were a combined 45-9 in his four seasons as a varsity starter at tight end and defensive end … Was a three-time all-district selection and was named district tight end of the year his last three seasons … Part of three district titles at Adair, two state semifinal teams and four state quarterfinal runs … As a senior, he had 46 tackles, 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss while hauling in 10 receptions for 214 yards and 5 touchdowns … His junior season, he recorded 47 tackles with 4 sacks and 3 TFLs with 18 pass receptions for 254 yards and a TD … Also brought down 78 ball carriers as a sophomore … Finished his prep career with 187 tackles, 16 sacks and 18 tackles for loss to go with 43 receptions for 771 yards and 13 touchdowns … Also a standout small forward on the Adair basketball team and two-time state qualifier in track.
Tra’Keci Cooper, RB, 6-0, 185, Fr., Texarkana, Texas (Texas High)
Standout running back for coach Gerry Stanford at Texas High in Texarkana (Texas) where he helped the Tigers to a Class 5A playoff run in 2019 … Team was 7-5 was senior season … Averaged 6.4 yards per carry as a junior.
Mike Fangman, OL, 6-2, 300, Fr., Naples, Fla. (Naples High)
A three-time all-district and two-time Collier County Athletic Association first-team selection, Fangman was part of a 10-1 run by the Golden Eagles at Naples (Fla.) High his senior season … Coach Bill Kramer’s teams were 32-5 with Fangman anchoring the offensive line his last three seasons … Played in the FACA North vs. South All-Star Game after his senior season while earning Collier County Scholar-Athlete distinction … Earned first-team all-state laurels his junior year with Naples Daily News all-metro offense honors … Also throws shot and discus at Naples High.
C.J. Garnett, LB, 6-0, 200, Fr. Keller, Texas (Keller Central High)
Brought down 82 ball carriers with 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks as a senior at Keller (Texas) Central High in 2019 … Helped coach Bart Helsley’s Chargers to a 7-4 run in Garnett’s final campaign and was credited for 48 quarterback hurries … His junior season, he posted 71 tackles, including 16 stops for loss.
Grant Goodson, OT, 6-6, 267, Fr., Norman, Okla. (Norman High)
Anchored a Norman (Okla.) High offensive line that was responsible for the Tigers racking up 41.6 points and 545 yards per game his senior season … Part of a 7-4 run by coach Rocky Martin’s squad in 2019 … Tigers were 6-5 his junior year.
Devin Goree, DE, 6-3, 240, Fr., Denton, Texas (Guyer High)
Was part of a remarkable 14-2 senior campaign at Guyer High in Denton, Texas for coach John Walsh … Wildcats were ranked 32nd nationally as a team … Goree brought down 70 ball carriers as a senior with 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks … Was starting defensive end for another 6A playoff team his junior year with 48 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.
Sloan Hayden, TE, 6-5, 230, Fr., Ulysses, Kan. (Eudora High)
Was a three-year starter at Eudora (Kan.) High School where he was a consensus all-state selection as a senior in 2019 … Also earned all-area and All-Frontier League honors as a senior for coach Sean Hayden’s Cardinals … Earned all-league honorable mention laurels his junior season … Also plays basketball and throws the javelin and discus at Eudora.
Dwight Jacobs, Jr., S, 5-10, 193, Fr., Columbia, S.C. (Ridge View High)
Standout defensive playmaker at Ridge View High in Columbia, S.C. … Helped Blazers of coach Perry Parks to a 9-5 record and run to the Class 4A state semifinals his senior year.
Chanlor Johnson, CB, 6-2, 190, Fr., Allen, Texas (McKinney High)
A two-year starter for coach Marcus Shavers at McKinney High in Allen, Texas … Was part of a 7-5 Class 6A playoff squad his senior season … Has also played basketball and been a standout sprinter at McKinney.
D’Vontae Key, WR, 5-10, 165, Fr., Raytown, Mo. (Raytown High)
A first-team all-state wide receiver at Raytown (Mo.) High as a senior for coach Logan Minnick … Also earned all-district and all-conference first-team honors in 2019 after helping the Blue Jays to a 9-3 season … Raytown was 8-2 his junior season while he earned all-state laurels as a wide receiver and kick returning, in addition to all-district and all-conference distinction … Earned all-state honors in track his sophomore year as part of a state championship 4×100 relay team.
Kevon Latulas, WR, 6-0, 200, Jr., Port Arthur, Texas (Nederland High, Kilgore [Texas] College)
Helped coach Willie Gooden’s Kilgore (Texas) College Rangers to an 8-2 season in 2019 … Earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore at Kilgore after recording 23 receptions for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Hauled in 44 pass receptions for 886 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Nederland High in Port Arthur, Texas … Was part of a 9-3 playoff run in 2017 for coach Larry Neumann’s Bulldogs.
Payton Lusk, WR, 6-3, 175, Fr. Muskogee, Okla. (Owasso High)
Standout receiver for a 13-0 state championship team at Owasso (Okla.) High for coach Bill Blankenship … Caught 29 passes for 506 yards (17.4 ypc) and 6 touchdowns as a senior while earning 6A all-district and Oklahoma Vype Top 100 honors … Rams were ranked as the No. 14 team nationally by USA Today … As a junior, he caught 16 passes for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first season of football … Earned academic all-conference honors his junior and senior seasons … Was also a high jumper and basketball player at Owasso.
Celdon Manning, RB, 5-10, 180, Fr., Allen, Texas (Allen High)
Speedster was starting quarterback for a 12-1 6A playoff squad at Allen (Texas) High team his senior season for coach Terry Gambill … Eagles were 50-3 during his four seasons as a starting running back and QB at Allen … Earned second-team all-district honors in 2019 as team captain … Also named to 6A Academic All-State second team as a senior … Was also an all-district selection as a junior.
Cairo Payne, WR, 5-11, 170, Fr., O’Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt North High)
Helped lead Fort Zumwalt North High School to four straight conference and district titles as starting defensive back, quarterback and wide receiver … Helped coach Joe Bacon’s Panthers to a 12-1 record in 2019 while earning GAC Player of the Year honors … Passed for 984 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior while rushing for 1601 yards and 26 touchdowns … Also racked up 52 total tackles in 2019 while earning all-district and all-conference honors at both positions and all-state second team honors at QB … As a junior, he tallied 62 tackles with 963 all-purpose yards, averaging 15.3 yards on 26 pass receptions as an all-state WR … Posted 671 all-purpose yards his sophomore season with 7 TD receptions … FZN was 46-6 in his four seasons, earning all-conference and all-district honors three times … Also competed in basketball and track in high school.
Darrias Pearsall, QB, 6-2, 195, Fr., Lee’s Summit, Mo. (Lee’s Summit High)
Three-year starting quarterback at Lee’s Summit (Mo.) High for coach Eric Thomas … Earned Class 6A all-state honors after completing 63-percent of his passes and racking up 2,192 passing yards and 20 touchdowns for a 5-5 Tigers team in 2019 … Was also all-conference and all-district his senior year … Also earned all-conference honors as a junior for an 8-4 squad, throwing for 10 touchdowns and 1257 yards … In his second career game, he passed for 360 yards and 4 touchdowns his sophomore year en route to a 1096-yard passing campaign with 6 TDs … Also played basketball and ran track at Lee’s Summit.
Kellen Porter, RB, 6-1, 210, Fr., St. Louis, Mo. (Saint Louis University High)
Standout running back who racked up 949 rushing yards on 168 carries as a senior for coach Mike Jones at Saint Louis University High with 5.6 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns in 2019 … Earned all-district honors two seasons … Rushed for 5 touchdowns in season opener against Battle High School in 2019 … Tied school record for longest kick return with a 99-yarder his sophomore season against DeSmet … Earned academic all-state laurels in 2019 … Three-year letterman racked up 2,500 all-purpose yards and 1,786 rushing yards his last two seasons for the Junior Bills … Also competed in basketball and track at SLUH … Also recruited by by Miami (Ohio), Purdue, Air Force, Illinois, Ball State, Wyoming, Indiana State, Eastern Illinois, North Dakota and Dayton.
Jake Seidel, OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Imperial, Mo. (Seckman High)
Standout two-way lineman and four-year starter for coach Nick Baer at Seckman High in Imperial, Mo. … Earned all-district and All-Suburban West honors three straight seasons for the Jaguars … Ranked No. 30 in St. Louis Post-Dispatch Super 30 in 2019 … Participated in 2019 Illinois Big Man Camp … Also participated in track, basketball and wrestling at Seckman.
Ja’Veo Toliver, DL, 6-5, 245, Fr., Springfield, Mo. (Parkview High)
Local product who was a standout defensive lineman at Parkview High in Springfield for coach Ben Dougherty … Recorded 93 tackles as a senior in 2019 with 16 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 5 blocked field goals … Was named 2019 Lineman of the Year by the Springfield Quarterback Club … Posted 75 tackles his junior season with 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks … Also plays basketball at Parkview.
Jake Van Dyne, QB, 6-3, 190, Fr. Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty North High)
Starting quarterback for an 11-1 Liberty (Mo.) North High team in 2019 for coach Greg Jones … Led Eagles to a Greater Kansas City Suburban Red conference title his senior season … Completed 64-percent (143-of-224) of his passes for 2150 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2019 while breaking nine school records … Also helped his team to a 7-on-7 championship at the KU football camp prior to his senior season … Also plays outfield for the Liberty North baseball team.
Armon Wallace, DT, 6-0, 278, Fr., St. Charles, Mo. (DeSmet High)
Earned Missouri Class 6 all-state second team honors and ranked No. 24 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Super 30 in class of 2019 … Led coach Robert Steeples’ DeSmet Jesuit High to a 14-0 Missouri state title his senior season after recording 43 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 6 sacks as an all-district and All-MCC first-team honors … Led Spartans to a 9-3 record his junior with 32 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks as an All-MCC first-team selection … Earned all-conference honors on both sides of the ball as a sophomore lineman, recording 29 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 6 sacks … Earned MCC Scholar-Athlete honors his final two seasons.
Hunter Wood, WR, 6-1, 185, Fr., Springdale, Ark. (Har-Ber High)
Three-year starter at wide receiver for his father and coach Chris Wood at Har-Ber High in Springdale, Ark. … Led Wildcats to an 8-4 ledger his senior season with 68 receptions for 1103 yards and 15 touchdowns … Was also an Arkansas consensus 7A all-state performer in 2019 and finalist for the Farm Bureau 6A/7A Offensive Player of the Year … His junior year, he was also a 7A all-state selection as well as Northwest Arkansas all-area performer after snagging 29 receptions for 568 yards and 7 scores … Named Har-Ber offensive newcomer of the year his sophomore year after 36 receptions for 509 yards and 5 touchdowns … Tallied 133 catches for 2180 yards and 27 touchdowns over his last three seasons … Is also a standout shortstop at Har-Ber.
