ARCATA - It's time for Christmas and New Year all in one in the collegiate football world. The Humboldt State coaching staff have been huddling by the magic fax machine to gather their new gridiron talent signings to become new Green and Gold wearing Lumberjacks.
and his crew have anxiously-awaited for National Letter of Intent Signing Day to arrive and bring an influx of quality football student-athletes both on-and-off the field into the fold.
The Jacks are welcoming a large class of well over 25-plus new student-athletes as first-year players coming in the fall and transfer players already on campus this spring semester.
It's always an exciting day. We couldn't be more excited than we are as a coaching staff with the group we added. One thing is for sure, we got better today.
We were very specific of what we recruited for not only on the field, but in the lockerroom. The group will be great students and teammates as they move through our program. As excited as we are of their athletic talents, we are equally excited for them as they have been as students, leaders in their school and football programs and will be good additions to what we are doing here.
Hopefully, we are not done yet. With this group, we addressed needs with height at wide receiver, a pair of talented running backs and we are now bigger upfront on both sides of the ball.
We really did look for height at certain spots and turn them over to Drew Peterson (HSU Strength & Conditioning Coach) in the weight room. Height, size and athleticism this group has.
We want to build what we have from the front back on both sides of the ball. We added players who will play a lot of football for us. We hope some of the freshmen and expect the transfers to come in and help us next year.
The HSU Football Signing Day Central page will be contstantly updated throughout today, Wed., Feb. 5, as the new Jacks are approved and information is written for them.
A four-year letterwinner out of Enterprise High School in Redding, Casey Gunther earned All-Section first team acclaim.
Casey played for head coach Darren Trueblood at Enterprise High. He is the son of Eric and Deanna Gunther of Redding and plans to be a business major.
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Ike Townsend, Defensive End, 6-3, 230, Ferndale, Calif., Ferndale HS
After a solid career playing under Ferndale's coach Kim Jorgensen,
Ike Townsend received All-League and the Captain Award in his three years.
Ike is the son of Stace and Pegi Townsend of Ferndale and will be a forestry major.
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Robert Webber, Quarterback, 5-10, 170, Corona, Calif., Corona Centennial HS
After a stellar scholastic career,
Robert Webber brings his over 8,000 passing yards and 1,400 rushing yards to the Jacks. Robert passed for 8,205 yards and 85 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,457 yards with 15 scores. The Corona Centennial High product earned
MaxPreps All-California first team, All-CIF first team and All-Big VII League first team honoree.
Webber guided his team to the Big VII League and CIF titles and state runnerup finish playing for coach Matt Logan.
Last fall, the quarterback passed for 3,898 yards and 43 touchdowns, while scampering for 643 yards and seven more scores.
Robert is the son of Jay and Marcella Webber of Corona, Calif. and is an undecided major.
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Nate Ostrom, Defensive Back, 6-3, 215, San Marcos, Calif., Mission Hills HS
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A new future member of the Jacks' secondary,
Nate Ostrom will bring a taller defensive back to the defense.
Nate earned the Ironman Award as a senior as part of head coach Chris Hauser's Mission Hills squad.
Ostrom, who is the son of Greg and Lori Ostrom of San Marcos, will major in business/finance.
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Marjani Ellison, Wide Receiver, 6-5, 190, Hayward, Calif., Hayward HS
At 6-5,
Marjani Ellison will give HSU quarterbacks a tall target to find with the ball. The Hayward, Calif. native received All-League first team under head coach Justin Redemer.
Marjani also was a good classroom performer to earn scholar athlete distinction.
Ellison will be an environmental engineering/business management/kinesiology major and the son of Troy Ellison and April Lampkin.
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Emilio Rodriguez, Defensive End, 6-3, 250, Chula Vista, Calif., Eastlake HS
At defensive end,
Emilio Rodriguez was honored by the San Diego media and high school coaches with San Diego Section first team and All-CIF Defensive Line status.
Under the direction of head coach John McFadden, Rodriguez was selected by his Eastlake High teammates as the 2013 Ironman Award and Best Line Award honors.
The son of Jaime and Lissa Rodriguez, Emilio will start at HSU as an undecided major.
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James Bain, Offensive Tackle, 6-5, 295, Camarillo, Calif., Camarillo HS
After lettering four years an anchor of the offensive line,
James Bain brings his talents north to Arcata.
Bain earned All-Pacific View League the last two years, while added All-Ventura County and All-CIF Southern Section first team this past fall. He was also the 2013 Pacific View League's Lineman of the Year, while playing for Camarillo High's Jack Willard.
The future criminal justice major is the son of John and Catherine Bain of Camarillo, Calif.
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Mark Parsons, Running Back, 5-10, 215, Yorba Linda, Calif., El Dorado HS
Mark Parsons is ready to take handoffs in the HSU's Redwood Bowl next fall. Parsons ran his way to the League's Offensive MVP award. The El Dorado High product garnered All-League first team and All-County second team under the direction of head coach Mike Crawford.
The future Lumberjack is the sone of Mark and Stephanie Parsons of Yorba Linda, Calif. and plans to be a biology major.
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Jordan Narramore, Quarterback, 5-11, 185, Coronado, Calif., Coronado HS
Following a completion of a three-year career,
Jordan Narramore aims to call signals for the HSU offensive attack.
Narramore was voted a two-time All-CIF San Diego Section All-Academic and
San Diego Union Tribune Academic team. Under the direction of head coach Tony Isabella, Jordan, a 2013 USA Football U18 national team member, was selected Nike Elite 11 West Region Invite and the Coronado Islander Hustle Award winner.
Jordan plans to be a communications major and is the son of Ben and Kim Narramore of Coronado, Calif.
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Sebastian Kelley, Linebacker, 6-4, 220, San Diego, Calif., Mater Dei Catholic HS
Adding an athletic linebacker to the corps, San Diego's
Sebastian Kelley joins the Jacks. Kelley played four years under Mater Dei Catholic's coach John Joyner where he was an All-League first team last fall and a second team his junior season. Sebastian recorded 66 tackles, 31 solo, with 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception his senior campaign.
The young linebacker is the son of James and Michele Kelley of San Diego and is an undecided major.
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Kyle Blumer, Quarterback, 6-4, 200, Fullerton, Calif., Troy HS
After becoming Troy High's all-time passing yardage and passing touchdown leaders,
Kyle Blumer aims to throw footballs in the Green and Gold's offense. The 6-4 quarterback earned Fullerton News Tribune Player of the Year and All-League first team acclaim. Directing head coach Kevin Hasten's offense, Blumer fired for 1,800 yards through the air with 17 touchdowns, while adding another 300 rushing yards and nine additional touchdowns.
Kyle plans to major in business and is the sone of Chuck and Lisa Blumer of Fullerton, Calif.
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Calvin Crockett, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 160, San Diego, Calif., Serra HS
A lanky target, Serra High's
Calvin Crockett has signed to join HSU next fall. Crockett pulled in the game-winning touchdown against Moorse High for head coach Brian Basyns.
Calvin is the son of Calvin and Precious Crockett of San Diego and will be a kinesiology major.
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Keithin Page, Defensive End, 6-5, 240, San Diego, Calif., Mesa Junior College/Lincoln HS
Patroling the defense, Keithin Page will continue tackling opponent for the Lumberjacks. Page spent the past two years playing for head coach Henry Browne's Mesa Junior College team. In high school, Keithin earned a pair of varsity letters, while being selected Lincoln High's team MVP and Co-Captain.
The incoming junior will be a criminal justice major and is the son of Marvin and Chimene Page of San Diego.
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Ja'Quan Gardner, Running Back, 5-7, 180, Modesto, Calif., Central Valley HS
Heralded running back
Ja'Quan Gardner will take his running game to the Redwood Bowl next fall. Gardner received 2013 USA Today/Asics Ultimate Athlete of the Year as a national award. Ja'Quan, who played for head coach Jason McCloskey, earned All-State first team for medium schools by CalHiSports and MaxPreps. He was voted the WAC MVP, and Modesto Bee Player of the Year. Gardner finished his Central Valley career as the Stanislaus District All-Time Career Leading Rusher with 6,014 yards.
Ja'Quan is the son of Stacey Gardner of Modesto and plans to major in kinesiology.
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Sione Umufuke, Defensive Tackle, 6-3, 325, Sacramento, Calif., American River Junior College/Saint Francis HS
Jacob Vermillion, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 280, San Diego, Calif., Madison HS
John Todd II, Wide Receiver, 6-2, 180, El Cajon, Calif., Valhalla HS
Naaman Butsko, Offensive Tackle, 6-7, 290, Lake Forest, Calif., Saddleback Junior College/El Toro HS
Curtis Williams, Jr., Linebacker, 6-1, 205, Elk Grove, Calif., Franklin HS
MIDYEAR TRANSFERS
Garrett Louis, Offensive Line, 6-2, 280, Antioch, Calif., Los Medanos College/Deer Valley HS
Adding to a young HSU offensive line, Garrett Louis has joined HSU for his final two upcoming seasons. The 6-2, 280-pound blocker was a 2013 All-Conference pick for head coach Christopher Shipe at Los Medanos College. Garrett earned 2011 All-BVAL first team selection at Deer Valley High.
The kinesiology major is the son of Stephen and Roxanne Louis of Antioch, Calif.
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Jared Layel, Center, 6-1, 270, Redlands, Calif., Redlands HS
Beginning his collegiate career this spring,
Jared Layel will add another quality young offensive lineman to the HSU fold. The center earned All-Citrus Belt League honor three times for Redlands High head coach Jim Walker. Jared was voted his team's Offensive Line MVP, Most Determined and Most Inspirational awardee.
He plans to be a communications major and is the son of Vonn and Kristina Layel of Redlands, Calif.
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Anthony Ezirm, Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 265, Santa Rosa, Calif., Santa Rosa Junior College/Maria Carillo HS
Moving up Route 101 northward, Anthony Ezrim joins the Jacks defensive lineman group. Ezrim has spent the last two season playing for Santa Rosa Junior College and head coach Lenny Wagner. While being part of the Santa Rosa JC team, Anthony was the 2013 All-NorCal Conference Defensive Lineman and team's Defensive Player of the Year. In high school, Ezrim was voted All-North Bay League first team linebacker his final two years.
The defensive tackle is the son of Charles and Felicia Ezrim of Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Khaalid Abdullah, Linebacker, 6-0, 225, San Diego, Calif., Southwestern Community College/Moun Miguel HS
Adding a playmaking defender,
Khaalid Abdullah begins his HSU football career this semester. The 6-0, 225-pound linebacker comes to the Jacks from Southwestern Community College where he played the last two falls. While patroling for head coach Ed Carberry's defense, Khaalid was selected as the Best Lineacker, Defensive MVP and the Player of the Game for the team's bowl game. For Mount Miguel High's squad, Abdullah earned his team's MVP honor multiple time and served as team captain.
He is the son of Mohammad and Waheedah Abdullah of San Diego and is a marine biology major.
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David Jones, Offensive Line, 6-2, 290, Sacramento, Calif., American River College/Grant Union HS
HSU has another quality young offensive lineman,
David Jones, joining the gridiron team this spring. Jones comes to the Jacks from head coach Gerald Haflich's American River College program. David received the 'Best Representation of American River College Football' Award this season.
He is the son of David and Deanna Jones of Sacramento, Calif. and is a kinesiology major.
