ARCATA, Calif. -- The Humboldt State football program announced 14 future Lumberjacks inked National Letters of Intent Wednesday to join the team this fall.
 
"It's an exciting day for all of us involved," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "Our coaching staff has spent so much time; first identifying these prospects, then building these relationships and ultimately having them visit campus. We are adding a lot of new Lumberjacks, 14 so far and we have many more to come. National Signing Day is a lot of fun and we can't be more pleased with this group. They bring talent, character and academic commitment. These student-athletes will be great additions to our football program."
 
Head Coach Rob Smith and his coaching staff netted a talented group of signees that will suit up in the Green and Gold next season. The class consisted of three Humboldt County products, which included Connor Cox (Arcata HS/Arcata, Calif.), Russell Kadle (Fortuna Union HS/Fortuna, Calif.) and Travis Nickols (McKinleyville HS/McKinleyville, Calif.).
 
"I learned from my first day on the job how important it is to have local kids on our roster," said Smith. "Not only are these players local, but they are also very talented and are quality (NCAA) Division II players."
 
The group focuses on the defensive side of the ball after the Jacks graduated several of their best defensive players last season. It also includes a number of promising playmakers that will aid sophomore quarterback Robert Webber, the reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-Freshman of the Year.
 
"You never know which freshmen will be advanced enough and talented enough to step in and make a contribution," said Smith. "Just look back to last year and the impact that true freshmen Robert Webber, Ja'Quan Gardner and Sam Vermillion had on the roster. We expect that some of these freshmen we signed today will come in, compete and be players that will be on the field for the opener in September."
 

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Per NCAA rules, the Humboldt State athletic department will announce a signee when the program has received, and the HSU compliance office has verified, the signee's National Letter of Intent. Signees are not officially members of the Lumberjack family until approved and then listed on this page.
 
Russell Kadle (OL/DL, 6-5, 288, Fortuna Union HS, Fortuna, Calif.): Three-time letter winner in football … 2014 All-American and All-Section Honorable Mention … 2014 HDN Co-MVP for offensive lineman … 2013 HDN Honorable Mention … Helped his team advance to the 2013 Sectional Championship … Team Captain … Scholar Athlete … Three-time Academic Honor Roll … Finished his career with 7 sacks, including a 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "Another local player who we have had our eye on for some time. Excellent size and very intelligent player.  Great student as well. He will benefit tremendously from our strength program and as he develops, we believe Russell can be a mainstay on our offensive line."

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Travis Nickols (WR, 6-2, 185, McKinleyville HS, McKinleyville, Calif.): Lettered twice in football … Voted offensive MVP his senior year while helping his team advance to sectionals … Awarded Honor Roll and Principals List … During his senior campaign he tallied 1385 receiving yards for an 18.7 yards per catch and scored 17 touchdowns. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "We have known Travis for a while and have had the advantage of watching him play many times. Excellent receiver with some length and jumping ability. A team leader for McKinleyville. We think he is just coming in to his own and his best football is ahead of him. Brings great work ethic and character to our team."


 

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Aundre Sherman (RB/DB/KR, 5-11, 185, Buhach Colony HS, Atwater, Calif.): Lettered twice in football … Selected First Team All-League as a defensive back, First Team All-League utility player, and Second Team All-League wide receiver… Voted by his team as Freshman of the Year, Sophomore Offensive Player of the Year, Varsity Player of the Year as a junior and Varsity Defensive Back of the Year as a senior… Selected First Team All-Academic … Finished his career with 3,500 rushing yards, 56 offensive touchdowns, 200 tackles, 10 interceptions, 11 kick return touchdowns and eight punt return touchdowns. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "An all-around athlete at Buhach Colony that did everything for his team. Never came of the field. Can play on both sides of the ball and will bring play making ability to whatever position he plays. Dynamic returner as well."
 

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Tommy Woodruff (TE/DE/P, 6-4, 210, Agoura HS, Westlake Village, Calif.): Lettered three times in football … Selected to the All-League, All-County and All-CIF Western Division teams … All-League defensive line MVP … Team Captain … Finished his career with 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven touchdowns. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "Tommy has come to both our camp and our Junior Day so we have been able to develop a relationship with him over the past year. A developmental player with a great frame who will benefit greatly from our strength program. Has high up-side."

 

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Alex Elterman (P/K, 6-4, 195, Templeton HS, Templeton, Calif.): Lettered in football … Two-time All-Coast conference punter … Two-time All-Region punter … First Team All-League at quarterback … All-County Honorable Mention at quarterback … Voted Offensive MVP and two-time Special Teams MVP …  Finished his career with a 40.8 yard punt average and 11 touchbacks … Connected on 58-of-61 PATs and 17-of-21 field goals. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "Having graduated both Chris Campbell and Matt Bruder, Alex fills a big need for us. A high school quarterback, he's athletic and talented at all three skills, punting, place kicking and kickoffs. Was all-region at Monterey Peninsula and averaged just over 40 yards per punt."
 

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Connor Cox (LB/RB, 6-3, 210, Arcata HS, Arcata, Calif.): Earned All-County honors twice … Helped Arcata HS team led by Head Coach Dave Newton to a Big 5 Football Championship … Twice named Team MVP … Led team in receiving and touchdown receptions as a sophomore … Led team in tackles and rushing yards as a junior and senior … Father is HSU Hall of Famer Mike Cox ... Sister, Ashlynn Cox, is a member of the HSU women's basketball team.

Comments from Coach Smith: "We have targeted Connor for a few years now. Great combination of size, athletic ability and work ethic. He will play a lot of football for the Jacks over the next few years. Dad Mike is a former Lumberjack football player and in our Hall of Fame, and sister Ashlynn plays basketball here. Connor will play linebacker and has the talent to play very early in his career."
 

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Christian Fuca (WR/DB, 6-0, 180, San Ramon Valley HS, Danville, Calif.): Lettered twice in football, basketball and once in track & field … Selected Honorable Mention in football … Finished his career with 45 catches for 805 yards and nine touchdowns. 


Comments from Coach Smith: "Can play both inside and outside at the receiver position.  Has big up-side at position.  Also starting point guard on basketball team."


 

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Julian Owens (DB, 5-10, 180, Laguna Niguel HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.): Member of the 2014 CIF-SS West Valley Championship Mission Viejo HS squad coached by Bob Johnson … Accumulated a 3.5 GPA and earned National Football Foundation's Orange County Scholar Athlete honors … Named First Team All-County, First Team All-CIF Defensive MVP and First Team All-League Defensive MVP … Compiled six career interceptions for touchdowns and 20 pass deflections … Recorded 88 career tackles (53 solo, 35 assisted) … Earned Team MVP honors.

Comments from Coach Smith: "Another player that brings great athleticism to the Jacks. Covers a lot of ground from the safety position with excellent ball skills. Has the speed to play corner if needed. From top notch program at Mission Viejo. Has the ability to contribute early."

 

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Tre' Ball (DB/P, 6-0, 175, Granite Bay HS, Granite Bay, Calif.): Selected First Team All-League in the SFL and Second Team All-Metro … Voted Most Improved Defensive POY by his teammates … Defensive Team Captain senior year … Recipient of the Hard Rock Award, Predator Award and voted Player of the Week multiple times … Finished his career with 75 solo tackles, 80 assisted tackles, nine interceptions, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. 

Comments from Coach Smith: "Another player who helps fill a big need for us. Play making ability at corner with excellent feet and quickness. Comes from highly regarded program at Granite Bay."
 

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Khai Williams (RB, 5-11, 190, Edison HS, Fresno, Calif.): Earned First Team All-Valley and First Team All State honors as a senior ... Named the Fresno People's Choice Running Back of the Year.

Comments from Coach Smith: "A physical runner with the speed to run away from people. Love his running style. We've had some very talented backs at HSU and Khai certainly is in that mold."




 

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Vance Sams III (MLB, 6-2, 230, Edison HS, Fresno, Calif.): The 2014 Fresno Bee Player of the Year ... A Third Team All-State choice as a senior ... Earned First Team All-Conference honors ... Finished with 97 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles ... Tallied a pair of interceptions and grabbed three fumble recoveries.

Comments from Coach Smith: "Big, physical linebacker from very solid program at Edison in Fresno. Plays downhill and provides for a real presence in the middle." 


 

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Juwan Murphy (DB, 5-10, 175, Edison HS, Fresno, Calif.): Compiled two interceptions and 13 pass deflections as a senior ... Led team with 40 tackles ... Earned Academic Athletic Award ... Helped team reach first-ever State Playoff.

Comments from Coach Smith: "Very talented corner with great feet, quickness and ball skills. Fills a big need for us. Can run with any receiver and has quick change of direction.  Should contribute very early for us."




 

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Jabar Byrd (DB, 5-10, 175, Merced HS, Merced, Calif.)

Comments from Coach Smith: "Another outstanding athlete that could play multiple positions.  Was MVP of his league. He will play RB for us.  Has good top end speed with quickness that makes him a tough back to bring down."




 

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Conor Gray (LS, 6-0, 210, Sierra College, Auburn, Calif.)

Comments from Coach Smith: "Fills a big need as we graduated Nathan Merrill, our long snapper from last season. Very talented long snapper who also can get down field quickly in coverage."

Noah Davis (QB, 6-1, 190, Saint Bernard's HS, Eureka, Calif.)