ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State added 22 future Lumberjacks to the 2017 football program, including nine high school seniors, four junior college transfers and nine mid-year transfers.
 
"It's an exciting day," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "There is a lot of work that goes into what today is all about. It's a great day for these kids across the state of California and up in the state of Washington to get a chance to sign there name to a letter and become Lumberjacks. I do want to thank my assistant coaches for all the work that they have done. We are short staffed right now, so we have a lot of guys recruiting for the first time, and they did a great job putting this class together."
 
National signing day may have passed, but the HSU football program is still actively recruiting players for the 2017 season.
 
"We figure we are just over the half-way mark when it comes to recruiting," said Smith. "Most schools are done today, but that is not the case here at Humboldt State, and it hasn't been the case in my time here."
 
Below are the newest additions to the Humboldt State football program:
 
Jamere Austin • 6-0 • 195 • WR • Los Angeles Pierce College
"Jamere will help make a strong receiver group even stronger. He has a big play potential every play and is already very committed to the receiver group and team."
 
Avery Bilensky • 6-3 • 300 • OL • Bishop O'Dowd HS
"Bilensky is a strong versatile athlete from a state championship football team, he has the physical maturity to potentially compete day one."
 
Dakota Bill • 6-4 • 280 • G/DT • McKinleyville HS
"Bill is another solid local recruit to add to the offensive line group, keeping the tradition of great Humboldt County players on the Lumberjack offensive line."
 
Cameron Calder • 6-0 • 210 • LB/LS • Bishop O'Dowd HS
"Calder is not only a linebacker, but he will be our long snapper this upcoming season. His athletic abilities will really help on our special teams."
 
Edwin Campbell • 6-0 • 210 • LB • Concord University
 
Kyle Cota • 5-11 • 195 • WR/QB • Sierra JC
"Kyle brings a lot of football IQ to the table. He is a tough player who can do multiple things on the field. We are excited that Kyle is a Jack."
 
De'Aundray Gooden • 5-11 • 210 • LB • Concord University
 
Parker Jobin • 6-3 • 270 • OL • Santa Ana JC
"Parker Jobin is a proven junior center that started every game at Santa Ana College last year. He is a very strong player who will be able to compete day one."
 
Michael Mazzocco • 6-3 • 315 • OL • College of the Redwoods
"Michael Mazzocco played high school football in Portland and started last year at College of the Redwoods at offensive tackle."
 
Bobby Orellano • 6-0 • 270 • DL • Golden West College
"Bobby Orellano was a guy who came highly recommended from Coach Mitchell at Golden West College who is a Humboldt State alumni. He was a 2016 SCFA All-Conference defensive lineman and a guy who really has a great motor. We are excited to get Bobby signed and look forward to him being a contributor in the fall."
 
Thaddeus Philyaw • 6-1 • 190 • DB • Jacksonville State
"Philyaw has played at the highest level at Jacksonville State and will provide a veteran presence in the secondary."
 
Gabriel Quezada • 6-4 • 255 • DE/TE • Central Valley HS
"Gabriel is a guy who comes from the same school as Ja'Quan Gardner and really had a great year. He finished the season with 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He played a lot of positions on the team from tight end, defensive end, defensive tackle and he even punted. We feel he brings depth to a position of need, and we look forward to what he brings to the table."
 
Antonio Richardson • 6-4 • 235 • DT/OL • Orestimba HS
"Antonio is a big kid who played both offensive and defensive line for Orestimba High School. He's a guy with a great frame and comes to us as a versatile player. We are really excited to get Antonio out here as he adds depth for us up front."
 
AJ Samataua • 6-4 • 350 • OL • Del Campo HS
Played high school football in Sacramento …  Redshirted at San Jose State … Started games as a redshirt freshman for the Spartans.
 
Clint Schallberger • 6'2 • 300 • OL/DL • San Joaquin Delta College "Schallberger was extremely athletic with the ability to play both offensive and defensive line in junior college. He was a high school state tournament wrestler at heavyweight who knows how to compete."
 
Sailitai Taamu • 5-10 • 240 • DL • Sacramento City College
"Sai was the defensive conference player of year in a great junior college league as an interior defensive lineman, which doesn't happen very often. Sai is an explosive guy with a wrestling back and was highly productive in his two years at Sacramento City College. We are really excited to get Sai onboard and feel he can be an immediate contributor for us upfront."
 
Andrew Tingstad • 6-3 • 220 • QB • Meadowdale HS
"Drew is a very poised and mature quarterback coming from Washington. He showed very impressive leadership skills during his high school career. With a strong arm and level head, Drew does an excellent job managing games. We are excited that Drew is a Jack!"
 
Zion Vogt • 6-5 • 235 • OL/TE • Cardinal Newman HS
"Zion has a great frame with a lot of potential from a first class high school program that knows how to win."
 
Miguel Wharton • 5-9 • 175 • ATH • Sierra Pacific HS
"Miguel is very versatile with many weapons in his arsenal. He played multiple positions in high school and is very explosive with the ball in his hand. Miguel is a very driven and determined young man, and we are glad he is a Jack!"
 
Braxton Word • 6-3 • 265 • DL • Fullerton JC
"Braxton Word is another junior college transfer from Fullerton College who brings depth to both the defensive end and defensive tackle positions. He comes from a great JUCO program and we are excited to get him up here as a mid-year."
 
Brandon Wright • 6-2 • 330 • DL • Jackson State
"Brandon Wright is a guy who is originally from the Fresno area and went to a powerhouse high school program at Edison.  He is most recently a transfer from Jackson State and we are excited to get him back to his home state to play ball. He is huge guy who is a good athlete and really strong. Once again coming in as a mid-year signee is huge for the program and we look forward to getting him on the field in the spring."