Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals Welcome 28 Scholarship Newcomers During Football's Early Signing Period
December 20, 2023 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University and head football coach Mike Neu have announced the signing of 28 scholarship newcomers on the opening day of college football's early signing period. The group of talented prep and college standouts includes 18 incoming freshman and 10 transfers who will look to make an impact on the field for the Cardinals.
The 2024 class represents 10 different states and includes 17 players on offense and 11 on defense. All 10 transfers are expected to enroll for the spring semester and participate in 2024 spring drills.
Ball State's 2024 Early Signing Class – Incoming Freshmen:
Jalen Alexander -- RB, 5-11, 195, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Kameron Anthony -- TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Zach Bandy -- OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Avon, Ind./Avon HS
Brady Barrowman -- OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS
Ty Curran -- WR, 5-11, 180, Fr., Chelmsford, Mass./St. Thomas More School
Jordan Davis -- DB, 6-3, 170, Fr., Columbia, Tenn./Columbia Central HS
Ryan Eldridge -- OL, 6-6, 260, Fr., Goshen, Ind./Goshen HS
Sam Feeney -- LB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard HS
Dantu Gardner Jr. -- LB, 6-4, 215, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North HS
Micah Lillard -- DB, 6-2, 178, Fr., Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson HS
Eric McClain -- DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East HS
Mason Riggins -- TE, 6-6, 235, Fr., Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville HS
Dion Smith II -- DL, 6-3, 275, Fr., Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City HS
Layton Starks -- LB, 6-5, 215, Fr., Versailles, Ky./Woodford County HS
Jordan Suggs -- DB, 6-2, 170, Fr., O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township HS
DJ Williams -- RB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch HS
Willizhuan Yates – DB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Springboro, Ohio/Springboro HS
CJ Zeltwanger -- OL, 6-5, 305, Fr., West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison HS
Ball State's 2024 Early Signing Class – Transfers
Yaser Al-Awadi – OL, 6-7, 328, R-So., Park Ridge, Ill./Western Illinois
Justin Bowick – WR, 6-4, 190, Jr., Powder Springs, Ga./Eastern Illinois
Luke Dalton – OL, 6-4, 307, R-So., Crystal Lake, Ill./Cincinnati
Trey Firestone – WR, 6-2, 186, R-So., Zionsville, Ind./Purdue
Jasaiah Gathings – WR, 6-2, 180, R-Jr., Statesville, N.C./Akron
Chase Harrison – QB, 6-1, 189, R-So., Centerville, Ohio/Marshall
L'Cier Luter – DL, 6-3, 340, R-So., Detroit, Mich./Saddleback College
Jamarion McDougle -- WR, 6-1, 170, So., Deerfield Beach, Fla./Butler CC
Riley Tolsma – DL, 6-4, 255, Grad., Hamilton, Mich./Hillsdale College
Jaxxon Warren – TE, 6-7, 235, So., Flower Mound, Texas/Navarro College
More on each signee can be found below:
Jalen Alexander -- RB, 5-11, 195, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Alexander led the Royals in rushing as a senior with 1,444 yards and 17 rushing TDs after also leading HSE as a junior on a team that finished 12-1 and reached the IHSAA semistate … he finished his prep career with 3,001 rushing yards and 32 rushing TDs, with 17 100-yard rushing games over his last two seasons.
Kameron Anthony -- TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Anthony earned three varsity letters at Hamilton Southeastern under coach Mike Kelly … he helped HSE to a 9-3 mark as a senior, following 12-1 and 8-3 seasons as a junior and sophomore, and reaching the IHSAA semistate in 2022 … he was a high honorable mention selection on the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team after earning first team all-league honors in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … he was chosen as the Royals' most improved player as a senior after finishing the season with eight catches and 105 receiving yards … he hopes to pursue sports broadcasting.
Zach Bandy -- OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Avon, Ind./Avon HS
Bandy lettered three seasons at Avon HS where he played his final season under coach Rob Gibson … he earned all-state accolades as a junior and a senior, and was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team last season … Bandy was a team captain for the Orioles and was chosen all-league the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … he chose Ball State over Army, Air Force, Kentucky and others … he carried a 4.1 GPA in high school and hopes to major in pre-medicine … he is expected to enroll at Ball State in January.
Brady Barrowman -- OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS
A two-year letterman at Minooka High School under coach Matt Harding, Barrowman was a second-team all-conference performer in the Southwest Prairie Conference … a team captain as a senior, he helped the Indians to an 8-3 mark, following a 7-4 record as a junior … he chose Ball State over offers from Army, Bryant, Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Indiana State … he was a high honor roll student at Minooka with a 4.4 GPA … he hopes to pursue sports entertainment communications.
Ty Curran -- WR, 5-11, 180, Fr., Chelmsford, Mass./St. Thomas More School
Regarded as the top receiver in Connecticut and the top slot receiver in New England, Curran played at Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, Mass.) before transferring to prep power St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.) as a senior, in order to play a more national schedule … he was a four-year varsity performer and a three-year all-conference honoree including last fall when he led St. Thomas More with 42 catches and five touchdowns .. his best game last season featured four catches for 140 yards and two TDs against New England power Avon Old Farms … he chose Ball State over 11 other Division I offers including nearby interest from Holy Cross, Bucknell and Navy … he also was a standout lacrosse player in high school …a high honors student in high school with a 3.6 GPA, he is expected to enroll at Ball State in January … his father, Dan, is a former fullback with the NFL Seahawks and Saints, and played with the AFL New Orleans Voodoo under Mike Neu when Neu was beginning his coaching career … the elder Curran was named last week as the new head coach at Holy Cross.
Jordan Davis -- DB, 6-3, 170, Fr., Columbia, Tenn./Columbia Central HS
Four-year football letterwinner is a two-sport star at Columbia Central High School, where he also is a shooting guard on the hardwood … he played defensive back and wide receiver for the Lions, earning all-state recognition as a senior and three straight seasons with all-conference honors … though best-suited as a defensive back, he also caught 34 passes for 621 yards and six TDs while leading the Lions to the Tennessee Class 5A playoffs … he played in Tennessee's East/West Classic football all-star game, and has scored over 1,000 points as a three-year starter in basketball … he hopes to major in broadcasting after sporting a 3.7 high school GPA.
Ryan Eldridge -- OL, 6-6, 260, Fr., Goshen, Ind./Goshen HS
A four-year letterwinner at Goshen High School, Eldridge missed most of his junior season due to injury and committed to Ball State last summer … he played both offensive line and tight end during his prep career … athletic for his size, the 6-7 two-sport star has also been a key player on RedHawks basketball teams the past three years, currently averaging 14.9 points per game.
Sam Feeney -- LB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard HS
Feeney helped Chatard to a 15-0 Class 3A state championship as a senior, making 84 tackles including 17 TFL and 8.5 sacks … he was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team … he also forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles, blocked a pair of kicks and scored two defensive touchdowns while earning "Athlete of the Year" honors on the Indianapolis Star's All-City football team … he also caught eight passes for 136 yards and a touchdown on offense.
Dantu Gardner Jr. -- LB, 6-4, 215, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North HS
A three-year letterwinner at Lawrence North High School under coach Pat Mallory … Gardner capped his high school career by being named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team after making 98 tackles … he had 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks as an outside linebacker and defensive end for the 7-4 Wildcats … he added three fumble recoveries, forced a pair of fumbles and added an interception during his senior year … for his career, he made 207 tackles including 30 TFLs and 16 sacks, earning all-state honors in each of his last two seasons … he chose Ball State over an offer from Purdue, and hopes to major in business … he boasts a 3.57 high school GPA with high honor roll and National Honor Society recognition.
Micah Lillard -- DB, 6-2, 178, Fr., Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson HS
Lillard played cornerback and safety over three seasons at Lafayette Jefferson High School under coach Patrick Shanley … he was a junior all-state selection and a member of the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team as a senior … he was a Bronchos team captain and defensive MVP last season, and twice earned all-league honors in the North Central Conference … Lillard posted 93 tackles with three interceptions and six PBU as a senior … he recorded 67 tackles with three INTs and 13 PBU as a junior … he tallied 160 career tackles with six INTs, 19 pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two interception returns for TD – once as a junior and once as a senior … his cousin, Justin March-Lillard, was an All-MAC linebacker at Akron before spending time with multiple teams in the NFL.
Eric McClain -- DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East HS
McClain was a two-way star at Glenbard East High School under coach John Walters, where he helped the Rams to a conference title and an appearance in the Illinois state quarterfinals … he lettered the past two seasons while leading his team to a 10-2 mark as a senior, 8-2 as a junior … earning all-state honors as a senior and all-conference merit as a junior, he was his team's defensive player of the year in 2023 … he finished with 112 tackles, a pair of sacks and nine pass break-ups in his senior season … McClain starred in track as well, appearing in the 2022 state track meet in the long jump … he chose Ball State over offers from Eastern Illinois and Illinois State … he hopes to major in business management.
Mason Riggins -- TE, 6-6, 235, Fr., Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville HS
Riggins signs with the Cardinals after completing a senior year at Zionsville High School where he caught 24 passes for 267 yards and a pair of touchdowns … he was third on the Eagles in both yards and total receptions, and averaged 38.1 receiving yards per game … he was one of two tight ends chosen as part of the Indy Star's Class 6A Senior All-State Team … he will join Cardinal sophomore Christian Abney in the tight end room next season, after catching passes from him only a year ago when Abney was the Zionsville quarterback … received other offers from Austin Peay, Bryant, Buffalo and Colgate.
Dion Smith II -- DL, 6-3, 275, Fr., Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City HS
Smith lettered three seasons at Michigan City High School where he played under coach Cody French … he played tackle on both sides of the ball, playing every single snap at offensive tackle in addition to his new role on defense … he was named all-county as a senior, playing just his first season on defense while recording 33 tackles with four tackles for loss … he helped the Wolves to a regional championship as a sophomore.
Layton Starks -- LB, 6-5, 215, Fr., Versailles, Ky./Woodford County HS
Starks has signed with the Cardinals out of Woodford County High School in Kentucky, where he was a 2022 teammate with Cardinals' offensive lineman Tristan Cook … Starks played both wide receiver and defensive end for Woodford County, helping lead the Yellowjackets to a 6-4 record and a trip to the Kentucky Class 5A playoffs … the Yellowjackets finished 11-2 during his junior campaign and 13-1 as a sophomore in 2021, losing both seasons to the eventual state champions … Starks also stars on the basketball team.
Jordan Suggs -- DB, 6-2, 170, Fr., O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township HS
The cousin of Cardinals' All-MAC linebacker Sidney Houston, Suggs signs at Ball State after recording a school record six interceptions as a senior at O'Fallon Township High School … he played four seasons at O'Fallon under coach Byron Gettis, and collected 10 career interceptions … he was an all-state selection as a senior and earned all-conference honors as a junior … he earned the Panthers' Character Award last fall.
DJ Williams -- RB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch HS
Williams played running back and outside linebacker at Austintown Fitch High School where he earned four varsity letters under coach TJ Parker … he rambled for over 2,400 career rushing yards with 30 touchdowns … he committed to Ball State last June, over other offers from Temple, Akron, Central Michigan and Army … he also lettered in track and basketball … he intends to major in communications at Ball State.
Willizhuan Yates – DB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Springboro, Ohio/Springboro HS
A second-team All-Southwest Ohio pick and a first-team all-conference selection, Yates earned three varsity letters at Springboro High School under coach Ryan Wilhite … he played on both sides of the ball while earning Springboro's team MVP award last season … he collected 24 career touchdowns at running back, before switching to a corner position last fall where he collected two interceptions and returned one for a score … he totaled 13 touchdowns in his junior season and posted a career-high game with 225 rushing yards … he also played varsity basketball over four seasons, including all-conference honors on the hardwood … he goes by "Will" but honors his given name Willizhuan … his social media handle is @willizhuan.
CJ Zeltwanger -- OL, 6-5, 305, Fr., West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison HS
Zeltwanger was a three-year letterman at Harrison High School where he earned all-state accolades as both a junior and senior … last fall he was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team … a senior team captain, he led the Raiders to a 9-2 mark that included a 7-0, first-place finish in the North Central Conference … he was a two-time all-conference and all-area selection while helping Harrison to three consecutive conference titles … he chose Ball State over offers from Miami (OH) and Army.
Below are brief biographies in an alphabetical list of 2024 college transfers:
Yaser Al-Awadi – OL, 6-7, 328, R-So., Park Ridge, Ill./Western Illinois
Al-Awadi transfers to Ball State after two seasons at Western Illinois where he did not see game action … rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, he played left tackle for Maine East High School, also playing basketball and throwing shot put on the track & field team … he earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior, and was an honorable mention all-state pick as a 2021 senior … he was the league's offensive lineman of the year as a senior … prior to attending WIU, he received offers from West Virginia, Toledo and Purdue.
Justin Bowick – WR, 6-4, 190, Jr., Powder Springs, Ga./Eastern Illinois
Two-year wide receiver from Eastern Illinois joins the Cardinals after making 35 catches and scoring five touchdowns last year for the Panthers who finished 9-3 … he managed 499 receiving yards while playing all 11 games in 2023, with a long grab of 52 yards … he appeared in eight games in 2022 and earned Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honors with six catches for 177 yards and two TDs against nationally ranked UT-Martin … both TDs in that game were longer than 40 yards, including a career-long reception of 63 yards … he caught 13 balls for 250 yards and three TDs as a freshman … he prepped at Pace Academy in Atlanta, helping his team reach the Georgia state playoffs as a senior … he had 11 catches for 131 yards and a TD as a senior.
Luke Dalton – OL, 6-4, 307, R-So., Crystal Lake, Ill./Cincinnati
A transfer from Cincinnati, Dalton was a redshirt in 2022 and did not see playing time last season as a redshirt freshman … out of Marian Central Catholic High School, he was a consensus three-star prospect who was one of the Top 25 recruits in the state of Illinois ... he drew other offers out of high school from Arizona State, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska ... he was ranked the No. 3 offensive lineman in the Chicago area by the Chicago Sun-Times ... he was twice named to the IHSA Class 4A All-State Team and was the East Suburban Catholic Conference/Chicago Catholic League Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Trey Firestone – WR, 6-2, 186, R-So., Zionsville, Ind./Purdue
Firestone transfers to the Cardinals after limited time in five games with Purdue in 2023 … he earned a redshirt season with just one appearance in his college debut against LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl … he joined the Purdue program as a preferred walk-on, after leading Zionsville High School with 61 catches for 639 yards and 11 TDs as a senior, and twice helping the Eagles to the IHSAA Class 5A state championship game where they twice fell to Cathedral … he was a first-team all-state selection as a senior, and twice earned all-conference recognition in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … his brother Jack is an outfielder on the Purdue baseball team.
Jasaiah Gathings – WR, 6-2, 180, R-Jr., Statesville, N.C./Akron
Gathings transfers to Ball State after a 2023 campaign at Akron with 55 catches for 586 yards and a touchdown … playing all 12 games last year, he led Akron in receptions and was second in yards … his best game featured nine receptions for 103 yards and a TD against Kent State … he had seven catches for 86 yards against Morgan State, and seven catches for 80 yards at Eastern Michigan … he caught just one pass (at Michigan State) over two games in 2022 and he earned a redshirt in 2021 with no game action … a 247Sports three-star wide receiver from Statesville, N.C., Gathings was a three-year letter winner at Statesville High School under head coach Randall Gusler ... he received first-team all-state and all-conference accolades following his outstanding junior season in which he recorded 57 receptions, 13 touchdowns, and 1,200 yards receiving ... his team won a conference championships with a 12-1 record in 2019 but was unable to compete in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic ... a two-sport athlete who was an all-conference player in basketball, he was rated as the No. 55 prep recruit in North Carolina … his brother, Izaiah, played tight end at Middle Tennessee State, and has spent the past year in camps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
Chase Harrison – QB, 6-1, 189, R-So., Centerville, Ohio/Marshall
Harrison transfers to Ball State after two seasons at Marshall where his lone appearance came in the 2022 season opener against Norfolk State … rated a three-star prep prospect, he attended Marshall over offers from Louisville, and six schools from the MAC: Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Ohio and Toledo … he threw for 2,668 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior at Centerville High School … he threw 92 career touchdown passes for 8,816 yards … named AP All-Ohio with multiple prep All-America honors … he also played basketball at Centerville … his brother, Jacob, was a quarterback at Navy and his dad, Mike, was an Academic All-MAC punter at Ball State in 1989 and 1990 while a teammate of Mike Neu.
L'Cier Luter – DL, 6-3, 340, R-So., Detroit, Mich./Saddleback College
Luter is a junior college transfer who returns to the Midwest after growing up in Detroit … he earned second-team all-league honors in the California Community College Athletic Association last fall while posting 22 tackles over seven games played … he arrived at Saddleback after brief stays at UNLV and Northern Colorado … he was a 2021 graduate of Cass Tech High School in Detroit where he played one season for the 9-1 Technicians … his cousin is former Michigan and current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Jamarion McDougle -- WR, 6-1, 170, So., Deerfield Beach, Fla./Butler CC
McDougle transfers from Butler Community College where he caught 20 passes for 273 yards over 10 games in his freshman campaign ... he scored five touchdowns and averaged 13.7 yards per catch ... his 61-yard reception against Independence CC was the Grizzlies' longest pass play of the season ... he prepped at TRU Prep Academy in Miami where he was the Saints' team MVP as a senior ... he was an all-county selection as both a junior and senior
Riley Tolsma – DL, 6-4, 255, Grad., Hamilton, Mich./Hillsdale College
A transfer from Division II Hillsdale College, Tolsma was one of the Chargers' top defensive linemen his last two seasons … he finished his 2023 campaign with first-team all-conference honors after a career-high 50 tackles, plus 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss … he was the GMAC's player of the week after an 11-tackle effort against Northwood that included two sacks among three TFL, and a safety … in 2022, he was the Chargers' most disruptive pass rusher with 7.5 sacks and 11 TFL, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass … he twice earned Hillsdale's defensive player of the week award, and three times earned the team's special teams player of the week award … he played a reserve role in 10 of 12 games during the 2021 season, and posted a pair of tackles over three appearances as a first-year freshman in 2020 … Tolsma was a three-sport athlete, two-year captain and standout linebacker at Hamilton High School in West Michigan … he was a consensus all-state player in 2019, earning Division 3/4 second team honors from the Associated Press and Division 4 first team honors from the MHSFCA … he also earned second-team All-Grand Rapids Press honors as a senior … Tolsma finished his prep career with the Hawkeyes with 252 tackles, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles … he earned three letters in track and a pair in basketball … he hopes to be a financial advisor one day, after pursuing a graduate degree in finance at Ball State.
Jaxxon Warren – TE, 6-7, 235, So., Flower Mound, Texas/Navarro College
Warren was a high school quarterback before converting to tight end last season at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas … in his first year playing the position, he earned second team all-league honors in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference … in nine games with Navarro, he caught 17 passes for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns … his best game featured three catches for 72 yards … he caught two passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Heart of Texas Bowl against Copiah-Lincoln CC … Warren played QB at Marcus High School and guided the Marauders to an 8-3 mark in 2021 and a 9-1 record in 2020 … he chose Ball State over offers from UMass and Akron.
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The 2024 class represents 10 different states and includes 17 players on offense and 11 on defense. All 10 transfers are expected to enroll for the spring semester and participate in 2024 spring drills.
Ball State's 2024 Early Signing Class – Incoming Freshmen:
Jalen Alexander -- RB, 5-11, 195, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Kameron Anthony -- TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Zach Bandy -- OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Avon, Ind./Avon HS
Brady Barrowman -- OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS
Ty Curran -- WR, 5-11, 180, Fr., Chelmsford, Mass./St. Thomas More School
Jordan Davis -- DB, 6-3, 170, Fr., Columbia, Tenn./Columbia Central HS
Ryan Eldridge -- OL, 6-6, 260, Fr., Goshen, Ind./Goshen HS
Sam Feeney -- LB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard HS
Dantu Gardner Jr. -- LB, 6-4, 215, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North HS
Micah Lillard -- DB, 6-2, 178, Fr., Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson HS
Eric McClain -- DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East HS
Mason Riggins -- TE, 6-6, 235, Fr., Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville HS
Dion Smith II -- DL, 6-3, 275, Fr., Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City HS
Layton Starks -- LB, 6-5, 215, Fr., Versailles, Ky./Woodford County HS
Jordan Suggs -- DB, 6-2, 170, Fr., O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township HS
DJ Williams -- RB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch HS
Willizhuan Yates – DB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Springboro, Ohio/Springboro HS
CJ Zeltwanger -- OL, 6-5, 305, Fr., West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison HS
Ball State's 2024 Early Signing Class – Transfers
Yaser Al-Awadi – OL, 6-7, 328, R-So., Park Ridge, Ill./Western Illinois
Justin Bowick – WR, 6-4, 190, Jr., Powder Springs, Ga./Eastern Illinois
Luke Dalton – OL, 6-4, 307, R-So., Crystal Lake, Ill./Cincinnati
Trey Firestone – WR, 6-2, 186, R-So., Zionsville, Ind./Purdue
Jasaiah Gathings – WR, 6-2, 180, R-Jr., Statesville, N.C./Akron
Chase Harrison – QB, 6-1, 189, R-So., Centerville, Ohio/Marshall
L'Cier Luter – DL, 6-3, 340, R-So., Detroit, Mich./Saddleback College
Jamarion McDougle -- WR, 6-1, 170, So., Deerfield Beach, Fla./Butler CC
Riley Tolsma – DL, 6-4, 255, Grad., Hamilton, Mich./Hillsdale College
Jaxxon Warren – TE, 6-7, 235, So., Flower Mound, Texas/Navarro College
More on each signee can be found below:
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jalen Alexander!
??@_jalenalexander
??Running Back
??Hamilton Southeastern (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/zrBue4dtgV
Jalen Alexander -- RB, 5-11, 195, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Alexander led the Royals in rushing as a senior with 1,444 yards and 17 rushing TDs after also leading HSE as a junior on a team that finished 12-1 and reached the IHSAA semistate … he finished his prep career with 3,001 rushing yards and 32 rushing TDs, with 17 100-yard rushing games over his last two seasons.
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— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Kameron Anthony!
??@kameronanthony7
??Tight End
??Hamilton Southeastern (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/WHGae1Y9fV
Kameron Anthony -- TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS
Anthony earned three varsity letters at Hamilton Southeastern under coach Mike Kelly … he helped HSE to a 9-3 mark as a senior, following 12-1 and 8-3 seasons as a junior and sophomore, and reaching the IHSAA semistate in 2022 … he was a high honorable mention selection on the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team after earning first team all-league honors in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … he was chosen as the Royals' most improved player as a senior after finishing the season with eight catches and 105 receiving yards … he hopes to pursue sports broadcasting.
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— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Zach Bandy!
??@zachbandy1
??Offensive Line
??Avon (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/bhesSokoIT
Zach Bandy -- OL, 6-5, 290, Fr., Avon, Ind./Avon HS
Bandy lettered three seasons at Avon HS where he played his final season under coach Rob Gibson … he earned all-state accolades as a junior and a senior, and was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team last season … Bandy was a team captain for the Orioles and was chosen all-league the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … he chose Ball State over Army, Air Force, Kentucky and others … he carried a 4.1 GPA in high school and hopes to major in pre-medicine … he is expected to enroll at Ball State in January.
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— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Brady Barrowman!
??@BarrowmanBrady
??Offensive Line
??Minooka (IL)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/npVImgrotj
Brady Barrowman -- OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS
A two-year letterman at Minooka High School under coach Matt Harding, Barrowman was a second-team all-conference performer in the Southwest Prairie Conference … a team captain as a senior, he helped the Indians to an 8-3 mark, following a 7-4 record as a junior … he chose Ball State over offers from Army, Bryant, Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Indiana State … he was a high honor roll student at Minooka with a 4.4 GPA … he hopes to pursue sports entertainment communications.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Ty Curran!
??@TyCurran06
??Wide Receiver
??St. Thomas More (CT)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/sThHCCqHRM
Ty Curran -- WR, 5-11, 180, Fr., Chelmsford, Mass./St. Thomas More School
Regarded as the top receiver in Connecticut and the top slot receiver in New England, Curran played at Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, Mass.) before transferring to prep power St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.) as a senior, in order to play a more national schedule … he was a four-year varsity performer and a three-year all-conference honoree including last fall when he led St. Thomas More with 42 catches and five touchdowns .. his best game last season featured four catches for 140 yards and two TDs against New England power Avon Old Farms … he chose Ball State over 11 other Division I offers including nearby interest from Holy Cross, Bucknell and Navy … he also was a standout lacrosse player in high school …a high honors student in high school with a 3.6 GPA, he is expected to enroll at Ball State in January … his father, Dan, is a former fullback with the NFL Seahawks and Saints, and played with the AFL New Orleans Voodoo under Mike Neu when Neu was beginning his coaching career … the elder Curran was named last week as the new head coach at Holy Cross.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jordan Davis!
??@jjordandavis
??Defensive Back
??Columbia Central (TN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/fZUju4swnq
Jordan Davis -- DB, 6-3, 170, Fr., Columbia, Tenn./Columbia Central HS
Four-year football letterwinner is a two-sport star at Columbia Central High School, where he also is a shooting guard on the hardwood … he played defensive back and wide receiver for the Lions, earning all-state recognition as a senior and three straight seasons with all-conference honors … though best-suited as a defensive back, he also caught 34 passes for 621 yards and six TDs while leading the Lions to the Tennessee Class 5A playoffs … he played in Tennessee's East/West Classic football all-star game, and has scored over 1,000 points as a three-year starter in basketball … he hopes to major in broadcasting after sporting a 3.7 high school GPA.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Ryan Eldridge!
??@ThomasEldridg
??Offensive Line
??Goshen (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/Dxler36DYW
Ryan Eldridge -- OL, 6-6, 260, Fr., Goshen, Ind./Goshen HS
A four-year letterwinner at Goshen High School, Eldridge missed most of his junior season due to injury and committed to Ball State last summer … he played both offensive line and tight end during his prep career … athletic for his size, the 6-7 two-sport star has also been a key player on RedHawks basketball teams the past three years, currently averaging 14.9 points per game.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Sam Feeney!
??@sammyfeeney10
??Inside Linebacker
??Bishop Chatard (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/SgN26zjWvV
Sam Feeney -- LB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard HS
Feeney helped Chatard to a 15-0 Class 3A state championship as a senior, making 84 tackles including 17 TFL and 8.5 sacks … he was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team … he also forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles, blocked a pair of kicks and scored two defensive touchdowns while earning "Athlete of the Year" honors on the Indianapolis Star's All-City football team … he also caught eight passes for 136 yards and a touchdown on offense.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Dantu Gardner!
??@dantugardner3
??Outside Linebacker
??Lawrence North (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/40cRHHczKE
Dantu Gardner Jr. -- LB, 6-4, 215, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North HS
A three-year letterwinner at Lawrence North High School under coach Pat Mallory … Gardner capped his high school career by being named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team after making 98 tackles … he had 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks as an outside linebacker and defensive end for the 7-4 Wildcats … he added three fumble recoveries, forced a pair of fumbles and added an interception during his senior year … for his career, he made 207 tackles including 30 TFLs and 16 sacks, earning all-state honors in each of his last two seasons … he chose Ball State over an offer from Purdue, and hopes to major in business … he boasts a 3.57 high school GPA with high honor roll and National Honor Society recognition.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Micah Lillard!
??@LillardMicah
??Defensive Back
??Jefferson (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/w0yYgEFYBU
Micah Lillard -- DB, 6-2, 178, Fr., Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson HS
Lillard played cornerback and safety over three seasons at Lafayette Jefferson High School under coach Patrick Shanley … he was a junior all-state selection and a member of the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team as a senior … he was a Bronchos team captain and defensive MVP last season, and twice earned all-league honors in the North Central Conference … Lillard posted 93 tackles with three interceptions and six PBU as a senior … he recorded 67 tackles with three INTs and 13 PBU as a junior … he tallied 160 career tackles with six INTs, 19 pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two interception returns for TD – once as a junior and once as a senior … his cousin, Justin March-Lillard, was an All-MAC linebacker at Akron before spending time with multiple teams in the NFL.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Eric McClain!
??@McClain04_
??Defensive Back
??Glenbard East (IL)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/rsYZ508qVE
Eric McClain -- DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East HS
McClain was a two-way star at Glenbard East High School under coach John Walters, where he helped the Rams to a conference title and an appearance in the Illinois state quarterfinals … he lettered the past two seasons while leading his team to a 10-2 mark as a senior, 8-2 as a junior … earning all-state honors as a senior and all-conference merit as a junior, he was his team's defensive player of the year in 2023 … he finished with 112 tackles, a pair of sacks and nine pass break-ups in his senior season … McClain starred in track as well, appearing in the 2022 state track meet in the long jump … he chose Ball State over offers from Eastern Illinois and Illinois State … he hopes to major in business management.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Mason Riggins!
??@masonriggins1
??Tight End
??Zionsville (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/8bIrAhFnb7
Mason Riggins -- TE, 6-6, 235, Fr., Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville HS
Riggins signs with the Cardinals after completing a senior year at Zionsville High School where he caught 24 passes for 267 yards and a pair of touchdowns … he was third on the Eagles in both yards and total receptions, and averaged 38.1 receiving yards per game … he was one of two tight ends chosen as part of the Indy Star's Class 6A Senior All-State Team … he will join Cardinal sophomore Christian Abney in the tight end room next season, after catching passes from him only a year ago when Abney was the Zionsville quarterback … received other offers from Austin Peay, Bryant, Buffalo and Colgate.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Dion Smith!
??@Dion_Smith1020
??Defensive Line
??Michigan City (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/gZiu7Bk1Il
Dion Smith II -- DL, 6-3, 275, Fr., Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City HS
Smith lettered three seasons at Michigan City High School where he played under coach Cody French … he played tackle on both sides of the ball, playing every single snap at offensive tackle in addition to his new role on defense … he was named all-county as a senior, playing just his first season on defense while recording 33 tackles with four tackles for loss … he helped the Wolves to a regional championship as a sophomore.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Layton Starks!
??@laytonstarks
??Outside Linebacker
??Woodford County (KY)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/j6fVuTEdO7
Layton Starks -- LB, 6-5, 215, Fr., Versailles, Ky./Woodford County HS
Starks has signed with the Cardinals out of Woodford County High School in Kentucky, where he was a 2022 teammate with Cardinals' offensive lineman Tristan Cook … Starks played both wide receiver and defensive end for Woodford County, helping lead the Yellowjackets to a 6-4 record and a trip to the Kentucky Class 5A playoffs … the Yellowjackets finished 11-2 during his junior campaign and 13-1 as a sophomore in 2021, losing both seasons to the eventual state champions … Starks also stars on the basketball team.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jordan Suggs!
??@He12Different
??Defensive Back
??O'Fallon Township (IL)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/ZTGG4BDpja
Jordan Suggs -- DB, 6-2, 170, Fr., O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township HS
The cousin of Cardinals' All-MAC linebacker Sidney Houston, Suggs signs at Ball State after recording a school record six interceptions as a senior at O'Fallon Township High School … he played four seasons at O'Fallon under coach Byron Gettis, and collected 10 career interceptions … he was an all-state selection as a senior and earned all-conference honors as a junior … he earned the Panthers' Character Award last fall.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State DJ Williams!
??@djwilliams330
??Running Back
??Austintown Fitch (OH)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/MbHdiu7zgh
DJ Williams -- RB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch HS
Williams played running back and outside linebacker at Austintown Fitch High School where he earned four varsity letters under coach TJ Parker … he rambled for over 2,400 career rushing yards with 30 touchdowns … he committed to Ball State last June, over other offers from Temple, Akron, Central Michigan and Army … he also lettered in track and basketball … he intends to major in communications at Ball State.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Will Yates!
??@willizhuan
??Defensive Back
??Springboro (OH)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/XoES9PwUQc
Willizhuan Yates – DB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Springboro, Ohio/Springboro HS
A second-team All-Southwest Ohio pick and a first-team all-conference selection, Yates earned three varsity letters at Springboro High School under coach Ryan Wilhite … he played on both sides of the ball while earning Springboro's team MVP award last season … he collected 24 career touchdowns at running back, before switching to a corner position last fall where he collected two interceptions and returned one for a score … he totaled 13 touchdowns in his junior season and posted a career-high game with 225 rushing yards … he also played varsity basketball over four seasons, including all-conference honors on the hardwood … he goes by "Will" but honors his given name Willizhuan … his social media handle is @willizhuan.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State CJ Zeltwanger!
??@ZeltwangerCj
??Offensive Line
??William Henry Harrison (IN)#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/HQLdaK1Lwi
CJ Zeltwanger -- OL, 6-5, 305, Fr., West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison HS
Zeltwanger was a three-year letterman at Harrison High School where he earned all-state accolades as both a junior and senior … last fall he was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team … a senior team captain, he led the Raiders to a 9-2 mark that included a 7-0, first-place finish in the North Central Conference … he was a two-time all-conference and all-area selection while helping Harrison to three consecutive conference titles … he chose Ball State over offers from Miami (OH) and Army.
Below are brief biographies in an alphabetical list of 2024 college transfers:
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Yaser Al-Awadi!
??@YaserAlawadi3
??Offensive Line
??Western Illinois University#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/LMyutsa9kb
Yaser Al-Awadi – OL, 6-7, 328, R-So., Park Ridge, Ill./Western Illinois
Al-Awadi transfers to Ball State after two seasons at Western Illinois where he did not see game action … rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, he played left tackle for Maine East High School, also playing basketball and throwing shot put on the track & field team … he earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior, and was an honorable mention all-state pick as a 2021 senior … he was the league's offensive lineman of the year as a senior … prior to attending WIU, he received offers from West Virginia, Toledo and Purdue.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Justin Bowick!
??@justinbowickjr
??Wide Receiver
??Eastern Illinois University#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/fBTfXfiB38
Justin Bowick – WR, 6-4, 190, Jr., Powder Springs, Ga./Eastern Illinois
Two-year wide receiver from Eastern Illinois joins the Cardinals after making 35 catches and scoring five touchdowns last year for the Panthers who finished 9-3 … he managed 499 receiving yards while playing all 11 games in 2023, with a long grab of 52 yards … he appeared in eight games in 2022 and earned Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honors with six catches for 177 yards and two TDs against nationally ranked UT-Martin … both TDs in that game were longer than 40 yards, including a career-long reception of 63 yards … he caught 13 balls for 250 yards and three TDs as a freshman … he prepped at Pace Academy in Atlanta, helping his team reach the Georgia state playoffs as a senior … he had 11 catches for 131 yards and a TD as a senior.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Luke Dalton!
??@LukeDalton_
??Offensive Line
??University of Cincinnati #NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/aEwK98kIJh
Luke Dalton – OL, 6-4, 307, R-So., Crystal Lake, Ill./Cincinnati
A transfer from Cincinnati, Dalton was a redshirt in 2022 and did not see playing time last season as a redshirt freshman … out of Marian Central Catholic High School, he was a consensus three-star prospect who was one of the Top 25 recruits in the state of Illinois ... he drew other offers out of high school from Arizona State, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska ... he was ranked the No. 3 offensive lineman in the Chicago area by the Chicago Sun-Times ... he was twice named to the IHSA Class 4A All-State Team and was the East Suburban Catholic Conference/Chicago Catholic League Lineman of the Year as a senior.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Trey Firestone!
??@TreyFirestone
??Wide Receiver
??Purdue University#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/OOcwUTcsFH
Trey Firestone – WR, 6-2, 186, R-So., Zionsville, Ind./Purdue
Firestone transfers to the Cardinals after limited time in five games with Purdue in 2023 … he earned a redshirt season with just one appearance in his college debut against LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl … he joined the Purdue program as a preferred walk-on, after leading Zionsville High School with 61 catches for 639 yards and 11 TDs as a senior, and twice helping the Eagles to the IHSAA Class 5A state championship game where they twice fell to Cathedral … he was a first-team all-state selection as a senior, and twice earned all-conference recognition in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference … his brother Jack is an outfielder on the Purdue baseball team.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jasaiah Gathings!
??@GathingsJasaiah
??Wide Receiver
??University of Akron#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/RMbJPKqlHL
Jasaiah Gathings – WR, 6-2, 180, R-Jr., Statesville, N.C./Akron
Gathings transfers to Ball State after a 2023 campaign at Akron with 55 catches for 586 yards and a touchdown … playing all 12 games last year, he led Akron in receptions and was second in yards … his best game featured nine receptions for 103 yards and a TD against Kent State … he had seven catches for 86 yards against Morgan State, and seven catches for 80 yards at Eastern Michigan … he caught just one pass (at Michigan State) over two games in 2022 and he earned a redshirt in 2021 with no game action … a 247Sports three-star wide receiver from Statesville, N.C., Gathings was a three-year letter winner at Statesville High School under head coach Randall Gusler ... he received first-team all-state and all-conference accolades following his outstanding junior season in which he recorded 57 receptions, 13 touchdowns, and 1,200 yards receiving ... his team won a conference championships with a 12-1 record in 2019 but was unable to compete in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic ... a two-sport athlete who was an all-conference player in basketball, he was rated as the No. 55 prep recruit in North Carolina … his brother, Izaiah, played tight end at Middle Tennessee State, and has spent the past year in camps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Chase Harrison!
??@ChaseHarrisonQB
??Quarterback
??Marshall University#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/y9tBSnwI3s
Chase Harrison – QB, 6-1, 189, R-So., Centerville, Ohio/Marshall
Harrison transfers to Ball State after two seasons at Marshall where his lone appearance came in the 2022 season opener against Norfolk State … rated a three-star prep prospect, he attended Marshall over offers from Louisville, and six schools from the MAC: Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Ohio and Toledo … he threw for 2,668 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior at Centerville High School … he threw 92 career touchdown passes for 8,816 yards … named AP All-Ohio with multiple prep All-America honors … he also played basketball at Centerville … his brother, Jacob, was a quarterback at Navy and his dad, Mike, was an Academic All-MAC punter at Ball State in 1989 and 1990 while a teammate of Mike Neu.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State L'Cier Luter!
??@lcierluter
??Defensive Line
??Saddleback College#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/jxTQiEuTiW
L'Cier Luter – DL, 6-3, 340, R-So., Detroit, Mich./Saddleback College
Luter is a junior college transfer who returns to the Midwest after growing up in Detroit … he earned second-team all-league honors in the California Community College Athletic Association last fall while posting 22 tackles over seven games played … he arrived at Saddleback after brief stays at UNLV and Northern Colorado … he was a 2021 graduate of Cass Tech High School in Detroit where he played one season for the 9-1 Technicians … his cousin is former Michigan and current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jamarion McDougle!
??@jamarionmcdoug3
??Wide Receiver
??Butler CC#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/1BzcHyawHM
Jamarion McDougle -- WR, 6-1, 170, So., Deerfield Beach, Fla./Butler CC
McDougle transfers from Butler Community College where he caught 20 passes for 273 yards over 10 games in his freshman campaign ... he scored five touchdowns and averaged 13.7 yards per catch ... his 61-yard reception against Independence CC was the Grizzlies' longest pass play of the season ... he prepped at TRU Prep Academy in Miami where he was the Saints' team MVP as a senior ... he was an all-county selection as both a junior and senior
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Riley Tolsma!
??@riley_tolsma
??Defensive Line
??Hillsdale College#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/4vzmRIEzRU
Riley Tolsma – DL, 6-4, 255, Grad., Hamilton, Mich./Hillsdale College
A transfer from Division II Hillsdale College, Tolsma was one of the Chargers' top defensive linemen his last two seasons … he finished his 2023 campaign with first-team all-conference honors after a career-high 50 tackles, plus 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss … he was the GMAC's player of the week after an 11-tackle effort against Northwood that included two sacks among three TFL, and a safety … in 2022, he was the Chargers' most disruptive pass rusher with 7.5 sacks and 11 TFL, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass … he twice earned Hillsdale's defensive player of the week award, and three times earned the team's special teams player of the week award … he played a reserve role in 10 of 12 games during the 2021 season, and posted a pair of tackles over three appearances as a first-year freshman in 2020 … Tolsma was a three-sport athlete, two-year captain and standout linebacker at Hamilton High School in West Michigan … he was a consensus all-state player in 2019, earning Division 3/4 second team honors from the Associated Press and Division 4 first team honors from the MHSFCA … he also earned second-team All-Grand Rapids Press honors as a senior … Tolsma finished his prep career with the Hawkeyes with 252 tackles, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles … he earned three letters in track and a pair in basketball … he hopes to be a financial advisor one day, after pursuing a graduate degree in finance at Ball State.
??? SIGNED.
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome to Ball State Jaxxon Warren!
??@JaxxonWarren
??Tight End
??Navarro College#NSD24 | #24kCards pic.twitter.com/JgTVQORKy2
Jaxxon Warren – TE, 6-7, 235, So., Flower Mound, Texas/Navarro College
Warren was a high school quarterback before converting to tight end last season at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas … in his first year playing the position, he earned second team all-league honors in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference … in nine games with Navarro, he caught 17 passes for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns … his best game featured three catches for 72 yards … he caught two passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Heart of Texas Bowl against Copiah-Lincoln CC … Warren played QB at Marcus High School and guided the Marauders to an 8-3 mark in 2021 and a 9-1 record in 2020 … he chose Ball State over offers from UMass and Akron.
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