Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Welcomes 20 Newcomers in 2015 Signing Class
2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Signing Day Central | Download Release in PDF Format
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern got another glimpse into the future as head football coach Pat Fitzgerald announced that 20 young men from across the nation have signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to join Chicago's Big Ten Team. Northwestern's National Signing Day class of 2015 features 11 defensive players and nine on the offensive side of the ball.
"Today we are thrilled to welcome another group of talented and determined young men into our Northwestern Football Family," said Fitzgerald. "They come from tremendous families from every corner of this country and we're grateful that they have made the commitment to become part of ours, as well. Each young man has demonstrated the ability to excel in three key areas of his life: in the classroom, character in their communities and on the football field, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so here at Northwestern.
"I am confident that they will finish the next few months of high school on a strong note and I look forward to welcoming them to their new home in Evanston this summer," added Fitzgerald.
Northwestern said goodbye to 22 Wildcats who completed their playing eligibility in 2014. The Wildcats return four student-athletes who garnered All-Big Ten recognition last season.
Northwestern opens the 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Ryan Field against Stanford.
Signing Class Notes
• The positional breakdown for this year's class is as follows: defensive backs (5), wide receivers (4), linebackers (3), defensive linemen (3), offensive linemen (3), running backs (1), quarterbacks (1).
• Five of the 20 incoming Wildcats (25 percent) hail from Illinois. All five are from the Chicagoland area, and two - Adam Lemke-Bell and Lloyd Yates - were teammates at Oak Park River Forest High School. Northwestern's newest Football Family members come from 11 different states.
• Half of today's 20 signees reached their state's championship game last season. Six of those 10 players - Joe Gaziano (Massachusetts), Cameron Green (Illinois), Jared Thomas (Indiana), Jordan Thompson (Ohio), Simba Short (California) and Steven Reese (Georgia) - were crowned state champions. The entire class posted a combined 195 wins in 2014.
• Northwestern welcomes two sets of high school teammates as part of the National Signing Day class of 2015. Alonzo Mayo and Jelani Roberts prepped together at The Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. Offensive lineman Adam Lemke-Bell blocked for quarterback Lloyd Yates at Oak Park River Forest High School in suburban Chicago. Rising sophomore safety Tommy O'Dell also attended at OPRF.
• The Wildcats will add another pair of brothers to the roster in 2015. Incoming linebacker Tommy Vitale will join brother, and rising senior superback, Dan Vitale. Northwestern's squad already features Cameron (senior wide receiver) and Garrett (sophomore superback) Dickerson and Kyle (sophomore safety) and Cameron (redshirt freshman linebacker) Queiro.
• Sixteen of today's 20 signees took an official visit to Northwestern on the same weekend in January. The group has been able to connect through social media and strengthen its bond well before it arrives together in Evanston this summer.
| Northwestern's 2015 Recruiting Class | ||||||
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School | |
| Charlie Fessler | WR | 6-4 | 205 | Erie, Pa. | Cathedral | |
| Nathan Fox | LB | 6-2 | 235 | Houston, Texas | Clear Lake | |
| Joe Gaziano | DL | 6-3 | 230 | Scituate, Mass. | Xaverian Brothers | |
| Trent Goens | DL | 6-3 | 245 | Chino Hills, Calif. | Chino Hills | |
| Cameron Green | WR | 6-3 | 205 | Buffalo Grove, Ill. | Stevenson | |
| Montre Hartage | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Cordele, Ga. | Crisp County | |
| Adam Lemke-Bell | OL | 6-5 | 270 | Oak Park, Ill. | Oak Park River Forest | |
| Alonzo Mayo | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Baltimore, Md. | The Gilman School | |
| John Moten IV | RB | 6-0 | 190 | St. Louis, Mo. | John Burroughs School | |
| Jake Murray | DB | 6-3 | 195 | Coppell, Texas | Coppell | |
| Flynn Nagel | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Lemont, Ill. | Lemont | |
| Andrew Otterman | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Morristown, N.J. | Delbarton School | |
| Steven Reese | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Buford, Ga. | Buford | |
| Jelani Roberts | WR | 5-8 | 160 | Owings Mills, Md. | The Gilman School | |
| Simba Short | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Concord, Calif. | De La Salle | |
| Jared Thomas | OL | 6-4 | 260 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Cathedral | |
| Jordan Thompson | DL | 6-3 | 255 | Cincinnati, Ohio | LaSalle | |
| Tommy Vitale | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Wheaton, Ill. | Wheaton Warrenville South | |
| Trae Williams | DB | 5-11 | 195 | The Plains, Ohio | Athens | |
| Lloyd Yates | QB | 6-2 | 190 | Oak Park, Ill. | Oak Park River Forest | |
| Charlie Fessler |
|
6-4 • 205
High School: Named a three-star prospect and the No. 29 wide receiver in Pennsylvania in the class of 2015 by Scout.com ... Also tabbed the state's No. 20 prospect by 247Sports ... Selected to participate in the prestigious PSFCA/Big 33 All-Star game ... 2014 All-State First Team selection by the PA Football Writers ... First Team All-District honoree by the Erie Times News ... First Team All-Region 6 selection (coaches) ... Caught 41 passes and 10 touchdowns for Ramblers in 2014 ... Added 17 tackles and six interceptions as a safety on defense ... Set Cathedral Prep record for career receptions (106) ... Finished second in program history in career receiving yards (1,730) ... Helped team to a 39-2 record since 2012 and a state championship that season ... Also starred on the baseball diamond as an outfielder ... Received All-State accolades as a junior in 2014 while leading the team in batting average, stolen bases and doubles ... Team captain of football, baseball and basketball teams ... Two-time class president ... National Honor Society member.
Personal: Born Charles Patrick Fessler in Erie, Pa. ... Son of James and Alison Fessler ... Brother, Billy, is a freshman quarterback at Penn State ... Chose Northwestern over 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Big Ten rival Nebraska and Boston College ... Intends to major in economics.
|
| Nathan Fox |
|
6-2 • 235
High School: Earned a three-star rating from 247sports, which ranked him as the No. 22 inside linebacker prospect in the country ... Rated the fourth-best linebacker prospect in Texas by Rivals.com ... Named a Second Team All-American by MaxPreps.com ... Earned First Team All-State honors from the Texas Associated Press ... Two-time District 24-6A most valuable player ... Voted Clear Lake's best linebacker three times ... Team MVP in 2014 ... All-Greater Houston Area First Team selection ... Named National Underclassmen Combine All-American in 2014 ... Recorded 400 career tackles and three interceptions for the Falcons ... Two-time team captain ... Also ran as a sprinter on the track team ... 2011 Academic All-District selection.
Personal: Born Nathan Daniel Fox in Houston ... Son of Greg and Henriette Fox ... Chose Northwestern over offers from Stanford, Oregon and Texas ... Intends to major in learning and organizational change.
|
| Joe Gaziano |
|
6-4 • 245
High School: Named the No. 1 prospect in Massachusetts by Scout.com, 247Sports and Rivals.com ... 2014 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year ... Three-star prospect rated as the nation's 43rd-best defensive end by Scout ... 2014 USA Today Second Team All-USA ... Semper Fidelis All-American (East captain) ... 2014 Boston Globe Division One Player of the Year ... Massachusetts Coaches Association All-State Team ... 2014 ESPN Boston Mr. Football ... Two-time Catholic Conference most valuable player ... Recorded 53 tackles, including 21 for loss and 16 sacks in 2014 ... Helped Hawks finish 12-0 with a Division One Super Bowl championship ... Had seven tackles, two sacks and a 35-yard field goal in the Super Bowl game ... Tallied 141 tackles, 33 sacks and four blocked kicks in career for Xaverian Brothers ... Captained both the football and lacrosse teams ... Two-time Boston Herald All-Scholastic honoree ... Honor Roll recipient.
Personal: Born Joseph Matthew Gaziano in Scituate, Mass. ... Son of Frank and Mary Ellen Gaziano ... Father, Frank, and uncle, Joe, played football at Lafayette College ... Attended same high school as NFL quarterbacks Tim and Matt Hasselbeck and former NBA player Dana Barros ... Chose Northwestern over Boston College, Syracuse, Big Ten foe Rutgers and others ... Intends to major in biology.
|
| Trent Goens |
|
6-3 • 250
High School: Three-star prospect and rated as the fourth-best defensive end in California according to Scout.com ... Ranked as a top-75 player in the state by Rivals.com ... Earned All-League, All-Area San Gabriel Valley, All-Inland Empire and All-CIF honors as a senior ... Registered 67 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2014 ... Also played tight end where he caught 11 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown ... Finished career with 189 tackles, 62 TFL and 31 sacks ... Three-time All-Area San Gabriel Valley honoree ... Captained the Huskies ... Also wrestled for two seasons ... AP Scholar.
Personal: Born Trent A. Goens in Chino Hills, Calif. ... Son of Randy and Christine Goens ... Father, Randy, played football at Long Beach State ... Grandfather played basketball at Nebraska ... Chose Northwestern over offers from Arizona, Cal, Washington and Miami ... Interested in majoring in economics or engineering.
|
| Cameron Green |
|
6-3 • 205
High School: Rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 4 wide receiver in Illinois and the No. 17 overall recruit in the state by Scout.com ... Ranked as the No. 15 recruit in Illinois by 247Sports ... Helped Stevenson H.S. win an IHSA 8A state championship in 2014 ... Team captain ... Two-time All-State honoree ... Three-time All-Area selection ... 2013 Daily Herald Player of the Year ... Part of three North Suburban Conference championship teams ... Played wide receiver, defensive back, kicked, punted and returned both kickoffs and punts for the Patriots ... Caught 140 passes and 27 touchdowns between 2012-14 ... Netted 2,311 receiving yards and 3,000 all-purpose yards at Stevenson ... Also played four years of basketball for the Patriots.
Personal: Born Cameron Anthony Green in Highland Park, Ill. ... Son of Sandra Kanardy and Mark Green ... Father, Mark, played collegiately at Notre Dame and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears ... Chose Northwestern over offers from several Big Ten teams including Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue ... Enjoys to draw in his free time ... College major is undecided.
|
| Montre Hartage |
|
6-0 • 180
High School: Three-star star prospect according to 247sports ... Two-time All-Region First Team honoree ... Tabbed for the All-Area First Team ... Recorded 70 tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks as a senior at Crisp County H.S. ... Also played wide receiver, making 25 receptions for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns in 2014 ... Made 68 tackles and notched three interceptions as a junior ... Named All-Region Second Team as a sophomore in 2012 ... Recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award.
Personal: Born Montre Hartage ... Chose Northwestern over Georgia State, Army, Western Kentucky and others ... College major is undecided.
|
| Adam Lemke-Bell |
|
6-5 • 270
High School: Three-year letterwinner as an offensive tackle at Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) H.S. ... Rated as the third-best offensive tackle in Illinois by Scout.com ... Named the No. 19 overall recruit in the state of Illinois by 247Sports ... Served as team captain ... 2014 Chicago Tribune All-State Second Team selection ... Chicago Sun-Times All-Area honoree ... All-West Suburban Conference player ... Named to Tom Lemming's All-Area Team in 2013 ... Also a member of the OPRF wrestling team as a heavyweight ... Helped the Huskies capture the 2014 IHSA state dual championship ... Became a Cadet National Double All-American in 2013 and the FILA Cadet Freestyle Champion at 120kg ... Also captains the wrestling squad ... Four-year Honor Roll student.
Personal: Born Adam Anthony Lemke-Bell in Chicago ... Son of Sally Lemke and Tony Bell ... Grandfather, George Bell, played collegiate football from 1952-56 at Xavier University in New Orleans ... Competed at OPRF with current NU safety Tommy O'Dell and fellow 2015 signee Lloyd Yates ... Chose Northwestern over Big Ten schools Minnesota, Illinois and Rutgers, plus Mississippi State, NC State, Syracuse and others ... Intends to major in secondary education.
|
| Alonzo Mayo |
|
5-11 • 180
High School: Rated as a three-star prosepect by 247Sports ... Garnered recognition as the No. 27 overall recruit in Maryland by Scout.com ... Three-time letterwinner and team captain at The Gilman School ... Named All-MIAA First Team, Private School All-State First Team and Baltimore Sun All-Metro First Team ... Participated in the Maryland Crab Bowl All-Star Game ... Helped the Greyhounds to become MIAA Co-Champions and an 8-3 record ... Registered 41 tackles, five interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2014 ... Also an important member of the track team, specializing in both sprints and jumps.
Personal: Born Alonzo James T Mayo in Baltimore ... Son of Erika S. Dailey and Orlando J. Mayo ... Father, Orlando, played collegiately at Columbia University ... Brother, Mikal, played cornerback at West Virginia ... Mother, Erika, was a four-year starter at point guard for a nationally-ranked high school basketball team ... Teammates with fellow 2015 signee Jelani Roberts since youth football ... Chose Northwestern over offers from Vanderbilt and Yale ... Intends to major in economics.
|
| John Moten IV |
|
6-0 • 190
High School: Tabbed as a three-star prospect and the No. 11 overall recruit in the state of Missouri by Scout.com ... Rated as the eighth-best player in the state by 247Sports ... 2013 and 2014 Metro League Player of the Year ... Named 2014 MFCA All-State First Team ... Team captain at the John Burroughs School ... Two-time All-District and St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro First Team ... Ran for 5,259 yards and 81 touchdowns in career for the Bombers ... Helped John Burroughs School win the 2014 Metro League championship, district championship and reach the Missouri state championship game ... Also ran track and won a 2014 state championship in the 100-meter dash (10.58 seconds) ... Placed second in the 4x100 relay at state and third in the 200-meter dash ... Named 2014 Metro League Male Athlete of the Year.
Personal: Born John Michael Louis Moten IV in Minneapolis ... Son of John and Valorie Moten ... Sister, Elizabeth, played basketball at the United States Naval Academy ... Attended Fairfield Prep in Fairfield, Conn. from 2011-2013 before family moved to St. Louis in 2013 ... Chose Northwestern over numerous offers, including from Notre Dame, Illinois, Missouri, Boston College and others ... Intends to major in economics.
|
| Jake Murray |
|
6-3 • 195
High School: Rated as a two-star prospect by Scout.com ... Has experience playing both corner back and safety ... Registered 56 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended and one forced fumble in 2014 ... Also blocked a punt for the Cowboys ... Helped Coppell H.S. win six games, including four in its district ... Cowboys reached the playoffs and played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
|
| Flynn Nagel |
|
5-11 • 180
High School: Ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Illinois by Scout.com ... Chicago Tribune All-State selection ... Named to the IHSFCA 6A All-State squad ... South Suburban Blue Conference Player of the Year ... Caught 93 passes for 1,431 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior ... Finished one score shy of matching Illinois single-season touchdown record ... Helped the Indians finish 13-1 and reach the IHSA 6A state championship game ... Attended Marist H.S. as a junior and recorded 20 touchdowns on 103 receptions for 1,488 yards.
Personal: Born Flynn Nagel ... Son of Ron and Linda Nagel ... Brothers, Brett (2009-11) and Aaron (2010) played at Northwestern ... Sister, Erica, plays softball at Loyola ... All six Nagel siblings have been NCAA scholarship student-athletes ... Chose Northwestern over Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati and others ... College major is undecided.
|
| Andrew Otterman |
|
6-5 • 280
High School: Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com and No. 2 at his position in the state of New Jersey ... Tabbed to the Newark Star-Ledger All-State First Team ... Named to the MSG Varsity All-New Jersey First Team ... Also earned NJAC All-Conference First Team and Morris Daily Record All-Area First Team honors ... Named to Super 100 Team by the New Jersey Football Coaches Association ... Helped the Green Wave win four NJAC conference championships ... Also a member of the club rugby team, which won state championships in 2012 and 2014 ... Member of the track team and set a freshman record at the 2012 Randolph Shot-Put Invitational ... Received Highest Honors in the classroom.
Personal: Born Andrew Augustus Otterman in Morristown, N.J. ... Son of Tim and Judy Otterman ... Father, Tim, played volleyball at UCLA and was a member of the 1984 undefeated national championship team and a 1985 All-American ... Brother, Chad, is an accomplished lacrosse and hockey player ... Chose Northwestern over Syracuse ... Interested in studying pre-med.
|
| Steven Reese |
|
6-2 • 190
High School: Three-year letterwinner as a defensive back and wide receiver at Buford H.S. ... Helped the Wolves to a four-year record of 58-2 and three consecutive state championships from 2012-14 ... 2014 First Team All-Region honoree ... Recorded 52 tackles and a pair of interceptions as a senior ... Also caught eight passes and one touchdown on offense ... Ran track as well ... Represented Buford in the 2014 4x100 relay at the state track competition ... Received an academic letter in 2012 and a Multi-Media award in 2014.
Personal: Born Steven Hamilton Reese in Atlanta ... Son of Steve and Laura Reese ... Grandfather, Dick Pruet, was a two-time All-America basketball player at Jacksonville University and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1967 ... Coached 2013 and 2014 national champion FBU eighth-grade football teams ... Competed in the Dixie Youth World Series as a young baseball player in 2007 ... Chose Northwestern over Virginia, UNLV, Temple and others ... College major is undecided.
|
| Jelani Roberts |
|
5-8 • 160
High School: Earned a three-star rating from Rivals.com ... Rated as the No. 27 overall recruit in the state of Maryland by Rivals ... Two-time All-MIAA selection ... Named Baltimore Sun First Team All-Metro player ... Private School All-State First Team honoree ... Selected to play in the Maryland Crab Bowl All-Star Game ... Played both wide receiver and running back at The Gilman School ... Produced 1,695 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns for the Greyhounds in 2014 ... Helped the The Gilman School to become 2014 MIAA Co-Champions with an 8-3 record in 2014 ... Recorded an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a nationally-televised game (ESPN) on Aug. 31, 2014 ... Selected to the Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team in May 2014 ... Also an accomplished sprinter on the track team ... Named to the All-MIAA Outdoor Track Team in 2013 and 2014 and the All-MIAA Indoor Team in 2014 ... Won the 55-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter MIAA championships ... National Commended Student ... National Achievement Scholarship finalist ... AP Scholar with Honor ... National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete ... Member of Honor Committee and Vice President of Athletic Association.
Personal: Born Jelani Khari Roberts in Baltimore ... Son of Kevin and Tonia Roberts ... Teammates with fellow 2015 signee Jelani Roberts since they were youth football players ... Attended same high school as journalist Frank DeFord and Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro ... Chose Northwestern over offers from Boston College, Navy and several Ivy League programs.
|
| Simba Short |
|
6-2 • 210
High School: Rated as a three-star linebacker by Scout.com and No. 50 overall at the position from the class ... Three-year varsity starter ... Served as team captain in 2014 ... First Team All-EBAL honoree ... Also captured the Team Players' Award ... Made a one-handed interception in a playoff game against Amador Valley ... Helped the Spartans win two state championships, three Nor-Cal titles and three NCS crowns ... Team finished 2014 with a perfect 14-0 record and ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today ... Achieved Honor Roll status in seven consecutive semesters.
Personal: Born Simba Kamaleimaikalani Short in Wailuku, Hawaii ... Middle name means "beloved child sent from heaven" ... Son of Roger and Lenee Short ... Passionate about graffiti art ... Competed in high school against Northwestern running back Warren Long ... Attended same high school as notable NFL names Maurice Jones-Drew, DJ Williams and Amani Toomer ... Chose Northwestern over UCLA, Arizona State, Cal, Duke and others ... College major is undecided.
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| Jared Thomas |
|
6-4 • 260
High School: Earned three-star rating from Scout.com ... Tabbed as the No. 8 overall prospect in the state of Indiana by both Rivals.com and 247Sports ... Three-time letterwinner as an offensive tackle, center and defensive end at Catherdral ... Named 2014 MVP ... Earned All-City honors in 2013 and 2014 ... Named to 2014 Top 50 All-State football team ... Captured the Class 5A Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in 2014 ... High school program has won five consecutive state championships ... Team captain ... Also captain of the basketball team ... Helped the Fighting Irish to a pair of City Basketball championships and a runner-up finish in the 2012 state championship ... Recipient of the Catherdral Christian Scholar Athlete Award ... Member of National Honor Society ... High Honor Roll student.
Personal: Born Jared Allen Thomas ... Son of Michael and April Thomas ... Did not play football until high school ... Played basketball since the age of four ... Uncle, Chris Beaty, played football at Indiana (2000-04) ... Chose Northwestern over Big Ten programs Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, plus Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College and others ... Intends to major in journalism with an emphasis in broadcast.
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| Jordan Thompson |
|
6-3 • 255
High School: Earned four-star rating for Scout.com ... Rated as the 12th-best recruit in the state of Ohio ... Checks in at No. 210 in the Scout 300 ... Named AP All-Ohio Division II Defensive Player of the Year ... Claimed spot on AP All-Ohio First Team defense ... AP Southwest Ohio Division II Defensive Player of the Year ... Greater Catholic League South First Team defensive lineman ... Helped the Lancers go 14-1 and win the 2014 Division II state championship, the first in program history ... Recorded 100 tackles, 6.5 sacks, a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception in final two seasons ... Also caught a pass for 18 yards on offense ... Claimed LaSalle H.S. MVP honors and served as a two-year team captain ... Also played basketball for two seasons ... Four-year member of the Honor Roll.
Personal: Born Jordan Ezekiel Thompson in Cincinnati ... Son of James and Felicia Thompson ... Brother, Trey, plays football at Tennessee Tech ... Father, James, played at Kentucky State ... Attended same high school several notable NFL players including Brent and Garrett Celek, Devier and Julian Posey and Darryl Meadows ... Chose Northwestern over Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Duke and others ... Played against current Wildcats Ifeadi Odenigbo and Keith Watkins II during high school ... Intends to major in kinesiology.
|
| Tommy Vitale |
6-3 • 220 Wheaton, Ill. • Wheaton Warrenville South Projected Position: Linebacker High School: Three-star linebacker according to Scout.com ... Rated as the second-best linebacker in the state of Illinois by Scout ... Chicago Tribune All-State selection ... Named All-DuPage Valley Conference and to the DuPage Country All-Area Team ... Helped Wheaton Warrenville South (WWS) win the DVC championship and reach the IHSA 7A quarterfinals in 2014 ... Registered 134 tackles and 12 QB hurries as a senior ... Also played fullback for the Tigers ... Named to the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl ... DVC Academic All-Conference honoree ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Born Thomas Paul Vitale in Elmhurst, Ill. ... Son of Dan and Lisa Vitale ... Brother, Dan, is a rising senior superback for the Wildcats ... Attended same high school as NFL legend Red Grange ... Competed against current Wildcats Justin Jackson and Clayton Thorson while at WWS ... Chose Northwestern over Syracuse, NIU, Toledo and others ... Intends to major in communications.
|
| Trae Williams |
|
5-11 • 195
High School: Earned three-star rating for Scout.com ... Rated as the seventh-best defensive back in the state of Ohio ... All-Ohio First Team honoree ... Two-time All-Ohio Second Team selection ... Played running back and defensive back while also returning kicks ... Ran for 5,435 yards and 102 touchdowns during varsity career ... Registered 112 tackles, 26 passes defended, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception on defense ... Returned 15 kickoffs for 475 yards and two scores ... Served as a team captain ... Interception came in game-winning fashion against Saint Vincent Saint Mary's in the state semifinal game ... Played in the Ohio North vs. South All-Star Game ... Also participated as a sprinter on the track team.
Personal: Born Jesse Owens Williams in Worcester, Mass. ... Son of Jesse and Felicia Williams ... Father, Jesse, is the defensive line coach at Ohio University ... Played collegiately at Sonoma State ... Cousin, Taylor Embree, plays for the San Diego Chargers ... Chose Northwestern over Ohio, Air Force and others ... College major is undecided.
|
| Lloyd Yates |
|
6-2 • 200
High School: Three-star quarterback according to Scout.com ... Rated as the No. 26 overall recruit in the state of Illinois by 247Sports ... Accounted for school-record 72 touchdowns as a varsity player at Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) ... Named West Suburban Conference most valuable player ... Served as team captain ... Three-time All-WSC honoree ... Named 2013 WSC Silver offensive MVP ... Guided Huskies to 23 victories in three seasons ... Also played basketball for two seasons ... Academic All-WSC honoree ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Born Lloyd Andrew Yates in St. Louis ... Son of William and Isaure Yates ... Great grandfather, father, brother and a cousin all attended Northwestern ... Competed at OPRF with current NU safety Tommy O'Dell and fellow 2015 signee Adam Lemke-Bell ... Chose Northwestern over Northern Illinois, Akron, Illinois State and others ... College major is undecided.
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